 Poster: A snowHead
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Plea to any Snowheads with any opinions on where to stay, what ski pass to get, where to go...
I've just got tickets for the ski train to go on my own to Bourg St Maurice early January & explore what I know to be a large set of ski areas, but that's the sum total of my knowledge. 
I'm a 55 year old bald guy with a carefully cultivated beer belly, but (marginally) fitter than I look. I'm fairly open minded & happy to give things a go, short of deliberately risking my increasingly brittle bones.
I'm not looking for night life & prefer to focus on skiing as much as possible throughout the day, even in bad weather.
I have good ear plugs to cope with noisier accommodation options- is there a USPA super cheap bunk house possibility there, maybe?
Would it be really daft or weird to think about staying there?
My finances will tolerate more expensive options, but I prefer to spend my money on my kid's racing...
Anywhere to go? Pistes to try?
I'm an experienced skier who is comfortable with any (open) slope in any condition and any weather, although not a huge fan of unpisted slopes, if there is a choice.
Because I've never been there, I dont know where to start, so any opinions and tips will be very welcome.
I've got a lot of researching to do & just hoping for any local knowledge from anyone happy to share.
Thank you 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For accommodation in Bourg St Maurice you could look at Base Camp Lodge if you're considering hostel type accommodation. Walkable to the funicular for quick access to the skiing in Les Arcs (especially if you rent a ski locker at the bottom or the top of the funicular), and a short walk to shops, restaurants and bars in Bourg itself.
For lift pass options, you have Les Arcs-only, or for a little bit more money the full Paradiski pass covering Les Arcs & La Plagne. Either resort is large enough to keep you entertained for a week, and together they provide a very large ski area. The full Paradiski pass also has some additional benefits such as Express lines for some of the Les Arcs lifts which can be helpful when it's busy. In previous years there have been early-bird booking discounts on lift passes if you buy them in the autumn, so keep an eye on the official resort website and the snowHeads forum where offers normally get flagged up.
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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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Thank you.
Base camp looks like it could work- no windows in a ski resort is going to take some getting my head around, but price works.
Is it possible to pre- book ski lockers at the top (preferably) of the funicular?
I'll look out for deals on the Paradiski pass
Thanks again
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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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@BASE849, another option might be to look at the courses offered by the UCPA, at 55 you're not exactly in their target age range but it's worth asking - the age range is increased for their off-piste courses, and they will certainly consider allowing older skiiers (and boarders), they just want people to realise that it's aimed at younger folks so you'll be in a bunk room, and the centre might be livelier in the evenings then you would normally expect, and the skiing may be a bit more energetic etc
On the plus side, a UCPA trip includes full board accomodation (you only pay for your beers), lift pass, equipment, and all appropriate guiding / instruction.
Book via their UK partner Action Outdoors to get the Saturday arrival
https://www.action-outdoors.co.uk/search?season=1&month=&resort=8&filterDuration=week%2cshort+break
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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 was in Bourg 2 seasons ago ,,I stayed at the Hotel Arolla ..it's a B&B but you can eat in ..nice rooms but no lounge really , run by Thierry ( who speaks perfect English) and his wife ..there is a bus that goes round the town and will drop you off at the funicular ..we left our skis in the deposit by the bottom station to save carrying them ..but.....there is really not much on in Bourg ..not what you call lively ..some nice restaurants( I can recommend the Indian) but it is whatever floats your boat
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| BASE849 wrote: |
| Is it possible to pre- book ski lockers at the top (preferably) of the funicular? |
I don't know for certain about options at the top of the funicular, perhaps others will chip in, but the lockers at the Intersport ski rental shop at the bottom of the funicular (it's literally next to the funicular station) can be pre-booked and cost €7 per day for a heated locker. Info here.
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Base Camp also has a heated boot room if you don't mind taking your skis for a walk. I seemed to be the only one ever using it when I was there 
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Personally I wouldn't bother staying in Bourg st Maurice but rent a cheep studio in Arc1600. That way you would not have to rent a sk locker and you could just put your kit on, walk out of the door and go skiing. For week starting Jan 10th you can get a 20m2 apartment beside the cachette lift for 374€, which is a short walk into the village for provisions or if you do not fancy cooking meals (join the ski instructors in the Boulangaire for breakfast)
As to lift passes there are basically 2: the classic or the essesntials. The essentials allows queue jumping at many pinch point lifts, a few discounts, and access to La Plagne but costs more.
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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're by yourself and primarily a piste skier as you say then I would get the Paradski pass. You cover so much more ground by yourself than when skiing in a group due to never waiting for anyone, much less faff, shorter lunches etc and you should be able to explore most of both Les Arcs and La Plagne in a week
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Thanks so much for the information.
I went with the cheap 20m2 Arc 1600 appartment, so I've got loads of time to read about this huge resort in the forums & figure out what I want to see.
Thanks everyone for your time 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Im similar age and ive stayed in the base camp a few times over the years , i like it there as it has a good bar etc so you can go and hang out with your laptop and feel like your not a loner , theres always loads of similar guests to chat to as well. dont stay in the smaller dorm as people come in late at night of the train and it wakes you up , the 10 bed is much bigger and has windows to outside and your less likely to be woken up . I also have a clips that i fashion a towel to the side of the bed to keep the light out . The capsules are good as well , if i went back again id stay in a capsule as they have better bathrooms.
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