 Poster: A snowHead
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@kettonskimum, now you're talking..cheaper food and a haul of wine!
Can I just check: we'd get the funicular to 1600 and then a free shuttle bus to Vallandry?
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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 am stopping in Landry this January ...where there is a bus to eithe Nancoix for les arc or to Monchavin for La Plagne
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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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@Ali in the alps, Funicular to 1600, bus to 1800 then the little bus to Vallandry. The bus from 1800 to Valladry is not particularly frequent, however.
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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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Not quite sure still of the method of travel. If getting the train, you could jump off at Landry (stop before Bourg) and get a free shuttle to Vallandry (might be a bit more regular).
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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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Personally once there are 4 people driving is the cost effective option. Even with the overnight stay.
Depends what time you can leave (and if it’s a Friday) but we have driven down to folkstone/Calais and across on the Friday and maybe 1 - 2 hours max the other side. So you have 3 hours Norfolk to folkstone then break. 2 hours after the ferry/tunnel and break.
The next morning crack on at 8am. Stop every 2 hours with younger kids worked for us. We used to create playlists with all of us choosing songs we liked. We stopped regularly- certainly worked better for us as a family.
We’ve skied all the areas you are looking at and think I would do La Tania for great confidence boosting greens. La plagne 1800 gets hectic. Vallandry is great but as mentioned blue runs back and a bun fight at the lifts.
Personally after a long journey I would never faff with funicular and shuttle busses with bags and children and double bags for adults.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Ali in the alps wrote: |
| @boredsurfin, any suggestions for stopping over half way. What do you tend to do? |
We stopped depending on time of crossing at the following BB Hotels St Quentin - about 1.5 hours from Calais, Arras about 2 hours from Calais. For many years (when we were allowed to take the kids out of School for all of Friday) at Beaune which is about 4 hours from La Plagne. Leisurely Breakfast followed by an easy drive up to La Plagne usually stopping at the Hypermarket in Chambery or Albertville for fresh food. (We usually self catered).
One of the attractions of Montalbert is its around a 10 min drive up from the Valley.
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@Lucywuk, not sure about bun fight for Vallandry lift, was replaced last year with a very fast and efficient 10-person Gondola
Again Foret run down is not steep, it’s a road in summer, one of my boys went UP it on XC skis before lifts open and took lift down.
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@kettonskimum, @Lucywuk, @boredsurfin, @johnE, thanks guys, superbly helpful. I really appreciate the time everyone has taken to help us.
We just received an extra discount on the chalet in La Tania, and it seems like a safe resort for the beginners, so we're now getting it booked. It feels like quite a relief to have something sorted.
Maybe Vallandry the year after!
I think you may all have persuaded us to give driving across a go. 'Are we nearly there yet?!'
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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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| Ali in the alps wrote: |
| We just received an extra discount on the chalet in La Tania, and it seems like a safe resort for the beginners, so we're now getting it booked. |
The right choice!
| Ali in the alps wrote: |
| I think you may all have persuaded us to give driving across a go. 'Are we nearly there yet?!' |
I'm 3 hours from Eurotunnel and always stop just south of Reims, mainly because I do all the driving and can't be arsed to be on the road before about 9.30am. If I get on a UK 3pm ish train, I still make dinner in the hotel restaurant. If you're happy starting earlier or eating at a service station on the way then I second whoever said Beaune is a good place to stop. Make sure you get a toll doofer.
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@Je suis un Skieur, thanks 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Ali in the alps, Enjoy
Love the drive, part of the holiday for us.
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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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@Ali in the alps, La Tania great choice, drove there a couple of times  - just watch out for the grossly overpriced restaurants towards Courchevel!
Check out https://www.latania.co.uk
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| boredsurfin wrote: |
| just watch out for the grossly overpriced restaurants towards Courchevel! |
Can't argue with that comment 
But at least two of the best value, the Bouc Blanc and Pub Le Ski Lodge, are right on the doorstep. It's far from my favourite in the 3Vs but if the Bouc Blanc was good enough for Kate and Wills, well... <shrug>
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You know it makes sense.
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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
But at least two of the best value, the Bouc Blanc and Pub Le Ski Lodge, are right on the doorstep. It's far from my favourite in the 3Vs but if the Bouc Blanc was good enough for Kate and Wills, well... <shrug> |
So which are your faves? I loved bouc Blanc. But also that one at the top of Granges/roc 2 lift
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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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| Lucywuk wrote: |
| But also that one at the top of Granges/roc 2 lift |
Interesting, haven't been in there since it was done up a few years ago. I'm a cheapskate these days, I reckon €45 for a lunch for one is enough! My favourites by far for proper French cuisine, sensible prices and no need to book if you turn up after 1pm ish are La Ferme de Reberty in LM and La Loy in St M. The restaurant section in the self service in Orelle was excellent last time I went there but it was low season - it gets average reviews in high season. There are many times I wish my apartment was in LM because I could so happily sit at one of La Ferme's high tables watching the world go by and drink until I fall over on a low vis day. 
La Cave des Creux and the Bel Air are the places to go in Courchevel but you've got no hope without a booking. I'm a bit of a creature of habit so if you have more recent recommendations, I'm interested to hear them.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Bel air yes, not tried the others. We are staying in LM this year. Le Grand Lac that was its name and we have enjoyed just watching the piste below and relaxing. Great onion soup and quiche/salad at not too ££
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The other places in LM that have a strong reputation are the l'Ours Blanc, the Chalet du Sunny and Chez Pepe Nicolas (on the border with VT, off piste-ish). First two are ok, haven't been to Chez Pepe. A quick search on Trip Advisor says l'Etoile is the No. 1 in LM which is a new one on me but it's right on the piste between the Menuires and Doron lifts. Please go there and let me know how it is!
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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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La Tania Pub Ski Lodge has been gutted for its 30th Birthday - Hopefully none of the ambience will be lost by being refurbed...
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FAQ
