 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all,
This is the 1st time I have come on here-the site is great, loads of info.
Ok, my questions is this: Which resort Les Deux Alpes or La Plagne?
-We are a group of 4 (2 couples). 1 of us boards well, 1 can ski ok, other 2 haven't done either before-they want to do some lessons while we're there
-We're in our early 20s, so would like a resort that can offer fairly good apres ski
-We're driving from Calais
-Would like other actvities to do, rather than just skiing/boarding
So, in your expert opinion, which one would suit us best?
Many thanks
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
would like a resort that can offer fairly good apres ski
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2Alpes. La Plagne is famous for being dead as a dodo at night.
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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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| Quote: |
so would like a resort that can offer fairly good apres ski
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As said les Deux Alpes.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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dan100, I like La Plagne and would go back but as you Lizzard, and Frosty the Snowman, have said there is next to no nightlife.
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OK, thanks for all the advice guys. The lack of nightlife may be a problem for us.
How about in terms of learning to ski/snowboard? Sounds like 2Alpes again, but just want to make sure we're making the right decision
Also, what else in on offer around 2Alpes? We'll have our car with us-any good day trips? Either to different mountains or any towns/places of interest?
Thanks
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beachlou i'd recommend you go and ski in Alp D'Huez for a day, nice easy drive of about an hourish.........
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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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easiski is definately the person to speak to about all that, I can't comment on L2A as it's still only on my list of places to go, La Plagne is very good for begginer/intermediate and better boarders and skiers I guess), however, I imagine most of the major French resorts are of a muchness in this respect as in you'll enjoy the skiing whereever you are. I doubt you'll go wrong with L2A.
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L2A has great skiing higher up but the route down to the village can be difficult for beginners, so they often come back by lift. Dont worry about that but just be aware. The glacier skiing at the top is great for competant beginners once they master the button lift. Not much to choose between the two for intermediates. night life in La plagne pretty quiet.
Consider Alpes D`Huez as has large open begginer slopes, good high level slopes and includes great swimming pool and ice rink. night life a bit like L2A but try to get a place higher up the resort and not down a long way from the slopes or centre.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks rag- it has to be between these 2 resorts because those are the ones that are on lastminute.com, which suit our needs and budget. Like Roger C said, we can always take a day trip over to Alpes D-Huez for some extra skiing.
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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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Just to add to the general consensus having been to both - definitely, no question L2A. Nothing wrong with La Plagne, you'll enjoy it if that's where you end up but L2A has bags more personality.
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L2A no question. Range of skiing, resort feel, access to the altitude skiing 
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You know it makes sense.
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EXCELLENT-think you guys have helped us make up our mind then. Thank you. They'll probably be a billion more questions I'll need advice on though.
I'm so excited about going.....we haven't even booked yet! 
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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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Having been to both, I'd advocate L2A for both skiing and apres. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Oh...forgot to add. Not aure if this needs to be a consideration, but with the lack of snow this yr, we are a little concerned. We are planning on booking for the 7th April for a week. Will the snow be ok in L2A?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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beachlou, hang on, I'll just get the crystal ball out ......................... yes! You're in luck - it will dump massively on April 05 and you will have powder skiing in the sunshine all week.
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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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Lizzard, 
beachlou, Lizzard has a point.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Fair enough guys.  I probably should have asked what the snow is normally like that time of the yr. This will be our 1st skiing hol since we were in school so not sure what the averages are like throughout the yr
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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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| beachlou wrote: |
| Oh...forgot to add. Not aure if this needs to be a consideration, but with the lack of snow this yr, we are a little concerned. We are planning on booking for the 7th April for a week. Will the snow be ok in L2A? |
LDA wins it handsdown. Skiing is better. Town is prettier. Nightlife is superior.
La Plagne is dull, both on and off the slopes.
La Plagne historically has the better snow down low at end-season. But LDA goes up to well over 10k ft. So, there will almost certainly be plenty open from midstation upward in LDA.
On balance, LDA gets the nod over La Plagne.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Looks good fun achilles!
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beachlou, yup. Loved the whole scene there. This guy was a Scouser - and great singer. Was also appearing at the Secret Garden - but we didn't catch up with him there. Apart from Smokeys (thanks to Aztec and Mr Aztec for introducing me to that) my own apres ski was a jar (or 2) at a bar - usually at the Lutins, on for some great food at a restaurant somewhere, then back to the Lutins bar, then hitting the sack. I've just about recovered 
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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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Thanks for that achilles. Take it there are some great restaurants/bars in L2A.
We're going to book it this weekend-looks like my mind is made up.
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looks like in need to tick of LDA then, having done LP twice and ADH once (and a few more as well!)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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how did you find LP bertie bassett?
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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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Personally I quite like it, but I note and agree (in parts) with many of the comments on here...
Stayed 1x 1800 in a chalet, and one time in self catering in Belle plagne. both times were within the last 7 years. It's a bit spead out all over the mountain..which is quite nice during the day as you don't get "everyone" queuing for the same lifts at first light..but the downside is that you only really socialise with people in your part of the resort - i.e. if your in Belle Plagne you probably won't go down to 1800 for a night out. Compared to a valley resort (e.g. St. Anton) this means there's less of a vibe of an evening..as less people in one place and up for it - although I appreciate St. Anton clientele is probably more hard-core than LP
La Plagne is a good spot for learners/improvers...particularly if you are based near "plagne centre" (or say 1800 and take the bus up) there's some very gentle nursery runs and then some pretty easy cruising blues to progress too.. you'r good boarder can bash in the miles on the piste or if there's some powder there's some great off piste potential (a closed Java run gaves us a whole morning of fun until our legs run out) - the other obvious spot is under Inversens lift..
Strengths - decent beginner, good intermediate resort..some ok bars - try "Planja" in plagne centre - pretty straigthtforward to drive too.
Weaknesses - spread out..night life never really 'goes off', not much else to do other than ski/eat/drink/sleep (repeat x7) - altought there is a bob-sleigh below 1800 and you can for rides..
As an option to LP / L2A can I suggest Alpe D'Huez. There's probably more to do here than LP in terms of non skiiing (swimming pool (need speedos - NOT shorts)) and as it's an 'all-year resort' it has more real-life and as it's all on one side of a hill, then getting to the "in-bar" is just a walk away (albeit potentially uphill) . From a skiing perspective it's very similar to LP in terms of easy greens and good progression sloops, and there's still enuff to challenge the better ones..Not sure what the sarenne (v. long) run is like on a board, didn't have enuff snow to try when we were there..
Can I add a personal recommendation - try and find the 'independent' ski school in your resort...do some googling. Personally I've never really been that happy with ESF style of teaching - lots of groups of 10 or more.. "bend ze knees".. and follow me...if you're going to La plagne then try these guys: http://www.oxygene-ski.com/ and if you're going to ADH I'm sure if you pm katski she'll let you know what rocks.
Anyway that's enuff for now - have you tried reading up resort reviews on "ifyouski.com" or searching this site for more info / trip reports...at the end of the day you'll have a fab time wherever you go so don't get to stressed or analytical about it..
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hi,
We have just booked a week from 7th April l2Alpes - it can't be worse than the conditions we have recently experienced in Scheffau! Have friends who went last Easter and had a fab time. 
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You know it makes sense.
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Well, I had a great time there, -again. But then, it just could have been one of those weeks when things go well, even though we had little fresh snow. The snowheads out there were fine, easiski's instruction gave me a lot of confidence skiing for the first time (other than Castleford after the injury, and I just got into the mood to enjoy myself.
Anyway, here are my tips (not doubt other snowheads, particularly PSBers can add their own):
Bars:
The Lutins - very French and welcoming, haunt of the local ski school (St Christophe). Snowheads often found there.
Smokey Joes. Lively, British.
The Red Frog (near the Place de Venosc) - as above.
Restaurants:
Tribeca. Mostly Brit clientel when we went their. Excellent food.
The Blue Salmon. French owned - French food - and mostly French customers when I have been there. Maybe the best restaurant in town.
the Fondue - next to the Blue Salmon. had a large Charlie-Chaplin-like figure holding wooden skis outside. Despite the name sold a variety of good food.
La Meje. Generous Tartiflette.
Not forgetting the little Thai restaurant for value for money.
Mountain Restaurants:
La Fee. small, but somehow has character. Helpful staff, and by mountain-restaurant standards, good value.
The Diable (at the top of the red eggs).
Ski instruction:
Ski instruction is a personal thing, I think. The instructor's got to be good, but you also have to be able to work with him/her. Easiski works for me - perhaps the best instruction I have had.
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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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thanks for that. Have just e mailed easiski re:lessons. Need some confidence after ice and closed runs in Scheffau!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks again for all the advice-now I'm not too sure again. LP sounds like the obvious choice for the beginners in our group. Overall, it's looking like LDA is working out the cheapest (big consideration to us) when adding up lift passes/equipment/lessons etc. If we did go to LP, we would be staying in a SC place in Belle Plagne.
Achilles-thanks for the run down on the bars/restaurants-it all looks good.
All confused again 
Another quick question-with driving to the resort, are we likely to need snow chains? (in either resort). Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Have just read through the La Plagne topic and it seems like it might be the better option in terms of skiing/boarding for our group. Only a little concerned about the nightlife. But have read that it's possible to go down to LP centre and there are bars/restaurants there?
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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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| beachlou wrote: |
| ............Achilles-thanks for the run down on the bars/restaurants-it all looks good...... |
More pics from my trip there - staring off with another at Smokey's. I am already seeing if I can plan a trip there for 2008!
There is a lot of good skiing for beginners at LDA, especially on the glacier. If they are happy going back to resort on the lift system, I think they could have a great time. There is a green to the bottom - but it can get fraught towards the end of the day.
Alpe D'Huez is a very good resort for beginners (as well as all other skiing grades) though. OTOH, as you say, LDA is very good value for money.
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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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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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achilles, Worryingly the score is:-
- Photos on the Mountains - 4
- Photos in Bars/Restaurants - 5
No wonder I've been tired all this week.
Unfortunately there was not enough light in Smokey Joe's for the movie I took of you "singing" Great Balls of Fire to be useable.
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beachlou, nothing wrong with 2Alpes for beginners/improvers. I have just this morning come all the way down from the glacier on blue runs on only my fifth time out boarding. (Fell over a couple of times, admittedly, and am thinking the 25€ for wristguards was money well spent.)
I was well pleased with the European Ski School opposite the Secret Bar - had one two-hour board lesson with an instructor named Robin, very good.
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| Colin B wrote: |
| .......Unfortunately there was not enough light in Smokey Joe's for the movie I took of you "singing" Great Balls of Fire to be useable. |
You may think it unfortunate. I could not possibly comment. 
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