J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

The airport say that they have been losing trolleys. If you don't have any 2 Euro or 2 Swiss Franc coins to hand, you will have to carry your bag(s), or find a porter. It is a deposit system, so you will get the coin back, hopefully :D

From next week Geneva airport is planning to introduce a deposit system for the use of luggage trolleys in the airport. It will be 2 Euros or 2 CHF per trolley.

From my own searching for accommodation in Andorra, I have found that all the hotels I have approached only offer full "rack" rate for independent bookings. This situation seems fairly unique to Andorra, and many of the decent hotels belong to just a couple of Andorran hotel groups. When I have priced up flight, transfer and accommodation, it's been a close call, and I'm guessing that as the Tour Ops get bulk allocation, they can get the price down.

It may be worth you approaching one or two of the big TO's like Crystal or Inghams to see if you can get a "groups" rate, which will get your price down a bit, and you will be able to sleep at night because someone else is doing the organising.
Good Luck :D

The live webcam from Zinal looks like it's started snowing. Keep dancing ise :D

mrsc You have quite a mix of needs within your party. Chamonix is a super town, and a big tourist draw year round, so there is plenty of entertainment and activity for the non skiers' in your party.

Having a car with you, will prove very useful!

Your novice skiers' could ski either at Flegere on a green slope or Le Tour where there are good beginners' facilities.

The children in your party, could do well, it depends on how much skiing they have done, and how confident they are, as Chamonix valley slopes tend to be a little steeper than the "average" gradient.If you want them to learn with other children, there is a children's ski school in Argentiere. IIRC they will collect children in Chamonix for the day.

Chamonix can offer ultra budget bunkhouse to total luxury accommodation. Your challenge will be to keep everyone happy. I can't recommend a chalet as I usually self cater or stay in a hotel.

Here is a useful site to check out some prices.
http://www.chamonix.net/english/home.htm

Kymbillie wrote:
well smarty pants I believe many of the resorts across europe were open untill may last year and I believe that included 3valleys. As I said its best to wait untill almost last minute to book at that time of year as the snow can become quite unpredictable. Its also if the tour companies are sending the tourists the resort is not going to be closed. I would recommend crystal, its very unlikely they are going to send you to a closed resort. (if the resorts closed they dont make any money, and no snow equals unhappy tourists)

Er, the enquiry was about skiing in Crans Montana in April 08. To answer your points.

1. Crystal don't go there, as per their brochure.
2. The resort is shut, as shown here on the C-M website
http://hiver.crans-montana.ch/
3. The poster wants to ski Valais, Switzerland, not 3 Valleys, France.
4. Inghams Ski do go to C-M, but they are not sending folks there in April as per their brochure, as the resort is shut.
5. Many Swiss resorts are dual season and earn their income from a variety of sources. Skiing is not the only reason for their existence.

Grandvalira is a bigger area.Good for mileage hungry intermediates.
Arinsal is good for beginners and families, quieter nightlife.
Pas de la Casa, good for party animals who like to ski.Linked to Soldeu on Grandvalira pass.
All the ski stations have good access to skiing, all have english speaking tuition available. It really depends on your budget and needs. Andorra is heading upmarket with some smart hotels and spa centres.

As you have a large mixed group, have you costed out Hotels and apt's? Quite often it's cheaper to hand the whole booking to a tour operator because they get bulk rates in the hotels. Then you won't have to worry about transfers, crossing the border, finding a ski school etc
BTW if you do go the car/minibus rental route, make certain that the vehicle can be driven outside of Spain (ie into Andorra) as not all hire companies include this.

Kymbillie wrote:I went to the 3 valleys in April last year and there was more snow than there was in Deux alpes in january!!!! I would wait untill pratically last minute though so you can watch the snow forcast and choose the best resort!

Closing dates for resorts in different countries do vary. For the Valais resorts, it will not matter how much snow is on the ground, or how much is forecast, if the resort is closed for skiing the lifts won't be running.
Of course, you could always use touring skis :D