J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by chateaudoz

Alpe d'Huez is opening some of its runs as well for the weekend; 15€ for the day.
More details here: http://www.alpedhuez.com/fr/hiver/evenements/ouverture-anticipee.html

Last Spring the 1091 was closed at the Chambon Dam due to the mountain unexpectedly falling into the lake taking part of the Chambon Tunnel with it. Heroic work by the road builders, who have converted a path into a road over the summer on the other side of the lake, has now resulted in the road being open again.
Here is a short video which shows what the road is like (French):
There is more info/pix here (French): http://www.skipass.com/news/126568-la-route-de-secours-du-chambon-es.html

Essentially the road will be open to vehicles under 3.5t without trailers; so normal cars and mini-busses will be OK. The road is in an exposed position for avalanches and will be shut without notice if conditions warrant it.
There are traffic lights to control traffic as some parts are narrow. There may be other controls at peak times.
Its also possible that access to L2A will be affected as the new road starts some 100m up the road to L2A.

Those of you driving to Serre Chevalier might be interested in the offer by the SC tourist Office of cheaper tickets through the Fréjus Tunnel.
You have to bring some paperwork (this is France) proving that you are staying in the area.
Full details here: http://www.serrechevalier-reservation.com/en/pass-frejus/fp-pass-tunnel-du-frejus-7201.html
You will still have to get over the col de Montgenèvre but it might save you some time/miles.

Here is some info about Oz en Oisans, one of the 7 villages that make up Alpe d'Huez, which is very child and family friendly.
http://www.oz-en-oisans.com/en/services-hiver/child-care-center-winter
The crèche is very nice and the people very friendly and efficient.
Just a reminder about French crèches; they require your children to be fully vaccinated and will want to see the documentation.

Dave Mac wrote:Be careful of terminology M&S, Winter, Snow are three different tyres.

Not certain, but I think Winter tyres are the European norm, although in the UK I fit M&S, and they are very effective on snow, even on steeps.

I have talked to my local tyre supplier (in the French Alps) and he says that there are only two main types of tyres, Summer (over 7°C) and Winter (under 7°C).
He says "snow tyres" is a bit misleading as it leads people to believe that they are only for snowy conditions, rather than cold conditions.
The M+S designation is also a bit misleading as it stands for Mud and Snow.
All Winter tyres come with the snowflake symbol indicating they are good below 7°C but not all M+S tyres do.
This means they (the M+S without the snowflake) are for summer muddy conditions and not cold weather conditions.
This can lead to some odd descriptions, as in: "I have just fitted my summer mud and snow tyres!"

Although you asked about in-resort prices, they are hard to come by unless someone does some dedicated research for you (I know Andy Hull has offered to report back, generous chap, but its hard to see him trudging around the shops with a clipboard)...so here is something that might help you instead:
It looks like you are self catering, so here is where you can find info on the in-resort food shops: http://www.alpedhuez.com/en/winter/resort/shopping/supply.html
If you are very keen on getting the best prices you can take the bus down into Le Bourg d'Oisans and go to the big Casino supermarket.
The bus is the 3020, timetable here: http://www.transisere.fr/horaires_ligne/index.asp?rub_code=6&lign_id=150
You can get an idea of prices here: http://www.mescoursescasino.fr/ecommerce/GC-catalog/fr/WE38156/?moderetrait=Z2
Otherwise, I can only endorse the comments about the excellent (and large) pizzas at La Grange on Alpette in the Oz/Vaujany sector. In more or less the same place is La P'Oz, specialising in cheap(ish) and cheerful snacks and further down the Alpette run towards Oz Station is the Auberge de l'Alpette which has some of the best value for money food (IMHO) in the resort.
In Oz station itself there are several restaurants which are better value than those on the slopes.

This is a typical piece of French fudge.
You are still required to have 2 testing kits in your car when driving in France, along with all the other stuff.
What has been delayed is the date after which a fine will be levied.
see here: http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/002384.html
French Gov site, in French
BTW its worth remebering that the Hi Viz vest must be accesible from inside the car as you have to put ot on before opening your door. Its a fineable offence if its in the boot.

The col is open again, as of 15h00, but there is a lot of snow up there and "proper equipment" is advised.
The biggest problem up on the col is the wind which forms huge drifts.
As Tony_H says, the highway people do an amazing job, but with more snow expected during the next week, look out for more temporary closures.

Hmmmm...Salomon F9s?
Anybody else remember them?