Top Tips and Links

These we hope will provide you with some practical ideas and pointers to make your stay more enjoyable.

Before you leave home:

If you are a novice skier, make sure that you have lessons on a dry ski slope. It will make a huge difference in your ability to appreciate this vast ski area.
Have one large lightweight holdall to ensure the family’s glove/hats/scarves/goggles are not misplaced for ease of transport between the car and chalet for drying.
Always hire a hatchback car. Large amounts of family luggage can be carried even with a small car by folding one half of the rear seats.
Hire a car from the Swiss side of Geneva airport. Head for Geneva centre rather than the motorway network and avoid the mandatory annual Swiss motorway charge.

Although we have rarely used snow chains it is wise to know how to put them on prior to actual trying to learn in a snowstorm!
Easy Jet, at the time of writing, do not count the weight of boot bags and ski equipment as part of your overall luggage allowance.
Purchase annual travel insurance with ski cover it is much better value than buying weekly cover.

While you are there:

Generally whilst some Swiss bar/restaurants have excellent views the food is cheaper and better quality in France .
Especially if snow conditions are good, smaller resorts e.g. St Jean d’Aulps, Chappelle d’Abondance have great skiing with almost deserted slopes.
Visit and take a walk around the lake at Montriond it is very beautiful
Food and drink can be purchased very reasonably from the large Champion supermarket 10 minutes from the Chalet on the road to Morzine
If your French is poor, and while French ski schools have English speaking instructors, bear in mind there are British Ski and Snowboard schools in the area.
Magnetic ski racks ensure that skis can be locked on top of the car straight off the slopes, and are immediately to hand wherever you next choose to ski.
Especially if skiing with family, aim for one of the ski stations where the parking is immediately adjacent to the slopes Forgetting glasses /ski pass / wallet /hat /gloves etc is not quite as difficult to bear!
Some of the small resorts eg Drouzin le Mont whilst having limited skiing for experienced skiers is ideal for beginners with quite slopes and lower ski pass rates.

Returning home:

If you have a digital camera for the avoidance of doubt take a picture of your car fuel meter and mileage when you return the vehicle.

Links: