 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, had a plate of chips and a Coke today (here on the mountain) and it cost 7 euros. The clean, fresh air is a b@stard for that. You can smell the chips cooking from miles away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
snowball, Switzerland isn't cheap .... I'd say 'marginally' more expensive than France paticularly beverages .... Italy is cheaper than either in both ski and beach resorts , by the sound of it Austria takes some beating though .... but a 'small resort' experience, no? There are some cheap ( small) ski resorts in the Alpes Maritime ( but not Isola).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
It's not the cost of skiing in 3V/Killy et al that gets my goat - hell, that quality of pisteur and quantity of snow cannon can't be cheap - but the cost of living once you land in Courchevel/ValD/Tignes. Let's be honest - unless you're seeking out the best of the best, most of the grub and booze is no better in the ski factories than it is in the small resorts. And as a gourmand, i don't mind paying €10 in La Ros or Risoul for a huge pizza and buckets of chips - but to see a bill for €30 in Meribel for the same average nosh sticks in the craw a little.
So why do I stick to France? No other reason than I love the country and grab any chance to speak the lingo. Even with a GCSE in my back pocket, German still scares me 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Agenterre, I didn't say Switzerland was cheap but it is no longer by far the most expensive.
Try the Haute Maurienne (Val Cenis, Val Frejus etc) for really cheap (and it's in France).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Agenterre, the coffee's and soft drinks are around the sameish prices between France and Switz IIRC. I tend to base my comparisons on the following:
Large Beer - Zermatt 7chf, Val Thorens 6.5-7 Euro's, Saalbach 3.3 Euro's
Large Coke - Zermatt 5chf, Val Thorens 5.5 Euro's, Saalbach 3.8 Euro's
Plate Chips - Zermatt 5chf, Val Thorens 5.5 Euro's, Saalbach 3 Euro's
Burger & Chips (nighttime) - Zermatt 14chf, Val Thorens 16 Euro's, Saalbach 7-8 Euro's
Vodka & Coke - Zermatt 13chf, Val Thorens 7-8 Euro's, Saalbach 4.50 Euro's.
Smaller french resorts that I have been (if you count La Plagne and Les Arcs as smaller) were not significantly cheaper, and Chamonix is now heart attack inducing. Also been to Wengen and Grindelwald which were cheaper than Zermatt, and St Anton and Zell (which Zell was the same as Saalbach, and St Anton about 20% more expensive).
In agreement with Frosty, France is a rip off, and EOSB aside will never be going back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FastEddie wrote: |
| ....So why do I stick to France? No other reason than I love the country and grab any chance to speak the lingo. Even with a GCSE in my back pocket, German still scares me |
Why not Verbier, then? Not cheap, though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
Agenterre, yeah, but all Switzerland isn't Gstaad (fur coat and nae knickers territory  ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, I can only agree with your comments, I have had two trips this season both to France. Previously I have only ever skied in Austria and Italy and was shocked at how much dearer everything was in France, from hotels to drinks and food. It is also worth noting that there was a marked diiference between the two French resorts aswell, much dearer in Alpe D'Huez than in La Plagne.
So much was the difference that I don't think I will be going back next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
brian
fur coat and nae knickers territory, I havent heard that in years a literal laugh out loud moment, obviously said with the finest Weegie accent too
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Fri 8-02-08 17:55; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| achilles wrote: |
| Why not Verbier, then? Not cheap, though. |
You've answered your own question there
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Just for comparison I paid £5.50 for my Lasagne and chips and £1.50 for a pot of tea at Nevis Range on Tuesday. Which is about 9E I guess.
Bowl of chips is £1.50 about 2E I think.
I skipped lunch on Wednesday as the snow was so good 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Agenterre, I paid 7 euro's for a large beer in La Plagne in numerous places and that was over 3 years ago, and more than that in Chamonix 2 years ago. Totally agree re: Val Thorens. The meals we had there at the last EOSB were crap as well, at about E20 a head for the main course (without a drink etc). Best meals we had all week was a steak hache at lunch on the mountain, and the Kebab we munched in the street one night.
Compare that to last week's Austrian jaunt, we never had a bad meal all week, and at a fraction of the cost (and there was decent dishes on the menu as well, not the usual french culinary delights that are cheese, pizza and pasta). Try a massive sirloin steak in onion gravy with fried onions and roast potato's for 10 euros, or Thai Red Curry for the same price. No contest whatsoever!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
unless you're seeking out the best of the best, most of the grub and booze is no better in the ski factories than it is in the small resorts
|
... but their rent costs three times as much, as does providing accommodation for their staff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Charlatanefc, Very clear ... Austria WAY ahead ... as you know I hate anything ending in -lette and think Pizza should be fed to the pigs while Pasta is ok if there's nothing left in the fridge at midnight.
but prices are what I can pay on a daily basis in South Of France, I havent found a way ( yet) of living that cheaply in Suisse. ( of course someone will now say they once paid 98€ for a plate of chips and €25 for a beer in Cannes or Nice -- so before they do --- they were fleeced! )
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
I was very impressed after skiing for years in france at the prices and in particular standard of food in st anton and Lech on the mountain. I had the best meal I've had on the mountain in lech barbecued king brawn, sald and garlic bread and a beer for about £10. in 3 vs you do well to get beer and chips and a sausage for that.. utwe're back in france this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have been summer holidaying in France for many years & always found eating/drinking 'out' to be expensive. Was plesantly supprised how 'cheap' it was on last weeks trip to Val Cenis, especially as my bro-in-law had told me the prices he had paid for things in Val d'isere/courchevel etc 
Mitch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To me, the 3 Valleys is the equivalent of Cannes or St Tropez. You don't expect to get value...you expect to be blown away by the sheer beauty of everything you're surrounded by.
The prices and quality in Val Cenis i'm sure are just like having a meal in Dijon instead of Nice...you get amazing quality for much less outlay 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
all resorts in France have raised the age for concessionary lift passes from 60 to 65.
|
Not so. In the Espace Diamant reduced prices are from 60. But they're not reduced much....  All loos are free, and there are plenty of good, clean, public ones at many of the chairlifts. The latest generation is very eco-friendly too, with no running water, clever bio thingies. Chips vary from 3.10. Beers from 2.40. A season lift pass, bought before end November, was 300 euros this year, though I got additional small reductions. People with season tickets last year were offered an 8% reduction on this year's because of poor cover on the lowest pistes in the area last season, and the over 60's get a few bob knocked off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Quote: all resorts in France have raised the age for concessionary lift passes from 60 to 65.
Not so in La Rosiere, we had guests last week who've previously skied mainly in Val D'Isere, their comments were how much more reasonable prices were, especially in mountain restaurants and what a pleasure it was not to have to pay to use the loo anywhere. We pay €2.50 for a beer in Le Pub and €4.9 buys a big bowl of soup & croutons & cheese for lunch. So not everywhere in France is a rip-off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I once paid 98€ for a plate of chips in Cannes. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smokin Joe, was that in the casino?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Smokin Joe, Please refer to FastEddie, ' s comment above ... apparently the view is worthwhile ... though lawd knows how if it's me in view 
PS .. Few 'real' chips down (t)here anyway ... but I know where they are !
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Whole Europe is expensive, but the ski pass in general is still cheap compare to Whistler which is just under C$80 for a day pass.
| laundryman wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman, it's €1.00 for the loo in Megève. A good class of loo though! |
Was it run by Harrods of Knightsbridge?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Jehu, Still only need to be 60 to get concession pass in ADH as well
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I just dont understand why people pile into these frog rip off places and continue to pay these outlandish prices, having probably paid well over the odds for a weeks holiday in the first place. And why do people still insist on going during double money week (half term)?
Give me Austria or Italy every time, early Jan in particular.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
why do people still insist on going during double money week (half term)?
|
Because they have made the error of breeding, and therefore have no choice. Hence we can all charge them vastly over the odds for practically everything.
This is why people who come on holiday with children are always so grumpy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Good, just the answer I was looking for.
I have 2 kids, and I refuse to pay over the odds, and have always taken them out of school, with permission of course. I was wondering if anyone else does the same, or feels they have to abide by school holiday dates?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid £12 for a pint in a club in Tignes last week. Very spiteful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kojak, why?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
David@traxvax, I agree about La Rosiere - it was considerably cheaper than Tignes/Val d'Isere - but it was still cheaper in La Thuile, essentially on the same lift system and same ski area.
My view, having skied in France, Austria and having popped over to La Thuile too, is that the skiing in France, particularly 3V, is second to none. The skiing in Austria didn't match it. The area is stunningly beautiful. The people are generally not so friendly in France as in Austria, but they will generally be much more friendly if you speak French, and particularly if you speak French but don't come from Paris!
The prices - it depends where you go. Obvious attractive busy places tend to be very expensive. Sometimes they are worth it, for the scenery and sometimes for the food too - Bel Air in Courchevel 1650 is an example. However, you can generally find cheaper, quieter places frequented by the locals, and they are good value. Even in Courchevel 1850. If it has loud music and is full of young Brits, it is likely to be expensive, as they can get away with it.
The loos - almost uniformly appalling in France, but not confined to ski resorts! I don't mind paying 1 Euro if it is clean, the lights work, there is paper, there aren't men weeing on the floor in the ladies and the hand dryer works.
I'd definitely go back to Austria, as I found people to be overwhelmingly friendly - at times almost smotheringly so. The food is cheaper, but I can eat only so many dumplings in a week, and the variety wasn't there compared to France, at least where we went (Kaprun/Zell/Saalbach/Hinterglemm). I feel uncomfortable being unable to speak German well (only did one year at school), and hate relying on the locals speaking English, so I need to learn more German if we are to go back.
I'd like to go to Italy properly, and that is on the agenda for next season. I speak even less Italian though!
But despite the fact that it is expensive, the loos are horrible, and the lift attendants will shovel snow directly at you, I absolutely love France. I suspect that is why they get away with charging me more than they should for things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exactly. Italy next trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
)
)