J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyhull

Have prices really gone up much? I'm not sure they have. It's the exchange rate that hurts.
When a euro cost 65p it wasn't so bad, now a euro costs almost £1.

JamesC wrote:Have you skied le face de bellevarde before? Is it as daunting as some suggest? I've skied in St Anton, Soll and Alpe d'huez previously, does anything compare?

All depends on conditions, it's quite exposed to wind and sun so gets icy. Fabulous in good conditions though.

It's not particularly tricky (unless it's sheet), the Tunnel at ADH is more of a challenge imo. Ranks with some of the itinerary routes in St Anton.

If you like to explore then Val D'Isere and Alpe D'Huez will suit you.

Medium sized resorts, there are loads - Serre Chevalier (quite big actually), Montgeneve, Sauze, Megeve etc etc etc

Week in Alpe D'Huez all in - catered chalet, lift pass, flights (inc ski carriage) and transfers - £555

It's the cost of lunch and beer that scares me!

It's even better if either you arrived in the dark the evening before or if it had been a low vis day, to take your first look out of the window to see blue skys and deep deep snow.
Then it's a case of making sure everything is at hand (hip flask loaded for instance), a hearty breakfast, then hit the slopes.

I've been in Val D'Isere in the week running up to the Mens Downhill 3 or 4 times. Also last year to the Mens Super G on Le Face, which was used as a dress rehersal for the World Championships. On all occations the runs were only closed for 4 or 5 days before the race, so I would be very surprised if they were closed when you are there.

Certainly a must do run for anyone who's happy on a black. I skied it the day after the race last year, 2 feet of fresh snow on top of a race prepared run is interesting to say the least!

If you're looking for a similar resort to Les Arcs and 3 Valleys, then you have a few options. Val D'Isere/Tignes, Alpe D'Huez spring to mind as favourites of mine.
I'd ask the question whether you think you got value for money from your lift pass, do you need that sort of sized ski area after just a couple of weeks skiing? You pay a lot more for the big ski areas. If you're getting the miles under your skis then fine, if not then maybe one of the medium sized areas would be a better option?

Now you're talking. I visited the Norwich Beer Fesival 4 times last week, if only those beers were available in the mountains!