 Poster: A snowHead
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@Thew2002, Partial opening in that not all lifts will be running. The links will be running between valleys
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thank you both for the reassurance!
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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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New dumb q. I'm doing a full season in Meribel. My friend has a car and we're debating whether it is worth bringing it. We don't have the specific tyres/chains/insurance/tax so would be buying all these things... Obviously it would be nice to drive out of resort to grab stuff from larger supermarkets, and potential day trips, but for the total cost of bringing it, I have to ask 'is it worth it?'
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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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Yes
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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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That's one strong opinion, any others?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The accumulated savings on food / household stuff over a season will more than outweigh the cost of bringing a car over. But you need to ensure that you are properly insured + taxed, you have a breakdown recovery policy, winter tyres, an allocated car parking space etc. You should research what bringing a car over and driving in France entails - don't take any chances with this.
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| Thew2002 wrote: |
| That's one strong opinion, any others? |
How many seasons have you done? Where in Meribel are you staying? Are you actually in Meribel or one of the outlying villages?
If you have any sense of independence and freedom at all you will go stir-crazy by the end of January and be suicidal by the end of February if you can't get out of resort. Trust me. I've had people beg me to take them to McDonalds by the middle of January, let alone April!
And that's ignoring the massive cost saving on shopping in Moutiers versus the dearest resort supermarket in the world. Though it is very good if you've got the money. 
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We have the car parking space, so its just the other costs involved. I'm really not sure if we'd actually make that big a saving on food but maybe I'm in for a shock in the difference between in and out of resort. Stupid question number 2, do any of the major French supermarkets deliver to Meribel?
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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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Sorry I missed this message (I am awful with this website for some reason). All good points, this is my first season. I am staying basically next to le Rond point, so I assume that counts as the centre?
I am sceptical of the quality of our cooking equipment based on the photos of the apartment, which means probably going to a big supermarket may not even be worth it... It is hard to mentally understand the craving for a McDonalds, but the longest I've ever done in the mountains is one week so... yeh it's going to be interesting!
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Thew2002 wrote:
That's one strong opinion, any others?
How many seasons have you done? Where in Meribel are you staying? Are you actually in Meribel or one of the outlying villages?
If you have any sense of independence and freedom at all you will go stir-crazy by the end of January and be suicidal by the end of February if you can't get out of resort. Trust me. I've had people beg me to take them to McDonalds by the middle of January, let alone April!
And that's ignoring the massive cost saving on shopping in Moutiers versus the dearest resort supermarket in the world. Though it is very good if you've got the money.
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Do the math.
If you're in Merihell for 120 days, and can save (on average) €5-10 a day by shopping for food, drink, alcohol, cigarettes, clothes, suncream or accessories in Moutiers, then the extra (total) cost of a car for the season needs to be less than €600-1200 to make it worthwhile.
If money is no object, then take the car. Extra freedom to get in and out the valley is priceless.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Thew2002, what are you doing for the season? Running a chalet / another TO role / working independently / not working at all? For the last of these I agree you may want to get out of resort after a few weeks. If working, then if you socialise with colleagues you only need one vehicle between 4/5: there are lots of people in a similar position. Some TOs have food delivered to chalets; others have weekly trips to the supermarket. If running a chalet, are you allowed to over cater and eat the same food as the guests (which could cover 5 of 7 days if full every week)?
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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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Yes its a fair point, my friend is expecting £700 for the winter tires alone, add some chains, insurance, taxes and it will likely be around the £1200 mark. I doubt we'd save £10 a day on those things (especially when factoring in the petrol driving to and from) so the financial situation is a net negative to me, however the freedom could make it an overall positive. Any reason you call it Merihell? I've never been so feel free to get your dislikes in now...
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Do the math.
If you're in Merihell for 120 days, and can save (on average) €5-10 a day by shopping for food, drink, alcohol, cigarettes, clothes, suncream or accessories in Moutiers, then the extra (total) cost of a car for the season needs to be less than €600-1200 to make it worthwhile.
If money is no object, then take the car. Extra freedom to get in and out the valley is priceless.
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@Thew2002, well I guess you can just live on seasonaire paninis from the Ronnie. If you're not going to cook, the benefits are much smaller but what's your job? Are you working evenings or they're free? Is food included in your contract or are you a bum? There's no supermarket in walking distance of the Ronnie, you'll be living on the bus without a car.
If you're having to fend for yourself every night, then the car becomes far more important. If the apartment facilities are crap then buy a mini oven/grill/air-fryer for £150. Take one with you if you're driving! As well as a whole load of English foods and condiments that are either stupidly expensive or just non-existent in France. Take a whole load of other home comforts too.
Having a car parking space in Meribel is a massive benefit. Would be very expensive/inconvenient without one, brilliant with. You will need winter tyres living by the Ronnie.
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You know it makes sense.
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I am being a pure skibum and was hoping to make friends there, I don't even know what a TO role is... This is all pointing towards a car being essential for sanity!
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@Thew2002, what are you doing for the season? Running a chalet / another TO role / working independently / not working at all? For the last of these I agree you may want to get out of resort after a few weeks. If working, then if you socialise with colleagues you only need one vehicle between 4/5: there are lots of people in a similar position. Some TOs have food delivered to chalets; others have weekly trips to the supermarket. If running a chalet, are you allowed to over cater and eat the same food as the guests (which could cover 5 of 7 days if full every week)?
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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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If you're driving and like Negronis, buy the campari in the UK. It's generally not available in France, as we discovered while spending a month in Serre Chevalier last year. Apparently the owners of the brand are trying to boost it's perceived cachet, and it's only available to the bar trade.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for the advice, we were considering getting a slow cooker and rice cooker and potentially just living off that if the facilities suck (we honestly don't know until we get there!). I didn't realise the shops aren't walking distance away, I think I was underestimating how bad that hill is...
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@Thew2002, well I guess you can just live on seasonaire paninis from the Ronnie. If you're not going to cook, the benefits are much smaller but what's your job? Are you working evenings or they're free? Is food included in your contract or are you a bum? There's no supermarket in walking distance of the Ronnie, you'll be living on the bus without a car.
If you're having to fend for yourself every night, then the car becomes far more important. If the apartment facilities are crap then buy a mini oven/grill/air-fryer for £150. Take one with you if you're driving! As well as a whole load of English foods and condiments that are either stupidly expensive or just non-existent in France. Take a whole load of other home comforts too.
Having a car parking space in Meribel is a massive benefit. Would be very expensive/inconvenient without one, brilliant with. You will need winter tyres living by the Ronnie.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are insurance companies that give 180 days in Europe at no extra cost. "Taxes" are road tolls at about £90 each way. Chains are £150 depending on size. 3 tanks of fuel each way. So about £600 each way plus the tyre cost but minus the sell on price if you ditch them when you come back. Call it £800/each less whatever your existing transport costs are going to be. I would (and do) pay it all day long for the freedom.
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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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Haha, this is quite mad but I genuinely googled this recently! It is the only cocktail I drink and was looking up substitutes but they sounded useless. I guess I'll be bringing a car full of Campari.
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If you're driving and like Negronis, buy the campari in the UK. It's generally not available in France, as we discovered while spending a month in Serre Chevalier last year. Apparently the owners of the brand are trying to boost it's perceived cachet, and it's only available to the bar trade.
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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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If you're a skibum with a car, I guarantee you will be able to make a significant dent in the costs by giving fellow seasonaire acquaintances "lifts" to airports.
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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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| Thew2002 wrote: |
| Thanks for the advice, we were considering getting a slow cooker and rice cooker and potentially just living off that if the facilities suck (we honestly don't know until we get there!). I didn't realise the shops aren't walking distance away, I think I was underestimating how bad that hill is... |
You're at the very top of the resort. The only stuff higher is hotels. There is a ski shop opposite and nothing else. The Ronnie is great but shuts at 7pm. You'll either be living on the bus going to and from town or doing very regular beer runs to drink at home. If you like wine, award winning wines in Moutiers are €6/bottle, they ain't in Meribel!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Speak to Le Rond Point. I just saw le folie douce opens on 16th December - I assume this is due to the lack of snow, is Ronnies expected to open later as well?
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Lack of customers more like, snow won't be an issue.
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| Thew2002 wrote: |
| Speaking of Le Rond Point. I just saw le folie douce opens on 16th December - I assume this is due to the lack of snow, is Ronnies expected to open later as well? |
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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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| Thew2002 wrote: |
| I am being a pure skibum and was hoping to make friends there, I don't even know what a TO role is... This is all pointing towards a car being essential for sanity! |
As I said in the first place, yes! If you've got a parking space and don't use it, you're nuts.
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Thank you once again. It has been very helpful, in my head we'd ski down to the town each evening (even at like 9pm) and catch the bus home each night. I haven't really factored into my brain that wearing ski boots all of the time will be a bit of a drain. The issue was we really struggled to find seasonal accommodation at all in Meribel, maybe we were looking too early but we just jumped on the one that became available
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You're at the very top of the resort. The only stuff higher is hotels. There is a ski shop opposite and nothing else. The Ronnie is great but shuts at 7pm. You'll either be living on the bus going to and from town or doing very regular beer runs to drink at home. If you like wine, award winning wines in Moutiers are €6/bottle, they ain't in Meribel!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well you could do that but the first time you meet a piste basher coming the other way, I think you're going to regret it 
And in Meribel someone will nick your skis. The Ronnie is a great location from a skiing and apres perspective, just a bit of a ball-ache if you want to party in town. Last bus up the hill is usually around 12.30am (need to check) but the pubs are open till 1am and the clubs 4am. So it's a taxi - it isn't walkable.
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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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Haha fair point - You can tell I've never been there based on my comments! I think I'll probably do the bus most nights at 12.30am, will pick and choose my properly late nights and get a taxi then.
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@Je suis un Skieur, it's probably less than 2 miles from town, so not impossible to walk. But uphill all the way, and probably well below freezing, so perhaps not advisable (particularly if drunk).
And isn't there a Sherpa (supermarket) just a few hundred yards down the road from the Ronnie?
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You know it makes sense.
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Google maps tells us it is a 25 mins walk uphill back to our place from the bars, obviously that's not enjoyable in the cold, but I reckon it would be very much possible. I also thought there was a supermarket as per google, maybe it has closed down? Or maybe Je Suis has never really ventured around that area? (why would he unless he lived there??)
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Je suis un Skieur, it's probably less than 2 miles from town, so not impossible to walk. But uphill all the way, and probably well below freezing, so perhaps not advisable (particularly if drunk).
And isn't there a Sherpa (supermarket) just a few hundred yards down the road from the Ronnie?
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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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Here. [url=https://www.sherpa.net/en/stores/meribel-plateau][/url]
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Thew2002, yeah, google maps says the sherpa is 500m down the road from the Ronnie
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Thew2002 wrote: |
Thank you once again. It has been very helpful, in my head we'd ski down to the town each evening (even at like 9pm) and catch the bus home each night. I haven't really factored into my brain that wearing ski boots all of the time will be a bit of a drain. The issue was we really struggled to find seasonal accommodation at all in Meribel, maybe we were looking too early but we just jumped on the one that became available
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You're at the very top of the resort. The only stuff higher is hotels. There is a ski shop opposite and nothing else. The Ronnie is great but shuts at 7pm. You'll either be living on the bus going to and from town or doing very regular beer runs to drink at home. If you like wine, award winning wines in Moutiers are €6/bottle, they ain't in Meribel!
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Ski down to the Chaudanne from the Rond Point at 9PM? Mind the piste bashers and hope that Doron has been pisted after the afternoon carnage.
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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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| Thew2002 wrote: |
Google maps tells us it is a 25 mins walk uphill back to our place from the bars, obviously that's not enjoyable in the cold, but I reckon it would be very much possible. I also thought there was a supermarket as per google, maybe it has closed down? Or maybe Je Suis has never really ventured around that area? (why would he unless he lived there??)
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Je suis un Skieur, it's probably less than 2 miles from town, so not impossible to walk. But uphill all the way, and probably well below freezing, so perhaps not advisable (particularly if drunk).
And isn't there a Sherpa (supermarket) just a few hundred yards down the road from the Ronnie?
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I've done two seasons in Meribel and live in La Tania. That Sherpa's fine for daily milk and bread, emergency beer and a frozen pizza etc, I wouldn't be doing a full weekly shop on foot for 20 weeks in it! The main Meribel supermarket is in Mussillon, the first part of Meribel on the main road in. It's a good supermarket but pricey and still only about a fifth of the size of the supermarkets in Moutiers.
And yes, you could walk to the Ronnie from O'Sullivan's in about an hour and a half if you're stupid enough. But stupid seasonaires out in just a fleece at 4am die of hypothermia every year so feel free to apply for a Darwin Award if you want.
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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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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
| Thew2002 wrote: |
Google maps tells us it is a 25 mins walk uphill back to our place from the bars, obviously that's not enjoyable in the cold, but I reckon it would be very much possible. I also thought there was a supermarket as per google, maybe it has closed down? Or maybe Je Suis has never really ventured around that area? (why would he unless he lived there??)
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Je suis un Skieur, it's probably less than 2 miles from town, so not impossible to walk. But uphill all the way, and probably well below freezing, so perhaps not advisable (particularly if drunk).
And isn't there a Sherpa (supermarket) just a few hundred yards down the road from the Ronnie?
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I've done two seasons in Meribel and live in La Tania. That Sherpa's fine for daily milk and bread, emergency beer and a frozen pizza etc, I wouldn't be doing a full weekly shop on foot for 20 weeks in it! The main Meribel supermarket is in Mussillon, the first part of Meribel on the main road in. It's a good supermarket but pricey and still only about a fifth of the size of the supermarkets in Moutiers.
And yes, you could walk to the Ronnie from O'Sullivan's in about an hour and a half if you're stupid enough. But stupid seasonaires out in just a fleece at 4am die of hypothermia every year so feel free to apply for a Darwin Award if you want. |
I couldn't have put it better myself.
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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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I am a complete noob so I don't know enough, but google maps makes it 40 mins from Sullys up to my accommodation. Why would it take double that? I normally find google maps overestimates the timings as well... I'm sure I'll work out how painful it is once I live there! Do the buses have tracking btw? I remember other places have an app where it tells you how close they are.
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And yes, you could walk to the Ronnie from O'Sullivan's in about an hour and a half if you're stupid enough.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Thew2002 wrote: |
| I am a complete noob so I don't know enough, but google maps makes it 40 mins from Sullys up to my accommodation. Why would it take double that? |
Because Google maps is telling you to walk straight up the piste. Put streetview on and drop the man anywhere near the Adray Telebar. Enjoy the view.
And get good insurance.
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The view looks beautiful, I still think the route shown is pavement, I am *slightly* down from Le Rond Point so maybe it won't be quite so bad. I am enjoying checking out the maps working out whether I can ski through the woods to morel chairlift, as well as down to Le Chaudanne. Either way thanks for the info, I will try to persuade my friend to bring his car and buy lots of Campari. May even see you out there!
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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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Sorry - think I'm done with questions, I can give day by day snow reports from 1st December!
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@Thew2002, Welcome to SH's , Perhaps you could start a new thread for your seasonaire questions? You may not be aware but this thread is in the Snow Reports section and we try to get on the spot snow condition updates here.
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Back in the day, you could buy remoulded snow tyres from the tyre place in Moutiers and they would store your summer tyres for you over the winter.
You will not be able to ski from where you are staying down to the Morel chair.
The walk up from the centre to Ronde Point is really not something you want to be doing - just from the cente to Morel is bad enough! (It's a lovely climb on the bike in the summer mind!). Going up from the pub steps will mean trying to walk up the piste!
And you do not want to consider skiing down to the centre at night time as others have said.
Definitely worth have the car out there to enable shopping in the valley, and day trips out of resort, either to other resorts or places like Annecy.
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FAQ
