 Poster: A snowHead
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Quite fancy Les Saisies end March early April for a number of reasons.
France seems good option at that time this year as no French holidays, it’s not a long transfer, seems good for confidence boosting and low stress (just going me and 12 yr old, both only skied twice before) and lastly, I’ve seen something for a decent price and flying from very local airport which is quite hard to come by usually.
Only issue is the snow situation. It’s with Heidi, so am wondering if they are any good at offering you something else if it ends up being very poor conditions? I called them up but it all seemed a bit vague. Said if all lifts closed they would offer alternative but that doesn’t feel very reassuring, it could be pretty dire skiing an still have a couple of lifts open. I know Crystal have some sort of arrangement if conditions are bad, but they don’t have this particular resort available.
Maybe I don’t need to worry though and it’s usually fine? I did a bit of a search and I can see this resort usually stays open until late April but this season it’s closing earlier, I think 10th, wondering if due to conditions last few years. My dates would be 27th March - 3rd April.
Thanks for any thoughts.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not worth counting on as the resort will move heaven and earth to have at least one lift running rather than refund all the passes they will have sold.
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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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@Lilaclou, what accommodation is Heidi offering you, and how are they getting you to Les Saisies?
As @ster says, there is virtually no possibility of there not being even one run open!
Generally Les Saisies is quite a good bet for late season (I have spent many April weeks there). People from less snowy resorts are often bussed in. But there's no denying that there are better bets!
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@Origen, On the particular date I preferred, just 2 options, Belambra Clubs Les Saisies - Les Embrunes (this one includes ski pass too) and Le Calgary. If I go a day later there are options but the flight times are not good.
Agreed, I said that to the lady at Heidi that it’d be unheard of to close all runs, she was brand new though so I didn’t want to be a hassle and stress her out!
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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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@Lilaclou, the Belambra is in a good location for skiing, sitting on the side of a green run, so even beginners can ski in / ski out. It's a bus ride into town but the buses are frequent and tracked on an app.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Origen, sorry I forgot to add, it’s a private transfer.
Had another look, if we go the next day there is the Chalet Cimes available but more expensive, no ski pass included and I need to pay extra for flights at decent time. Plus the Belambra was half board.
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We stayed in the Belambra a couple of years ago. The food was good and the wine on tap at dinner is a bonus.
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Yes, the Belambra is well-located on the "snowy" side of the Les Saisies bowl. At that time of year you will be confined to the Les Saisies skiing, but that should offer plenty for you and your daughter. It's all easy to get around - no chance of finding yourself up a lift with only a scary way down.
Le Calgary is an expensive hotel - I would have thought it would cost a lot more, if you compare like with like. Eating there (or for that matter anywhere else) in the evenings, would cost a lot if you're being offered a bed and breakfast deal.
Any of those options are well located. Chalet des Cimes is self-catering, so is a completely different kettle of fish.
If you're getting a private transfer to the Belambra included in an overall price, that sounds like a good deal.
But much as I like Les Saisies, there's no denying that there are more "snowsure" options in the Tarentaise.
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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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@Lilaclou,
I would think the closing date has more to do with an early Easter than predicted snow conditions.
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Really appreciate everyone’s thoughts and input. It does feel like a bit of a risk but I think it could be worth it. I’ve just found the same deal for a few hundred pounds cheaper with WeSki which is even more appealing!
Surely there will be something skiable and open right?!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yes - if there isn't it would probably be unprecedented.
If the prices seem a lot better than you could put together for yourself, I'd be going through the small print with a fine tooth comb. It's presumably one double room - which with a 12 year old is probably fine and obviously a very economical way of doing it. I'd drill down into the exact transfer arrangements especially for Belambra which as @sugarmoma666 says is out of town.
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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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@Origen, out of town but in a better location than much of the accommodation in the town.
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Indeed - just thinking that a transfer to the Tourist Office in Saisies would be a bit of a bugger!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Indeed - just thinking that a transfer to the Tourist Office in Saisies would be a bit of a bugger! |
The bus goes from close to the Belambra to outside the Tourist Office.
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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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Yes, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but not great if you have baggage and were expecting to be taken to your accommodation.
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Poster: A snowHead
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It says it’s a door to door transfer. Finger is hovering on the ‘book it’ button
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If the price is right, why not? Hope it goes well - do report back!
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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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We have been to Les Saisies a few times with Peak Retreats. It’s a resort where having a car is an advantage particularly if staying in accommodation that is ski to the door but not in the centre of the village.
We have stayed at le hameau de beaufortain and Amaya and preferred Amaya which is newer. Peak retreats is the main tour operator that goes there but their packages are self drive including eurotunnel flexiplus. You could get an accommodation only price from them for a lower price and an optional transfer if you wanted to sort your own flights.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I don't think being in Belambra, which would be a sociable sort of place to spend the evening, with supper being included, would be a problem without a car. Not like sitting, just the two of you, in an apartment. What I don't know, but @sugarmoma666 probably does, is how convenient ski and boot hire is.
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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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The ski hire place seemed pretty close. Noone in the group moaned about it and they weren't skiing long after those of us who have our own gear. All the hire hear seemed good quality.
Like many french hotels, the Belambra has "animation" on most evenings, which included things like bingo and quizzes.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sugarmoma666, When you stayed there did you have to go somewhere to get your lift pass or did the hotel have it for you? Hoping not too tricky to find where to collect from if we have a lesson the next day
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The hotel had the lift passes.
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@Origen, Hi I’ve sent you a message (I think I have anyway!)
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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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Yes, you did, @Lilaclou - I've responded! 
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@Lilaclou, are you still looking at Les Saisies? I just got a video of my grand daughter skiing there today - shows that the snow conditions are really good. Although I know you're looking at late season, there are some reports of poor conditions from some better known (and higher) French resorts at the moment and it goes to show that though there are never any guarantees, Les Saisies usually has comparatively good conditions.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Origen, oh that’s really great to know, thanks for posting this! Yes I’m all booked and got lessons booked in too so if conditions aren’t great they can hopefully point us to the best places. Really looking forward to it, it sounds like the best kind of resort for us and I like the idea that it’s properly French too. I’m weather watching already which is ridiculous as it’s far too early
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