 Poster: A snowHead
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hello snowheads, has anyone got any practical advice for combloux please, have been searching for a resort that will tick several boxes, for a few different families of mixed ability, and look like I may have stumbled across this resort, I have now booked self catering accommodation, feb 2016 half term, allegedly 300m from the boucher lift, although can cancel without charge if need be.
have tried looking at the resorts direct website for info, but feel it is pretty poor.
does anyone know if there is a shuttle bus around the resort, and to get to megeve, there will be a couple of non skiers, so if not much to do in resort they can explore further afield?
is there ski locker options in the centre of resort if necessary, to deposit little ones skis and boots locally to slopes?
any general advice will be much appreciated.
cheers
terry
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@terrygasson, Combloux is a lovely village. Miranda skis there a lot and I'm sure she'll soon come onto this thread with lots of good information. I think the Bouchet lift is the drag up from the village centre to the main ski area. I had a coffee there last week and that drag track was horrendous - just mud, basically. There are also buses up and down - it's quite a way up from the village and staying up near the start of the ski area proper would probably be more convenient. To walk 300m to a drag lift, which could be difficult for the less able members of the team, then hike across the (quite big) car park to the start of the skiing could be a bit of a mission for beginners. Indeed, it would not be possible for complete beginners, obviously.
The Combloux ski area gets quite a lot of sun but snow cover should be OK in February. It's very beautiful - Mont Blanc is "in your face".
I have been meaning to ski Combloux for years but never made it yet - usually because of poor conditions towards the end of the season.
If you are looking in that area Praz sur Arly might do the trick - it's just up the road. Bit more snowsure because on the "right side" of the valley.
I'd want a car in that area - especially if you have non skiers.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@terrygasson, yes there are shuttles. No idea about ski lockers I'm afraid as I'm on the other side of the area so would never want to store my skis in Combloux. Even at this time of year in a poor season there's still plenty of skiing so I wouldn't be worrying about conditions for your February holiday! Send an email to the Combloux tourist office with your questions (in English is fine). If you don't have any luck for some reason (everyone's pretty busy at the moment so you might not get a super-quick response) you can get in touch with me and I'll forward your questions onto someone I know will be able to help.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Miranda/pam w, thanks for the advice, I will get a proper list of questions together when I get the chance, am sure all of my fellow travellers will want to put some input into the list.
cheers
terry
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@terrygasson, this ski hire shop is up at the foot of the slopes, near the ski school meeting place. http://www.mabboux-sports.com
If they provide a facility to keep skis and boots there it would be ideal (provided the boots were in a warm place).
Megeve has loads of facilities for non-skiers - even a casino (ie a gambling den, not the supermarket, though it has one of those as well).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@TerryGasson - we went to Combloux for 5 or six years at Feb Half term and saw great snow down to the bottom in all but one year, and even then we still had a fabulous week.
Our children were 8 & 9 the first year and went in ESF with all English children and were fine. The PdS are has a lot of great intermediate ski-ing, probably not so much for seriously advanced..
It is v. pretty with ski centre above the main village, served by a free shuttle bus all day. I am not sure about getting to Megeve - I only ski'd there! There is a Ski shop at the main lift which rents out lockers (I'm not sure how far in advance you'd need to reserve these, or if you need to hire from the shop)
This web-site :www.bycar.com has a lot of useful info in it as well booking some UK owned self-catering accommodation
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The PdS are has a lot of great intermediate ski-ing
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 I think the Combloux area is called the Portes du Mont Blanc. The PdS is Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, etc. Not far away but a different area.
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Of course you are correct - writing from a 'greying' memory....although the statement is probably true for both!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I understand from Miranda that the skiing over in La Giettaz is a bit more challenging. I'm certain it would be quite challenging enough for me but then as somebody said the other day I'm an "archetypal old punter" 
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@pam w, @miranda, @steveh, thanks all you snowheads for the good advice, we have decided to make Combloux our destination next feb half term and have booked accommodation already, self catering to keep costs down for a families. cannot wait to see my daughters in the mountains and it will be the first time I have been back to the alps In 10years, I wonder if the old adage "like riding a bike" applies!!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@terrygasson, just wanted to echo everything that has already been said about Combloux. I love that ski area and have been back there more than to any other ski area or resort, including staying in Combloux itself once. Combloux is a nice village with plenty of restaurants and shops but not stupidly expensive like Megeve. If you have the chance to take a car I would recommend it, there is free parking at the bottom of the main ski area (top of the Bouchet lift) and there is also free parking at the Princesse lift just up the road up into the Megeve/St Gervais area which is well worth a visit.
I really like the restaurant Au Petit Cuchet in Combloux, near the bottom of the blue Gentiane piste, and accessible by road in the evening. Nice food and a lovely atmosphere. Definitely need to book a table for lunch. (I realise this is a bit early for next Feb half term - you probably don't have to book yet...)
Have a brilliant time next Feb.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@terrygasson, I also ski regularly at Combloux and love it (ski over from La Giettaz). We are out at the moment and although I'm not able to ski this season, my OH and teens are and snow is good there. Jaillet sector (Megeve side of area) is first to go every year but that should not be a problem in Feb! Combloux and La Giettaz hold onto their snow for much longer 
As @NatalieG says, Princesse parking is free as is Cote2000 sector of Megeve (further drive) but beware parking charges other areas of Megeve.
Another good restaurant is Auberge de Porrez (particularly on a sunny day when you can enjoy their BBQ ) which is nestled (keep your speed down or you might miss it) on Porrez red piste/black ? Cerf
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Ooh just noticed this @igLou, we are off to stay chez miranda this week and will check out the Auberge de Porrez, thanks for the tip. 
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