Val Cenis - General Info plus Tunnel v Ferry.

Thinking of going here with Peak Retreats.
Staying in either Les Balcons de Val Cenis Village or Les Balcons en Haut at end of Jan.
Does anyone have any feedback on the Resort, the TO or either of the Apartments?

Also as we live very close to Portsmouth we are trying to decide whether to use the overnight ferry to Caen on a Friday rather than drive 2.5 hours (+)to Folkestone during rush hour. There's no difference in cost once you take into account less driving and no overnight stop going but we were just concerned on the reliabilty of the Ferry Service in the winter months. Any thoughts.


Cheers, B.

Bongo wrote:Thinking of going here with Peak Retreats.
Staying in either Les Balcons de Val Cenis Village or Les Balcons en Haut at end of Jan.
Does anyone have any feedback on the Resort, the TO or either of the Apartments?

Also as we live very close to Portsmouth we are trying to decide whether to use the overnight ferry to Caen on a Friday rather than drive 2.5 hours (+)to Folkestone during rush hour. There's no difference in cost once you take into account less driving and no overnight stop going but we were just concerned on the reliabilty of the Ferry Service in the winter months. Any thoughts.


Cheers, B.

There are a few guys on this site who visited Val cenis last winter, I'm sure they will be along soon 8)

We stayed in Lanslevillard, but we did go to Lanslebourg several times to ski and to eat. It is only a shot distance and there is a free shuttle bus between the two villages. The skiing from both areas is fabulous and you can be pretty sure of the snow in January down to village level. We went in April and there was plenty of skiing to be done, but as the week progressed the snow melted down at village level and on the very low slopes. Most of the time we were the only ones on the runs...it was blissful. The runs are regularly and well pisted and there is plenty of off piste for intermediates and experts to be happy with.

Val Cenis is a very quiet place so if you are looking for wild apres ski you are going to the wrong place! There are however several bars and restaurants and we managed to get drunk most nights and have a fab time.

There are enough mountain bars/restaurants to keep you going throughout the day (I do like to have my hot chocolate at least once an hour...you know the kind that has brandy as one of it's staple ingedients! lol)

There are plenty of ski shops but they are very pricey as is most of europe at the moment for us!

The locals are soooooooooooooooooo friendly and welcoming.

We stayed in Bonheur des Pistes appartments which I think are pretty much the same as the ones you have mentioned, they are basic but clean, comfortable, warm and they are kitted out with everything you will need for the week. My philosophy on accomodation is that it is just somewhere to sleep, shower and have breakfast!

You are going to have a fab time I'm sure...we certainly did!

I can't advise you on the ferry question I'm afraid.

Long ferry crossings can be a bit rough in the winter :mrgreen:

Why do you need to drive to Folkestone in the rush hour?

bandit wrote:Long ferry crossings can be a bit rough in the winter :mrgreen:

Why do you need to drive to Folkestone in the rush hour?

Perhaps they like car spotting 8)

The idea was to pick the kids up from school and go - this would mean we would be travelling in rush hour. Now not so sure what to do. Wanted to arrive in Val Cenis at 4pm on Saturday and can't take kids out of school (have already allocated the 2 weeks - naughty I know but skiing just wouldn't happen in the hols this year and the other week is a once in a lifetime opportunity). I suppose we could set out later for the tunnel or just get the overnight ferry from Portsmouth. Help!!!!

Hmmm, can you get them a half day pass out to visit the dentist )

bandit wrote:Hmmm, can you get them a half day pass out to visit the dentist )

Naughty Naughty Bandit, I think you need to some lines tonight :shock: