upshaw@ttidcb.UUCP (Doug Upshaw) (12/13/85)
We are leaving for Switzerland on Dec. 18 to cross-country ski and eat. Recommendations and information on current snow conditions would be appreciated. We will be staying in St. Cergue near Geneva but we will have a car and are willing to stay overnight elsewhere. Doug Upshaw, Citicorp/TTI
hejira@hound.UUCP (R.PRESTON) (12/19/85)
Some of the best X-Country skiing in Switzerland is right where you're going -- near Geneva. The Jura Mountains are especially nice -- as they're not as crowded as the areas in the Valais and are better suited to X-C. Unless you really want to do both downhill and X-C, the Juras would probably be your best bet. If you want downhill, try Val d'Isere, FR (near Grenoble) or Zermatt and Saas Fee in Valais. Also, some of the resorts in the Berner Oberland are pretty nice (Lenk, Gstaad). Avoid St Moritz and Davos (Grisons) though, as they are merely playgrounds of the rich and sport only mediocre skiing. You will find the prices in France much cheaper though, and the skiing at Val d'Isere cannot be topped in Europe. Other areas in the French Alps (closer to Geneva than the Swiss alps) worth considering are: Avoriaz Morzine Flaine (TERRIFIC skiing; unknown to tourists; but not much in the way of a town) La Clusaz Les Contamines Also, if you're advanced downhill skiers, you might consider doing the Vallee Blanche with a guide .. you won't regret it (unless you fall into a crevasse). Have fun!! - Rob Preston <ihnp4!hound!hejira -- AT&T Bell Labs>
hejira@hound.UUCP (R.PRESTON) (12/20/85)
Well, I got a snow-report for the Juras and Valais (Switzerland) and it is not too encouraging. There was some snow when I was there in November (around the 7th), and it snowed the following week, but things haven't been so good since. I doubt if the X-C ski conditions in the Juras will be too good. If they are, go up to Mollendruz and ski to the Marche' Ruz (can only drive to the Mollendruz in winter). Otherwise, take off for the haute-Valais (alpes) and ski the glaciers (Zermatt or Chamonix). Good Luck... - Rob Preston <ihnp4!hound!hejira -- AT&T Bell Labs>