J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bedrock barney

The credit card was put to use this morning. Our New Year trip for 12/13 now in place for Val d'Isere. Really looking forward to taking the children to the resort after we had such a good time this January. Sache black run in Tignes on my list as well as the Ok piste.

We've gone for the catered chalet option. Following on from comments in another thread, I've decided to out-weird any weirdos that we share the chalet with!

We're putting out trust in a small outfit called Ski Bonjour. Their trip advisor feedback is pretty good and all boxes are ticked.

http://www.skibonjour.com/chalet-valdisere.cfm

There are two rooms left (both with bed mezzanines) if anyone wants to join us on this cheap week in the skiing calendar :D

Pleased to get this in the bag. Our trip without the kids is much easier to organise and I'll be concentrating on this later in the year. Anyone else got 12/13 organised?

smartski wrote:Love catered chalets or chalet hotels, last 8 trips have done them. Agree with the Crystal warning to a degree, they just use kids to cook so it could be hit or miss.

The down side of smaller chalets (5-8 rooms) is if you don't take full occupancy you could end up with a clash of personalities and there is NO escape, you live & breathe them for a week...although actually I've been lucky each time so far. Always make sure it is en-suite.

For the last three trips I have been in larger 40+ room types and they of course have a more general mix...some do a 'shared' tables for dinner so you can meet new people.

And here's a good saying to keep in mind..."There's a 'weirdo' in every chalet ...if you ever stayed in one and not noticed them...then it was YOU " )

You know what, I hadn't really thought much about the other occupants!! I suppose if we don't like we won't do it again.....

I suppose I can always stick my noise cancelling headphones on and listen to Mastodon :D

Tony_H wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like £1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

What dates are you looking at?

29th/30th Dec to 5th/6th Jan. Can think of many worse places to be for New Year!

Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like £1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

We've always stayed in s/c apartments or cabins when skiing. However for our 1st 12/13 trip (probably over New Year) we are seriously considering catered chalets. Should I be looking for any specific things? I've already have a couple in our sights and the trip advisor feedback is excellent. One of them is British run (they have about 6 chalets in 3 resorts). I've spoken to them over the phone and had a really good and informative chat. All looks good.

Any feedback on do's and don't, pros and cons much appreciated before the credit card gets a pounding in the next few days.

Tricky - our eldest will be in the middle of her final GCSE year.....

At the moment it's christmas, new year, half term or easter for us with kids. All expensive!

Snapzzz wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:
I'm still leaning towards Val d'Isere for new year although could stay in La Daille as an alternative. Have found a great catered chalet but £800 each (x 4) :shock:

La Daille does look a good base to be honest. I toyed with the idea too but figured it would be really busy. I know the 3v will be just as bad but i thought that maybe La Tania would be off the beaten track enough to be bearable.

It will be quieter than Val central. No doubt about that. The free shuttle bus takes you into VDI in less than 10 mins. From La Daille there is a telecabin, chair lift and funicular so excellent quick access to the mountain and over into Tignes.

We were impressed with the speed up into skiable area from VDI as well. A cabin up to 2800m, ie L'olympique (or a couple of adjacent chairs which were always quiet) or the solaise fast chair or solaise cabin to 2600m on the adjacent peak.

I have 3V on our list as well.....