11-05-2019, 08:15 AM | #1 |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Anyone been to Chamonix France to ski/snowboard?
I've had some good tips from members on here on ski locations. Looking for suggestions on getting there.
I have the choice of flying into paris(much cheaper flights) than flying into Geneva. For those who have rented a car, how difficult is it to navigate the roads. Is it worth the hassle or taking a train a better route. Lastly, if anyone's also been to Val thorns or courchevel, give me your opinion on both locations. Thanks for reading. |
11-05-2019, 08:27 AM | #2 |
Brigadier General
6799
Rep 3,164
Posts |
I've been there, I don't ski though. It's fucking gorgeous if hideously expensive.
Roads in big cities in europe are a nightmare because scooters and brain dead pedestrians but once on the freeways and countryside, it's a joy. |
11-05-2019, 10:15 AM | #3 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Quote:
Did you need a international license? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2019, 10:17 AM | #4 | |
Major
819
Rep 1,150
Posts
Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: FLL
iTrader: (4)
Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [5.25]
2012 BMW 335is [5.00] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2009 528i [9.50] |
Quote:
Waze works as well in Italy as it does in the US. So, don't forget to get your phone configured to work there. Verizon has a plan that cost me $10 per day this past April. Super convenient and I only paid on days that I used it. That add-on is completely automated after getting it turned on through customer service prior to leaving the states. Much more convenient than buying an EU SIM once you get there, which is another option. I rented solely through Hertz on all my trips. They have plenty of wagons and SUVs, nearly all of which can be equipped with snow tires and ski racks. I strongly recommend the full-boat insurance because most of us in the US do not have auto insurance that works in the EU. I have also noticed my rentals getting a very detailed inspection upon return, even ensuring I didn't get curb rash on the wheels. With full-boat insurance there is no deductible, but it effectively doubles the cost of your rental. Could not use Hertz points over there for my rental, but I did earn them. Last thing - they are much more skilled as drivers over there on average than we are here. You won't see anyone squatting in the left lane like we suffer over here. It is illegal to pass on the right in Italy (I was told), so I pay extra attention when I'm in the left lane. |
|
Appreciate
1
R3dliner935.50 |
11-05-2019, 11:31 AM | #7 |
Major General
4282
Rep 5,729
Posts
Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
|
Of course i have, what do you take me for? A peasant??!
|
11-05-2019, 11:35 AM | #8 |
Colonel
7599
Rep 2,449
Posts
Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Einbahnstraße
|
Road navigation is a breeze.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2019, 11:57 AM | #9 |
Major General
4457
Rep 9,160
Posts |
I've made the drive from Frankfurt a few times. Rental cars will be on snow tires and the roads are maintained well, the drive will be easy. Hotels are silly expensive though, book in advance and if you're going for a few days do an Airbnb or VRBO, nice to have a kitchen and such.
Be aware that Chamonix is absolutely huge and you can ski between hills quite easily and need to get a ride back to the main area. Probably easier with smart phones and GPS, but when I went it was easy to end up miles away from lift access and not have a good way back. |
Appreciate
1
R3dliner935.50 |
11-05-2019, 12:57 PM | #10 |
Major General
9804
Rep 6,131
Posts |
Went during the summer so I can't speak to the skiing experience.
But I came away feeling that Whistler, BC is a much nicer place! Those of us in the NW have a real gem up here.
__________________
Former
-2008 E90 328 black/brown -2012 Lexus IS250 black/black |
Appreciate
1
R3dliner935.50 |
11-05-2019, 01:02 PM | #11 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Quote:
The only other place comparable on the west to whistler is lake tahoe. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2019, 01:06 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Thanks all for your responses. Much appreciated
|
Appreciate
1
infinitekidM2C4281.50 |
11-05-2019, 01:54 PM | #13 |
Private
34
Rep 92
Posts |
I've been to all those French resorts. The ski range in Chamonix is actually made up of a series of towns connected by free (with ski pass) buses. The buses can get quite busy. Chamonix itself is quite likely and there are some proper difficult runs at Argentiere.
Val Thoren is very high so snow sure but also means big hotels. Courchevel is much prettier and has some really nice quite runs on the far left. I often stay in Meribel as its in the centre of the 3 Valleys even if skiing is better in Courchevel and Val Thorens. Meribel apres ski is good fun at Rond Point Either way, you can't really go wrong with any of those resorts but each has its own pros and cons. |
11-05-2019, 02:04 PM | #14 |
Second Lieutenant
2248
Rep 203
Posts |
I've driven from Zürich to Chamonix, it was in the fall though. When crossing boarders they usually just wave you through if there are guards there. The city is pretty busy, but once up in the mountains there wasn't many people up there.
|
11-05-2019, 02:43 PM | #15 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2019, 02:44 PM | #16 |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
Gorgeous. Scenery reminds me of my trip to interlaken
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-11-2020, 10:17 AM | #17 |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
UPDATE: Thought I'd update my amazing experience.
Thanks everyone for the suggestion. We did a little bit of a adventure but it was well worth it Flew into paris. Took the lyria train to geneva and rented a car there. 1.5 hours to chamonix the drive was not bad. Overall I snowboarded in 3 different countries in 5 days. 2 day in chamonix (Flegere-Brevent, and grand montets), 1 day in courmayeur Italy, and 2 days in Verbier 4 vallees Switzerland. The 1.2 hour drive from chamonix to verbier was the most amazing drives. 30 min to italy on the longest tunnel I've ever been in. With that being said Verbier was hands down the best mountain for both off and on piste skiing. Picture was from summit mont fort verbier. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-11-2020, 10:27 AM | #20 |
Lieutenant Colonel
936
Rep 1,929
Posts |
some pics
Last edited by R3dliner; 04-30-2022 at 09:01 AM.. |
Appreciate
1
upstatedoc7527.50 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|