European Ski/Snowboard trip

[dolladoj]

European Ski/Snowboard trip: advice needed

I'm beginning the initial planning for a ski-trip next January/Feb to Europe with my chica.

I've never been to ANY mountains in europe. So my list right now consists of Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Chamonix.

Should I consider some other places? We both have a little French under our belts and a little less Spanish and Italian.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[bubba]

One of your options is to go into Cervinia, Itlay -- that's the Italian side of the Matterhorn. The great part of this is that you can SKI over to Zermatt for the day (or longer, it you have accomodations) and ski back to Cervinia. You literally ski around the Matterhorn. The views are magnificent! You go through customs on the top of the Moutain. When you get to Zermatt, there are horse drawn taxis to take you into town for lunch and shopping. Make sure you get back so you catch the top lift before the mtn closes.

What may make this a good option is that you are not that far from Chamonix and have the pleasure of going through the Mt. Blanc Tunnel - the longest in the world (if I have that right). It almost dumps you out into Chamonix.

 

[dolladoj]

cool thanks bubba

 

[Gris]

Ach, wie Sie kann, fahren Ski in Europa und gehen nicht zu Kitzbuehel? Es ist ist das Original nach Skiparteienstadt!

 

[Mad Townie]

Chamonix.

Where else will you find a 12 mile run, with a 10,000 foot vertical drop? It's called the Vallée Blanche, and it starts at the top of the cable car wires on l'Aiguille du Midi.

And that's only part of it. If it's beautiful weather, ski the Grands Montets, above treeline and as challenging (or as easy) as you want to make it. If it's cloudy or snowing, head over to Les Houches, below treeline so you have some guidance and don't ski off the edge of a cliff you wouldn't be able to see up higher.

I could go on and on. There are several discrete ski areas, all within a very short municipal bus ride from the middle of town. There's a casino if you gamble (I don't). Great food and wine.

Told you I could go on and on.

In fact, I think Nadine is there right now. We should all go join her!

 

[dolladoj]

Chamonix....

Told you I could go on and on.

Thanks. One of my concerns is snow reliability and temperature. We'll be going during the last week of January probably. And generally that's one of the coldest, most bitter weeks in the northeast.

 

[Mad Townie]

Snow's pretty reliable on the glaciers. I think it's pretty reliable in the whole area, but I've never been in January. Late February/early March is the BEST time--great snow, warm sun, suntanned Europeans. A great time for getting a raccoon tan on your face.

If you're still checking things out, you might want to look at Les Trois Vallées, which include Val Thorens, Courchevel and Meribel. That's where the Olympics were held recently. Three parallel valleys, a total of about 29 miles across. You could literally ski for days, even weeks, and not do the same trail twice. Not as jet-setty, so more reasonably priced than many places.

I'm willing to bet that you can find trail maps for all these places somewhere on the web.

Have a great time, and don't forget to call if you have an extra plane ticket!

 

[Nadine]

I would have to recommend Les Trois Vallees for a first time Euro ski. It's the largest ski area in France, and it actually consists of 4 connected valleys if you ski over to Orelle from Val Thorens. Miles of skiing await you! Courchevel 1850 is a fun place to stay, but usually cost more than the other smaller surrounding areas. Everything is connected by bus, so don't worry if you stay in a smaller village. I always look for the half-board option, (room and breakfast/supper included in the package), makes for a very economical vacation. I can spend a week in Europe, inclusive, cheaper than I can spend a week in Colorado or Utah.

If $$$$ tight, avoid Switzerland. Cervina is nice (blue groomer skiing), on the Italian side, but the lift to go over Mont Rosa is often on wind-hold and there is no certainty you will be able to get back and forth everyday if you want to ski Zermatt. in Zermatt, a 12 ounce fountain coke is 5 swiss francs ($4.50 US). The Swiss do skiing right, and everything is run very precise, but the cost is very high.


Just got back from Chamonix last eve. Had a great time! Skiing in Europe is such fun I'm ready for my morning dose of espresso right now

 

[dolladoj]

Thanks for all the valuable feedback folks. I've chosen Zermatt!

Anyone ever stayed there? Specifically at The Hotel Schweizerhof or The Alpenhof?

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

I've been to Zermatt, but in the summer time. I'm assuming the places you mentioned are in the town? Have you considered any of the mountain huts at all?

 

[dolladoj]

Yeah pudgy, they are in the village. We'll be there on our honeymoon in January so I don't think the hut option would go over too well with the lady

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

Yeah pudgy, they are in the village. We'll be there on our honeymoon in January so I don't think the hut option would go over too well with the lady

Heh -- made me giggle. We were actually there on our honeymoon as well (we did the Tour Mont Blanc first, then spent some time in Zermatt) -- but $ won out. ;-) Although, when we went it was pre-peak season, so we pretty much had places to ourselves.

We stayed one night in Hotel Gornergrat (http://www.pbase.com/pudgy_groundhog/image/19141292), which had fantastic views. But it requires a train ride, so probably not the most convenient.

btw, across from the train station in Zermatt, is some kind of shopping area that has a larger grocery store (nice for picking up snacks, breakfast items, etc since Zermatt is pretty pricey). At least in the summer, it stayed open all day, which was convenient (most places shut down from noon-2, or something like that). It took us a day to stumble across it and we were happy to find it.

 

[skiguy]

If you go to Chamonix and Zermatt, do not miss Verbier as it is some what on the way between the two.

 

[dolladoj]

Heh -- made me giggle. We were actually there on our honeymoon as well (we did the Tour Mont Blanc first, then spent some time in Zermatt) -- but $ won out. ;-) Although, when we went it was pre-peak season, so we pretty much had places to ourselves.

We stayed one night in Hotel Gornergrat (http://www.pbase.com/pudgy_groundhog/image/19141292), which had fantastic views. But it requires a train ride, so probably not the most convenient.

btw, across from the train station in Zermatt, is some kind of shopping area that has a larger grocery store (nice for picking up snacks, breakfast items, etc since Zermatt is pretty pricey). At least in the summer, it stayed open all day, which was convenient (most places shut down from noon-2, or something like that). It took us a day to stumble across it and we were happy to find it.

Thanks for the tip! It's made the official dossier. Also thanks Bubba for the Cervinia rec, I'm looking forward to the trip to Italy from Switzerland on my snowboard (hope there's not too much traversing...)

 

[Gator]

I'm also planning a trip to Europe this year. Chamonix will be an almost definite.

How about that cold weather in January? Is it worse than the Northeast? I'll admit that in ski boots, I can't handle the sub zero temps all that well.

 

[bubba]

...Also thanks Bubba for the Cervinia rec, I'm looking forward to the trip to Italy from Switzerland on my snowboard (hope there's not too much traversing...)

Not to worry. When there is a traverse they have Poma lifts to pull you through!! But, for the most part, it's down hill. Although you can find difficult terrain, the ride over and back is intermediate. Lots of crusing time!

So, doing this trip TO Cervina, you have the advantage of arriving in the center of town. Shopping, food, taxi's and all right there in the heart of it. Just remember to have some focus on the time so you get back up on top before the last lift ride on the upper lifts.

Sound be a great trip to celebrate. Unfortunately... my wife and I have determined that long days on the slopes at altitude provide one of the best means of birth control... oh, you're young -- no problem...

 

[king tut]

I'm also planning a trip to Europe this year. Chamonix will be an almost definite.

How about that cold weather in January? Is it worse than the Northeast? I'll admit that in ski boots, I can't handle the sub zero temps all that well.

I went out to trois vallees a year and a half ago in the southern french alps. I brought all of my warm ski clothing, i think it was early february. The local hotel owner warned us that it was going to be cold that day, so we bundled up, and by noontime we were taking off layers and skiing in spring skiing gear. Apparently "cold" in the southern alps means less than 32 fahrenheit in the morning. So if you are used to skiing in new england, you will be A OK.