2010 Gear Test Camps - Autumn At Tignes

It's a pity we couldn't get the train to Bourg-St-Maurice, instead of Geneva, because it's only 1/2 hour transfer from there and the bus tickets are only 26 euros return, but I don't think there are any direct trains there from Paris until the ski season starts.

The only options I could find were changing again in Chambery Challes, or getting the overnight train from Paris Austerlitz. But the tickets were cheaper, around £200 each from London.

Ally

Even if the whole county decided not to fly, it's going to make sod all difference in the grand scheme of things (sorry Ally). Call me cynical, but the word 'green' seems to be synonymous with extra taxes and excuses to make money from us all, rather than any real desire to save the planet. :roll:

I'm of the opinion that the planet is getting warmer, with or without our input from 'carbon' or whatever the buzz word is at the moment, and we are just going to have to learn to live with it. If we are to blame, then the damage is probably already done anyway. :(

I'm happy to do my bit and try to save energy ('though this is usually my finances talking rather than my conscience) and recycle where I can as resources are running out, but as others have said, I'm not going to make life awkward for myself by refusing to fly.

With regard to the ski test, I looks like it would be a great short break but I don't think my finances will stretch that far at present ('though if I turn off a few more lights and switch off the heating to help save the planet, they may do!) :D

I would like to add that Mountain Sun were brilliant when we stayed with them a couple of years ago when they were doing their Atomic 'Boot Camp'. They have a very relaxed chalet style Hotel, served great food, drove you to the lifts and picked you up again. They couldn't have done more for us.

We were there in November and although the first day the glacier was closed due to high winds, a decent dump the day before had allowed them to open the Double M run from the Grande Motte down to Val Claret.

There was no pressure to buy or even try any of the gear on offer. I never stepped in an Atomic boot once!

We combined it with a couple of days in Geneva which was also great.

No ski schools out of season though.

Ellistine,
What is there to do in Geneva? I don't like art galleries or museums, although I do like castles and old buildings. And I don't like fancy shopping either, unless it's to do with home furnishing or building. But I do like walking, and sailing.

How does it work - trying out their gear? How do you pick what to try out, and do they let you use it for the whole 3 days? I'd want skis and boots.

Thanks,
Ally

Basically when we arrived, those of us without out gear went to the ski/boot room to get boots fitted and chose some skis to use (Imagine going into the boot room of a small hotel and choosing whatever you fancied - pretty much like that).

The next day if you wanted to try something else then you just swapped them.

When we were there it was just atomic gear and what you chose in the morning you had for the day.



Geneva was very nice. We didn't do much other than walk and eat to be honest. We watched some nutters swimming (fresh swiss water in November - uh uh), had some food in an odd tented area where the swimmers got changed (big wood burning heaters - v nice!). Eat again later in a restaurant in the rear of a pub and had probably the best steak in the world, ever. Walked around the lake a bit and caught the ferry back.

We stayed in our own room in a Youth Hostel. Very modern and very cheap too.

Would always recommend it.

We keep saying we'll do it again but I'm always running out of holiday time at that end of the year.

Thanks Ellistine,
Which youth hostel was it - if you can remember?

I just need to get over the global warming/sick in a coach after more than 1 1/2 hours problem and I could go ski-ing in October for 3 days for only £150-

Ally

AllyG wrote:Thanks Ellistine,
Which youth hostel was it - if you can remember?

I just need to get over the global warming/sick in a coach after more than 1 1/2 hours problem and I could go ski-ing in October for 3 days for only £150-

Ally

http://www.cityhostel.ch/english/

Yes the transfer from Geneva is a killer. It will probably be better now if they've fixed the exhaust on the minibus. A bit fumey at the time!

Tony_H wrote:


I will go where I want where I want how I want, if I can afford it.

Next....

Yep, that about sums up my attitude too :D