 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I’m organising a trip for a group of four guys of mixed ability and La Thuile February 2025 seems to be ticking a lot of boxes for us. Accommodation options seem to be quite limited though as we’re on a bit of a budget, but there are a few decent options on AirBnb etc.
Are there any areas that people would suggest are better/worse than others? Our priorities would just to be conveniently located for access to lifts and shops etc.
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Look at a map.
There is a nice old village and the lifts are a bit of a way with the modern purpose built planibel complex.
Not sure what the skibus situation is like.
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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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I have looked at a map, but I was trying to get some first hand knowledge and opinion, which a map won’t provide.
From what I can tell La Thuile seems to be quite sprawling. It would just be nice to know where the majority of facilities are within the town.
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It's a few years since I was there and things may have changed, but my view then was that the development had been very cleverly thought out so that the old part of the town is separated from the Planibel complex by a river (with a couple of bridges to cross the river). The main access lifts are on the Planibel side.
So for convenience it is tempting to stay at the Planibel complex - hotel or self catering since that gives / gave the easiest access to the main uplift.
Similarly, if staying at Planibel, it is easier and more convenient to shop and eat around the Planibel complex rather than the extra walk into town.
That's my memories of it. Someone with more recent experience will now come along and tell me that I am mis-remembering.
Having said that, I enjoyed it there and would happily stay again either in the old town or at Planibel apartments
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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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Hi @bit_hehe, I'm just back in Tignes after two weeks in La Thuile. Though based in Tignes I'm in La Thuile regularly over the winter.
Indeed, Planibel apartments (or hotel rooms, according to preference) are the most convenient place to stay. You are right by the lifts. There's a small selection of bars and cafés within the complex, a small supermarket and ski rental, all close by.
To walk into the village, where there are about half a dozen more bars and restaurants takes literally 5 minutes (I've timed it).
If you chose to stay in the old village then there is a free shuttle bus on around a half hour schedule.
If you are driving you can park in the Planibel underground car park for about €80 for the week or for free if you head past the caravan site to the old mine works.
During school holidays there will be periods where there are a lot (lot) of kids about within the complex but they're generally tucked up by the evening.
Do let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best.
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Many thanks @bobski62 and @JHS  , some great pointers there and certainly plenty to steer me in the direction of the Planibel complex for the convenience of lift access and shops, bars, cafes and ski rental. Good to know that it's not too far to walk into the older part of the town where there is some additional variety as well.
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We've booked for La Thuile Feb half term 2025. Usually we go to France opting for a ski in/out appt. But I just didn't fancy Planibel (while it's convenient, it's not literally ski in/out I believe). I've booked a large appt for 4 with bus stop out front, near town with free parking - and asked for Sunday to Sunday which I got (we drive and that week we go is an immense school hol week for UK and France). Probably also the cheapest ski appt I've ever booked and have heard Italy much cheaper for eating out than France!
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@bit_hehe, What dates are you thinking?
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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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@kettonskimum, food is good, but the hot chocolate is what sticks in my mind
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It's cheaper, but I wouldn't call it "much cheaper", comparing like for like. If you compare a minor Italian resort with, say, the Three Valleys, fair enough!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Origen, we're on our way home from Val Thorens. Ate out a couple of times, family of 4. Quite expensive!
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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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There are ski/boot lockers in the basement of the Planibel, virtually next to the Bosco Express chairlift, that can be rented from OnlySki (express), irrespective of whether you rent skis with them or not.
Typically we rent an AirBnB in the village, walk to the lockers in regular shoes and change in the basement.
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I agree with @wsirhc’s strategy. The old village is really nice with some good restaurants. When we stayed we had a b&b, leaving our gear in the lockers at Planibel.
We caught the bus over in the morning and then walked back in the evening with a stop or two for refreshments on way (a small beer was always accompanied by some snacks which was nice).
Planibel is very well appointed for the slopes but we enjoyed seeing the village and as 4 blokes (no children) a 5-10 minutes wander without kit shouldn’t harm you.
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You know it makes sense.
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Some gold here, thank you all. @kettonskimum, we’ll be there 8-15th February which I think might is the week before half term (in the UK at least - though I may be wrong there). I have a week in Montgenevre with my family the preceding week, so will be calling by Turin airport to drop off said family and pick up mates en route.
It’s good to get some opinion on village v’s Planibel, thank you @wsirhc and @EdYarker, I’ll definitely look there too.
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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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@bit_hehe, I've stayed in the Planibel apartments which are basic but ok. My wife didn't ski some days so I returned to the apartment for lunch - very do-able. You can ski down closer to Planibel than the lifts. Also the pass covers Cormayeur which you can get to on the bus where the pass also includes the Monte Bianco Skyway cable car up to 3466m which is quite an experience imv - if weather good you can see the Aguille du Midi. Also some decent restaurants in the old part of La Thuile and the best hot chocolate I've had in the Alps.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@wsirhc, Quick question - are these lockers heated (for ski boots). If not, is it just one locker for boots and skis and are they generous for a family of 4?
We're in an AirBnB next Feb but it's near a bus stop so was planning to just take that. However the lockers sound appealing and are obviously indoors not out.....it's just that where we stayed recently in France had lockers and we could only just get the skis and poles in. Had to sneak our boots upstairs into the appt.
And any indication of cost? Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Is their much apres in La Thuile ?
Am also considering for a group of middle aged fellas .
We don’t need dancing on the table for sure but somewhere reasonably lively would be good.
Have stayed in La Ros many times with family and always liked the skiing in La Thuile (lovely empty pistes).
Residence Planibel used to get some woeful reviews but reading between the lines it looks like it has been getting refurbished ?
Some more recent tripadvisor reviews are quite good.
Anyone visited since that happened ?
Crystal goes there - £583 pp mid Jan including flights and transfers which on paper is tremendous value. I am assuming it can’t be done cheaper DIY
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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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Yes, all the apartments are now refurbished and are quite nice. The communal areas still a little tired. Buvette is now quite lively especially evenings, since it changed hands.
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@sheffskibod, for me, £583, presumably s/c, isn't tremendous value in Jan for what I consider an average resort. I much prefer the GM which you might get for similar money. But things have gone up of course - we went to La Thuile in March 2018 with Crystal for £299 pp (admittedly booking late but that's when you get good value).
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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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The basement is at room temperature, and pretty dry - at the end of the day there will be a bit of melted snow on the floor, but it's all evaporated by the next morning.
There are lockers for 4 skiers - these take 4 pairs of skis + poles and the locker also contains 4 shelves which each will take a pair of boots. 23/24 season these were 10EUR per night.
There are also lockers for 2 skiers which take 2 pairs of skis, poles and boots. 23/24 season these were 5EUR per night.
I have always organised these in advance at the same time as ski rental.
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| billb wrote: |
| @sheffskibod, for me, £583, presumably s/c, isn't tremendous value in Jan for what I consider an average resort. I much prefer the GM which you might get for similar money. But things have gone up of course - we went to La Thuile in March 2018 with Crystal for £299 pp (admittedly booking late but that's when you get good value). |
What’s the GM ?
Point taken about late deals - we might instead all book a week off either mid Jan or early March (week after French hols finish) and pick something last minute depending on conditions …
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I had read GM as Grand Massif.
We drive/DIY ski hols and going to La T next year in Feb half term having only gone to France for numerous years due to shorter driving distances (have to due to it being a GCSE year). Getting fed up of travelling/staying on busy roads/high ski traffic resorts when our holiday week clashes with Paris (which it does again). But will probably switch to Easter going forward anyway.
Heard Italy was quieter so thought we'd give it a go. Found an appt with parking for 750 Euros for the week (we usually have to spend a minimum of 1300 Euros) and asked if we could do Sunday to Sunday which they were fine about (bonus!).
Out of our comfort zone a little, but ticking lots of boxes.
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Assuming that the £583pp doesn't include lift passes (a quick look on the Crystal website suggests not) then doing DIY would be cheaper.
Ryanair currently has flights for around £120pp return (inc. 20kg suitcase/skicase) from Stansted to Milan Bergamo for 18-25 Jan and cars rental is currently being advertised at under £100 for the week (with a few "SUVs" being advertised at under £150 for the week).
The only unknown is the cost of accommodation as individual AirBnB owners may not have released everything yet, however, there is currently one appartment for 4 people for 18-25 Jan being advertised at £750 for the week, however, others currently advertised are in the £1,250 - £1750 range for that week.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@sheffskibod, just to confirm, GM is the Grand Massif which is Flaine linked to Les Carroz, Samoens, Morillon and Sixt - 260km of very accessible pistes as opposed to La Thuile's 160km. The home runs in La Thuile aren't the easiest and there is no "bowl". For me, the Flaine bowl is far superior.
True, you can ski over to France from La Thuile but it's a bit of a schlep imv. Still, horses for courses. La Thuile is a nice old village and Italy is generally cheaper for food and drink.
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Just my opinion but staying at Planibel definitely makes life much easier and both the one and two bedroom apts are decent. Worth noting that we had bunk beds in the second bedroom last time though. Can be booked through Planibel website, booking.com or Crystal Ski although the bargain prices that used to exist with Crystal are now sadly a thing of the past. Good size swimming pool as well if you like a proper swim.
As recommended by @wsirhc the ski lockers at OnlySki are a very good idea as you can ski back to just across the road and it's just a short walk in the morning to the Bosco Chair. Also the best place to hire from as we they have the top brands like Stockli etc. On one trip we were given lockers in the basement of Planibel Hotel but decided to pay extra at Only Ski for the convenience as we'd used them before.
Would also recommend the Ski Lab (only a few euros to get skis waxed), just ask at Only Ski and they'll tell you were it is.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Double post so edited.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Sat 25-05-24 13:56; edited 1 time in total
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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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Hi there. I live in La Thuile for 6 months of the year (fbrexit). This info may be a bit late but here goes:
- La Thuile is reasonably small and walkable from most places. That said some places advertise as being in La Thuile when really they are in Thovex which is the next village and is a long-ish walk (20mins) or a (free) bus ride. It is cheaper though.
- Planibel is next to the gondola and lifts. But is a pretty dated.
- High end accommodation include Chalet Eden (closest to slopes) and Montana Lodge
- Mid-range accommodation include Hotel Boston D’Or (closest to slopes) and Chalet Alpina
- Budget accommodation include some of the rooms in Planibel and Camping Rutor (has self-contained pods as well as caravans)
- Snow pass - there are lots of options such as day pass, consecutive days, 5 days in 7 week etc. so you can choose the best for you. Your best bet is to buy your pass online. The only queue in La Thuile is at the ticket office. You can purchase tickets on EspaceSanBernard app or lathuile.it
- Snow pass includes La Rosiere as well. You can board to La Rosiere. There is a long drag-pull back to La Thuile.
- Avoid getting to the lifts at 10am. It is the time the ski schools go out and it gets busy.
All in my opinion:
- Best gelato: La Cremerie
- Best hot chocolate: Chocolat Colomb
- Best on-slope lunch: Il Punto Gi and Offshore bar (more for location than food)
- Best on-slope beer and burger: Le Petite Skier
- Best dinner: Lo Tata and Maison Blanche
- Best Apre-bar: La Thuile is not a party place. There is amazing food but very limited drinking nightlife. If that is what you are after, La Thuile is not the place for you. But for a late-ish night drink and dance - La Buvette.
Closest airport: Turin then Malpensa. You can fly in to Geneva but the Mont Blanc tunnel adds costs and there can be a lot of traffic.
I love La Thuile - it is a happy place with wicked slopes, great food and nice people.
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@adamwhu,
Love La Thuile as well and would happily ski there forever but the family insisted we went somewhere different last season.
Other thing is a group of friends went there on my recommendation and didn't really rate it. Now my reasoning is they probably didn't ski the right areas at the right times. For example sometimes it's clear blue skis over in La Rosiere with virtually zero visibility high up in La Thuile but if you know the way over it's really not that difficult. When I quizzed them about skiing on the French side it was pretty obvious they'd either not been or just taken a quick look.
Pretty niche resort though so maybe not for everyone (which is good for us).
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You know it makes sense.
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| kettonskimum wrote: |
| @bit_hehe, What dates are you thinking? |
Hi kettonskimum, so sorry, I got distracted there for a few months and see there's now loads more comments. Some great advice here, thanks to all that have posted!
We'll be there 8th-15th February. Would be great to meet up with any other SHs for a slide +/- beverage if anyone is there at the same time
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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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La Thule is as others have described very quiet and not an apres sort of place.
I’ve stayed at planibel, it’s pretty handy for slopes, not ski in ski out but very close to it. I’m not that enamoured with the ski area at la thuile tbh. If the wind is blowing the wrong way or too much the lifts get closed and access to la rosiere (much better) is removed. It does have some nice mountain restaurants though reasonably priced. The one off to the left at the top of the gondola maison carrel I think - nice views! Also recommend le crèche in village for food!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks @v1cky24, thanks for sharing  , I'll add the suggestion for the mountain restaurant and le créche to those from @adamwhu. TBH its a bit of a discovery trip, mainly looking for a new place with reliable snow conditions that won't break the bank.
In terms of alternatives if La Thuile and La Rosiere are closed due to conditions, am I right in thinking that Courmayeur (and others) are within a reasonable striking distance for a plan B? Seems like there are some decent options (50% off IIRC) that go with the La Thuile lift pass, including Verbier and others...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@bit_hehe, we went to Courmayeur just before Christmas last year, and did the opposite - drove to La Thuile for an excellent day's (very quiet) skiing. Our Aosta pass gave us a day at one of the other resorts. The drive was about 20 minutes, from memory. But there is also a bus that runs between the two.
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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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@bit_hehe, I’ve done one week in Jan 2023 and a few days there before from Courmayuer, I really like both areas ski wise, La Thuile having better conditions but it can be very cold, so take layers and bluffs etc. I stayed a 10 min walk from the gondola and found it a nice warm up, warm down each day. The best skiing is imo away from the runs that are under the express lift from the top of gondola both left and right and over the ridge towards La Ros. It didn’t feel like a party town, but that’s not my thing, good value and good food along with the skiing is.
Would I go back, yes absolutely, I’ll be there in 2025 at some point although I will be staying in Courmayuer as we paid a deposit on an apt in Courmayuer just before Covid and haven’t been able to get back there so far, we’re very grateful to the apt owners for honouring it after 5 years. We fly as a family to MXP and hire a car in Courmayuer, I went solo to La Thuile with TUI which was good as well.
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@Jammy 07, it’s all about opinions eh. Glad you also like the area
@bit_hehe, I am going to be there for the season again. Will be trying the new Step-ons. Hopefully it won’t send me back to being a noobie again!
Some additional comments/opinions - La Thuile can be cold - marketed as the Wild side of Mont Blanc (which I quite like). I like La Rosiere. The slopes and mountain restaurants are great. I don’t find the off-piste as exciting though. Courmayuer is a really beautifully village. I liked the slopes but they are not as technical as La Thuile, and a little more limited. After 2 days I was done. I really liked Pila.
Where ever you go, enjoy!
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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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I've only skied La Thuile when staying elsewhere. It didn't strike me that there was much going on in the village. I'd guess that the apres and evening goings on would revolve around a couple of pretty quiet bars.
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@Mollerski, you are right, often there isn’t a lot going on. It’s not that sort of place. La Buvette and Planibel do some music and a bit of dance. The restaurants are good.
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| adamwhu wrote: |
| I like La Rosiere. The slopes and mountain restaurants are great. I don’t find the off-piste as exciting though. |
The best off-piste is off the top of Mont Valaisan. Plenty exciting. We skied the bowl off the back 4 times last time we were there, with hardly any other tracks.
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Thanks @snowball, I’ll check it out.
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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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For the back bowl, you go over the back and traverse hard right till you hit the open bowl. I was with a guide. You probably need a guide to tell you it is avalanche safe (or not).
There is also skiing down on the La Thuile side, though I notice that some of what I think I skied is now marked as a wildlife protection area.
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Cheers @snowball that is really useful. I’ve been up Belvedere then hiked up Bella Valletta for some amazing off-piste. Really long. Also at the top of Belvedere, there is another option - to go towards Verney for a fast off-piste run.
I am looking forward to trying your Mont Valaisan suggestion. Cheers mate.
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