verbier_ski_bum wrote: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.
We always know what we want out of a trip, and it involves maximum ski time and easy access to lifts and slopes mainly. Thats why Cham has not featured so far, and having read your comments, probably why it wont for a while yet. Maybe I will do a 3-4 day trip and try out some of the more interesting stuff when Im not looking to maximise what little time skiing I already have.
I really dont want to drive about on buses or in cars, wait for lifts to open, and have to worry about which bit is open. Not for a weeks holiday anyway. Maybe its all a bit more serious in Cham, so for people like yourself who live nearby(ish) you can go with a different attitude.