 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Jimbo94, a bit late to the party but the Monterosa runs are much longer than most, we went for a week at half term in 2016, family of 4, all good black/red run skiers and we were really enjoyed staying in Champoluc, there was only ever one busy lift and plenty of runs, this pic is on strava of a day out to Alagna for lunch and back (& looks like I started the watch late)
I also used to go there for off piste boys trips, there is a lot of terrain available with a guide!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@kitenski, Yeah I will definitely be going there, just not this time, but likely this season 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
I prefer French food though!
|
vs Italian? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@under a new name, Most definitely!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@snowymum,
Like what? I mean, I am no lover of polenta, but still a fine tagliata beats any entrecote hands down.
I guess it's not necessarily down to the menu, I just find that (generalising hugely), Italian restaurants are a much better rapport qualite-prix than French.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@Jimbo94, it would be best just to look at the piste map re. links to the rest of the ski area. It should be evident from that how well connected the two parts are (i.e. not well).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@denfinella, I’d also guess early season even less chance of links opening? We’ve done montgenevre late season and the links were shut. But it snowed mid week to make up for it 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@kitenski, Yeah that was my worry also, BUT Via Lattea opens 7th December and Montgenevre is already blanketed white, with nothing but snow on the forecast so fingers crossed. I wonder if I might check out Serre Chevalier for a day since its so close and its been a resort I’ve been curious about for a while, is there a bus linking Montgenevre to Briancon ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@Jimbo94, No there isn't a ski bus to Serre Chevalier.
However there is a mountain restaurant at the top of the Chalvet gondola called Les Terraces which is excellent. There is also a self service restaurant on the north facing side but you need to be on skis to reach that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Jimbo94, This place is great on the slopes of Claviere - Baita La Coche, gets quite busy at weekends though for lunch. There's also the chance to eat there in the evening if you're staying in Montgenevre, they pick you up and then take you up the mountain on a skidoo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Jimbo94, not surprised about the links so early in the season tbh. With a 2 year old though how far away would you seriously want to be if it was a multi hour/multi lift way back home in case they suddenly became ill?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Jimbo94, a lot of places will not be fully open on 16th December as I don’t think European school holidays start until 23rd.
I think Montgenevre is a good bet given it’s altitude and snow record. As you say it is well above average for childcare too.
I think you will find enough to enjoy there. If not it is a five min taxi to claviere.
If you want a large ski area you’d be best off going to one of the big resorts in the tarantaise but I really wouldn’t bother given that you have a 2 year old. Montgenevre is good for family friendly apres ski with the Durancia pool and it has the monty express rollercoaster.
You will also find enough restaurants when you are there. The village sits between the two parts of the ski area so there are a large number of restaurants you can ski down to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Jimbo94, it still seems like you are looking for perfection in terms of open slopes, snow conditions, childcare, amenities, village charm and more. That would be difficult to achieve even in midwinter as a single skier; as a large group with varied requirements travelling in mid December, it's practically impossible. I think you need to accept that you can't get everything you want, wherever you go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@denfinella, quite.
And make a frickin' decision!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@kitenski, I'm not used to it unfortunately - I've been to Madonna di Campiglio twice in December and both times the resort and connections were fully open except for a couple of runs. Some resorts try and save the snow and opening for the Xmas week, whereas others just open up as long as conditions allow it. I can't understand why they wouldn't open the connection to Claviere since both Claviere and Montgenevre will be fully open, and there is clearly lots of snow. Seems to be some ulterior reason unfortunately
Regarding being far away, I wasn't planning on skiing to the other side of the Milkyway lol, but I like the ability to be able to ski as far away as makes sense, whilst still being reasonably close. Also there is my partner who does not ski anywhere near as much as me, and my grandparents who will be available to help out in case I can't be back immediately, but that being said, I was not planning on being longer than 30mins-1 hour away anyway, but I do ski quite fast I guess and that seems to be causing confusion here 
@snowymum, Yes that's the idea, beat the school holidays, avoid the queues and the people 
5 Minute Taxi to Claviere is a good option, guess that helps out the situation a bit for sure, but I'm sure it can be complicated to get a cab etc hopefully it's not the case
Honestly I do not need an exaggeratedly large ski area, I didn't even look at those areas for the exact reason that I am not going to be going off so far and also because flights are more complicated. I am purposely deciding based on what is good for the kids, but at the same time, we also want to enjoy some good skiing. Montgenvre with the connections open, seemed like a great compromise. It is still be a viable option honestly, was just a bit bummed that Claviere connection isn't even open 
@denfinella, Not perfect at all, will always have to compromise on something, but trick is finding what the best compromise is  In fact my other 2 options are also not bad at all. La Thuile is 150Km, snow sure, and also has ChildCare albeit not the same as Montgenvre, and Champoluc although smaller has the nice long runs which I think will make up for the lack of piste Km's.
To make things clear, we (Mostly my brother and I, my father in law too, but his knees don't allow him to push as hard anymore) are very into the actual skiing itself, and in fact last 2 holidays only stopped twice for lunch and spent the rest of the time skiing full days non stop from lift open to lift close. We usually ski around 50-60Km in a day. This time would be a bit less of course because of the kids, but even MDC (With 150Km) with the kids felt a little too small for 6 days - although that may be due to some of the short runs - The better, longer runs are in Pinzolo and Marilleva
Perhaps we shall just stick with Montgenvre at this point, will decide by the end of the week, @under a new name, sorry for doing your head in mate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Jimbo94, nobody knows if the links will be open or not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I would be surprised if the links aren’t open to Claviere with the new eagle’s rock gondola opening. Unless of course the snow conditions were poor, which is unlikely. Where did you hear that the links wouldn’t be open?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Vialattea always staggers the opening.
Last season was roughly 20% open on Dec 12th, and 80-100% open by Dec 19th.
Vialattea save the best for Xmas.
If you want a big ski area open in mid-Dec, best head to the hardcore spots, like Val Thorens, Tignes, or Cervinia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@Whitegold, Yeah, they do it to save costs and covid didn’t really help with how badly the Italians got hit unfortunately
I think we are just going to stick with Montgenevre, which will hopefully be fully open
I have never been to Val Thorens or Tignes, as its always further and more complicated from Malta, but they are definitely top of my list !
Cervinia, together with Zermatt is great, wasn’t suitable for this trip as nice accommodation is rather scarce and quite expensive. When going without family, i can just stay at the cheap ski in ski out accommodation at Cielo Alto which is more than enough for me
@snowymum, is it relatively easy to get a ski taxis in Montgenevre ? If so would definitely hop over to Claviere once or twice and I also really wanted to scout SC for future trips once I’m up there. Even if just for a day..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snow can are the main airport transfer company from Turin airport and on non transfer days I believe they can do shuttles between the via lattea resorts and Serre Chevalier. Definitely worth asking them…
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Snow cab…
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Ooh, we stayed at le Chalet Blanc in March, it’s lovely!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Super !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@Jimbo94, I took a taxi from a hotel in claviere to Montgenevre once but I’m afraid I can’t remember the company name.
Chalet Blanc is well located for ski to the door but you’d probably need to take your 2 year old on the regular ski bus to the ESF crèche in the resort centre and back.
The advantage of not having the whole monts de lune open is that the lift pass will be cheaper. You also get a free half day starting the day before your six day pass. (At least that was the case when we last went) So if you arrive and can get organised by lunchtime on arrival day you can ski that afternoon
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@Jimbo94, it is an easy ten minute walk in snow boots. Would be longer if you were wearing ski boots and carrying two pairs of skis!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@snowymum, hahaha ok we’ll see then
Definitely will take him ourselves on the first day, but then his grandparents can take him perhaps Otherwise does the bus stop in front of the hotel in the morning ? i assume so ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Got more lovely info this morning
Chalvet side will also be closed (Since it's south facing), and Claviere will only have 2 lifts open, so not worth going there. On the plus side there is in fact a bus to Briancon and Serre Chevalier
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Yes the bus stop is very close to your hotel from what I remember. You will need to get it in the afternoon back to your accommodation or walk in ski boots if the chalvet side is shut. In the morning you will probably be able to ski down to the tremplin lift.
Glad there is a bus to serre chevalier. Is that something special they are putting on for that week or all season? I only remember the resalp coach doing that route but that was more of a transfer coach to take people to and from train stations.
I’m guessing the partial opening is due to the anticipated low numbers rather than likely snow conditions. I expect it will be the same situation in a lot of resorts other than the most well known ski areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
with maths and Italian lessons in the afternoon? 
I don't imagine it'll be any different from any other creche? Or is it just that there's a creche at all?
