 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys, me (32m) and my missus (31f) want to visit the Alps for a week 7th - 14th February. We've only been snowboarding once before (last year) and we had an instructor so managed to get to a point of learning how to properly do a falling leaf heeledge and toe edge and we started learning how to link turns but we only had 3 days for snowboarding so not quite there yet.
Found a good deal on a hotel in Les Deux Alpes. I also found a nice AirBnb with a lovely view in Alpe d'Huez for the same price. Airplane tickets and transfer costs work out the same for both places so really it comes down to what is a better, more fun resort. Ski pass and snowboard lesson prices seem to be a bit cheaper in L2A for some reason.
We would also definitely like to do some Apres Ski and my partner really loves different activities like ice skating, swimming pool / sauna, snowshoe hiking, etc.
Keeping all that in mind, which of these places would be better suited for our needs? Is the weather usually pretty sunny mid-Feb in both resorts? I've read that AdH supposedly has 300 days of sunshine a year.
Do you think it's worth it to sign up for a 6 day group snowboard course whilst we're there?
Any specific recommendations or "no-go" places in both resorts?
Cheers.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 23-01-26 8:18; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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AFAIK most of the beginner slopes are up on the top at Les Deux Alpes and it can be a bit exposed up there. More beginner friendly option would be Alpe d’huez in my opinion.
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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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ADH is excellent for beginners, lots of longish greens running back into resort. The town has a fair bit to do including open air swimming pool and an ice skating rink.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Another vote for ADH
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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'm L2A fan but I'd say it is not great for snowboard beginners.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Agree with AdH for beginners.
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Yeah if the choice is between those two (assuming there are no other options that work for you), I'd pick ADH too.
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@rogg, @chrisbristol, @Yoda, @basanix, @hammerite, @porkpiefox, Thank you very much. I actually found an AirBnb in Les Deux Alpes for about £250 - 300 cheaper than the one in AdH albeit with a much worse view and the flat itself isn't as nice. Is it worth paying £300 more to go to AdH instead or am I better off saving that money and going to L2A? Would Alpe d'Huez really be that much better for us?
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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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I don't think L2A is bad. I actually like it quite a bit.  If you take classes, instructor would probably take care of you and avoid flat parts. I still think AdH is better for snowboard beginners, but in this case you might get a week of ski school for one of you practically for free. I think that overweighs the difference between the ski resorts.
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IMHO LDA is very much a "Marmite" resort - for example, I and several friends would never go there again, but as you can see others like it - tricky 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Yoda, What do you mean by a marmite resort? That some people love it, some hate it? Also why would you not go there again?
Is ADH generally more sunny than L2A due to southern facing slopes? We care about sun a lot.
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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, that's right, some love it, others don't. I visited LDA about 20-25 years ago and found the main resort to be rather characterless. There was some gentle skiing up on the glacier but the choice of runs back to town appeared to be either some trickier reds/blacks or a very long boring green as I recall. There is a smaller ski area on the other side of the road which, at the time of my visit, was essentially solid ice. I think there were only 3 of us on the entire hill! Some friends went there last year and found that my memory was fairly accurate. Only my opinion of course, but it didn't strike me as a great place for beginners. I can't comment on the sunshine aspect, as maybe that's more down to luck.
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With AirBnB, be VERY careful to establish exactly where it is and how long it will take you to get to the lifts. It sounds as though you would be well advised to both do a week of ski school - in which case access to the ski school meeting place will be the key metric. I've only skied in L2A, and not for some years - but having easy slopes up the mountain is by no means a bad thing.
But that week is French school holidays - are you stuck with it? The previous week would be better - fewer people, shorter queues, more chance of getting into ski school. You might find no availability that week.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Origen, I've checked and the AirBnb in ADH would be about 10 minutes walk from the lift station and snowboard school point. It's in L'Eclose area. I think that's not bad at all!
Yeah stuck with 7-14th Feb unfortunately. At least we're avoiding the UK half-term and Paris half-term so that's good!
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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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Definitely ADH
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Poster: A snowHead
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@majkkali, both will have great snow down to resort in February, and both have very extensive beginner areas. It's just that L2A also has the glacier with the more mellow runs, which get noted in most conversations about the resort, and they're a love/hate thing because of the way they're up high and do get full force of the weather at times.
This is my ultra-quick summary of both:
L2A
- Expansive area, always loads of snow
- Not a huge amount of on-mountain apres
- Incredible views from up high
- Big town for eating and drinking
- Jandri 3s gondola is super-fast all the way to the top
- Funicular or drag lifts to get to highest point
- You will always end up back at the town with on ski/board or by down lifting
- Easier to get to IMO (mountain drive is less winding)
ADH
- Loads of nice tree-lined areas
- A right faff to get to the highest point
- Amazing views across the valleys
- Huge beginner area at Berger
- Signal/Marcels Farm is great for learners
- Of you stay in satellite resort then you have to watch lift timings
- feel like there's a better selection of on-mountain apres places
- The drive up to resort can be hectic when it's busy
- Main resort has that cool bucket lift thing to get you around
| basanix wrote: |
| I'm L2A fan but I'd say it is not great for snowboard beginners. |
The Jandri 2 run from Bellecote chair to the Belle Etoille area, and the very last bit of the Gours blue run are probably the only bits where flat sections are a major problem IMO; the rest of the resort is pretty good for boarders I'd say. The reliance on drag lifts up top is obvs a point of contention (there is the funicular as well) but it's not insurmountable.
However, I do think ADH is probably a more interesting area, even for beginners and newer riders. We took our kids there as total novices (one of the boards) and he really took to it, in part I think because of the terrain in ADH. The Montfrais sector is very good for learners, as is the Signal area (especially Marcel's Farm).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@majkkali, if you're stuck with that week you'll obviously want to book accommodation soonest and ten minutes is not bad in snowboard boots (I'd not contemplate it in ski boots!). If I were you I'd look at availability of ski school and go to whichever resort suits best from that point of view - either will be fine, otherwise.
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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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@Origen, @Specialman, @dobby, @Yoda, @basanix, @porkpiefox, @hammerite, @chrisbristol, @rogg,
Decided to go with Alpe d'Huez following your advice, thanks.
Of course as soon as I booked the AirBnb I found out that apparently the Pic Blanc is closed due to storm damage! Does that mean we won't be able to take nice panoramic photos on the summit?  Bit worried about this
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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They're currently aiming to re-open the Pic Blanc 3 lift by the end of January, so you might be okay by 7th Feb but it depends how it goes I guess.
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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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And if you can’t get up pPic Blanc, there’s a bubble that ends maybe 400m away (is it a marmot?) with a not dis-similar view.
I thinknADH was a sound choice.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@majkkali, good choice, you'll absolutely love it. TBH, because it's surrounded by valley on the west and south sides, wherever you are at 2100m or above, you get some incredible views, make you feel like you're snowboarding in the clouds on a sunny day.
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Just back from week in ADH with kids, was perfect for beginners. We used Monica from VO coaching 3-4 hours per day with them and they wrnt from one session in Leeds to being confident enought to try short red and long blues.
It was empty this week and they benefited from thus greatly. A big number of wide slopes, lots of cruisy blues to practice and some introductory reds.
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| majkkali wrote: |
@Origen, I've checked and the AirBnb in ADH would be about 10 minutes walk from the lift station and snowboard school point. It's in L'Eclose area. I think that's not bad at all!
Yeah stuck with 7-14th Feb unfortunately. At least we're avoiding the UK half-term and Paris half-term so that's good! |
If you're in L'Éclose, I think you are a couple of minutes from the mid station of the Alpe Express, which takes you to between Les Romains chairlift and the Marmottes I. I don't know where the snowboard meeting place is, but if it's not there then go up Les Romains and it's an easy green or two to wherever you need to be.
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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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I have been to both.
And to 50+ other ski areas.
Your choice is a no-brainer: Alpe d'Huez.
On the one hand, L2A is the worst large resort in France. Only go there if you fancy trash architecture, and puking drunk shouting tourists.
On the other hand, AdH is one of the best. Same level as Serre-Chevalier. Sarenne is but one of several pistes with 4000-6500 vertical feet.
Vaujany is very nice, authentic mountain village, yet in 20 minutes (2 lifts) you stand at 2800 in the middle of the ski area.
Oz is a drawing board village, but with human size and no 10-storey flats.
AdH has a skin history since 1936. Still alpine atmosphere. Class, not prole.
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IMO the only reason to go to lda is if the snow is cr&p everywhere else or the price is cheap
I went as a low intermediate in the early 90s and hated it - vowed never to return, but two years ago I was tempted by an excellent deal and as a now much older and nervous intermediate I haven’t changed my mind about it
still haven’t made it to adh though so will be interested to see how it goes for yoi
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@marskey, nice! Glad you enjoyed it! How was the snow? Was it mostly sunny when you were there? Did you get a chance to go to the Sports Centre?
@Onnem, thanks a lot! That’s reassuring. I think we made the right choice then any other tips for AdH?
@ScaredySki, ooff!! Glad we didn’t choose L2A then!
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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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The other good thing about AdH is the mountain restaurants are plentiful, good quality and not 'too' expensive compared to loads of other resorts. We like to have mountain lunches then cheap self catering evening meals. From memory L2A doesn't have many mountain restaurants, and those I've been to are overpriced for pretty grim canteen food.
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Majkkali
The restaurant left of the piste from 2700 tot Alpette (forgot the name).
The slopes at the TS at the end corner of the valley descent to Vaujany. Nice and deserted.
Piste from Dome des Rousses, via Alpette and La Fare, to Enversin d'Oz, beautiful and 1700 vertical meters in one run. Unique.
Combe Charbonniere, if open.
The fast reds on the hill towards Auris, that end in the canyon of Sarenne
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You know it makes sense.
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| Middleagedskier wrote: |
| The other good thing about AdH is the mountain restaurants are plentiful, good quality and not 'too' expensive compared to loads of other resorts. We like to have mountain lunches then cheap self catering evening meals. From memory L2A doesn't have many mountain restaurants, and those I've been to are overpriced for pretty grim canteen food. |
I can heartily recommend the salads in just about every restaurant in AdH and it's environs (but definitely not la Folie Douce, which I wouldn't be caught dead in). I've never been disappointed after about 30 salads! Every restaurant has four or five to choose from. You won't need anything else to keep you fueled for the afternoon.
PS. I'm not a vegetarian, btw.
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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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@majkkali, if you get fresh snow (or if the snow is just decent anyway) go over the back of Signal and down to Villard Reculas; it's a quiet area that generally seems to lack crowds. With fresh powder it's a wonderful area, as it doesn't seem to get hammered by the crowds as much as the main face of Pic Blanc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Onnem wrote: |
Majkkali
The restaurant left of the piste from 2700 tot Alpette (forgot the name).
The slopes at the TS at the end corner of the valley descent to Vaujany. Nice and deserted.
Piste from Dome des Rousses, via Alpette and La Fare, to Enversin d'Oz, beautiful and 1700 vertical meters in one run. Unique.
Combe Charbonniere, if open.
The fast reds on the hill towards Auris, that end in the canyon of Sarenne |
+1 for Dome des Rousses to Enversin. You need to take Le Belvédere not Le Dôme (the right hand and nicer of the two reds). Unfortunately La Fare, which is black, but skis red in good conditions) is often shut (IME, even late January/early February) because the bottom is at 1120m. If it's open, and the weather is cold and there has been recent snow, take the opportunity.
The red in Auris is the Fontfroide: north facing, wide and straight with a bit of undulation. Good to do a few laps of to practice technique on (but the chair can be cold).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Actually, just realised the title of the thread includes "for beginners"... none of the above is useful at this stage. Sorry.
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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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Beginner snowboarders at that.
AdH : main resort situated in a mellow bowl, full of novice friendly runs.
I don't know where to start with L2A for beginners and that's speaking as someone who enjoys it there. Just don't.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@majkkali, Whilst I haven’t skied ADH I’m glad you’ve decided to go there rather than LDA. I have spent a week in LDA and I’m confident you’ve made the correct decision. I’ve commented before on SH that I’d only go back to LDA if it’s free based purely on the skiing experience. We had a great time in the town, fun umbrella bar decent après and accommodation but the ski area wasn’t good imo.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I can recommend AdH (actually we stayed in Oz en Oisans) for 4 middle-aged blokes. Not so sure about L2A, though. 
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@Spike107, I’m sure you’ll still have good time. It’s not that it’s terrible for me it’s just there are plenty of other places I’d sooner go back to or visit first time than go back to LDA (unless free). I found the skiing all a bit samey not a great deal of variety and the layout just seemed limiting to me too. The lower slopes were largely devoid of snow when we went and uppers pretty hard and icy so that didn’t help. The black run back yo town was better than the blue which absolute carnage end of day and to be avoided if busy. Just download on gondola would be my advice. The glacier is hit and miss depending on weather especially wind and t-bars up there go on forever and i hated them.
The umbrella bar was a great laugh and I thought the best bar was the Polar Bear right in the middle of town, great atmosphere with some live music.
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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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I'm sure we'll be fine and will report back haha. I think the lift pass allows a day over in ADH so might venture over if things get stale in L2A. We only decided to go 4 weeks ago so had limited choice for budget we wanted to pay.
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FAQ
Thanks for ruining my Ski hol to L2A in 4 weeks time guys 