 Poster: A snowHead
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The 'white gold' resorts of the Tarentaise are simply horrible, aren't they? Much of the piste skiing is bland (one only has to go to Tignes, La Plagne and Meribel to see this) and the resort developments are simply vile. It's no good arguing that there are exceptions to this because the generality applies. Why go to Belle Plagne or St Martin de Belleville in a pathetic attempt to appease yourself you're going somewhere nice when they're actually part of the sprawling Leviathans that are these ski areas?
Am I the only one who thought the addition of yet another 'Arc' (1950) was a cause for sadness? Is it really worth all the hassle to install a cable car that bridges Les Arcs and La Plagne? When you get to these places they're so amorphorous and sickly that it induces one to vomit.
I last went to such a place in 2004 (Val D'Isere) and was saddened to see the town strewn with drunks (all English and moneyed) and much of the Gallic influences extirpated. I suppose these places get the tourists they deserve.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 29-12-07 14:16; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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so you did'nt like it then ?
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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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| Quote: |
they're actually part of the sprawling Leviathan's
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the sprawling Leviathon's what? Armpit?
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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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kevin mcclean, what did you get for christmas? 
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kevin mcclean,
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| I last went to such a place in 2004 (Val D'Isere) and was saddened to see the town strewn with drunks (all English and moneyed) and much of the Gallic influences extirpated. I suppose these places get the tourists they deserve. |
Did they all come from Old Windsor? 
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kevin mcclean, quite agree with you Kevin, I'll never go back to those ghastly holes. Ugly architecture, samey-skiing, staffed by morons, and the whole area strangely lacking in real Alpine granduer.
Gives us a few of your favourites by way of comparison
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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kevin mcclean, yep, I reckon they're over-hyped, overcrowded at the key times and staggeringly ugly (Les Menures must be worst of the lot). Sure, theres a ton of terrain but much of it very samey so why the absurd preoccupation many have with mileage? Decent accommodation is maxed-out on price, service indifferent, chalet food gopping. You're more likely to get your skis nicked, you'll pay way over the odds for instruction and be kept awake by screaming, puking floppy-haired idiots called Toby and Henry. I just don't get why folks flock to these places in such sheep-like fashion - they're almost begging to be ripped off, and invariably they are. Pound for pound Austria and Switzerland simply do it better.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Where's Whitegold to give this thread a bit of balance 
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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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The other problem with the likes of Val is that the tour operators take over hotels and staff them with stupid, provincial dimwits. When I stay in a hotel in the Alps, I want it to be staffed by mature, knowledgeable locals, not a bunch gap year tw@ts. The up shot of this is that we now have a thing called a chalet-hotel, just so just so the likes of Kevin and Donna, from the midlands, can have Wednesday off. Donna, of course, is a pox ridden whore, while Kev gets a bit punchy once he's had a couple of beers.
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PJSki, lol
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You know it makes sense.
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All this only (to some degree) applies if you are an on piste skier. The area has a large proportion of the best off-piste in the world.
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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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Great topic. If you want more from a winter holiday than skiing, I would tend to agree (although I haven't been to la plagne). But many of these resorts were purpose built generating new capacity leaving more spaces in other resorts for the rest of us. So I guess everyone is a winner. 
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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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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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La Rosiere is not a white gold resort but now that's it's owned by Val D'isere it will surely be.......
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kevin mcclean, actually, it's Val d'Isere not Val D'isere.
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PJSki, 
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While there is much to criticise about Les Arcs the piste skiing here is second to none. Anyone who thinks different has either never been here or isn't good enough to try everything that's available.
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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, it's good as far as the Tarentaise goes (is that what you meant?), but second to none is stretching it a bit. Although you are advertising a chalet for rent I suppose.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PJSki, what do other resorts have which Les Arcs doesn't as far as piste skiing is concerned?
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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 et all, Even I would disagree that that Espce Killy and Paradiski have dull piste skiing. They have, along with the neighboring 3 valleys, been a huge success due to the quality of the skiing. If sold on skiig alone, they would have few equals.
gwaelod, Tell her to hire a guide or tag along with an off piste group. I am sure BernardC would have some names to ask for.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 29-12-07 17:17; edited 1 time in total
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rob@rar, Very restrained not commenting on his rolling eyes 
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You know it makes sense.
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rob@rar, you tell me. You're the one making the sweeping statement, not me. Time for you to justify your 'second to none' statement of 'fact'. 
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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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| gwaelod wrote: |
| rob@rar, Very restrained not commenting on his rolling eyes |
If anyone thinks I'm pimping the resort beyond what it offers because I occasionally rent my apartment they should look at my posting record here. As PJSki is a relative newby I don't mind him thinking I'm simply here to sell. I'd be a bit concerned if someone who knew me rather better than that thought I was lying about the range of skiing here in order to gain commercial advantage.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sat 29-12-07 17:24; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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PJSki, It would be easier for you to mention somewhere with better pistes than Les Arcs.
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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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Frosty the Snowman, Whistler, in my opinion, has better pistes.
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| PJSki wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman, Whistler, in my opinion, has better pistes. |
What makes them better?
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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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rob@rar, wasn't commenting honest guv, just impressed at your restraint at his obvious dig.
2 years ago when staying In La Plagne side we met in our chalet a very nice Aussie (I emphasise the nice as there are so few nice Aussies ). He is a very, very experienced skier and was over here for 3 weeks with his wife and son.
Was speaking to him on Skype Xmas day and he still raves about Les Arcs. He ranks it in his top 2 European ski resorts. He is thinking about coming back in 2008/2009. This season they are doing Japan. I was telling him about the Vanoise being shut and he wasn't concerned as he reckoned he could do a month in Les Arcs without getting bored.
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I've only ever been to Val d'Isere; but haveing just come back from Zermatt, VdI's pistes would come a poor third in a two-horse race imho. PS .. there are drunken Brits everywhere ... the Tarentaise isn't unique in that respect.
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rob@rar, in my opinion, they groom more, the terrain parks are better and the tree skiing nicer. Also, it's been a while since I've been to Les Arcs, but I don't remember any patrolled and protected trails through wooded areas that had had the trees thinned and dangers marked, like you have in Whistler.
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Agenterre, But you are a much better skier now, and that will influence your enjoyment.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Agenterre, welcome back from Zermatt. PJSki, can't agree with you there, sorry and I am not a regular Tarentaise visitor myself any more. Of La Plagne, La Rosiere, and Les Arcs, I much preferred the Les Arcs skiing, and would love to go back again in better conditions (it was early April and not a good snow year).
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Helen Beaumont, I did say it was good piste skiing as fair the Tarentaise goes. But best in the world? Bollox, in my opinion
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