Chamonix, Verbier, Geneva, ZUrich

[hafjell]

1. Where should I go? Chamonix is obvious, but as a first timer with limited days are there better options (e.g. La Clusaz)? Too be honest, it's the size of Chamonix that worries me, as I want to maximize skiing and minimize flailing around trying to figure out where to go. For reference, I'm an advanced skier who learned to ski on and off piste in the Canadian Rockies.

What are you looking to do? On-piste or off?

[PNWbrit]

looking to do day trips up to the local resorts.... it's the size of Chamonix that worries me,

The Chamonix resorts themselves aren't particularly big and are minimally interlinked.... by Euro standards... and are easier to get your head around as a result.

[Kirby]

What are you looking to do? On-piste or off?

Both, but as much off-piste as possible depending on the conditions. And when I say 'off-piste' I mean North American 'in bounds off-piste'. I will be bringing my alpine set-up (i.e. no touring bindings) and may or may not bring my shovel, probe, and beacon.

[Buster Highmen]

The wife has to travel to Geneva in early March for work and I think I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity and try to get a few days of skiing in (I will be staying in Geneva and looking to do day trips up to the local resorts). Research seems to show that it shouldn't be too much of a problem finding daily shuttles, but since this is my first time off the continent (let alone ski on another continent) I wanted to see if anybody could give a dirtbag from Canada some advice on skiing out of Geneva:

1. Where should I go? Chamonix is obvious, but as a first timer with limited days are there better options (e.g. La Clusaz)? Too be honest, it's the size of Chamonix that worries me, as I want to maximize skiing and minimize flailing around trying to figure out where to go. For reference, I'm an advanced skier who learned to ski on and off piste in the Canadian Rockies.

2. Can anyone recommend a particular bus/shuttle company?

3. Any other advice?

Verbier, Gstaad/G3000. both accessible by train, each about 2.5 hours from Gare Cornavin, the main Geneva train station.

[jonzo]

Great news I am going to hit Chamonix in the middle of a nice phat high pressure system!!


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Apres, apres. Chambre neuf is rowdy if you’ve had enough of the sun and want to forget the day.

[Bruce Springskiin]

Day one was good for photography.


Took Chamonix Valley Transfers CVT from the airport to my VRBO, I did get lucky with no other passengers on the cheaper shuttle option, driver was an aspiring guide that gave me a few good tips.
Cheapest VRBO available may have been a bad idea, it smells like mold in there, but I should survive.
Did Aiguille du Midi first thing, and beat the crowds. The altitude was a little abrupt, almost passed out a couple times.
Then over to Brévent and Flégère for the rest of the day. Going to try and avoid the southern exposure today.


- I am here for the stoke

[BobbyBill]

Going for a week in early/mid April. Thanks for the stoke!

[adrian.bee]

Bumping this as it seems the most relevant thread. Whats the best way to get from Cham > Verbier sans car?

Earliest train doesn't arrive until 10am, but is that the only option?

[bobinch]

Bumping this as it seems the most relevant thread. Whats the best way to get from Cham > Verbier sans car?

Earliest train doesn't arrive until 10am, but is that the only option?

Yep. You can get to Le Chable by 9:40 so will be on the mountain skiing by 10:00am if you’re quick and there’s no queue

[Buster Highmen]

Bumping this as it seems the most relevant thread. Whats the best way to get from Cham > Verbier sans car?

Earliest train doesn't arrive until 10am, but is that the only option?

One option is to get a cheap room in Martigny the night before. There's lots of early trains from Martigny to Le Chable.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable.html

[Jack Burton]

Getting my first Aiguille Du Midi experience today, stoked!

Wondering about the reservation system for the lift, we are skiing in the Ikon pass and paid the 63 Euros for the unlimited. Is my understanding correct that we cannot make more than one reservation for the Aiguille, that is we have an 11:15 today so that means we cannot book for tomorrow or any other day until we use this one?

[adrian.bee]

Getting my first Aiguille Du Midi experience today, stoked!

Wondering about the reservation system for the lift, we are skiing in the Ikon pass and paid the 63 Euros for the unlimited. Is my understanding correct that we cannot make more than one reservation for the Aiguille, that is we have an 11:15 today so that means we cannot book for tomorrow or any other day until we use this one?

Not sure about the AGM, I'm sure the people in the window could help you though.

Just a heads up about that IKON upgrade as I did the same thing: it does not give you all the benefits of a "regular" MBU pass. For example the 50% discount at Verbier - does not apply to the IKON upgrade even if you have all 7 days.

[k2skier112]

Will the IKON base pass work on the ADM tram?
It requires an additional fee?

[adrian.bee]

Will the IKON base pass work on the ADM tram?
It requires an additional fee?

It does not work on the ADM. Either way you have to go to a Mont blanc resort property to get your RFID card. At that time you can "upgrade" to a Mont Blanc unlimited pass. I believe it was $63 euro for my 7 day.

https://www.chamonix.net/english/lif...ms/lift-passes

IKON base pass = Le Pass for as many days as you have

IKON upgrade: Mont Blanc Unlimited, minus some of the benefits. Still unclear on what is valid vs. what isn't. Courmayeur worked but the lady at the Verbier window laughed at me.