J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by chaletinthemountains

If the last few seasons are anything to go by, then snow at the end of March shouldnt be a problem. If we look at the snow fall so far this season, then its all looking good for this season too!!! In case its of interest, i've kept a snow report blog for the last three season which covers the conditions and snow depths in the Chamonix Valley .... click here

Chamonix is only an hour from Geneva airport, so that meets your criteria, but ski-in ski-out places are harder to come by. Most of the accommodation is in the bottom of the valley (about 1000m altitude), but much of the ski areas are higher (mostly over 2000m).

Would love to offer you our place, but unfortunately its not ski-in ski-out. Although I have some friends (mark and francis) who run a nice ski-in ski-out catered chalet thats half way up the piste in Les Houches. You could try them, heres the link

Agree with bandit, it's hard to pick one place. Perhaps Argentiere might not be a bad choice ... the Grands Montets ski area is there and Domaine de Balme (formerly Le Tour) is a short bus ride away.

Here's a map showing where the different ski areas are in relation to the different villages in the Chamonix Valley. In case you're not that familiar with the valley, here's a link to a general description of the various ski areas. Hope it makes your choice easier!!

No sun in Chamonix in Feb??? Who told you that!!!! Here's a link to a post I made in the mid-Feb of last season ... includes a couple of photos to prove the point :-)

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/3284.page

For anyone interested in a last slide of the season, Chamonix has annonced extensions to its closing dates. La Fegere ski area has just exteded its closing date for another week til 4 May (copy of news report below). Plus Les Grands Montets is scheduled to close on 11 May this year.

Snow depths are still pretty good. The tourist office reports them as 230cm for the base of La Flegere (1895m), 200cm at the base of the Grands Monetes (1935m) and a whopping 475cm on the upper slopes (2800m).


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La Flegere to stay partially open until 4th May 2008

Good news for skiers and mountaineers alike this week as Chamonix lift operator Compagnie du Mont Blanc announced that La Flegere ski area will be staying partially open until the 4th May this winter season.

From the 28th April onwards, the first bin from the car park will be at 08:15 and every 15 mins thereafter, with the last uplift at 15:30. Index lift will be open, with the last uplift at 15:45 and La Trappe will stay open too until 15:45.

Saw something on the Chamonet newswire that might be of interest to those interested in late skiing:

Spring madness on the mountain
by Helen McGrory | Ski Content Editor | published 31-Mar-2008

So many people assume that the end of March means the end of season – well that’s certainly not the case in Chamonix! We’ve got nearly 6 more weeks of skiing to go before the lifts close for the winter. Whilst, Brevent, Le Tour, Les Houches and Courmayeur will be closing on April 27th, La Flegere will be partially open until 4th May (Cable car, Trappe and Index chairlifts) and Grands Montets will be welcoming spring skiers until 11th May this year.

As if that isn’t good enough, the Compagnie du Mont Blanc is also offering some crazy discounts on lift passes from April 12th. Buy a Mont Blanc Unlimited day pass for €47, and get a second day for €1!! A day pass for the Chamonix Le Pass area will only set you back €27.

Don’t forget that the big end of season party – The Chamonix Freeride Days – will be taking place on Grands Montets on May 4th. Now in its 10th year, this is the “not to be missed” season finale with a whole host of on-mountain entertainments, competitions and prizes. This year’s theme is The Big Parade giving you plenty scope for fancy dress ideas should the urge take you. If dressing up is not your thing then just come as you are to watch (or take part in) the world rail record, the wall or the fantastic water slide. If you’re still not sure what to expect then take a look at our Video Snow report from last years party (scroll down).

We’re currently enjoying some of the best snow conditions of the season over here – you’d be mad to pack your kit away just yet!

Am pleased to confirm lots and lots of snow in Chamonix. It began snowing last thursday night and didnt stop till saturday morning. Plus there's been more almost each day since.

So the easter break turned out to be a huge powder weekend. All the slopes everywhere are in tiptop condition and are just great for skiing on.

Looks like its going to stay cool and so conditions are likely to stay good, and more snow is in the forcast!

Currently the official reports of snow depths are: 225cm on lower slopes (2000m) and 430cm on the upper slopes (2800m)

Meredith, glad to say you timed your trip in April perfectly ... this is some of the best snow of the whole season!!

Hi Pavel
Thats a really great post and it brings to mind one of my "secret pleasures".

I'm in Les Houches in France and, in France, the kids go to school on saturday mornings .... plus I dont have to go to work. So i drop my kids off at 8.15 then head directly to the local ski slope, which is only 1 minute away from the school at the other end of the village.

Being a saturday, its changeover day for the tourists, so its quiet. OK, its not quite 7am like in your post, but there are very few poeple, the pistes are freshly groomed but untouched and the sun has to climb over the nearby Mont Blanc before it rises so the rays dont touch the pistes til close to 9am.

In other words, pretty much the same effect as you described!

Its times like those that make me so thankful that I'm lucky enough to live where I do.

sorry .... small correction. the correct link for Azzure is www.azzure.co.uk not .com