 Poster: A snowHead
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@johnE, yep I thought schools broke up next week
Very selfishly now hoping it’ll be quieter next week when we go! Plus crossing is booked for 6:30am and generally they’re ok early doors and deteriorate as day goes on
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Good luck all in the EuroTunnel delays.
We are going by train. I was thinking it was about the worst idea I’ve had in a long time. I think I probably still think that, but seeing the delays on the Tunnel mitigates that slightly.
We trained from sheffield to London then Eurostar to Paris. That bit was sort of ok, just hard work lugging skis and kit about as well as managing a very untamed toddler. The crossing Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon was the point at which it all went bad. Toddler was cooked at this point, lifts not working in the underground and just absolutely knackered now.
Train to Grenoble then bus to AdH tomorrow, hopefully an easier day….
Good luck everyone driving. I’ll be doing that again next year!!!!
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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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On the basis that the check in queue alone feels like an hour plus, I’m starting to see the reason Eurotunnel is suggesting taking an alternative route. It’s going to be a long evening!
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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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Good luck all. We are crossing at 15:00 tomorrow and hope its sorted by then. Tempted to upgrade that leg to Flexi.
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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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Thx for all the updates folks. Rebooked for early tomorrow morning.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Train fun...Arrived 17:25 for the 17:36 train (flexi)
Check in 18:45
Boarded 19:50
Departed on the 16: 36 (which just happened to leave at 20:00) so I guess we can pretend we're ahead of schedule 
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We booked, and got, the shuttle at 8.30 this morning. Was hardly any traffic out to Folkestone, and no 50 speed zones, then really quick through the terminal and onto the train. Maybe luck?
At hotel just outside of Lyon now. Drive down was fine, great day for it. No real traffic at all.
Hoping tomorrow is as smooth... Not skiing in the day so will be a leisurely drive up to VT via the supermarket.
Hoping for good snow next week. Looks good with a few bluebird days. Love Easter skiing.
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Yes, it is very busy, pet passport very empty. 2 hours from leaving the M20 to now near customs. Husband continued to drive around while I checked in the dogs in the main terminal so we shall see how we get on via the Flexi lounge. We only have to make it to Reims for our hotel thank goodness.
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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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1h45 from joining the check in queue to being on the train, including 15 minutes loading up in the lounge. Flexiplus tickets which make a big difference when things are disrupted.
Good luck all!
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| Boris wrote: |
@johnE, yep I thought schools broke up next week
Very selfishly now hoping it’ll be quieter next week when we go! Plus crossing is booked for 6:30am and generally they’re ok early doors and deteriorate as day goes on |
Schools here don’t break up til Thursday (I’m a teacher)… hopefully the staggered holidays make for quieter travels / slopes 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Snowmadmum wrote: |
| Yes, it is very busy, pet passport very empty. 2 hours from leaving the M20 to now near customs. Husband continued to drive around while I checked in the dogs in the main terminal so we shall see how we get on via the Flexi lounge. We only have to make it to Reims for our hotel thank goodness. |
Ooh, that's quite a late one with Reims about 170 miles south of Calais. May have to call ahead for late check-in.
Hope everyone gets through in reasonable time.
Always exciting to get going on a journey for a skiing holiday 
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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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School break ups are a mixed bag. We broke up today (Wiltshire), but Bath (next LEA over) dont break up until next week. My brother and family are Kent, and they're at school until Thursday, too.
My Deputy Head is off to La Plagne this coming week. He's got a 1am Chunnel booking tonight. Fingers crossed it's clear by then.
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We were due on the 14:24, ended up leaving just after 4pm. Put my foot down and got to Troyes about 21:20 which was a good deal later then we'd originally hoped but early enough to get a pizza and a couple of G&Ts at the hotel
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You know it makes sense.
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| MotownJunk wrote: |
Schools here don’t break up til Thursday (I’m a teacher)… hopefully the staggered holidays make for quieter travels / slopes |
Fellow teacher wishing you lots of luck for the last week of term. We limped to the finish line today, pupils have been wild all week.
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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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@holidayloverxx, I am a law abiding citizen, honest
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Specialman, . Unless plod sees your post 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Que for tunnel started about 100m past the start of the slip road when I went past about an hour ago. Just got through dover port much faster than half term friday and boxing day. Driving through the night again, going to La Thuile for a change from Austria. Probably going to be the last overnighter for me I think. Daughters are getting a bit big to sleep well in the back and are no hassle if we stop at this age.
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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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@KeithWakeley, I felt tired just reading that! I hope tomorrow goes ok for you and that the novelty of rampaging around a train carriage wears off for the young ‘un. I have distinct memories of spending near entire train journeys in the vestibule so that my then toddlers could be a nuisance in there rather than in the carriage among passengers.
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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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Yes we were in that queue too. Finally got over after about an hour and a half delay. Just got into our overnight in Reims after stopping for food in Calais.
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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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Arrived at Folkstone terminal around 4:45am today. Backlog appears to have fully cleared.
Only queued a little at the border 10-15 mins.
Going the full distance down to La Rosiere, so hoping for some clear motorways.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Having just got the kids in to bed last night the hotel fire alarm went off which really added to the holiday excitement 
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Arrived at tunnel queue just before 7. Not sure how long this queue will take, but not quick...
Maybe an 45min to hour delay at a guess?
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Arrived tunnel check-in queue at 7:18. Almost back to the m’way slip road. It’s not moving quickly!
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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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Hope you all have an incident free onward drive today - our daughter arrived at Reims hotel about 11.30 - she thinks she should be on commission from Campanile as there were four Farnham families there. Already lost one 13 year old to another car this morning, so the remaining 11 year old has the whole back seat, of a huge vehicle, to stretch out.
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7:29 text from Eurotunnel. They’re experiencing delays. You don’t say!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just getting close to check in booths, 45 mins from joining queue.
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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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| Glosterwolf wrote: |
| Que for tunnel started about 100m past the start of the slip road when I went past about an hour ago. Just got through dover port much faster than half term friday and boxing day. Driving through the night again, going to La Thuile for a change from Austria. Probably going to be the last overnighter for me I think. Daughters are getting a bit big to sleep well in the back and are no hassle if we stop at this age. |
We’ve been to La Thuile three times and loved it but never driven… Hopefully you’re nearly there by now?
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You know it makes sense.
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Decent crossing to Caen. Done first stint and now charging at Tesla Le Mans and on the hunt for pastries.
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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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Pulled off the m’way at 7:15 at Eurotunnel this morning. 45min queue to check-in. Almost the whole length of the queue lanes. One through check-in. 2.0 min pit-stop. Nice and easy through passport controls and on-time departure at 9:06.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Eurotunnel queues on M20 back to J11.
Please dont drive in the middle lane to cut in at last minute to avoid the queue as it jams the M20 even more for us locals. Though I'm sure its not snowheads doing this
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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After driving down for Easter for the last few years, we're on train this year. Found the booking process a real PIA but the journey itself is going very smoothly. As it should, considering we're going from London to Les Arcs so door to door on the train.
16:31 from St Pancras yesterday, overnight near the G. du Nord, and then onto the 10:50 to BSM. Train picnic has just been cracked into.
Had a little hiccup with some of the metro tickets, which required a quick barrier jump for a couple of the party  but otherwise plain sailing.
FYI there was no biometric checking at St Pancras yesterday.
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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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@knackered knees, nope - I’d drive to next exit, then come back on the back way 
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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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@Boris, That was closed this morning
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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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6:30am from St Pancras this morning (15 mins check in and through security), easy enough transfer across Paris on the RER with pre-bought tickets meaning an hour wait for the 11:34 departure south (could have made the 10:50 easily enough). Currenty at Chambery. Bit of a long train ride but beating driving for relaxation for now! The 5 year old seems to have a lot of capacity for IPad cartoons.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| MotownJunk wrote: |
| Glosterwolf wrote: |
| Que for tunnel started about 100m past the start of the slip road when I went past about an hour ago. Just got through dover port much faster than half term friday and boxing day. Driving through the night again, going to La Thuile for a change from Austria. Probably going to be the last overnighter for me I think. Daughters are getting a bit big to sleep well in the back and are no hassle if we stop at this age. |
We’ve been to La Thuile three times and loved it but never driven… Hopefully you’re nearly there by now? |
We arrived in La Thuile at 14:30 for a 15:00 check-in after doing a shop at the morgex la familia. 2-3 hours less than Austria makes a considerable difference. We are all unpacked and about to have an early dinner and night, we would usually only be arriving now in Austria. We leave Gloucester at 19:30. Stopped at almost every totalenergie station on the autoroute to keep tank full and I topped up at the esso before courmayeur also, so I have a 98% full tank for journey home now just in case things get even more stupid than they already are, which is looking likely. I had a great time here last year with a group so I had to bring the family to try it. 
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@knackered knees, how do you get in from south then? With the caravan we often stay at Black Horse Farm before getting tunnel and have to go in that way. Surely they don’t send you all the way up M20 to come back?
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Just arrived in France on Le Shuttle. 90 min delay but was not chaotic as all queues were busy but flowing, and assume they were clearing yesterday’s backlog. Stopping at Ibis Budget Troyes this evening and braving Buffalo Grill!
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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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@Boris, If the back way is closed you have to carry on up the A20 to the next junction of the M20 and then come back. It's around a couple of miles. Living near Ramsgate I always come in from the east, having come along the Alkham valley, and use the Beachborough entrance except when it's closed off.
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@Boris, As @195062, says you just have to head to J11. It's only a couple of extra miles which is nothing in the scheme of things.
I'm not sure if it was closed due to the volume of traffic or due to the roadworks for strange road layout they are putting in place.
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FAQ
