J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dorset Boy

As hinted at above, the PDS is more a single lift pass covering a number of resorts, some of which are well connected and some less so.

Morzine, snow permitting, allows access to Les Gets and Avoriaz. Avoriaz gives access to Morzine, Chatel, & Les Crosets.

Check out a piste map for a better idea of how resorts are / aren't linked.

It's not linked up in the same way as the 3 valleys or Espace Killy though.

You are asking for the impossible - New Year is the busiest single week of the season in ski resorts, and accommodation gets booked up months in advance. Couple that with few hotel beds in Meribel, and most accommodation only being available on a weekly basis, your only hope would be to stay down in the valley somewhere, possibly Brides, otherwise Moutiers or even further afield.

I'd suggest Les Carroz. Non skier can get up the mountain, pretty village, easy to ski back to resort to meet up.

If you're going to be spending all season in the mountains, then buy them in the mountains.
If you're only in the UK for a fortnight, what are you going to do if they need adjusting after you've skied in them for a few days / weeks? The UK fitter isn't going to be on hand.
Sounds like you have built up a decent relationship with one shop in resort, why wouldn't you use them?

Nowhere in the northern hemisphere will have much open in November. Tignes probably as good as anywhere. Need to stay in Val Claret and ride the funicular to the glacier.
May not be much open in the village then though!

Stay in Meribel rather than Mottaret if you want Meribel in the evenings. Be careful as there isn't a vast amount of slopeside accommodation, but you could try http://www.skiblue.co.uk/index.html
Two excellent chaslets in an exclusive position across the piste from the pub steps.
I helped run Tapia nearly 20 years ago, and it's a great spot. The other chalet is 100m further along the track.

Having stayed in Avoriaz last winter, I can't picture an uphill walk to accommodation from the drop off point, though you may go downhill to the resort centre and then walk up to accommodation. However, I'd say, don't be so tight and get yourself a horse drawn sleigh to the apartment - it's part of the experience!

With regard to running chalet operations, the french have been at liberty to do so for the last 50+ years. However, they aren't interested in the concept themselves, as the french either self cater or stay in hotels, and they're not interested in offering a catered service to Brits.

A British run chalet in France will contribute to the local economy - many of the chalets rented are owned by locals, the food etc is bought locally, and the staff spend their 'wages' locally, whilst guests buy their lunch in locally owned mountain restaurants and rent skis from local shops, and of course most lift company employees are also locals.

In many ways they will contribute more to the local economy than the french self caterer who owns his own equipment and rocks up with a week's worth of food brought from home!