First ski trip, flying into Geneva in Feb half term

Dave Mac wrote:Jonah, Stick to skiing, and don't give up your day job! :wink:

I walked the West Highland Way with m B-i-L, his sense of humour was on a par with yours. Worse, he could keep going for hours! :shock:

I bet the winter nights fly by :wink:

Walking the west highland way???? How does that differ from normal walking then??? :)
I just had images of the ministry of funny walks. :)

jonah690 wrote:Walking the west highland way???? How does that differ from normal walking then??? :)
I just had images of the ministry of funny walks. :)

That's better Jonah!

bandit wrote:Chamonix is not known as the most beginner friendly resort. If you are looking at Chamonix, because it's an easy transfer, then consider nearby Les Houches for more friendly terrain. With a rental car there are many novice friendly resorts within reach, St Gervais, Mageve, Les Contamines, Combloux to name a few.

Ive looked at les houches and there are only a few green and blue runs will this be enough for us not to get bored?

Like the idea of getting a car but i can just about drive over here, so no chance of me trying to drive in snow etc i think im pushing my luck at skiing ;)

I have found a few hotels near to Les Houches, Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons/Logis Chris-Tal/ Chalet de Pascaline they look about 4-6km from chamonix is public transport good around these hotels to get us to the slopes?? Any comments suggestions on these?

My interest in a Jacuzzi is so i can chill with a bottle of vino as im not sure im up for nightlife after days of skiing?? but would like to have the option of going to some bars etc

OOOHHHHhhhhhh this is so daunting, too much to choose from but so little budget :)

I have skied all the hills on the Chamonix lift system, and also Les Houches. IMHO the terrain at Les Houches is much more novice skier friendly. However if you don't want to have a car with you, then you will lose too much holiday time waiting for public buses in the suburbs arounnd Les Houches. I have stayed at the Mercure and it's just off the Autoroute, which is fine if you're in a car, and an utter nightmare if not, as it's nowhere in particular.

If you want to choose Chamonix, there is a ski bus service which runs to all the different hills on the system and is included in the lift ticket price. You can get to Chamonix town without a car, there are plenty of minibus transfer operators running from Geneva airport, which is an hour away.

The friendliest novice skier area in the Chamonix valley is Le Tour/Vallorcine which is about half an hour on the skibus.

Chamonix does tend to attract serious skiers, as well as skiers who take themselves rather seriously )

The distance between ski areas has always been the put off with Chamonix for me

Thanks for all your replys. Wow this has been a right mission, million times harder than organising a summer holiday, inc my wedding trip to Florida!!!

Still i am not put off and cant wait to get on the slopes. I cant seem to find many hotels taking a 4night booking in peak february so the only one i can see that is close to the slopes accepting a 4night is Park Hotel Suisse in Chamonix.

Its not really within my budget and i am putting myself out but it seems to be all i have to choose from (unless anyone else can suggest anywhere else cheaper, as close to lifts and slopes and that will take 4nights from 14th-18th feb)?????????? Any suggestions would be kindly accepted :)

So next i need some ski equipement for beginners and a place to get it from close to the hotel. Can anyone tell me where is the closest place to this hotel??? There were a few places i saw on the ski hire bit on here but i have no idea which is the closest.

And then its transfers, i have found alpybus which does door to door for 25Euros p/p each way, can can anyone tell me if this is a good/ cheap price, could i get cheaper, bearing in mind there are just two of us??

Thanks guys this site has been so helpful. Any information/ advice/ help on getting me on my way to my first ski trip is greatly appreciated. Cheers Again, Jodie.

Hi again, sorry, can i also be pointed into the direction of what ski lift pass i would require??? and how much it would cost etc. Cheers