 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My effort below, doubtless with a few schoolboy howlers!
Reads to me like the minutes of a meeting held on 19 Feb between the council, representatives of owners of properties and commercial interests and Mr Michel Vivien (does he own the skilifts?).
The council advised they have visited as station in the Isere (presumably as information gathering) and had contact with other stations in Val d'Abondance and Val d'Aulps (presumably they mean the other French parts of the PDS) which have been positive about the proposals.
The council restated its position regarding the repurchase of the skilifts and the chalet. Meeting to discuss repurchase of the lifts on 1 March (can't see any minutes elsewhere on the website).
They are looking to repair the building and install appropriate commercial operations. An architect appointed for this. Looking to do the work in the Autumn with planning consent in March 2013. They asked those present to collaborate on this project and to start with a clean slate.
They have offered to buy M Renevier's restaurant for E280,000 - decision requested by 15 March to tie in with planning consent.
The Col du Corbier residents present appeared to support the proposals.
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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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Thanks, that does sound interesting. Now might be the time to invest in col de Cormier, but a big IF!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Just having a peek at this thread as in Morzine at the end of the month 
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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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Going back to an earlier topic, Telemorgins SA has confirmed it intends to replace the Pointe de L'Au two-man chair, which dates from the 70s, with a new four-man chair, before the start of next season.
It will follow the line of the existing lift but will start slightly higher up. It is expected to double capacity to "2,000 personnes a l'heure" which will remove the bottleneck on the clockwise circuit
Longer term it iis planned to replace the Foilleuse chair out of Morgins and to reprofile the "retour de Mossettes". This was all discussed at a public meeting last night in Champoussin.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Leaving in half an hour. Really have more important things to do. See you this evening PDS.
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sanman I thought they did that one ahead of this season? I am sure I read earlier that it created a bit of a log jam elsewhere as it was so efficient!?
Maybe another chair in the same section?
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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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Does anyone know if they are shutting the road down from Chatel today? A friend who came up to join us on Saturday said he saw a sign for this? We were meant to leave yesterday, but our ferry has been cancelled till Wednesday, so now here till Tuesday
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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shep, you're right I was thinking about the strange queuing system at Point de L'Au just yesterday. Probably something to do with the angle of the slope? The piste through to Champoussin, that used to go past it, has been bypassed but that hasn't affected it. No doubt the new lift will have a nice big queuing area where everyone can barge to their heart's content.
In a way I am glad because the old lift was on its last legs, but I also share your dismay at the extra traffic it will bring. Yesterday we skied Plaine Dranse in the morning and Champoussin in the afternoon, the former was like the M25 and the latter was more or less deserted.
And dennisp, yes shep is right, it was Bochasses in Morgins that opened this season.
What we really need is a lift to serve "piste Didier Defago", we skied that on Saturday morning and had it to ourselves, the top steep part was unpisted with 5cm of new snow from Friday, and the bottom was pristine corduroy. It was just one of those moments and it wasn't even spoilt by the 2km track through the trees at the bottom, which was fast and icy, but it puts everybody off what is really a superb piste.
davejsy, no idea about your road but that's a result with the ferry. Reckon your employer will buy it?
Lastly - we all had texts/emails from Easyjet warning us of "minimum 45 minute queues at Geneva airport security". Arriving slightly stressed after battling massive congestion on the motorway at Villeneuve/Montreux, we arrived just after 8pm to find both the EJ check in and the security area almost completely empty.
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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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sanman, regarding the EJ advice.....it can be nasty. I dropped my parents off at GVA more than two hours before their flight one saturday in late December, and the EJ queue was enormous, if it had been one long line rather than zig-zagged it would have stretched to the length of the building. As it was they had to be called forward to check in, and only just made their flight.
Other times when I have checked in on other days and times there has barely been a queue at all.
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Whitters, yes I can remember seeing the EJ check-in area looking like Ellis Island, but yesterday, it was deserted.
Maybe we were later than normal (our flight was the last out last night) but i'm sure we were no later yesterday than usual - we usually ski until about 4 and leave the apartment about 6
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You know it makes sense.
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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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dennisp, are you joking? huge numbers of people fly EasyJet to Geneva - and other places. But there are times of the year when it is cheaper to fly BA - we have friends arriving tomorrow and they are flying BA as with the BA baggage allowance it works out cheaper. There are some cheap that you can get mid week with EJ - but just like the ferries/tunnel its usually worth looking at all options. I don't think that Virgin fly to GVA.
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Poster: A snowHead
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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 was stuck in a long EJ queue on Friday 21 December around 5 p.m. - OH went to park our car in P51 and I had a bag to check in - we rarely fly with any check in luggage with EJ but this time.... huge long queue, and I was then called to the front, and had a big of an argument then as for some reason I couldn't check in my bag as I didn't have my OH with me. Various people called to deal with me and the argument was all to do with bags being taken off the plane etc etc which I didn't really understand - they seemed concerned that he might not be able to fly with me - in the end I said I didn't really care when he flew I just wanted to get back that evening. Something was written on my boarding pass, signed, stamped etc and then I had to join the long queue at security - right next to OH who had arrived by then from parking. By the time we got through we walked straight onto the plane.
But that was unusual and generally we have absolutely no probs on the occasions that we do fly with EJ.
Our son and daughter etc tend to fly BA though - could be something to do with using their Airmiles which we don't have the opportunity to collect many of nowadays.
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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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dennisp, I don't profess to be an expert on the lift developments, in fact most of what I know I've read on this thread!  All I know that's supposed to happen this year is Pleney, the delayed Prodain opening, the Champoussin Pdl'A chair, and the two new chairs at Col de Morgins (or is that next summer?). Maybe someone mentioned an upgrade to the Ardent bubble, and I'm sure Les Gets will be doing something but I don't know what. La Grande Terche are trying to generate local support to put money into their plans to a/ survive and b/ upgrade, but free money is hard to come by these days...
BTW EZJ are now the biggest airline in Europe (don't know how long you've been away), and with Geneva being their twin-hub (with LGW) it's inevitable that they have the flights that people want. All in all they do a decent job of it, particularly since the world's best airline is always the one going from where-you-are to where-you-want-to-be!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyone around Les Gets between the 23rd and the 6th? Assuming I can find somewhere for us to stay I'll probably be heading out with the kids so looking for people to ski with in the mornings should anyone be at a loose end. I'm reasonably capable on skis and slightly interesting on the chairlift.
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| dennisp wrote: |
wow, people still fly EasyJet?? 
Dont virgin or BA fly to GVA from near you in the UK?  |
There's this place called the "north of England" |
Do we care??
j/k  all my OH's family are from Wakefield, so am guessing they will fly EJ or similar when/if they visit.
We travelled a couple of times with them before, and with Ryanair (who cancelled a flight, and then promised to get us home - to the wrong airport - which was a 2 and a half hour journey from our car).
TBH I would rather drive from the north to LHR, and fly a proper airline, than pay a similar amount (in my experience, although outdated possibly) than pay for every bag, not have an allocated seat, and queue for 3 hours in line. When there in Feb (not school hols) the queue in GVA for EJ was CRAZY. Why ruin the end or start of a holiday with that. We were fortunately flying back here, so had 1 person in front of us in the queue as we had checked in online, and then went and sat next to our gate and drank beer till takeoff Oh, and BA sucks too now! We treat Emirates as our national airline now!  We get a snowboard each free, plus boot and helmets if we want. No extra charge, and 33kgs each of luggage, unlimited bags within that allowance. Cant beat that. Internationally BA allow ONE BAG, no more than 15kgs IIRC, and charge for sports equipment. And their planes are old and their all the good looking air stewardesses left to work at Etihad. They have seriously lost their way and we refuse to fly them - we went Virgin a year ago and that was just about ok - BTW, we only fly economy, so BC or FC may be better.
Good info shep, we should be out there July so will skulk around and look for updates for this thread!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
the EJ queue at Geneva was something to behold the Sunday of half-term
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And this is a surprise how exactly?
We use EJ quite a lot business and leisure, generally cheaper and better times GVA-LGW than BA and the only line flying into Scotland to visit family. Allocated seats, pay for priority check in or fly hand luggage only.
Can't see the problem. (Although I will not fly out of Schiphol on any airline using terminal "M").
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| David Murdoch wrote: |
| Quote: |
the EJ queue at Geneva was something to behold the Sunday of half-term
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And this is a surprise how exactly? |
Didn't say it was a surprise - it was just very, very big.
And I'm afraid I really don't get this "drive from the north of England to go through the hellhole that is LHR" - give me half an hour and a slightly more complex pricing structure from Leeds Bratfud any day. The prospect of getting back into Heathrow (with attendant passport horrors), then having to drive three or four hours up the M1 doesn't really seem a reasonable swap for a free plastic sandwich and not having to book my bag separately.
I'm flying KLM to Innsbruck in a couple of weeks from Leeds - it's cost me just over twice what it cost me to fly to Geneva at half term (bags included) - the only differences are I have to change planes in Amsterdam and it took me four phone calls to book my skis on. They were, however, included in the price...
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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, at least with KLM your transfer is thru a civilised airport 
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| under a new name wrote: |
| andy from embsay, at least with KLM your transfer is thru a civilised airport |
Didn't feel very civilised last time when we had to run for miles to get a connection by the skin of our teeth.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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andy from embsay, could be worse, eg Charles de Gaulle. At least you might find draught Palm in AMS
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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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MeMyselfandI, Will be out and and about, although we have a few free passes to use up so will be visiting other resorts as well, keep in touch and we will try to hook up.
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under a new name, mmm, Palm......
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You know it makes sense.
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Chattonmill, that would be super. Once I've got accommodation sorted I'll PM you my french mobile number if that's ok. I'm going to arrange some lessons to work on my mogul skiing as well. This WILL be the year I manage to ski them with panache rather than a grimace.
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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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jubnut, mmmmh indeed!
Have I drifted somewhat? 
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Poster: A snowHead
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| sanman wrote: |
shepthe 2km track through the trees at the bottom, which was fast and icy, but it puts everybody off what is really a superb piste.
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I concur, that's what put us off from doing the DD.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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| Quote: |
standing stationary on your skis whilst an alpine forest scrolls by...
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It is a very scenic run, especially if you don't have to pole it. We were on a "boys trip" and I was worried that our more gung-ho members might mutter a bit, but the top more than made up for the bottom.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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OK, this was down the bottom of page 2, so up we go
What (for my interest mostly) thought would be a good post, is one that names the best restaurants in each section of PDS - starting with the central area and working out if others want to chip in. NOW, I realise everyone has discussed all of this over the previous 19 pages, but why not have it in one post for easy reference for people like me who are new to the area. We are talking only of places on the piste, or very very close. I will update periodically on advice from all - hopefully even FlyingS will negate his normal "this place is great but actually rubbish so it stays quiet" for 5 minutes to help out. Two categories as some look for one or the other. I put in a couple as example, but will be replaced when other suggestion comes in.
Here goes:
LES GETS:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: Place on the right split at the bottom of Bruyere/Bleuet piste, above the TK B. de Gomme (forgot the name). Rossitas at the top of Rosta lift but check the price.
Not recommended:
MONT CHERY:
Apparently there are no good places here now!
Not recommended: Self-service place at the top of the Mr Chery gondola
RANFOLLY:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: La Paika on the Vorosses blue run down to La Turche
Not recommended:
NYON/CHARNIAZ/CHAMOSSIERE:
Quick Grab and GO: Cornettes
Sit down and eat: Chez Nanon just above the tree line as you go up the Troncs lift.
Not recommended: The place by the Nyon-Pleney passerelle by the base of the Fys chair.
PLENEY:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: La Croix Blanche on Chavannes. Creperie Atray at the bottom of the Atray lift. Chasse Montagne on the right just through the tunnel on the way back to Les Gets.
Not recommended: Les Mouilles, at the base of the Mouilles chair.
AVORIAZ:
Quick Grab and GO: Chanagbang in next to the ESF office opposite the top of the Prodains cable car
Sit down and eat: Flo
Not recommended: Les Trappeurs - truly outrageous prices. Also the Le Petit Pin on the Arare - the whole place smells urine / portaloo. Chez Flo Place de Teleferique Avoriaz.
LES LINDERETS:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: Le Ferme, on the Parchets piste, right where the Combe a Floret piste joins. Les Marmottes in the bowl, have the Salade Paysanne. L'Abricotine in Les Brochaux higher up the valley than the goat village, on the right just after the left fork of Abricotine piste. La cremaillere is on the left as you ski through Linderets village.
Not recommended: Portes du Soleil - Linderets plateau
PLAINE DRANSE:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: Tane O'Marmotte. You will have to book. Get your approach right as it's a bit higher up than the start of the Chaux Des Rosees chair.
Not recommended: Babeth's (Le Vieux Chalet), Passe Montagne at the bottom of Combes and Cornebois chairs.
CHATEL:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: Restaurant de Portes de Soleil in Super Chatel - waiting on snoozeboys recomendation otherwise. La Leiche just below the Linga bubble on the right.
Not recommended:
CROSETS/CHAMPERY:
Quick Grab and GO: ?
Sit down and eat: Place on the right as you ski back from Les Crosets just before going down to the Rapaille lifts
Not recommended:
CHAMPOUSSIN/MORGINS:
Quick Grab and GO: La Terrasse de Bochasses - half way down the run under the Bochasses 6-man chair
Sit down and eat: Le Poussin in Champoussin, half way down the red run BELOW the base station of the Auguille des Champeys chair - pricey but good. OR, cheaper option, La Buvette des Sports in Morgins village itself, next to the Hotel Reine Des Alpes
Not recommended:
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 17-03-13 7:57; edited 10 times in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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CHAMPOUSSIN/MORGINS:
Quick Grab and GO: La Terrasse de Bochasses - half way down the run under the Bochasses 6-man chair
Sit down and eat: Le Poussin in Champoussin, half way down the red run BELOW the base station of the Auguille des Champeys chair - pricey but good. OR, cheaper option, La Buvette des Sports in Morgins village itself, next to the Hotel Reine Des Alpes. Plat du jour never disappoints.
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shep, aye.
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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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^ wot shep says.
In truth it's hard to buy a bad meal on the hill around Morzine / Les Gets. What we really need is the "places to avoid list". The problem i have is that I don't know the names of places I've mentally "blacklisted" because I just avoid them.
Restaurants I avoid:
- self-service place at the top of the Mr Chery gondola
- Les Trappeurs in Avoriaz - truly outrageous prices
- the restaurant on the Arare in Avoiraz - the whole place smells urine / portaloo.
Everything else has its merits.
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shep, if the good places are less good at peak periods, surely the crap places will be even worse?
If you disagree with some of the above, why not comment and explain your reasons? It would be useful for others to decide if they agree with you or the OP. For example, I had a really-not-heated discussion on a chairlift with DJL recently, who recommends the Restaurant de Portes de Soleil in Super Chatel. I don't think much of it, because it seemed to me to be a steak/omelette/whatever and chips kind of place and didn't seem to me to excel in terms of local specialities e.g. tartiflette, diots etc, which I generally prefer. That said, if I really felt like a steak and chips and was in the area, the Restaurant de PdS did seem to be pretty good at it.
Different strokes, as you mention, but surely the more info from the informed, the better? Holidays and seasons are/seem short. There are some really great lunch stops in the PdS and a few really awful ones. I don't know the half of them. It would be a shame to waste one's time for lack of easily accessible info.
However, taking your point a little, maybe a solution would be for posters to explain why they like a place, when making recommendations.
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FAQ
. But great for the circuit since the old chair is so wind susceptible. I'll miss the unique-in-the-pds-afaik scottish-style single-file lift queue there though 
(Mrs. S, being a boarder, is strangely not of the same opinion 
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. I already disagree with some of the above, it's basically different strokes for different folks I'm afraid. My one recommendation would be to not go somewhere you like during high season, 'cos you'll end up hating it 