 Poster: A snowHead
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This is a first in terms of area - and when we are going. Have never gone at this time of year and kind of dreading the crowds. Would gratefully appreciate any help or tips to make this go more smoothly - partic
1. Ski and boot hire: would ideally like place we can change from snowboots and leave and then come back at end of day - as our chalet is not ski in ski out. Pref nr Chaudanne/Tougnette bubble
2. Good restos for lunch that are not too eye watering for prices
3. How to avoid crowds - and must do runs for Blue/Red skiers. Daughter can do blacks but I will try and avoid these due to injury
4. Good physio and masseur reccs - as am going there with injury. Just in case...
Thanks folks in anticipation
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are two hire shops by the Chaudanne above Jacks (an excellent end of the day family friendly watering hole), I think one is a Skimium (Oakley Shop) and one is a Sport 2000. You can leave your skis/boards at either. There are also lockers below the Saulire lift station. If you want to use these get there asap because they sell out in half term week.
If you are talking mountain restaurants, the more toward St Martin/Val Thorens you go the cheaper it gets. The Courchevel valley is never cheap. Suggest that you load the phone numbers on your phone so that you can book a table in advance. The Fish and Pips website has a great restaurant summary which you should print off and stick in your pocket (http://www.fishandpips.co.uk/meribel/restaurants-meribel/). Overlooked venues are the Pizzeria De Motteret which I book if visibility is likely to be a problem and Le Grand Lac which does some pretty good 2 or 3 course Plat du Jour.
Search up the good runs on the Snowheads Forum. My favourites are most of the runs off the top of Plattier and Tournette including Grand Lac and Jerusalem, then into St Martin. Courchevel 1650 is a good trip, lots of cruisy blues and the Bel Air.
This is a useful resource http://www.skimottaret.com/resources/PDF/3ValleysIntermediateSkiTours.pdf
The 3V's os a huge ski area and it tends to absorb an equally huge number of skiers ... there is a case for avoiding blue runs, since the increased difficulty tends to filter out a lot of cruisers and the emptier slopes make for easier skiing imo.
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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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Thx for that
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Courchevel valley is never cheap.
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Not true. the Courcheneige on the side of the Bellecote as an example. Last year small Stella was €2.50 and the full skiers lunch €29.
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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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@ansta1, I am amazed as I have up till now avoided the Courcheneige as always assumed it would be eye wateringly pricey based on its location. Next time I will check out the menu as it looks inviting from the outside.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@andy1234, in my experience its actually one of the best value restaurants in 1850, if not the best. Its especially great on a sunny day sitting outside. The salad and dessert buffet is just fantastic.
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In courcheval just cross the road from the main lifts and there is an indoor shopping Cente with a fabulous bakery with brilliant baguettes,mlots of cakes. You can take away or sit on the several tables
Creux top to bottom is lovely and surprisingly not as busy as you would expect.
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Cheers folks. Love the Intermediate Ski Tours guide DavidYacht - thank you. And thanks for the heads up re food.
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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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Go early ahead of the ski schools if possible and stay high to help avoid the bottlenecks down in resort and in places like Tougnete 2. Don't be afraid to download on the bubbles at the end of the day to the Chaudanne if it's really busy. A lot of accidents happen at the end of the day when people are tired, everyone is heading home on the same pistes and the pistes are bumpy from the days traffic. Eat at midday or 14h. Ski during the lunch hour when it's quieter. And reserve if there's a restaurant you really want to try, although I've noticed over the past couple of years that many restos aren't taking reservations during half term.
One nice itinerary would be up on the Saulire lift as soon as it opens. Go right to the top and you should hit the top of the Saulire before the first cable car up from Courch. Ski down Creux whilst it's still groomed to perfection. Ski to the Chanrossa lift which will get you over to the Bel Air sector. Stop at the Cheese Refuge just down from the Bel Air restaurant for a hot drink, very very reasonable and friendly. Ski around that area until lunchtime. If the weathers good have a snack lunch at the hut under the Bel Air restaurant. They do hot food. The Bel Air is lovely but quite pricey. Then ski down to Courchevel 1850 whilst everyone's hopefully having lunch. Catch Chenus bubble up to the loze sector. Ski down to the Dos de Lanches chairlift which will take you back to the Meribel valley for the rest of the day. And if you're done in the Rhodos or Saulire bubble back to the Chaudanne. We've often done this circuit with friends at half term and always seem to stay just ahead of the crowds. Telebar d'Adret over in the Rond pont sector is good for mid afternoon refuelling too. Great crepes.
Have fun! 
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Some great tips- thanks!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Can also call in for coffee and book for lunch later .... Sometimes the restauranteurs want to see the whites of your eyes! Bel Air seems impossible to book by phone these days ... Stick to the Plat du Jour and it won't (completely) break the bank ... Also nice for a coffee on the terrace.
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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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Agreed. However be aware that it was written some years ago and is now a bit out of date in places.
A few of the more significant changes:
- from Meribel the "2nd stage of the Tougnete gondola" is now the "Tougnete 2" chair, and the Tougnete drag no longer exists;
- the Pic Noir piste from Col de la Loze is now called Pic Bleu, and the chairlift up (Loze Express) is no longer old and slow;
- the Ramees and Grand Rosiere chairs from Mottaret disappeared well over 5 years ago!
- from Mottaret the first two stages of the Plattiere gondola are now a single combined stage, with "Plattiere 3" a separate lift
- from Val Thorens, "3 Vallees 1" is now Pionniers.
And some of the restaurant info may also be a bit out of date, e.g. not sure that the takeaway beneath L'Arc-en-Ciel could now be described as "budget".
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You know it makes sense.
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@tinabf,
+1 for Courchevel 1650, especially in early part of your week. Should be quieter than Meribel. Good range of slopes, including several cruisy blues and a few challenging reds to progress to. Bel Air mountain restaurant highly rated, not especially cheap. Restaurant/café right at bottom of 1650 slopes, about 50m to right of gondola station (can't remember name) has plenty of outside and inside seating. Prices not bad and food good. One day when we were rushing they allowed us to buy snacks from their outdoor counter, then take inside and eat at table, as it was snowy & cold.
Across and just up road from escalator at base station is Rocky's Bar, British run (Ski Olympic chalet hotel), comfy chairs and reasonable lunches, hot drinks, etc.
To right of slopes at 1650 base station and down side street that leads to main road are a couple of good lunch options on left hand side. One is La Table de Mairie, well established, French run bistro style. Next door is a British run café/bar, can't recall name, but looked friendly and costs reasonable.
Les Menuires south facing slopes good for mainly easy cruising blues and sun. One very good lunch restaurant is L'Ours Blanc, down a small path to left hand side of Doron chairlift, going downhill, (signposted). Full lunch menu fairly pricy but excellent food and service. If you can hold out until 2.15pm, they do a snacky menu where most things cost about 7-10euros and you can still enjoy their sunny terrace or comfortable dining room.
Blue runs down to La Tania usually enjoyable, especially in snowy or flat light conditions. Chrome Bar, just on left in resort centre, before downhill becomes flat, has simple snack & drink offer for 10 euros, eg various burgers with fries and soft drink.
+1 also for Jerusalem red down to St Martin...not too difficult a red and well worth the trip.
My mates Mike and Ade, who were with me in 3V last week, are back again next week, in La Tania and 1650 respectively, with their teenage daughters. They could give you a guided tour if you don't mind getting lost occasionally.
Enjoy!
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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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Ski hire: SlideCandy if they aren't fully booked. Top notch kit delivered to and fitted at your accommodation.
Ski Physio are your go to guys for massage and post injury skiing. They have a no obligation help line to speak to qualified physios throughout your stay
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