Skiing Europe: Favorite Spots.

As I have seen a few references to Europe in the past, I thought I would ask if anyone can share a favorite spot or two in the Alps. I am looking for places less known. Although I would love to hear about the trips to Chamonix/Brevent/Flegere/Grand Montets/Haute Route/Mt. Blanc/Mt. Rosa, that is not what spurred me to post....I'm looking for the lesser known, possibly smaller than the aformentioned, areas that left you with a lasting impression.  I can start with a couple of places....(A map may come in handy) First, is the fairly well traveled Grand St. Bernard pass up beyond Verbier ski area, at the end of the valley. A "small" ski station sits here with a gondola and a drag. Up past the ski area is Col Grand St. Bernard,(Swiss/Italian border) which is central to many ski tours in the area. I skied Mt. Mort when I was there and had a great time. Routes that I know of in the area include La Chenalette, which you can scope on the skin up to the Col, and Combe De Drone (southern facing).  Second, a place near Villars ski area in Switzerland. A valley continues up from Gryon, where Solalex village sits. You can eat great food here, and start the tour. You travel in the only direction that's inviting to skin, rounding and staying close to Tour d' Anxeinde. ( I say this because I witnessed the second largest natural avalanche I've ever seen coming off of Tete d' Enfer. Second only to the Valentines day massacre at Mt. Baker ski area.) You then get to the mountain refuge of Anxeindax. You can eat here too. Just beyond is the Cabin Barraud. From here, ski tours are all around. I skied from the Haute Corde on L'Argentine. Others include the Paneirosse Glacier and Col du Brotset.  You can exit this area directly down to Solalex via Col de la Poreyrette.......Anyway, these are easy day trip areas, but you could easily spend a week in each place. Did I mention you can sleep at either also?!  

O.K., so, has anyone skied in the old world? Now I don't care if it's Chamonix tours or not....Anyone?! How about cool ski areas that are lesser known. (there are so many!) I have a couple to share. 1- Grand St. Bernard- up from Verbier. About 3000' vert., all above timberline. Plus, you can ski to Italy and/or access many tours. 2- Les Diablerets.- Combe d'Audon and the large bowl under the tram to sex rouge (yes, the mtn. is named red sex!?) is what makes this ski area. The highest point of Les Diablerets ski area (3000m) is the glacier, but it's flat.

O.K. I'm beating a dead horse here, so I'll present the most rediculous offering. HUGE LIFT SERVED AREAS. When I first skied Whistler/Blackcomb (North Americas biggest?) , I thought they were big..... now I just chuckle to myself every time I remember those steel clad, beautiful mountains in the Alps. #1-Verbier is a favorite of mine so far. Not the biggest, but excellent terrain, and expansive. Mt. Gele is a great tram to a great steep skiing peak, and the couloirs north of the Chassoure gondola are not to be missed. #2-Port du Soleil offers 5 ski areas on one pass. Roughly $45, but you can break down tickets, while restricting areas, for cheaper. (recomended) This ski area links Switzerland and France with at least 150 lifts! and a dozen towns. Pointe de Vorlax off of Avoriaz is a great hike to peak within the ski area.... #3- Les 3 Vallees is huge, but laid out so you could actually ski from one side of the area to the other in a day. (why?) This includes the towns of Courcheval, Meribel, Val Thorens and Orelle. 300 LIFTS!! take you to terrain mostly above treeline. Take a few of these and you have as much alpine terrain as Whistler/Blackcomb has combined!! And we paid $45 for a ticket to all......I hope these posts get drug up in the future by someone looking for info. on their trip to Europe. The great conversation between everyone led us from tours, to sm. ski areas, to huge ski areas. Thanks for sharing everyone, and feel free to continue.........

toby, this is really great information! thanks for sharing!<br>that time of the year when we start thinking about skiing, recounting favorite ski trips and all that

And if you get homesick for Cascade Crud you can head to the south of Spain and ski Sol y Nieve / Sierra Nevada at Grenada. Nearly 12,000' and on a clear day you can see Africa. Seemed to me to be mostly intermediate level with some single black diamond runs, but it was a nice surprise when I was there in March.

Agreed, Great info. Thanks.