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Original poster

Good place for non skier?

8 replies

deaddei · 25/10/2010 15:15

Dh keen to take dcs (14 and !!) ski-ing- maybe at Xmas. He is an avid skier.
I have never been, nor do I intend to try.
Is there any point me going- I'm happy to lounge by a fire with a book while they're on the slopes......but it just seems to be a world I am not part of.
Money is no object here.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 25/10/2010 15:18

Lake Tahoe, California.....plenty to do for the non skiers.

LIZS · 25/10/2010 15:22

Pick a resort with a good transport network (trains, gondolas and cablecars) to reach restaurants where you can meet for lunch and a pool/spa. Unfortunately sun may be in short supply at Christmas and the days are short but a roaring log fire sounds good. Zermatt, Saas Fee, St Anton/Lech, Kitzbuehel, Chamonix .... - do the dc ski at all yet ?

MmeBodyInTheBasement · 25/10/2010 16:18

I would go for one of the bigger resorts where you can do lots. Chamonix is great - you can fly to Geneva, hire a car and be there in an hour.

The town is pretty and there is lots to do, you can go for a walk through the town and have a coffee or take a trip up the mountain to the glacier Mer du Glace.

Gstaad is lovely too, but not quite so accessible.

Don't go for the smaller places like Morzine unless you really do just want to sit and read your book.

Original poster
deaddei · 25/10/2010 18:42

Have looked at Chamonix- looks good.
Thanks

OP posts:
minipie · 25/10/2010 19:01

Is there any point in going? Yes, but pick your type of holiday carefully. Don't go self catering as you will end up doing all the work. Catered chalets are nice if you are willing to take pot luck on the other guests and chat to anyone. Hotels are ok and more private than chalets but you don't get a cosy sitting room in quite the same way.

If you go to Chamonix, pick your location carefully. There is Chamonix town itself but also lots of sleepy hamlets - not much to do.

Morzine is actually quite a large town and has lots to do. However the smaller resorts around it (les Gets, Chatel) are sleepy.

St Anton which is fun but quite a party town and NOT good for beginner skiers.

Zermatt could be fabulous if money really is no object - I've never been. Verbier likewise.

snailmail · 25/10/2010 21:12

Buy the great skiing and snowboarding guide by Peter and Felice Hardy ISBN 78-1-86011-388-8

Zermatt comes out top for non skiiers and luxury in the swiss section.

I live in Switzerland and as a family we are lucky enough to spend many weekends skiing. The book is an accurate reflection of the places we have tried so far: Wengen, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Gstadd, Zweisimmon, Saanenmoser,Klosters,Engelberg,Villars,

Pan · 25/10/2010 21:30

vote again for Chamonix.

Also there is a box car lift thingy that drags you up the side of a mountain - up to 13,000 feet. Tres dramatic. Aquil du Midi, I think.

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