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Skiing Grenoble/France

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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
I'm headed out there next year, I've got to start planning already and have some questions for those who've been...

I'm from the east coast and touring is something that really interests me. My plan was to head over with skis mounted with Dukes, take an avy course, join a ski club and get my feet wet in the slackcountry. My main concern is the cost of all this, especially when you factor in avy and other touring gear.

So do the resorts around Grenoble have enough inbounds/lift-access "fun" skiing (trees, powder, steeps)? If yes then I could probably bypass touring altogether (even though I would like to have the experience), mount with alpine bindings and maybe even bring a second pair of skis or a board.

Hopefully you guys can help and I'll be bumping this as I need more info.
Mar 8 2011 1:04AM
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C-DAWGSTYLEZ
Posts: 832 - Karma: 171
Shit son, i'm heading out there in September as far as i know the closest resort is Chamonix which is where ski mountaineering was basically invented. When are you heading out?

Mar 8 2011 1:15AM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
I'm going in September as well. There's actually TONS of ski areas around the city, many of them closer than Chamonix.
Mar 8 2011 1:24AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Don't worry too much about equipment. Indeed, there is tons of slackcountry opportunities and if not, getting gear is never a big problem once you're "in the scene", meaning having found some ski buddies.

Closest resorts (1-1,5h away) are Alpe d'Huez, La Grave, Les Menuires, Meribel. And even freeride mecca Chamonix will take you only 2 hours to get to.

Be aware though that ski season in France usually starts considerably later than for example in Austria/Switzerland - most French ski resorts will open in December, while you can have your first Austrian/Swiss glacier pow as early as in September/October.

Mar 8 2011 9:21AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Oh and should you find yourself anywhere in Switzerland at some time, give me a shout if you want.
Mar 8 2011 9:28AM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
Some pretty inaccurate stuff been said so far.

I lived in GNB last year. It is the best ski city in the world bar NONE. PM me with specific questions if you like I can help you out with a bunch of stuff.

Closest resorts are Chamrousse and Les 7 Laux.
Chamrousse (25 mins from downtown) is ok but quite low and not very steep. Some decent touring to be done though from the top and you can get single-ride lift passes to the top for like 5 euros, then tour from the top.
Les 7 Laux (30 mins from dt) is fucking sick. Really superb lift accessed terrain and awesome touring options. Really good park too. Student season pass is 280 Euros.

Some little resorts in the Chartreuse range and Vercors range are fun for the odd day here and there. Tiny but fun. St Pierre de la Chartreuse can have great tree skiing.

Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes are the nearest "big" resorts (both ~1 hour). But any resort in the alps is gonna seem huge compared to the east coast. Les 2 Alpes has an awesome park on the glacier through the summer and autumn and a good winter park too. Its more expensive though and the freeride terrain is not great.

LA GRAVE (~1hour) is really second only to Chamonix in the world in terms of ridiclously gnar terrain and HUGE vertical. Going with locals is crucial though as much of the terrain is glaciated and/or massively exposed.

Any other resort in France is within 2 hours of Grenoble. Vars, Serre Chevalier, Paradiski area, Espace Killy area, Portes de Soleil area, Chamonix area all well worth making trips to. Parts of Italy and Switzerland within easy reach too. Grenoble is not called the "star of the alps" for nothing.

Most importantly make friends with local shredders to fully enjoy the best ski city in the world. Having a car really helps.

Like I said PM me for more info

Mar 8 2011 12:46PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
So what exactly is the inaccurate stuff being said? I don't get it...
Mar 8 2011 12:59PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
chamonix the closest resort? swiss season starting earlier than french? whatever, just trying to make sure the dude has the right info
Mar 8 2011 1:05PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Well guess what, the Swiss (and even more so, the Austrians) usually do have considerably more early season options than the French. ;)
Mar 8 2011 1:24PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
I agree about Cham. Somebody else mentioned it though, not me. And the early season information might be helpful bc. TO arrives in September.

It was a minor detail anyway. I just don't like people starting their posts with "most of the other stuff is inaccurate" - c'est tout.

Another thing, if you want to buy a season pass, buy early, as it will sometimes give you a 20-40% discount.
Mar 8 2011 2:03PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
All wicked info so far, thanks guys.

There still hasn't been input on whether I should go all out with the touring thing, or just bring a traditional alpine set up and save a ton of money. Any takers?

And should I get a seasons pass somewhere or should I just hunt for deals and travel around?
Mar 8 2011 5:44PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
I'd say don't bring gear and don't buy a pass. If you're at a level that will require touring gear, you will by then have met people who could supply you or lend you stuff. Also, most skiers coming to the alps, no matter how experienced they are, will stick with the slackcountry as it's such a fun and stress-free thing to do.

And while a season pass can be good value, Idk if you really want to settle on one resort. There are so many ski resorts around Grenoble, you'd be mental not to check out at least 3 or 4. ;)

Just ideas, tho.
Mar 8 2011 6:01PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
so les diablerets and zermatt in switzerland open in september for glacier skiing. tignes and les2alpes in france open in september for glacier skiing. depending on conditions "normal" resorts in france and switzerland will open late november/early december. am i missing something l@@x?

back to the point: touring setup? well that depends on whether you ski park. if you do then don't bother, ski pow when its there from the lifts and with a bit of bootpacking where necessary. then when the snow isn't good just ride the park. thats what i did for my season in gnb and was probably on big skis 50-60 days and park skis 40-50ish. if you don't ski park, sure bring a touring setup. the ecrins nat. park near la grave is some of the best touring in the world but frankly the terrain that the lifts there access if you know where you're going is mind blowing and you won't get even half of it done if you went there every day for the season.

as for a season pass... depends. are you a student? if so the les 7 laux season pass at less than 300E is great value and then with the grenoble Ecole de Glisse (uni ski club) you can get 10E tickets for les 2 alpes. if you're not a student prob just buy day tickets wherever you go.

can't understate the value of having a car and local buddies to ride with. buses to/from the resorts are ok from grenoble but take way longer and can be an absolute shitfight at weekends.

Mar 9 2011 8:01AM
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LouEyez
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
One thing to keep in mind is that gear in the US is cheaper than gear in Europe, so if you are going to buy anything, buy it before you leave.

Even with import duties and being taxed twice and shipping costs, it's still cheaper for me to buy from a US website than it is from a shop in Switzerland (not including sales of course which may vary.)

L
Mar 9 2011 8:16AM
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N.L.
Posts: 2420 - Karma: 2,744
 a tshirt was like 50 bucks^
grenoble is really cool during the summer, bus access to any mtn.
if youre a stupid americana, people will let you know....haha,

Mar 9 2011 12:00PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
-> Les 2 Alpes opened on October 27th.
-> You left out Saas Fee, Gstaad, Titlis, Diavolezza.
-> You seriously need to stop arguing. ;)
Merci.



Mar 9 2011 12:12PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
No it's actually you that need to stop arguing. You gave him incorrect information, it's as simple as that. Stop trying to cover it up, it's not a big deal.

I would def get the season pass for Les 7 Laux, day tickets can be expensive, and you don't want to drive 1.5 hours+ every time you go skiing.
Mar 9 2011 12:38PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
?? I don't get it. I gave him no wrong information at all. All I said was that Switzerland (and Austria) offer better early season options just in case he wants to go skiing early. And with 6 against 2 resorts, this is pretty much a fact. Why do you make such a big fuzz? It was a minor note and it was correct. Ease up, allright? Chill out.
Mar 9 2011 12:45PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
Ok whatever. It's really not a big deal. Opening dates will depend on snow conditions. There's no way of knowing whether the early season snow will be better in France, Suisse, Austria, Italy, it's different every year. Last year for instance this is what the skiing was like last year in L7L on November 7th
Click for larger image

Back to the point. Here's an idea of what Les 7 Laux is like for the OP. It is rad, be stoked!

All directly lift accessed you say? By the way this is about 1/3 of the terrain that the top lift (Pouta) accesses.
Click for larger image

One of the chutes off that ridge
Click for larger image

more options
Click for larger image

mmmmnn
Click for larger image

mini golf
Click for larger image

touring options nearby
Click for larger image


Mar 9 2011 12:54PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
That would be incorrect.
Mar 9 2011 1:19PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
i doubt it
Mar 9 2011 1:23PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
it's a fact.
Mar 9 2011 1:26PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
If anything, it's a waste of time. Ok, I should have written "major resorts". Stop bitching, will you?
Mar 9 2011 1:27PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Not until you do.
Mar 9 2011 1:29PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
says the one who has not contributed to this thread at all. Chapeau.
Mar 9 2011 1:35PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Says the one who initially contributed incorrect information to the thread. Fjols.
Mar 9 2011 2:43PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
The information wasn't incorrect, maybe incomplete. Still better than delivering one-liners. ><((((º>)
Mar 9 2011 7:48PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
This all sounds super sick! I guess I'll head over with a regular alpine setup (or two), buy a student pass somewhere close and use the rest of my money for day passes at places further away.

I'll bump this closer to when I leave to see if anyone wants to meet up to rip some turns. Thanks to all for the help, cheers.
Mar 10 2011 12:50AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
No, it was incorrect.
Mar 10 2011 3:13AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Perfect plan. Have fun dude!
Mar 10 2011 3:13AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Repeating it doesn't make it more true.

Anyway, as for weather reports, check wepowder.com
Mar 10 2011 4:38AM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
word, wepowder.com is the shit. other useful sites:

www.skipass.com join the forums it can be good to buy/sell stuff
www.skitour.fr useful again for buying and selling stuff especially bc gear

and the best ski shop in the world, about an hour away in albertville www.ekosport.fr they have unreal discounts on previous season gear, esp. orage and salomon bindings.

worth being on the tgr forums too- there's a lot of guys based in geneva and throughout france.

La Glisse, Espace Montagne and Adrenaline are the best regular ski shops in GNB
Mar 10 2011 8:17AM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Oh yes, TGR is definately where it's at. Can be a bit snotty and elite for first time visitors, though.

Another comprehensive site: http://www.snow-forecast.com/
Mar 10 2011 9:35AM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
grenoble is dope, i grew up there, learned to ski at Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes. you will not be disappointed!
Mar 10 2011 9:45AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
No it doesn't, the fact that it is true, makes it true.
Mar 10 2011 12:07PM
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exile_ch
Posts: 715 - Karma: 609
Seriously, you sound like a 12 years old butthurt retard... Drop it already.
Mar 10 2011 12:17PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
I disagree.

By the way, do you mean a 12 yeaR old butthurt retard, retard?
Mar 10 2011 12:48PM
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exile_ch
Posts: 715 - Karma: 609
ahah so what, english isn't my first language,,, But keep going budd', you look more stupid each time you post.
Mar 10 2011 12:51PM
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kingskier
Posts: 1045 - Karma: 11
nah chamonix is one of the furthest french resorts away from grenoble, its near geneva
Mar 10 2011 12:53PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Well it isn't mine either. And I wasn't the one who came out calling people retarded, so i'm gonna go ahead and say that you are the one that looks stupid.
Mar 10 2011 3:26PM
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exile_ch
Posts: 715 - Karma: 609
I called you out because you deserve it, because you keep looking like a dumb kid who just can't stop arguing until he got his candy.

But i'll be the bigger person and won't answer your stupid ass again. Feel free to end this with one of your childish "i was right, you were wrong" post. At least you'll stay in your stupid line of conduct. Enjoy being a smartass.
Mar 10 2011 4:46PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2088 - Karma: 1,333
Didn't you just answer me?

Oh I certainly do enjoy being a smartass, it works out perfectly for me. Not so much for you though.
Mar 10 2011 4:58PM
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Skeeze_
Posts: 63 - Karma: 67
I'm going to be "studying" in Grenoble next spring semester as well. I'm getting Dukes to go on all of my skis (using threaded inserts so I only need one pair of bindings) as I never want to be limited. I know meeting locals will be important for La Grave and real tours, but I'd love to meet up with any other NSers for general resort riding/sidecountry where a partner is needed.
Mar 10 2011 7:39PM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Wow, its like a battle between the good side of NS (decent info from locals with experience) and the bad side of NS (stupid childish bitching).....

I can't really add too much to the info already provided, other than reinforcing the fact that Grenoble is a great city. Huge resorts like 2 Alpes/Alpe d'Huez within a short drive, and a load of smaller local mountains even closer. Gnarly shit like La Grave, and (almost) year round riding and a sick summer park at Les 2 Alpes.

Plus, close enough to Provence and the Mediterranean to head down there for some sunshine and beaches.

Enjoi!

Mar 10 2011 7:44PM
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kingskier
Posts: 1045 - Karma: 11
true that
Mar 23 2011 5:10PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
You herped so hard, you actually derped.
Mar 23 2011 5:18PM
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