best for experts

It all depends on which direction the wind is blowing. Generally, this part of the world doesn't get as much powder as North America and this winter was exceptionally dry and followed by a very early and very warm spring, still was well-skiable. I skied in Chamonix about 10 days last winter - went for a weekend and then again for a week, and it snowed at least once on both occasions. verbier last season had on average one powder day per week and the season before after a very dry strat to the season it started snowing end of january and didn't stop till May. Having said that, it's not far from Chamonix so conditions are often similar.

The author is Arnie Wilson, editor of Ski + Board magazine and ski correspondent of the FT. I've met him a few times and correspond o occasionally. A top bloke and his book is a great read.

You might find Engelberg a bit on the small side (I like it for its ease of access and the Laub off-piste run!) but a bit surprised no-one has recommended Val D'Isere.

Massive ski area, lots of steep pistes (like St Anton, the runs are underclassified), and loads of easily accessible yet challenging off-piste in Val D'Isere and in Tignes.

Plenty of buses etc from Geneva airport as well.

LOTA, the OP suggested VdI in his initial post. He seemed to feel it was hard to get to by public transport. Most folks get the bus from GVA and change in Bourg St Maurice. Les Arcs is better IMHO, especially when in the company of Snowcrazy, as it's been his backyard for years :D

Yes, Bandit, that's why I was surprised no-one had 'bigged up' Val D'Isere - which, by any reckoning, is one of the great ski resorts of the world. I much preferred it to Les Arcs, but that's a personal view.

Not having been to either, given the choice I would 100% choose Val d'Isere over Les Arcs.

Closest to the Haute Tarentaise is Chambery not Geneva.

If you really want to go for it then check out the North Face of the Bellecote.

http://www.ski-best.com/Galeries/Pages/Bellecote_05.html

Contact me if you need a guide.

Tony_H wrote:Not having been to either, given the choice I would 100% choose Val d'Isere over Les Arcs.

Les Arcs and La Plagne = Paradiski )

If you go to Val d'Isere you wouldn't avoid Tignes.

Paradiski is unlimited, (relatively) safe, accessible off-piste at what I would consider a much better price. On the other hand if you have 25 euros to buy a burger,chips and a coke then Val is the place for you.

I don't really fancy either