 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I am a new member to Snowheads today and have just booked a week in Chatel at the beginning of Feb.
I was wondering if anyone out there could comment on the facilities for beginners near the Linga lift (we are staying about 200 metres from it) I am especially interested in private ski lessons/schools and the suitability of local pistes. Also are there any ski hire outfits that stand out ?
Many thanks for a great site !
Phil
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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philstor, Welcome!! nice first post!
I am a PDS afficianado and love the Linga, but have never stayed there! You do have immediate access into some of the most fun skiing in the system IMHO.
I've not had to think about it, but IIRC there are some beginner facilities nearby and definitely plenty a short bus ride round to Chatel itself. Really, it's only 5-10 mins...
No school recommendations I'm afraid.
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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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hmm - I went last year - hang on <finds piste map!>
Right - I'd suggest getting the bus to super chatel, which has a fantastic beginner area above the main gondala - quiet, perfect incline, not busy and very good confidence building with just enough variety to keep you sane. The linga runs, while fantastic for intermediates are a bit much for beginners (at least for the two in my group) and icy to boot and the nursery slope at pre la joux is really rather steep for 'first turns' and so I wouldn't recommend for lessons, although the long green down from pierre longue is a lovely run for beginners, give it a try one afternoon - a simple zig zag through the trees, but constant slight incline and not at all busy as everyone else takes the much quicker red. Buses are frequent (<10mins) and you'll be going the 'wrong' way to most folks so should get seats etc.
As for schools? We used the chatel esf for 3 private lessons and had one indifferent, one reasonable and one good - so not sure one way or the other tbh?
One thing I would not is that the linga lift is not in Chatel? It's a fair hike out of town (10mins on bus?) and very quiet, but looked a lovely place to stay as long as partying isn't high up your list!
Hope that helps,
aj xx
p.s I seem to remeber the online lift map is useless - email the tourist office and ask for a real one if you want to do some pre holiday window skiing!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Linga is out of town as has been said before but there are some shops and a bar/restaurant or two in fairly close proximity. I have stayed in S/C accomodation opposite the lift and we did walk into town every night - 20 minutes IIRC. Buses are frequent so getting into town in the morning to get the lift uper to Super Chalet should not be a drama.
Hope you get good low snow.
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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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There is actually a very small beginner area at the bottom of the Linga lift, run by one of the smaller ski schools (forget which one). There's a rather bigger area at Pre La Joux (a bus ride away), or the higher area at Super Chatel (a bus in the other direction).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Many thanks for the info.
Sounds like the ESF is pretty much the same as everywhere else - totally unpredictable ! I'll try and give them a miss.
Does anyone known if there is parking at the bottom of the Super Chatel lift ? We are taking a car and I know there is parking at Pre La Joux, but it sounds like there is some nice skiing for all levels at Super Chatel.
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philstor, I'd use the bus. Honest, it's frequent and takes 10 minutes. Just watch out for the drivers' lunch break - should be posted on a timetable somewhere...being France, they all take lunch together with resulting interruption to service!
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philstor, there is an underground carpark next to the bus station about 100 metres from Super Chatel, parking in Chatel is a bit of a nightmare.
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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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There's no parking at the bottom of the lift (it's right in the centre of town) but as David mentions, there is one towards the bus station - and I saw signs to parking above the lift as well? If parking does turn out to be tricky the bus should be fine as you'll be going the 'wrong' way all the time  aj xx
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