 Poster: A snowHead
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My husband and I will ski at the 3 Valleys during the first week of February 2014. After staying at the courchevel 1850 last year, we hope to find a base this year that is comfortable, less expensive, and has ski-in ski-out hotels. I find that the hotels in Val Thorens are less expensive and have more ski-in ski-out choices, but my concern is the weather in February. I am a beginner to intermediate skier that gets nervous when there is high wind and poor visibility. Can anyone share some advice please? Thanks.
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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 thing is that you can get bad weather and poor visibility anywhere but as Val Thorens has no trees it is more exposed to high winds and there is nowhere to hide from it. You can however usually ski down to Les Menuires and access the rest of the 3 Valleys from that direction. Given that you are a beginner to intermediate Meribel or Mottaret could be a better choice for you though as you can do some gentle tree runs if the weather is rough. Have a look at La Tania and Courchevel 1650 as well though for a cheaper base as I think both would suit you.
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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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dodohong, welcome to snowheads.  You can certainly find poor vis anywhere, but it is more likely, IME, at higher altitude - in our area the tops of the mountains are sometimes in cloud when the lower areas are much clearer.
If you are a nervous beginner/intermediate, maybe somewhere other than the 3V would suit you? There are plenty of other areas with ski-in/ski-out chalets and a wide range of skiing which are less expensive and a lot less crowded.
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Have a look at La Tania and Courchevel 1650 as well though for a cheaper base as I think both would suit you.
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Thanks Dia FindTransfers for your suggestion. I did try but there seems to be very few ski in ski out hotels at La Tania and Couchevel 1650...
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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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pam w, we have paid the flight tickets so are fixed to 3V in February. You have made a very vivid point about visibility at lower altitude. Maybe I should consider staying at Meribel then...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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There is one in Mottaret, at least one. Nice and central as well, but quiet at night.
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There is one in Mottaret, at least one. Nice and central as well, but quiet at night
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Filtyhphil30k, I am looking at this Hotel Les Arolles on tripadvisor. is it a good choice?
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That's the one, it is very central and ski to door( subject to people being in the way)
Night life minimal. Location excellent. I would say a good choice.
Expensive enough to keep the riff raff out.
Just have look at the piste map as there are a few reds as well.
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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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Close to a green run that you can get your ski legs on.
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I think Mottaret would be a good choice if you can find something there. In Courchevel 1650 the Hotel Le Portetta is well nice but not cheap. If you only booked your flights so far you could still look at other French resorts as well maybe? Avoriaz could also be a good choice and the ski area is excellent.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thanks for the advice. I will book the Hotel Les Arolles then. It has free cancellation policy anyway... I was very comfortable with most of the reds last year when we were lucky to have very good weather throughout the week. Keeping my fingers crossed for this upcoming trip...
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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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dodohong, there are plenty of ski-in ski-out hotels in Meribel and you'll like the Altiport area (where most of them are) for gaining your confidence. Mottaret is less suitable for a nervous skier and more exposed IMO. Both will be better than VT for you in February though. La Tania has one ski-in, ski-out hotel - the Montana which is now run by Alpine Elements. Agree that Courchevel Moriond (1650) would also be a good choice in the 3V's.
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Dodo hong
You say you've paid for flights but why does that restrict you to the 3 Valleys? Where are you flying to?
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You know it makes sense.
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| Bergmeister wrote: |
Dodo hong
You say you've paid for flights but why does that restrict you to the 3 Valleys? Where are you flying to? |
Courchevel altiport obviously...
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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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bertie bassett, I am flying to Geneva airport. I guess you are right, there are other options from Geneva. Do you have any suggestions?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Les Houches, Megeve, Les Gets - anywhere with below tree line skiing
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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dodohong, there are loads of choices from Geneva, some of them closer. When you say "ski in/ski out hotel" do you mean an actual hotel, or would you consider a catered chalet? What is your budget? And would you consider something close to pistes (ie a short walk, rather than put your ski on at the front door, which does rather restrict your choice.
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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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and another question - will you be hiring a car or looking to book a separate transfer?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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pam w, I plan to book a bus or shared mini-bus transfer, and prefer ski to the door hotel. You see, I am petite and don't have the muscle after skiing the 3rd day to carry the skis back to the hotel... My budget is £800 - 1,200 per person for half-board, depending on the facility.
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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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dodohong, catered chalet?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, I love catered chalet with friends and family. But there are only 2 of us on this trip, don't think we can afford one. I have never shared a chalet, just don't know what to expect.
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don't think we can afford one.
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they are no more expensive than hotels, in general, and your budget should be fine. As for "sharing a chalet" it's not unlike "sharing a hotel"; you don't have to sleep with them. 
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As for "sharing a chalet" it's not unlike "sharing a hotel"; you don't have to sleep with them.
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You don't?? 
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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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Hi Dodohong, I would second La Tania as a great base for the 3 Valleys. I have stayed with Snow retreat, certainly less than 100 yards walk (more like 50) to the slope, via the elevator (really is very manageable, someone on here has probably measured it And I am sure their price is a lot less than 1k for each for the first week in Feb.
Regards,
Wakkitt
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My budget is £800 - 1,200 per person for half-board, depending on the facility.
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But there are only 2 of us on this trip, don't think we can afford one.
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£750 got me 2 weeks catered chalet in Les Coches, Paradiski, with Ice & Fire last year, admittedly in January not Feb, loads of catered chalets available in your price range, much more sociable too, though some prefer to keep themselves to themselves in a hotel.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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dodohong, it sounds as though you liked the Three Valleys and therefore want to return and ski some more of this wonderful domain. If the Arolles prices suit you, I think that would be an ideal location for you. I have stayed there, though some years ago. The situation could not be more convenient, not just ski-in ski-out, but right in the middle of the Three Valleys, enabling you to ski in whichever valley the weather is best on the day. I wasn't terribly impressed with the food but I've had a quick look on Trip Advisor, and nobody seems to have complained about the food lately.
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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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Thank you for all the suggestions. I manage to get a room at Le Portetta at Courchevel1650. will definitely try one of the other resorts suggested next time 
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Well done, it is a really lovely hotel and the food is excellent! Have a great time!
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