J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by mtr259

Thanks for the suggestions. I do a bit of research on them. Cheers, mark

I'm sure this covred elsewhere and I did a search but perhaps wasn't elegant enough as I had toomany unrelated answers. We have always stayed in resort and skied door to door. Thinking of going again next year but need to keep the costs down and thought about staying lower and travelling up each day. For instance, staying in Bourg and getting the funicular up. Can anyone suggest some good places like Bourg where the transfer is easy and you have reasonably quick (I know it is asking a lot) access to a good range of slopes (don't mind which major European destination; France, Italy, Switzerland; Austria etc.). Cheers, Mark

Friends are planning to go to Flaine at half term in 2011 nd we plan on joining them. We are a family of 5 who have all skied at least 10 times. I find Flaine accomodation in terms of ski access a bit complex. We want to avoid getting on buses, into the car or long walks to lifts. So places like Hameau look nice and well built the 2km trek to and fro is off-putting (ditto for Refuge du Golf). Mont Soleil also looks good (alebit top end for us)and does seem to have access to the lifts but not sure how easy to get back (but still hassle getting food and drink back from the supermarket in the village). All the newer places like Terrasses de Veret look nice but are not in the centre and the centre itself looks a bit grotty. My brain hurts with it all - any advice from folks who have been. Ta Mark

We have stayed in a B&B near Bourg on friday nights and then you could go up on Saturday when it is often changeover day. Here is a link to the B&B http://www.molliebon.fr/info/welcome/index.php Food is very regional and there is one massive table that you sit around and meet similar people on their way up to Val or tignes and we have had enjoyable evenings.

We drove to Les Arcs for 8 years. The first few years included a granny for the smallest one so that made 6 of us. In the end we used to leave a day early and drive it in one hit, but stay in a small B&B near the resort, head in next day and get an extra day on empty slopes (remember we always went half term ie when the roads and slopes are busiest). Then on the return we used to ski till late afternoon and drive as far as Dijon or a little north of Lyons. So we got ski another quiet day and also miss all the traffic then head home on Sunday. That way we had a really easy drive down and back and lots of extra time on the slopes. We used to use Premiere Classe hotels very cheap and cheerful and close to the motorway. Not doing that this year as off to Banff and Lake Louise in 7 sleeps time :mrgreen:

Having a 'trade' might be the key. We had a Dutch ski instructor in Les Arcs once who was a qualified mechanical engineer and he spent the summer maintaining the lift infrastructure and the winter instructing. Seemed like a nice balance to me.

We have skied Les Arcs for a number of years and my children all learnt there but we were over at Arcs 1800 and mianly skied there, 2000 and Vallandry. One thing that might be worth a try is to get the bus to 1800 (free with your lift pass) and take the 3 man lift (Carreley) next to the ESF ski garden. Go left to an area which is supposed to be a quiet area (some morons do bomb through it sometimes) and spend some time going up and down there there getting your confidence up. It does get a bit busy at the time when lessons are finishing and can be a bit firm near the bottom if there hasn't been much snow. There is a purple run (sponsored by the Milka chocolate folks)which you can take to avoid the icy bits.

Once you feel more confortable you can take the Villards lift (head right towards the bubble half way station)and take the blue runs (Villards then Plan Bois)over to Vallandry. Take what was called Plan Bois lift up but I think is now called Derby and ski over at Vallandry. The slopes by the Peudreuse restaurant are very learner friendly and you have a handy spot for the odd vin chaud ot two. There is any easy green run (Maitaz) back to 1800 where you can get the bus back to 1600.

You could also get the bus over to 2000 and take the chairs to and do Plan D'Eaux (I think that is its name - but flat and polling sometimes required). Then get the bus back at the end of the day.

Quick thanks to Steveandomno (blimey, that is a tough word to type) for the advice. A colleague is staying at the Banff Park Lodge so makes sense to book Xmas dinner there. Plan to take in Kicking Horse for a day and will stop off at Num-ti-jah Lodge.

Using up nearly 19 years worth of airmiles to take the family and then BA announce a a half-price airmils deal and reduced surcharge. None of which apply if you have already booked :cry:. But not going to dwell on it and spoil the enjoyment. Just over 2 weeks to go! Getting very excited :D. Ta Mark