Poster: A snowHead
|
After years of successfully avoiding the big French resorts we are now under pressure from teenage children to relent and go to one next Feb 1/2 term (13/02-20/02). We are going to choose between Trois Vallees (Mrs Doccam's preference as she spent a season there back in the day) and Espace Killy.
With six of us price is king. We're thinking a stay at a family friendly hotel down the hill (max 30mins drive- we will have our own transport) might be best. Swimming pool essential, spa a nice extra, half board preferred.
If you have stayed at such a place and would recommend could you let us have the details?
Alternatively we could do an in resort self- catering apartment if it has a pool on the complex- anyone have one/know of one?
I've checked out the usual websites and where to ski book got a couple of ideas but word of mouth always best
Thanks in advance
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
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?
|
Thanks altis that looks really good and I've emailed them. Have you stayed there?
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Several times. Great food. Bit of a walk to the lift in boots but there is a minibus on call.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Brilliant. Thanks for the pointer- looks spot on. Hope they have availability!
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
If the suggested hotel is full, there are many others. There are an enormous amount of tourist beds in Brides Les Bains. It is a spa town, known thought France as a place to take 'the cure', and has more visitors in the summer than the winter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You could also look at Kalinda Village in Tignes. Although I haven't yet tried it myself as we are still trying to avoid taking our kids to Espace Killy / 3 valleys.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks Snowymum I'll have a look. Mr M do you know B-le-B? I've read several reviews saying the Gondola up is nearly always busy +++
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Yes, Doccam, I know B-L-B quite well. I have stayed there for a week in January and another in March every year for over ten years. Before that, for a 5 year period, I stayed for a week before Christmas every year. I have also spent a week there in July.
When I first stayed at B-L-B there were hardly any skiers using the place. I hardly saw another person using the Olympe lift. Things have changed in the past ten years and it can now seem the town is swarming with skiers. The Olympe lift is far busier these days, but I have never queued for more than a couple of minutes to get on the lift in the mornings. Coming back in the evenings can be much busier. If you reach the lift station in Meribel with less than 30 minutes to go before its closing time, there can be a queue. The longest I have queued was for about 15 minutes, but it is normally only about 5 minutes. I have never used this lift during school holiday periods - I would guess that it could be quite busy.
You also showed an interest in self-catering accommodation with a pool: http://www.meribelbrides.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Like Mr M I have stayed in Brides many times and the lift is busiest before 9 with everyone trying to get to ski school and at the end of the day for the return. Not stayed in Feb half term so can't say how much worse it might be.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Cheers all very useful info. The inference I'd got was regular 30+ mins queue 9am and slammed in 3TV proper anyway. It's really helpful to hear back from a regular visitor. I think we can all manage with a couple of minutes ! Thanks very much.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
We've been to BLB in February half term for the past three years or so. Queuing for the lift has never been a major problem. Its all about timing: if you are before or (more likely) after the rush to get to ski school in the mornings, its fine. Probably a few minutes. The same applies in the evenings. I have queued for 20 mins at the very end of the day (5.30) but even half an hour before that is fine. The journey is 25 mins but its quite a nice unwind at the end of the day.
Whilst Feb half term is busy, 3TV is such a large area that its possible to find lifts without major queues or avoid the ones that have.
We have stayed in a chalet and haven't found that much in BVB in terms of evening entertainment. Its not a ski resort! What I really like is the time saving you make by not having to get up/down the hill. It makes a massive difference on the way home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have to agree that BLB is not exactly a hive of evening entertainment, I've never been but it does have the Casino and a couple of "clubs". On a Tuesday they had/have a shuttle service to Meribel in the evening so that you can have an evening there.
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Quote: |
The longest I have queued was for about 15 minutes, but it is normally only about 5 minutes. I have never used this lift during school holiday periods - I would guess that it could be quite busy.
|
Quote: |
we can all manage with a couple of minutes !
|
@Doccam, if the wait in low season January is 5 - 15 minutes you can be sure it will be a lot more at half term. I'd try to get some info from somebody who's stayed in Brides les Bain then.
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
nickle has already advised on the position concerning half term queuing pam w - says it was fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|