enderzero 0 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 What's up all? How have things been around these parts lately? Winter is quickly approaching and I wanted to tap into the wealth of skiing and snowboarding knowledge that is snowjapan. I hope you excuse my long absence. I am currently studying for the semester in Prague (yup, for those of you who don't know I gave up the bum life to finish my degree - this ain't so bad either). I leave here Dec 22, but I am seriously hoping to see a little Alpine snow before that date. Prices are super cheap to fly from Prague to Geneva (€100 return) - if I buy it by tomorrow. The dates I have available is the weekend of Dec 3-4. Should I go? Is it just too early to be worth it? Basically any decent riding is really worth it. Oh man do I want to be on a board! Assuming I can get some snow under my feet, where should I go? What is easy to get to out of Geneva? Is it stupid to stay in Geneva - should I find a hostel out of town? There is a slight chance I might have a place to stay in town. How hard is it to commute (only talking about 2 days)? Of course I have heard of Chamonix - but is it really the best? Is there something better for early season, easy of access, terrain, price, etc? (Yo is barok still around here? If so, you remember that girl from Nova that used to talk about Chamonix every day we rode with her!? I'll never be able to think of that place without that coming to mind.) Finally - anyone riding in Switzerland this winter? Looking for someone to ride with from Dec 3-4? I would love to have someone to make some turns with. I already checked out this thread which had some good info. Bobby - how was your trip? Aight y'all. I hope everyone is having a good Fall and getitng ready for the season. I don't know if Danz has been around here bragging but resorts in the Pac NW all opened this week! Way to make up for such a rotten season last year. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 good to see you back ender. you might as well go for it if it is cheap Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Not too many resorts will be open on your proposed date. The season starts late in Europe. Nearby Geneva, probably: Verbier, Chamonix, Tignes, Val Thorens then there is access from the airport. I once tried to hitchhike from Geneva to Chamonix. I stood on the roadside for over 2 hours for nothing. Went back to the airport and luckily got a shared taxi to Chamonix (which was still 30 euros). The other possibilty is to catch a train, but you will need to plan a lot. Probably best to rent a car. There are some shuttle buses but they only run during the season. And double check if they are really open. ValTho and Tignes will be open for sure Cham and Verbier don't know depends on the snow. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Quote: Finally - anyone riding in Switzerland this winter? Hi enderzero.... I wish I was! I fell in love with the place during my short visit over summer. Be sure to take lots of pics - I want to see what it's like in winter. Link to post Share on other sites
torihada 2 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 Wotcha I am boarding in Avoriaz (France) for 8 days at the end of December. Its on the border with Switzerland - part of the Portes de Soleil area of interlinked resorts. Was going to follow Sanno's advice and go to Flaine but hooked up with some other boarders. If I get time I'll post some photos, but hopefully I'll be too busy to stop and take any photos. My fist trip to the Apls and my only other experience is Tohoku.Can't wait. Link to post Share on other sites
Magnus76 0 Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 For sure you should go! My suggestion for really good riding in that period is Tignes. All other resort is more or less a gamble. From geneva there is a bus to the resort. Look at geneva airport website for this. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thx for the advice all. I went ahead and bought the tix. So I will be in Geneva from Dec 1-4 if anyone is around that area. I am a little worried about snow cover but looking at Tignes right now. Let me know if anyone else has any ideas. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted December 1, 2005 Author Share Posted December 1, 2005 Heading out tomorrow for a w/e in Switzerland. I am thinking of heading to Les Diableret since I will be staying in Lausanne and a lot of stuff is still not open. Anyone been to Galcier 3000? Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 Well there should be enough snow right now. I thought the glacier was closed during the winter? In the summer there is usually a decent park. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 It was a bit of an adventure but I got my first day of the season. I arrived at Diableret only to find that the glacier (which is still open for the season) was closed due to high winds (I seem to remember winds plaguing db's trip to Switzerland). So I high tailed it back to the station and asked them where I could snowboard. A bit of a detour but I eventually made it to Verbier which only had two runs open but they weren't too bad. I can tell that place would be amazing when it is running full blast. It ended up being a pretty pricey excursion, but at least I got to snowboard. I will hopefully make it to Austria next weekend. Anyone been to Amade ? BTW - Switzerland is freaking beautiful!! Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 It is so beautiful isn't it. So pretty. Why can't Japan do the "pretty village" thing? Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 >Why can't Japan do the "pretty village" thing? cuz itd be covered in concrete Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Cb that is a very good question. Ender good that you got some turns in. One day ill get out that way. Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 You mean Salzburger Sportwelt Amade? There are some nice lines there but it depends on where you go. As it is an accumulation of several resorts connected by bus. Zauchensee is you best bet I think. avoid Flachau (flach means flat is german and it really is flat) except for the apresski. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Looking fine Link to post Share on other sites
nagoid 4 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Where is that Bag? I'd love to have a few weeks out there. Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 It's Zermatt you can see the Matterhorn Link to post Share on other sites
1 4 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 It was cloudy before when nagoid wrote that! Must be superb riding the slopes over there. Link to post Share on other sites
marnix 0 Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Thought it was a regular picture, but it is a webcam! That's cool. Link to post Share on other sites
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