J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dorset Boy

The 3Vs certainly used to have the best lift system of any resort I've ever been to, to the extent that I'd reckon you'd get 20% more skiing a day than in somewhere such as Tignes/Val D'Isere.

There's a fantastic range of slopes - not surprising for the biggest ski area in the world (it used to be larger than the largest 6 north american resorts combined).

Expense wise it will be no worse than any other major Tarantaise resort and the lift pass is better value than in many resorts.

Go in February, especially around half term and you're likely to find lots of plonkers in other Tarantaise resorts, plus Verbier, St anton and Zermatt.

Meribel has the biggest choice of chalets of any resort, with loads of long established small specialists who knock spots off the mass market guys.

The 3Vs is certainly high up in the top 10 ski areas on the plant, but as with any resort, might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Unless you really are not at all sociable, chalet holidays are great. You having something in common with everyone - the skiing/boarding.

There is the full spectrum of options from 2 star share the bathroom to 6 star luxury on a par with any hotel.

Working in chalets for 5 seasons I can only recall one dull group (old Etonians), but they were harmless. We also had many, many great groups. Only one nightmare group who decided to dance on the dining table one night so we returned to a table in two pieces the next morning - they had breakfast on the floor!

I've also stayed in chalets as part of mixed groups and never had a problem. The ice gets broken on the first night over drinks and dinner, and the staff will set down certain ground rules to make everyone's stay enjoyable.

T bars are bloody uncomfortable, and you need someone of a similar height. Pomas ensure that skiing can take place no matter how windy it is - the key is not to try to sit, but to let it pull you along.

Innsbrucker - sounds like you either need more practice at letting your skis run flat or check the canting on your boots.

During my seasons I almost perfected the art of catnapping on the pomas!! On lazy Americans and boarders don't like them, which are probably great reasons to have more of them. :mrgreen:

In Flaine they stick clip a 'ribbon' to the last chair. In other resorts the lifties lift the seats of each chair when they close.

Weren't you saying they were suffering with heavy rain earlier?

Broom, your group wouldn't go far wrong in any of those three resorts.

Club Med would be perfect - he'll get his tray lessons and you'll be able to ski with a group of a similar ability with an instructor - you'll also be able to meet up at lunch, and can swap around tables for all your meals.

The Club Med in Alpe D'Huez is ski in/out I believe, and Club Med often have some good late deals.

You certainly DON'T lean backwards!
Not if you want to retain any control that is! Weight more evenly distributed, and a bigger bounce as there's more to unweight to make the turn!