 Poster: A snowHead
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i know this is the snowbaord section and the question might well be a bit "resorts", but want a snowboard specific view, not what some skier reckons:
i'm looking to book for the first week in jan and have come across acouple of cheap deals for meribel and la plagne. going in a small group with mixed ability (from 2 weeks able for reds to several full seasons). wnt to cruise around, search out a bit of powder, not too fussed by parks and the like.
i like the look of both - anyone got any comments or preference? 
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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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my my, what a small one (opinion)
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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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aaaah....... i've just noticed your location
btw boredsurfin, do you surf other than the net?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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rogg, nope 
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From memory, there were a lot of blue runs in La Plagne, whihc involved a fair amount of schussing and poling, whihc is not iedal for boarders. I'd probably therefore go for Meribel from that point of view.
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rogg, La Plagne is very good, however, as stephen buck, notes there is a flat bit in the middle of the main bowl. These are mainly on blues, most of that part of the mountain is blue runs, however, judging by the make up of your group you won't be spending much time on these so it shouldn't be a problem.
My only memory of Meribel isn't a very good one, however, this has nothing to do with the boarding which looks excellent too but the manner of my arrival in the town.
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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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mornin' all 
rogg, can't speak for La Plagne I'm afraid; Les Arcs was very good though, and I'd suspect the two together would offer a lot of variety for a mixed group.
We did Meribel a couple of years ago and whilst it was fine and the boarding was good I'd sound a couple of notes of caution; its main selling point is probably access to the rest of the 3V, and if those routes are closed because of severe weather (as they were most of the time we were there) your choice becomes quite limited.
The other problem we had with Meribel, which we didn't have in Paradiski, is snow -- because the valley runs more or less north-south, one slope faces almost due east and gets all the morning sun, the other due west and all the afternoon stuff. We found that as the day wore on that meant having to choose between one side with ski-polished ice or the other with well-ridden slush... generally worst below the first gondola stops though, so if you can get up higher it's not so much of a problem.
Swirly, can you be persuaded to elaborate? sounds intriguing....
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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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boredsurfin, ta. i've seen that site- it's good - i downloaded a piste map earlier. what i mean is if i'm down at montchavin, to get back to belle plange it looks like i need to take 4 chairs to get up one hill?  is that right?
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You know it makes sense.
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And 5 from Montalbert 
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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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Frosty the Snowman, Yep, the Boss has just put me right as well, I went via BernardC's personal lift and the telebus 
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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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I love riding Vega.... make the La Rosiere lifts seem so much quicker  .
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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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Haven't been to La Plagne so can't help with that but did a season in Meribel. Learnt to board there, only had the Meribel valley pass, but that was fine, some people never seemed to get much further than the six man on the Saulire anyway! Not particularly bad for flattish areas other than the run down from the Toughnette (sp?) into Mottaret. I'm obviously biased but I had an amazing time in Meribel so i'd say go there. Oh yeah, there's a board park off the Plattieres lift (not sure if the boardercross is still there though) and one above Mottaret as well.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Boarded in both.
Correct on the point about the centre of La Plagne being flat but that is ONLY the town centre and if you come down fast enough you can skim pretty much all of it  There are some fab runs around the Snow park area and the back Glacier area where the Grotto is is awesome & we found loads of powder there last year.
Meribel was ok & not overly impressed but I preferred the Courchevel /La Tania side.
Really depends on the type & condition of the snow though doesn't it?
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I'm with Honda Kitty on the Courchevel tip, much better than Meribel as are the runs down to VT and Les Menuires. Getting over to Courchevel can be a bit of a pain as it is very narrow and flat in parts. Still, it's worth it when you get there and you can wave for a tow if you get stuck!
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