 Poster: A snowHead
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Bit of a mum style question but we are staying in Chambery on Friday night and travelling on to Vallandry Saturday morning. My Q's are
1. where's the best place to stop and pick up supplies en route? Albertville? Bourg St Maurice?
2. are we better to come back down the mountain later to shop?
I checked and shops are shut on Sunday and to be honest, I prefer not to have to traipse back down on another day. So I guess my question is at which end of the day is it likely to be worse? I'm happy to leave Chambery nice and early as we want to get at least a full afternoon of skiing in
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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@bagginsmum, big supermarket (Carrefour) in Chambery ?
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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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@bagginsmum, I think the SuperU in Bourg is very good. Depending on how much refrigerated storage space you will have, it should be possible to do a shop there for provisions to last, say, 3/4 people for a week. Then you can confine your local shopping to the bakery and, perhaps, the odd bit of fresh fruit/veg if you run out. I've done this - with the help of a well thought-out list. (Even better if the list is laminated, of course.  )
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| Quote: |
| where's the best place to stop and pick up supplies en route? Albertville? Bourg St Maurice? |
Any decent size supermarket in Chambery, Albertville, Bourg would do.
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| are we better to come back down the mountain later to shop? |
I would do it on the way in and not come back down. Any reason not too?
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| So I guess my question is at which end of the day is it likely to be worse? |
Worse for what, traffic?
If you get out of Chambery early doors and get the Super U in Bourg when it opens at 8am then you should avoid too many traffic problems and maximise your skiing time.
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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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If you possibly can, shop on Friday night when you arrive and then leave at sparrow's to get up the mountain, or you will find yourself in a great deal of traffic. There's a big shop near Chambery airport - can't remember exactly where - which might be open till 9 on Friday night.
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Yep, just wanting to avoid traffic. Happy to leave Chambery really early but some supermarkets don't seem to open until 8.30/9. Maybe we could all survive on pot noodle and beer all week 
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@pam w, I'd rather be at a supermarket in Bourg (the nearest big super to the resort, in effect) for when it opens - that means the minimum distance the passengers have to share car space with umpteen shopping bags and avoids having to leave perishables in the car overnight (though I suppose that, at this time of year, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.)
The pot noodle/beer solution is a good call, however.
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@bagginsmum,
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Maybe we could all survive on pot noodle and beer all week
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What do you need pot noodle for 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yep, depends how much room you have in the car, but I'd prefer to be having coffee and croissants at a nice café in resort by 0830 on a snowy morning on what will be one of the busiest transfer days of the year. And probably snowing, by the look of it.
I wouldn't come back down the mountain to shop. If a shop in a valley supermarket at a sensible time is not possible I'd take as much as possible from England, including at least one days meals, and bite the bullet in the resort shops for the rest of the week. It's not worth spending hours of your time, on a very expensive holiday, to save a few quid.
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I wouldn't come back down the mountain to shop. If a shop in a valley supermarket at a sensible time is not possible I'd take as much as possible from England, including at least one days meals, and bite the bullet in the resort shops for the rest of the week. It's not worth spending hours of your time, on a very expensive holiday, to save a few quid.
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+1
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
@pam w, I'd rather be at a supermarket in Bourg (the nearest big super to the resort, in effect) for when it opens - that means the minimum distance the passengers have to share car space with umpteen shopping bags and avoids having to leave perishables in the car overnight (though I suppose that, at this time of year, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.)
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That is what I would do!
Having shopped at the SuperU in Bourg on the Sat before Xmas, twice in the last 3 years then driven up the mountain (once to La Rosiere and once to Arc 2000) we did not find traffic on the last bit up too bad at all. The getting into Bourg is the bit best done as early as possible!
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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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The traffic will be bad going down in the morning and going up in the afternoon. Your early start and quick shop in Bourg will mean you won`t hit the bad stuff.
I think there is due to be snow though so make sure you have chains and know how to put them on. 
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Having shopped at the SuperU in Bourg on the Sat before Xmas, twice in the last 3 years then driven up the mountain (once to La Rosiere and once to Arc 2000) we did not find traffic on the last bit up too bad at all.
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But there's no comparison between traffic at Christmas and the madness of half term/Paris hols. The traffic will certainly be worse in the afternoon - possibly stationary at times, probably stationary at times if it's snowy. More likely to get away without being required to put the chains on if you're really early (though obviously if you have summer tyres you'll probably need them anyway).
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You know it makes sense.
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| bagginsmum wrote: |
| Yep, just wanting to avoid traffic. Happy to leave Chambery really early but some supermarkets don't seem to open until 8.30/9. Maybe we could all survive on pot noodle and beer all week |
Casino in Aime and Super U at Bourg open at 8. You will have done Albertville and Moutiers by then and will only have a short drive to do. Best option IMO. I don't think there would be any more traffic on the resort road at 9am than at 5pm. And it means you can relax after your skiing knowing supplies are all sorted.
Alternatively do it Friday.
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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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I don't think there would be any more traffic on the resort road at 9am than at 5pm
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Agreed. More going up at 5 pm than at 9 am. But lots of people stay in hotels fairly near the slopes on the Friday night, ready for an early trip up and a nice quiet ski on Saturday. I suspect the traffic up the mountain might start fairly early, especially after the widespread reporting of Snowmageddon at new Year.
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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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@bagginsmum, the Sherpa in Vallandry is generally well stocked for odds and ends during the week, we do our big shop in Albertville but often pick up milk, crips, wine, salad etc from Sherpa. The shop next door do very nice roast chicken to take away as well
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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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For me, time spent shopping on Saturday 14th would be better spent skiing on what will probably be the most pleasant day of the week and getting up the hill ahead of the traffic. I regularly do big (€150 plus) shops in the valley supermarkets and flogging round the shops, carrying it all to the apartment and putting it away is a chore. I don't mind too much but would resent if it ate into scarce ski time.
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Sherpas will sometimes deliver. Worth thinking about.
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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, Both good points!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Snow due on Saturday, best to get to the Super U in Bourg as early as possible and then up into resort. Super U open at 8.30.
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@bagginsmum, I thinkyou are best to go to either SuperU or Intermarche in Bourgon Saturday morning - get an early start from Chambery & make sure you are through Moutiers early! From the supermarket, you can take the back road back to Landry, via Hautville Gondon, missing the worst of the traffic around Bourg.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@bagginsmum, Indeed it is well worth having good large scale local road maps with you and being prepared to navigate avoiding the main road if necessary. We got around much of the 'snowmaggedon' traffic that way on the Sat between Xmas and New Year!
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@CaravanSkier, Lucky - normally the police won't let you off the main road unless you have 73 plates
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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maybe more likely if you are descending from resort. But certainly always worth having a decent map. You never know.
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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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@chocksaway, We did not come across any police at all and we accidently rejoined the main road at one point so had to come off again. What are 73 plates by the way?
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Wed 11-02-15 23:33; edited 1 time in total
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What are 73 plates by the way?
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local ones. Often seen on cars overtaking on blind bends on mountain roads.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ah, of course
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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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We don't have 73 plates & have never had a problem using the back road from SuperU to Landry as I described earlier. I think they are more strict about it around Moutiers.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@bagginsmum, I can't believe no one has already mentioned this, but Bourg isn't on the way to Vallandry. You have to drive past the turn off for Vallandry (which is at Landry) and go further north to Bourg. Additionally, the supermarkets in Bourg are on the far side of Bourg, so you have to drive all the way through Bourg to get to them. Whilst it's not particularly far, the traffic can really hold things up and you are travelling on a high season transfer day. Although you will be early there will be traffic in Bourg from departing guests coming down from Tignes/Val d'Isere/La Rosiere/Saint Foy/Les Arcs, which you would then get caught up in as you made your way back up the road to Landry. Yes, there is a nifty shortcut, but I think you need to know where you are going as coming into/out of Bourg it's not that obvious where to go until you've done it once. I think going into Bourg will add quite a bit of time to your journey, even more so if it snows. It does get really busy as it's a melting pot of traffic from all the neighbouring resorts.
On the other hand, there are large supermarkets in Albertville that are right on the main road (N90), so you don't have to go out of your way at all. That's where I'd stop. Then it's under an hour to Vallandry (assuming a good run).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Gämsbock, I've never been to Vallandry so hadn't twigged that - well done!!
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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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| pam w wrote: |
| @Gämsbock, I've never been to Vallandry so hadn't twigged that - well done!! |
Oops . +1.
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@Gämsbock, I'd suggested going to Bourg rather than stop at Albertville in order to save vital minutes getting through Moutiers. That can be a real jam. To be fair, the traffic going home doesn't really impact on the trip through Bourg to the supermarket (it's only 7km beyond the Vallandry turning). Once you leave the supermarket, the back road is pretty easy to find & keeps you away from the traffic. Turn left out of the supermarket, then fork right by the chainage area. Follow the river as close as poss. Turn left at the crossroads by the canoe centre, cross the river, turn right & just carry on. Very pretty drive. You'll get to Landry - can't really miss it -then turn left up the hill.
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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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@genepi, I don't really agree about the back road being easy to find, though it is a lovely drive. I do know it, and have driven it many times, but I just don't think it's that obvious at one or two of the junctions when you haven't already driven it. One wrong turn and you could find yourself in Arc 1800. I also found going back the year after driving it all season, I had to think twice the first time I did it again. My point about the departing traffic was not going into Bourg, but coming out of it going back to Landry. I've never been stopped from going on that back road in a British car, but then I've never tried to drive it in snow on transfer day. Does it get cleared/gritted as quickly as the main road? I have been on the main roads in Bourg on a snowy transfer day (though not Snowmageddon!), and it's not an experience I'm keen to repeat.
You make a good point about getting through Moutiers, but I still wouldn't go up to Bourg, personally - yes if I was going up to Tignes, but not for Vallandry. I'd be more inclined to get to Moutiers quickly and stop there for shopping.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Where ever you shop, definitely follow the advice of getting past Moutiers early. we used to reckon on being through before 9 to have a smooth run in any later and the traffic starts to build rapidly .. but with all of the SHs giving this advice that may have to be earlier ...
how about doing the shop friday night, if not too late, so you can do coffee, croissant in resort, crafty change in the cafe loo and onto the slopes ... just a thought.
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Your are doing almost the same journey as we are , 7 of us driving in a convoy , Friday through France , overnight stop the other side of Chambery , in a small town called Allevards where there is a SuperU with everything you could need . Even when we have stayed in Chambery we have always shopped on Friday night , it might delay you getting to your hotel for an hour or so but by getting up early saturday morning to beat the traffic you will save yourself more than that . Shop Friday for sure even if it is in Chambery .
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7 of us driving in a convoy
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 why in a convoy? @JonA, @gwatts10, I suggested Friday night shopping at the beginning of the thread but I think all these dire stories have frightened the OP away....
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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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The SuperU in Bourg is open at 8:30 or 9:00. They have lovely warm fougasses at that time and pretty much all you would want. It's not open on Sunday, but the Intermarche next door is until lunch, though not quite as good. It's better to aim to be there really early, as the main traffic is over by the time you reach the foot of the mountain road, where the SuperU is conveniently located.
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