 Poster: A snowHead
|
We're going to be off to Valmeinier/Valloire and I was wondering which other Maurienne areas snowheads might recommend if we decide to have a day trip for reasons of a) overcrowding b) weather or snow quality or c) general malaise/change of scenery.
Have spotten that La Norma, Les Karellis, Orelle (for 3Vs/Val Thorens), Val Cenis and Aussois are all within range, as is the edge of Les Sybelles, just about. Any others I've missed?
Be interested to hear any thoughts.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 10-11-08 17:24; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
paulio, I've been to St Sorlin D'Arves in the Les Sybelles area a couple of times. Trip report here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Try La Norma and Les Karrellis- both well worth a vist however the Col de telegraph won`t be a fun drive in bad conditions ,Val Cenis will be better this season as it is now linked to the super little resort of Termigion and just up the road is Bonneval with the best quality snow in the valley.The valley did a 5 day multi resort pass last season which offers excellent value for money and gives a discount to Orelle.Ps the worst day trip we did was to Orelle and Val Thorens unless snow conditions are bad low down don`t waste your money and if itis extremley cold try Aussois as all slopes are south facing so good for mid winter sunshine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
paulio, we went to Valloire in 07 and 08 and intended to explore the Maurienne Valley both times but didn't because we had good sun and snow where we were! I think we were a bit too lazy to get up earlier/drive/be organised but it was a tempting thought and I'd still like to explore the other resorts. We went at Feb half term and didn't have a problem with crowds once we'd worked out timing/locations. It's a great place to ski and the locals are very friendly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Thanks everyone so far!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
My favourites are Val Cenis and Val Frejus (the latter above Modane - roughly over the Frejus tunnel). They both have good off piste as well. I don't know why Val Frejus isn't better known.
Smaller but worth a visit is Bonneval sur Arc (at the top of the valley, so a bit further ) which you can ski to from the back of of the Fornet skiing (Val d'Isere).
All of these are classed as Haute Maurienne. I don't know the Lower Maurienne (ie East of Modane) resorts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi,
I've skied at St Sorlin d'Arves and Albiez-Le Vieux. Albiez is probably good for 1/2 a day unless you're a complete beginner. You could try La Toussuire too - I'm up there next week doing some training work.
The link from Orelle into Val Thorens (and the 3 Valleys) is good for a day out. Much lower down the valley you've got St Francoise Longchamps that links with Valmorel (in the Tarentaise) but that's a long way from Valloire. La Norma's very small. Aussois could be good as it's south facing for those freezing early season days. I've only walked in the hills above and not skied there though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Les Karellis is closest I think and OK, we generally go to Orelle for some 3V motorway action (its where friends always want to go!), its about a 35 min drive and has easy parking right next to the gondola. Will hopefully try Les Sybelles this year as have never been. Just a word of caution, many of the westerly and north westerly storms are pretty much dumped out by the time they reach the Haute Maurienne so La Norma, Aussois, Val Cenis etc often have a little less snow than the resorts at the western edge of the Maurienne if the weather is coming from the west, OTH they benefit from anything coming from the Italien side (E/SE) and all usually have pretty good snow cover.
snowball,
Did you really like Val Frejus, we went for a day in the first week of last April, did not like it at all, lifts seemed old and slow (i hated that bubble that takes you up to the top of the mt) and the snow was in no where near as good shape as Valloire, it just felt a bit "worn out", as did I at the end of the day! Do you think I caught it on a bad day and should give it another go?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think Valloire is Lower Maurienne, which I don't know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
This is all good, cheers everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
See also all the Val Cenis threads - including this and a more recent one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowball,
By the look of your phots you had much better snow than us! If you liked Val Frejus you should try Valloire, bigger ski area, nicer village, and generally get a little more snow as its a bit further west, but has managed to maintain its "proper" mountain village feel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
We did a good route at Bonneval from the top going down a steep couloir between cliffs and arriving at the road 2 miles or so back down the valley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
