UKC

My brother in law lives in Geneva and my wife and I are thinking about going to see him in March. To my mind it would be insane not to extend the trip for a few days and go to Chamonix while we are there (I have never been), the problem is we are poor and Chamonix is notoriously expensive so can I pick UKC's collective brain about ideas for how to a trip cheaper (places to stay/things to do/getting about) - even if you have thoughts about somewhere else I could go that would be fine I'd just like to see the Alps. NB Snell's Field and shoplifting are not an option.

In reply to Bobling:
Oh yeah - when I say family I mean one almost two year old.

In reply to Bobling: Camp?

In reply to Bobling:


You're right there!

In reply to Bobling:

If you've got free accommodation in Geneva then, unless you are going to ski, you'd as well just go for a day trip. Hire a car for the day perhaps. There isn't much point in going unless you can afford to go up a lift to look at the views (take your own sandwiches).

In reply to JLS: Maybe not as good as from some of the lifts but the view back from the Col de Montets isn't bad

In reply to Bobling: Yhm.

In reply to jon:

What's the walking like in March? I've only been in summer and imagined getting far from the road in winter would be hard going due to snow. Is it not that bad?

In reply to JLS:
There isn't much point in going unless you can afford to go up a lift to look at the views (take your own sandwiches).

Rubbish a walk along the Grand Balcon Sud provides some of the best views of the range free of charge.

In reply to Bobling: There's a hostel in the village of Le Tour but everywhere will be banked out with skiers in March.I'd say you could do a lot with a 2 year old, especially if they are back packable still. I'd go for it...snow shoeing?

Look at Camping Glacier D'Argentiere (might be open and in good weather temperatures might be reasonable in March) - Jon's the one to advise as he lives in Vallorcine...in fact you could do worse than splash out a little on a snow shoe trip with Hilary, Jon's wife, rather than go up anywhere in a cable car. She has a website...'Hilary alp' or similar.

btw Getting about is no trouble - excellent trains, free if you are camping (and I guess hostelling) in the valley.

In reply to Nigel Modern: h...

In reply to Bobling:

Try and get up the Brevent on a clear day, Alt cica 2500mtrs i think. Get a lift to the 1st station, circa 2000, then a good walk to the summit station (2-3hrs slow). The route gives you some great views towards MB and the glaciers. The summit is a good spot to stop for views also, just need to dodge the Japs/Yanks.

Walk not too technical with only a short section on a metal ladder (not as bad as it sounds). There is a 4x4 path to the summit also so the descent can be on that.

The wife hates hard mountain walking but she reckons she'd do it again if she had the chance.

In reply to Darren09: A good idea for June but maybe not for March

The railway between Chamonix and Vallorcine is closed until April whilst they work on the line, but there is a replacement bus service.

In reply to Darren09:

You did read the bit about the two year old eh? Just kidding.

Thanks all for replies lots of food for thought, I'll have a think and come back with any questions.

In reply to Bobling:

Also - if we wanted to get a day or two of skiing in can anyone recommend somewhere that one can day-trip to from Geneva?

In reply to Bobling:

Chamonix is less than 90min drive from Geneva.

In reply to

Scroll down here for transfer times between Geneva airport and a number of ski locations

http://www.geneva-chamonix-transfers.com/transfer_queries.php

In reply to Bobling: There is nowhere cheap to stay in cham i think, unless your willing to go into a hostel style places, theyre probably not suitable for a small child/ Hotel le Dahu in argentiere was about the best value we could find but still came in at around 70 euro's a night.

If you in Geneva i would suggest day trips.

If your going in winter you'll probably have to get a lift pass to get out of the valley for the views (and do soem skiing). I think your child is a bit young for the ski school (though not by much!).

Cheers
Dave

In reply to Bobling:

Col de la Faucille is about 45 mins and Le Crozets about 25mins both good for beginers if they are in condition.