J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

Hi Davidsa2,
If you're into cheap transfers, the funicular from the train station at Bourg St Maurice to Les Arcs 1600 is only 7 euros and takes 7 minutes, or you can actually stay in Bourg St Maurice and then it dosn't cost anything to go up the funicular because it's covered by the lift pass.

However, the return train journey from St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice will cost you a minimum of £169, (at Feb half-term it currently costs £309), which is probably more than the equivalent flights. If you're a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain I think the train is only £125 return, but I'm not sure because we're going at half-term and the discount doesn't apply then, unfortunately!

It takes 7 hours and 20 minutes (only 6 1/2 hours to Moutiers). The morning train leaves St Pancras at 10 a.m. and arrives at Bourg at 18-20 (the extra hour is because of the time difference).

Transfers from the train stations are generally much cheaper because they are usually a lot closer to the resorts than the airports. A return ticket on the public bus from Moutiers to Val Thorens or Courchevel was something like 20 euros, I seem to remember.

One euro does indeed sound like a real bargain! Well done for finding that :thumbup:

Ally

Hi Randyrat,
We went to Val Thorens a couple of years ago and I got very cheap self-catering accommodation through the VT tourist board website. It was loads cheaper than anything I could get through the tour operators.

It was in the apartment block Roche Blanche, which is in the upper left side of the resort (as you look at the map), right by the side of the Plein Sud piste that comes down into the resort. The apartment itself was fine, but the ski lockers in the basement were like a bomb site. Everyone seemed to keep their skis and boots in their rooms, because the lockers were broken (even though this is officially against the rules). There were two ski instructors on the same floor as us, so I would say it was probably one of the cheapest yet reasonably respectable accommodations in VT. And it was quiet at night because it's away from the centre (although only a short walk if you want the shops etc.). There was enough bed space for 5 people, even though there were only 2 of us. There was even a separate bedroom that we used for all our ski stuff.

Ally

Tony_H wrote:

AllyG wrote:Tony,
Wouldn't it only be £56 for 2 suitcases and one double ski bag for 2 people?

Ally

Yes, sorry. I misread your post.

Thanks for the apology, Tony :D

I am sorry to be so pedantic about your costings, but I've always been very interested in money :lol:

I'm particularly interested in the hassle versus extra cost problems. And to me, anyway, avoiding the hassle of not having enough clothes or going to extreme lengths to try and squish everything into hand luggage bags etc. would be worth the extra £56. And if your wife is anything like my daughter, (feminine I mean), she'll be wanting to pack ridiculous things like hair straighteners, special shampoo and make-up etc.

I'm sure marital peace is worth a lot more than £56 :D

I am currently debating whether avoiding the stress involved in me driving £500 miles (down to Heathrow and back) is worth the £105 extra it would cost 3 of us to go by train. At the moment I think it's pretty much hanging in the balance :D

Ally

Hi Rose,
Thanks for that :D

It was very interesting. They sound like great guys.

Ally

Thanks Pavelski, it's nice to see you back here again :D

Ally

Tony,
Wouldn't it only be £56 for 2 suitcases and one double ski bag for 2 people?

Ally

I like my summers, even though for me they mean masses of cleaning, piles of laundry, hours mowing the lawns and tending to my flowers, and trying to help our holidaymakers make the most of their holidays.

I certainly don't drink G&T, or go to barbecues or garden parties (apart from weddings etc.).

The only thing I like about winter is going ski-ing. Other than that it's pretty dire - rain, gales, ice, fog, and dark at 5 p.m.

Ally

Tony,
BA don't seem to have a weight restriction on hand luggage, only a size restriction. They just say, for hand luggage:

You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided

and, the allowance is:

One bag and one laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase.

So, I would suggest a few sessions in the gym on the weights :lol:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb

If it was me I'd just bite the bullet and pay the extra £56 and take 2 suitcases and one double ski bag. I'm sure my daughter and I would never manage with just one suitcase on a ski-ing holiday (unless we did loads of washing when we were there).

It is very annoying, and I'd be pretty fed up as well, but it's the principle of the thing that would anger me. It's not really a great deal of money, and I suppose it's so that they can reduce the price of the plane tickets.

Ally