 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hey all, we are a family looking for somewhere in France for last week Feb, kids from 8-18. Need a good range of runs including blacks, and reasonably snow-sure bc we only get skiing once a year. Preferably apartment accommodation, no need for apres (so France...) and if possible somewhere with a bit of tree skiing. We have skied Morzine/ Avoriaz and Alp de Huez in France. Both lovely but happened to have crappy snow the seasons we went (an increasing risk anywhere for sure). We skied Lech last year and looking for something a bit cheaper(!). Looking for advice and ideas, always love what SH comes up with!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Would you consider Italy? Maybe La Thuile where you can ski over to La Rosiere, but La Thuile might be quieter than France. Yes, there is an awful lot of crappy snow around. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@pencain, @Origen, Is spot on , La Thuile would tick all those boxes and is cheaper less crowded than France , better food . Some great tree skiing , some steep blacks and as it’s on the Alps divide line see’s a lot of snow . Either one of La Thuile or La Rosiere will have good snow or both . Also last week of Feb peak snow time in my view . I’m a big lover of La Thuile one if those that goes under the radar . Although I’m based in Ste Foy a lot of the season I really enjoy my day trips there .
R U looking to fly or drive ?
La Thuile has really easy access from Turin airport where the hire car prices are cheap . If your driving down or have access to a car you can also do a day in Courmayer
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Come to the Haute Maurienne Valley, off the beaten tracks for most Brits and is much quieter and cheaper than the Taranteise etc during school holidays. Base yourself in Val Cenis, where you may still find accom that is virtually ski in/out, with its north facing slopes which hold snow very well and use the same ski pass to visit the associated resorts of Valfrejus, Aussois, La Norma and the hidden gem of Bonneval sur Arc depending on prevailing weather conditions. Val Cenis is easily reachable from Lyon, Grenoble, Geneva or even Turin (through Frejus tunnel) if you are flying or it’s motorway all the way to Modane from Calais and then a gentle run up the valley for the last 30kms. See this link for some further info.
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=170313#5339911
You will get plenty of suggestions so good luck and have a great holiday wherever you go.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 1-10-24 11:01; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I assume you mean the week starting 22nd Feb, which is the week after most UK schools' half term but coincides with French half term for the Paris region.
It sounds as if you have been unlucky in the past, most places should have reasonable snow at that time though it might be soft on lower runs; however to be sure go for somewhere around 1800m with a range of skiing above that. For France I would suggest Les Arcs which is high enough and ticks all your boxes.
Obviously if you widen your thoughts to Italy La Thuile is a good suggestion and has an apartment complex right at the base of the lifts. That complex is a navette ride (or a walk which is better not in ski boots) to the village from where you can take the bus for a day out in Courmayeur even if you don't have a car.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Thanks all! Just went down a research rabbit hole on all the places mentioned.
Which of these (or open to other suggestions) would have the best range of black runs? thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| j b wrote: |
I assume you mean the week starting 22nd Feb, which is the week after most UK schools' half term but coincides with French half term for the Paris region.
It sounds as if you have been unlucky in the past, most places should have reasonable snow at that time though it might be soft on lower runs; however to be sure go for somewhere around 1800m with a range of skiing above that. For France I would suggest Les Arcs which is high enough and ticks all your boxes.
Obviously if you widen your thoughts to Italy La Thuile is a good suggestion and has an apartment complex right at the base of the lifts. That complex is a navette ride (or a walk which is better not in ski boots) to the village from where you can take the bus for a day out in Courmayeur even if you don't have a car. |
@J_B with les Arcs, do you have any advice on accommodation/ which area?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@pencain, there are local experts here who can advise better than I on the various Les Arcs complexes. If you are worried about the snow then Arc 1800 might be ideal, in the middle of the area with (as a generalisation) exposed slopes above and tree skiing below. But we have been several times at half term and never had problem with the snow, even at the lower points like Vallandry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@pencain, I have been to Les Arcs a few times. All of the villages have their advantages but seeing as you are especially keen on good snow and are looking for something a bit cheaper I'd recommend Arc 1950 if you can find something in your budget. If Arc 1950 is too expensive look at Arc 2000.
In Les Arcs you have the following options:
Arc 1600: Quiet small village, cheap, some ski in/out blocks that are good value, home run will get icy and chopped up quickly. I'd expect painfully long lift queues up to the higher areas (i.e the runs over to Arc 1950). Arpette lift is always bad when resort is busy.
Arc 1800: Larger village, relatively cheap, less skis in/out but some at the snow face, runs into 1800 are good but will still get icy in some conditions. Lift queues up out of main base can be quite long at peak times.
Arc 1950: Smaller purpose built village with decent supermarket and bakery, lots of high quality apartments (saunas, pools etc.), pretty much all ski in/out, close to the really good high altitude runs. Close to plenty of un-pisted black runs that you can make as difficult as you want. Enough fast high capacity lifts to make queues manageable although lifts that link back to 1800 and 1600 are almost always very busy.
Arc 2000: Large village village than 1950, lots of budget apartments. Supermarket and shops were a bit disappointing when I went. Mini walk on gondola down to 1950 comes out close to the good supermarket. Accommodation all pretty close to the pistes and some ski in/out. Skiing the same as 1950 (see above)
There are also a couple of satellite villages (Vallandry and Villaroger) that other folk on here will know better than me.
If you went to Les Arcs I'd be cautions about using the link over to La Plagne because it is usually super busy and always feels like a bit of a slog to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
Which of these (or open to other suggestions) would have the best range of black runs? thanks!
|
The black runs in La Thuile and Les Arcs could not be more different. Though the black pistes in La Thuile are perhaps steeper than many in Les Arcs they are bashed smooth. Hence you don't need to modify your technique much from that used on red or blue pistes. However, in Les Arcs most of the blacks are Natur, they tend to be long and mogulled and require good bump skiing and a level of fitness to master. Though I can ski non stop down the blacks in La Thuile I cannot do the same in Les Arcs. In fact my poor fitness and knackered knees mean I can only do a couple in a day.
The brief review of the Les Arcs villages is useful, but I may add a few points:
The Arc 2000 valley is much more crowded that the 1600 - vallandry side and subject to the biggest lift queues in the resort; Arcabulle in particular can have 15 minute waits. The essentials pass will allow you to jump the big queue at Varet.
There are various ways to get to Arc 2000 from Arc 1600. The one involving the least queues is to use Clocheret, Pre st Espirit and Plagnettes. Carreley is generally quieter than Arpette.
There are various ways to return to Arc 1600 from other parts of the resort - Traversee is the easiest but can be closed later in the season due to lack of snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Jumping on to echo the Les Arcs recommendation. As you mention tree skiing in your OP, I would recommend staying in 1800. We base ourselves there, and it's partly because it's in the middle of the ski area. From 1800 you can go left to access 1600, 1950, and 2000 or go right to access Peisey-Vallandry, where is where you'll find lots of lovely tree skiing, including the fun-for-all Foret Pitcheons run (you're never too old to play a xylophone with your poles). 1950 and 2000 are above the tree line. Plus there's skiing in 1800 itself. By basing yourself in the middle, you can decide on the day which direction you want to go in, depending on the weather or your mood. I've not been to 1600 yet as we've only been in April and lots of the run were closed. We're coming in February this time, the week before you, so I'm looking forward to getting over there.
As John says, there's lots of Natur blacks around the resort. The Grand Col offers a two options from the top of the chair, either a long, challenging, mogulled black, or a fun red. There's a long Natur black leading down from the ridge that connects 1800 and 1950, too. I've absolutely not skied it but enjoy watching folk braver than me from the Bois chair. From Aguille Rouge, it's black, but pisted, but with plenty of off-piste opportunities to mix it up. That's just a handful of the ones available.
There's also the Snowpark, which is just above the junction for 1600 and 1800, which will provide entertainment for the young and adventurous in your group. For those less inclined, there's a bar called L'Altitude which is next to the button lift that serves the snowpark, so it's easy for them to come and find you in-between runs, and you can just take in the magnificent scenery. I know you said that you're not really looking for apres, but surely there can be un petit peu?
My two are 11 and 13, with 13 being an incredibly proficient skier, and we have been to Les Arcs twice, so I've become pretty savvy with negotiating everyone's preferences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@pencain,
Espace Killy? Very snow sure, especially at that time of the season. Wide variety of pistes, including blacks. Tree skiing down to les Boisses/1850 & les Brevieres (Tignes side) and la Daille, Val d'Isere, le Laisinant & le Fornet (VdI side) Loads of apartment accommodation. Apres/night life for the 18 year old. English widely spoken.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Owlette, Refuge from the grand col chair is one of the easiest blacks in Les Arcs. Have a go at it next time you are there. I think the bar you are refering to is the Altiport. And you must get over to 1600. There is some good skiing, non of it is too busy and the snow is usually good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Owlette wrote: |
| There's a long Natur black leading down from the ridge that connects 1800 and 1950, too. I've absolutely not skied it but enjoy watching folk braver than me from the Bois chair. |
Is that the run called "Bois de l'ours"? My son and I usually watch the various people on it and give anyone that manages 3 or more linked turns a cheer. It's a similar story under the Varet lift minus the cheering because they can't hear us from the gondola.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| johnE wrote: |
| @Owlette, Refuge from the grand col chair is one of the easiest blacks in Les Arcs. Have a go at it next time you are there. I think the bar you are refering to is the Altiport. And you must get over to 1600. There is some good skiing, non of it is too busy and the snow is usually good. |
That's it, L'Altiport! I think one of us mis-named it once at Easter, so that's it now, that's what it's called in our house.
I'm excited to get over to 1600 next year. I watched Big and his ski school come down Refuge, I'm not convinced in my abilities at all.
Henwc, yes! That's the one. On our last trip we watched a snowboarder surf along the top of the ridge from the chair. It looked effortless and beautiful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
I also think Les Arcs is a good shout, with others having having gone into useful detail about that area,
Although I know what’s meant by a ‘hard slog’ to get over to La Plagne, once you arrive at the more challenging areas there are some good blacks and tougher than average reds.
Overall, Paradiski has something to suit every skier.
I would add into the mix one of the lower 3V villages. La Tania especially has a lot of apartments, in the Grand Bois building. Lift access to Courchevel is good. Onwards across the Meribel valley then Val Thorens and Les Menuires. A top ski area with many good blacks but staying in a far less glitzy (purpose built) village with lower costs. Le Praz is another option, though I’m not sure they have quite so many apartments to choose from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@Owlette, I think you’ll cope with refuge fine. The hardest part is after the short section it shares with the red and it is perhaps only 50m long.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
50m sounds good. I'll give it a go. Thanks!
@pencain, Any further thoughts?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Another vote for Arc 1800. The tree cover for snow days is invaluable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
