Calling les menuires experts…(re Xmas)

A snowHead

Heading here for Xmas. Very Happy

I’d like to be organised as Xmas away is a bit of a big deal for us (husband / me and x2 kiddos aged 12 and 6)

Last time I was away at Xmas skiing, it was in USA and a bit of a sad affair. And also a very long time ago.

I’d like to be organised and book something nice for Xmas day dinner. Now, what typically happens at Xmas? Is it just another ski day (hopefully - snigger) and not very notable for Xmas? Will there be no chance on earth I can get a booking for a table for dinner? Can anyone give any recommendations for a nice restaurant in les menuires? Ta muchly !

A snowHead

Xmas Eve tends to be the big day for Euros. I'd imagine restos book as normal for Xmas day evening.

But really we should ask why aren't you attempting the full Turducken with all the trimmings in your tiny appartment micro oven?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Haha Dave.. good question. Unless I can ship over in my luggage allowance my festive M&S veg pack it’s a no Joe.. Laughing

I don’t want to be stuck in with only half a 2 day old baguette and an orangina for Xmas day. I normally leave dinner bookings until we leave uk but I feel this will be asking for it! Puzzled

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@v1cky24, yes, Christmas Day is just another ski day.

However, I would book the Christmas Day dinner a few days in advance just in case.

No recs unfortunately. Even though we've been to Les Menuires several times we are not restaurant goers. And when we ski at Christmas we don't do anything different. As you may have guessed we are not Christmas people Embarassed

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@v1cky24, part of the point of going skiing at christmas, for me (and I'm doing it again this year, though I won't be skiing) is to escape Christmas. However, we always had a good party when we had our apartment, usually a joint effort (after the lifts shut) with other friends and relations staying in nearby apartments. As others have said, it is the Christmas Eve dinner which is a big (and often very expensive) deal in French restaurants. You will save yourself a lot of money by having a nice family eat-in on Christmas Eve, but do not expect anything particularly "christmassy" on the 25th. We used to make an effort with some Christmas decs and some unfortunate fir tree dug up from the nearby woods (a much trickier exercise than it sounds, and probably illegal too) but we never tried to reproduce the whole shebang. There's a lot about Christmas in the UK (the over indulgence, overspending, far too much telly) which I really dislike so it never bothered me being without it. My two local grand daughters always say that they don't care if they don't have ANYTHING for Christmas, provided they get to go to Les Saisies and go skiing. And it's such an expensive escapade that, really, they don't get much else!

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Thank you both for the comments.

I’m not looking for anything super super special, was just wondering my chances of actually getting a reservation somewhere on the day more so.

I’d be upset if we ended up eating in the room because we hadn’t been organised enough. I agree with the comments about the excess and escaping. This is going to free my December of a whole load of hassle. Our eldest child we had a discussion with regarding Xmas and gifts and skiing and the skiing option was chosen without even a thought. The smaller one might have some questions about Santa potentially but he’s only 6. I’m sure he’ll forget Laughing

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You shouldn't have a problem with a reservation on 25th, in advance, compared to any other evening a busy week, but perhaps some places might be closed, after their big blow out on Christmas Eve? You'll probably get some more clued up responses from people who actually want to go out on Christmas Day, which we never did. But we always did have others around - if it's just your family, I can well understand that a more sociable outing would be nice (though early evening, presumably, with a six year old). Hope you had a super trip.

After all it is free

@v1cky24, where in LM are you staying? Are you ok with taking the shuttle bus or a taxi to get to somewhere decent? The majority of good restaurants in LM are in the Reberty area so you'll likely need the shuttle bus. I don't think you'll have any trouble getting a booking if you do it early, and early means now or as soon as they open for winter. Email them - they may be shut for the inter season period but they will likely still answer emails. If they don't then ring in the first week of December.

Two that always get recommended are l'Ours Blanc and La Ferme de Reberty. The l'Ours Blanc is a half board hotel; they do take non-residents for dinner but I'm not sure what the availability would be in Xmas week.

Personally I'd far rather go to La Ferme, it's pretty much my favourite reasonably priced (by 3V standards) restaurant in the whole of the 3Vs and I've been going there since they first opened 20 odd years ago. I see they are still No. 8 on Trip Advisor and at least 4 of the ones ranked above them are mountain restaurants that won't be open in the evening. Off the top of my head they probably have about 60 covers inside compared to 150-200 on the daytime terrasse so you should definitely book early for what is a peak week.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g562743-d2058337-Reviews-Restaurant_Pub_La_Ferme_de_Reberty-Les_Menuires_Saint_Martin_de_Belleville_Les_Be.html
https://lafermedereberty.com/index.php/restaurant.html

Thank you je suis un skieur - this was exactly sort of thing I was hoping for!

We are staying at MMV le COEUR des loges which is wrong end probably of les Menuires from what I can see Sad

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I agree you shouldn’t have a problem booking a table for dinner. You are some distance from the restaurants I’d recommend. Another vote for La Ferme which you could get to by shuttle (but not sure how late they run). That might require a booking a couple of days in advance. I can’t speak from experience about many of the restaurants in the Croisette area (worked a season there 18 years ago, but based up in Reberty). The Marmite is nice up in Bruyères. For a really lovely experience (but you’d need transport) Chez Pepe Nicolas would be great, but it’s on the other side of Les Men on the road up to Val Tho. You would definitely need to book Chez P N well in advance.

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La ferme Xmas eve confirmed Mr. Green

@v1cky24, Excellent! I think traditionally Xmas eve is the big day in France so it sounds like you'll get a properly authentic experience. Joyeux Noel!

You know it makes sense.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this, we are in Les Menuires over new years for 6/7 days and being our first trip here is there any suggestions as to get the best out of it. Also if there is anything that tends to happen New Years Eve. We are a party of 8 (4A 4C) so I imagine booking dinners will be a challenge.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@Bram, welcome to SH's.

Which accommodation/district are you staying in. Les Men is quite big and strung out.

Are you getting a 3V ski pass? Will some of the people be able to get across the whole ski area?

Anyone skiing off piste?

La Masse is it's own little area - very nice to go up first thing on a sunny morning.

Mont Vallon another little are which is really nice and great to ski over and over.

Val T - massive wide bowl that you can sweep around one way or another. Good tobaggon track up there too.

There is a good snowpark just over the way into Meribel.

If you can travel loads to explore over in Courch.

A snowHead

A snowHead

@Layne, Thanks for the welcome.
We will be driving from the UK to Les Men, staying in the SOWELL building. As most of the 8 have not skied before we are planning on just the Les Men pass, (family flex). Not planning on having lesson there as been having them here which means we can go out exploring more and have our own time table.
No intentional of piste skiing lol.
Ski Hire from Ski Rebulic as they look competitive on prices but also its in the hotel building so convenient too.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I was going to suggest to get a Vallée des Belleville pass that includes Val Thorens but it looks like these are only available for one day not six days. I'm almost certain they used to exist. With 8 people I would bet that maybe half are going to want to ski further than the Les Menuires pass during the week and as 1 day upgrade is 48 euro maybe think about those in your group who have skied before or who you know are adventurous to get the 3 Vallees pass.

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@rdk, The full 3V pass was a consideration but given most are new to skiing the thought was that there is more than enough runs in the LM pass to suit abilities plus wanting to take breaks etc, but also they will want to do to the sledge run and rail ride. There is only 2 of us that have skied before but a long time ago.
A day pass upgrade is def a consideration though.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Is there a peak time for dinner to avoid, esp considering being 8 of us. I saw a couple recommendations at the beginning of this thread, but is there more.

And New Years Eve (sons birthday)... do you know what happens within the 3 towns, do they have celebrations in the street or is it best to get in somewhere.

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After all it is free

@Je suis un Skieur, Thank you.
Correct in that no-one knows the area, which is common when going anywhere new isn't it hahah, or most def on a first visit of any type, A couple have skied on a mountain before.

The kids are from 12 to 15. Appreciate the info on the lifts to/ from the building.
Skate on skies yes. On and off chair lifts is going to be a lot of people watching dos don't and fails before we enter.

Even after having lessons here in the UK, what's the advantage of having more when at the resort. I get that your always learning and skiing takes years to musta, but at some-point your going to step away from the lessons and explore, trial error on your own.

@Bram, you said most had "have not skied before" so I think the assumption was they would be literal beginners. The last posts suggests they will all be having (lots of?) lessons in the UK beforehand?

Even so as Je suis points out being in the mountain resort and using chair lifts is another ball game. And New Year week will be super busy. Having lessons would mean that you as well as getting tuition the instructor will be escorting you around the slopes. You would also be able to use the ski school fast lane at ski lifts (when being tutored) which New Year week would be useful. However, being a peak week many/most will already be booked up.

I am sure you will manage without but worth thinking about/exploring. Personally I am not a big lessons and more lessons advocate but as I say worth considering in this case.

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@Bram, it's only partly about instruction, in your case it's more about orientation and that means orientation on the difference between mountain skiing and snowdome/dryslope skiing as well as the actual layout of the place.

The FIS code, mountain etiquette, lift queue etiquette, mountain safety. Shuffling/walking forward on skis in busy lift queues (you're going in one of the busiest weeks of the year), not sliding backwards, not annoying everyone else because you don't know what you're doing. What to do with your poles. The difference between technique for different types of chairlifts. Knowing how to quickly get skis on and off for walk on lifts.

How to ski in heavy snow and/or poor visibility. Which piste markers denote the left side and which are the right if you can't see more than a few metres.

LM is a very variable resort. It's high altitude but normally also very sunny so conditions vary greatly throughout the day. The overnight freezing level makes a huge difference to how it skis. You can be on sheet ice first thing in the morning and heavy slush in the afternoon on the same slope, even in Dec/Jan. Some of the blues can be exhausting for beginners because they require a lot of gliding technique. If you can't glide you end up poling/skating instead. If they're heavy slush they'll just be exhausting full stop.

An instructor knows these things and can show you the best slopes to ski on at the best time of day so you at least have a routine to fall back on if your self-learning journey of exploration isn't working. At least the kids are an age where they can probably stay out all day so that makes it easier but I think you're daft if you think a self-taught transition to a mountain for 75% of your group is the best way to go.

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@Bram, in terms of getting back to your accommodation. I have stayed in Lauzes just under their the Brelin (which is the massive and loved/hated) building you are in and there is a little link lift Ascenseur Brelin. If you've skied back down to the "Menuires" chairlift and front de neige you can walk can turn right (facing down the slope) and walk through to get to Ascenseur Brelin.

Also, the shopping complex is accessible by a set of steps opposite the bottom of the Ascenseur Brelin. You can walk through end to end along an internal corridor or walk across the front de neige.

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@Je suis un Skieur, very useful to know, thank you.

@Bram, as rdk says you can't get a valley pass. The Menuires St Martin pass will probably suffice though it's a bit restrictive as there is so much to explore.

You know it makes sense.

@Layne, Thank you for the info/tips.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

We've been in Val Thorens a few times over Xmas. As others have said, the main celebrations are on Dec 24th and many then close on the 25th. We have sometimes struggled to find a restaurant open on the 25th - on the last occasion it was just us and one other table... also Brits!

A snowHead

thankfully we are arrive the 27th Dec. Smile

A snowHead

@Bram, I don't recall ever being in a resort on NYE (we go Christmas week) but I would imagine the restaurants will be fun, a lively atmosphere in bars and fireworks at midnight.

Probably good to get out early new years day as I suspect the slopes will be quieter.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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I meant to say "full" rather "fun" - though will probably be both!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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well hoping on a fun all round, and being a first experience for most of the group hope to get as much insight as possible.
Much appreciated..

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

On NYE , I meant to say.

@Bram, are you having UK lessons on a plastic slope, or one with (artificial) snow? If the former you will find snow very different.

From memory I had something like 6 X 90-minute lessons on a UK plastic slope, followed by a similar amount of free practice. That was enough to get into the "not complete beginners" class on my first holiday. But I had lessons for a further 3 years (1 week a year) before feeling I could enjoy myself without further instruction. Lessons will only be for 3 hours a day (perhaps 2 in peak weeks) so you still get plenty of time to meet up and ski as a group. And some of you will probably end up in the same class anyway, which makes it more fun.

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@ecureuil, we've been having lessons at mk snowzone (indoors). I think about 5/6hrs of lessons and then couple hours free time.

From other good suggestions like queue jumps and local knowledge and tips Might look into a lesson or 2 for when we are there.

Want people to enjoy it so we go skiing again, me I love it, kids think it's great, the wife is one needing to convince more Eh oh!

Help!!

Calling les menuires experts…(re Xmas)

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