J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by hymac580

bandit wrote:

hymac580 wrote:

If you want real difficulty, then you will have to go over to Les Arcs, as I wouldn't say La Plagne has too much extreme stuff.

The North Face of Bellecote springs to mind. You don't think that's difficult?

I was invited to ski it with a group back in 2006. I declined, my skills may have been up to it, but my head was not.

ise did go, and had a good day. http://snowslider.net/2006/04/18/2006-04-18-bellecote-north-face/#more-93

http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Savoie/La-Plagne-Bellecote

Oh yea, there is that one :!:
I'd got that down as 'tricky' :wink: :wink:

Just looked at your post again, and see that your going at Easter.

That trip over to Les Arcs, could well be closer to 90 mins there, and longer coming back.

There's loads of skiing on the La Plagne side to keep most people occupied. However if you have highly experienced skiers/boarders in your group, you may well want to venture over to Les Arcs. If it's your first time in La Plagne I'd say get the local pass, and the one day extension to Les Arcs. Your beginners will struggle to make it worthwhile going over.

Plagne 1800 is not the most convenient of the villages to get quick access to Les Arcs. Depending on how busy it is, and the conditions, probably take about an hour for intermediate skiier to get over the valley.

If your beginner wants to go over, you can get all the way there on blues.

If you want real difficulty, then you will have to go over to Les Arcs, as I wouldn't say La Plagne has too much extreme stuff.

I'm going to take up snowboarding :D :D :D

Your problem could be far less complicated than mentioned.

I reckon we all have a dominant side, some more than others. However your problem could be simply the wrong boots, or wrongly adjusted boots. This could well be amplifying your less dominant side problems.
If you have one foot smaller than the other, and your boots don't have in soles to compensate, or are not tight enough this can cause turning problems.

On a more technical note ( and I am by no means qualified in this), I'm not sure that you should be 'forcing' your left ski into the slope when trying to turn left, when a left hand turn should be initiated by the downhill ( right) ski. I stand to be corrected.

Getting back to the question - if you have to go at half term, then £9-£11K, for 11 people in a catered chalet is about right. You are not going to save much on that because of all the 'boxes you want ticked', ie Ski to door, nursery slopes nearby, short walk to town. catered, lifts nearby etc.

These requests are not unreasonable, but I reckon if you need to save some money, you need to do two things:
1) Find a resort that is not a main resort, but one that is 'linked' to the main resort or area, or is not as fashionable. This may have to be lower down the mountain, but still could have the requirements you need.
For example, if you look at J2ski's snow reports on France, you'll see dozens and dozens of ski resorts, but a lot of them you won't recognise. Pick one of these and research it. Equally take a look in a 'where to ski and snowboard' book, and these will show smaller resorts linked to larger areas.

2) book direct with the owner, and drive or arrange own flights. As there are 11 of you, I'd suggest that driving would be cheapest. Some owners do offer catered, but most would be self catered.

You can find some properties on websites such as www.cheznous.com but mostly you'll have to surf the web.
http://www.hannibals.co.uk/winter/ does have catered and self catered in Serre Chevalier, and usually includes lift pass in price.

caron-a wrote:

hymac580 wrote:Been several times with Skiworld in catered chalets, as well as Equity Ski, Total Ski and others.

They are all usually very accomodating when it comes to food, offering options (limited) for fussy eaters, vegetarians and kids. The chalet staff are usually 20-25 year olds, who often have no previous cooking experience, but through the TO's chalet training have become excellent cooks. We've always found the food to be excellent, and a whole lot better than hotel food. They often provide 4 course meals from tiny kitchens, for 12-15 people. It's a miracle how they do it.

I'm with you. I love chalets. If it's with strangers I don't think I'd want it to be less than about 20 people, then it's small enough to get to know everyone but large enough to not have to sit next to someone that you don't want to :shock:

We like to mix it up every night, and purposely sitting in a different place at the table. This does unnerve some couples/families, but it means you get to chat to everyone, and it means the more timid get involved. By the end of the week you're usually best of friends. Chalet I was in this year had a family, couples, mates, Irish, Scots, Canadians, Koreans, Northerners, Southerners. It was great. Not everyone was each others cup of tea, but everyone has something to give.
I find it much more sociable than hotels.

Been several times with Skiworld in catered chalets, as well as Equity Ski, Total Ski and others.

They are all usually very accomodating when it comes to food, offering options (limited) for fussy eaters, vegetarians and kids. The chalet staff are usually 20-25 year olds, who often have no previous cooking experience, but through the TO's chalet training have become excellent cooks. We've always found the food to be excellent, and a whole lot better than hotel food. They often provide 4 course meals from tiny kitchens, for 12-15 people. It's a miracle how they do it.