 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all
Off to Serre C (Villeneuve) on a DIY self catering trip on 31 Jan for a week with 9 20/30/40 somethings. Staying in an apartment in the centre of the village (Les Crocus on Rue du Mail).
Im looking for a few tips on the following from all you knowledgeable Snowheads:
1. Lift Passes: Whats the best way to get them? I heard somewhere that you need to get an electronic photo taken at the Lift Pass Office - is this correct? Do they do that at the L'Aravet gondola?
2. Restaurants: Any recommendations for some fine French dining?
3. Bars: I hear La Grotte, Le Frog and Baita are some of the best - any other tips? Am i soooooo last season or are they still the places to go?
4. Access: The L'Aravet seems to be the easiest way to access the pistes (according to my dodgy reading of the piste map.....). Can anyone confirm/deny?
5. Casino!!: I heard a rumour that a proper Casino (not a dodgy French mini-supermarket) has opened in Briancon??? Is this true........ is it any good? Whats the taxi situation in the valley like, is it feasible to do a trip to & fro for the night with 9 people??
6. Mountain restaurants/Hot chocolate/Bombardino pit stops: Ok, so i know the last one is more of an Italian deal but anyone have suggestions for eats and early afternoon chocolate/alcohol combinations to help with the last few runs...?!
7. Anything else I've forgotten!!
Thanks so much in advance for any help! The only general tip I can offer in return is this site which delivers food/alcohol to your apartment in a number of Alpine Resorts which I intend to use....
http://www.sherpa.net/accueil.php?lanCode=UK
Cheers
Kevin
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Casino!!: I heard a rumour that a proper Casino (not a dodgy French mini-supermarket) has opened in Briancon??? Is this true........ is it any good? Whats the taxi situation in the valley like, is it feasible to do a trip to & fro for the night with 9 people??
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There has been a Geant at the Grand Boucle for years. That's but the roundabout at MaccyD on the main road. I've not been in Serre Che for a couple of years, so unless they've moved it it should be there!
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2. Restaurants: Any recommendations for some fine French dining?
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There's a couple of nice places over in the old village.
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4. Access: The L'Aravet seems to be the easiest way to access the pistes (according to my dodgy reading of the piste map.....). Can anyone confirm/deny?
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Not sure exactly where your place is, but you can get to a slightly different bit of the sector by taking the Casse du Boeuf lift up. I've not been in the aravet sector at the base for a while but there was a bubble that takes you about halfway up, then you get out and pick up a new chair [6 pack I think] to go higher up towards the top.
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. Mountain restaurants/Hot chocolate/Bombardino pit stops: Ok, so i know the last one is more of an Italian deal but anyone have suggestions for eats and early afternoon chocolate/alcohol combinations to help with the last few runs...?!
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Serre ratier above Chantemerle is not too hard to get to and has at least 3 places to eat. Cafe Soleil is great for pizza and ...sitting in the sun and has nice atmos! Serre Ratier resto is good for a warm up as has open fire. If you want to try good food try the resto at L'Echaillon - is on the pistes on way from Chantemerle to Villeneuve sector, you ski off the main piste to get to it. There's also supposedly good food over in Monetier at the Peyra Juana, but near the bottom, but we've not managed to get there. If you want a quick hot choc there is a place over on the Briancon side halfway down that has great views and on good day is in sunshine.
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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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| 1. Lift Passes: Whats the best way to get them? I heard somewhere that you need to get an electronic photo taken at the Lift Pass Office - is this correct? Do they do that at the L'Aravet gondola? |
The office is just opposite the Aravet gondola; they'll take the photo when they issue you your pass.
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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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| 5. Casino!!: I heard a rumour that a proper Casino (not a dodgy French mini-supermarket) has opened in Briancon??? Is this true........ is it any good? Whats the taxi situation in the valley like, is it feasible to do a trip to & fro for the night with 9 people?? |
Yes, there is a real casino in Briancon about 50m from the gondola station.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Apologies, O/T.
Didn't Camille Claudel winter in Villeneuve? I wonder if any sculptures reference the area?
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flowa, different Villeneuve.
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RE: 2
I was there a few years ago, and there was a restaurant called - from memory - "L'Ours Blanc" (The Polar Bear, I believe).
I recall it being excellent.
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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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Helen Beaumont, impressed  . Thanks for setting me right.
EDIT: got the wrong drift Paulio, sorry for confusion.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 8-01-09 16:06; edited 1 time in total
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It may very well have changed hands and now be rubbish, or become a kebab shop for all I know. This was about 4 years ago I think.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Or my memory might have gone wrong and it was called something completely different.
You should basically never believe anything I say.
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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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drkpower, l'Aravet is good but make sure you get there bang on opening or after ski-school has trooped through. Anywhere between 9:05 and 9:30, walk across the field to Casse du Beouf instead.
La Grotte is good for comfort food and a pint in the afternoon. Decent music and right by the Aravet gondola too!
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks all
This is why i love Snowheads; not a day has gone by and i already have plenty of useful info to make the trip smoother!
Thanks particularly to Helen; I'm not the most frequent Snowheads visitor but i heard about your sons accident and hope he is progressing well.
Thanks again
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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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drkpower, no problem, but although he behaves like a teenager, it is my hubby who had the accident.
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Poster: A snowHead
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drkpower, one other thing - are you taking lessons? Can thoroughly recommend EurekaSKI in Monetier if so and Gavin is available. Well worth the trip over - helped me no end with my technique.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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drkpower, I drank a lot in Le Frog over my week there, it was a really nice bar.
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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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Thanks for the tips guys. I may end up using Euraski but i am in Villeneuve so it might be a bit awkward. I will certaily be in Le Frog for a few!!
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FAQ
