Hi

My girlfriend and I (based in Geneva) enjoyed a day of snowboarding in Morzine just before christmas but, as we don't have a car, the 150CHF fare to get there and back (morzexpress.com) added a lot to the cost.

Does anyone have any opinions about Crozet (good beginner runs?) and know if there is any public transport there from Geneva?

Thanks

Declan

Les Crozets is great for beginner snowboarders- I used to take groups from UK there regularly. Not the easiest to reach by public transport though. The train goes via Aigle and Monthey, then up to Champery and the cable car takes you up to Les Crozets area. Much quicker and easier to go to Torgon: train to Aigle then bus. Or to Haute Nendaz, train to Sion then bus. Or even go to Verbier, train right up to Le Chable where you pick up the bubble car up to Verbier and on to the top, the La Chaux area being great for beginners. The Verbier passes are much more expensive though.

To check for public transport access, integrated train + bus, use

www.sbb.ch then click on English, type in your leaving train station and where you want to go, and it will give you integrated timetables. For in Aigle and Sion, the buses leave from just outside the train station.

Ah, I meant Crozet near Lelex in the Jura. It's only 20km from Geneva. I could cycle it I suppose ...and freewheel most of the way back.

Still, it's good to know of other options and I'll look into trains and check out La Chaux when I get a chance.

Thanks

Declan

LOL - sorry. Crozet is one of those geographical names (from old Savoyard meaning cross - and also the name of a type of small pasta) which crop up all over Switzerland and Eastern France! I should have known as I am a Jurasienne born and bred, but further East.

It's been snowing heavily today up here- and hopefully we will soon have excellent conditions. Will keep all informed and perhaps organise one or two meet up for a days skiing and boarding.

In the Jura, one of the best resorts is on the French side - just between Vallorbe and Pontarlier. See Metabief/Jougne. For total beginners the very best value is just a bit further around the corner- Les Fourgs. Hire place is under the restaurant at the base of the very gentle slopes and ski/snow school. Cheap as chips.

On the Swiss side, 'my' resorts are 'Buttes/La Robella' (Neuchatel side)(with train station at the bottom of slopes, with excellent value options for train+pass) and on the Vaud side, Les Rasses (above Yverdon).

For La Chaux-de-Fonds/Neuchatel the nearest is Les Bugnenets, a great little resort, home to Swiss and World Champion Didier Cuche.

Crozet and Lelex and the whole Monts Jura are great for beginners. Go for it.

What sort of lifts are available there? When I used to take groups of young people snowboarding, the main frustrations (yep, I've seen big, butch fit 30 years old men in tears) - were with the T-bars and to some extent the button Pomas!

The great thing with Verbier and Haute Nendaz is that you can avoid all Pomas, T-bars or even chair lifts. One great resort with a wide gentle beginners slope and a slow chair with easy drop off is Siviez, above Haute Nendaz (bus from Haute Nendaz to Siviez included in your pass).

You could also try Leysin, train to Agile then take the funicular to Leysin.

Of course there's also the ski bus option from Gare routière, at 90CHF return to Chamonix and 70CHF to Avoriaz / Morzine /Gd Bornand (skipass included)...

Didn't he just announce his retirement or am I mixing him up with somebody else?

He has indeed - incredible that he has been able to keep at the top of his career so long. And amazing record for a butcher's apprentice born and bred in the Jura and not the Alps. He is on top form still, the oldest World champion at 37 - but has decided that it is best to bow out gracefully whilst still at the top. Bravo Didier.

Col de la Faucille all feeds back down to a combo chair lift / bubble lift. Long easy blue from the top down, very wide, and usually fairly empty. Depending on level, there is also a few short but hairy reds, along with a fantastic tree lined long green run for total starters.