 Poster: A snowHead
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What do the regulars think of the prospects for Val Cenis this Easter? Easter is late this year (school holidays start on the 14th April, resort closes on Easter Monday on the 21st). Would be a family holiday with kids 7 - 12. I would think it should be fine, given its North facing and has a good few lifts to 2500, 2800, and forest cover lower down?
I presume I could just book flights and see how snow conditions are, head to Cervinia or Tignes / Val Thorens if not great, and could prob pick up a good value apartment in the last week of the season if not?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| 8611 wrote: |
What do the regulars think of the prospects for Val Cenis this Easter? Easter is late this year (school holidays start on the 14th April, resort closes on Easter Monday on the 21st). Would be a family holiday with kids 7 - 12. I would think it should be fine, given its North facing and has a good few lifts to 2500, 2800, and forest cover lower down?
I presume I could just book flights and see how snow conditions are, head to Cervinia or Tignes / Val Thorens if not great, and could prob pick up a good value apartment in the last week of the season if not? |
100% my reasoning when we went there for Easter with three families in '17, I guess. Third week of april as well back then. High, north-facing, lots of greens, cheap -what could go wrong? Well, we had a fine week, but it didn't turn out exactly as expected. We had our appartement at the "Alpage de Val Cenis" between Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard. Complex was pretty new then and really nice, outdoor pool was gorgeous! They have their own little fixed four seater chair (Pré Novel) next to ski locker which just sets you up to the road level (Col de Mont Cenis), which is one of the greens during winter, of course. First problem, even if it was a good snow year there was no snow anymore whatsoever at valley level. It's north-facing, very well, but the lower part where all the greens are located are really very flat and just meadows. Higher up there are very few greens, basically only the Escargot (the road to the pass). There was some artificial snow, but not enough to keep the parts of the road below the forest skiable by that time. Once the tarmac catches the warm spring sun it melts pretty quickly. I still fondly remember all the crocuses down there, though. What they kept open was the Mollard piste below the TSD 6 Colomba with the Villineuve extension to the TCD10 Vieux Moulin. The latter closed by the end of the week - the piste, not the gondola. And Mollard grew narrower every day. Fortunately, we arrived saturday morning, so had a quite half day on that slope as my kids were 6 and 3 at the time. Third week skiing and tunring 4 during the holiday, though. From the next day onwards it was chaos, as all the ski courses only had this one piste to share...  Another downside is that the Termignon side is connected at the bottom. We went over only once, because later that week you couldn't ski down to TSD 6 Tourra anymore. We could have gone by car, as we had to drive anyway, but decided not to, probably because of the drags up there. Btw, free parking as well as free ski bus available, we only drove because the kids were so little.
All in all, the ski area turned out to be much smaller and steeper than expected. We were insofar lucky, as my little one hit a steep learning curve. But could have been desasterous. So it was very nice, landscape is terrific, people relaxed and friendly, food on the mountain good and very affordable compared to other French resorts. On top of that it's very quiet compared to the Tarentaise biggies. My best advice: If you go, I'd stay somewhere in walking distance to TSD Colomba.
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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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Yeh the large area of greens in late season very much depend on the season. Last season they were fine right to closing day (in fact I think they extended the opening), but most end of seasons they're slushy, and being flat makes for some slow progress. As Tristero says, limited stuff for beginners higher up the mountain.
I'd suspect with the snow depths this year that it'll tend towards Tristero's experience, so better choosing somewhere with a bigger selection of higher beginner slopes if that's important. If you're all competent, there's plenty to go at higher up in VC so it won't be as big an issue. Don't forget a day trip up to Bonneval for some variety too, snow will still be great up there. Or down-valley to Orelle (40 mins drive) if you're feeling flush. The other HMV resorts will be closed by then though sadly.
Much better to come back another year earlier in the season and enjoy all of VC and the other HMV resorts
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Thanks both of you for the very detailed and useful info there, that puts a more realistic complexion on things. I think best course is at most to only book last minute when I've updated info re the lower slopes and either way keep it on the short list for an earlier trip in due course. It just sounds a lot more charming than the usual high altitude offerings in Tignes, Val Thorens or Cervinia but needs must.
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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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@snebbit, lovely pictures
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| 8611 wrote: |
What do the regulars think of the prospects for Val Cenis this Easter? Easter is late this year (school holidays start on the 14th April, resort closes on Easter Monday on the 21st). Would be a family holiday with kids 7 - 12. I would think it should be fine, given its North facing and has a good few lifts to 2500, 2800, and forest cover lower down?
I presume I could just book flights and see how snow conditions are, head to Cervinia or Tignes / Val Thorens if not great, and could prob pick up a good value apartment in the last week of the season if not? |
Hi -we go to Val Cenis every Easter (for the last 10-15 years)- we do, however always go at the start of April- when our now Adult offspring were at school we benefitted from an enlightened policy by our local authority where they tried to 'fix' Easter- this year I think holidays start on the 4th for example- conditions are fine (sometimes slushy in the afternoon below 1800m) really good higher up- there are easy blues above the Moulin gondola as well as the escargot- the lower runs tend to get less and less- the issue if you can't go until the 14th is that they often start shutting several sections in the final week.
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Be aware the final week if the season they close a lot of the area. Went there in 2022 Easter on 8th April termignon was closed and only about 4-5 lifts open in cal Cenis. It was still decent snow up high but limited skiing available
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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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At Bonneval again probably the place I feel most comfortable in the valley.
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| Pierresel wrote: |
we benefitted from an enlightened policy by our local authority where they tried to 'fix' Easter- this year I think holidays start on the 4th for example- |
"fix" as in make it more suitable for skiers? Enlightened indeed!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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Quick question: Do they do a cheap Haute Maurienne season pass every winter?
If I read correctly this is valid for Valfréjus, La Norma, Val Cenis, Bessans, and Bonneval sur Arc?
When is the cut off date?
Thinking about doing longer trip(s) with family next winter.
Swiss magic pass is on radar. But accommodation looks much more affordable and easier to find in Maurienne valley.
Especially during school holidays (xmas, feb, easter)
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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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@Haggis_Trap, yep, the HMV pass. 50% if purchase before 31st October. In sterling, mine cost £346 for the season, plus I paid £40 for Carre Neige insurance for the season. You're basically saving money after 2 weeks use.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Bluntski wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap, yep, the HMV pass. 50% if purchase before 31st October. In sterling, mine cost £346 for the season, plus I paid £40 for Carre Neige insurance for the season. You're basically saving money after 2 weeks use. |
That is a very good deal....
Season pass for similar price to a single week in Tignes / Meribel
Where is the best place to base yourself?
For a family who can all ski. Val Cenis?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Haggis_Trap, Val Cenis not a bad base but mobility is key to making the most of the valley...
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Haggis_Trap wrote: |
Quick question: Do they do a cheap Haute Maurienne season pass every winter?
If I read correctly this is valid for Valfréjus, La Norma, Val Cenis, Bessans, and Bonneval sur Arc?
When is the cut off date?
Thinking about doing longer trip(s) with family next winter.
Swiss magic pass is on radar. But accommodation looks much more affordable and easier to find in Maurienne valley.
Especially during school holidays (xmas, feb, easter) |
Yeah it’s 50% off every season but you need to buy it that month before 31 October.
We are in the van so just move from station to station when we fancy. This season so far we spent most of our time at La Norma and Bonneval. La Norma and Valfrejus are linked with a shuttle bus. The HMV is a great place if you like off piste terrain. Also good for beginners and families.
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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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| MAthert wrote: |
Yeah it’s 50% off every season but you need to buy it that month before 31 October.
We are in the van so just move from station to station when we fancy. This season so far we spent most of our time at La Norma and Bonneval. La Norma and Valfrejus are linked with a shuttle bus. The HMV is a great place if you like off piste terrain. Also good for beginners and families. |
^ Thanks - good info.... Sounds like exactly what we are after.
Seriously tempted by 2 weeks over xmas / new year (would take car over on ferry).
Cost would be similar to a week in Tignes / 3 Valleys / Verbier.
But with cheap season pass offering opportunity to return later in season at easter.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Haggis_Trap wrote: |
| Bluntski wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap, yep, the HMV pass. 50% if purchase before 31st October. In sterling, mine cost £346 for the season, plus I paid £40 for Carre Neige insurance for the season. You're basically saving money after 2 weeks use. |
That is a very good deal....
Season pass for similar price to a single week in Tignes / Meribel
Where is the best place to base yourself?
For a family who can all ski. Val Cenis? |
Don't know if it's still as easy to park as it was but I've been a few times to the Haute Maurienne and getting along the valley is pretty straightforward. We've found very cheap accommodation in Bessans which is basically a x-country area but only a few minutes to both Bonneval and Val Cenis. Termignon would probably be the easiest place to access all the resorts from. We've also found cheap accommodation which was very pleasant up at Solieres Sardieres which is another xcountry area and not quite as convenient.
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| T Bar wrote: |
Don't know if it's still as easy to park as it was but I've been a few times to the Haute Maurienne and getting along the valley is pretty straightforward. |
I guess it depends if you want ski in ski out somewhere then drive elsewhere, which the pass’partout would lead you to do. In that case Val Cenis would make sense. Temignon is quite pleasant as is Lanslebourg and at Val Cenis you can take advantage of dynamic pricing if they do that next year.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Fri 21-02-25 16:21; edited 5 times in total
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We've stayed in Termignon several times with Nathalie Betard. We like the town. It's small and manageable, easy to get the lift into Val Cenis and, if you want to go touring, handy for the Femma refuge too.
However, it's on the edge of the Val Cenis system and, unless there is good snow, you have to download in the last lift or catch the (free) bus from elsewhere. The runs way above Termignon are good and usually quiet but the single run into the rest of the system can be icy and it's often better to download again.
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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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| T Bar wrote: |
| Haggis_Trap wrote: |
| Bluntski wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap, yep, the HMV pass. 50% if purchase before 31st October. In sterling, mine cost £346 for the season, plus I paid £40 for Carre Neige insurance for the season. You're basically saving money after 2 weeks use. |
That is a very good deal....
Season pass for similar price to a single week in Tignes / Meribel
Where is the best place to base yourself?
For a family who can all ski. Val Cenis? |
Don't know if it's still as easy to park as it was but I've been a few times to the Haute Maurienne and getting along the valley is pretty straightforward. We've found very cheap accommodation in Bessans which is basically a x-country area but only a few minutes to both Bonneval and Val Cenis. Termignon would probably be the easiest place to access all the resorts from. We've also found cheap accommodation which was very pleasant up at Solieres Sardieres which is another xcountry area and not quite as convenient. |
Yes still easy and free to park close to the slopes at all HMV stations.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Coming to Val Cenis for a week from Mar 22. One thing I needed this trip was accommodation beside snow and lifts and Val Cenis appears great value for money for ski in ski out accommodation and lift pass compared to better known resorts. Looking forward to it.
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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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Anyone know is parking free in Lanslevillard, Val Cenis? Also what are the best mountain restaurants?
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| 8611 wrote: |
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/living-the-high-life-in-the-alps-best-kept-secret-val-cenis/
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so many best kept secrets in the Alps, although clearly not if the Sunday Post has heard of it
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You know it makes sense.
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| Peter Ross wrote: |
| Anyone know is parking free in Lanslevillard, Val Cenis? Also what are the best mountain restaurants? |
Yes. Sorry no restaurant recommendations.
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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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| Peter Ross wrote: |
| Anyone know is parking free in Lanslevillard, Val Cenis? Also what are the best mountain restaurants? |
Parking, generally not charged and ok.
Restaurant, on mountain "La Ranova" directly up above Lansvillard and on piste, Red one and red back down too. Over in Termignon via the chair link to that area, can't ever remember the name of Restaurant but its the only one there up on slopes and central to the lift system there. You can't miss it if you go over there really. Both really good local food, but plan for early lunch if you are just walking in as they are usually justly popular. Genuinely very good.
A few around Lansvillard village for evening too. Again I can't recall immediately the name but very obviously sited near the bridge over river in village centre. Absolutely excellent wood fired pizza served there.
Generally the prices in comparison to headline ski areas are good for food etc here. Quite a part in visiting for us and always enjoy them.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Peter Ross, not to mention the Turin flights which are always great value
@davidof, yes, those articles are effectively AI generated or could so easily be at this stage
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just remembered I went to La ferme du XXIII in Feb and it was quite nice.
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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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Thanks for the tips, Turin flights from Dublin were great value for my dates but involved a 5:45am outbound flight so flying to Grenoble which has more reasonable flight times even though I read the airport can be chaotic!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm staying in Les Balcons Village apartments in Lanslevillard, you can pay for covered parking but if there is free nearby probably park in free area.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Peter Ross, I can't do those red eyes either, not a holiday, particularly with kids. They are at more reasonable times over Easter for some reason.
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@MAthert, not the platinum ones the regular ones but the platinum apartments look very nice.
That Google maps link didn't seem to work for me for some reason?
@8611, yes the really early flights mean you missed a whole night's sleep which can be exhausting.
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Currently sat in our apartment overlooking the train station in St Michel where we’ve just seen a TGV pass straight through. Up until today they’ve been stopping here because of a rock fall between here and Orelle.
When we passed by on the way to Val Cenis this morning there still looked to be a lot of work to do but when we came back through Modane at about 4pm there were lots of big wigs and police at the station. A little later there was a huge motorcade coming up the hill. Seems like a big event.
The skiing in Val Cenis was a bit desperate. All the pistes upstairs were like concrete and the off-piste little better. Below the tree line things were slightly softer but we spent most of our time pushing artificial snow about on the beginner slopes.
It was bitterly cold and windy all day and, contrary to the forecast, there was a moderate amount of snow in the afternoon too. When we gave up at around 15:30 perhaps 2/3 of the cars had already left the car park.
Lots of rain forecast for tomorrow so we’ve planned a day at home sorting for a trip up to the Evettes hut on Thursday.
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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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Bit of a long drive today to and from Bonneval near the head of the valley. Very glad we did though as conditions were perfect: wall to wall sunshine, absolutely no wind and around 10cm of fresh snow everywhere. Not many people there either so we were still able to make fresh tracks right at the end of the day. Feeling bushed now though!
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Slow start this morning as we realised that the rubber on Mrs A’s boots (Dynafit Zzero4 - “green machines”) was decomposing so much that they needed repair. Fortunately, the local Carrefour has some French Evo-stik, and a silicone spatula, and some dining roll to cover the floor so I set about botching a repair. When ee get home I can have a go properly.
We needed somewhere nearby so ended up at Les Karellis. No fresh snow but the rest was softening nicely in the warmth. Apparently, it was 23C here in St Michel today. There was a real end-of-term feeling with probably no more than 50 punters in the whole resort. Highlight was the afternoon vin chaud at the Vinouve bar. Unusual music and even more unusual characters including a couple engaged in some very heavy petting. We thought we’d walked onto the set of “Down by Law”.
It also gave us a chance to take a small present for the woman in the forfait office who had give us so much help earlier in sorting out our Skiogrande cards. We’d ordered them from home to be delivered here but they were returned “name not recognised”. We had made arrangements this end and asked for them to be sent again. Well they never appeared and it seems that the staff at Skiogrande don’t have much gumption and probably never sent them. The woman at Karellis found us some cards and then took ages on the phone explaining in words of one syllable how to put them on their system. Even she was beginning to lose patience with the but eventually it was sorted and we’ve been getting our discounted rate ever since.
https://www.skiogrande.com/les-tarifs/
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FAQ
