 Poster: A snowHead
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...or how to get value for money on a group holiday in France.
Managed to sort out the DHO after their trip to Puy St Vincent was cancelled because of the conditions down south. Last minute, Easter weekend, kids, parents, trainers, 52 people in all.
Touch and go space-wise, but managed to get them all lodged in the French holiday village "Renouveau" in Bourg St Maurice. Renouveau is a non-profit association, set up back in 1954, which now has 21 sites throughout France - in the mountains, by the sea.
4 and 6-bed apartments, twin bedrooms with ensuite shower/wc. Perhaps a trifle basic for those used to 4* treatment and satellite tv, but for any groups (minimum 20 people), especially with kids - schools etc - it is perfect.
The rooms are a little spartan but clean and comfortable. Surrounded by green open spaces, sporting activities available throughout the day, tv lounge, games rooms, free creche, the DHO kids and accompanying parents couldn't be happier. Five minutes to the funicular, they're on the Les Arcs slopes within 20 minutes of eating their breakfast.
The food? The DHO are lodging half-board - I dined with them last night. And "dined" is the word. Buffet style salad entrée, soup, moules marinières or veal cutlets, multiple cheeses, a tarte dessert. Free wine, as much as you could drink. And a cheap bar for the parents and trainers during the evening...
Any other advantages? How about the lift passes. The Paradiski domain has a reputation for being one of the most expensive, but for a 5 day minimum stay as a group, Renouveau has a special tariff agreement with the resort. All children up to 18 for the same "Camp de Neige" rate - 95 euros for 5 days (instead of 154 euros, Les Arcs domain). Accompanying adults get a reduction too - 136 euros.
Anything else? How about the cost for half-board. Just 27€60 fully inclusive per head! Cheaper for kids under 14.... Hard to compete with £19 per night half-board on a skiing holiday, plus all the other advantages!!!
http://www.renouveau.asso.fr/
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 29-03-05 10:29; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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one to note for a future trip, that one - although it will be a planned trip, sonce getting 20 people together last mintue would be difficult!
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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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nbt, it wasn't a special cheap rate because it was booked last minute - those are their standard charges (for this time of the season), you can reserve whenever...
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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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Whilst not wishing to appear sceptical but why did such a good facility have accommodation for 52 pax available at Easter, surely a peak time of year?
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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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I was more on about the fact that getting 20 people together would be a task in itself!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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boredsurfin, It really is a huge place - they originally didn't have anything like enough room, but then there were a couple of last minute cancellations from families that had taken four of the 6 bed apartments, which made a difference. It's an easy going place too. Being "non-profit" I had the impression they always keep some accommodation back for last minute changes, then release it when they're sure they are covered.
Another thing that I appreciated was that it was geared to kids, so none of that walking on eggshells feeling you get in the more 'upmarket' establishments. The staff really couldn't be more helpful and friendly. An absolutely gorgeous receptionist too (Marie) 
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PG, would this be suitable for the 'overspill' from your place for the EOSB ? Advantages - the group would be in one place and it sounds as though the catering arrangements are excellent and the location is fine for the funiculaire. OK it's a bit more expensive than the original target cost but when you consider it's half board with free wine and a cheap bar it's really good value. Even if it's not usable for the EOSB I can see it being a super place for future snowHead trips to Les Arcs or other locations. Doesn't take many families to get to 20.
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I don't see any numbers requirement on their site and they have apartments for 4, looks interesting.
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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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The numbers thing is only if you want to get to the figure that entitles you to the lift pass group discount - otherwise there's nothing to stop a family of four booking, as you say.
I visited a four bed apartment - they're not big - one twin bedroom, two pull out single beds in the sitting area, shower room/wc, kitchenette... but if you're skiing all day, in the bar all evening  ...
There's a free shuttle to the funicular. If you haven't got a car though, not sure how you get into town - it's a bit too far to walk for some. Did it in just over twenty minutes from the Super U, walking along the river, yesterday.
kuwait_ian, not sure about overspill - bit more worried about underspill at the moment!
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Talking to a family with a 3 year old last night - apparently Renouveau take charge at 8am after breakfast, whisk him off up to the slopes for a couple of hours skiing with the ESF, bring him back down and look after him until the parents get back. All part of the service, included in the holiday cost.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Butlins with style and edible food? 
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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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Masque, about sums it up! In the bar last night before the meal, we had an "animateur" (or should that be a "réanimateur"? ) on the microphone, trying to persuade a group of French people to join in Twenty Questions.
2 euros for a beer, 2 euros for a kir, to give you an idea of bar prices. 1 euro for a coffee. Pretty reasonable?
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PG, The web site has an 'English' version but presumably 99% of the clientelle are French and at least some minimal ability with the language would be a great help to any snowHead staying there. Or have other nationalites already discovered this cut price way of skiing or summer holidays?
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You know it makes sense.
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I've only seen French guests there. But the staff are very helpful, and most speak at least some English. One member of staff in the bar last night got talking to a couple of the DHO parents and offered to act as guide on his day off today, showing them the best runs around the resort, while the kids trained.
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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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The more you tell the better it all sounds. One to keep in mind for next season. Thanks a lot Pete
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