 Poster: A snowHead
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Just back this afternoon from our 2nd trip to L2A and thanks are due to ClaudeB for generously taking time to ski with us on a really lovely day.
We also did the helicopter trip between L2A and Alpe d'Huez, after planning to do so last year but never really having the requisite weather. This time we booked and went for it and can highly recommend. It costs 70 euros pp return but you do need a group of 5 to get that price - however, what wasn't explained by the resort rep, is that - as all participants are given the same time of 9.00 am - even if you're not a group of 5 there should be enough people to make up the numbers. Other things that weren't explained, and might be helpful to others intending to do the trip:-
You need to be at the 'helipad' (a flattish area on the middle slopes) at 0900 but the relevant lift from base (oeufs blanc) to get you up there, doesn't open until 9.00, which was a bit stressful 😳. In reality, it's not that important.....more on that further down
The same 9.00 am time slot is given to everyone, with the result that around 30 people arrived at the same time and each flight can only accommodate 5 plus the pilot.
There is no queue as such, just a gap in the netting fence, which isn't manned and so - given that all 30 people thought they were next up - there's a potential for some tension/jostling! As a consequence, having been up and out just after 8, and at the helipad for shortly after 9, we took off at 0950.
We were also told that, on arrival in AdH, there would be a lift virtually alongside - there isn't, or not one we saw, but the Citron line shuttle bus goes through the heliport car park and drops at Bergers and then the DMC, just a couple minutes ride away. It's easy to ski back to the car park and so the heliport.
We absolutely loved the helicopter ride - a first for us all - and it was well worth the money and the initial niggles (they could gave been avoided with better info from the rep). On such a beautiful sunny morning, it was magical to gently rise up and over the mountain tops, swooping across the valley  Highly recommended
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Did the reverse trip on Thursday. It's organised at the ADH end and we were told to return in reverse order. The scrum at the LDA end was noticeable. It's no easier to make the ADH altiport for 9 from the old village.
I'm no heli regular, but that was the sweetest machine I've flown in (less noise and vibration), just wished Thierry could have thrown a few more manoeuvres on his way in!
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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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The Belle Etoile chair is another option if problems with the eggs. I did it a good few years ago, be prepared for very different conditions on the different mountains, they can be chalk and cheese... or ice and slush more appropriately.
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