December Snowboarding

Hi there. New to this site. I am travelling to Geneva in December and would like to spend about 3 days snowboarding somewhere not too far away. Would like to go somewhere where there is a typical Swiss village right near the ski field. I am taking a teenager. We are both on the lesser side of intermediate. I heard Zermatt is one of the best but very expensive. Can any of you help to recommend somewhere - doing a search of Swiss skiing locations is doing my head in.

Hi Svalvoi, Zermatis certainly very popular and a great ski/board area, however in my opinion it has lost its old world charm, it is now quite modern and very expensive. it is also about 3+hrs by car, but it does have a glacier and as you are going early (dec) i would recomend choosing somewhere with a glacier to guarentee the snow. other resorts which are about 2hr 30mins away are sass fee in switzerland, or tignes / les deux alpes in france. hope this has helped you to narrow down the search.

Given your level and requirement for traditional, you might be better off heading for Saas Fee. I'm a massive Zermatt fan, and it's an exceptional village, but to get the most out of on a board you need to be on the experienced side of intermediate IMO, or alternatively ride mainly on the Italian side via Zermatt which is ideal for cruising and it's sunnier as it's south facing.

Another vote for Saas-Fee. It has the necessary wow factor, stunning, car free village, imposing glacier. Take the train from GVA, and the final sector by postbus.

http://saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm

Nendaz in the 4 Valleys? About 2+ hours from GVA; resort opens officially 1st week Dec; Nendaz has its own snow park for beginners/intermediates. See the tourist board's info on http://www.nendaz.ch/tourism/nendaz-snowpark.html

Secret Alps, I know you clearly love Nendaz, can you honestly describe the town as a typical Swiss village? To me from the visits I've made, it seems more like a town and the buildings are large and plain, when compared to villages such as Saas-Fee.

bandit wrote:Secret Alps, I know you clearly love Nendaz, can you honestly describe the town as a typical Swiss village? To me from the visits I've made, it seems more like a town and the buildings are large and plain, when compared to villages such as Saas-Fee.

Horses for courses Bandit :wink:

They have horses in Saas Fee, I saw one.