 Poster: A snowHead
|
sanman, Thanks for that.
Yes Fys is the lift near the little bridge "passerelle" on the way back from Pointe de Nyon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
We had a chat with one of the "older" ski instructors who told us the Plenny Gondola (6 seater) was being replaced this year with a 10 seater. Also access would be level with the street and exit level with the slopes above. Sounds good but let's wait and see if it can be done in a year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Has anyone bought an Evasion lift pass? It appears to cover the Braitaz side of La Chapelle, Torgon, Super Chatel and Morgins as far as Champoussin. Only thing that I am wondering is can I use one to access the ski area at Super Chatel via the gondola or the Barbossine area via the Petit Chatel chair? It is not advertised on the Chatel liftpass site but is on the Torgon, La Chapelle and Morgins sites.
I could certainly get a good days skiing in the area covered and I often do just ski Morgins, Super Chatel and Torgon/Braitaz. It saves a few quid compared to the Chatel pass but I have a suspicion it needs to be used in one of the other resorts first.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
neilH, from what I could see and without checking with locals it's unlikely to be redone this summer...
I'd prefer to be wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
DJL, according to the leaflet I've got, it covers Champoussin, Morgins, Super Chatel, Torgon and La Chapelle d'Abondance. I'm not 100% sure where exactly Super Chatel begins and ends - the name no longer seems to be on the map - but we've caught the Gondola on an Evasion pass in the past. I can't see anything in the t&cs about place of first use. I'm also not sure if the system is actually sophisticated enough to spot that you haven't used it in Morgins first.
If you like, I'll ask at the Champoussin lift pass office (hut) next time I'm out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shep,
- one of those wonderfully opaque French words, which for full effect has to be accompanied by a shrug and a kind of bottom-lip pout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sanman, Thanks. As someone just beyond the border you'll understand about a Yorkshireman liking to save a pound or two!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
shep, aye, well, indeed, we shall see!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hi, just found this thread, and thought I would read end to start for some reason.
On the pleney lifts; I noticed when there that the seriously old 6 seater was running, and that a new looking bubble was not. I thought this was the delayed new 3S lift until reading that the 3S lift was in prodains, so whats the deal with this newish bubble, or was I just mistaken? it seemed to follow the Pleney route, and could have done with working due to the 10 minute queue
On another note, when looking at an apartment in Morzine to buy, I heard some more interesting rumours from some local agents. Apparently, the small lift between Pleney and Nyon that only seems to go to the return run so people can ski to the pleney in the morning, may get converted to a chair that goes up to the top of Pleney! Would certainly help spread the foot traffic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
dennisp, I can't answer that because Morzine is not really my "patch", but I only saw the old six-man pleney bubble last week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
dennisp the new super-gondola Prodains-Avoriaz is 95% complete but will now not open this season. There will insh-allah be a new bubble up Pleney by next winter but construction is not yet started. Don't know much about that funny little drag lift, other than that it is/was privately owned (a legacy lift). If so I doubt the owners have 2M euros to turn it into a chair to the top! Beware agent speak...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just realized you have mistaken the Pleney teleferique for the new bubble. It's not, both will be ripped out to make way for the new lift.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I had forgotten that there are two gondolas. However ... am I missing something here ... is replacing two lifts with one, albeit with (allegedly) 10-man gondolas, actually going to increase capacity? I'm not convinced, unless the lift runs a lot faster and there are more gondolas.
Also it's no good having 10-man gondolas unless the lifties actually make 10 people get in each one, and they will never do that if it means little Johnny has to go without his mum. The 6-man that is there now very rarely goes up with six people in it, and when it does, it's pretty cosy in there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
yep, i have seen single lines before - may have been Whistler.
Great idea, although as sanman says, its debateable whether the old 6 man bubble should be a six, or a comfortable 4! Gets pretty stinky in there with 6! lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
shep, a singles line? Omg, how extraordinary.
dennisp, singles lines are standard and normal sights in U.S., Canada and Scotland. Possibly even Spain if my memory is correct.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
under a new name, and NZ, have been for a lot longer than I care to be able to remember.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Only skied in the US once, Stowe, the lift infrastructure was archaic (chairs painted council green with wooden slats) it was ten years ago to be fair and may have been improved, but the lifties were brilliant, they took an active part in loading the chairs and managing the singles line.
Most European lifties are too intent on perfecting their tan, or their smoking technique, while thinking about how much money their family is raking in from the lift company for the right to cross their land.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Only skied in the States once (at Killington, Vermont....don't ask but it improved my technique on ice!) and the lift queue management was a revelation. Approach was in a Y shape with two queues merging and a singles line to one side. Lifty stands at the junction of the two arms of the Y and asks "How many?" and either holds back for one chair or waves you on. Say a pair from each side for a 4 man chair, or three from one side and a single from the singles line or two from one side and two singles. No queue jumping, no pushing and shoving, no empty chairs and very few empty seats. We could do with something similar at the French Mosettes.
Breakfast was impressive also. After ordering the banana buckwheat pancakes on day one (plus coffee, orange juice) I could hardly do up my jacket. Had to go for the "Short Stack" (kids portion) on subsequent mornings!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Yes we were there over New Year 2003-4, it was probably the coldest I have ever been. As for the food, well yes i've been to the States many times and willpower is essential 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just returned from last week's skiing and we caught just about the best week of the season from what I can gather. I'm pleased to see that others were disappointed with Morzine lifts, of course not pleased with the queues, kids very sad. But we made it all the way to the top of Les Gets,from Avoriaz, to see M Blanc in its full glory, with a small cloud cap. Had lunch in my custom built snow recliner looking at it. I'm afraid that we gave Morzine a miss after that.
We also managed to ski all the swiss side from Morgins to Croset in complete fog and assisted to several rows, mine and wife's included, as to which way we should go. Amazing how looking back now it's all funny. Someone said: we should ski straight on, which doesn't mean much when your visibility is 10 yards. BTW no queues whatsoever.
On the way up I stopped at the Lidl mentioned by the Flying one, and bought a couple of the famous Cotes du Rhone bottles which on our return to UK convinced us to buy 4 boxes, price went slightly up to €2 something. That coupled with some other 3 boxes of white we bought in Avoriaz should see us through the summer. You should've seen the faces of the Carrefour people when they announced that our wine was: C'est tout.
Thanks go to Stantoni et co.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
mihaid, I assume you were in Switzerland on the Thursday or Friday, it was no fun at all, sorry the weather wasn't good for you, come back next year.
The Swiss side was busier on the sunny days, but still less so than most. Only once did we queue for more than five minutes, and that was after a chairlift had been stopped for a while due to a fall, allowing the queue to build up.
Enjoy your spoils
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sanman wrote: |
| mihaid, I assume you were in Switzerland on the Thursday or Friday, it was no fun at all, sorry the weather wasn't good for you, come back next |
Yes, that was Thursday. We did Croset on Monday also in sunshine and it was great and no queues as you said.got to the Swiss wall chair with five minutes to spare. Don't know what we d have done if we missed it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| shep wrote: |
| dennisp the new super-gondola Prodains-Avoriaz is 95% complete but will now not open this season. There will insh-allah be a new bubble up Pleney by next winter but construction is not yet started. Don't know much about that funny little drag lift, other than that it is/was privately owned (a legacy lift). If so I doubt the owners have 2M euros to turn it into a chair to the top! Beware agent speak... |
Shep,
The lift in question I have now found out is the TK Bouchet, and looking at the piste map, it shouldn't be too hard to to link it up to D'Atray as another option to get to Pleney. While I realise its just a small lift currently, having another access that side of town, with parking close by, would certainly assist with taking pressure off the main lift, much as Perriers and Turche do in Les Gets, and Verane does (I assume as not been there) in Prodains. Would be a good move for all with property that end of town! (we were taken to the Florimont apartment complex being renovated).
As you rightly say though, dont believe everything you hear.
On another note, do many of you use the Nyon route up instead of the main Pleney lift? Seems like a good access point that should be quiet, but not heard much mention of it being used. For the other side we used Ardent which was great too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
What is the name of this famous famous Cotes du Rhone and where do I get it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
there is a picture of the bottle earlier in this thread I believe, around page 12-15??
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
justatheory - Lidl in Cluses, which is at the roundabout just before you start going up the hill to get from Cluses up via Chatillon to Taninges to Les Gets, et al
Label picture here - http://www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=85195&start=560#2207062
Beef "Bourguignon" for seven made with three bottles of the stuff went down very well on Saturday evening 
Hope you enjoy it mihaid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
dennisp, There are a few options to access Pleney/Nyon from Morzine.
With the main bubble being upgraded this will still bear the bulk of punters. There's also the two chair option (Cruzas+Mouilles) at the same place.
Nyon can be great, has the navette service and plenty of parking (a bit of a schlep up to the lift station though) and is generally quiet. The problem is being unlucky enough to arrive just after a navette and/or coach load of schoolkids unloads (has coach parking too). Also can't always ski to the bottom by the end of the season so have to download or hike the last bit.
Bouchet could indeed theoretically be extended to the top or to the Atray chair, but unless that were privately funded (and charged for) I can't see it happening. Far more likely that the lift company would upgrade the Fys chair.
The Cherche-Midi car park on Pleney B is good too if you don't want the hassle of parking in Morzine, but dumps you straight into the Pleney bubble queue first thing. Will hopefully not be an issue when the new bubble is completed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Thanks for the info shep, may try Nyon next time out of interest, snow depending.
Didnt realise that Bouchet was privately owned, which as you say would bring no benefit to the operator really in extending up to Atray. Fys would be a good extension but no more convenient for skiers to access from the village than Nyon, just going up the other side. Shame as I felt they Pleney side really needed a new access. The cherche midi car park I cant see as any benefit unless you are staying right there. We would be driving from out of the village so wouldnt use that at all.
With your obvious vast knowledge of the up and coming, what other lift access plans are on for 2013 summer? or is it a little early at the moment to hear about such things?
On another random note, any news on Col de Cobier/Druzin? I think its totally shut down now right?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
We heard that the Pleney will be shut in August, which has put my boss off ordering mountain bikes for the summer season. Also seemingly the Commune doesn't have any money left to install any other new lifts but a private investor has said he would stump up the cash for one in return for the right to build 700 apartments. Unfortunately I forget where, must ask when back at work. This seemingly comes from one of the meetings they hold for local businesses so could be official could be rumour...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
I drove through Corbier/Drouzin during half term, the busiest week of the season. There was a load of snow but the lifts were not running. nobody there, except for a few kids sledging on the nursery pistes. It made be feel quite sorry for them, as they were probably the kids of some of those buying apartments there. It was all a very sad scene.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 5-03-13 14:42; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
If I buy a Morzine/Les Gets lift pass, can I top it up, should I decide to go over to Avoriaz/Swiss side. Or is it just a case of buying another pass for full price for that day?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
FlyingStantoni, Thanks for the tip!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Just back from a week in Morzine and wow, what a week of weather that was. Blue skies all week, great snow conditions and queues weren't too bad. 17 of us came home saying it was one of the best trips we've had.
We used Nyon a few times (it was my first time using the lift) - the skiing there was fantastically quiet. Really enjoyed that part, then making our way over to Les Gets for lunch.
We also managed to get ourselves a little lost after we came over the Swiss Wall on the Swiss side - instead of taking the drag to try to link into Les Crosets, we ended up taking a narrow path that seemed like a road. We hadn't a clue where it was going to end - we eventually came out at the bottom of Grand Paradis lift. Very strange.
Think though that with some of the chalet staff, we encountered some post-half term fatigue - didn't seem to have the energy that I've previously encountered when travelling in January. Just an opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shep, yes that was what I heard re Drouzin. Places up there are super cheap right now to buy, but the road up there kind of cuts you out of things quite a bit. I believe the original 'plan' sold to investors was that it would eventually be linked to abondance and the PDS, but that doesnt look likely now, Im guessing there just wouldnt be enough call for that without more development up there? I would say its more likely LGT got linked to L'Encraz (sp?) via Graydon in that area but thats probably a long way off too, although is mentioned on some sites as an eventual plan...
I think the challenge is that those areas take some driving too; we looked at a place half way up to LGT and because of the great snow, it was pretty much 4wd only or snow chains, whereas Pleney and even Ardent were fine with 2wd and snow tires. It makes a difference IMO and certainly made an impact on our (hopeful) chalet purchase.
What would be nice is a lift from Montriond up to the top of Super Morzine 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
dennisp, Drouzin-Abondance, LGT-Mt. Chery, Ranfollie-Samoens all never gonna happen. The last significant expansion of the ski envelope anywhere in the PdS was the development of the Super-Morzine sector in '89 (and a bit around Torgon). Otherwise environmental concerns, politics, cost and the need to constantly upgrade and infill the existing infrastructure ensures no more virgin terrain is developed.
One of the sales gambits used by my agent 20 years ago was the "imminent" LGT-Mt. Chery link! Fortunately it didn't affect my buying decision but that's why I say "beware agent-speak" 
My advice re. 4wd/snow-access is never buy up a side-road if there's no government building (Mairie, school) or lift-station above you. We have all three here, and immaculate snow-clearing service. Those with only holiday-homes above them see the snowplough about a week after the snow after everywhere else has been cleared!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the insight shep, thats certainly some regional history of rumor you have!
We have put a deposit down on a place thats only upwards on a main road which I know from our visit is kept well clear, as the whole village is up there, including the marie and the post office, and the school! Our (potential) road is flat from there all the way to the chalet, but is also closed as it goes to another hamlet. Pretty sure its kept clear all winter, and early in the day too. Our (potential) place is only about 500m away from the main Thonon-Morzine road.
I actually thought the existing lift system was pretty good when there, and glad to see they are still improving old systems as we used the Troncs lift which I think was new this season (or refurbed) and it was very good. I heard they did a couple of others too so at least there is still progress, albeit smaller steps.
I cant wait to get a place there and start to become a 'local' to one resort - Im planning to try off piste next year so starting to know one area would be a good start - and hopefully some true locals will be able to help too 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
The 1930's teleferique (correct spelling!) and bubble both removed and new 10-man installed. However, since the new Prodains-Avoriaz lift has so far slipped from christmas to vacances to easter, don't hold your breath! 
...maybe the idea will catch on! 
)
.