J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by chateaudoz

<<Buy proper ski socks, big woolly socks will make your feet cold and give you less control.>>

Yes, but THIN wool socks are the best I've ever found. Personally I buy "Smartwool", other fine brands are available etc...just avoid thick cotton socks, in my experience they soak up the sweat and leave you with wet feet that get really cold.

Piste snow conditions are good above 2000m. Off piste is good for this early, but thin over the rocks. Conditions were cold enough to ensure no softening during the day.

Apart from the previously suggestion that you go to your hotel first, which seems sensible, you might consider DHL/Fedex/UPS delivering your board directly from your home to your hotel in Val Thorens. We receive skis/boots and even bicycles this way from all over the world.

Personally, I like Smartwool Merino ski socks; thin, comfy and warm.
They seem to last well too, I have skied 5 seasons on the oldest ones and they are still working well.
The only thing I would stay away from is anything made of cotton; in my experience they make your feet wet and cold.

The train will also be much cheaper, just watch your luggage!

Yep, I reckon about 20-30€ p/p return, cheaper on the train.
If cost is not a major factor, you could also rent a car for about 200€ for the week, directly from the center of Lyon, but you would have to add around 70€ for parking in VT as well as the autoroute tolls and fuel.
All the options need balancing cost, convenience and security; which is most important and what fits best with your timing.

Guessing it will help improve my skiing moving up to the next level?

As this is your 4th skiing trip, lessons will improve your skiing better than the selection of ski.
Personally, I would go for the Silver level; any good ski shop will change the skis if you find them unsuitable for any reason.
As previous commentators have noted, its a rather loose definition anyway; my local ski shop uses the blue, red, black system to grade the skis and they use it to judge how many of each ski will be needed that week. When customers turn up they will fine-tune the selection based on what the conditions are like and how the customers describe their experience.

A quick search of the val thorens web site has this: http://www.valthorens.com/en/resort-and-useful-information/transportation/by-road.650.html .
The easiest is probably a direct bus from Lyon airport which you can get to on the Lyon Metro system; the Rhone Express departs from Lyon Part Dieu, Villette, and other stops along the way which you might find more convenient, depending on where you are staying.
Altibus schedules etc. here http://www.altibus.com/