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Chamonix or Val D'Isere?

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manifest
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
I've got a little problem. I'm going to the Alps with a couple of friends, but I dont know where to go. I have been in Chamonix before, and that was really cool. THere were good freeriding opportunities there. But I have heard that Val D'Isere might be just as good. Any suggestions?

Sep 2 2005 1:32AM
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MadTrix4Me
Posts: 209 - Karma: 10
I hardly ever ski the east coast...the mountains are sooo tiny...mwahh haa ahhhh

Shaaddapp already

-a.k.a. The Flyin' Hawaiian -Go Huck Yourself -Friends don't let friends jib and jive.
Sep 2 2005 2:50AM
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A_Longley
Posts: 688 - Karma: 60
if you go to val'disere you can ski iover to tignes on the same lift pass which is sick and tignes has a sick park setup

Snowboarding is for girls :- Riding with your legs apart
Sep 2 2005 3:14AM
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tommylaker
Posts: 39 - Karma: 10
ild say go to les deux alps if you want park but chamonix is better than val d'Isere in my opinion

Sep 2 2005 4:51AM
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A_Longley
Posts: 688 - Karma: 60
infact go to laax in switzerland its the best european resort i have visited


Snowboarding is for girls :- Riding with your legs apart
Sep 2 2005 5:46AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
I was in Chamonix over Christmas and the snow was shit all week til the last day, which was awesome. If you go to Val d'Isere then at least you know there's going to be a half-decent park if it's not snowed in a while. Don't limit yourself to just those two though.

Sep 2 2005 9:20AM
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belette
Posts: 48 - Karma: 13
Val d'Isere is connected to Tignes, so you'll have plenty of opportunities there.
Personnally, a bit before on the road, i like La Rosiere: it has cool terrain and you can make a day trip (skiing of course) to Italy for some awesome pasta de la casa!!!

Sep 2 2005 12:16PM
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Rich
Posts: 921 - Karma: 11
Val d'isere is a great place for skiing and as that other guy said you can ski in tignes too so there is loads of variety. Before you go though you should be aware of the health problems they've been having over the last few years.

I know loads of people who have caught really bad stomach bugs in the town and haven't been able to ski as a result. In fact, I actually know two people who were ill for months after going to val d. One of them had to drop out of school for a year! When it became obvious that they were very ill doctors back in england did loads of tests on them and finally discovered that they had something call para-TB. I can't claim to know anything about it except that it is very rare and can, in extreme cases, be fatal. It seems that you catch this bug from drinking the water from the taps, so if you do go just make sure that you drink bottled water and don't have drinks with ice.

Since discovering this para-TB thing, some people have talked about trying to close the resort down on grounds of safety to the pubic (this bit has nothing to do with my friends) but i dont know how far this will go.

Anyway, just thought you'd like to know. If you don't mind not having such a crazy night life you might be better in Tignes, it's cheaper too.

Sep 2 2005 12:43PM
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yspfilms
Posts: 71 - Karma: 10
Its hard to find a resort you can't like in the alps. Both places are sick.

Wild Life
Dropping Sept. '05
www.yspfilms.com
Sep 2 2005 12:57PM
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belette
Posts: 48 - Karma: 13
i'm sorry for you friends, pal. But honestly, i've never heard of such a massive public health problem there...

It seems like a rare, isolated event to me.

Maybe they didn't like the French beer? :-))

Sep 2 2005 1:22PM
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Rich
Posts: 921 - Karma: 11
Those 2 guys got ill about two years ago. I think I could give you the names of at least 50 people that either me or friends of mine know that have been ill with a stomach bug in the last 2 years, and I promise that is no exaggeration. I'm not trying to freak people out, or stop them going to Val d'Isere, i just wish more people knew about it. Usually the bug only lasts a couple of days but very occasionally it can become very serious.

Let me give you another example. I was skiing in Meribel last season with a few buddies. 14 friends of ours had taken out a chalet for a week in Val D and we drove over to go out for a night and to ski with them for a day. When we arrived, 5 of the 14 of them were in bed with the bug, by the end of the week 9 of them had been sick and missed at least one day of skiing (the fact that when they got ill was spread out across the week pretty much proves it wasn't food poisoning). This is by no means the only example I have of people getting ill there.

It really pisses me off that there hasn't been more about this in the ski press but I'm sure you'll start reading about it if it's still a problem this year.

Sep 2 2005 1:31PM
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gopher_guts
Posts: 102 - Karma: 10
Val and tignes are awesome man. The terrains practically infinite and its more accessible than a lot of the stuff in Cham. Also they're not overrun with loads ofhardcore skiers and wannabes who track it out too quick. vals got more trees. they both have big parks but don't always open em quick enough.

like the man said the stomach bug was a few years ago and it had something to do with the water but thats old news. the skiin is sick and the bars are sweet. if money is no object hit val otherwise tignes.
.....aaaaahh...want to go now!

went big and went home
Sep 3 2005 1:03PM
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Cytane
Posts: 176 - Karma: 10
There is no bug!!! I have been skiing ib Val d'isere since I was a kid. It's the best french resort in myy opinion; the park is becoming iller and iller each year (it was ranked in the french top three last season).

It is just the best compromise between freeride and freestyle out there; night life is as great as chamonix; many swedish and english there make it always possible to party during the season.

Oh and if you don't wanna be sick just avoid English bars




Sep 3 2005 3:51PM
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powder_2_the_people
Posts: 1801 - Karma: 13
also i think val d'isere might be easier to find a fresh run than chamonix, where even the most hardcore couloirsa become moguls within 10 min of the first lift on a good pow day


WWW.FACTIONSKIS.COM

Fight the Fiat!!!
Sep 3 2005 4:03PM
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k10k
Posts: 46 - Karma: 10
Cytane: "Oh and if you don't wanna be sick just avoid English bars"

C propositions a la con on en a pas besoin,Merci.
May 19 2006 10:49AM
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Cytane
Posts: 176 - Karma: 10
Old post

Shut up
May 19 2006 11:02AM
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theswede
Posts: 168 - Karma: 26
There is a bug...

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/resorts/gssg/readerfeedback.asp?intContactID=44752&strOrganisationName=Val+d'Isere
May 19 2006 2:10PM
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japie99
Posts: 2128 - Karma: 19
dude hahaha
May 19 2006 2:23PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
I've skied in Val since I was like 4 and spent last season there. Never had a bug to speak of. It definately is not the water. I would agree that people do get something, but I can't possibly think what it is if it isn't the water (which it def isn't) that would restrict it to val...

Anyway, in answer to your question:

Cham is more hardcore freeride but doesn't connect well. Val/Tignes works better, lift served off piste, bigger area and better park.

In conclusion, unless you are hardcore freerider (willing to tour, climb, and ESSENTIALLY, hire a guide (glaciers everywhere)) go to Val for sick nightlife, great off piste, nice parks...
May 19 2006 2:27PM
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ski_cartel
Posts: 6598 - Karma: 18
ou must be kidding me, those mountians are in france
May 19 2006 7:51PM
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SketchySwiss
Posts: 393 - Karma: 43
Chamonix. A lot more of freeride stuff.
May 19 2006 8:04PM
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fouldsys
Posts: 7404 - Karma: 39
same
May 19 2006 9:33PM
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caro.dillon
Posts: 1229 - Karma: 21
chamonix,
ive never heard of the toher one
May 19 2006 9:37PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 149
they are both sick, val d'isere is awesome though..spend a few weeks there a couple years ago
May 19 2006 10:21PM
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Rich
Posts: 921 - Karma: 11
Thanks buddy. You just gave me my first opportunity to do this on NS:

PWNED (not the theswede but the other doubters in this thread)

Woop Woop, that felt good!
May 20 2006 3:54AM
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fredsters_s
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 16
verbier?
May 20 2006 4:02AM
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k10k
Posts: 46 - Karma: 10
Cytane* you're stupidity amuses me.
May 20 2006 6:12AM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1317 - Karma: 419
^^ what he said.

this thread is fuck old but some reactions.

Cytane at the time of your post the French top 3 parks according to SNOW and SKIEUR MAGAZINE the biggest French freeskiing and snowboarding magazines:

1. Les Deux Alpes
2. Avoriaz
3. Meribel

Val d'Isere got rated somewhere in the middle with a reasonable park and Tignes all the way at the back, obviously. So don't spread bullshit. Past season the French top 3 was divided among Les 2 Alpes, Avoriaz and Les 7 Laux.

As for Les 2 Alpes being only good for park, easy: La Grave. It doesn't get more legendary in France.

If you want Chamonix without the crowds go to Alagna (Monte Rosa Ski) it owns every resort mentioned in this thread for freeriding and the Monte Rosa is the biggest mountain massiv in the alps. And it's in the middle of nowhere.

And there's a shitload more, famous (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, La Grave, St. Moritz, St. Anton) and less famous (Disentis, Les Diablerets, Ovronnaz, Zinal, Grimentz, Blatten, Hoch-Saas...) Don't waste your time zealotting for 1 mountain, just ride as many as you can they all rock.
May 20 2006 7:30AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Les Deux Alpes IS only good for park. I hate the mountain, no variety. As for La Grave, you REALLY have to know what you're doing or you'll get yourself killed.

Meribel is the most British place you'll find outside of the UK. Really, it's horrible. The 3 Valleys is nice as a whole though. Stay in Courchevel though, or Mottaret if you want to go cheaper.

Avoriaz is really good though, that's where I'm staying next winter. Check out Tignes too.
May 20 2006 8:55AM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1317 - Karma: 419
agreed 100%

however "you REALLY have to know what you're doing or you'll get yourself killed" applies to pretty much all serious freeride in the alps.

From les 2 alpes you get a 3600m high mountain which you can descend on 3 faces, to La Grave, to St. Christophe, and back to Les 2 Alpes. The first 2 offer some of the best terrain in France for sure. It's important to learn the terrain from someone who knows what he's doing before you go on your own, after that, it's heaven..

Avoriaz is def. 1 of the best places to spend a winter.
May 20 2006 9:31AM
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ninthward
Posts: 161 - Karma: 10
for this time of year Val D'Isere
May 20 2006 5:03PM
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PatTheRider
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10
Tigne and Val seem to be better than Cham for you. Esentially as mentionned, the resort in Cham is actually not one and is broken up in many resorts, with not many interconnections-but im sure youll love the mont Blanc.
Tignes and Val offer you great quality snow, long lasting, with many skiing options.
Yea Id say Val is pretty sick and u should def try it out.
May 20 2006 11:04PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 149
wheres La Clusaz ?? (Candides home resort)

i would have thought thats gotta be decent
May 21 2006 12:39AM
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MrPantyDropper
Posts: 5016 - Karma: 65
change your icon, dick.

and just go to engelberg.
May 21 2006 12:43AM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1317 - Karma: 419
It's not so far from Chamonix and Avoriaz, also in departement 74 with the best snow in France (basically anything stuck between lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc massif).

The park isn't very good most people just hit up Avoriaz because that's where the park's at. However it has some seriously sick freeriding together with neighbouring resort Le Grand Bornand. This resort has made a major effort past season to have a decent park.

Click for larger image
May 21 2006 4:27AM
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bass_munkie
Posts: 300 - Karma: 10
my sister got that. it's noo bullshit.

she was pretty lucky though and got better like a week after she got home. it's pretty isolated and there aren't a but load of cases so i wouldn't take it into consideration.

cham is shawicked i love it. but it's true about it getting tracked out quickly. but tbh most of the alpes is like that. however if you know tignes and val you'll know were to find good snow. if you go tignes/val stay in tignes for sure. nights out at blue girl are second to everything;)
May 21 2006 6:29AM
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gregor
Posts: 1069 - Karma: 83
Val d'Isere is a great resort. It with Tignes makes a huge ski area which has everything.

Chamonix had no decent park all season this year and the pow is hit and miss. Although when there is a dump, there's not many places better.

I choose Val.

P.S. what the fuck does PWNED mean? Can people just not type or is it an 'in' thing on NS all of a sudden?
May 21 2006 1:06PM
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gregor
Posts: 1069 - Karma: 83
Fucking French!
May 21 2006 1:08PM
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radskier
Posts: 685 - Karma: 16
actually, I was there two years ago, and I had to follow a friend to the doctor cause she broke her ancle, and while we were there, there was a bunch of english people who were all ill and throwing up and stuff. so it's true. but that's about all I know about that. (maybe it's a punishment from the snow gods in val d'isere for skiing in STUPID outfits every day with a different theme for each day)

but skiing in val d'isere is really good! (and everything else too, I didn't get sick and don't know anyone else who caught that stuff either)
May 21 2006 2:42PM
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japie99
Posts: 2128 - Karma: 19
For how long has that disease been there?
May 22 2006 8:37AM
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skiinscotland
Posts: 644 - Karma: 10
it isn't there any more
May 22 2006 11:20AM
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pag
Posts: 3412 - Karma: 69
^^that's why some1 talks about it on may 15 2006 never heard of this. Is it only in Val d'Isière%?
May 22 2006 12:02PM
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bass_munkie
Posts: 300 - Karma: 10
i was there over christmas this season just gone and there were some cases.

it's not a disease though. it's like a violent flu bug. upset stomach and flu symptoms, lake of energy i guess similar to glangaler fever. obviously there's varrying strengths. my understanding was that it was due to the water supply in val but i was drinking it the entire time i was there with no problem. my sister was only brushing her teeth with the tap water and she got it. goooo figure.
May 23 2006 8:42AM
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skiinscotland
Posts: 644 - Karma: 10
if you dont want to get ill but ski Val, go to tignes. you can ski both areas on the same pass.
simple as that
May 23 2006 9:25AM
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Team_AWE
Posts: 48 - Karma: 8
what sort of things do you want?
but if you want..
snow: LEch, Arlburg Austria
terrain: Chamonix
park: tignes
May 23 2006 10:38AM
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oOOo
Posts: 219 - Karma: 11
I did a season in Val D'Isere and it was amazing. Chamonix I have been to about 5 times and it has excellent backcountry but for a season I would hit up Val.
I hear that Mayrhofen in Austria is better if you want a good park.
May 23 2006 10:57AM
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skiinscotland
Posts: 644 - Karma: 10
i have skiied
chourcheval-good family resort
Mirible-ICE
Tignes-they have this place called the spot where its all BC but patroled
Val-a bitch to get out off in the mornings because the lift lines are so long
Laax-best fucking part iv ever skiied
May 23 2006 11:07AM
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Woodland
Posts: 144 - Karma: 10
Good family resort what does that mean?
May 23 2006 11:09AM
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skiinscotland
Posts: 644 - Karma: 10
if you are there with your family theres good ski schools and easy runs for younger and not as good skiers, theres a good park and pipe for people like us,lots of steep aswell.
May 23 2006 11:15AM
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skiinscotland
Posts: 644 - Karma: 10
but its full of us brits and germans
May 23 2006 11:16AM
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