Hi Guys, Optimistically hoping Europe may be on the cards for 2020/2021 for Xmas and New Year. But, if nothing else, I need to plan to take thoughts away from bloody Covid! So, all largely flexible, aside from final few days in Lake Como, Italy where I have business to finalise. My wife is a new skier, 4 weeks only, fine on Blues, easy reds. Keen tho. Thoughts are fly into Geneva, head to Zermatt for say 5 days skiing the week before Xmas, back to Montreux for 4 days ski break and enjoy Xmas. Then, on 27th head somewhere for another weeks skiing. After that I need head to Lake Como for 4 or 5 days. Fly back out of Geneva. Have done Zermatt before, it's lovely. I am hoping for thoughts for the second ski section, 27th Dec for a week. The obvious is to sell a kidney and tack on something like St Moritz , but I loved some of the trip reports from the Dolomites, ie Selva, Colfosco, Corvara etc. But, so early in the season it is dodgy on snow. Any suggestions for the second week skiing after Xmas? Is Sella Ronda area doable for New Years Eve as we come from Geneva, Switzerland , then need finish in Lake Como. My wife likes apres village life too, so we are not going to ski 8 hours then sleep then ski. A pretty village, nice ambiance, shops for her, nice casual restos also important. Family from the UK also threaten to join for New Years Eve. Cheers, suggestions much appreciated.
From Montreux you could head through the Grand St Bernard Tunnel to the Aosta Valley and ski in Courmayeur, and then continue down the valley to Lake Como. Ticks a lot of boxes and doesn’t have you travelling vast distances.
There’s a bunch of other places to ski in the Aosta Valley but Courmayeur probably has the best town for a non-skier.
Oh, she's a skier, but only lowish intermediate. She's more into charming villages with ambiance rather than larger towns. Any other specific village you liked?
Ask @smitty484 about Champoluc, I’ve only skied in and out of there, it looks quite pretty, and joined to a pretty massive ski area.
how do you rate (y)our chances of being allowed to pull off such a trip? Asking coz I’ve got a euro trip booked and paid for for Dec-Jan. Hanging in the balance on multiple fronts.
Anything I book will be refundable, or changeable with no cost. Pretty easy with airlines and accom now. I'm optimistic.
Yeah, I wondered that. Distance doesn't bother rne too much as transport links are pretty good, or I may even drive.
Another thumbs up for Courmayeur. Maybe checkout Sauze d’Oulz which is part of the Via Lattea ski area. Some good bars and restaurants. Not far away from Oulz(Italy) you have the Serre Chervalier ski area in France. MrsBoof would go back to Courmayeur but not keen on the others due to there large size.
I really enjoyed the vibe of Champoluc and my parents also enjoyed the village feel (that may give you an indication of what it’s like). It doesn’t have traditional Apres, in that you won’t find many on slope bars with banging music and parties, however it’s nicely tucked away in the valley, with decent elevation (village is above 1600m which is useful for that time of year) and as CM says is connected to Gressoney and Alagna. I guess it just depends on what the main priorities are and then go from there. I’m not really into a snow party or busy scene, much prefer quieter, less people and access to backcountry. My parents are intermediate and managed to get around the mountain, but Champoluc is limited for beginner slopes.
thank you Smitty and Boof, very much appreciate your comments. The only thing that worries me re Courmayeur is the elevation. At 1250 the village is pretty low for New Year time. I like the sound of Aosta, but a couple of family members joining are pushing for Val D.
Pretty sure If my memory serves me well, they have an extensive and effective snowmaking system in that area. Optimistic is one way to put it. I would imagine you will have to factor in paying for a 2 week quarantine on return. That aint gonna be free forever
thank you, and yes I get your point, I am living in Asia though, and trust me, they won't be so thorough or careful as Aus !!
Which is why I'm super pessimistic about when I might get back to Europe as you need to transit through asia or the middle east.
I think you will be fine in Middle East, they are allowing transit I believe and even Singapore are now, or were a couple of weeks ago. I think Aus authorities will be holding the harshest immigration requirements by then. I need return before Jan to renew my driving licence, I preferred not to take 2 weeks including quarantine to do it !
Singapore is allowing transit, but only for certain countries - Australia is one of them but of course, you still need to get out of Aust and then factor in the 2-week quarantine period on return home. Agree that the middle-east will be a viable option too.
