 Poster: A snowHead
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Pondering a trip there this Xmas. Two things are concerning me;
1. Low altitude for the time of year - appreciate there's not much can be done about the altitude, but is there sufficient snow-making to insure good skiing?
2. Les Coches location looks a little isolated from the main parts of La Plagne and Les Arcs. I know piste maps can be misleading or just downright inaccurate, but exactly how much of a pain is it to get out of/back to, considering that I like the steeps and mrs Doc likes to cruise the reds and blues? How long will it take to get to Aiguille Rouge or the Bellecote glacier, ferinstance?
Ta 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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Certainly enough snow making and you should have no problems getting out and back -you should be able to get to the to of the transarcs in less than an hour you will be at the Vanoise in 10 mins
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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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I used to reckon you could make plagne centre within about 40 minutes coming off the VE, although that was foot down and no q's. Top of the Roche De Mio will depend on the lift q @ bellecote, which can be silly if you time it wrong, ditto onto the glacier. I'm with redrunmarcus on the time to the 2000 bowl - it's no more than 3 lifts off the VE (peisey, derby and tranny mid-station or the gd renard) then you can ski to the varet which whips you up to the Ag. Rouge. Again lengthen a little for peak times...
Not so great for nightlife - no easy way into PC for some evening bevvies, you're restricted to the delights of les coches and montychavin.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We last went to les coches before the link with les arcs so can only comment on the la plagne side. We went early feb and it was quite icy coming back down the last stretch to les coches at the end of the day. To ski la plagne I would definitely stay higher up nearer the centre of la plagne. However now la plagne and les arcs are linked it is probably a good base to ski both resorts.
Having stayed in Les Arcs and Les Coches I would probably chose to stay in les arcs and do a day trip to la plagne. I personally found the skiing more scenic and varied in les arcs and there are lots of blues and several easy reds - some nice tree lined ones between Arc 1800 and the plan peisy area.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi,
I'm probably biased, and this isn't a particularly scientific way of looking at it but the last two years I've skiied powder in La Plagne early season and never once been unable to ski back to Les Coches.
The pistes down to Les Coches are always accessible whether it's snowed or not and they've got snowcannons all the way down. As thefatcontroller, said, it can be a tad icy if it hasn't snowed for a while, but there is always more than enough coverage to comfortably ski down to the village. The slopes just above are in the trees so they hold their snow really well and are great for skiing early season.
Don't worry at all about it's position! With the creation of the Vanoise express a few years ago, Les Coches became arguably the best placed of all the La Plagne villages as it's located right in the heart of Paradiski. You're only one lift away from the Vanoise express for a day in Les Arcs, and the La Plagne glacier is no further than if you were staying in Plagne centre.
Go for it - you'll have an awesome time.
Heather
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Snow and Sunshine, You may be biased but you are right.  In my opinion if you are looking for a base to move around Les Arc/La Plagne then Les Coches and Montchavin are the best locations. They may not be busting with night-life but with beer prices in France who can afford the night life? Dr John
Book it and stop panicking, Paradski has enough runs to keep both you and your wife happy for a year, let alone a week.
As for snow quality, thats in the hands of the gods but 2(?) years ago they built a new lake above the area to hold melting snow for the coming year to make sure they have plenty of water for snow making and also as Les Coches is a critical part of the Vanoise link then a lot of effort goes into making sure there is snow in the area.
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All, many thanks for the usual SH's vigorous advice. Not been to the area before, always enjoy discovering new places, confident with a piste map so not worried about navigation and I always take local advice.
thefatcontroller, c'mon, spill. Looking at the map I presume you're talking about the two chairs from Plagne Bellecote? Any other crafty short cuts?
snowymum, ideally I'd choose Arc 1800 (I think), but the offer I'm considering has a split week over Xmas. If you know of similar anywhere in Les Arc let me know.
bertie bassett, not too worried about wild nightlife, being with the Mrs and all. As long as there's a local bar or two we'll be fine, more than happy getting sozzled in the chalet most nights.
Next questions: What about decent lunch spots? Much prefer small, locals places, and Mrs Doc half french & fluent so the more authentic the better. And any Les Couches based off-piste guide recommendations?
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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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Dr John - We stayed in Hotel du Golf in Arc 1800 and had a lovely week (one of our best skiing holidays). However this is going back about 10 yrs. I'm afraid I don't know about chalets in les arcs but hopefully others do. However I have noticed there are some nice MGM luxury self catering appts with pool in the peisy/vallandry area.
When we stayed in arc 1800 there was a weekly torchlight descent from a mountain restaurant..too long ago for me to remember any more than that but the piste was easy enough to ski in the dark after a mulled wine or two!
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| snowymum wrote: |
Dr John - We stayed in Hotel du Golf in Arc 1800 and had a lovely week (one of our best skiing holidays). However this is going back about 10 yrs. I'm afraid I don't know about chalets in les arcs but hopefully others do. However I have noticed there are some nice MGM luxury self catering appts with pool in the peisy/vallandry area.
When we stayed in arc 1800 there was a weekly torchlight descent from a mountain restaurant..too long ago for me to remember any more than that but the piste was easy enough to ski in the dark after a mulled wine or two! |
MGM also have apartments in Arc 1800 (check Erna Low for details). The evening meal in the Arpette restaurant then ski down in the dark is still running (on Thursday evenings IIRC) and seems very popular.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Dr John, To avoid the bubble from Bellecote you can aim for the Crozats and then Inversens chairlifts which take you up to Roche de Mio.
There is a good restaurant at the start of the Inversen red run, you can see it to your right from the chairlift.
Another favourite restaurant of mine for lunch is the one next to the outdoor ice rink in Plagne Bellecote, I can't remember the name of it. It is a bit of a walk uphill to get to but is usually very busy.
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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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| skichampcouk wrote: |
| Dr John, To avoid the bubble from Bellecote you can aim for the Crozats and then Inversens chairlifts which take you up to Roche de Mio. |
Ughhhhh. No way. Slow chairs. Les Blanches and Carella is the route 
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Dr John, Top of First chair out of Monthcavin, Le Sauget, but don't tell everyone. Great rustic food and good value and very easy late evening ski home to Les Coches after the lifts have closed
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Lovely lovely, all good stuff. This is SH's at it's best, keep it coming.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We stayed in Les Coches in 2008 and would suggest its a winner,easy access to the main La Plagne ski grid without paying La Plagne prices but its true...it can be icy on the return to Les Coches at the end of the day...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Chris Brookes, cheers. A bit of ice never hurt anyone*
*except me when I popped two ribs stacking in La Clusaz
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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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We used the following company for Les Coches and suggest trying to stay next to the chairlifts as its a bit of a hike up/down depending where you stay
http://www.ski-lasource.com/
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