 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I am trying to organise the dreaded group ski holiday once again. We are a very mixed bunch of skiers and boarders ranging from the never evers to advanced. I have got a good price for the Crystal Hotel Le Viking in Morzine which is situated at the top of the le Pleney ski area, however the resort seems rather low for the first week in April. Does anyone have any experince of this area at that time or the hotel itself. Some of the group would prefer Courmayeur but neither seem very snow sure.
Any advice appreciated,
Thanks karen
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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karencannon, Morzine is very low....you're taking a big risk going there in April. Snow condiitions are likely to be poor, although it is linked into Avoriaz where there should still be some nice snow but it's not the easiest of places to get to from Morzine and your beginners won't be able to get over there except on a bus. Don't know the Viking so can't advise on that.
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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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karencannon, I agree with homphomp, It is such a low resort that unless it has been a good season with ample falls April is a risky time. I have been in March and it has been raining! I know the location of the hotel at the top of the lift - quite remote and you cant actually walk to the village as you are up a mountain so pretty cut off. I would check to see if the hotel offers any transport to the village after lift closes.
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karencannon, I've only ever been in the area once in April ( this year) and I have to say that I wouldn't risk it. You could still ski to Avoriaz in April but both Les Gets and Morzine will have started closing slopes as the pisteurs and lifties aren't contracted that long. Also that hotel isn't ideally situated for anything other than the Pleney area and access to Les Gets- to get to Avoriaz on skis (IF open) you have to descend into Morzine and cross the town on foot or 'Petit Train' -
If you are determined to go to PdS in April , I'm afraid I would have to suggest that Avoriaz is the only viable option.
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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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karencannon, Courmeyer should be better in early April than Morzine. However if you want a really snowsure resort that's good for a mixed group have a look at La Rosiere, you can find a review in the resorts section and if you go to snowShops you'll see our ad, follow the link to our website www.tracksvacations.com and you'll find the Ski Club's historical snow records. We usually have over 2m of snow still in April and at least 60cms at village level.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 10-08-05 11:04; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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karencannon, I love Morzine and have been there as late as 25 April (last year) but even I will have to admit that the Viking in April will be really pretty with all the alpine flowers out but you'll be at the top of one mountain and wanting to ski on another (probably).
Low does not equate with poor late season skiing but it's not worth the risk. eEvans, has a point in Avoriaz, but even there I wouldn't want to take on a group's wrath when you're sunbathing and watching the slush melt. Mr Last may well have a good suggestion at La Rosiere.
Why so late season? April is not classically considered a great ski month (except for sping snow, touring, etc.).
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Also, as noted above, the Viking is at the top of one mountain. They do run the cable car into the evening, but if you miss the last one it's an 1800 vertical feet climb into bed. It was very charming in the late 80's when it was very log cabin like, but then it was rebuilt as a modern hotel in '90 or so and I just can't see the point. Very French, complete with "animateurs" - i.e. people to entertain you, etc.
If you like being stuck at the top of a mountain in a large hotel and with people to make sure you're having fun, then I'm sure it's great.
Otherwise...
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| Quote: |
Low does not equate with poor late season skiing but it's not worth the risk.
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Sorry. Confused. 
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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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slikedges, I suspect that David Murdoch, 's reference to late season skiing and low resorts relates to our experinces in PdS last year in March/April when the skiing was OK ( in part) while folks in 'Higher' resorts were bemoaning the poor quality/total lack of skiing ( and the (higher) Southern Alpine resorts were largely closed). This resulted in 'Handbags at dawn' when some suggested we hadn't actually been in Les Gets /Morzine or didn't know what snow looked like !!! 
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slikedges, eEvans, (and with apologies if the following is either self evident or gratuitously in egg-sucking granny mode!)
Mr Evans you are at least partially correct. Last year was unusual in that high winds in some parts of the alps meant that higher altitudes (in some parts) had less snow. It had blown off. Optimal skiing for the PDS was 1400-1900m IMHO. So yes, we were skiing in Morzine stuff that folks in other resorts would have had difficulty believing. But not high up.
I think, however, that the common generalisation that lower altitudes are less snow sure, is too general. Lower altitudes often make do with less snow as grassy alpine pastures need less snow to be skiable than higher, rockier areas. Also, Morzine/Avoriaz/Les Gets seems to get better snow that the altitude would suggest. I think there's a bit of a micro climate. I've had great post-Easter skiing in Les Gets in the last few years. So, a decent analysis of the snow record is necessary but difficult!
Also, the alps is a mighty big and complex meteorological place. So from one end to the other you will get all variations in quality/quantity.
All that said, while you can get good low late skiing, you can just as easily get hot sunny spring weather and slush. Altitude tilts the balance of probabilities in your favour.
And, in addition, when choosing resort, it's not just the snow record you need to look at IMHO. E.G. If there's a great big snowstorm raging, I would much rather be slipping in and out of the trees below Avoriaz (where at least I have some depth and attitude perception) than trying to navigate my way around the invisible moonscape of Tignes. Or in fact, be holed up enjoying roasted partridge and a fine Cote du Rhone courtesy of David at La Terrasse.
However, eEvans is also correct that Morzine/Les Gets will probably close just after Easter, so one is likely to end up skiing Avoriaz only. KarenCannon If you're looking to book for a group, look elsewhere that late on. I'll be skiing Morzine weekends until late season, but I'm not in the position of taking responsibility for anyone else's holiday.
An alternative to Courmayeur would be Champoluc. It's a very sweet town and the skiing would suits all sorts for a week. BUt again, not necessarily good late season.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I personally would feel very isolated staying at the Viking. Morzine is a very nice little town that you would miss out on up the hill there.
Things will be touch and go for you in April, but you might be lucky.
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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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| David Murdoch wrote: |
Altitude tilts the balance of probabilities in your favour.
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This is one of the more important factors and it seems to me not to be acknowledged much on this forum and when so, only with reticence, and in deference to the local factors that, whilst if effectively statistically representative are of the greatest importance, are relatively privileged information not easily available in simple and useful form to most recreational skiers.
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slikedges, actually I think the biggest success factor is availability of transport. Position yourself anywhere in the Alps and you'd be very unlucky from mid-December to end-April not to find somewhere skiable within a reasonable drive, be it at low, mid or high altitude, according to conditions. Clearly, it's not going to be an option for everyone, but taking your own vehicle, or going with an independent operator ready, willing and able to ferry you about is a pretty safe option at either end of the season.
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You know it makes sense.
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laundryman, well you may do, all i am saying is that we shouldn't be giving people who don't know any better the impression that altitude is unimportant. 
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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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slikedges, I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to ski in Europe at sea-level, south of the Arctic Circle. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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I would. The look on their face would be funny 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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slikedges, good point.
Equally though, I don't like the (?) generally accepted view that altitude is everything. If your information is limited to heights, then sure, go high, ideally with a good range of heights and terrain - i.e. life could be most miserable if you were restricted to above 2000m only (in Europe anyway).
Which is why, generally, areas like the PDS are often good bets - 900m-2480m - means that in most times, most seasons you'll find good snow somewhere. Not generally after mid-March though! and here we get into your "specialist insight" point.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I will note however that recent anecdotal experience (post 1988 from personal memory) indicate that the Morzine/PDS season is getting later. Good early skiing less frequent, good late skiing more reliable. In fact one of our unconditionally best days was something like Sunday 17th April 2004 (might have been the 24th, can't clearly recall). Our last weekend this year however brought rain...
Azure skies, cold and about 15cm fresh powder that stayed cold and fresh at least until we headed for a late lunch and the airport.
But having had a few weekends out there in the immediate weeks I knew that we'd at least be skiing good spring snow. Partially-privileged info?
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