Messages posted by : chateaudoz
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Alpe d'Huez has put back its opening of the pistes from the 3rd December to the 8th.
The resort will be open on the 3rd but the pistes will open on the 8th. More info here (in French): http://www.alpedhuez.com/hiver/fr/1110/infos-neige--.html Google translation: Despite a few drops in altitude and the production of artificial snow on all the available slots cold, potentially working the tracks do not quality criteria and especially the security required to be offered to our customers. Under these conditions and to date, we can consider an opening for December 3, it is postponed to Thursday, December 8. Indeed, the weather forecast for the weekend we will announce rainfall and cold, so that we can with our installation of artificial snow, our altitude and our glacier to consider this opening under conditions consistent with our image and expectations of our customers. You can trust the expertise of our teams to deliver a product this December 8 skiing. |
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You might want to check this out... http://www.best-price-ski-rental.com/ Looks good. |
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If you already have a car with winter tyres, and you appreciate their qualities, why don't you just fit winter tyres to the Merc next time it needs new tyres? I have owned and driven rear wheel drive, front wheeel drive, 4x4 cars and 4x4 off roaders in the Alps for more than 15 years. They ALL work well with winter tyres. However its true that, even with winter tyres, 4x4 is best, 4x4 cars are better than off roaders as they are easier to drive (for a variety of reasons), front wheel drive is better than rear. |
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You could try these guys, a set of skis, boots and poles suitable for second week skiers for 70€, 60GBP (xe.com) in Rochebrune, Megève. http://www.best-price-ski-rental.com/ Good for other j2skiers too. Personally I bought my first set of boots after 4 weeks of skiing and at the beginning of my first full season. They were amazing and I improved enormously because I just felt so much more comfortable. Kept them for 2 seasons, then upgraded to a better pair of boots. Kept them for 5 seasons until they were absoulutely knackered. Eventually I took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and bought a very good pair of boots and had them foamed. It was expensive, very expensive, but I now have boots that I can ski in all day, all week, all season and never get uncomfortable. Whether this level of expense is "worth it" is an impossible question to answer but the pain of purchase has long been forgotton whilst the pleasure of ownership continues. Skis are best rented in my view. |
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Grenoble is a better airpot for LDA if you have the possibility to fly there. Then there is a direct bus from there to ADH and LDA. Here is the timetable: http://www.grenoble-airport.com/pdf_horaire/navettes_grenoble_altitude_-_oisans_du_111210_au_2603111_564_746.pdf From Lyon there is a bus service that gets you into Grenoble, here is the timetable: http://www.faurevercors.fr/pdf/horairesGrely2012_en.pdf from where there are many busues to LDA, all via Bourg d'Oisans. Some more general information here: http://www.tourism-oisans.com/info-mountain-344.html From GVA you can also take the train, here is the timetable: http://www.gva.ch/en/Portaldata/1/Resources/fichiers/voyageurs/TER_Grenoble-Chambery-AixlesBains.pdf departs in the airport complex, one change in Geneva and then direct to Grenoble. After that its a bus via www.transisere.fr I hope this helps you. |
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I visited Killington when I was in Boston a couple of years ago, but in the summer, so I can't comment on the skiing.
I found a good site to find B&Bs here: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/killington-vermont.html and we stayed in the Red Clover Inn http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/vermont-mendon-theredcloverinnandrestaurant.html Nice place, excellent food. If you are not used to the USA a B&B is more like a luxury chalet or private hotel. For more modest accommodation try: http://www.redroof.com/ Everyone I talked to said they drove there. Lots of people go for weekends so you might get a lift that way. Pack your thermals... |
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I'd definitely recommend North Face. I am thinking about changing mine as they are getting a bit worn...after 5 seasons. Ok, I'll admit I didn't ski on every single day of the 5 seasons but they have been nice and warm and very hard wearing. They are only worn out on the thumb and index finger of the right hand where I hold my skis. I see the Montana glove is mentioned, does any one have any experience with the Hoback or Decagon models? |
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Here in Oz en Oisans, part of Alpe d'Huez, you can get a weeks ski school for 110€, lift pass for 215€ and a ski and boot pack for 48€. A total of 373Euros which at todays rate (xe.com) is 320GBP. You should be able to find similar in LDA. I am somewhat biased in the matter of accommodation... |
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