 Poster: A snowHead
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I've discovered that the school group I am helping re ski boot problems is going to Arc 1800. Any thoughts on learner facilities etc?.. Apparently there are 74 kids and 14 adults only 4 of which have skied before. The kids are 9-13. Years that is.
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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's a very small English ski school down at Villaroger, but could they handle that many? Otherwise I think there's just the ESF, although I heard New Generation (Courchevel) were setting something up. There's Arc Aventures as well, I know the guy who runs it, could ask him if it helps?
If a big booking is made with the ESF they should really insist that they get as many mother tongue English-speakers as possible... I know two (French) ESF instructors, one based at the 1800 school, I'll ask him how best to go about such a booking if you like....
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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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Pete, the only reason I'm asking is because I seem to be getting more and more involved. As I have been to Les Arcs and am a comparatively experienced skier I have been asked odd things. As far as I know the group are being sorted out by a specialist school party company who will be taking care of all the arrangements right down to the last detail. Thay are travelling by coach, which put me off accepting an offer to join the group, and if they are all in "snowplough" lessons I don't see that there is much that Jon and I could do to help. They will have much more idea of how to handle that age group that I would anyway!
I have said I will do a sort of briefing for them (and their parents) on what to expect of the resort and skiing in general. How might 1800 cope with such an influx at Easter?
Would I be right in thinking that the relevant nursery slopes for people staying at 1800 would be that nice area by the restaurant above the Renard run? If so what a great place to learn! Or are there some more easy slopes by Arpette? Still nice though.
Do Arc Aventures do school groups of that size?
Best part of 100 people all in one go sounds pretty terrifying to me. I take my hat off to Andrea and Angus who are organising it!
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Chris Bish, who are they organising it through? Many school specialists will have their own instructors.
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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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Elizabeth B, that's a point. I was told, but I can't remember. A company from Manchester way (possibly Macclesfield??) I think.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Interesting stat reported on the French forum, skipass. Apparently the Vanoise Express Les Arcs/La Plagne link carried some 420,000 passengers in total over its first season, which works out at roughly 500 per hour, i.e. approx a quarter of its maximum capacity of 2,000 per hour.
Total cost of the project was some 15m €uros....
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Final few hours of skiing at Les Arcs, and the weather was kind - much lower temperatures, 5 - 8 cms of fresh as far down as Arc 1600 overnight, an unexpected bonus to hear that 'hissing' sound of the skis through powder on or off the pistes at this time of year. Cooler weather meant great skiing down to 1800 all morning, most runs still open, empty... what more could you wish for in May. Why more people who are able to book a break last minute don't find their way to the higher altitude resorts at the end of the season is beyond me! Bargain prices for accommodation, no queues....
A few photos from today......
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Chris Bish, That restaurant (in Arc 1600) was La Malouine....
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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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Thanks PG, It deserves a recommendation. Can I remind you of my question about nursery slopes at 1800. I don't remember seeing any!
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Chris, the free lifts at Arc 1800 are:
Carreley chair (access to green, blue, mauve pistes.... with access to the Charvet piste. The mauve run crosses the Arc 1800 forest, finishing in front of the Bauchet swimming pool).
Jardin Alpin chair, Lauzières drag, access to the Jardin des Lauzières, two beginners' drag lifts, moving carpet....
The "kids' area" at 1800 is at the start of the Vagère chair in front of the Arandelières residence. Moving carpet, sledge run, climbing wall, ideal for that first day on skis...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PG, excellent pictures, I've looked at them all, and drooled, and looked at them again, and sighed.... You a lucky man!
| You wrote: |
| Why more people who are able to book a break last minute don't find their way to the higher altitude resorts at the end of the season is beyond me! |
Answer: All the info poor Joe Punter receives says the season is winding down in March, April is very dodgey, and only marmottes are out on the slopes in May.
Late skiing needs to be promoted. I suggest we start "Slush Puppies" for skiers who ski right up to the very end of the season.
After this wonderful season, 2005 season will no doubt end with non-stop rain from early April washing away the snow. Even so, I feel inclined to free up that week for skiing. OK, PG?
(PS: Slush Puppies is second choice. I had hoped for "Lost Boys", but Last Off The Slopes makes LOTS not LOST. Tom and I couldn't get LOST to fit anything, and we can't think of anything snappy for SLUSH. Maybe fellow-snowHeads can do better...?)
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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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Am feeling holidaysick (opposite to homesick!)
Love seeing all pictures of snow/skiing - but even more fun when you know that you've been on that run... (and either nailed it or wiped out!!!) 
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Chris Bish, Spoken to instructor from ESF at 1800, there are no mother tongue English-speaking instructors there, plenty of French with good English though! Next week I'll check out the situation with the guy who runs Arc Aventures, he's away at the moment....
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You know it makes sense.
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Recommend Plan Peisey in Peisey-Vallandry as its at the Vanoise Express end of Les Arcs so you have easy access to both Les Arcs and La Plagne areas.
Also is a bit cheaper (esp for self-catering), and has more resort charm.
Check out www.plan-peisey-accommodation.co.uk for accommodation options.
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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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Welcome to snowHeads, flying squirrel 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thank you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Flying squirrel - had a great time over on your side of the mountain in April - was so quiet that I had the slopes to myself. Spent lots of time off the Plan de l'ours lift - messing around on the reds and blues trying to get perfect carves and learn to ski backwards! Strikes me as a great area for beginners - nice wide slopes. And the bowls of hot chocolate at La Poudrouse (?) were yummy!
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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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| flying_squirrel wrote: |
Recommend Plan Peisey in Peisey-Vallandry as its at the Vanoise Express end of Les Arcs so you have easy access to both Les Arcs and La Plagne areas.
Also is a bit cheaper (esp for self-catering), and has more resort charm.
Check out www.plan-peisey-accommodation.co.uk for accommodation options. |
Thanks for that flying_squirrel, one of the places I've been looking at for next season is in Plan Peisey - useful info. And welcome to snowHeads BTW
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mark - thanks! Its a great place to stay - I have posted something on the Accommodation section as well about the accommodation etc. Les Arcs in general (not so much La Plagne in my view) is so under-rated for advanced skiing as well - you just need to know where to go etc etc.
Mountain Mad - yeah - you get the sense of being the only one on the slopes don't you. The best is in late January when there's been a dump of snow - you get to ski fresh track (on the pistes!) for an hour before the place gets remotely busy.
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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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flying_squirrel, just waiing for winter flights to come online from our local airports. We do like a sly trip in Jan while kids are at school. Have stayed in Arc 2000 before but at Easter, would love to come again early in the season. Our main trip next year is at Easter to WHistler
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Helen - let me know if you want accommodation sorting out for you.
Be good to see you out there!
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If you are going by the ski-train overnight (couchettes) you will get 8 days skiing.
The long black from Aiguille Rouge to Villaroger has the greatest vertical descent of any black run (nearly 2,100 metres), though most of it is more like a red. The Alp d'Huez black is longer but only because of a very long, very flat (but quite scenic) gorge at the end.
Actually, despite its tame reputation, Les Arcs has lots of very good black runs (more than Val d'Isere) and some very good off piste.
I believe they still teach through their unique "Evolutive" method, where you are given very short skis and learn parallel turns from the start, being given longer and longer skis as you progress. Or have they changed recently? Does anyone know?
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snowball, Think they still do yeah, although its become a bit blurred with everyone skiing on shorter fatter skis and all that. There's a growing number of independent ski schools cropping up as well, which has an effect I guess, as they all try to claim their own approach.
Taking the Evolutive approach, does that mean that all snowbladers are actually beginner skiiers who never made it? Suspected as much... 
Fresh snow makes the Villaroger black quite fun as well, as there area lot of trees to chop through on the way down. Much under-used also is to drop off the back of Peisey-Vallandry to Nancroix (& catch bus back). Get a guide to take you there if you're in Paradiski with a good dump of snow.
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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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The beginners in our chalet back in April were snowploughing. I didn't see any sig of "evolutif".
It's a nice resort. I'd go back and the blacks are lovely. Thanks to PG for showing us them.
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You've probably already looked but, if not, the Les Arcs website is www.lesarcs.com/gb/ where you can see piste maps etc.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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FAQ
