 Poster: A snowHead
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Mrs C and I have booked accommodation in Albertville and Moutiers for a week from 29th December. (Incidentally we have opted for Albertville on New Year's Eve as last year it appeared to be the home of the ONLY - yes ONLY - open restaurant in France outside of a ski resort... A great Indian at that!)
As veterans of the usual mega resorts in the area (such as the 3 Valleys, Espace Killy, Paradiski and La Rosiere) we'd be interested to know if there are any lesser known/less frequented resorts worth a day trip?
Is Les Saisies worth a visit, for example? If so, how long will it take to drive from Albertville?
And what about St. Foy? I've driven past it many times but not skied there yet.
Although we like to ski some challenging stuff we always find that new places are great to ski provided there's decent snow. For example, we had a great couple of days last New Year at St. Francois Longchamp and Valfrejus.
Any thoughts or any recommendations?
Inevitably we'll end up putting in 2 or 3 days in the 3 Valleys (as we find that its lift system and pistes cope ok with the New Year crowds) but wouldn't mind trying somewhere different for a couple of days.
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Areches is not that far away, two mountains, about 2 to 3 km apart and not linked. One is mostly all reds. There is about 50km of pistes. The off piste was quite fun when we were there for a day, but it was hammering with snow. There was no one there at all. Quite a few drag lifts. I think it took about 40 mins to drive there from albertville. Les saisies is not far either. I am sure Pam w will be here soon, or do a search on her posts as she has a place 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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From Albertville La Clusaz is within a striking distance for a day trip and Megeve (Domain Evasion) isn't that far off either.
There are 1600km piste in Tarentaise so a week or two is only good enough to scratch its surface.
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John Crawford, it will take you 40 minutes to drive from Albertville, via Villard sur Doron and up to Bisanne 1500, to access the Espace Diamant. You could spend a day or two exploring the Espace Diamant - 175km of pistes without taking your skis off. At Bisanne 1500 you will be able to park free all day, right by the Rosieres chairlift, and you can buy a lift pass there too.
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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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If there's any soft stuff around then you've got to St. Foy (not that I've been) but it's on the list for this season as a bit of an off piste paradise.
I'd also spend a day looking at some of the smaller 'resorts' i.e. a few chairs and a couple of drags - you can find out more of these places here - http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Northern-Alps
HAve fun!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Crest Voland not too far either.
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Valmorel just up the road - very nice and a bit 'different'.
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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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Crest Voland not too far either.
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Crest Voland is part of the Espace Diamant - you can get there on skis from Bisanne 1500. Depends on the weather; in high winds and poor vis CV has the tree skiing. But for challenge, Notre Dame de Bellecombe is the answer. Long (and usually pretty deserted) red runs and some accessible off piste.
To go to Les Contamines, be sure to find the route via Hauteluce to Belleville, which isn't obvious if you don't have a good scale map. It's far quicker than the trek round by road and you get straight up to the best of the skiing. Plenty of free parking at the bottom of the gondola in Belleville.
Areches-Beaufort, well worth a visit particularly if the liaison between the two areas is open, apparently has some brilliant off-piste, but I wouldn't know about that.  It's a really "different" place to ski; you are unlikely to hear English spoken in Areches though it's more and more common in the Espace Diamant as DIY skiers discover the area. Areches can be cold and exposed - best avoided on the chilliest days.
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telford_mike,
When the OP mentioned St Francis LongChamp he was already skiing in Valmorel.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks very much for all the advice so far.
Looks like we'll be exploring some new places this new Year!
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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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I second (third?) Valmorel
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Areches Beaufort is officially (I think) the closest resort to Albertville. But don't go there. No, no, nothing to see, stay away. Not the best off-piste in the Alps at all. Oops, did I say that out loud?
Sainte Foy is also superb, on and off piste. But I would say that... Seriously, the area is relatively small, but much bigger than the 4 chairlifts would suggest. The on-piste has a nice, continuous gradient and is very well maintained. The off-piste, well, it's almost as good as Areches...
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FAQ
28kms can be negotiated fairly quickly if its dry, its a cracking drive up AND down. One day i will get to drive it in my pride and joy and next summer i'll be cycling up it 
