 Poster: A snowHead
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Heading back to Les Arcs in feb. Getting the overnight Eurostar and arriving at 6.17am. Anyone recommend anywhere to grab breakfast before the funicular opens at 7.30am?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Macker13, my recollectionis that the le Tonneau just across the road from the station offers a nice breakfast.
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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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Thanks JohnE
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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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We didn't see anywhere obvious out of the station, got coffee and croissant from the cafe in the station.
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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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Worth noting that there's a free shuttle bus from bus platform 6 to the funicular - I had never seen this mentioned anywhere and returning from the mountain (we went up by taxi) we dragged our luggage up and down the footbridge which every website I've seen makes reference to, only to then see at the station that there was a shuttle bus 
Based on my recent experience of a week in Les Arcs, I'd half expect (although I stress I haven't done it myself) to find yourself having to wait for the 2nd or 3rd bus of the day at the top of the funicular for a connecting bus service if you're going to 1800 or 1950/2000, given the likely large number of people travelling up the mountain that way.
Be warned that the Eurostar pre-boarding experience is far worse leaving Bourg than the trip out to Bourg, the check-in and security belts area is little bigger than the average living room, and in the case of our train the passport checks were taking ages for everyone and despite it having snowed continuously for 10 hours no-one had thought about clearing the lying snow from the platform to make it easier with luggage (whereas the SCNF platforms had been cleared). The shambles at Bourg has left me in two minds whether I'd go with Eurostar again, in all other respects I found Eurostar fine, but it must be absolute hell at Bourg during half-term etc. if Eurostar carry on like that.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I wouldn't worry about having to wait for a 2nd or 3rd bus. I've done this numerous times and never had an issue. +1 for Le Tonneau. Are you aware that the overnight Eurostar is a totally dry train, even alcohol in your luggage is prohibited.
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Charley's Factory is right next door to the Funicular. Not sure what time they open on a Saturday,but when I walked past it this weekend at 8am they were open with half a dozen people inside. Might be worth sending them a message via Facebook to ask about opening times.
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thanks all.
Yes aware the overnight train is dry. Shame...might take a "sealed" water bottle with some gin for a little celebratory tipple en route as saw others doing this last time.
I never get Eurostar back from Bourg. I always get SNCF to Paris and change to Eurostar. Much better than the hassle at Bourg.
Pavel - is that a shuttle bus from the station up into the mountain or just along the platform to the funicular?
Cant wait to get there now. Been looking at buying a flat there but concerned over owning abroad when Brexit hits...
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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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" I never get Eurostar back from Bourg. I always get SNCF to Paris and change to Eurostar. Much better than the hassle at Bourg."
Yes, completely agree, after my experience on Saturday evening that's something I'm considering.
The shuttle bus I was referring to goes from the funicular station to the bus station infront of the train station) - on Saturday it was going from platform 6.
And what is it with the automated American announcements at Bourg station ?! - the guy makes La Rosiere sound like Louisiana, and Val D'Isere becomes something like Val De Eiser !.
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I've done the eurostar back from Bourg 3 times and never had an issue.
Getting booze on is easy. Think you've allowed 2 beers each. Then there are numerous ways of concealing it which can add tot he pleasure of the train journey. The important part is to not ruin it for others and if you don't then I see no problem in having a few extra ones.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@pavel38,
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Be warned that the Eurostar pre-boarding experience is far worse leaving Bourg than the trip out to Bourg...
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Hi, sorry to jump in but how bad is it? We're planning to get to Bourg for our return 2 hours before train departure (in the hope of getting through checks before the tour coaches arrive), would that be enough?
Ta.
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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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@Legend., When was the last time you did this, as 2 years ago they introduced zero tollerance to any alcohol on the train what so ever. Given that they scan your bags before you get on I'd say sneaking it through isn't going to happen. Prior to that there was one year that they tried to limit the amount that people took which didn't work. I have personally seen expensive bottles confiscated from passengers. If you are lucky you will get a guard that will keep it for you and return it at the other end, however that's not guaranteed. Just realised we might be talking at cross purposes. I meant for the trip out from London to Bourg, appologies.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 23-01-18 12:40; edited 1 time in total
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You could try putting what you want to take in different containers, but the guards are wise to that and if they have time will check to see if containers are sealed.
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You know it makes sense.
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@pompeyfan, Its not great, the queues usually start a while before the train. In the past we have sat in a bar opposite the station and waited for the queues to die down. However this can be risky on busy trains as the luggage areas get full quickly
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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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Maybe our nightmare pre-boarding at Bourg was a one off, but I doubt it.
Check-in was due to start at 20.50, that came and went, no announcement. About 25 mins staff came out and explained there had been a power cut and their train was affected, said they'd return with more info.
Eventually check-in opened but the area is tiny and one of the two security conveyors wasn't working. So it was a free for all as people tried to put their various bags on one belt, I had a rucksack, double ski bag and large suitcase and it all ended up on the belt at different times.
So, when you got to the end of the belt in this tiny room, there's another free for all as people try to get their possessions off the belt.
Passport control were easily taking 1 minute per passenger, and then the platform was covered in 10 hours worth of snow as it had been falling since noon - whereas all the SCNF platforms had been cleared.
I've travelled with all my gear through countless airports and train stations and it was by far the most shambolic check-in/security process I've experienced.
It wasn't the queues that were the problem, it was the simple reality that the building/facilities Eurostar use isn't fit for purpose.
The most frustrating part was that every other aspect of the Eurostar experience was fine, but completely tainted for us by our experience at Bourg.
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Poster: A snowHead
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The bakeries usually open at 5h30 or 6h. There's about 4 or 5 a few minutes walk from the train station. The one across from the Mairie has a little Salon de Thé area to sit in. Pastries will be warm and fresh.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pavel38, I think they have the same announcer at Moutiers bus station (or did). I still vividly remember despite not being there for several years Courchevel being mangled into Kowtcheval!
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