 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| snowfranck wrote: |
I was there for a long weekend and left yesterday evening.
It snowed last week, with the snow/rain limit around the altitude of Les Menuires. The higher you go, the better the snow. Skiing in Val Thorens is definitely an excellent option—that’s where we spent most of our time, and we had a great experience. Orelle is also very good. The higher section of La Masse has good conditions, but the lower slopes are icy. We didn’t ski off-piste, the avalanche risk was quite high.
Have a great time! |
great to hear. thanks for the heads up. was worried for a while cause some of my friends told me that Europe is having an off season this time round. looking forward to it !!
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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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| spankys ladder wrote: |
great to hear. thanks for the heads up. was worried for a while cause some of my friends told me that Europe is having an off season this time round. looking forward to it !! |
Are they really friends? 
Over the last 3 weeks, I skied 7 days in Tignes/Val d’Isere and 3 in Val Thorens/Les Ménuires. Definitively not an off season: plenty of snow and brilliant sunshine!
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I'm in Meribel right now and there is lots of squeaky powder above 1500 m. Wall to wall blue sky and sunshine all week. I'll probably not get 7 consecutive days of such great skiing again if I lived to be 100. The place is relatively deserted. Several times today I stopped at the side of the piste and found myself in complete silence (not a breath of wind) and not another living soul to be seen in any direction.
OK, so lower down the snow cannons have been on near the resort and its a bit icy from last weeks rain. But 90% of the terrain is fantastic. I'm having a great time except that somebody stole my new gloves from the boot room. The skiing crowed are such scum bags, but what can you do.
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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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Hello guys, I'm going on the EoSB in April but I need to be back in the UK on the Saturday so will need to leave early. Can anybody tell me the best way of getting back to Geneva on the Friday? There's two of us but would rather not get a taxi as I know this will be expensive.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Or hire a car in Geneva and drive yourself back. You get a pretty good deal at that time of year I imagine.
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@Bra1ny, cheapest solution might be service bus to Moutiers, then trains - if timings work out for you.
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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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Hi, sorry to ask here while the conversation is already side tracked on this topic
We're looking at a family holiday to VT or Les Menuires going out April 12 for a week. I am not experienced at booking transfers and wondered if there are any companies local to VT/ 3V that may offer better value than what I've found via (what I assume to be) the big operators on Google.
From Geneva for 2 adults and a 5yo It seems the option is either an inconveniently-timed coach at £50pp or a private car/van at £850-1000+. Is that just the price nowadays? Are there any options in the middle ground? At the moment hire car is looking good (but I'm not overly keen).
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I find the three hour wait for the coach intolerable so for any of the big French ski resorts I generally fly to Chambery. To Meribel is 75 minutes and you pay Eu90 for a week parking. For three people it is not a lot more than taking the coach.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@silentice, I’d drive if it’s a big saving. So long as car is properly equipped it is easy. The altibus is also fine (if times work). Mountain express are 850 euros to LM (return) which is less than you are quoting in £ and we used them once with good results.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Wed 15-01-25 9:37; 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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Incidentally in all my days booking transfers in France I have never found a local guy who’ll do it for significantly less. Generally companies who do transfers do transfers and you can shave off a few euros here and there comparing the different companies but not a huge amount. Although a findtransfers.com might be worth doing so long as you use well reviewed companies. I once saved a few hundred euro by finding a guy in Switzerland who was from out of town and happy to charge quite a bit less. From Zurich though.
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Morning guys,
I arrive in Reberty on Sunday for a week.
My wife has Surefoot boots which are sore on her feet post second pregnancy; Looking on the Surefoot website there is no shop in 3V but google tells me there is in Courchevel, Is this a full blown shop where they will help her on Monday? Right now I am thinking a trek there first thing after the two kids go to day care.
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You know it makes sense.
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@scottydonald, Surefoot Courchevel has closed down (and Google says that). They've more or less pulled out of Europe, only store left in France is Val d'Isere plus stores in Verbier in CH, London and Oslo.
The best boot fitters in the region are the Boot Lab in Meribel. https://thebootlab.co.uk/
If you ski across to Meribel and down to the escalator above the tourist office, you can just walk up the road to their shop.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Wed 15-01-25 10:34; edited 1 time in total
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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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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
| @scottydonald, Surefoot Courchevel has closed down (and Google says that). They've more or less pulled out of Europe, only store left in France is Val d'Isere plus stores in Verbier in CH, London and Oslo. |
ahhh thank you, was afraid of that. It was the Val shop she got her boots. I have liners and love them.
Now if she needs new boots is there any recommendation for boot fitter in VT or Les Menuires?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@scottydonald, see original post which I was editing as you posted.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
@scottydonald, Surefoot Courchevel has closed down (and Google says that). They've more or less pulled out of Europe, only store left in France is Val d'Isere plus stores in Verbier in CH, London and Oslo.
The best boot fitters in the region are the Boot Lab in Meribel. https://thebootlab.co.uk/
If you ski across to Meribel and down to the escalator above the tourist office, you can just walk up the road to their shop. |
+1 - they are excellent fitters with a very good after-sale service too (Mrs F swears by them)
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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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| ronniescott wrote: |
I generally fly to Chambery
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Chambery is closer and hopefully April would be fine. We've only flown there once but would normally avoid it from that experience, will still check it out so thanks for the suggestion.
@abricotine, thanks for info. I just wondered since I assumed the big companies just contract it out to local gigs and there's a markup being added somewhere. But I wouldn't blame the local co's just charge the same if they can.
I recall my brother not wanting to be picked up at 8am in Deux Alpes by coach for their 6pm flight and found a local taxi who took them for €150 total. But that was probably in 2017 or so.
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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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| silentice wrote: |
Hi, sorry to ask here while the conversation is already side tracked on this topic
We're looking at a family holiday to VT or Les Menuires going out April 12 for a week. I am not experienced at booking transfers and wondered if there are any companies local to VT/ 3V that may offer better value than what I've found via (what I assume to be) the big operators on Google.
From Geneva for 2 adults and a 5yo It seems the option is either an inconveniently-timed coach at £50pp or a private car/van at £850-1000+. Is that just the price nowadays? Are there any options in the middle ground? At the moment hire car is looking good (but I'm not overly keen). |
I can't vouch for this site but worth a look. https://www.snowcompare.com/
I have used https://www.findtransfers.com/ a few times and never had an issue with the private transfer we used.
I think your quote seems expensive.
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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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@silentice, generally I’ve used companies with their own vans, not this arrangement, eg mountain express. I paid €320 for a one way in 2022 from St Martin (midweek). Prices have definitely increased since Covid! Findtransfers.com will go out to all the smaller companies as well so that’s worth a try first IMO
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| silentice wrote: |
Hi, sorry to ask here while the conversation is already side tracked on this topic
We're looking at a family holiday to VT or Les Menuires going out April 12 for a week. I am not experienced at booking transfers and wondered if there are any companies local to VT/ 3V that may offer better value than what I've found via (what I assume to be) the big operators on Google.
From Geneva for 2 adults and a 5yo It seems the option is either an inconveniently-timed coach at £50pp or a private car/van at £850-1000+. Is that just the price nowadays? Are there any options in the middle ground? At the moment hire car is looking good (but I'm not overly keen). |
Yes. About 50 Euros pp each way is the going rate for transfers nowadays, using Alpybus, Ben's Bus or Alpine Fleet. Altibus costs about €80 pp each way  .
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| scottydonald wrote: |
| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
| @scottydonald, Surefoot Courchevel has closed down (and Google says that). They've more or less pulled out of Europe, only store left in France is Val d'Isere plus stores in Verbier in CH, London and Oslo. |
ahhh thank you, was afraid of that. It was the Val shop she got her boots. I have liners and love them.
Now if she needs new boots is there any recommendation for boot fitter in VT or Les Menuires? |
Mrs B and I have each bought boots (2 pairs, over the years, in the case of Mrs B) in Zenith Sports in Val Thorens. We had excellent service on each occasion. They guarantee a comfortable fit and were only too happy to blow out (by about 2mm) a pressure point on the shell of 1 of my boots 3 days after I bought them.
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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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After the crowds over New Year and the unsettled weather last week, conditions have returned to bright, sunny, cold weather with relatively few people on the slopes. The snow cannons have been churning out snow over night. It still pays to get out early and stay high to get the best on piste conditions. Off-piste the snow has gone from very good last Tuesday; to very wet and heavy at the end of the week; improving over the weekend with the colder temperatures; to getting rather crusty in most areas that have caught the sun. There is still some powder to be found on North facing slopes, though many areas are wind swept. Suisse at 9.20 am.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 15-01-25 17:51; edited 1 time in total
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@Mike S, lucky you. Looks absolutely divine.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| franga wrote: |
| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
@scottydonald, Surefoot Courchevel has closed down (and Google says that). They've more or less pulled out of Europe, only store left in France is Val d'Isere plus stores in Verbier in CH, London and Oslo.
The best boot fitters in the region are the Boot Lab in Meribel. https://thebootlab.co.uk/
If you ski across to Meribel and down to the escalator above the tourist office, you can just walk up the road to their shop. |
+1 - they are excellent fitters with a very good after-sale service too (Mrs F swears by them) |
Thank you guys. Just tried the boots on again there and certainly one of her feet is sore.
Have contacted them for an appointment on Monday.
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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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@scottydonald, do you need directions to the escalator or do you know Meribel?
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You know it makes sense.
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I found some of the pistes in Meribel quite icy this afternoon. I'm no expert but it seemed not as good as yesterday.
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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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@offpistesking Wow! I stand corrected. Looks very nice.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I had my first visit to La Belle Vie- the new pool and wellness centre in St Martin this afternoon. It also includes a v large new Salle de Fêtes for the village.
https://sogevab.com/la-belle-vie-st-martin-eng-2/
Very nice, though I think they were under pressure to finish, so there are a few issues like poor signage, messy paint finishes, and, in the relaxation area, a water leak dripping through the ceiling.
At the wellness end:
4 saunas, one in particular with a funky glazed wall overlooking St M towards Le Chatelard. Decent sized steam room (more my thing), and an indoor outdoor pool with bubbles and a fab view. Also various spa treatments available, though didn’t go for a treatment.
The main indoor pool isn’t quite what I expected. Call me old fashioned, but for a chunk of the €15 million I would have wanted a 20-25m pool that I could actually do some laps in. This is a leisure pool of a decent size, but with a submerged circular seating area in the middle which effectively means there is a 2m wide space in which to do lengths, a raised spa/hottub area at one end and then what is clearly intended to involve streams of water flowing into the pool (the purpose of which are lost on me, other than aesthetics).
It’s overall a very positive addition to the village. Can’t wait to use the outdoor pool in the summer.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Mike S, the challenge is getting away from any existing skier tracks...!! Has been quite surprising how good it has stayed on most aspects.
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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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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
| @scottydonald, do you need directions to the escalator or do you know Meribel? |
I am a Val/Tignes skier. When skiing in Europe I mainly go that area.
Last time I was in 3V was VT 10 years ago. But probably done 8 weeks here or so but mainly as a kid.
Tried to look on the map and to ski there seems aim for Teppes lift then down to Meribel from there on the red then blue. Seems just on the Main Street, can’t seem to see an escalator.
So yes a little help would be great, please?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@scottydonald, no problem, I don't think too many people could find the escalator on skis unless they've stayed in Meribel centre or are local and the directions on the Boot Lab website could easily be misinterpreted. I never knew it existed before I did a season there (although it was steps then).
The easiest way to explain it is to find your way to the Rhodos lift and get off at the mid-station. Ski down the blue Doron piste for about 400m where it turns left just after the magic carpet lift and downhill through the trees. Roughly level with the bottom of the Adret lift on your left, the piste splits in two. 95% of people will be taking the left fork but you need the right fork. Follow it round to the left where it becomes a path and after about 200m there is a wideish short piste on your right. Take that piste and the escalator is at the bottom on the right where the piste flattens out before it turns into a path again. At the bottom of the escalator, just walk straight on up the hill with all the shops on your right, the Boot Lab is almost at the end of the row of shops under the supermarket.
In terms of how you get to Meribel, well there's so many options. Teppes is a steepish poma but the red off the top (Julie) is nice. Bartavelle black is nice in good snow but may be big bumps. You'll end up in Mottaret from where you can access the Truit green into Meribel Chaudanne. The not-obvious-at-all entrance to Truit is in-between the tourist office and the snack bar that you'll see in the lowest corner of the shops and restaurants on the far side as you enter Mottaret. Alternatively you could take Pas du Lac and have a ski into Meribel from either the top or the mid-station. From the mid-station you should take the steps underneath as you exit and then the path next to the restaurant. At the end of the path all pistes lead to either the top or bottom of Rhodos.
From Reberty in early morning, I would probably take the Sunny and work across to Roc 2, then cut across from the blue to Mouflon red and into Mottaret that way. The blue Sitelle and Martre are often cut up but can be nice early on so it's a rare opportunity but all the routes have their own merits. You could carry on past Teppes to St Martin Express and then have a nice ski through the trees into Meribel but bear in mind the long flat blue (Pelozet) to the Express requires good gliding skills to avoid poling.
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Head down from the Rhodos mid station following signs to Meribel Center. Keep a very sharp eye out for a rightward arrow saying "Commerse". It gets steep and icy so the entrance to the escalator might be difficult to spot, hard right, kind of hidden till you reach it. You'll know if you passed it because you will find yourself on a narrow catwalk back down to Rhodos.
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THank you @Je suis un Skieur, @ronniescott, @JDL65
I will hopefully hit the escalator, Will probably get the Roc2 method to get into Meribel valley then head up the other side and ski down, appointment is at 11 so we have 2 hours to get there after kid pickup! Just need to make sure my wife is efficient and not too upset leaving the 11 month old!
Her boots are just one sore big toe on her right so hopefully it doesn't take too long as I hate missing ski time!
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I just came down from Rhodos mid station to the escalator. As I said, you have to follow two black arrow signs pointing to "Commercial". They will be on your right but they are small so slow right down at every sign to make sure you don't miss it. After the second arrow there will be a wide, steep, icy piste. Where it narrows down to a cat walk the escalator is hard on the right. It is totally brilliant way to access the town.
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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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| ronniescott wrote: |
| I just came down from Rhodos mid station to the escalator. As I said, you have to follow two black arrow signs pointing to "Commercial". They will be on your right but they are small so slow right down at every sign to make sure you don't miss it. After the second arrow there will be a wide, steep, icy piste. Where it narrows down to a cat walk the escalator is hard on the right. It is totally brilliant way to access the town. |
Thank you.
really looking forward to the icy piste then sitting roasting as I watch my wife's boot get operated on!
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Quick question. I'm off to VT on Saturday and would like to do some mogul training. Does anyone know if the Bartavelle run in Meribel has got sizeable moguls formed? If not would you know if there are any black runs with well sized moguls currently?
Thanks
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FAQ
