J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dorset Boy

Elbows out, and ensure your poles are strategically placed! :mrgreen:

Or go to N America and take your turn.

Mont Vallon
The run through the trees down to La Tania
Bartavelle bumps
The couloirs off the top of Saulire, on either side
Death Couloir if you're fearless, have a guide and an jump turn really well
The hike up the glacier in Val Thorens and over the top to the head of the Meribel Valley (with a guide)- not a lift in sight
The runs down to St Martin
La Masse
Cime de Caron
The 4th Valley

Do I need to go on? :lol:

In the 5 seasons I did in Meribel (a long time ago now!!!) there was never a problem with snow up to mid-April. The slopes were always well looked after, and the snow in VT resort wasn't ever any better, although good snow could be found high up.

Meribel is the best place to stay in the 3V due to easy access to all the skiing. :wink:

www.raileurope.com

You can only book 90 days in advance, and winter sales didn't go on sale until mid October for departures after mid December.

We're on the sleeper on Boxing Day - departs from Gare d'Austerlitz just before 11 pm, arrives Cluses just before 9 am.

There used to be a site at La Gittaz between Meribel Les Allues and Meribel cntre, adjacent to the Olympic Express bubble. No idea if it's still there, but you could check the Meribel website.

There should be a public bus - check the La Plagne website for transfers. There are no trains from Lyon to the Tarantaise without major hassles.

You could try a tour operator with flights into Lyon and see if they can give you a transfer only.

If you have access to a vehicle it is easy. Down to Aime in the valley, along to Moutiers, and up the hill to Meribel from there. It would take 60-75 minutes depending on conditions. A good idea might be to befriend other seasoners working for a company with properties in both resorts (Silver Ski for example).

The other option is to ski to Champagny and see if you can get a lift from there to Courchevel 1300 and ski over from there.

No point in driving around to Courcehevel as La Plagne to C'vel would be as long as La Plagne to Meribel.

All the Tarantaise resorts are easily accessible by road from each other - it used to take a little of an hour from Meribel to Val d'Isere for example.