Messages posted by : msej449
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I'd advise you not to take responsibility for travel, especially flights or coach transfer - leave it to them. Choosing a resort that's accessible by air/car/public transport would be better than one which depends on a coach transfer: out of 40 people there are bound to be at least couple who don't turn up, perhaps more.
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I've asked about this at Geneva and hire firms have non-winter-tyre vehicles at a cheaper rate for people who will be driving locally. So there is a reasonable chance that if you go for non-winter-tyre option that may well be what you get. Which could be very bad news if you take it up into the mountains.
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Like you, I had to go out to SFR regularly and did a number of ski trips to Tahoe on the end of my business visits. Frankly, from the Bay Area, a day trip would be a bit like a day trip from the UK to the Alps! I used to do 3+ days of skiing, otherwise the whole thing wasn't really worth it. We always drove, although you could fly from San José to Reno you still had to transfer from Reno to Tahoe and it took just as long as a drive. Tahoe is a big lake, so if you're coming from the north (flying) then I'd go for Beaver Creek, but if you're driving from the south (out of SFR) then I'd go for Heavenly. Last day of the business trip, we'd swap our hire car for a 4x4 (remember, your corporate contract may not cover you for a private hire) and then get an early start. On the way back, you should be able to drive back to SFR International with time to spare for a 16:00+ flight home, but anything earlier might be pushing it. The Heavenly website is good and the ski area is pretty big, with lots of intermediate runs. We used to stay at one of the base areas, rather then in Heavenly town centre or by the lake, and walk to the lifts.
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Actually, graham Bell has recently taken to using a Contour 1080HD on his helmet, rather than the hand cam. Cost is about £350 but you get 2 hours of HD at 30 frames/sec. They do a variety of holders including one which fits on your goggles strap. Reviews seem a bit divided, with the majority favourable, but a minority reporting various product faults.
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We stayed at Val Thorens by the crossroads and the main convenience was actually at lunchtimes: if we were near the base we'd just drop into the apartment and sit on the balcony, watching the helicopter shuttle people away after the regular collisions at the crossroads. We saved quite a lot of money and hassle by being able to do this.
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I think that this is rubbish. A rental company commenting on a 'scam' by other rental companies is hardly objective.
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I recall reading advice from a motoring organisation saying that you should ideally fill-up a diesel with a tankful from an Alpine garage before you parked it at the resort. This is because diesel sold in the Alps has additives for extreme cold. If you fill up away from the Alps you won't get the appropriate mix. My diesel can almost reach 1,000Kms on one tank so I always try to do as recommended. anyone care to confirm or otherwise?
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Had you thought about the Michelin 'EasyGrip' chains? These are a different design that uses a thick, elasticated mesh with a metal core. They fit very easily, like the AutoSock and don't need any tensioners, but are a 'proper' chain. I had to buy mine mail order from France. Take a look at http://www.easy-grip.eu/ They also do them for shoes (sic).
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