Group Trip to La Thuile - 22nd January 2017

Looking forward to the reports as I'm arriving on Wednesday.

No trip reports?

Tomorrow

I'll be skiing then.

On 22nd January 20 boarders and skiers from all points of the UK (and Australia) descended on an unsuspecting La Thuile for our annual bash. Considering there had been little snow for over a week conditions were very good high up but a little icy on the blacks and red routes back to village. All runs except the upper portion of red 7 and the link red 4a between blue 15 and red 7 were open. Our first 4 days saw brilliant blue skies, little wind and great visibility allowing unfettered access to La Rosiere into France. The runs in France were a little thin with patches of grass and earth starting to show that expanded as the week went on. Friday was a bit cloudy, but we had all opted for the day trip to Pila, armed with the group Toffee Vodka and cakes. Our final day was all but unskiable due to very poor visibility and low cloud. Virtually everyone left the hill early and some went for an away day in Courmayeur for a meal and bit of shopping.

As you would expect with such a large group we soon split into 3 sub groups, those with lessons, the normal sensible lot and the mad fast group ably lead by Ade73. Surprisingly we usually managed to meet up for lunch, coffee, bombidinoes or Vin Chaud somewhere and always meet at 1630 in the Planibel Bar for our "Club Cake Fest" and a little catch up before dinner at 1930. La Thuile is ideal for learners with a huge bowl of gentle blues (10 through to 16) that were great of newbies to learn their art. Unfortunately there are a number of flat areas due to the undulating terrain away from the bowl that taxes even the best boarders meaning a little walking for those. The skiers were OK though as they were able to generate a little more pace and had poles to aid just when they were needed. We all loved the area to the left of the main bowl with long runs down red 18, 31, 33 and the wide blues. Bits were a little icy with one particular bit of red 31 gaining the name "Nemesis" for most as it was steep and icy. I think most of the advanced crew liked all the blacks with black 5 being picked out as a "fav". Most days one of the groups would venture over the pass either to hit the off piste or just to have a ski in France. Be warned, the return trip requires using either 1 or 2 VERY long button lifts which caused much displeasure from our "trayer" friends. Two or Three fell off and were faced with returning to the bottom to try again (and again). Even the most experienced came to grief with "Punkily-pierced" eventually refusing to let go and being dragged over a kilometre on her back, before falling exhausted when she eventually appeared. We were all very supportive of her efforts and didn't laugh one bit!

We had a few falls as would be expected with many of us were watching as Old Boarder disappeared in a plume of snow chasing his son and Ade 73 in an off piste area between blue 19 and red 18. He didn't move for some 5 minutes and all were very concerned that he had hurt himself. When we eventually "recovered" him he was fine…the snow was so deep and he was so tired he was unable to move. I must add the Ade 73 was only 5 yrds way but was unable to help as he was laughing so much.

Apres skiing in La Thuile is low key! To say the village is quiet would be an understatement. Most of us usually spent time in the Planibel bar which was large and warm. The Folles de La Cage is busy giving free food after 4 until 7 and has a large TV showing UK sport. All the 6 nations games are on there. Kings Bar beneath the complex became a favourite for the younger mob (those under 30!) and has a pool table and a large entertainment complex. Many used the Planibel facilities for swimming and sauna, but most were content to use the local bars in the evenings.

In the whole week we had two minor injuries, Piste Paul damaged ligaments in his thumb (serves him right for trying to board this year) and Ade 73's wife broke her toe kicking the Sauna Door (really…it is true).

Overall we had a great time and would recommend the resort for intermediates. Off piste is great for experts and is generally very safe. If you like uncluttlerd pistes with virtually no one around then La Thuile is great. Everyone commented on how deserted it was. The Planibel itself need a "refresh" and the food there was not as good as I remember it before although it was plentiful with lots of choice. We travelled with Crystal who we found to be efficient and helpful and even some small Admin problems were eventually sorted. The "away day to Pila" was well organised but transit time was twice as long as stated due to pick ups in Courmayeur. I am sure others will want to add photos and more comments in the following days.

Now….where to go next year!

Great write-up - thank you! Sounds like a grand week. :thumbup:

A very decent appraisal of La Thuile but it's very sad to see the tour ops have not sorted out the away day to Pila yet. Getting back after 8pm after numerous stops in Courmayeur was something of a trial!

Agree about the Planibel, the food is not as good as previously. Snow has been epic the past few days though.