Jura region cross-country ski - Feb 2016

Please suggest reasonably priced lodges and routes for 3-4 days of cross-country skiing in the Jura region in mid-February 2016. inn-to-inn or a loop is also possible, if there is a way to have our gear brought along. One experienced skier, one newbie (but athletic). Also, tips on rentals of ski equipment would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Alan

Hi Alan,

Welcome to MySwissAlps! I'm afraid I can't be of much help here. Both the Jura and cross-country skiing are not my area of expertise. A starting point might be this website: www.bergfex.com/jura/l anglaufen/. One of their suggestions is the 50 km long run La Vue-des-Alpes/Tête-de-Ran: www.bergfex.com/jura-drei-seen-land/langlaufen/la-vue-des-dlpes/loipen/3874/. A good place to compare rates of accommodation is www.hotelscombined.com /Place/Canton_Of_Neuch atel.htm.

Thanks. I will check those links.

Alan -

I have asked a friend who lives near the Jura.

Hear is his reply to my question , which paraphrased yours.

<<"I have done cross-country skiing in the Jura. In France, because it's the closest to Geneva, and near Reconvilier because I have a friend who lives there. You can check places on the following web site :www.skidefond.ch/centr e.php?lang=en&gt; Select a region > Massif du Jura> La Thomassette / Le Brassus or Franches Montagnes (two sites)These are known good places for cross-country skiing in the Jura Mountains. I have friends who stayed at Montfaucon, here:www.reka.ch/en/rekahol idays/rekaholidayvilla ges/Seiten/montfaucon. aspxIt is a "village" with apartments for rent. Other accomodations are easy to find.Equipment rental will be available at these resorts. The rental of a set(skis, poles, shoes) costs about CHF 30 per day for one day, and the price decreases if the rental extends over several days. We usually learn cross-country skiing without taking classes, but I am sure instructors can be found if desired.Trails are being maintained by local organisations, so to use them, you are asked to buy a day pass or stamp. I don't remember the price but it's rather cheap. Le Brassus is in the Vallée de Joux, best reached by public transport from Geneva airport. In February, Lake Joux is likely to be frozen and this is another tourist attraction. Franches Montagnes are closer to Basel or Zurich airports. ">>

Hope this helps.

Slowpoke

Dear Slowpoke:

This is terrifically helpful. I will check out all of the locations you mentioned. I realize that the French Jura is closer to Geneva, but I kind of had my heart set on the Swiss countryside. We found excellent fares to Geneva from TLV, so we decided to book there rather than Basel. Anyway, I truly appreciate your suggestions and will check them out.

Regards,

Alan Abbey

Jerusalem, Israel

Hi Alan-

Hope it works out for you. Le Brassus is definitely in Switzerland ;-)

The actual distances involved frm GVA are not substantial, either way. Look at the map, if you have not already.

map.geo.admin.ch/?topic=swisstopo&lang=e n&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo .pixelkarte-farbe&layers=ch.swisst opo.zeitreihen,ch.bfs. gebaeude_wohnungs_regi ster,ch.bafu.wrz-wildruhezonen_portal,c h.swisstopo.swisstlm3d -wanderwege,ch.swisstop o.swissalti3d-reliefschattierung&lay ers_visibility=false,f alse,false,false,false &layers_timestamp=1864 1231,,,,&X=130900.00&Y =503200.00&zoom=2

And, if you can find a place(s) to stay, the distance from GVA should not be a problem. There are Swiss Tourism resources for finding accomodations throughout Switzerland, in addition to what you could find through the internet.

If you have any mor specific questions, I'll try to find answers, but no promises. It is all second hand. However, my friend's comments are definitely trustworthy.

Slowpoke