 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. Taking my missus for our very first skiing holiday for New Year's Eve. Finally narrowed down my search to 2 places (previously wanted to go to Zermatt but apparently not a good idea since we're complete beginners).
One is a self catering accommodation with spa in La Clusaz and the other one is a small family run hotel with breakfast (no self catering options since no kitchenette) in Les Deux Alpes. No spa though.
Could you please tell me which resort is nicer? Which one is more snow sure and sunny and has nicer views? Also which one is better to learn to ski in? We'll be booking a 6 day beginners snowboard course.
Which option would you pick if you were me?
Many thanks. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd go to La Clusaz.
L2A is an 'upside down' resort - the easier skiing is up high, harder skiing down low. Runs back to resort are tough, and any easier ones will get very busy.
La Clusaz is a more traditional village whereas L2A is more purpose built.
Short transfers from Geneva to La C too.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sat 16-11-24 17:40; edited 1 time in total
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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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@JDL65, but apparently La Clusaz is quite low so might not have any snow at the end of December which would be a shame 
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That is a risk true, but equally, L2A is a lot further south. The main French valleys run east to west and La Clusaz is towards the northern most valley. L2A is at least 4 valleys further south, so you need to be higher for the lowest snow.
However, the last couple of seasons haven't been normal!
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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'd go L2A , not pretty but very snow sure. There's a glacier at the top, but downloading at the end of the day is quite likely.
PS by not pretty I mean the resort, the views at the top of the big Southern French alps are lovely.
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I have not been to La Clusaz but of all the dozens of resorts I have been to Les Deux Alps is one of the less suitable for a beginner because all the lower slopes are steep. You'd have to start by going up a big lift to get to the suitable slopes and then queueing to go down again on the lift at the end of the day, instead of just arriving on your skis (the alternative busy and often icy path is a nightmare).
I imagine people already said how worth while it is to have some lessons here in a snow dome. Get the difficult early days struggle dealt with here, when in a resort you would be stuck down on the little beginner slope. Then you can make proper use of the expensive holiday on the big mountain.
Wengen might tick your boxes.
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The runs down to L2A may not be good but very early seasonn being up the hill and out of the shade is often not a bad thing.
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Agreed. There are plenty of resorts where skiing down to base is often either impossible or undesirable. It's a silly thing to make a fuss about.
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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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If you hope to book lessons for New Year week don't delay.
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Never, ever go to L2A.
La Clusaz is nice enough as a village, and a good ski area.
In your previous thread you mentioned Alpe d'Huez. I have been there 4 times, with beginners and intermediates.
In my opinion this must be in the top-10 best resorts for beginners. Far better than the other options you mentioned.
1. The bowl directly over AdH is a beginners paradise. Dozens of gentle, super wide green (extremely easy) and blue slopes.
2. Uplift with fast cabins (nice when snowing).
3. Very snowsure and good snow quality due to height (1860 and up) and massive snowmaking.
4. Low speed ski areas.
5. Extremely sunny exposition. Important around new year!!!
6. Slopes get steeper, the further you go up. Green, blue (till 2300) then red (till 2800) and finally black (3300)
7. AdH is a nice resort with decades of history
If you want to stay in a smaller village, lower prices: Vaujany. With the super fast cabins car you are in the center of the ski area within 20 minutes.
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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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@majkkali, have you checked that there are suitable snowboard lessons available?
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I really quite liked Les Deux Alpes when I went there at the end of last season. Lots of intermediate terrain to go at. But the beginner area is either right in the village or at Les Cretes where there’s a magic carpet and high speed chair. The stuff up on the glacier isn’t beginner terrain.
You can get to the Cretes area on the newish Diable and Belle Etoile lifts which are a mix of chairs and cabins so accessible for complete beginners.
Alpe D’Huez definitely has a better beginner area though, really big wide open pistes right at the snow front. But didn’t think it was any more attractive as a resort than Deux Alpes. La Clusaz is definitely more of an alpine village feel.
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You know it makes sense.
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I have been to both.
I found L2A in the top-5 of the ugliest resorts, and I've seen a lot. Not as bad as Super Devoluy, but close.
Modern architecture has its place, even in the Alps. I like "Le Brélin" in Les Menuires, it's even a French protected architecture!
But L2A is just ugly, totally tasteless, no planning behind it, nothing historical left.
AdH at least has quite some historical buildings. Far less "wrong" public and far less puking, shouting.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kh1ZkmHKp2mJtX5q7
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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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| Onnem wrote: |
I have been to both.
I found L2A in the top-5 of the ugliest resorts, and I've seen a lot. Not as bad as Super Devoluy, but close.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kh1ZkmHKp2mJtX5q7
Modern architecture has its place, even in the Alps. I like "Le Brélin" in Les Menuires, it's even a French protected architecture!
But L2A is just ugly, totally tasteless, no planning behind it, nothing historical left.
AdH at least has quite some historical buildings. Far less "wrong" public and far less puking, shouting.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kh1ZkmHKp2mJtX5q7 |
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Poster: A snowHead
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have you checked that there are suitable snowboard lessons available?
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I know I've kept on about this, but @sugarmoma666 is right. If you can't get suitable lessons, it'll be a big problem. Don't assume they exist and, even if they exist, don't assume there'll still be vacancies in the New Year week - one of the busiest of the year. If you are booking this late you can expect to be asked to pay in full almost right away.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Know nothing of La Clusaz but have been to L2A a number of times. There are beginner areas at the base of L2A but at New Years you are likely learning on ice. There is another beginner area called Cretes and if the weather is good, a good run to learn on. There are many terrific intermediate runs at the top of L2A including the glacier. Maybe after a couple of days you can go explore that. Wide open and not terribly steep. However, IMO, just a risky time of year for a first trip. Have you considered Alpe d'Huez? Much better beginner areas at the base of the mountain.
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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 might be lone voice, but I would say that most of the beginning terrain being high up at L2A is actually a good thing for them. It allows them to actually get the good views we all want while skiing. If you're at a more traditional resort where the beginner slopes are low, they might never get the best views. And you can easily download at L2A. And it's not like the blue down is that difficult there and could probably be done by athletic beginners by the end of the week. It's major difficulty is people, not the slope.
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@TOLOCOMAN, I agree completely. I’ve always thought the same about Val d”Isère. It’s wonderful for beginners to be able to ski high up and see the majesty of the Alps rather tnan being stuck on a few low easy runs in the valleys.
Also worth thinking about by the OP is that you don’t need a big resort for your first holiday. L2A is pretty big and you will be paying for that even though you can’t use most of it. If those two are your only two candidates then I’d select La Clusas but there are loads of small, French resorts that would suit. Also Austrian ones.
Most importantly as others have said check you can actually book the lessons you need before buying the holiday. You’ve picked one of the busiest weeks of the year and people will have booked up months ago.
Finally worth considering is the holiday format. If you like your own company then SC or hotel is a good option. However if you want to meet lots of people a chalet format (where you share a lounge and large dining table wit( other guests) might be better.
Have a great time
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 17-11-24 8:57; edited 1 time in total
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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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Not really sure what criteria you have used to earmark these 2 resorts. Given the very limited info you have given, I would be heading to either Avoriaz or Flaine
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If I could just add a note to all the excelent advice given above ..I was in L2A in Jan and it ( the town) gets VERY busy in the evening so much so that on our first night there we had great difficulty in finding somewhere to eat ..after that we booked at a restaurant every subsequent night I can reccomend La Pizzeria..we ate ther most nights
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La Clusaz is a nice pretty little town, and the short transfer from Geneva is great. The beginner area is up on a sunny plateau served by a gondola from the town centre, with a couple of slopeside restaurants up there too. It was great for a long weekend and as beginners you'll probably enjoy it. If you progress quickly though you might tire of that beginner area, and the rest of the resort could be challenging unless there's been recent snow - when we were there there hadn't been, which meant the blues above the village were all bulletproof most of the day and proved difficult for the less experienced among us
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I’ve been to La Clusaz twice at Xmas/new years time. Both times the snow was limited and as a result the slopes not easy or enjoyable. I actually took my skis off and walked last year as the slope was more ice rink than piste. It’s low down so you’re rolling the dice for good snow. But a very pretty resort.
I’ve never been to L2A but Alpe D’Huez next door is one of my favourite resorts and would be a great place to learn to ski.
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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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My two penneth..
Choose somewhere else  though to qualify, my view is likely tainted by poor conditions last year in L2A.
La clusaz is quite a low resort. You’re dicing a tad more with the weather gods. Last year we went to L2A as I don’t like to dice with the weather gods on my week in the alps. L2A has slopes up 3600m so if there’s no snow up there the world has ended right? Turns out the weather gods were sunning it in the valley in 16degree temps first week in Feb. Whilst this was nice for a beer, and l2A did a smashing job of keeping some snow to the village , it meant every man and his dog went there and was extremely busy. Now, granted, other places probably had very limited terrain open due to this weather issue so there was that side of it, but the steep (albeit blue?) Jandri run down to the village was like skiing in a thick soup littered with muggles (non magic folk) sprawled legs akimbo across the piste at the end of the day. It was like a game of minesweeper avoiding them on the way down. The queues alone put me off here. Though I did like the town, busy. Plenty options - noting the being organised point as lots of restaurants booked out. I think there are better options for a beginner. I’d avoid low places if going early, unless you can book last minute.
Would suggest La plagne - stay in bell plagne and make life easy. I’d be surprised if you couldn’t get lessons but worth checking beforehand absolutely!
Enjoy
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@v1cky24, I'm not sure Belle Plagne is a great spot for beginners. The village is quite nice but you're limited to a couple of bunny slopes and the next progression. Is to ski down to Bellecote which isn't a particularly pleasant run for a newbie....I know this because I dragged a newbie there and he didn't have a great time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@SnoodyMcFlude, My rationale was due to ease of accessing the ski area. I’ve taken beginners to La plagne (a long time ago albeit) I think it’s a great ski area. Lots going on, will be multiple ski schools and the area above bellecote is a blue run paradise? Easy to access from belleplagne and it should be essentially ski in ski out. I’m assuming some progression here, which granted might be the issue.
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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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I'm going to say something which is not skiing related BUT is super important and is likely something you haven't thought about.......TOILETS!.....after years of skiing around the world, my wife decided she wanted to try France as her friends has been going on about it. I had skied in France and wasn't a fan but she wouldn't be told so we booked a week in Les Deux Alps as it was a great price for a really nice hotel.
the ski hill is what it is, but dear god the toilets on the hill and in the bars / cafes on the hill, even in the glacier lift building are AWFUL! the public toilets are the top of the first gondola were a hole in the ground with a sawdust bag and spoon!.....the ones in the glacier station were horrible, wee wee everywhere and the smell of ammonia was so bad your eyes would water.
If you want your partner to enjoy it and go another winter holiday, pick a different place, purely for that reason!! LOL!
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@enduroaid, I don't think that grisly description can seriously be taken as a universally true account of toilets in France. But they are, too often, down steep steps which are a pain in ski boots.
The only "hole in the ground" (but properly plumbed, not just a hole with sawdust) toilets I've come across in the last few years, were in Pila, Italy. A real challenge for elderly knees.......
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You know it makes sense.
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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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I'm guessing the sawdust one is an eco compost toilet, certainly not something that would be considered the norm.
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Poster: A snowHead
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as a guy you basically had to stick your head in the pan to flush it….
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how was the flushing different for guys? How did gals flush it? 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Go to La Plagne or Avoriaz.
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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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@majkkali, are you restricted to school holidays? If not, I would choose another (off peak) week. New Year week is busy.
LDA is a marmite resort - "do you feel lucky punk"
I think the uploading to good nursery slopes is a moot point. A lot of places that is desirable, whether necessary or not. And if you are doing lessons definitely a moot point as the instructor will take you to suitable slopes.
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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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A lot of guff on here about L2A - I don't personally love it either and it would be way down my own current list of resort choices but it does have advantages for beginners and esp at this time of year - here are the FACTS (based on my experiences lol)
1 - Its not that ugly - a LOT of French resorts are ugly, full stop (which is why Austria is King), but have fantastic, relatively snow-sure skiing (eg Tignes / Avoriaz both as ugly / uglier) L2A is a town that's spread out in a valley at the foot of two skiing areas, one of which is pretty high and easily accessible. It also has some pukka restaurants - I had the best foie gras ever in L2A - Chalet Mounier Hotel Restaurant which I think has a Michelin Star now?
2 - There's also a lot of nonsense / fixations about home runs and the very steep face of the main area. Yes this is true but has little if any affect on beginner level skiers/boarders - there is a lift system that can be used in both directions VERY easily . . .so these areas can basically be TOTALLY negated. I hate home runs everywhere and I class myself as a competent skier . . .I'll take a lift at the end of the day to get to the bar safer/quicker every time irrespective of whether I can ski it or not
3 - Total beginners - the slopes at the very bottom have multiple poma access and are perfect for initial lessons / slithering about. This can then progress to the gentle and easily accessible Cretes area followed by the massively wide and undulating blue runs at 3400M (perfect for practising traversing / looong controlled carves). . . if your worried about NYE snow take a look at the webcams at 2100/2600/2700/3200/3400 right now . .
Case closed m'lud
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@majkkali, I had a lovely holiday in L2A with some beginners, reading this I'm beginning to question if I actually went to the same place as everyone else.
It's also worth noting that the new Jandri Express lift is due to open this season in L2A.
L2A has good views when you are up the mountain, slopes are mainly west facing so get afternoon sun, high altitude gives a good snow record. The town looked ok to me with snow on it but it isn't chocolate box pretty.
Given you are booking one of the busiest weeks of the year and it's a little over a month away you should check the availability of the snowboarding lessons before you book the holiday. It may be that this makes up your mind for you.
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FAQ
they are in a very stinky portacabin
threads he started that he has booked for Zermatt...
