J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by KevinC

That's useful to know, but if anyone picks up a car hire from the Swiss side, the Vignette is normally included (but worth checking).

Were they normal check in desks are automated machines? I seem to recall having to use a machine in January!

To go back to the part about taking boots through security I think it's a certain country's rules.

I have an inkling it is France but may also be Switzerland as at Geneva they make everyone take off their shoes. Unless Geneva operates according to French laws - that's a strange place with the two sectors.

I remember my friend being stopped last year, and there was one of those 'debates' on these pages that led to an argument about Ryanair and their sneaky practices.

I await correction!

To reiterate the above, I rented at Geneva (Swiss) last year. Car came with winter tyres but not snow chains.

I wasn't charged for the winter tyres, but other companies do charge even though all cars have them fitted. So you'll definitely have winter tyres and may or may not pay for them. You may have chains in the car but I think it's unlikely.

Hi Karen

I've done this holiday (from Newcastle) for the last 2 years and booked again for January 2010. So......

Definitely Belle Plagne but that looks established! It has a supermarket, 5 or 6 good restaurants, a few bars, pattiserie, take-away pizza etc and for kids there is a little bowling alley.

DIY or TO - DIY for me as it works out cheaper and gives you much more choice.....as long as you are happy to hire a car and drive it otherwise the expense of the transfers might mean a TO is better.

Flights - Have you looked at Jet2 Newcsatle-Chambery. Chambery is about an hour's drive nearer to Belle Plagne than Geneva. I've done the Geneva-Belle Plagne drive - think it took 2hours 45 and wasn't difficult but without a sat-nav people do seem to get lost especially choosing the correct sector.

Car hire - try holidayautos as you should be able to get a basic car for around £160-£180. There is an underground car park but it costs around 60 Euros. I parked in the free outdoor carpark in Plagne Bellecote (after dropping off luggage) and got the gondola back up. It's a hire car and therefore, who cares if it's sat outside in the snow (though don't put the handbrake on - it may freeze!).

I stayed at Le Quartz - ski-in, quiet location, relatively comfortable and spacious. I think it was around 400 Euros for the week. But have a look at the Pierre et Vacances website as they have several properties of differing standards/prices. No complaints and they were kind enough to upgrade us from a studio to a 1 bed apartment.

Have I missed anything?

La Plagne has some great scenery - stay in Belle Plagne above the purpose built villages and you won't have any complaints! Just returned from Bardonecchia and the gf commented she found La Plagne scenery much more pleasing on the eye.

Couldn't comment on the other places - St Gervais does sound appealing though.

amanda n wrote:maybe a daft question, but if you have already booked for next season andpaid deposut, can they still oput the price up?

Yes they can! From the Guardian Money website ABTA members can surcharge with ABTA's permission following these rules:

· They must absorb the first 2% of any currency fluctuation.

· They cannot surcharge more than 10% without offering customers the chance to claim a full refund.

· They are not allowed to add surcharges within 30 days of departure.


It's unlikely to happen but has been known over the last year!

There is much debate about whether we can expect bargains next year and the truth is nobody knows for certain........nobody knows what's going to happen to the economy which will drive the market one way or the other. However I'm with Tony in that I wouldn't expect there to be a lot of cheap un-sold holidays going next winter due to strong media speculation that the holiday companies will slash their capacity next year to avoid making heavy losses.

Think I'll be booking my easyjet flights when they come out and going DIY(on the credit card in case they go bust!).

amanda n wrote:crystal, tonmson air,there was quite a few just carried them onto the plane at salzburg

Checked with my friend who informed me re helmet in hand luggage - apparently it's part of the regulations in France that also prohibit you from carrying your ski boots. I'm presuming anti-terrorism measures?

AllyG wrote:I'm not going to buy one, I'm going to hire one. Imagine carrying a helmet on the train, as well as everything else! I'm not even sure one would fit in my suitcase.
And at least, if I can't stand wearing it, I won't have wasted money buying one.

You never know, this latest death, sad as it is, might save a lot of future head injuries, if it makes people wear helmets.

Ally

Another problem with buying is that there appear to be some restrictions on carrying them in hand luggage on planes. Don't know if this is an airline policy or airport policy but a friend came back from Chambery commenting it had to go in the hold - which obviously won't be badly treated by baggage handlers.