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  1. #1
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    Chamonix or Verbier? where to spend a season

    Im starting to look into my options for next winter. Basically I´m planning on quiting my job and being a skibum again. I need to stay in or very close to Switzerland so thats why I am looking at either Cham or Verbier. Both are big and offer a lot of options. I have spent a couple of days in both areas but do not know them well at all.

    Verbier seems better for lift accessed terrain and general infrastructure while cham has so many classic routes. I am leaning towards verbier because it sounds like its easier to get around and make the most of a powder day, and its only an hour away from cham, so day trips across there to go touring are very doable.

    I know that Verbier will probably be a fair bit more expensive than cham but am hoping that the difference is not too huge.

    I would appreciate any opinions. (and yes I have done a fairly comprehensive search of previous posts)

  2. #2
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    Depends on what kind of skier you are. If you're more of a ski alpinist, cham definitely has more to offer. If you just want to ski great terrain with limited hiking/climbing Verbier is the choice.

    Also bear in mind that, in general, Cham gets more snow because of its position. I heard Valais is one of the driest regions in the alps.

    About the cost: Verbier (4-valees) doesn't have to be that expensive. Offcouse it will if you want to live right next to Medran lift station and get drunk in the Pub the mt fort every night. But if you live in La Chable or Nendaz, it can be a lot cheaper. I lived in Nendaz last season, it doesn't have the vibe Verbier has but it has the same terrain and maybe more, because the Verb. snobs don't really come to the Nendaz side, where there is good terrain too.

    Damn, I’m jealous.. next season, I’ll be living about 800km from the nearest decent mountain..
    Last edited by TDJ; 06-09-2007 at 08:10 AM.

  3. #3
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    At this stage am looking to focus on my riding and hucking skills, and spend time touring when there is no longer anything worth skiing in the resort.

    TDJ- how much did accommodation cost in Nendaz and how did you find it?

  4. #4
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    Chamonix is higher than Verbier on my list of resorts to visit. So many reports come out of Chamonix, all of it good.
    Not around much these days.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by TDJ View Post
    Depends on what kind of skier you are. If you're more of a ski alpinist, cham definitely has more to offer. If you just want to ski great terrain with limited hiking/climbing Verbier is the choice.

    Also bear in mind that, in general, Cham gets more snow because of its position. I heard Valais is one of the driest regions in the alps.

    About the cost: Verbier (4-valees) doesn't have to be that expensive. Offcouse it will if you want to live right next to Medran lift station and get drunk in the Pub the mt fort every night. But if you live in La Chable or Nendaz, it can be a lot cheaper. I lived in Nendaz last season, it doesn't have the vibe Verbier has but it has the same terrain and maybe more, because the Verb. snobs don't really come to the Nendaz side, where there is good terrain too.

    Damn, I’m jealous.. next season, I’ll be living about 800km from the nearest decent mountain..
    that's some very good advice. i'd prefer le chable as compared to nendaz though. access to good terrain is faster and in a bad saison safer.

    but whatever you decide on, just don't go to veysonnaz.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by greg View Post
    that's some very good advice. i'd prefer le chable as compared to nendaz though. access to good terrain is faster and in a bad saison safer.

    but whatever you decide on, just don't go to veysonnaz.
    Well, the faster access is questionable. If you take an early bus(faster then with the lifts) to Siviez and take the first gongola from Tortin to Gentianes, your always faster on the mt fort then the Verbier guys. This is especially cool when the mt fort opens again after a storm. While your lapping the front side of the mt fort for the 2nd time in knee deep pow, the verb guys have to watch it while waiting in the lift.

    Quote Originally Posted by stantonbum1 View Post
    At this stage am looking to focus on my riding and hucking skills, and spend time touring when there is no longer anything worth skiing in the resort.

    TDJ- how much did accommodation cost in Nendaz and how did you find it?
    Our accomodation (2 pers.) cost CHF 1000/month, it was 50m2 and had a seperate bedroom and bathroom. I found it through interhome.
    Last edited by TDJ; 06-09-2007 at 12:11 PM.

  7. #7
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    verbier maybe. but in le chable, you don't have the lines.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by stantonbum1 View Post
    At this stage am looking to focus on my riding and hucking skills, and spend time touring when there is no longer anything worth skiing in the resort.
    Hello.

    Verbs would probably suit those objectives a bit better. Not that there is anything wrong with Chamonix. I love that place.

    I have known some very poor people (financially) who have spent full seasons bumming in Verbier. I don't think it has to be such a problem.

  9. #9
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    Verbier for some of the best lift served skiing on the planet.
    Cham for some of the best lift served mountaineering/ski descents on the planet.
    And I think Cham is more of a town than Verbier, which is more of a rich resort vibe. That should tilt you one way or the other.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the info. Would appreciate any tips from people who have spent time in the verbier area. Not too bothered about the whole ski town thing as long as the skiing is good. I will have a car so heading across to cham every now and then will not be a problem.

    Also what are the women like in Verbier - the ratio cant be worse than st. anton

  11. #11
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    I heart Verbier........ http://www.telemarktips.com/Verbier.html. Bob will probably show you around if your buying at the end of the day.

    BT
    I got my Vans on but they look like sneakers.....

    Telemarktips.com

  12. #12
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    Wink

    Quote Originally Posted by stantonbum1 View Post
    Also what are the women like in Verbier - the ratio cant be worse than st. anton
    Mulletizer managed to score in Verbier. That should tell you all you need to know.
    "Nothing is funnier than Hitler." - Smokey McPole

  13. #13
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    i admire the whole, quit my job and become a skibum lifestyle decision. cheers to that!

    I would definately pick Verbier. Like you mentioned, day trips are so easy to do when in the alps. The train system is so dialed in that it doesn't matter where you want to go, you're there. When I trecked through Austria several winters ago, I loved the fact that I could reach my destination that was hundreds to km away in no time! so whenever you feel the need to hit up Cham, it's right there for ya.

    the only thing that would pull me to Cham is the fact that you are in France the Chamonix valley is so freakin awesome. Whatever your decision maybe, Bon chance!

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by TahoePowShredder View Post
    i admire the whole, quit my job and become a skibum lifestyle decision. cheers to that!

    I would definately pick Verbier. Like you mentioned, day trips are so easy to do when in the alps. The train system is so dialed in that it doesn't matter where you want to go, you're there. When I trecked through Austria several winters ago, I loved the fact that I could reach my destination that was hundreds to km away in no time! so whenever you feel the need to hit up Cham, it's right there for ya.

    the only thing that would pull me to Cham is the fact that you are in France the Chamonix valley is so freakin awesome. Whatever your decision maybe, Bon chance!
    Given the disastrous season we just had here was not unhappy to have a full time job. Now I´m seriously over the whole work thing. Cant find the motivation to even look at other serious job opportunities.

  15. #15
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    I've handed in my notice as well. The long countdown has already started. Happy bumming.

  16. #16
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    Thumbs up

    Hello my pow loving friend! It looks like the great Cham VS. Verbier debate continues! You cannot lose in either place, but maybe a quick look around at some other areas would put you where you REALLY want to be. (Portes Du Soleil, Les Diablerettes, Engleberg)

    I have heard that the Brits have taken control of Cham, maybe Verbier too?

    Both areas have the great snow and skiing, and each have there share of bad seasons too. You are in an envyable position and you must make the right choice.

    This means CHAM all the way! Skiing is the best with the unbeatable Aiguille Du Midi, Le Brevent, and Les Grands Montets, lodging is cheap and friendly at the Ski Station Brevent, where you can also find excellent ski partners for all of those intense descents, food is outstanding whether at the market or Le Cavau, The Jeckyl, or L'Atmosphere, and last, but certainly not least...the swedish women! Just go, buy your pass, secure your bed, and start waxing your boards, because you are in for the season of your life. NO joke...

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by stantonbum1 View Post
    Thanks for the info. Would appreciate any tips from people who have spent time in the verbier area. Not too bothered about the whole ski town thing as long as the skiing is good. I will have a car so heading across to cham every now and then will not be a problem.

    Also what are the women like in Verbier - the ratio cant be worse than st. anton
    lots of hotties in verb my man.. steady supply from geneve and london etc.. become a leg at the farm.... youll see..

    terrain sick

    good town

    sweet place overall.

    prefer the verb vibe than the cham..
    Last edited by gamma; 06-10-2007 at 09:27 PM.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by VIA View Post
    I have heard that the Brits have taken control of Cham, maybe Verbier too?
    Our inherent topographical disadvantage seems a better reason for invasion than WMD/regime change, no?
    "Nothing is funnier than Hitler." - Smokey McPole

  19. #19
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    I have a shack in Le Chable ("Verbier").
    It's not for rent though!

    PM me with your phone number if you want a detailed chat.

    Cham or Verb?
    Well both will give you a season to remember, and if you have a car you can drive from Cham to Le Chable in an hour so you can ski both if you want.

  20. #20
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    This question is one of the toughest to answer.

    If you measure your daily success mainly by verticals skied then definitely opt for Verbier since the lift system's capacity outstrips Cham's in every respect. Plus it is way easier to switch spots within the whole area and change exposures to ski during the day. Depending on where you stay ski-in-ski-out is possible. Another advantage is that it is pretty convenient to get around at the resort since most of the stuff needed and desired is within walking distance, else the shuttle bus system is working great. If in need for a change the larger town of Martigny is close by.
    Drives to other destinations (Les Diablerets ect.) doable as already suggested, but they take longer than you might think and in this respect are not a real bonus IMO.

    OTOH Cham has more of a real town vibe and more overall options which help not getting bored too soon. A lot more runs with higher gnar factor and more sustained vertical are waiting there, conditions permitting. Total skiable acreage is even bigger than at Verbier when including easily accessible places like Courmayeur or Les Contamines. Mountaineering options and scenery clearly outstrip Verbier's. Additional commutes into places like Flaine, Megeve or La Clusaz easily doable. Own car is mandatory here anyway IMO.

    PM Idris @Cham or Huckschmuck @Verbier for more actual on-site info. Again as said before you can't go wrong either way.
    Last edited by Hicks; 06-11-2007 at 03:29 AM.

  21. #21
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    Huckschmuck is hiring for next year in Verb. He runs a catered chalet business.
    He's looking for a driver/ski host type person.
    If your idea of ski bumming involves a job to pay the way, but one that involves good snow time it might be worth getting in contact?
    Either way he is a top bloke and knows the place inside and out.

  22. #22
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    I have lived and worked in both. I dearly miss Verbier but have lived 5 times as long inChamonix. It depends on what type of skiing you are after. And where you are personaly up to in you skiing/mountaineering.

    Verbier has a world leading lift system

    Chamonix has one of the worst lift sysytems in the known world - opens 2-3 hours late on a powder day

    Verbier you can find lift accessed pow at lest a week after the storm - a few hours hike and you always get untouched

    Chamonix if you are not on the first tram you ain't getting freshies - 3 days and anything without an overnight is tracked

    If you want to push your limmits you will be on your own and scratching around in Verbier

    In Chamonix you will be humbled.

    Put it this way. When an average Verbier ski bum/seasonaire goes to Chamonix for the day they will ski the Vallee Blanche (tourist route) and 50% chance they will hire a guide. When the reverse happens the hardest to get to gnarliest runs that sometimes don't see tracks for 2 weeks an all the big classic lines will get skied in one day. There will be a great feeling of jealousy from the Cham crew towards the Verbier lift system.

    If you want to ski nice pow and world class steeps, hand with the jet set and not wory about your impending death too often go to Verbier.

    If you want to be able to push the limits of whats possible and don't mind having to work/fight to get them go to Cham
    Knowledge is Powder

  23. #23
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    ski apart (everything has been already said), they are two VERY different locations. Cham is town with thousands of people, and you hardly know 20% of who is in town. verb is a (midsize) resort, and - xmas and carnival apart - not very crawded... in a few weeks you will know everyone. If you start your search quickly, you can find cheap accomodations also in verb

  24. #24
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    How about Argentiere for combo of small town vibe and big cham terrain?

    Its expensive and no doubt there is some Cham v Arg (Midi v GM) theme to it.

    I like Argentiere. Truth be told, I have never actually stayed in Chamonix town before (camp site excluded). As a tourist I tend to generalise the whole valley as 'Chamonix'. Excitedly envious of all locals, regardless of town. Spending a full season anywhere in the Arve Valley would have to be one of the most significant periods in a mountain skiers life. That valley has been changing lives since modern albinism begun. Go there and stay for a season, thats what I would do. After that you are free to pick any other place that takes your fancy. Just thinking about how exciting it would be to have this choice... I cant sit still.

    Although, forget resort skiing if GM is your local hill. Bugger that. Late night social life and feeding the horse on a regular basis might not be so good either.

  25. #25
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    The more responses, the more difficult the decision becomes

    on the one hand I want to be able to get as much pow as possible on the other I really want to start doing some big descents.....

    at the moment I think that verbier may be the way to go given the infrastrucure and the fact that cham is not far away. From what point in the season is it normally possible to start skiing the really challenging terrain in cham?
    Last edited by stantonbum1; 06-11-2007 at 10:09 AM.

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