J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Far Queue

She is clearly getting ready to take her place on Channel 4's Bake Off show, where she intends to make a "Swiss Roll!"

Groan....

Just a thought, but have you considered writing a nice email directly to Dalbello? I would have thought that a small compnay would be more than happy to supply you with the information you need. Got to be worth a try.

From what I have read, the new lift will replace both of the old lifts.

It also seems that they are creating a new area up on the Solaise for beginners, so perhaps the intention is to get all novices up and down on the gondola to a dedcated higher area. There will be a "day lodge" up there too, so sounds sensible if parents wish to go up to watch their bra... err... children learn to ski :)

Hi Jja,

When I went to Soldeu 5 years ago, as well as this forum I used the sodeu.com website for info. They have an English speaking forum dedicated to the area, and although it is pretty quiet, it may be worth you posting a question on there.

https://www.soldeu.com/

Good luck.

Well, two trips already sorted for 2017 season. Don't usually have them sorted this early, so plenty of time to get excited now :)

Kaprun on the 21st Jan (154 sleeps) and Mayrhofen on the 25th Feb (190 sleeps). Also have someone talking about Obergurgl first week of the Easter holiday, but I think I want to see how the season goes before commiting to that one.

Hi Matt28nw.

I have been driving to Europe for my ski trips for the past several years and would not want it any other way. However, I do have the advantage of living pretty close to the Eurotunnel to start and end the journey. Don't forget to count the bit you will need to drive while in the UK it will add up to quite a bit depending on where you are in the North East.

I agree with Clontyseer that it will take you about 8 hours from Calais to most of the French resorts, subject to traffic (depends on when you are going) and your driving style. My best was Val D'Isere back to Calais in 6 1/2 hours, but you will not get to do that very often. Avoid Paris, so use the motorway out to Reims, then Troyes down to Dijon, Lyon etc. I would strongly advise a Sanef Tag if you are driving in France, the 30km toll lanes can be a god-send if there is heavy traffic. Costs are the same apart from a 5 euro activation fee each year but worth it for the convenience.

One thing we have started doing as we have gotten older is to stop on the way out, have a decent night and then get to the resort early. I know it is almost there, but Grenoble is a great place to stay for a Friday night out. But there are plenty of places to chose from on the way down as Clontyseer suggests. My tip for this would be to use the Via-Michelin site to plan your journey. On the full screen route map you can get it to show every hotel, usually with a link direct to their booking site. Very handy. https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

Do not discount driving to Switzerland, Austria and the far side of Italy. While it is longer in terms of miles, the average speed is also higher, especially through Germany, and you get to save the French toll costs. I will be driving to Kaprun in Jan, and expect the return trip to take less than 10 hours to Calais. If doing this, then from Calais head up into Belgium, across to Holland then down through Germany to Austria and on to Italy if required. Exact route through Germany will vary depending on where you are going, but they have an extensive mororway system and it's free :)

I would invest in a decent sat-nav, which includes speed traps. In France, they cannot actually show the speed trap location, but they get round it by marking a section of the road as a hazard. With modern equipment there is no need to ever get a ticket.

Next the train ticket. I agree with Clontyseer that a flexiplus is the ideal ticket, but if you are purchasing as a one off they are terribly expensive! Eurotunnel are pretty good if you are late, and may let you on for free, but worst I ever had was an additional £10 charge. They have also regularily let me on early if I get there just to clear the system out in case lots of lates turn up for my booked train. Not sure if you know, but many TO's will discount advertised price for self drive and supply a train ticket. Usually a flexiplus one.

Finally your car. I strongly advise winter tyres, but as a minimum you will have to carry chains. Ensure you have correct ant-freeze for levels for your vehicle, and that it has been checked over before you go. Real pain to get outside Calais and realise you need new brake discs! (been with an idiot who did this on a summer trip) You also need to make sure your screen wash is flushed out and replaced with very low temp wash (I use -20c and have had that freeze on me once!), always carry emergency kit in the car, plus additional oil, water, travel kettle etc and warm clothing. You must have hi vis jackets in France and they need to be put on before leving vehicle if you break down. You also need a full set of replacement bulbs.

Feel free to ask any other questions you need to know the answer to.

Can't comment about the winter in the Southern Hemisphere, but the Forcola pass in Livigno has just been closed due to snow! Winter is coming :)

Do you know what the admission price actually includes yet?

I seem to recall that last year the price was quite high, but it included a subscription to a magazine. The problem was, this was not advertised very well, so I think many people stayed away as they felt the cost of "entry" was too high.