 Poster: A snowHead
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I would go anywhere in the 3 Valleys - less than 2 hours from Chambery ! Meribel - Mottaret is our favourite ! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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pam w, On reflection I think that you are probably right, I'd forgotten about the shuttle bus ride from La Daille. I was thinking of a modicum of charm at altitude, I suppose. 
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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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CarlT, that's cheating, when there are so few flights to Chambery! Also, I don't think the average runs there are easy enough. Yes, OK, there are easy runs, but there are also quite a lot which can be more tricky, and unless you know the area well, it's difficult to be confident of not biting a bit off more than the lad can chew, which would be a pity when the whole point is to boost his confidence.
armitageblue, when you say he wants to ski with dad, do you mean instead of lessons? If so, steel yourself for a chorus of disapproval emanating from Snowheads! In Les Saisies, as I mentioned, there are no English speaking group lessons but no problem with English speaking private lessons, 54 euros for two hours.
I'd say that the main snag of Les Saisies, for you, is that because there are no TOs there are no catered chalets - it's mostly self catering.
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T Bar, have to disagree about the universal decent pizza in ski resorts. Lots of French places serve up a ghastly version where the base is nothing more than a crispy crepe. Yeuch!
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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 Rosiere,
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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boredsurfin, I presume you are referring to the snow?
Well you will notice the hard sell I gave, if people don't know by now....
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| Armitageblue wrote: |
| Forgot to say, he wants to ski with Dad. |
pam w, I had missed that.
Not so much "chorus of disapproval" as Gentle Advice. Armitageblue, your son is likely to get his confidence back far quicker with a friendly instructor than going around with you. Book two private lessons: that's all it will need. You will both have so much a better time if you do.
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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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| pam w wrote: |
CarlT, that's cheating, when there are so few flights to Chambery! Also, I don't think the average runs there are easy enough. Yes, OK, there are easy runs, but there are also quite a lot which can be more tricky, and unless you know the area well, it's difficult to be confident of not biting a bit off more than the lad can chew, which would be a pity when the whole point is to boost his confidence.
armitageblue, when you say he wants to ski with dad, do you mean instead of lessons? If so, steel yourself for a chorus of disapproval emanating from Snowheads! In Les Saisies, as I mentioned, there are no English speaking group lessons but no problem with English speaking private lessons, 54 euros for two hours.
I'd say that the main snag of Les Saisies, for you, is that because there are no TOs there are no catered chalets - it's mostly self catering. |
Just when you were all being very friendly I'm about to get abused because my son and I want to spend our holiday skiing together?
Seriously we both had 2 hours individual lessons in Vaujany last season with ESF. Quite frankly wasn't that impressed, bit of a language barrier, because we booked in resort we got who was available and unfortunately both were not too strong with their English (my French is merde). Having said that I am not put off and would only have a good English speaker next time. When I was in Ellmau had a Dutch Instructor who had worked and lived in England for some years so her English was better than mine.
Self - catering is not a problem as long as there is a baker for fresh bread for brekkie. If I booked own flights transfer options might become an issue.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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| Quote: |
I'm about to get abused because my son and I want to spend our holiday skiing together?
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No, of course not, I was being somewhat ironic, but it is true that Snowheads are on the whole rather keen on lessons, but (and this is a terrible generalisation) not at all keen on the ESF. Though there are some fantastic ESF instructors, including one guy in Les Saisies who definitely speaks the most perfect English I have ever encountered in a ski resort.
So, as Jonpim says, a few lessons could be hugely beneficial; without them, it's fatally easy to just reinforce bad habits. I should know, I've reinforced a few in my time.
Yes, transfer options are the big question with DIY holidays, but there are always taxis (expensive but oh, so, very convenient, and someone else has to fiddle with the snowchains) and hiring a car at Geneva is very straightforward.
Les Saisies has a good range of shops for self catering, including super butcher, boulangerie, etc, all within easy walking distance of any accommodation in the village itself. I still think it would suit you very well, because it is outstandingly unintimidating, with some very easy reds, and generally rather short runs (not always an advantage, but in this case, maybe it is!). There are easy ways down from any lift you go up (not always the case in the bigger places) and learning to find your way around doesn't take weeks. If your French is merde you might have some entertaining encounters - it's a French resort and English, though spoken increasingly, as there are more English visitors each year (thanks to my tireless propaganda, maybe) is still not up to the standard of places like Meribel, where you struggle to find a Frenchman. Depends what you like. What sort of budget are you talking about? There's a nice hotel, called the Calgary (owned by Frank Piccard, who won a gold medal there), with its own pool
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Pizza? Somwhere Italian surely!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
| What sort of budget are you talking about? There's a nice hotel, called the Calgary (owned by Frank Piccard, who won a gold medal there), with its own pool |
Sounds like you have expensive tastes pam w.
I'd virtually booked Arabba which was going to cost £195 each self catering inc transfers and £200 for flights inc ski carriage. So with ski passes, food and drink maybe £1200?
The problem is I'm going again in Feb without James. (not sure where)
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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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My son now aged 10 and coincidentally also a James, though no longer a nervous novice ( was more so when we went there) rates Morillon as his all time favourite place to ski for a number of reasons
Just over an hour from Geneva
THE best green towards blue run - 5km of variety called marvel
Lots of easy blues and reds, many of which run parallel and meet up so scope for your son to do the blue and you to do the red later in the week ( or vice versa  )
Scope to travel - Flaine, Samoens Les Carroz
Attractive village - not ski in/out but not an arduous uphill struggle either or convenient and not unattractive Morillon 1100
Can't comment on the pizza experience!
Local or area pass so you don't pay for miles you don't use and hands free pass
Snowsure insofar as the area goes up to Flaine and we've been at various points in the season and not struggled yet (usual caveats) Being January of course you can wait until quite near the time and see how the snow is shapong up
It IS pretty quiet though.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
I'm about to get abused because my son and I want to spend our holiday skiing together?
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No, of course not, I was being somewhat ironic, but it is true that Snowheads are on the whole rather keen on lessons, but (and this is a terrible generalisation) not at all keen on the ESF. Though there are some fantastic ESF instructors, including one guy in Les Saisies who definitely speaks the most perfect English I have ever encountered in a ski resort.
So, as Jonpim says, a few lessons could be hugely beneficial; without them, it's fatally easy to just reinforce bad habits. I should know, I've reinforced a few in my time.
Yes, transfer options are the big question with DIY holidays, but there are always taxis (expensive but oh, so, very convenient, and someone else has to fiddle with the snowchains) and hiring a car at Geneva is very straightforward.
Les Saisies has a good range of shops for self catering, including super butcher, boulangerie, etc, all within easy walking distance of any accommodation in the village itself. I still think it would suit you very well, because it is outstandingly unintimidating, with some very easy reds, and generally rather short runs (not always an advantage, but in this case, maybe it is!). There are easy ways down from any lift you go up (not always the case in the bigger places) and learning to find your way around doesn't take weeks. If your French is merde you might have some entertaining encounters - it's a French resort and English, though spoken increasingly, as there are more English visitors each year (thanks to my tireless propaganda, maybe) is still not up to the standard of places like Meribel, where you struggle to find a Frenchman. Depends what you like. What sort of budget are you talking about? There's a nice hotel, called the Calgary (owned by Frank Piccard, who won a gold medal there), with its own pool |
Hi again. Had a look at the Les Saisies website, is it as good as it looks and sounds? I must admit it looks lovely and pretty much everything we'd need.
Can you recommend one of the B&Bs?
How's the drive from the airport, easy enough? Directions?
Thank you pam w and everybody else for your advice.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Armitageblue, Easy drive from the airport - no steep hills, though of course there's a climb, and it would not be sensible to go without a set of chains in the boot. I could give you directions no problem, if you decided to go. It says 1.5 hours on the website, though it sometimes takes me a bit longer - it's 1.5 hours for a French taxi driver! Neither of the places under the B&B link on the website is suitable - one too far away, the other a sort of dorm place, I think. If you want a straightforward self catered place, small and inexpensive, I could probably identify suitably located places. If you're in the village, no problem going to the "Chocalatine" for fantastic coffee, hot chocolate, croissants and pain au raisins etc. if you don't want to be bothered with breakfast yourself. There will be apartments to rent in our complex, but although it's piste-side, and with stunning views, it's a drive (or ski!) to the main village and shops. Probably best for you to be central - your lad would be able to pop out to the shops himself, then. My kids always loved somewhere they could go out and window shop alone; felt very grownup.
When are you going in Feb? Don't forget that all except the first week will be French school hols, crowded and hugely more expensive.
Maybe PM me if you want more specific suggestions?
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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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We have a young family an 8 year old and twins at 2 we have skied the Portes de Soliel area last 8 yrs and recent brought an apartment in St Jean d' Aulps 1 1/2 hours transfer from geneva airport transport can be booked on line. our accomadation is situated foot of piste so ski in 150 to 200 metre walk to lifts from the front door. great pizza's one place owned by Brits (been there for 8 years) and the resort they have just spent 240 millon euros on snowmaking equipment for the lower slopes its Quite and the lift pass is resonably priced. check out the website. www. Stjeandaulps.com
Glynn
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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 Clusaz....
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JT, but I didn't think much of the accommodation at La Clusaz is ski in/out? I only drive through it, however, and stop for the odd coffee. I must get a day skiing over there this season; it sounds lovely.
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Rossfra8, quite. French pizzas are a style of their own. Pizzas in Switzerland are a bt more Italian. Austria I can't comment on but if you really want a proper Italian pizza why not go to Italy.
From memory the best pizzas I ever had on a skiing holiday were in La Thuile but only in the village not on the mountain.
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how about villars in switzerland. skiing should suit pretty place not sure about quality pizzeria short transfer from geneva
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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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Armitageblue, From what I've heard I would also second Montgenevre. The pizzas must be good as it's pretty much at the border, and I hear it's quite easy relaxing skiing. I've driven through it but not skied there.
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FAQ
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