 Poster: A snowHead
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I have just got back from a week at Embrun, Lac du Serre Poncon. It was absolutely stunning. We went up to Briancon and had a look around the 'old' town, went hiking and climbing in the mountains and had a go at watersports on the lake. I just wondered is it as good for a winter/ski visit? Any info gratefully received - thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Lorraine Agass, it is excellent. We have been 4 times now . Have stayed twice in Villeneuve-la -Salle, once in Chantmerle, once in Hotel Alliey in Monetiers-les-Bains, and we are now looking for an apartment. Very reasonably priced, good snow until Easter (this year skiing down to 1350 at Easter). Mark Hunter also a big fan. Chris and Lin Davidson have an apartment, which Mark and I have both stayed in (I think) in Chantmerle, clos e to the pistes. Lift pass good value. Plenty skiing for a weeks stay, but easy (and included on lift pass) to visit Montgenevre, Deux ALpes and Puy St Vincent for the day esp if you have a car. Go there, book the flight, enjoy it , everyone is sooo friendly !!!  Maybe off there soon (no snow unfortunately) to look at apartments, you can be our 1st booking!!!!
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 15-06-04 19:43; edited 1 time in total
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lorraine Agass, Apart from Serre Che/Puy you're spoilt for choice in the Hautes-Alpes. Close to Briançon you also have Montgenèvre. Then there's Les Orres, Vars/Risoul (the Forêt Blanche domain), Merlette, and lots of smaller resorts, Vallouise, Réallon... Slightly further south there are the Queyras resorts, as well as in dept 04 Pra-Loup/Val d'Allos, Sauze SuperSauze (Carole Merle's home), Ste Anne..... the list goes on.
Have skied these many times. It's great being in the Savoie but I miss them all the same, the weather, atmosphere, people... it's all very different down there.
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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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And it's a relatively short transfer from Turin Airport to that area. I was a fan of Serre Chevalier for a few years until I hit a bad snow season (nothing up top and when it fell it blew away - just man-made back down to Chantmerle) and so switched allegiance to Belle Plagne. But it's normally very snow-sure considering its Southern French Alpes location. 
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Ian - sounds like you and I were there at a similar time. Not a great week, but we still managed to have some fun somehow.
Lorraine - I'd very highly recommend it. I think I say this every month or so, but Serre Chevalier is probably my favourite ski resort (certainly in Europe). I learnt to ski there and also worked a couple of seasons in Villeneuve in the late 80s/early 90s.
For me the place just has a magic feel to it. Gorgeous weather, large and interesting skiing area, not too many Brits, friendly (and sometimes mad) locals.
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alan empty, it was about 5/6 years ago if I remember rightly. The usual buildup of snowpack on the tops in Nov early Dec just never happened that season and you know the rest ......... That red run with the snow cannons from Serre Ratier (?) back down got a pounding - nowhere else to go. But at least it was quiet - no queues.
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friendly (and sometimes mad) locals
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I've seen the pisteurs 'borrow' a table, chairs, and brolly from outside the Yeti, load them on their truck c/w ashtray, drinks etc and go on a tour round town singing as they went. The Yeti used to be a great Neilson's Club Hotel (rough rooms, cheap, OK food, great fun) but I think it's changed hands now and its view of the bottom of the Luc Alphand Olympic run has been blocked by a multi storey. Shame. Used to be fine spectator sport sitting on the terrace watching the carnage on the last runs of the day when the beginners met the blasters on the 'black' way home.
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Lorraine, do go! It's a charming area and one of France's relatively "undiscovered" resorts. Chantmerle is the only village we've stayed in (5 times), and it's ideal for covering the whole region. Serre Ratier is a natural bowl situated at the first station above the village and offers some good restaurants and stunning views. There's plenty of variety for your skiing and the area has plenty of natural bowls and half pipes, making it a popular destination for boarders.
Most of the dozen or so villages are charming, although there are four main ones - Le Monetier Les Bains, Villeneuve, Chantemerle and Briancon - which you've seen. If your looking to fly, Turin is your best bet. I managed the transfer to Chantemerle in just over 1.5 hours and it's fairly straightforward (notwithstanding missing a turning and going through the Frejus tunnel inadvertantly!). Driving time from Calais is about 11 hours with usual stops, if you're doing it in one hit and through the night. If you do drive, whatever you do, avoid half term. We made the mistake and it took 18 hours!!
If you do book, let me know and I'll pass on some links to a few places that do accommodation. Helen mentioned Chris and Lin Davidson (Chris posts here and is logged on as Chris) and their appartment. It's a nice place, with views of the Luc Alphand piste and is very convenient for the lift system. If self catering is what you're after, I'd recommend PMing him.
kuwait_ian, unfortunately the Yeti looks as though it's due to close - a developer has bought the place and wants to tear it down to build apartments with shops/restaurants on the ground floor. A real shame, although I heard recently that planning permission has hit a stumbling block. The best place to sit and watch the carnage is at the bar at the foot of the Luc Alphand (can't remember the name). It can be hilarious.
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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'm going to Ser Che first week in Feb next year (first time) so you've got me all excited! We're staying at the Neilson Lodge Cimotel in Villeneuve. Anyone stayed there? Any info would be welcome.
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maggi, Haven't stayed there but the location is perfect for the Aravet Bubble to get up into Serre Che's main ski area. You probably have a brochure but for other snowHeads here's a link to Neilson's site for the hotel. WARNING it's a bit slow to open
Take a swimming cozzie - there's an indoor municipal pool not too far away.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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maggi, the Casse du Boeuf is the main black down to Villeneuve I think. It's a cool run, but if you don't fancy it, there is a blue (Marteau) that also runs down alongside, or crossing the black at some points. It's also a good run, down through the trees. Here's a link to one of the sites for Serre Che.
L'Echaillon restaurant off to the right of the top of the Casse Du Boeuf chairlift is quite good and a little more "tucked away". Over towards Monetier, the Pyra Juana is a charming refreshment stop - they do excellent rum and chocolates. The place is right down in the trees and is probably better known to the locals.
I'm sure you'll have a great time there. Oh, and they have the automatic ski passes, so no 'photos needed!
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Mark Hunter, Oooo, now I'm getting really excited 
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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davidof, a great article, making me snow-sick already. I nearly said homesick.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've never seen so many positive comments about a place on here before - thanks chaps! 
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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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May ( and it's a big MAY) be off here end of July to flat-hunt and mountain-bike.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lorraine Agass, I was in Embrun last week, sunbathing by the lake, it was glorious. There are loads of ski resorts in the southern alps; Les Orres & Orcieres are probably the 2 closest to Embrun. Try this website hautes-alpes
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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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the big may is now a definitely. Just finishing tying up loose ends on accommodation. Anyone transferred money to French bank account before?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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At a price... there's a thread on this somewhere, started by U, with lots of good advice....
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Helen. it's usually pretty straightforward but which ever way you do it you'll end up paying FX charges to your bank in the UK. There are a number of FX specialist who either advertise in the ex-pat magazines or on the web. A trawl of the web will turn up a number but I prefer to keep it simple and let my Bank in the UK handle it.
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PG, David@traxvax, found other thread, and ringing bank 2 morrow, all looks unecessarily complicated. Our friendly french gite won't accept the deposit any other way. I'm going to open a French bank account when I'm out there though.
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FAQ
