having come back from disapointing 2 weeks in whistler, chamonix is 10x
more hardcore than that hill they call a mountain, but you really need a
january trip to get the most out of it, its a bit warm this time of year
for real good off piste. If you get a lucky dump stay above the 2000M
mark and get up early before the thaw , Argentier will still be around
-8C and have fluffy powder (not like that heavy stuff they get in
whistler)
There will be lots to go at if you get to the very top of argentier and
head down the glacier, get a guide if you can or suss out the local
experts and ask if you can tag along. it can be a bit dangerouse if you
dont know your way off piste.

chog wrote:

hi,

am planning a bugget lastminute trip to france. trying to decide
where to go. have great deals at chamonix, but a wondering what its
like to board there?

obviously i've heard its amazing - but having read the reports on this
and other sites, i'm wondering if its appropriate.

i'm an ok boarder - been throwing myself down anything with varying
degress of success/style a week or two every year for the last 6
years. whilst i love the powder i'm not trained for the backcountry.
i know enough to know i don't know nearly enough, kind of thing ...

so - is it still worth me going there? i've heard alot of the lifts
take you up to the top of mountains where offpiste is the only way
down? sounds fanstastic, but being sensilbe, a bit out of my league.

can't really afford a guide, and also going with a couple of people on
their second weeks - so not sure.

any advice appreciated. also alternative venues? ideally within 1-2
hrs of geneva.

thanks in advance,

C.