 Poster: A snowHead
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TRAVEL
As a mixed group of 12 each couple had different arrangements.
We chose the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe £150 return, travelling out on Friday morning (11:00) and back on Sunday evening (16:00). Outward was a bit rough but better on the way back. It is approx 4 hour crossing, onboard food was fine.
We chose to overnight in Troyes both ways and avoided Paris. We used the Ibis Styles in the centre with the secure underground car park. On the way back we had time to eat at the Little Korea restaurant, good food and reasonable prices.
One group chose to fly Gatwick to Chambery and had a nightmare. Outbound flight delayed by nearly 3 hours, then no trains running, then taxi wanting €600 to take 2 people to Les Menuires. Hotels mostly full and probably no trains on Sunday either. Another couple eventually did the 3 hour return car trip to collect them. Their return flight was also delayed by nearly 3 hours and arrived in Gatwick too late for the London trains and a £100 taxi home.
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed at Chalet Snow Dream from Chalets Lacuzon in Le Bettaix. A nice 6 en-suite bedroom chalet with a Spa area with hot tub and sauna. Ski hire was very close and the lift and piste (bettex) only 150m away.
There is no shuttle bus to Les Menuires so link is via chair lift and ski back. The chair can be used by pedestrians.
Internet was a bit patchy but should improve with fibre next year.
The village has no bars or restaurants and is very quiet so apres ski drinking needs to be on the way back, in Les Menuires.
CATERING
The chalet is rented on a self catering basis. We arranged for a private chef who provided breakfast every day (one day by bread delivery only) 6 days of afternoon snacks and a 3 course evening meal with wine.
Catering by Jacolijn was excellent. She catered for everyone's allergies, intolerances, dislikes and veggies. She provided something cooked each morning in addition to cereals, croissants etc., bread and yoghurt. Afternoon snacks included baked Camembert, sausage rolls, crisps, cheese, charcuterie flan and bread. Flexible about extra dinner guests at €30pp per night.
On the chef's day off we had a cocktail masterclass followed by a (self catered) raclette and fondue evening.
THE SKIING
Much has been said elsewhere about the pistes that week. In summary:
soft and claggy on Sunday and Monday (even high up)
snowing most of Tuesday so a rest day
Bluebird day Wednesday with fresh snow, skied over to Courchevel 1650 on good pistes but queues in LM and Meribel were horrendous. Locals declared it the best day of the season.
Thursday and Friday the pistes were still largely ok but getting slushy in the afternoon. Val T much nicer than Les Menuires.
Lots of out of control skiers on crowded pistes, many on fat skies which didn't look suitable for their ability level or the piste conditions.
THE COSTS
the Chalet was €4300 for the week (€358.33pp) plus local taxes www.chalets-lacuzon.com
The chef (Jacolijn from Jacolijn's Catering Service – www.jacolijnscateringservice.com ) €280 pp
Lift pass €325 from the Chalet owner, cheaper than the tribu rate.
Tolls €157.40
Diesel €200 plus UK top-up about £30
hotels €216.58 incl breakfast and parking for 2 nights, 2 people
Cocktail masterclass €44.25pp reduced rate for repeat business. Www.cocktailmasterclass.fr
Food on chef's night off approx €14pp
Total €1408.57pp and about £15.
Other costs for lunches, coffees etc. are your choice so not included.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 31-03-23 12:42; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for the report, sounds like a great trip.
Thinking of doing something in the area with Jacolijn next year, so many thanks for the heads up. We did a self catered apartment this year with a catering service and thought it was a great way to go.
Never.fly.to.Chamberey.
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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: |
Never.fly.to.Chamberey
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and research transfer costs and snags
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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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That's a great price imv.
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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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@tarrantd, I seem to recall there was a Scandi run restaurant / bar down there, I take that has gone now?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| stevew wrote: |
| @tarrantd, I seem to recall there was a Scandi run restaurant / bar down there, I take that has gone now? |
Yes nothing at all in the village now. There is a German "sports club" but I don't think it is open to non residents.
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