 Poster: A snowHead
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@johnE,
We had a nice coffee and wonderful raspberry tart at La Ferme last time. We’ll do the same again I expect.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ok. So were now at the stage of booking lessons for the teens. My two are accomplished skiers but the other two have never seen snow before. The newbies have decided they want to be snowboarders - not skiers. I think snowboarding might have more street cred with the young crowd? Anyway my lad is a pretty good snowboarder anyway - although it's been a couple of years. (Thanks Covid). My daughter is ok at snowboarding but prefers skiing. They have decided they will all snowboard together for the first week so they can do lessons together. My daughter will then switch back to skis once (hopefully) the two newbies are mobile and can get around the mountains.
They two ring-ins are very athletic. They both skateboard pretty well. What are the chances they'll be mobile (comfortable getting down blue runs) after 6 days of morning lessons? Any suggestions for which ski school would be best for Tignes Le Lac? Maybe we'll be best looking at private lessons considering there is 4 of them?
Interestingly I read on the ESF website that beginners won't need a lift pass for the first day or perhaps two. They'll be able to use the free lifts. I wonder if using those lifts will activate the Ski A La Carte charge though?
The ultiimate goal is I'll be able to take the girls when I (hopefully if conditions are right) do my Vallee Blanche day. That will be about 25 days after we get to the snow. My daughter will definately be fine on skis. Lily will be the question mark.
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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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Oh. And if we have Carte neige with the lift tickets I assume we don’t have to add it again when we book lessons?
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| sbooker wrote: |
| Oh. And if we have Carte neige with the lift tickets I assume we don’t have to add it again when we book lessons? |
When you have it - you have it.....so it only needs to be bought once.
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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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@Old Fartbag,
Thanks. We got the 20 euro for the season one.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Free lifts are free, but just to be sure, don't carry the ski a'la carte cards when using them.
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@Kenzie,
Good tip. Thanks.
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| Quote: |
The newbies have decided they want to be snowboarders - not skiers. I think snowboarding might have more street cred with the young crowd?
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Great to see some young people taking up snowboarding. From my obeservations in France it does seem to have a middle age male demographic. As for instruction you could try Simon Cooke in Tignes http://rebelalliancesnowboarding.com/ as a snowboard instructor. Even though the ski school might say lift passes are not needed for the first few days. I would suggest having them anyway. There are times when they just might want to go up a lift to look at the view or even pootle down with your children on a very gentle blue.
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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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| sbooker wrote: |
| What are the chances they'll be mobile (comfortable getting down blue runs) after 6 days of morning lessons? |
I think there is a good chance, assuming they pick it up quite quickly. However blue runs cover quite a wide range (from near-green to near-red, obviously!). Hopefully by that point you'll have worked out which blues to take them down. It's been a while since I've been there so I can't remember, but others will be able to make recommendations.
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| denfinella wrote: |
| sbooker wrote: |
| What are the chances they'll be mobile (comfortable getting down blue runs) after 6 days of morning lessons? |
I think there is a good chance, assuming they pick it up quite quickly. However blue runs cover quite a wide range (from near-green to near-red, obviously!). Hopefully by that point you'll have worked out which blues to take them down. It's been a while since I've been there so I can't remember, but others will be able to make recommendations. |
Agree if they are young, athletic and can already skateboard they should learn to board in about 3 days and quite possibly will be kicking ass of more expedienced skiers in soft snow after a week. Icy hardpack will of course hold them back.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Agreed - athletic snowboard beginners who can already skateboard will do very well. My two grandsons have opted for snowboarding at our family holiday in April. One, already a good skier has been doing snowboard lessons on a dry slope and surviving well enough to continue to pay for his lessons from his earnings in the local pub on a Saturday. The other, just 10 now, had ski lessons as a youngster before Covid. His dad is a very good boarder, so will be able to help them both. So maybe there are a fair number of young beginner snowboarders around! As for the "free lifts" it would be worth checking with the ski school whether the first days of lessons will only use those lifts.
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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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| Quote: |
There are times when they just might want to go up a lift to look at the view or even pootle down with your children on a very gentle blue.
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. If 4 of them are on ski a la carte passes, that little "pootle" is going to trigger a charge of around 200 euros I reckon. 
If they're in Le Lac then they'll probable start on the (free) village chair. Then progress to mastering the Lavachet drag lift and slope (again free). I think the one big area where Ski a la Carte passes are lacking is that they don't allow half day usage.
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@GeorgeVII, I think @sbooker was planning the first couple weeks in Les Arcs. Looking at the various lift pass options I think it may be better to buy season passes rather than ski a la carte. I was just researching the prices for our family over the Christmas week. An essentials pass for 9 days will cost my son €460+ including the 10% discount whereas my wife and me will be paying 100€ extra for season passes. I think once you get to 14 days the season pass saves money.
I think on my son's second day of lessons we went upto the Arpette for lunch and skied back. With my nepthew we went from 2000 on the classic beginenners tour - down to Pre st Espirit, up Combourciere, down to the transarc and back- on his 2nd or 3rd day.
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You know it makes sense.
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@sbooker, they will only activate the Ski A la Carte if they have their passes with them. For those days when they aren't, surely leaving them behind in the accommodation is the answer.
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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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@johnE,
Change of plans. First week in Tignes. The next 11 days from memory in Les Arcs.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| @sbooker, they will only activate the Ski A la Carte if they have their passes with them. For those days when they aren't, surely leaving them behind in the accommodation is the answer. |
Will be sure to do that.
Incidentally the Ski A La Carte sponsorship only works if the sponsor is in the same domain as where the new pass holder collects from. As far as I can tell anyway.
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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 share the general optimism on here about the learning prospects for the 2 newbie on mountains snowboarders. +1 for the need for very good tuition.
Also some words of caution, having snowboarded a fair bit, albeit many years ago, in the area formerly known as Espace Killy. Bearing in mind they've got to learn general knowledge about how slopes, lifts, different types of snow all behave, as well as snowboarding technique.
Tignes is a tough gig for beginner boarders, IMO. Not so much for the first 2 or 3 days, where they should pick up the basics and confidence to enjoy easier blue runs, that should be OK.
It's the tricky stage of progressing on from there. The slightly more challenging blues, that still aren't too scary, are in fairly short supply.
It'll be worth getting some very specific advice about which areas/slopes for them to progress to by about day 4. I think they'd get bored repeating the beginner slopes over and again. Make good use of free buses to access appropriate slopes, rather than struggle on snow to get there.
IMO, Val D'Isere side is generally better for that progression stage. So, a full area pass for at least some of the time, heading over high above La Daille, for example, a good move.
Also, downloading on the Olympique to Val D centre. Then up to top of Solaise and Madeleine area. That's great for confidence building snowboard runs.
If they get through that first vital week, still happy and keen...then I think they'd really come on in leaps and bounds in Paradiski.
Oh and wristguards...trust me on the sunscreen and wristguards...they're essential. 
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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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| PeakyB wrote: |
I share the general optimism on here about the learning prospects for the 2 newbie on mountains snowboarders. +1 for the need for very good tuition.
Also some words of caution, having snowboarded a fair bit, albeit many years ago, in the area formerly known as Espace Killy. Bearing in mind they've got to learn general knowledge about how slopes, lifts, different types of snow all behave, as well as snowboarding technique.
Tignes is a tough gig for beginner boarders, IMO. Not so much for the first 2 or 3 days, where they should pick up the basics and confidence to enjoy easier blue runs, that should be OK.
It's the tricky stage of progressing on from there. The slightly more challenging blues, that still aren't too scary, are in fairly short supply.
It'll be worth getting some very specific advice about which areas/slopes for them to progress to by about day 4. I think they'd get bored repeating the beginner slopes over and again. Make good use of free buses to access appropriate slopes, rather than struggle on snow to get there.
IMO, Val D'Isere side is generally better for that progression stage. So, a full area pass for at least some of the time, heading over high above La Daille, for example, a good move.
Also, downloading on the Olympique to Val D centre. Then up to top of Solaise and Madeleine area. That's great for confidence building snowboard runs.
If they get through that first vital week, still happy and keen...then I think they'd really come on in leaps and bounds in Paradiski.
Oh and wristguards...trust me on the sunscreen and wristguards...they're essential. |
Good tips. If I recall correctly the whole Borsat area with the long greens would be great for beginners.
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@sbooker, some of it is a bit flat for boarders IIRC
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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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@sbooker, Palafour and Tichot/Clarines are totally acceptable for beginner/progression snowboarders - Borsat green space can be a bit flat
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@holidayloverxx, @Grinning,
Oh well. To be honest I remember commenting to my wife that it would be a great beginner area but I guess I was thinking skiing.
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@Grinning,
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Palafour and Tichot/Clarines are totally acceptable for beginner/progression snowboarders
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I agree, except they get very busy, with more experienced (inconsiderate?) sliders going past at speeds that can unnerve beginners.
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@PeakyB, @sbooker,
Ho hum - busy? potentially…
where good for that isn’t?
Searching for tranquility?
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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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@Grinning, as a beginner snowboarder (or skier for that matter) pistes that are that little bit quieter and little bit wider than average are good.
Narrower pistes and/or pistes that not very competent people can slide down very quickly are not so good. Green graded narrow paths that get very busy and have worrying drop offs/things to hit close by are a nightmare. Piste Verte down into La Daille looks tempting on a piste map….avoid!
So, after say 3 good days of tuition and practice. Piste Henri I would still not usually enjoy. Piste Anemone some times of the day is good. Grattalu most of the time should be good.
In my experience, slightly steeper but less busy red runs are better for progressing boarders.
Nowhere suitable will be tranquil. Shrewd decisions about catching certain pistes at different times of day make a huge difference in week 1 of boarding.
That’s why the knowledge of a local expert instructor is worth the investment.
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Does leaving train ticket purchases to a couple of days before get crazy expensive in Europe?
I fully intend on a day out from Paris to Amiens/Villers Brettoneaux to see the Australian Western Front war memorial. But I don’t want to do it if it’s pouring rain. Return train ticket is now only 24 Euro.
I guess I just buy it now and suck up the cost if it’s heavy rain?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@sbooker, depends which country and specific journey in that country. UK has eye watering short notice train tickets from anywhere much to London. Then it’s well worth booking 2 or 3 months ahead, sacrificing travel time flexibility for big savings.
Happily, on that specific Paris-Amiens return journey, I doubt you’ll save much by booking way in advance. In fact, you may be able to get it for less, if you select your travel times shrewdly.
So in this case, I think you can hang on to see the weather forecast 2 or 3 days ahead, before deciding which day you visit the battlefields.
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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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@PeakyB,
Thanks. Will do.
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So I’ve tried to book a transfer from Bourg to Tignes. I tried a few crowds. Filled out their online request forms. No reply from anyone yet. It’s been a few days. How long does this usually take?
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You know it makes sense.
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| sbooker wrote: |
The ultiimate goal is I'll be able to take the girls when I (hopefully if conditions are right) do my Vallee Blanche day. That will be about 25 days after we get to the snow. My daughter will definately be fine on skis. Lily will be the question mark. |
I skied the VB a few years ago on a lads' trip. 2 of our group (30-something males) had only 12 days' experience of skiing and managed ok - though they were almost exhausted by the end of the day. We had a couple of inches of fresh snow the day we did it and, at the time, the 2 in question were very strong snow ploughers, with a gung-ho (but controlled) and determined approach to skiing.
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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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@Bergmeister,
Good on them. Sounds promising.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Bergmeister, amazed they found a guide prepared to take them 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| sbooker wrote: |
Does leaving train ticket purchases to a couple of days before get crazy expensive in Europe?
I fully intend on a day out from Paris to Amiens/Villers Brettoneaux to see the Australian Western Front war memorial. But I don’t want to do it if it’s pouring rain. Return train ticket is now only 24 Euro.
I guess I just buy it now and suck up the cost if it’s heavy rain? |
Paris to Amiens is an easy day trip; no need to buy in advance as noted. Should be pretty cheap no matter what. I would also note (having driven from Paris to Amiens many times), that you might be just as happy renting an inexpensive car. It's about 2 hours depending on where you are starting from (and don't mind driving on the right...).
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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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@Bergmeister, my mate did it on about his 4th day on skis. Main issue was him getting frostnip after standing on the ridge coming out of the tunnel at -10° for 40 minutes in his rubbish C&A gloves. This was in the days before they dug a trench so there were a lot of scared people not moving anywhere!
There was much sideslipping down the icefall bits.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Pasigal,
Driving on the right side is no issue. Have done it plenty of times. I’ll be on my own and could still be jet lagged so will be wary of falling asleep. Train it will be.
Thanks though.
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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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| sbooker wrote: |
| So I’ve tried to book a transfer from Bourg to Tignes. I tried a few crowds. Filled out their online request forms. No reply from anyone yet. It’s been a few days. How long does this usually take? |
Depending on where in Le Lac you're staying, it may also be worth looking at Altibus, who run a regular bus service up from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sbooker, Have you tried contacting Snow Drone? They're usually pretty good. www.snow-drone.com
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@sbooker, the taxi companies don’t tend to rush with a response for a request several weeks ahead. Should be no problem getting one.
As mentioned, Altibus runs a service from adjacent the train station. I’ve used it when lugging skis and large bag with no problem. They have a few drop off points in the main villages of Tignes.
Whether it would be cheaper for your group I don’t know. Taxi obviously more comfortable and faster.
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
@Bergmeister, my mate did it on about his 4th day on skis. Main issue was him getting frostnip after standing on the ridge coming out of the tunnel at -10° for 40 minutes in his rubbish C&A gloves. This was in the days before they dug a trench so there were a lot of scared people not moving anywhere!
There was much sideslipping down the icefall bits. |
4th day! Incredible! 
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