 Poster: A snowHead
|
Due to go skiing next week with a friend. He's german, lives in the UK and is a far better skier than me. He is a regular Mark Warner customer, and really likes the ski guiding that they do. We've decided on the 3Vs, and narrowed it down to either Meribel or Courchevel 1850. I've got friends who are staying in Courchevel that week, and so would prefer to be there, but it would end up costing almost £300 more than Meribel.
Would be interested to know what people think about the pros and cons of either resort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
When snow's on the thaw Courchevel is nearly always the better destination, because Meribel is a bit too sunny, but current conditions mean you'd be well placed in Meribel - and more centrally located in the network - so I'd probably go there (especially with that price advantage!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
David Goldsmith, I had heard that Meribel is best avoided at either end of the season, but ok in the middle. What about the "hooray henry" element?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Always had much better snow in Courchevel and you are more likely to find a french person there too 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Courchevel better skiing on the doorstep Meribel better access to the area. For me the deciding factor would be the money both places are seriously expensive and you will need all spare cash for food, booze, liftpass etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Isn't the Mark Warner place actually at Mottaret? I think it is more or less the last building at the top of the hill. Not many French people there though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Bish, they have a chalet there, and a chalet hotel as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Given the current good snow conditions, I would look at the location of the hotel/chalets. Some (most) of these in Meribel can be a fair distance from the lifts (and the centre) compared to the accommodation in Courchevel. Depends if you think this is worth the £300.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
jtr, the chalet hotel in Meribel is ski in ski out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meribel might not be cheap, unless of course, U compare it with 1850!
Val-T has rather a lot of Dutch, Meribel a lot of Brits but I got the impression that all the best furs in Courchevel were wearing Russians this year, non?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Kramer wrote: |
| jtr, the chalet hotel in Meribel is ski in ski out. |
How close is it to the centre? Some of those that are up the steps from the Tourist Office are near the centre and ski in/out (as long as the path is open). I stayed at a (nearly) ski in/out a few years ago and it was a 20+ minute hike up hill after a night out in the centre.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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'm not sure, I've never been to the 3Vs before. Spoke to my German friend last night, and because conditions are so good, we've decided that it's going to be early nights all week, to keep ourselves fresh for the skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, Meribel was a complete bvgger mid March last year - all the home runs were slushy and over-crowded by 11am. But it won't be a problem right now. Didn't notice more hooray henrys than at any other large Brit-popular resort. Chalet/hotel placement in Meribel is a huge priorty c.f rest of 3V resorts - most are an exhaustingly long walk to either nightlife or a slope, or both. Easy access to both snow and bars involves spending over the odds.
However despite having stayed in Meribel twice, I would definately reccomend Courchevel 1850. It's got better everything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
In defence of Meribel: it has a swimming pool and an ice rink! Which Courchevel hasn't. Not that I've ever used either the pool or the rink (too busy skiing/boozing). Drink cheaper too, if you avoid the bars at the foot of the slopes.
Meribel full of Brits; Courchevel full of Russians; not sure which is worse!! If you are single go for Meribel, it is full of totty.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
I'm not single but that does seem to clinch the deal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Hang on! What happened to "early nights all week" to keep fresh for the skiing???
Avoid Rond Point (€5.50 for toffee vodka!!) and get down the Pub for apres ski. Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I don't see that early nights and totty need be mutually exclusive. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| the ice perv wrote: |
| In defence of Meribel: it has a swimming pool and an ice rink! Which Courchevel hasn't. |
Several of the hotels in Courchevel have swimming pools which are open to the public and there is an Olympic size ice rink right in the centre of 1850.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
rob@rar.org.uk, I stand corrected!
As current snow conditions are good I would still go for Meribel tho, for the nightlife and easier 3Valleys access.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
early nights and totty
|
need not be mutually exclusive, but doesn't it take effort to leg it back to yours in the morning for your skis & a fresh pair of longjohns? Save your energy for the pistes. You know you want to. And which, by the way, are better in Courchevel. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
| to leg it back to yours in the morning |
Manda, you're assuming that I'm a gentleman and would stay the night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I like 1850 village, and the Britishness of Meribel can be a bit of pain, but on skiing convenience and easier access everywhere, my vote would be Mottaret. You can be over into Courchevel, VT, Les Menuieres, very quickly, and pick your day according to weather and conditions. Catching the first runs off of Mont Vallon, whether it's groomers or freshies, is a major bonus too - my favourite place in the area.
| the ice perv wrote: |
| Courchevel full of Russians; not sure which is worse!! If you are single go for Meribel, it is full of totty..... |
My spam inbox is full of Russian ladies - they certainly sound available and very friendly  
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's been decided for us, our Courchevel option has sold out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: |
you're assuming that I'm a gentleman and would stay the night
|
Good answer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Best part of Mottaret (except Mont Vallon which is superb in the mornings) is that you can get out of it quickly in either direction. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Thanks for all the great advice guys, but we've actually decided to go to Zermatt due to circumstances outside my control.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Well Zermatt is fantastic and certainly more scenic!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[quote="the ice perv"]In defence of Meribel: it has a swimming pool and an ice rink! Which Courchevel hasn't. Not that I've ever used either the pool or the rink (too busy skiing/boozing).
Courchevel does have an ice rink, it's just not quite so obvious. It does lack a general swimming pool though, but the reasons they say are because pretty much every hotel has it's own private ones! It is possible to pay to use them though you will be paying through the nose! I think last heard it was about 20Euros for one but you did get sauna and the works like that aswell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
