 Poster: A snowHead
|
Flying to Grenoble for New Year 2013/14 and am looking for resorts with a central area with easy runs (greens/easy blues) for my 6 year old.
L2A looks like it has such an area, though I know it gets quite a bad press on here. I dont think Im bothered if its a concrete jungle - though Ive also heard it can get very rowdy at night?
We've done Alpe d'Huez - and although there are all those central greens I find too many skiers bomb through them as they filter in from pistes further up the mountain.
Accommodation will probably be self catering, 2 adults 2 kids; recommendations for this also welcome...close to ski school - maybe an international ski school rather than ESF.
TIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, you may be better off in Chantemerle or Villeneuve in Serre Chevalier. Much more of a family atmosphere. I'm a big fan of Easiski, but not of L2A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Shimmy Alcott, Chamrousse for the deals. Otherwise L2A, get in touch with easiski for apts and or lessons. Or check out European Ski school for the kids 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, agree with Hells Bells I love Easiski but to be honest I dont like L2A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Les Saisies - not nearly as near as Chamrousse but a bit nearer than Serre Chevalier. There will be a new magic carpet lift in the beginner area this winter and there is also a long green run served by a chair lift. The whole central bowl area has easy greens/blues. But I think you might struggle now to find good accommodation for New Year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
thanks for all the input so far - looking into all suggestions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pam w, it isn't further to Serre Che, I think it is about the same distance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Hells Bells, Les Saisies is actually further, but faster - only a few minutes in it, though. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, maybe Try Montgenevre it will really suit you, get kids in classes with Apeak ski school, fiind a nice apartment direct or with peak retreats or else try ski etoile
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Valloire might be worth a look but I can't remember it well enough to say where the easiest runs are. It's about the same travelling time from the airport laughingly known as Grenoble as Les Saisies or Serre Che but perhaps a bit cheaper. The Peak Retreat prices in Les Saisies at New Year are ferocious - some are over £2K for a 2 bed apartment.  £1.3K in Valloire. Maybe not such good accommodation I suppose (but there are also lots of much cheaper apartments, booked direct, all the Peak Retreat options are quite high quality). With small kids you need to get very local and impartial advice as to exactly where accommodation is in relation to lifts and runs. Some of the accommodation on the Les Saisies website, for example, is at the bottom of a red run with no alternative way down other than a major faff of a bus ride (and often poor snow because it's down at 1100m).
I find Les Saisies very busy at New Year, I must say. Far busier than Christmas. There would be lift queues for the main central lifts and the more distant, much quieter, areas are probably a bit difficult to access for beginnerish small kids.
In a similar driving time you could get through the Fréjus Tunnel to somewhere like Bardonecchia. But maybe those Italian resorts are just as busy at New Year as the French ones?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Shimmy Alcott, If you are looking at Chamrousse, then look at apartments in 1750m as that is smack bang in the middle of the area and there are loads of blues and Green runs coming down into the village that your girls will love once they find their ski legs again.
I agree with Hells Bells, that if you want to travel a wee bit further Serre Chevalier is pretty well unbeatable, especially if you can find a suitable place in Villeneuve or Chantmerle. Personally I prefer Le Môntier les Bains, but I'm not so sure that is as good for your girls. More to do in Chantmerle and Villeneuve. The skiing is better for little ones further down the valley towards Briancon. The area will also give you and ph lots to ski and have fun in as well (as will Chamrousse).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samerberg Sue, I prefer Monetier too, but thought there was more skiing suitable for the younger one in the central villages, especially beyond the nursery slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Samerberg Sue, I spent quite a bit of time looking around yesterday and Chamrousse 1750 did look good
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!
Really want to go to Montgenevre now but accommodation is very hard to come by! Waiting for Erna Low to get back to me on availability for the Airelles ^. If thats not available then Ive found a private rental that looks great...hope it doesnt go before EL get back to me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, the Chalets de Chaberton apartments should be very good if you can find one to rent. They had the same developer as our place, and will be very good quality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Shimmy Alcott, Last year we went to Monty with Zenith Holidays, stayed in Chalet Soleil (right next to the Chalmettes Lift on the other end of town).
Neilson also sell holidays (self catered I think) as to Ski Miquel. Also try Go-Montgenevre.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hells Bells, can only find links to those apartments for sale
jellemr, Ive e-mailed Go-Montgenevre. Zenith seemed to have the Soleil only available for the entire chalet and for their Genepe chalet I need to call to check availability for part chalet so will do that tomorrow. We already have flights booked so Neilson and Ski Miquel are out. Thanks anyways.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, You could also consider somewhere in the Vercors, there are plenty of green runs at Villard de Lans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, there's a larger one on Homeaway, but they are all likely to be privately owned. They may be available through agents?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, Ski Miquel will do accommodation without flights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
sarah, Ive given up! Think will just book Alpe d'Huez this time and keep Montgenevre in mind for a not so busy period. I see that there will be another big block of residences opening up for the 2014/15 season so things should be easier to book if we fancy going next New Year.
Hells Bells, Samerberg Sue, was struggling with Serre Chevalier accommodation too. Again its a resort I will deffo keep in mind for next time. Cheers.
Now, off to book P&V who have newly refurbed apartments in the Bergers area of AdH!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, you should have said, I have friend with lots of accommodation on her books, I'm sure we could have found you something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Hells Bells, oops  next time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
A company in Montgenevre have emailed to say they have an apartment available  It just so happens that I booked the Alpe d'Huez accommodation through Booking.Com and have free cancellation up to 28 November so I am in a position to cancel and book Montgenevre. Taking transfers, lift pass and ski lesson costs into account the cost is £338 more but it is in Chalet des Dolines!!!
Think its a no-brainer that I cancel AdH and go to Montgenevre?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, I think so, and I can always pop up to Monty for a ski with you as we'll be in Serre Che that week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Hells Bells, Ive emailed the company back - I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow for any progress in securing the booking...nerve racking lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Shimmy Alcott, sounds good to me 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
sarah, its all happening!! email ping-pong even at this time of night Alpe d'Huez is cancelled...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've come into this quite late and not read more than a handful of posts. Serre Che and Montgenevre are a good way from Grenoble and both require a route over the Col de Lauteret. Chamrousse is the only ski area I've ever complained directly to the resort for being dangerous in it's criss cross pistes and it's dreadful complacency. It's also about as ugly as it gets. Overlooked by us Brits are Les Sept Laux and Alpe du Grand Serre. Both are relativelt easy to reach from Grenoble and are much more French. If you were looking for something very French but very small, there is St. Pierre de Chartreuse and then the resorts of the Vercors such as the fairly large Villard de Lans and the tiny Lans en Vercors. The latter would not be enough for more than 1/2 a day to a day but it's worth a little visit. Hope this helps with some different ideas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ade57, you can go via Frejus tunnel to both Montgenevre and Serre Chevalier, it is not essential to go via the Col du Lauteret. In the general scheme of resort transfer times they are relatively close unlike Geneva-Tignes for example which is a frequent trip for some.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Ade57, very informative, cheers.
Anyways. confirmation received - we are all booked up with Zenith, through skichalets.co.uk, for Le Chalet des Dolines in Montgenevre and I have to say I am really really excited (we didnt get to ski last season!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Montgenevre is great. You'll have a ball. High enough for great snow even in a poor snow year and plenty of travelling to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
