 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all. First post here so please be nice 
Having not skied for 6 years I've managed to cobble together a group of 4. One good friend of mine and then another couple.
We're looking at the w/c 15th March so I've been doing alot of research on the more snow-sure resorts. I'm torn though, I think we like the vibe of Austrian resorts a bit more. They seem a bit cheaper on the ground (lunches, beers) and I dunno, I just prefer the attitude over there? That may be conjecture but for all the people recommending France, 3Vs etc. I just think sheesh everything sounds so pricey in the big French resorts....?
So question 1, what would be the more snow-sure resorts in Austria to go at that time of year?
Question 2, I was struggling to find the answer to question 1 so pondered France. Tignes sounded like a good bet but I'm struggling to find accommodation.
In both cases we'd be looking for a catered chalet-hotel. Was looking at a couple of Mark Warner options for Tignes but it seems a little pricey at £1k/pp and very family-orientated. We're all mid-thirties so want a bit of apres, not putting up with screaming kids at breakfast/dinner!
Thanks for any pointers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Are you just looking for accomadation, or flights & transfers included?
Are you only looking for chalet-hotels, or would hotels or chalets also be acceptable?
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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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Preferably accom, flights and transfers included. I'm actually struggling to find the best places to look for accomm only, I'm happy to do that I just don't know where to start! I'd have no issues booking 4 flights and a transfer separately. Easy.
Honestly I'm open to anything. Chalets well there doesn't seem to be much out there (either in Tignes or absolutely nothing in Austria?). Because each twosome don't really know each other we'd probably want 2 rooms with 2 ensuites and the few chalet options I've found seem to cater to big groups that know each other (obviously!) and are happy sharing bathrooms etc. That's probably not for us.
I'm trying not to sound too particular, I'm just not sure where to start... thanks.
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@Scam, welcome to snowHeads 
Would you be prepared to do a late booking? There'll be plenty of availability in the category you're looking at that week. You get to see snow conditions, forecast (ish) and probably save money too.
Can advise likely snowsure resorts but that's a bit limiting if we happen to get a good March for snow, which it has been most years in the last decade or more.
Which airport(s) do you prefer to fly from?
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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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Thanks @PeakyB
I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing wrong, but looking at all the TOs I can think of I'm just not seeing much availability at all. Looking at no more than £1k/pp for catered-accom/flights/transfer seems like it should be plenty! Would prefer to spend around the £800 mark mind...
One caveat is that one member of our group can't fly Sat 14th, so it has to be Sun 15th which seems to count out alot of the TOs.
If you were booking for catered chalet/hotels separatel, what sites would you be looking at?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Scam, Mountainsun's place in Tignes might suit if you're looking for cheap & cheerful. They do have some e/s rooms as I recall
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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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@Scam, Sunday cuts down the field but best day to travel IMO.
Alpine Answers a good site for France, with useful filters and honest descriptions I think.
They feature some Austria, mainly Arlberg valley.
Iglu Ski decent search site too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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| La paix wrote: |
| http://www.thetigneschaletcompany.com/chalet_la_perle.html |
Thanks for this, definitely could be an option. Perhaps a bit too cosy especially if we're lumped in with another group but I guess that's part of the experience.
| red 27 wrote: |
| @Scam, Mountainsun's place in Tignes might suit if you're looking for cheap & cheerful. They do have some e/s rooms as I recall |
Also looks good but judging from my research Les Boisses might be a bit quiet for us in the evenings?
@flangesax thanks for the notes. I had already put a pin on Saalbach as a potential but was struggling to find accommodation. Any pointers? Like I siad, we don't necessarily want a chalet, in fact a catered hotel (or chalet-hotel if you call them that) would probably be preferable
Quiet day at work.. will continue with posted links thanks @crosbie and @Kenzie
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Usually suggest Silverski for cheap late deals and Sunday flights I think. Only two or three resorts and in France but a good base price might offset the higher day to day costs and tempt you. L
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You know it makes sense.
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Have a look at MMV club hotels. There is one in Tignes called Club Hotel les Brevieres. We have not been to that one but went to the MMV run hotel in St Gervais once and it was excellent value.
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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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Thanks for this. Any thoughts on staying in Les Brevieres? It seems a little quieter than Le Lac or Val Claret, I know 2 of our group will probably want to head out for some drinks after dinner most nights (well I'm assuming).
If we're all intermediates I'm assuming getting around the skit area is not much of a faff?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Silverski deffo have availability that week in smaller catered chalets La Tania and Le Praz (the Courchevel side of 3V)..quoting £619 pp with Sunday flight. if you’re a bit rusty, La T might be better if the two for easy skiing access to and from the resort slopes. I worked for them years ago for a season. Their staff tend to be a bit more mature (as was I back then ). They offer very good value.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Perty wrote: |
| Silverski deffo have availability that week in smaller catered chalets La Tania and Le Praz (the Courchevel side of 3V)..quoting £619 pp with Sunday flight. if you’re a bit rusty, La T might be better if the two for easy skiing access to and from the resort slopes. I worked for them years ago for a season. Their staff tend to be a bit more mature (as was I back then ). They offer very good value. |
Thanks for that. I will investigate.
Obviously I was shouting about places like Tignes because I wanted to ensure we had some snow, would La Tania be any risk whatsoever? I'm assuming given it's part of the 3V's it's unlikely (or perhaps we might not be able to ski back to the front door?). Just wanted to weigh up the risk there. Also, how's the nightlife?
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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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@Scam, If it is Austria you want then why not just book an apartment and go self-catered. What that really means for 4 grown ups is get some rolls and Bacon in for breakfast, lunch on the piste, Apres from 4-6pm and then back, quick shower and hit one of the many great restaurants in somewhere like Flachau. Have a look on our Facebook Page for some ideas and drop us a line if you're interested. @flangesax, place in Radstadt would be my top tip if you want someone else to do the cooking!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Scam, La Tania is a snowsure base, with easy access to Courchevel and great long days out potential to Meribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens etc.
Not big on nightlife but a couple of lively bars with music, one has live bands. Most accommodation is either on or a very close walk to /from the slopes.
If nightlife important to you and you’re thinking of Espace Killy, then Val D’Isere is livelier than Tignes. Also La Daille is a good option. Great base for skiing and 10 minutes free bus to/from centre of Val D.
The lower Tignes villages (Brevieres, Boisses, 1800) are quiet. Lavachet might be a better value option than Le Lac centre or Val Claret and is close enough for evening drinks.
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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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Thanks guys. I've had a few back-and-forths with TOs regarding Tignes to no avail, and my eyes are now opened a bit more to 3V. I just can't get over the fact that [a] _everyone_ goes there [b] I've always equated it with being the one of the most expensive resorts out there (bar the silly Swiss ones??)
How do people rate La Tania overall? When I say I'm worried about nightlife, personally if we're in a chalet my friend and I would be perfectly happy to drink all the free wine and retire at a reasonable midnight so as to get the most of the skiing (I live in London, if I want to buy overpriced beer I'll just go out after work  ). But, the other 2 in our group we don't know that well, are a bit younger and possibly would.
Maybe I should just open the discussion up to suggestions of any chalet deals for 15th March, in relatively snow-sure resorts? I've had my eye on Cervinia too but not finding much.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Scam, try https://www.vip-chalets.com
If you want to go budget, then do as @RedandWhiteFlachau suggests, and get a s/c apt - that way you might even bear the loss of the first night if you book Sat/Sat.
Moreover, book your own flights, or, even cheaper, drive out as soon as your "can't fly Saturday" pal is ready.
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Might be too pricey but we stayed once at a chalet hotel in St Christoph (think it was Sporthotel). Slope side (well, bottom). Snow sure and access to Arlberg.
Apres a little quiet but easy enough to ski down to St Anton and bus/taxi back (15 ish mins from hazy memory..anyway not really inconvenient).
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@Scam,
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I had already put a pin on Saalbach as a potential but was struggling to find accommodation. Any pointers?
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If you want my help. just send me a PM with your email address. I can send you my own 20 page, comprehensive guide to Saalbach and the Ski Circus; also some suggested itineraries, and recommendations for accommodation.
It should be borne in mind that catered chalets are not so common in Austrian resorts. The formula of a ready-made, closeted social circle and affordable food and drink works well in France, but they are really not needed in most Austrian resorts, where there is a real social "buzz", and dining out is not only affordable, but, for many, part of the enjoyment of the holiday.
In the last two seasons the middle of March has provided some of the best conditions. Also the flights tend to be cheap, so a good time to visit.
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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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@Scam,
| Quote: |
my eyes are now opened a bit more to 3V. I just can't get over the fact that [a] _everyone_ goes there [b] I've always equated it with being the one of the most expensive resorts out there (bar the silly Swiss ones??)
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3V is one of the best ski areas in the world, so it's not going to be bargain basement. However, if you get a good chalet package deal, that takes care of most of the cost.
When it comes to drinks, lunches, etc, like everywhere else, there are good value places and rip off places. The full area lift pass isn't cheap but I'd say you get a lot of bang for your buck.
In terms of cost, generally avoid Courchevel 1850. La Tania, Le Praz and Les Menuires probably the best value bases, though bargains often crop up in Meribel too.
Nightlife wise, Meribel centre probably the liveliest.
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| La paix wrote: |
http://www.thetigneschaletcompany.com/chalet_la_perle.html
6 beds available for 15th/3rd no connection, but have been trying to get a guide/feel for prices for next season! |
Have you stayed with this people before?
I found them via google and they look interesting for us for next season, so came searching here for any mention of them
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@NickyJ, - Stayed with them twice last season - Really good friendly atmosphere - Hoping to get a week end of this season but will be going with them next season
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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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@Seagull66, brilliant. Thanks
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Don't you think that self-drive and a self-catering apartment is going to be the safest option? In terms of both health and risk of cancellation etc. I just think that the remainder of this season is going to be so uncertain that you'd want to de-risk it as much as possible. And driving down in your own car and having your own place maximises that. I appreciate that for some people, self-catering is anathema and self-driving is tedious. But it might make the difference between having a holiday and not. And you could book the Eurotunnel slots now without necessarily having to choose the destination until later.
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You know it makes sense.
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Have stayed in la Tania, courchevel, and Val thorens. Club Med in VT is great and got an all inclusive trip for 1k a couple of years ago, which included everything (lift pass, am and pm lessons, food, beer, wine, flights, Xfer etc). VT location is gr8 providing there are no whitouts or excessive wind, easy to get to Meribel, and courchevel via Salire. La Tania has one of the best runs to resort, folyeres, have skied it in April and was ok. They have a gr8 pub there, pub le ski lodge, run by Tim Wall, he does snow reports on Latania.co.uk, well worth a look. If I was going in April would choose VT, if in March would go for la Tania......
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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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@Scam, Welcome..
Not trying to scare you but just a realistic take/warning. I am Swiss/Dutch National & we have travel restrictions until at least Mid March.
Are you planning For this season March 2020/2021??
If so forget it . I would not book anything for this season as it is very unlikely French/Austrian/Italian/German resorts will be open for Foreign Tourists.
Traditional February Holidays are OFF for nearly ALL Europeans. This would make the rest of the season un economic to continue..
There is currently no indication when Travel will be allowed so IMO many Ski Areas will Close early this season , possibly as soon as the end of January.
STAY AT HOME
Wait for Next for next season 2021/2022
Should not be problem ...
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Poster: A snowHead
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@LaForet @stanton, the OP is from Jan 2020. I suspect that as their travel date was 15th March 2020 they probably didn't get there.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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LOL @ stanton for wasting her one-troll-per-day on a year-old thread 
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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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| Quote: |
stanton
down a crevasse
Posts: 23532
@Scam, Welcome..
Not trying to scare you but just a realistic take/warning. I am Swiss/Dutch National & we have travel restrictions until at least Mid March.
Are you planning For this season March 2020/2021??
If so forget it . I would not book anything for this season as it is very unlikely French/Austrian/Italian/German resorts will be open for Foreign Tourists.
Traditional February Holidays are OFF for nearly ALL Europeans. This would make the rest of the season un economic to continue..
There is currently no indication when Travel will be allowed so IMO many Ski Areas will Close early this season , possibly as soon as the end of January.
STAY AT HOME
]
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If what you say is true then maybe the tour companies should stop taking bookings and advertising because every single company is taking bookings for this season.
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