France in February

Vera, I figure Chamonix simply because it's a mecca of sorts, so why not?  The "trip for work" is a job interview, so, with luck, I'll get to try out all the places you mention over the next few years.  Thanks for the warning about les vacances.  I'll be there the first weekend in February, so hopefully I beat the worst of the crowds. 

Tim, thanks for the link to to guides.  I'm trying to talk two friends into joining me and if they come, a guide becomes a lot more cost friendly.  If I get the chance, I'll look these folks up.

Stay Here in Chamonix .  Great place, nice people, not too expensive. 


Some Pics from last September.


Ski this while you are there.

Adding a vote for Verbier.

And a vote for these guys - www.picos-online.de/

I did a trip with them several years back with a friend living in Munich. Language was not a barrier and they have lots of different groups running all the time, so if you're solo you may be able to latch on to one for a reasonable price on short notice. Their other clientele certainly did not slow me down - never a sure thing, but maybe their focus on skiing with a euro clientele helps. One of their guys, Thomas Merkel, is at Skiers Lodge in La Grave which could also be a decent option if you need to plug into something solo and want to control costs.

Best of luck, on the job and the ski plans.

Adding my vote for Vallée Blanche. The skiing is not hard but the views are fantastic and there is a lot of history (both skiing and mountaineering) on display (Couloir Gervasutti, Bonatti Pillar and American Direct on Dru...). Plus it features one of the most exhilarating gondola rides in Europe.

For piste skiing in the Chamonix valley I liked Grandes Montets the most.

Here is a short slideshow from skiing Vallée Blanche in April 2008.


Good luck with your interview and have a blast skiing!

I was in Cham last year and found the on piste to be pretty boring, though the views were pristine. I'd recommend these guys for guides: cosleyhouston.com/home.htm Super supportive, incredibly competent. Get off piste! Otherwise you might as well be skiing groomers at Stevens :)