J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by RWBURGESS

Hi Lisa, Checkout this website for the EPIC range of lift passes <http://www.snow.com/epic-pass/passes.aspx>
They cover Heavenly, Northstar & Kirkwood. but not Sierra and many other resorts around the Lake.
Sometimes your lodging, motel, hotel can get you discounted deals for skihire etc.
Reg

May I suggest South Lake Tahoe? Much more variety of skiing to suit your family. There are many resorts around the Lake, all an easy drive from SLT base. Stay on the California side of the Stateline if you dont like casinos. But they are good value for food & lots of ressies open till late. Snow? who knows? But both areas get a lot of snow usually.
Go to the smaller resorts at weekends to avoid weekenders from S/F at Heavenly.
'Centre' of Mammoth is spread out a lot. When I visited, the better runs at the top were often subject to closure because of high winds.
Planning to go to Tahoe for fourth time this season.
Good luck,
Reg Burgess

Hi there, why not try La Clusaz. Pretty centre, plenty of ressies/bars, decent skiing,near to Geneva (one & half hours transfer usually). If chair lifts are a problem there are two gondolas which are of course walk on/off so no risk of tumbles! Prices are not that expensive even in/near town centre. Admitttedly apres ski nowhere near as lively as the likes of Meribel! but ok.
I am sure you will enjoy any/all of the resorts mentioned by others.

Dont know LFd'A.
Enjoyed one hol in Briancon Jan13. At Parc Hotel. Used Le Centrale pub every night! Cheapest in Briancon recommended by scouse transfer driver. He was spot on! Very lively, compact & near to plenty of ressies and no hill to climb. Oscar is the main man! Old town is up a very long steep hill. We only walked it once to use posh restaurant! Serre Che is superb for skiing. Shuttle buses great. Agree with other comments. Only had a coffee in other parts of Serre Che when skiing. They looked a bit more like normal light-hearted ski holiday resorts than
Briancon but it suited us five blokes very well.
Montgeneve is only @ bus ride 20 minutes away. Be careful re use of Serre Che skipass in Montgeneve. Milky Way is another big ski area. Dont think many people could make Sestriere & back to Briancon in one day. You would have good fun trying!?, Good luck,
Reg

Many thanks to all who helped with my rather vague enquiry re Briancon 1200 / Serre Chevalier last year. All went very well. Our beginner spent one day on the nursery slopes near the restaurant at the half way staion. Basic pass for one day.
He then progressed to the various green/blue runs around the resort & skied the signature red run (Cucumelle?was it?)on his 5th day! At a decent speed too!
All four of us enjoyed the great snow & many varied runs around the resort.
The Parc Hotel in Briancon was fine. Not too bad a walk to the buses / Gondola.
Also near to several good value bars / eateries.
Grenoble Airport was a challenge as usual!
Alpine Transfers were excellent.
The journey across to Serre Che was an eyeopener but good fun! Glad I was not driving!
Once again all of the info you all provided was very useful.
kind regards,
Reg Burgess

Briancon. Or is it Serre Che 1200? Never been there before.
We are a mixed ability group with one abs. beginner booked in for January via DIY with Easyjet. Can anyone help with advice on how best to start our sole beginner on his way? Shuttle Bus to Chantemerle? or Villeneuve? or is Briancon itself ok for nursery slopes? What might be a good package of lessons, lift pass, ski hire etc.for him?
Looking forward to all of J2 chat & advice from all the Briancon experts out there! Thank you all in advance.

La Clusaz is only a short drive from Geneva. Good variety of skiing.
Plenty of places to buy food etc. & restaurants if you change your mind!

Why not try Sestriere. Plenty of intermediate skiing locally & linkage to a very large area as you get more adventurous. Plenty of bars for apres ski!