Info about travelling with a baby, and Samoens

"Greg Wood" wrote in message
...
I am trying to organise a ski trip for 3 advanced intermediates (although
off-piste may not be on the cards) and a reluctant beginner who may choose
not to ski at all. Our party also includes a 16 month old baby.

Samoens is too low to have snow in the village in March. We often go to
Megeve from Geneva, snow is usually good until late March, though a little
slushy on the lower slopes. The nice thing is that the main ski area (Mont
d'Arbois) ends up in town, and has a huge flat area where baby can play in
the snow - or take the Mont d'Arbois telecabine where there is another large
flat area with plenty of sunny terraces and a superb view of Mont Blanc.

The town centre is very pretty, plenty of window shopping, horse drawn
sleigh rides (sleighs on wheels at that time of year...) etc. Also lots of
pretty walks in the valley.

The linked ski area is huge with plenty of intermediate skiing, and the
upper slopes usually have good snow until early April.

On Mon, 3 Jan 2005 15:00:20 +0100, "Marco Cattaneo"
wrote:


"Greg Wood" wrote in message
...
I am trying to organise a ski trip for 3 advanced intermediates (although
off-piste may not be on the cards) and a reluctant beginner who may choose
not to ski at all. Our party also includes a 16 month old baby.

Samoens is too low to have snow in the village in March.

What? Talk about blanket statements. While I'd agree that it's not to
be relied on, it's certainly not uncommon for the village runs to be
skiable in March - I've done them in April on occasion. Don't forget
that there's a new fast gondola direct to the 1600m area, which then
links in very easily to the rest of the Grand Massif, offering
possibly the most reliable non-glacier late-season skiing you'll find
anywhere in Europe.

We often go to
Megeve from Geneva, snow is usually good until late March,

If it's good in Megeve, it'll be better in the Grand Massif.

The linked ski area is huge with plenty of intermediate skiing, and the
upper slopes usually have good snow until early April.

Again, while I'd not argue with your points here, skiing will nearly
always be better in the GM area than the lower Chamonix valley and
associated resorts towards the end of the season.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

"Ace" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Jan 2005 15:00:20 +0100, "Marco Cattaneo"
wrote:


"Greg Wood" wrote in message
...
I am trying to organise a ski trip for 3 advanced intermediates
(although
off-piste may not be on the cards) and a reluctant beginner who may
choose
not to ski at all. Our party also includes a 16 month old baby.

Samoens is too low to have snow in the village in March.

What? Talk about blanket statements. While I'd agree that it's not to
be relied on, it's certainly not uncommon for the village runs to be
skiable in March - I've done them in April on occasion. Don't forget
that there's a new fast gondola direct to the 1600m area, which then
links in very easily to the rest of the Grand Massif, offering
possibly the most reliable non-glacier late-season skiing you'll find
anywhere in Europe.

We often go to
Megeve from Geneva, snow is usually good until late March,

If it's good in Megeve, it'll be better in the Grand Massif.

The linked ski area is huge with plenty of intermediate skiing, and the
upper slopes usually have good snow until early April.

Again, while I'd not argue with your points here, skiing will nearly
always be better in the GM area than the lower Chamonix valley and
associated resorts towards the end of the season.

I probably snipped out too much of the original posting. I was answering the
question about letting baby play in the snow without having to go too high,
and within easy reach of the ski slopes for an easy changeover of child
minding parent at midday. I hope you will agree that Megeve in March is
better suited for that than any of the Grand Massif resorts, with the
possible exception of Les Carroz - at least that has been my experience with
my young children during the last 8 years. Now, if the only concern were
good dependable snow, I fully agree with you that GM is a better choice than
the Megeve ski area - though in the first half of March you'd have to be
pretty unlucky to not find good snow there also.

On Tue, 4 Jan 2005 09:00:33 +0100, "Marco Cattaneo"
wrote:


"Ace" wrote in message
.. .

Again, while I'd not argue with your points here, skiing will nearly
always be better in the GM area than the lower Chamonix valley and
associated resorts towards the end of the season.

I probably snipped out too much of the original posting. I was answering the
question about letting baby play in the snow without having to go too high,
and within easy reach of the ski slopes for an easy changeover of child
minding parent at midday.

Ah, I didn't see that bit, no.

I hope you will agree that Megeve in March is
better suited for that than any of the Grand Massif resorts,

Actually, Flaine itself is exceptionally good from this perspective,
but I've not spent enough time in Megeve resort to judge that.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.