Resorts you haven't been to but should

Tony_H wrote:I don't remember anyone saying the Aosta valley wasn't disjointed, although personally only having skied Monterosa I really couldn't comment.
My point and others I've heard about chamonix is that there are a number of areas connected by lift pass and buses all close by which you'd want to ski on a weeks holiday and that I keep being told you really need a car to do it.
I'm more than welcome to be convinced otherwise and i do appreciate there is some epic skiing to be done here.

But the scenery, I don't think I have been anywhere more stunning :thumbup:

Meribel -centre of the largest ski area in the world, with (probably) the best lift system in the world (you used to get c.30% more skiing in a day in the 3V than Espace Killy due to the quality of the lift system). Always alternative routes around if main lifts are busy, but queues usually move pretty quick. Great variety of skiing, great choice of chalets.

Val D'Isere much nicer to stay in than Tignes, one of the best ski areas in the world. Do it, but VdI rather than Tignes.

Zermatt - stunning resort, stunning scenery, some great skiing, but mega expensive lift pass! Do it.

Morzine - although fairly impressed by the PdS, I think Morzine is just too low for skiing in France. Take your waterproofs, or bite the bullet and stay up in Avoriaz.

Obergurgl - not been, but would suggest this could be your pre-Christmas warm up break. Seems to get good early snow.

Dolomites - been tempted, look great in summer, but something has always held me back. Probably an inconsistent snow record.

Never liked Cham myself...

Have you skied St Anton Tony? If not, how come that's not on your list? Likewise Whistler.

Ranchero,
You live in Chamonix so you probably choose the days you go out.
Mine was a 4 day break.
I'm sure it's an amazing to live.
I reported on my experience that week.
I know there are great buses, all the time, but if you get Le Tour and the lifts are shut it's a pain in the ass getting back on to go to Les Houches which at least was open.
I do think it's an amazing place, the scenery is out of this world and there's loads going on and i'll go back - one day.
Tony, perhaps you should try it.
The people who rate it so highly cannot all be wrong. But get someone to show you all the gems that a typical holiday maker(like myself) might miss. I think it's the kind of place that the longer you're there the more you rate it.
Lovely in summer too.

I tend not go on how people rate a resort, I like scenery , Good skiing, good food, a resort that is good on the eye.
So I do tend to do my own reasearch to satisfy our needs. -)

PrivateBryan wrote:Ranchero,
You live in Chamonix so you probably choose the days you go out.
Mine was a 4 day break.
I'm sure it's an amazing to live.
I reported on my experience that week.
I know there are great buses, all the time, but if you get Le Tour and the lifts are shut it's a pain in the ass getting back on to go to Les Houches which at least was open.
I do think it's an amazing place, the scenery is out of this world and there's loads going on and i'll go back - one day.
Tony, perhaps you should try it.
The people who rate it so highly cannot all be wrong. But get someone to show you all the gems that a typical holiday maker(like myself) might miss. I think it's the kind of place that the longer you're there the more you rate it.
Lovely in summer too.

That's why there is Internet. Check what's open first before leaving the house - easy:)

verbier_ski_bum wrote:

PrivateBryan wrote:Ranchero,
You live in Chamonix so you probably choose the days you go out.
Mine was a 4 day break.
I'm sure it's an amazing to live.
I reported on my experience that week.
I know there are great buses, all the time, but if you get Le Tour and the lifts are shut it's a pain in the ass getting back on to go to Les Houches which at least was open.
I do think it's an amazing place, the scenery is out of this world and there's loads going on and i'll go back - one day.
Tony, perhaps you should try it.
The people who rate it so highly cannot all be wrong. But get someone to show you all the gems that a typical holiday maker(like myself) might miss. I think it's the kind of place that the longer you're there the more you rate it.
Lovely in summer too.

That's why there is Internet. Check what's open first before leaving the house - easy:)

:oops:
Indeed.
Schoolboy error.
Lesson learnt.

Tony_H wrote:

andyhull wrote:Chamonix is the one big European resort missing from ski cv, I'd love to go there at some point.

What Bryan said on this page is what I have heard from too many people. Disjointed, aloof people, and lots of closures. I would however kill to have a crack at the Valley Blanche

Well, I heard these comments too. I guess people want different things from their ski holidays. generally "disjointed" is only an issue if you ski in a group of truly mixed ability and want to ski together all the same. Unless this is the case I can't see how this can be an issue - there is no way you can ski all of it in a day even if all the areas were connected. You need to decide what you are looking for in a ski holiday and go from there. If you want fast lifts, ski-in and many miles of linked flattering cruisers where everyone can look an expert - this is one thing, if you want epic terrain, magnigicient scenery and sense of achievement when you finish your ski day - go to Chamonix. Yes, you will spend time on buses, and lifts can be slow but you will be a better skier by the end of your holiday. And check weather and what's open first to avoid riding a bus to a closed area. And waiting for lifts to open on a powder day only adds to excitement. You don't need a car really, it solves the problem of buses (which are frequent) but when it's busy you may end up with a problem of parking. So figure out what you want first and then make a list of places. Vallee blanche - maybe you want to come to Cham in the summer and try walking the arete then first. If you can do the arete classic route will be easy.