A few more stupid newbie questions

A snowHead

My apologies in advance if you think these questions are stupid.

Should I take my walking boots for general use around the town or would trainers do? I am not a big fan of cold wet feet. I can travel in them so luggage weight is not an issue.

My chalet is 5 minutes walk from the lifts. When I go out for the day is it advisable to take a back pack with extra layers, drink etc. and possibly a change of shoes? Do people ski wearing back packs or is that just stupid?

We arrive in resort in the evening so the first day is a write off. We had originally booked the holiday with an early arrival but the travel company have moved our flight – very annoyed with Crystal/TUI about this. Will it be a total nightmare getting my ski pass and equipment first thing in the morning? We arrive on 26 December so I am assuming it will be busy on the morning of 27 December. I do not want to spend all morning sorting lift passes and getting equipment. Do the relevant offices/shops stay open in the evening for the late arrivals?

Cheers, Mike.

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Mike - welcome to snowHead

Im sure others will also offer help / advice, but I wil ltry to help as much from my own experience.

1. Yes, take walking boots. Nothing worse than slipping around resort in trainers.
2. Depends what you are doing ski wise, but I alsways take a back pack with a fleece / snood / bottle of water etc
3. From experience - they will prob sort lift pass etc out with you on the transfer from the airport. Ski hire shops should still be open in the evening.

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I usually travel in walking boots as even if there is no snow in resort its a lot easier to walk around. Take some more comfy shoes (trainers, slippers etc) for when you are in your hotel, chalet, apartment.

I wear a back pack on the slopes and as long as its not too heavy you won't notice it when skiing. Its very handy and means you can take packed lunches, spare hats, camera etc out with you. At some of the older chair lifts there are signs advising you to take your back pack off and carry it on your lap but a lot of people appear to ignore this.

Availability of ski passes will vary wherever you are going. I'm assuming that you haven't pre-paid Crystal for your pass but that's an option and your rep will sort it out for you either the night before or the following morning. This puts trust in your rep and you may be delayed in getting your pass if they turn up late. The alternative is to show up early at the ski pass office (usually at the bottom of the main chairlift/Gondola station) but you are likely to be queing along with everyone else in resort who arrived the day before.

Hope that helps

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Yes, take decent footwear for walking about town, I use walking boots and if there is no snow at least you can go for a walk!

A lot of people do ski with backpacks, but most will stick in ski boots all day and not have a change of footwear. There was a thread a while ago about what snowheads carried in their backpacks which was both useful and amusing. Extra layer, drink, spare goggles & gloves are quite common.

TO can get your passes for you, and the price is comparable to what you pay in the resort. Equipment can be a pain and my advice is to be first in the queue. Get there before the shop opens and you can save a lot of time. First time I went there was a real scrum and when I got back to my room I discovered I had inadvertently picked up two right boots! What's more I only discovered it when I had failed to get my left foot in and then realised the clips were on the wrong side!

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We normally pay for lift passes on the transfer coach via the rep. The rep will then bring the passes to your chalet (or accommodation). We generally find we arrive in resort about 4 to 6 in the afternoon and the rep brings the passes whilst we are having breakfast the next morning.

As for ski hire the shops are open when you get there so normally get that sorted the first night.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Mike-H, one other thing is that the first day in resort is usually a write-off skiing-wise unless you get there before noon. I once managed 1.5 runs on the free green slope lift by the chalet in La Ros on travel day rolling eyes

(1.5 because the - drag - lift stopped halfway up the second run)

After all it is free

Mike-H, I normally travel with Crystal/TUI and have always received the lift pass on the transfer bus. If you have pre-booked hire equipment with them you will get vouchers for these also. I expect the shop opening times may vary but if you arrive in resort before about 6pm you should be in luck.

I don't really carry anything when skiing, I would find it too restrictive, just tissues, money, phone, etc. in pocket.

Hi, i can chip in here too -
Shoes. Snow. Yes. Dont bother with any other types unless your hotel expects you to dress for dinner - unlikely unless you are a royal or russian. Ski boots are clunky but I put them on in the morning and take them off at the end of the day leaving my shoes in the hotel boot room. Ski boots are warm but not ideal for walking in but you dont want to muck about changing boots/shoes on the mountain. Get good fitted thin ski socks.

Backpack. Possibly. but not advisable for beginners cos there will be enough mucking about getting used to handling the other kit. You wont be going far from base camp at the start. If you get a backpack - get a good one that fits well, has good straps and possibly a chest strap cos u will be moving about and u need it to stay on ur back. It will still distract you as you try to learn the skiing so, well, dont. I have one, but then I go places where I need spare stuff and backup stuff and digpeopleoutofavalance stuff.

One of those minimal water backpacks may be a good compromise. Dont eat yellow snow.

Getting sorted for kit on the first morning can be a pain. If possible get the boots&skis in the evening. Tour Op may bring a boot/ski shop person to your hotel in the evening. Very convenient but they may have a limited range of sizes. They will probably sell you this service and the lift pass and lessons on the transfer bus. If you are new to all this then I suppose it can be a help, but most people will do their own thing as they gain experience. Be aware that the tour op rep will be doing this as a suplement to his/her income, will be new on the job only the week before and so your mileage may vary...

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Great advice as always from this forum. We arrive in La Plagne 1800 at about 20.30 as Crystal have moved our flight. I can pre book a 'fast pass' for the lift but I assume getting skis and boots is going to be nightmare, affectively eating into the morning. What is the best plan for getting equipment quickly?

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Mike-H, What resort are you going to?

snow reports

Mike-H, get to the rental shop first thing in the morning, ideally 5-10 mins before it opens. Half-hour late and you may lose a lot more time, so be rigorous with that first morning.

For the rest: proper mountain boots - yes. Backpack - depends but if you do, get a good one (and small). I wouldn't take a change of shoes with me on the slopes.

La Plagne 1800

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Mike-H, if at all possible, go the night before (the shops'll be open fairly late). You'll be tired, and you won't feel like it, and it'll take ages, and you'd rather put your feet up with a beer, but..... you'll be glad in the morning. Are you doing ski school? Are the infants skiing too?

A snowHead

Mike-H, Have a look at http://www.la-plagne.com/en/winter-holidays/winter-holidays.html , you can pre-order your liftpasses. Might also be worth having a look at on-line hire shops i.e. skiset, snowrental, snowbrainer most offer discounted early booking and if you have a search of the web there are sometimes extra discounts to be had. Some also show a map of their location, so you can book with those closest to your accomodation and also find out opening hours. Smile

Hope this helps Toofy Grin

A snowHead

Mike-H, Why not order your lift pass online then they will post it to your home?

http://www.skipass-laplagne.com/Catalog/?lang=en

I'd do it soon though.

As for ski equipment hire, do some research - it will make life a LOT easier. First morning getting organised is pretty full on. I now find my hotel location and then find the nearest ski hire shop (searching online). If you book your equipment through Crystal you may find that there are half a dozen ski hire shops near to your accommodation but the shop you have to go to is the other side of the resort Laughing

so I now avoid doing this.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

This link make work a bit quicker for passes on line, but compare the cost to Crystal the poor exchange rate may make Crystals offer better Toofy Grin

http://www.skipass-laplagne.com/Catalog/

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Avago,

missed you link Laughing

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Mike-H, for much more information than you'll ever need on La Plagne have a look at http://www.perso-laplagne.fr/index_ENG.html

You'll need to Register first of course.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Shimmy Alcott, Great minds think alike!! Laughing

After all it is free

With regards to getting your equipment, if you can't get it that evening then do as horizon, says and go first thing in the morning. You can always come back to the chalet for breakfast after you have sorted out your equipment.

Walking boots - definitely. 5 mins walk is far enough when you're cream crackered at the end of the day. Check out the possibility of ski locker at lift-station - will cost a few euro but will be worth it.

Backpack - used one for first time last year and will do it again - great for all your bits - make sure you dont end up carrying everyone elses bits too! I used a camelbak - worked fine - but the drink will freeze if you dont blow back (or if the alcholic content is low - wink

. Wouldn't use it if i was beginner tho.

Bet you dont get to resort for 20.30 - so it will be the early morning scrum - go back next day though and say boots arent comfortable. they tend to give you a better boot and have more time to get you the proper fit - hehe.

I'd sort out liftpasses myself - it's a ski resort, you shouldnt have any bother finding a place to sell one.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Mike-H, (1) Whats the name of your chalet - we might be able to suggest nearby rental shops

(2) Are you total newbies or done some skiing previously?

I don't agree with the boots - it's pretty much the one thing I've stopped bothering to take on my last 3-4 trips, but then I do have some goretex trainers (Salsomon) which are fantastically waterproof. Also as a snowboarder I can use my snowboard boots if I need to clear snow off the car in a blizzard or similar.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Backpack for a first timer? I'd suggest not.....anything you put in there (which will be way too much stuff anyway) will get crushed and/or broken.....

Boots? Meh, am also a Salomon trainer wearer, but that is cause I am too lazy to bend down to tie my laces.....

Lift passes and rental equipment? You may be stuck with the TO's favourite shop of choice, which will no doubt be busy on a peak transfer day due to Christmas. Get there early and practise pushing in, as this is the first skill which needs to be mastered before trying lift queues. If you have a half decent rep, they might get your lift passes sorted in good time. If you have an 18 year old with a hangover, it might take a bit more time....

snow reports

Mike-H, For a light weight balanced backpack which straps take a look at the type used by cyclists, runners or climbers. Often cheaper than specialised skiing kit.

Army style boots work too around town. If you have to walk far on the roads in your own ski boots then Cat Tracks are well worth taking IMHO. Since I got boots with smooth soles I have become a convert.

You know it makes sense.

nixmap,

Newbie - backpack... No. Or, suggest the wife should carry it as you don't need one, then put anything of yours in whilst her attention is elsewhere
Liftpass - online
Ski-hire - as others have said... be waiting when the shop opens... it still takes ages, it is a right old hassle first day... prepare for family aguments, they will occur. Assuming you are "the daddy", prepare to carry 3 lots of skis at least.

Enjoy Little Angel

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

alex_heney, One more thing to worry about IMHO.

A snowHead

Hi Mike
No question is stupid!

1. Walking boots.

You definitely need boots not trainers for wearing round town but beware - many "walking boots" have Vibram soles. These have very little grip on a slippery surface. Either get some proper snowboots or invest in YakTrax http://www.yaktrax.co.uk/. CatTracks are a similar thing for ski boots. At one resort I found these invaluable as I had to walk down a steepish slippery hill to get to the ski lesson meeting point. http://www.edgeandwax.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Cat_Tracks_45.html. Additionally don't forget some indoor shoes suitable for wearing down to the chalet boot room - it'll be wet underfoot in the boot room so going in your socks isn't a great idea.

2. Back pack

As a novice I'd prefer not to carry a pack but sometimes do - in terms of layers I have usually gone out dressed up in plenty & sometimes ended up removing a fleece and sticking it in the backpack. Other times I've managed with pockets. For a 5 minutes walk to the lift, no I wouldn't take shoes - you can do that much in ski boots fine and shoes/boots are horribly big & bulky in a back pack. I'd choose a backpack that is as small as you feel you can get away with and make sure it has no loose dangling straps that could get caught on bars on chairlifts. You're usually advised to remove them when on a lift and stick them on your front to remove risk of getting caught and unable to ski away.

3. Lift passes/Equipment

If you've booked a package that includes your lift pass/kit hire, then the practicalities will be beyond your control. The rep will tell you the arrangements on the transfer coach. They'll probably either dish out passes on the coach or at a welcome meeting. You'll be told where and when to get hire kit. The hire shops tend, as most shops do, to shut somewhere around 7-8pm so yes, you're probably going to write-off the first morning. Just hope for that morning being mucky weather with lots of snowfall that you wouldn't want to be out skiing in and for it then to miraculously clear up into a blue sky day Toofy Grin

4. Another useful thing

There tend to be a lot of similar hire skis about. Ski ties are cheap simple velcro straps that you put around the skis - they make yours easier to identify in a heap by a cafe, and also make them a bit easier to carry if you're inexperienced at doing so as it stops them slipping apart. Eg http://www.skimarket.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=30. You can use a marker pen to write a name on them too.

Hope you have a wonderful trip

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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hi Mike, you're going to have a great holiday Razz

Walking boots- take what you have, don't buy a new pair unless you want to. It really depends on how much walking about you're going to be doing in the evening, and whether you plan to end up dancing on the tables apres-ski. But definitely take some comfy skipper type shoes for your chalet, your feet will love you for it. You might also wish to take some foot lotion (peppermint type stuff) to coll down your feet after a whole day in ski boots. The chances of you changing out of your ski boots on the hill are less than zero, so you don't need to pack a different pair of shoes in your backpack.

As for backpack - your preference. I find one intensely irritating on piste, as a lot of the lifties will expect you to remove it before you get on a chairlift (for safety reasons to stop you falling out of the lift). If they don't, you'll more than likely be uncomfortable on the chair lifts anyway with it digging into your back.

What would you carry in it other than a spare layer? Always wear one more layer than you think you need for your first day, you can always take it off and tie it round your waist if you're too hot. As for spare drinks, you're unlikely to be far away from a mountain restaurant, so you can get drinks there. Alternatively, get a Camelbak for water if you want to carry it. I normally just put everything in my pockets.

Definitely get your lift pass beforehand, your rep will probably bring it to you at breakfast. Worth any extra cost to save you some time and queueing. Definitely sort your skis out as soon as you get there, you'll be glad to get all the faffing out of the way.

Are your small infants in ski school? Have you already booked them in?

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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I swear by a small backpack. Some good advice about them above.

Mine would contain:

Flask of soup, Sandwich, Crisps, Choc bar, Cereal bar (or 2), Water, Juice
Goggles, Shades, Hat, Scarf (usually wearing at least 1 of these)

Then stuff like money lip balm and piste map in the jacket

The result? Out skiing all day 9 to 5 despite the chalet being ski in/out - saving time and money
Laughing

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thank you for so many helpful reviews and also for the funny ones. In answer to your posts-

We will be staying in ‘Chalet Rose ii’ through Crystal. It only started last year but if anyone knows which ski shop is closest then that would be great.

No my little girl will not be skiing this time. She will be 15 months old. We have some crèche facilities booked and the crèche is next door to our chalet. The only down side is that we did not want to leave our daughter all week so we only booked half days. We have chosen the mornings which may have been silly if we spend all morning queuing for equipment.

Research has found the following

Lift Pass with Crystal £182 online in advance Euro208
Equipment hire (mid range) with Crystal £99+42= £141, online in advance Euro104

Just need to choose the nearest shop.

Will definitely take my walking boots. I will travel with my backpack as hand luggage (little girls food and toys) so I will give it a try.

Yes I am having lessons in advance, just a few, but I hope it will be enough to see me OK when there.

After all it is free

Mike-H, I've looked through several companys descriptions on Chalet Rose and not one says where it is, bearing in mind 1800 is stretched out along the valley bottom and up one side it is difficult to guess where it is. There have been quite a a few new builds in 1800 over the last couple of years including some further along the valley away from the lift and village centre. Has Crystal given you a location map?

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

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A few more stupid newbie questions

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