J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dorset Boy

Just back from Flaine.
Roads were white to just above Cluses - winter tyres essential, + chains in boot - it's 30kms from the motorway to resort and the road rises to just over 1900m before descending into resort. Don't forget to pack a shovel as you may need to dig your car out!
UCPA instructors are similar to skiing with the ESF.
Happy hours at the White Pub in Flaine Forum (5-6 pm and 9-10 I believe) mean a pint is Eur3-50.
Diamont Noir was open and skiable. Good snow throughout the area. Be very careful off piste due to the massive fissures in the rocks up high - fall in a hole and you will not get out! :shock:
Generally prices are not OTT in Euro terms (Eur3-20 to 3-60 for a hot choc on mountain), but are bad when converting back to the UK's mickey mouse currency! (But that's true of everywhere!
You'll have a great time.

We came back from GVA yesterday evening - transfers were fine, but just under a 3 hour delay on the flight. There were quite a few cancellations and loads of delays all over the place.
Our flight to Bournemouth was due to leave at 1705, was initially put back to 1725 then 1750.
We were called to the gate at 1735, and loaded onto the bus to the plane but went nowhere for 20 minutes, before proceeding to the furthest point of the airport to find our plane. We boarded only to be told that the plane needed de-icing (for which there was a queue) and the runway had been closed. We took off at 1955 in the end!
The plane was heading back to GVA but with no idea whether they'd get out again.
Last Saturday there were baggage handling strikes at GVA which also caused fun and games.

Simply the best resort in the world - but i may be Biased having worked there from 1990-1995!
Mont Vallon , both sides is great with some fun off piste from the Combe or under the bubble. Bartavelle used to be fun for bumps, the runs down to Les Allues and all the way to the valley floor can be fun too.

If you're good enough, try Meribel Couloir if the snow permits.

You'll have better access to the Courcevel bowl than those staying in C'vel. Also head over to 1650 to ease the ski legs back into the grove.

La Face always used to be quiet (other side of Les Menuires, all reds & blacks and some fun O/P itineraries.

Cime de Caron iabove VT is fun as is the 4th valley.

Where are you staying and who with?

Resort staff don't always pay the same price as the punters SF!!

You'll find English is common in all the main chalet resorts - Meribel, Courchevel, La Plagne, Val D'Isere, Tignes (these are the main Tarantaise resorts)and also in Verbier, Zermatt and St Anton which also have quite a few chalets. Chalet operators typically employ cooks/chefs, cleaners, drivers, odd job people, reps (language essential). Some with chalet hotels may also employ bar staff.
Visit www.aito.co.uk - it is the Association of Independent Tour Operators for some ideas. There are also independent resort websites that will give you an idea of some of the really small specialist chalet companies (eg www.merinet.com for Meribel).

If you want to ski, do not get a job as a nanny - you'll be lucky to get one day on the slopes a week!

No one is criticising the use of public transport, but there's no point in going the wrong direction and along the wrong valley entirely!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

If you can cook, apply to the numerous chalet companies - there are hundred of chalets in the Tarantaise resorts, plus other resorts such as Verbier, Zermatt and St Anton - you'll soon get to know loads of people and probably end up in some of the best ski resorts in the world. Go for the specialist operators and avoid the mass market ones (large guest to staff ratios).