 Poster: A snowHead
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Looking for advice - first real ski trip to Europe. I'm flying from NYC, daughter from Paris. Looking for 3 days of skiing (so getting to/from matters). We are solid intermediate skiers (don't need off-piste) - want good snow - nice accomodations/good food - good town vibe (can be small). Was recommended Val Thorens, Courchevel, Megeve, Les Arcs and Lech. Will likely get a guide to maximize ski experience. How is the snow so far this year? Any advice much appreciated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@SkiBV, welcome to SH's.
First off, if not skiing off piste, you don't need a guide. Sure, it would help a little but you could get enough advise on here to see you through and it wouldn't be easy to arrange.
"Good snow", well late feb/early March is peak season. Everywhere will be in good shape. Actually one of your problems will be that it's French school holidays and so will be busy and more difficult to find accommodation for a couple of nights.
Given it's a short trip I would go on the smaller side. Getting to the 3V is a bit of a schlep. All the ones you mention are large domains. Maybe look at Les 7 Laux or somewhere like that.
Are you flying to Paris? How do you transfer into the resort? Will you be skiing in the week or at the weekend?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I will more likely fly to Geneva since that seems closer and meet my daughter at the resort. I would go either by train or private transfer from the airport. I haven't looked at Les 7 Laux - thank you for the suggestion. I'm a bit flexible on dates but probably something like the 27th- March 3rd/4th - so maybe a weekend day or two and then a few days during the week Mon/Tues
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@SkiBV, from Paris, any of the Tarentaise resorts (Val Thorens, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Les Menuires, Meribel, Courchevel, etc) would be easy to get to by train, along with Les Saisies (accessed from Albertville station). They're likewise pretty easy to get to from Geneva. Accommodation for a part week during French school holidays may be your limiting factor.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@SkiBV, you could fly to Paris and get the train with your daughter. Or drive - does she have a car?
You can get to Les Arcs by getting the train to Bourg St Maurice and funicular up to 1600.
https://www.precisionski-rent.com/en/skiing-easily-capital-best-destinations-paris
AI also suggests:
Métabief (Jura Mountains): ~4 hours via TGV + bus
Vosges Mountains (La Bresse/Gérardmer): ~3h30 via train to Remiremont
Could be fun/interesting
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thank you for the suggestions. She doesn't have a car and will likely take the train. Good point on lodging - will have to get on that.
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Can you fly to Zurich? Lech is perfect for what you suggest and the transfer seems to be much less hassle than Geneva to Courchevel or VT (for eg). Megeve is completely charming and old money and close to Geneva but Lech is smart but more traditional alpine. The lifts are fab and there's very little queuing.
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yes i can - that sounds great - ty!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Soozm, how is the transfer from Paris to Lech for the OP's daughter?  Did you miss that bit?
Of the resorts suggested, Lech is by far the least suitable.
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Yes absolutely missed that bit! I just saw NYC - oops
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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no worries - i could probably get her there (she's a student has more time flexibility) - i'm the one with tighter time constraint. Lech did look beautiful - or go the 3V/Les Arcs.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| SkiBV wrote: |
| Looking for advice - first real ski trip to Europe. I'm flying from NYC, daughter from Paris. Looking for 3 days of skiing (so getting to/from matters). We are solid intermediate skiers (don't need off-piste) - want good snow - nice accomodations/good food - good town vibe (can be small). Was recommended Val Thorens, Courchevel, Megeve, Les Arcs and Lech. Will likely get a guide to maximize ski experience. How is the snow so far this year? Any advice much appreciated |
Welcome to Snowheads. A guide for piste skiing is like setting fire to 4 or 500 Euros! You only need a piste map and advice from Snowheads who will give you some great recommendations once we know where you are skiing  .
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You know it makes sense.
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@SkiBV, Lech is completely possible by train from Paris. There are regular Paris - Zürich trains (about 3 hours I think might be a bit longer), from Zürich (where you could easily meet up with your daughter) there are regular trains to St Anton ( about 2.5 hours) from where you can either get a taxi/ hotel transfer or if looking to save money (unlikely if you can afford Lech!) a bus.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@SkiBV,
Given your daughter is in Paris & you are looking at flying to Geneva I'd recommend the Tarentaise in France, easily accessible by train from Paris & by shared transfer (think Greyhound) from Geneva airport - 3 Valleys (Moutier train station), Paradiski (Aime train station for la Plagne, Bourg st Maurice train station for les Arcs), la Rosiere, Ste Foy & Espace Killy (all Bourg st Maurice train station) - your shared transfer would get you into the resorts, but your daughter would need local bus/taxi from the train stations except les Arc - their is a funicular up to resort, from next to the train station.
If you look to have your 1st day skiing 7th March or after you would avoid the French school half term holidays. As you are only looking at 3 days skiing try and include Saturday and Sunday - the quietest days on the slopes (Europeans tend to ski full weeks, either Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday).
Just a suggestion for accommodation - the Doron Hotel on a B&B basis in Meribel Centre, in the middle valley of the 3Vs, so handy to explore all 3. One caveat - it is situated over a very popular bar - with punters & seasonnaires (it admits as much on it's website), but that may appeal to your daughter (and you?).
I wouldn't bother with a guide as for 3 days you'll be able to find your way around any of the Tarentaise resorts without doubling up on runs too much (except Ste Foy) with a piste map.
Note:- la Rosiere is linked to la Thuile in Italy, if cross border skiing appeals.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| SkiBV wrote: |
| Looking for advice - first real ski trip to Europe. I'm flying from NYC, daughter from Paris. Looking for 3 days of skiing (so getting to/from matters). We are solid intermediate skiers (don't need off-piste) - want good snow - nice accomodations/good food - good town vibe (can be small). Was recommended Val Thorens, Courchevel, Megeve, Les Arcs and Lech. Will likely get a guide to maximize ski experience. How is the snow so far this year? Any advice much appreciated |
Megeve will tick the nice food accomodation bit, close to Geneva, so private transfer is cheap. Snow was good last week but its not a high resort so who knows what it will be like in a month. If you go I can give a list of nice places to eat (not budget though) and stay.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@SkiBV, what is your budget if you are flying in for this… it may be that it’s a good idea to get a guide. Sure you could easily manage without as people have advised but if you don’t mind the cost then you may have more fun with someone to show you round a bit and help you to get a bit of familiarity. I’ve done that on trips before and really enjoyed it. Plus you will also get a few teaching tips to sharpen up your skiing and some local chat on the chairlift (and good lunch spot tips!)
I’d be tempted to go for Courchevel to be honest, it’s quite a fancy place and the skiing is super good. It’s also in the heart of the three valleys which is fabulous and among the places showing European skiing at its best. Your daughter can easily get a train to Moutiers with a change and then an altibus or similar up into resort. Yes there are smaller resorts you can reach more quickly if that’s your aim and some are very nice too. But if you don’t mind the extra hour and a half or so in the car I’d say it would be well worth your while as it’s quite special. It all depends on budget really.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I'd be tempted by Lech it is rather more pleasant than anywhere in the Tarentaise it is also in the middle of French holidays so French resorts will be very crowded.
Zurich airport is also a somewhat more pleasant airport to get through in peak ski season than Geneva.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks - I agree on the guide - it is more to just maximize use of a new place - including knowing best spots for lunch and good ways to enjoy the area. The suggestions are all tempting - going to dig in this weekend and figure it out. Probably leaning between Lech and Courcheval/VT. Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated!
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Well if you can get to lech  … just adding my thoughts as I’ve been to both courchevel and lech in the last few years. I loved the skiing at Courchevel, there’s options for all levels. We were in a group ranging from cautious blue run skiers (me) to 20year olds who’ve worked whole seasons and very athletic. As a town/ resort though it’s very fancy, lots of designer shops, extreme wealth on show, a big resort with a shopping centre in it (though the satellite towns aren’t like that). Lech is also posh but so much more understated. There’s one posh but independent and characterful shop but it’s got so much more traditional “alpine” feel. The snow is reliable, Austrian infrastructure is fabulous and the food is great. The plateau at Oberlech is such a great place for lunch. You might have different criteria but if I was coming from the states and budget not an issue it’s probably the place I would choose. Oh and the skiing is fab, there are always rave reviews here for the whole of the Arlberg.
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@SkiBV,
Some transfer links:-
altibus.com (regular coach transfers between French resorts & Geneva airport).
snow-drone.com benbus.co.uk both would be able to do 'door to door' transfers between your accommodation and Geneva airport, either shared or private.
sncf-connect.com for your daughter's train travel.
en.tignes.net is today reporting 99cm snow depth at 2100m (height of the 3 main villages), 170cm at 3032m (roughly the lowest point on the glacier). Tignes is just up the Tarentaise valley from 3Vs & Paradiski - you can ski off-piste from Tignes to les Arcs & la Plagne (the two halves of Paradiski), and Courchevel is the next side valley down from those two.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Courchevel will be much easier for the daughter based in Paris but maybe she doesn’t mind an extra few hours of train travel?
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| abricotine wrote: |
| Courchevel will be much easier for the daughter based in Paris but maybe she doesn’t mind an extra few hours of train travel? |
The TGV to Moutiers is 4h40, taxi up to Courchevel 1850, 45min, so 5h25.
The Lyria to Zurich is 4h. They could share a taxi from Zurich to Lech, about 2h15 so she could be there in 6h15.
Not a huge amount in it timewise for her, less than an hour, just depends on how the transatlantic flight timings coincide and whether any difference in total cost would be prohibitive.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| luigi wrote: |
| abricotine wrote: |
| Courchevel will be much easier for the daughter based in Paris but maybe she doesn’t mind an extra few hours of train travel? |
The TGV to Moutiers is 4h40, taxi up to Courchevel 1850, 45min, so 5h25.
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I'm no skinflint - but a €100 taxi or €12.50 pp bus? Hmmm... let me think! 
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You know it makes sense.
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| luigi wrote: |
If you can get a flight to Zurich, meet your daughter and train to Langen and taxi from there....
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Minor point, the trains from Zürich dont stop in Langen but in St Anton. To get to Langen you either have to go via Bregenz or get off in Bludenz and wait an hour for the Langen train (which starts in Bregenz). Much better to go the St Anton and get a taxi / bus from there
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Great info from everybody! I'm leaning Lech (daughter can take an extra hr or two since i'm covering the cost...) I clearly now have a list of places I will have to get to (except that lunch in Courchevel...)
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Do come and report back when you finalise and let us know how you found it!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@SkiBV,
Just occurred to me - get your daughter to meet you at Geneva airport (it has it's own train station), then get your private transfer together - this would open a lot of choice for ski areas close to Geneva.
Paris to Geneva airport by fast train is about 3.5 hours, with one change at Geneva Central (about 10 mins to the airport train station).
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As another possibility (sorry!) how about somewhere Swiss, like Wengen - also not short on the alpine charm. That’s a three hour train transfer from Zurich, so similar travel time to Lech.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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For the first European skiing trip why not to go to Zermatt? Fly to GVA (or take a train for your daughter) and train to Zermatt with one train change. Wengen is great, but I would choose Zermatt over it...and you get chance to ski in Italy as well  . And there is Matterhorn. I have been in all places you have mentioned and they are all great. But during French school holidays (Feb and first week of March) I would go to Austria or Switzerland. Just be careful: skiing in Europe is contagious and you might find yourself coming back year after year (as I do)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hey everyone- thanks for all the input - thought I would tell you the latest. Decided on avoiding France thanks to your insightful comments on French school breaks. So I was focused on Lech - but our dates made getting a hotel complicated - so we pivoted to Zermatt. Pretty sure that's where we will end up. Looks wonderful - and am looking to take the train up and enjoy the views. Will let you know if thats what we end up with and how it goes. Thank you to all - very helpful! Happy Skiing.
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| SkiBV wrote: |
| Hey everyone- thanks for all the input - thought I would tell you the latest. Decided on avoiding France thanks to your insightful comments on French school breaks. So I was focused on Lech - but our dates made getting a hotel complicated - so we pivoted to Zermatt. Pretty sure that's where we will end up. Looks wonderful - and am looking to take the train up and enjoy the views. Will let you know if thats what we end up with and how it goes. Thank you to all - very helpful! Happy Skiing. |
Absolutely wonderful place, you'll have a blast!
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| SkiBV wrote: |
| Hey everyone- thanks for all the input - thought I would tell you the latest. Decided on avoiding France thanks to your insightful comments on French school breaks. So I was focused on Lech - but our dates made getting a hotel complicated - so we pivoted to Zermatt. Pretty sure that's where we will end up. Looks wonderful - and am looking to take the train up and enjoy the views. Will let you know if thats what we end up with and how it goes. Thank you to all - very helpful! Happy Skiing. |
Great choice!! You won't regret it until you see the hotel bill at the end!
At least you can ski over for lunch in Italy...Chalet Etoile will be a fraction of the price of those pricey spots in Courchevel
https://www.chaletetoile.it/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VVHWHoNyHrXX3KzE8
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Time for feedback - Where to start? - All I can say is WOW and thank you. Quick background - we had pretty significant time/travel constraints meeting our daughter who was coming from Paris and fortunately no budget issue. The travel was long but easy - NYC-Zurich flight - met our daughter who landed from Paris within 15 mins of our flight. We took the train - easy and what a view!
We skied for 3 days - and today are just around town and will x-country ski later. Zermatt is absolutely lovely - clearly a long/deep heritage and culture here (as I imagine many Alpine resorts can offer) -the car-less streets are wonderful and the accommodations and food have been top notch. The backdrop is amazing.
Skiing - as a reminder we are solid intermediate skiers - not looking for aggressive off-piste. We skied Saturday Feb 28-Monday - no lines anywhere. Skied to Italy the first day, then across all 4 major areas. The snow was very good - off piste definitely didn’t seem good (supposedly record number of avalanches this year -and our guide said worst snow it years - but that really impacted off-piste, some lower areas and longevity of the season). A few slushy areas at the end of the day - but overall wonderful/varied skiing. The backdrop is stunning. Massive area, great infrastructure, easy to navigate. Couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable 3 days. Will definitely be back
Thanks again for all the advice - Happy skiing!
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Glad to hear that your family enjoyed skiing in Zermatt. It is truly special and iconic destination! Now that you had a taste of skiing in Europe continue exploring all other destination on your list: the are all very good!
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FAQ
Another way to burn several hundred Euros when there are plenty of cheap shared transfers available to resorts, or car hire. They even drive on the wrong side of the road in Europe, like in the USA, so you should have no problem in that respect 
