Hi, off to Flaine for a week all-inclusive with UCPA in Janury, and just wondered if anyone could answer a couple of questions...
Firstly, has anyone had lessons through the UCPA, and what are they like?
And secondly, I'll be driving there but am slightly concerned about getting my 13yr old VW Golf up to the resort! Has anyone driven there before, what are the roads like? Would you recommend I get snow chains on my tires?
Any other useful thoughts/advice on Flaine would be appreciated. (I live in Europe though, so don't have to be worried about the exchange rated; high prices seem to be the most common feedback I've found on the net!)
Thanks in advance,
Andrew
Flaine
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It will depend a lot on snow conditions... ask around when you get there, and if you're having lessons anyway then see if your instructor reckons you'll be ok.
It's quite a few years since my first run down it; on that occasion it wasn't so much the run itself, as the cornice that had to be dropped through to get into it! :shock: 8)
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Started by Andrewski in France 09-Jan-2010 - 8 Replies
Andrewski posted Jan-2010
Admin
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Hi Andrew, welcome to J2Ski...
A few friends have been with UCPA (though not to Flaine) and had a great time, so sure you will too.
We've driven there a few times; the roads up are typical mountain roads and very likely to be covered in snow in January. Flaine is on several levels and, unusually, you descend into the resort (after climbing up from Les Carroz). There is car parking at various levels; if it's snowing you may well need chains (or very good winter tyres) both to get into, and leave, the resort. We had to use chains both ways last time I was there.
The on-mountain snack prices are ludicrous (€3+ for a packet of crisps), though the restos around the main centre are better value for lunch...
...but it's a great ski area and you'll enjoy it. Not a place to duck ropes; there are some very big holes off the piste.
Have fun. 8)
A few friends have been with UCPA (though not to Flaine) and had a great time, so sure you will too.
We've driven there a few times; the roads up are typical mountain roads and very likely to be covered in snow in January. Flaine is on several levels and, unusually, you descend into the resort (after climbing up from Les Carroz). There is car parking at various levels; if it's snowing you may well need chains (or very good winter tyres) both to get into, and leave, the resort. We had to use chains both ways last time I was there.
The on-mountain snack prices are ludicrous (€3+ for a packet of crisps), though the restos around the main centre are better value for lunch...
...but it's a great ski area and you'll enjoy it. Not a place to duck ropes; there are some very big holes off the piste.
Have fun. 8)
The Admin Man
Andrewski
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Cool, thanks. Think I'll at least invest in some snow chains then. Good thing about UCPA is it's all inclusive, so will be picnicing the majority of the time rather than using the restos. (Apart from the odd vin chaud perhaps).
I'm only really comfortably intermediate, so don't need to be advised away from ducking the ropes just yet. On the other hand, that reminds me of something else I wanted to ask... Started doing black runs last season with little-to-no problems (managed the Lauberhorn in a not-exactly-world-cup time of 12mins), but have been reading that the Diamont Noir black in Flaine is a bit dicey (the sound of the couloir in particular puts me off). How did you find it?
Thanks for the welcome too!
Andrew
I'm only really comfortably intermediate, so don't need to be advised away from ducking the ropes just yet. On the other hand, that reminds me of something else I wanted to ask... Started doing black runs last season with little-to-no problems (managed the Lauberhorn in a not-exactly-world-cup time of 12mins), but have been reading that the Diamont Noir black in Flaine is a bit dicey (the sound of the couloir in particular puts me off). How did you find it?
Thanks for the welcome too!
Andrew
Admin
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Andrewski wrote:the Diamont Noir black in Flaine is a bit dicey (the sound of the couloir in particular puts me off). How did you find it?
It will depend a lot on snow conditions... ask around when you get there, and if you're having lessons anyway then see if your instructor reckons you'll be ok.
It's quite a few years since my first run down it; on that occasion it wasn't so much the run itself, as the cornice that had to be dropped through to get into it! :shock: 8)
The Admin Man
Dids1
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Am sure that having snow chains in the car is mandatory in the mountains.
We drove to Flaine (from Samoens where were staying) one April and there had been a load of snow the night before. The roads were clear, but they are twisty and steep. Don't take any risks. Horrible to get stuck on one of those roads. Also, it's been said before - practice with snowchains before you go!
(We didn't and were lucky that the 1st time we needed them was a couple of weeks ago - in the UK)
We drove to Flaine (from Samoens where were staying) one April and there had been a load of snow the night before. The roads were clear, but they are twisty and steep. Don't take any risks. Horrible to get stuck on one of those roads. Also, it's been said before - practice with snowchains before you go!
(We didn't and were lucky that the 1st time we needed them was a couple of weeks ago - in the UK)
Dorset Boy
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Just back from Flaine.
Roads were white to just above Cluses - winter tyres essential, + chains in boot - it's 30kms from the motorway to resort and the road rises to just over 1900m before descending into resort. Don't forget to pack a shovel as you may need to dig your car out!
UCPA instructors are similar to skiing with the ESF.
Happy hours at the White Pub in Flaine Forum (5-6 pm and 9-10 I believe) mean a pint is Eur3-50.
Diamont Noir was open and skiable. Good snow throughout the area. Be very careful off piste due to the massive fissures in the rocks up high - fall in a hole and you will not get out! :shock:
Generally prices are not OTT in Euro terms (Eur3-20 to 3-60 for a hot choc on mountain), but are bad when converting back to the UK's mickey mouse currency! (But that's true of everywhere!
You'll have a great time.
Roads were white to just above Cluses - winter tyres essential, + chains in boot - it's 30kms from the motorway to resort and the road rises to just over 1900m before descending into resort. Don't forget to pack a shovel as you may need to dig your car out!
UCPA instructors are similar to skiing with the ESF.
Happy hours at the White Pub in Flaine Forum (5-6 pm and 9-10 I believe) mean a pint is Eur3-50.
Diamont Noir was open and skiable. Good snow throughout the area. Be very careful off piste due to the massive fissures in the rocks up high - fall in a hole and you will not get out! :shock:
Generally prices are not OTT in Euro terms (Eur3-20 to 3-60 for a hot choc on mountain), but are bad when converting back to the UK's mickey mouse currency! (But that's true of everywhere!
You'll have a great time.
Nicopaname
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Hello,
I'm looking for someboby who was in the UCPA in Flaine.
Date : from the 03rd of January to the 09th of January 2010
Stage : Ski, Autonome (less lesson)
Thank in advance
Nico
I'm looking for someboby who was in the UCPA in Flaine.
Date : from the 03rd of January to the 09th of January 2010
Stage : Ski, Autonome (less lesson)
Thank in advance
Nico
KevinC
reply to 'Flaine' posted Jan-2010
Whilst on the subject of chains, again, (apologies to all those who have seen this suject a thousand times) has anyone tried the tyre covers?(Autosocks I think they are called)
Do they work? Will the police let you proceed with them when they have their checkpoints?
Do they work? Will the police let you proceed with them when they have their checkpoints?
Bon. Allez!
Topic last updated on 11-January-2010 at 11:50