Intrawest To Sell European Properties

Bandit, that is a shocking tale. I remember your references to the incident, and the collarbone, but the letter is much more revealing.

In the normal course of events, market forces would ensure that VT suffered, as a result of this kind of service. It just does not seem to work in France. I am not sure if the mayoral system is a structural contributor to the issue. You would be complaining to the person that runs the show, and so, ultimately are critisising the mayor.

I did not realise how well ski areas could be managed, until I skiied in Colorado. The lift passes are very expensive, but both mountain and people are well managed. Cross-overs are manned by a patroller. So you can ski fast, but when signed to slow down, you must do this. They would not hesitate to remove your lift pass.

Mmm, I am being half persuaded to head for La Tania in January, would not like to have a fall in VT, after reading that.

Dave Mac, you are right that the Mayor's office runs the show, so I would guess that there is lots of money tied up with keeping the status quo. As our apartment was on the "ambulance" route from the piste to the Cabinet Medical, I saw a continual flow of business whilst in the resort. Not all Tarentaise resorts are the same. I'd travelled to VT directly from Tignes, which was (at the time) very active in piste flow management, to the benefit of holidaymakers.

I have read anecdotal reports that other Trois Vallees centres operate in the same way as VT, and would urge you and all your party to buy the Carte Neige, IOW be insured twice :evil: I would also suggest that your party takes the contact details for the nearest British Consulate office, as IMHO I was held against my will in exchange for money, and that is just not right.

Ian Wickham wrote:VT had never appealed to me or my family for the very reasons you guys are talking about.....the alcohol culture in many resorts is the reason I started driving to the alps, I refuse to accept and sit near people being sick in the transfer coach due to excessive alcohol consumption. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Well I never saw any of that behaviour in VT but that was 8 years ago. And I have been on packages to St Anton, Mayrhofen, Verbier, Sauze d'Oulx and other places and NEVER come across anyone being sick on a transfer bus.

Its very wrong to suggest that in going to a certain resort you will come across drunks. You can expect to see drunk people in any ski resort at certain times of the day or night, and more often than not performed by Germans and Dutch people. I have seen plenty of good fun apres ski in my time, but I am usually having dinner or tucked up in bed when people are falling over after a bottle of peach schnapps.

bandit wrote:Dave Mac, you are right that the Mayor's office runs the show, so I would guess that there is lots of money tied up with keeping the status quo. As our apartment was on the "ambulance" route from the piste to the Cabinet Medical, I saw a continual flow of business whilst in the resort. Not all Tarentaise resorts are the same. I'd travelled to VT directly from Tignes, which was (at the time) very active in piste flow management, to the benefit of holidaymakers.
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When you are not sure whats going on, always follow the money. :twisted:

Edited 1 time. Last update at 28-Aug-2009

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:VT had never appealed to me or my family for the very reasons you guys are talking about.....the alcohol culture in many resorts is the reason I started driving to the alps, I refuse to accept and sit near people being sick in the transfer coach due to excessive alcohol consumption. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Well I never saw any of that behaviour in VT but that was 8 years ago. And I have been on packages to St Anton, Mayrhofen, Verbier, Sauze d'Oulx and other places and NEVER come across anyone being sick on a transfer bus.

Its very wrong to suggest that in going to a certain resort you will come across drunks. You can expect to see drunk people in any ski resort at certain times of the day or night, and more often than not performed by Germans and Dutch people. I have seen plenty of good fun apres ski in my time, but I am usually having dinner or tucked up in bed when people are falling over after a bottle of peach schnapps.

Agreed I'm normally fast a sleep as well, but I say again I do not select resorts for Apres ski as it does not interest me any more to get blotto every night, I have done all that before. I am really pleased that you have not experienced any bus honking because it was a very unpleasant experience as we had a four hour journey ahead of us. It was one of those occasions where I felt really embarrassed to be English, watching on as the poor Italian coach driver had to clear up the mess. Scum bags.... :evil: :evil:

Tony, my view, gained from experience is that if a resort builds large blocks of cheap self catering accommodation, then they are geared up for large groups of folk wanting a cheap holiday, who may or not be keen skiers. With VT, that building style seems predominant, so it is a fairly good bet that there will be more noisy behaviour, than say a small traditional mountain village with b&b's and houses converted into apartments. In the case of VT, the marketing suggested up market and smart in glowing terms, however my experience there firmed up my view that it does not matter what you call a turd, it still stinks.
Mr Admin Sir, do I get a prize for the best thread hijack this week :D

bandit wrote:Tony, my view, gained from experience is that if a resort builds large blocks of cheap self catering accommodation, then they are geared up for large groups of folk wanting a cheap holiday, who may or not be keen skiers. With VT, that building style seems predominant, so it is a fairly good bet that there will be more noisy behaviour, than say a small traditional mountain village with b&b's and houses converted into apartments. In the case of VT, the marketing suggested up market and smart in glowing terms, however my experience there firmed up my view that it does not matter what you call a turd, it still stinks.
Mr Admin Sir, do I get a prize for the best thread hijack this week :D

No ski show free tickets for you then.... :twisted: :twisted:

bandit wrote:Tony, my view, gained from experience is that if a resort builds large blocks of cheap self catering accommodation, then they are geared up for large groups of folk wanting a cheap holiday, who may or not be keen skiers. With VT, that building style seems predominant, so it is a fairly good bet that there will be more noisy behaviour, than say a small traditional mountain village with b&b's and houses converted into apartments. In the case of VT, the marketing suggested up market and smart in glowing terms, however my experience there firmed up my view that it does not matter what you call a turd, it still stinks.
Mr Admin Sir, do I get a prize for the best thread hijack this week :D

When I see places with purpose built apartments, I tend to turn the page and look elsewhere. Its very much why I prefer Austria generally.

Ian - I like a bit of apres ski, but dont go in for getting blotto. Its a fun end to a day to have a couple of beers in a lively happy atmosphere, before having a civilised dinner and some nice wine.