Latest posts for the topic "Finally got a Jan trip booked"

Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:07:57 GMT

I've been waiting and waiting, and I'm not the most patient person, but finally the right deal has come up and I've booked. I had hoped to go to Italy but prices are high and not coming down, same for Switzerland.
However it appears the deals are to be had in France; not sure if its flights or rooms that they're trying to fill up.
So we've ended booking for Alpe d'Huez. I went there in Jan 2010 and we lost 2 days skiing due to diverted flights and delayed transfers, so it will be nice to go back and see it again.
Snapzz recent diary aroused my interest in a return.

The deal was basically a catered chalet hotel half price down from GBP700pp, and the company has a reputation for excellent wine and cuisine, so should be a massive improvement on Crystal's shambles last season.

Never flown with Flybe before though, or into Chambery.
I've checked out the restrictions for baggage and skis, all very generous.

Anything I need to know about Chambery Airport in particular, and how long is the transfer to ADH from there?

Can't wait now. 14 sleeps to go.

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:19:51 GMT

:thumbup:
Proper countdown now Tony.
I'm sure it will be an amazing trip for you. Never been to ADH but it is a top resort.
Now Chambery ....
I love it :lol:
But as in another thread it is not to everyone's taste.
No shops, bit tiny, basic walk to terminal from plane etc.
Only tip I have on the return journey is not to go through to departure too soon.
There is NOTHING through there - and go to the loo first!! Ladies especially note this Top Tip :mrgreen:
Loos always seem to have a long queue.
No idea on transfer time for you but in my experience the off plane to coach leaving is a lot quicker than GVA.

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:20:58 GMT

One flight in one flight out had to wait about 10mins for boarding steps, two luggage carousels very small airport but great access to mountains can be closed very quickly two flights were diverted from Chambery to Lyon last Friday whilst we were waiting to board, Flybe only guarantee the first 25sets skis dependent upon aircraft type, so check in early we had two sets and ski wear in one bag became quite nervous when they wanted contact tel No at check in in case skis did not make it ! Overall very good

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:40:35 GMT

First time to Chambery for me on the 21st so will be interested to here how it goes - jet2 wouldnt be my airline of choice but its what Inghmas have dealt me.

Interesting that peeps say there's nothing in departures; I'd say the same thing about Geneva as I cant afford a 3000Euro watch.....

Some friends went to ADH a couple of years ago via Chambery and got held at the airport for 10 hours. Apparently the French approach to seeing of the runway is ice free is to drive a Clio down there at full tilt and whack the brakes on - if it doesn't skid then its safe to land a flight..... :thumbup:

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:44:45 GMT

andyoneil .....the French approach to seeing if the runway is ice free is to drive a Clio down there at full tilt and whack the brakes on - if it doesn't skid then its safe to land a flight..... :thumbup: [/quote wrote:
Sounds reasonable to me :mrgreen:
as long as they haven't put chains on the car first :roll:

Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:48:16 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Anything I need to know about Chambery Airport in particular, and how long is the transfer to ADH from there?

Chambery, oh chambery...... <rolls eyes>

Been there twice now and on both occasions i haven't enjoyed it.
First the positives.

1. close to the resorts. ADH is a max of 2hrs. Took us 1:45.
2. Baggage is quick to be off loaded. By the time you get through customs the belt will be turning.
3. The fancy pants doors make you smile and let you know your on holiday.

Negatives.

1. It sits in a valley with a huge lake at one end of the runway and the ride in can be a little hairy if you don't like flying. I swear the wing tip was gonna strike the hill side at several points.
2. The lake causes fog. the airport is often closed because of this. This isn't so bad for ADH if they divert to grenoble.
3. Customs is a hut with a gazebo type thing in front of it, queues can be cold and long. Get off the plane quick and leg it.
4. the whole terminal gets very crammed as it is only the size of your average sports hall. expect to fight your way out with your bags.
5 Toilet queues are long for the ladies as already mentioned. If you need to the go on the plane or run to the terminal and get to the front.

Return journey.

Once checked in DO NOT got through to the departure lounge as it is small and has nothing to do in there and very little seating. Wait until the last moment before going through. Often they will not let you through anyway until you flight is called as there is no room for more than one flight at a time.
Again, hope there is no fog.

Fancy pants exit

crap shopping

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 18:41:04 GMT

You should be in Alpe D'Huez same time as myself. Glad you finally got a 'deal', but have to say we have been booked since mid November, an All Inclusive Hotel, for not much more.
I'll look out for the bobble hat!!!

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 18:54:05 GMT

Have a great time in the wonderful land of France :lol:

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 19:28:28 GMT

Guy from work booked for ADH going this Saturday, got a good deal too.

Have a great time.

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 20:56:30 GMT

Well done for holding your own and waiting.... In the end it's paid off. I'd love to visit ADH myself. Haven't been there yet but will do at some point in the coming yrs as a family....

Chambery well I like it, it's very small as pictured above. It can give the feeling of sardines in a tin at times if the flights are delayed etc... I remember 2 yrs ago my partner and i arrived at Leeds Bradford to delays due to the runway being closed because of snow, we left with after a 2 hour delay to arrive at Chambery which had, had delays as well it was manic... An hour after leaving Chambery both Leeds and Chambery had shut again due to the weather..... How on earth we ever managed to fly on this day is beyond me, quite honestly felt the luckiest man alive that day....

It's great for a shorter transfer to ADH, 3 valleys etc all within 2 hours. I drove to the 3 valleys and didnt find it too dificult. Took us about 1 and a half hours.

Have a brilliant time and I'll look fwd to the full review for 2012 on your return?

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 08:38:42 GMT

Brucie wrote:You should be in Alpe D'Huez same time as myself. Glad you finally got a 'deal', but have to say we have been booked since mid November, an All Inclusive Hotel, for not much more.
I'll look out for the bobble hat!!!

Question is, which one are you looking out for???? )

Thanks for the tips on Chambery Airport, pretty much what I expected. Not too different from Grenoble by the sounds of it.

My main concern now will be the weather flying in. I have no problem with a "hairy" landing as I've done Innsbruck more times than I've had a cheap meal in France. But last time to ADH we had severe delays from Gatwick due to snow in the uk and then snow in France, ending up in Geneva and missing 2 days skiing! Hopefully and divert will put us in Grenoble if necessary.
More nervous about getting the ski bags on to be honest. I've emailed the tour op and asked if they can GUARANTEE our bags getting on. Will be first in the queue to check in, trust me.

Counting the days now.

Powder alert this morning, 23cm today :mrgreen:

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 11:17:44 GMT

Just back from St Anton myself, and had the 'Hairy' landing in Innsbruck to which you refer. Was also lucky to get out on Saturday as it was snowing heavily when we took off.

Flying into Grenoble this time. Have done that and Chambery before and they are a breeze!!

Why are you so concerned about the ski bags Tony, have you had a problem with that before?

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 16:48:10 GMT

Brucie wrote:Just back from St Anton myself, and had the 'Hairy' landing in Innsbruck to which you refer. Was also lucky to get out on Saturday as it was snowing heavily when we took off.

Flying into Grenoble this time. Have done that and Chambery before and they are a breeze!!

Why are you so concerned about the ski bags Tony, have you had a problem with that before?

I like Innsbruck airport. But it can be a nightmare when the weather closes in. I flew out of there straight into a snow storm a few years back, it was the scariest 15 minutes of my life and I've never heard a plane so quiet!

Grenoble is fine flying in, flying out is a different kettle of fish as the planes have to circle to climb and its often windy so you get 20 minutes of hell going round and round bouncing all over the place quite a lot.

Chambery I am learning about, praying for no fog!

Re the ski bags, its a Flybe flight and I am aware that they use small planes. If its a turbo prop they only allow 10 ski bags on with a max size which is basically too short for anything other than kids skis. If its the Embraier jet they have a max of 25 sets of skis per flight, on a plane that holds 100 passengers. This word sprang to mind: "ummmmmmmm............."
Can you understand my concern for ensuring my skis get on board?

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 17:00:28 GMT

I can now!!!

However, I'm no expert, but it would seem unlikely that a ski flight at the height of the season would use an island hopper!!!

Good luck anyway.

Re:Finally got a Jan trip booked

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 19:10:04 GMT

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