 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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Flaine would probably be ok at that time of the year (other parts of the GM perhaps not), but La Plagne would probably be more reliable.
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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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We stayed in Flaine a few years back for the very last weekend of the season, as a last minute thing. We had a great time, but there was no doubting that it was the end of the season. Extremely slushy at resort level, and the other bits of the Grand Massif that hadn't already closed were softer still. It didn't spoil our enjoyment but, had it been for a week, I suspect we'd have regretted not going somewhere higher.
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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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I would vote Les Arcs, good altitude range, well connected so can easily zip back for end of lessons, lots of easy blues. I always feels it connects better than la plagne. Where ever you go it is likely to be a slush fest lower down in the afternoon. However with modern snowmaking there is always fun to be had. Something quite fun about ripping down a white ribbon of snow with green fields either side!
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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 been to la plagne in April once and the snow was good. I’ve also skied across many times from les arcs ( where I ski most aprils) and with the exception of the very bottom the skiing has been good. Choose one of the higher villages. I’ve only been to flaine once, in January, so cannot comment on its snow reliability.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@LJMaddog, welcome to SH's.
Definitely no problem in La Plagne in early April. Actually a great time of the year for a first trip.
You could however save some money going to a smaller resort as beginners don't need the km of La Plagne. Somewhere like Valmeiner for instance - with 70% of the ski area is above 2000 meters.
But there is a lot going for La Plagne also.
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La Plagne that late in the season, or anywhere else quite high.
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@LJMaddog, welcome to Snowheads.  where in La Plagne are the " in-budget deals"? Location is key. Some accommodation will be more convenient for the ski school meeting place than others - and ease of getting back and forth, in clompy unfamiliar boots and carrying skis - will have a big influence on how much they like skiing. Also, not all ski schools are created equal (and not all will meet in the same place). Can't advise on La Plagne but there will be people here who can.
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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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Been to La Plagne 3 times in April and was good each time. We were there last year and below 1700m it was slushy but above that and certainly once you get above 1900m it was great and plenty of blues and reds to go on. So if you can, I would stay in the slightly higher villages. Plagne Centre was fine in the morning but pretty cut up after lunchtime so you are (I think for the snow at least) better in Belle Plagne.
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Been to both. Go to la plagne and stay in belle plagne. Flaine could be problematic at that time of year . Less risk at la plagne.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Belle Plagne gets my vote too. Cheaper accommodation in La Plagne may be less accessible. Proximity to the ski school meeting place and beginners slopes is worth paying extra for.
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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 Plagne.
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Thanks for all the advice and warm welcome  . I’ll definitely put La Plagne over Flaine but will also look at Les Arcs.
Also thanks for the tips on proximity to the ski schools, I hadn’t considered that.
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You know it makes sense.
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@LJMaddog, Ski school access can be a real pain. One year we were staying in Plagne Villages but booked ski school in Plagne Soleil - looks doable on the map, absolute stress and hassle every morning.
Didn’t make that mistake again!
The lack of connectivity between the accommodation areas in La Plagne isn’t mentioned very often but it can be bloody awful with kids in tow.
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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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| boredsurfin wrote: |
@LJMaddog, Ski school access can be a real pain. One year we were staying in Plagne Villages but booked ski school in Plagne Soleil - looks doable on the map, absolute stress and hassle every morning.
Didn’t make that mistake again!
The lack of connectivity between the accommodation areas in La Plagne isn’t mentioned very often but it can be bloody awful with kids in tow. |
Thanks for the advice!
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Poster: A snowHead
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ESF are in belle plagne
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ESF also in Plagne 1800. Can't comment more than that, I just noticed a shack there as I walked past a few years back.
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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’d recommend belle plagne over 1800. It’s higher /ski in ski out lots of places and easier for access to les arcs vallandry etc.
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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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Only been to Flaine beginning of April for 3 1/2 days
I picked it as its only a hour or so from Geneva and not to low
Day 1 got a bit slushy just as you got to resort level
Day2 hoofed it down , powder every where
Day3/4 Lovely pieste'd slopes
We got lucky having every condition possible
Also done Cervinia , Italy in April .. Very high resort so no worries about snow , but about 2hr drive
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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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Definitely Belle Plagne - nicer than Plagne Centre and easy access over towards Montchavin for the Les Arcs connection if that is of interest. Loads of easy blues - I introduced my family to the Alps in La Plagne (although we stay in Montchavin when we visit). My wife and kids have all had lessons with Evolution 2.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Daughter has done a week with evolution 2 ski school. +1 recommendation
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I live in La Plagne 1800 in the winter and the snow has been great in April the 6 winters I have spent there.
It’s a great resort late season and usually the first weekend in April sees the sublicimes event going on.
1800 has the bulk of catered British run chalets in resort but there is loads of self catered in all the stations
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We have been a few times in April to la plagne and always been plenty of snow even down to the lower villages.
Only other thing to mention is pick accommodation not too far from ski school meet points.
Other resort may be worth a look is val thorens, will be snow sure and seemed to have a good beginner area with a couple of long carpets.
Interestingly we are off to Flaine at Christmas so will be hoping for good snow at the other end of the season.
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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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Thanks guys, lots of food for thought. I’ve now extended my search. Just seen some deals in Avoriaz that suit our needs.
 Almost too much choice. I wouldn’t be bothered if going alone but want to get the first one with the kids just right.
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@LJMaddog, don't overthink it or put too much pressure on yourself.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@LJMaddog, @Layne has good advice, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get every single thing right - coming from someone who’s been there done that - the kids will enjoy themselves and you’ll learn stuff on Day 1 and 2 that you’ll do differently the next day etc. Biggest single thing for us was as close to ski in ski out as we could get, to make it easy. Oh, and hot chocolates for them (and vin chaud for us) on the mountain 
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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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| LJMaddog wrote: |
Thanks guys, lots of food for thought. I’ve now extended my search. Just seen some deals in Avoriaz that suit our needs.
Almost too much choice. I wouldn’t be bothered if going alone but want to get the first one with the kids just right. |
I've skied in La Plagne during Easter 2023 and Avoriaz during Easter 2024. While I love Avoriaz, if I had to choose between the two, I'd definitely prefer La Plagne.
Avoriaz is more affordable in April compared to La Plagne, but there are a couple of downsides:
It's not as high in altitude.
It tends to be really crowded, especially because nearby resorts like Châtel are also open in early April, and many people from those areas flock to Avoriaz.
In my opinion, skiing in La Plagne is better, but the overall vibe and concept of Avoriaz are undeniably appealing.
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