 Poster: A snowHead
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Going there at the beginning of January, don't know anything about skiing/boarding but would like to know what to expect in terms of the actual place?
Is it a good place for beginners?
What's the nightlife like?
Do the French drink pints?
Does the local hospital have a ward for numpty Englishmen?
Will I have a good time?
Is it expensive to eat/drink?
Is it easy to navigate for the beginner (i.e. lifts, shuttles etc)?
Will a non-French speaker get on okay?
Aves vou un cuppa?
Cheers
Spesh
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sorry, going to answer your questions with more questions...Which part of La Plagne are you going to be staying in, and in what sort of accommodation? What sort of group are you in? How have you organised the trip (are you using a tour operator, for example)? Are you planning to have lessons? Can't really answer your questions properly without a bit more information.
But yes, you are going to have a good time and welcome to  s.
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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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Specialman, just seen your post in the snowboard thread.... will have a good look at that and get back to you
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Righty ho,
There are five of us going (two have boarded before) and those two are organising the whole lot. Whether we go with a tour operator or do it all ourselves is really dependant on whether the prices are good - I don't mind paying that little extra for say a Neilson holiday if I know I'll get good service from the reps and instructors et al. If there's £100s in it then i think we'll do it independant of the tour operator.
I don't know which part of La Plagne we'll be staying at, but I know we will be going to the La Plagne area (is it referred to as Paradiski? simply because these two fellas know the place, which makes it easier for them to show us around outside of the lessons we'll be having.
Definitely planning to have lessons. I've only skied on dry slopes before and have never even seen a snowbaord, so I want some kind of reward for my money. Anyway, I've been told that it's pretty much essential to get some form of tuition, so i'll do that along with the other two beginners.
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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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La Plagne is a good place for beginners, especially if you are in the main bowl - very little walking or humping your stuff around. It's purpose built, and pretty snowsure, which also means it's architecturally not very exciting (some parts, like Plagne Bellecote, positively horrible, others, like Belle Plagne, more sympathetic). You can't have everything. There are bars, of course, but I don't think even a big LP enthusiast would describe it as having much varied apres ski. It's not expensive to eat and drink compared to other ski resorts - but local shopping will cost more than a big supermarket (where prices overall are comparable to UK). Lunches on the mountain can add up. For some, this is an essential part of the holiday experience, others stuff a few muesli bars in the pocket and hang on till the evening. If you go in low season (ie after 10 Jan, this year) the slopes will be uncrowded and you might get some excellent last minute bargains from the tour operators, provided you are flexible about where to go. But having friends who know their way round the resort is certainly a help - not that, as beginners, you will be able to cover a lot of ground; it's a huge area, even excluding the Les Arcs link. The whole area is called Paradiski, now that the two are linked. Get some advice on the ski schools - my only experience there was of ESF, often not the best bet. There is an independent school in Plagne Centre called Oxygene, others here will probably have had experience of them. How did you get on with the dry slope skiing? The real thing is easier and a lot more fun.
Finally, the French drink beer in big glasses, but half litres rather than pints, I think. Fizzy stuff mostly. Don't worry about lack of French, the staff in bars and restaurants will all be used to English skiers who don't speak French. If you remember to smile and say "bonjour" before you order, it will make a big difference. Medical facilities in France are good, as are the rescue services which get you off the mountain, but make sure you have top quality insurance.
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I've written a bit replying to your post in snowboarding but I'll be more specific here.
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Is it a good place for beginners?
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Yes, there's loads of long blues and easy reds as well as some more challenging ones for later in the week
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What's the nightlife like?
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Fairly quiet but depends where you stay, we stayed in Plagne 1800 and there was one pub although that was apparently pretty lively, I'm more of a stay in getting drunk on free wine and playing cards sort of person.
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Do the French drink pints?
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1/2 litres more than pints but it's a simila amount, not cheap though and it'll be lager.
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Does the local hospital have a ward for numpty Englishmen?
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Not from experience I'd guess they do, make sure you have adequate insurance though this is very important as bills for healthcare and especially rescue can be huge (£1000's)
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Will I have a good time?
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Definately, just enjoy the time out there
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Is it expensive to eat/drink?
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No more than any other resort, in fact we got a pretty cheap takeaway pizza and wine from the supermarket on the hosts night off. On the slopes the prices varied, there's a good restuarant on the back of the mountain past the lift that goes back up Verdons which is resonable, make sure you get a lot of speed up on the way down though as it's a long flat (closest I got my board was about 100m away before I had to walk)
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Is it easy to navigate for the beginner (i.e. lifts, shuttles etc)?
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Don't get over-awed by the size of the area and it's not too bad, the runs are very well marked and junctions well signposted too. Just keep checking your map and get advice from your instructor.
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Will a non-French speaker get on okay?
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Didn't affect my SO at all, I speak a little French but hardly used any.
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Specialman, I've been to La Plagne about 5 times. It's a great resort - loads of runs and lots of places to go. In fact the skiing is so excellent I won't dwell on it.
There are 7eral villages - the best for nightlife is definitely Plagne Centre . Staying in Plagne centre will be best if you want to do lots of drinking, but it is one of the uglier villages. If you want something a bit more pleasing on the eye try Belle Plagne - although I'm not sure about the nightlife in Belle (and I have been told that if there's tons of snow there's an avalanche risk in Belle!).
Try the following for good value accomodation - Tim Squires at Ski Epm Ltd (http://www.skiepm.com) is v budget in my experience, but Tim's a good guy and has offer accomodation in La Plagne for years. I've also used Silver Ski (http://www.silverski.co.uk) - great value chalet hols. Some of their chalets are really close to Plagne Centre. Silver ski also have a good social skier program, which will help you to get to know the area quickly without standing around looking at the piste map.
Enjoy 
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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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NeilInSpain, have checked out both sites and www.skiepm.com looks ace. The prices are good and hopefully I'll get the booking sorted this weekend at a much lower price than I originally thought I was going to la Plagne for. Cheers for the headsup on that matey.
Spesh
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By the way, does anyone know the best option for transfers to la Plagne?
We're looking at flying to Lyon (unless there is a better option, Grenoble maybe?) and the transfers seem mighty pricey - £90 each (£450 in total for my group) right up to £700 with one firm!!! Is there a train from lyon that would do the trip cheaper without it taking too much time? I believe a transfer from Lyon to the resort is about 3 hours?
Would renting a people carrier for the week be a worthy (and cheaper) option? 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Specialman, we've always rented a car to La Plagne (albeit from GVA). Best place for your group IMO is Plagne Centre. Easy for lessons, best nightlife etc...
You need any more help let me know, the 1st 5 weeks of my 10 weeks skiing were in La Plagne.
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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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Specialman, if you can get to Grenoble it is closer - easyjet go there from both Luton and Gatwick (albeit v. early from Luton - but according to your sig you are just up the road...) . If you hire a car, make sure that you either :
1) don't choose Europecar - Easy do special deals with them, and so the Q to get a car is longer than the journey (bitter and twisted by the experience, moi? )
2) If you do choose Europecar, have one person get in the Q (outside the main lounge) and the others pick up the bags of the carousel. Don't muck around, get to that Q asap.
Grenoble isn't that big an airport so don't expect much in the way of souvenirs for SOs on your way back - buy in La Plagne. Its also about 40Km the wrong side of the city, which can be a little disappointing when you are driving for 1/2 an hour, and then you get to the town.
AFIK nearest hospital for special injuries is Chambery ( friend spent a considerable amount of insurance money going from Les Arcs - Chambery & back for hand repairs - beautiful job though of pins and all - obviously well practiced...) although BStM has general beds
But Hey! you aren't going to need them!
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I was looking at easyjet but we all wanted to fly from Birmingham (3 of the group live there) so it would have to be BA. I wanted to just hop on the train at Rugby and not have to bother with driving to an airport and leaving the car at an extortionately-priced car park for the week!!!
I've checked otu a few europe-wide rental places and I can get a 7-set espace for half of what the tranfer would cost with a La Plagne-based company. Okay I'd have to pay fuel on top but I reckon we'd still save about £100 - £150.
Charlatanefc, I'll check out flight to Geneva. On a side note, i checked out your pics from your ski hols and it's definitely whet my whistle... I can't wait!!!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Specialman wrote: |
| We're looking at flying to Lyon (unless there is a better option, Grenoble maybe?) |
You could also look at flying to Geneva; about the same driving time as Lyon. Chambery airport is the closest, but not many airlines fly there.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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kuwait_ian, how easy is the connection at Chambery from the airport to the train station?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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There are also several other choices from midlands to GVA - flybe and bmibaby? rob@rar, there are buses from Chambery airport to Chambery and Aix. Have not used them, but I think they are fairly frequent. But Chambery scores best for drivers - free car parking, a few metres from the door. Just don't expect any food other than a croissant - if they haven't sold 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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| pam w wrote: |
| rob@rar, there are buses from Chambery airport to Chambery and Aix. Have not used them, but I think they are fairly frequent. But Chambery scores best for drivers - free car parking, a few metres from the door. |
Tell me more about the free parking - If I had a season-long rental car would I be able to leave it at the airport without paying anything for parking when I was back in the UK?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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rob@rar, ......just might be your LUCKY day....!
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rob@rar, If you could, it would be worth buying a cheapie & leaving it there! 
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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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| rob@rar wrote: |
| kuwait_ian, how easy is the connection at Chambery from the airport to the train station? |
Some of our friends did that in March & it cost them 8euros by taxi.
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I'm sure they will work out they can charge for parking at some point I am expecting that this year as it was too good to be true
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Specialman, I worked season 05/06 in La Plagne as a ski host. It's a great place for beginners. It's not the (most happening place interms of nightlife but there are some great bars (PlanJa is a great dutch bar in Plagne Centre and La Mine in Plagne 1800).
It's a great confidence building resort and the area has a great feel of actually skiing to somewhere instead of just up and down a mountain. It has a few flat spots for boarders but on skis you will be fine. I love the ski area and think it's vastly underated.
For lunch you will get better grub at cheaper prices if you eat in one of the villages rather than on the mountain. Plagne Centre has La Grolle which is very reasonable and does an amazing omlette savoyarde. Avoid "Croc neige" as if your life depends on it (in my opinion very poor quality food at over inflated prices). La vega is also very reasonable. For some truely amazing grub in the evening try The grizzly in Plagne villages or the Refuge in plagne centre.
There is a massive a large brit populatoin in la plagne so language won't be a problem.
Oh on snowy days try some of the great runs through the trees down to Montalbert (less people head this way than to Montchavin/Les Coches)
Will you have a good time? You can bet your life you will.
Sorry to ramble on but this resort has a special place in my heart 
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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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rob@rar, I don't know how long you could get away with it. The longest I have left a car there is 6 days when back in the UK for a visit. On that occasion I was switching on the ignition within five minutes of getting off the plane (no customs, immigration, parked 20 metres from the door...). AND it was raining cats and dogs. AND I knew it would be snow before I got up the mountain. Magic. I don't recall any signs about limitations on parking but yes, I suppose they could introduce charges at any time. However, the general area round Chambery airport is fairly low rent and I have thought once or twice that it would be a good place to find a local garage where you could leave a car, and telephone them to get it sorted for you, check battery, tyres, etc. and leave it at the airport for you. I have friends who do that near one of the Dordogne airports, and it costs them very little. You couldn't think of anything like that round Geneva Airport! However, the number of flights to Chambery is a bit limited and there is nothing much in the summer (when we also visit). So far I have decided that the most economical answer is to have one car and drive it back and forth.
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FAQ
I have always thought Lyon was closer/less drive time 
I shall have to re-cost my cheap flights v. driving calculations 