J2Ski Holiday 30th January 2016 - Alpe d'Huez

On the current time-table the night train leaves Paris Austerlitz at 22:56 on Friday night and arrives at Chambery at 05:05. You have to change trains in Chambery and you then arrive in Grenoble at 06:27 on Saturday.

Coming back on a Saturday the night train departs Grenoble at 20:34, arrives at Chambery at 21:20 where you have to change trains, and reaches Paris Austerlitz at 06:19

I went back to Paris on the French sleeper train once, and I was in the economy 6 berth couchette, and it was pretty sardine like! I was in the middle bunk and you couldn't sit up in it without hitting your head on the bunk above. Mind you, I did sleep OK. The 4-berth couchettes are more expensive. When I did it I got a taxi early in the morning from Paris Austerlitz to Paris Nord in order to catch the Eurostar, and it wasn't too expensive.

I think I might go back from Alpe d'Huez on the night sleeper train, to get an extra day of ski-ing, but I wouldn't go out on it because I think I'd be too tired the next day to ski. So I think I will go out on the day train and back on the night train.

Thanks for your reply Ally. I was hoping you'd found a way to get there by not crossing Paris. We don't mind going from Nord to Lyon but for some reason find from Lyon to Nord awkward, but suppose we could always get taxi. For the past few years we have gone to resorts reached by using the ski train. Still 'working' on hubby.

Its a good few years since I was in ADH but I did love my trips there. The skiing is great and very varied. The Sarenne run is a must do. Apart from the initial pitch, it is not particularly challenging but a lovely long run through the mountains with no lifts or anything else to disturb the serenity of the area. The tunnel is a real challenge - didn't get around to it and not sure my knees would handle the moguls now :oops: .

I seem to recall that it was possible to get a helicopter transfer over to Les Deux Alps for relatively modest money - could be an interesting excursion :wink:.

In the village, my memory was that the Piano bar upstairs in the complex beside the ice rink was very pleasant with some good live music - a pleasant change from the overcrowded, noisy "Oirish" bars, etc. However, it is very definitely a French bar and a different vibe and high prices - not a place to go on the batter :lol: .

They have a nice outdoor public swimming pool that was included in the lift pass, though they do insist on Speedo type trunks for the gents :oops: .

Back then, there was a nice restaurant at the bottom of the town called the Petit Creux. Not cheap but it was very good quality.

Enjoy guys :wink: .

Agree with Wandered, its one of my fav ski areas. Loads of travelling. Sarenne is long and exhausting, but nothing too dangerous on it, just the top can scare a few people off. Tunnel is different altogether, not for timid skiers or anyone with little off piste experience. Or bad knees!!!

Heli transfer to L2A is 65 euro return, bargain if thats what you want. I didn't fancy L2A so didn't bother.

ttski wrote:Thanks for your reply Ally. I was hoping you'd found a way to get there by not crossing Paris.

You can get there without going across Paris, but as far as I can see it means going via Lille and Lyon.

According to this season's Saturday time-table you could do it like this:

Going out
Depart St Pancras 06:57
Arrive Lille Europe 09:26 (takes 1 hour 32 minutes)

Depart Lille Europe 10:39
Arrive Grenoble 15:49 (with a change at Lyon)

Total journey time 8 hours

Coming back
Depart Grenoble 09:12
Arrive Lille Europe 14:05 (with a change at Lyon)

Depart Lille Europe 15:36
Arrive St Pancras 16:05

Total journey time 8 hours

The first group booking for Jan 30th 2016 in ADH - Hotel Christina have a confirmed booking now.
:thumbup:
Zenith have said they will hold the present pricing for the group for a month - April 11th.
After that things are likely to change.
Mind you if someone books after Christmas on a really good last minute offer - I would prefer not to know!
Holiday details are on page one of the thread;
https://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/15996.page

I think there are still two rooms free for single person bookings.
Get in touch by PM for more details - but I am away for my ski jolly from Wednesday.
:mrgreen:

We have had a nice group reference from the manager of the Sauze hotel :)

I posted up a review of the hotel on Trip Advisor for our January 2015 holiday and he has now replied to it. Unfortunately for him we're not going back to Sauze for the 2016 group holiday - we're going to Alpe d'Huez! This is what he said:

Francesco B, Direttore at Hotel Sauze, responded to this review, yesterday
My dear,
it's needless to say that accommodate you and your group has been a pleasure for us. You made us laugh and have filled our hotel of joy and good vibes! Next year we'll try to get us a proper dress for the "fancy night"!:)
See you soon!
Francesco

It's good to know that he enjoyed having our well behaved, amusing group in his hotel :)

:-o :-o :-o :-o
One more sleep to go for me until AlpeD'huez... Or more correctly Chalet Marmotte in Oz en Oisans. conditions are looking the best they have been at Easter for a number of years and I can't wait to get on to some fresh snow. 10-20 cm forecast for the weekend !

I shall aim to visit the Christina and get some photos to show you all what you are missing!

Bye for now Paul