J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

Snapzzz wrote:

andyhull wrote:What does the brochure say?

It doesn't but i have an answer now.
They drop you off in the resort car park and transfer your luggage by whatever means. You are expected to walk to your accomm.

I hope its not far!

posted at same time as my previous - I wasn't being deliberately obtuse!

Nothing is ever that far a walk in a traffic free resort - nice stretch of legs after the coach transfer is no bad thing in many ways

Never been to Avoriaz so cant be sure but have travelled with Inghams many times and nevr known them dump you. Even car free resorts usually have a dispensation for luggage vans so you may have to walk but without luggage at least

Dont have this years 3v numbers on me but here's an excerpt from a post on this very subject that I made this time last year:

"3rd week Jan (so out of school hols) to VDI
Ski in / out accomodation (and that's not subjective - been there and done it)
Chalet board including tea/cakes, cocktails and aperitifs before dinner, choice of two whites and two reds, brekkie and (perhaps crucially) help yourself to leftover bread/meat/cheese/fruit etc for a packed lunch (like other posters I'm not a big lunch eater in the mountains)
Private transfers to/from Geneva
BOGOF on ski hire
BOGOHP on FULL AREA lift pass
Free Ski Guiding (if the test case in Meribel doesn't scupper that)

Booked early as we knew what we wanted, booked for 8 so got a deal

BUT

paid £750 pp from Inghams"

Anyone who tells me that is expensive is on another planet!

We fly from Newcastle every year

You're right that choice is down this year - and is now pretty much Crystal only. In the past I've always preferred Inghams to Crystal but, for no reason I can see, this year to fly from Newcastle you can only go to Switzerland with Inghams (despite it being the same Geneva flight that they've always used to get me to French resorts....)

I've skiied in both countries and enjoy them both - as others have said its not a competition between them

I totally dispute the oft trotted out complaint that France is "expensive, especially in the mega resorts". I've done the EK and 3V numerous times for similar prices to what people quote elsewhere and so, in piste miles per pound, I believe I win overall

As pointed out though the real exception to this rule is at lunch - the French do like a big,posh lunch with a big, posh price to match. This can make your holiday much more expensive than Austria if you're a big lunch eater. Personally I don't, I ski by day, not eat, so a sandwich from the chalet sat by the piste side does me and is the same price anywhere!

I've NEVER paid 7 euro a pint anywhere (including on the Champs Elysees) and flatly wouldn't. We drink in the second tier bars (I'm not a Dicks Tea Bar target market) right after skiing at 3-4 euro a beer usually (better yet if there's a happy hour) and then free wine in the chalet. We (well my wife) speak fluent French so quickly find out where to go to eat great food at sensible prices on the chalet staff night off.

So you can go to France at 3 star prices as long as you don't want to eat in Michelin starred restaurants and/or drink in the equivalent of the Ritz cocktail bar

If you'd like a more specific chat with a fellow Geordie snow sporter than drop me a PM and I'll give you my number

its the drop in that looks horrific TBH - probably ok but one that needs you to be comfortable I'd hazard which you may not get to be if there's a load of peeps around who are pushing you to get a move on

One day maybe....

I've just watched a YouTube vid of the Tunnel - you have to be kidding me!!!!!!

The entrance to the piste (after the tunnel itself) looks ridiculous. Then crusty moguls.

No Ta!

But the rest of the resort map etc looks good - may consider in future

thanks for reviews

Pretty much exactly what I felt about Andorra Andy (and reviewed earlier) - pity as its a great place for beginners but its not "cheap cheap" anymore

Pros
Snow sure due to height
Part of the 3V so EPIC possibilities (fourth valley is easy from VT too)
Skiing for everyone - got to Courchevel in time for coffee, never mind lunch, with beginners on only blues
Ski in and out
Good range of bars and restaurants that improves every year - average prices for a ski resort

Cons
Slightly soulless purpose built (better every year though)
Bad weather apparently closes it (never happened to me in the times I've been though)
Access from Meribel etc can be busy at end of day dodging Folie Douce
Centre of town slopes can be busy at end of day (terrible accident for my wife loses them a point here)

9/10 – I think Meribel might get a 10 but haven't actually stayed there so won't comment