 Poster: A snowHead
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The transfer times we have been quoted by Esprit are significantly less than those quoted on Iglu.
For example Geneva to Courchevel 1850 - 3hr 30min by Iglu and 2hrs 15mins by Esprit. My past experience of going with Inghams agrees with the Iglu one (to 1550).
We are going from Chambery to Courchevel 1850 Esprit reckon 1hr 30mins, Iglue says 2hrs 30. Which is more realistic?
Does anybody know why there is significant differences?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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NickyJ, I would say that a realistic figure is bang in the middle of the two!
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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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Depends on what they define as transfer time.....
usually on good condition roads?
Esprit quote 1h15m for Inns to St. Anton and that is spot on for good conditions......
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It also depends on whether they are waiting for additional flights to fill the bus, and also on whether they have more than one drop-off on arrival - on a Crystal trip to Mayrhofen several years ago, we waited 30 minutes at the airport for a second flight, then got from the airport to the first drop-off in 45 minutes. We were the last drop-off, 2 miles away, and 80 minutes later...
From a quick search, Esprit have only one location, and only one flight, so there's much ffaffing about removed from both ends. I'd still take anything any TO says with a pinch of salt, mind.
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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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Also depends who else they drop off, and where on the way.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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They definitely have more than one flight to Chambery on the Sunday. The Gatwick and the southampton flights both go there. I don't know if any of the other airports do, as those were the only 2 I considered.
Thanks
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| Quote: |
We are going from Chambery to Courchevel 1850 Esprit reckon 1hr 30mins, Iglue says 2hrs 30. Which is more realistic?
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Depends whether they include faffing time? And in what kind of conditions?
I've driven La Tania to Chambery airport in an hour, Via Michellin reckons it's 1h15 and I seldom beat their times, but that was in good conditions. So 1h30 in a coach to 1850, hmm...
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NickyJ, The new stretch of motorway cuts 20 mins off the time -on a good day I would say 2 1/2 -3 hrs
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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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I was going to say, the SUnday transfer also reduces times quite a lot - Saturdays are much busier but as more and more Tour ops have started to use Sundays, the roads are not as empty as they once were
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I've had a Chambery to Meribel transfer take 5 hours in good weather. We waited an hour for other flights, then made stops at Moutiers and Brides les Bains; we were the last drop-off. Only one rep on the bus, which slowed things down enormously. That was Crystal - never again.
If you want to know how long it will take from the time you exit the airport to the time you enter your accommodation, I'd take whatever they quote and double it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I am much more concerned about the time we are going to physically stuck on the bus for as we have 2 young children with us, one of which is still in nappies, the other doesn't give too much notice for toilet stops.
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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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nbt, good point. Esprit do a Sunday transfer.
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NickyJ, I'd suggest getting yourself a seat at the front of the bus and making very good friends with the rep and driver then.....
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You know it makes sense.
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I always try - as I also get car / coach sick, but unfortunately every body else prefers to sit at the front as well, so rarely manage it. You would think people would rather give up there view than smell somebodys sick but apparently not.
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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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| Quote: |
We waited an hour for other flights, then made stops at Moutiers and Brides les Bains; we were the last drop-off. Only one rep on the bus, which slowed things down enormously.
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Ahh I see you know what I meant by "faffing time"
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That was Crystal - never again.
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Yup, that was who I had in mind. The number of times we've muttered those words over the years...... 
Mind you, the longest transfer we had was 28 hours Geneva to La Plagne, including a night stop in Macot La Plagne village hall. That was courtesy of the arrival of 1M of snow during the transfer though.....
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Poster: A snowHead
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We've gone with Crystal twice, both times to Meribel. First time (2006) was fine, the second (2008) was very poor - flights changed to a different departure airport, the abovementioned transfer, then a substandard 'chalet' in Mottaret. Certainly won't use or recommend them again.
The last two years, we've gone it alone, which is what we normally do with other holidays. In 2009 we drove to Val d'Isere, which was a bit of a marathon but manageable with 2 people sharing the driving.
This year we Sleazyjetted to Grenoble and hired a car, which was simplicity itself - as long as you make sure they give you your snow chains!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Chambery to Courchevel 1850 actual driving times is just over an hour in good conditions in car/mini-bus so can't see it taking more than an hour and half in a coach, unless on a particular busy day with lots of traffic or particularly bad weather. Geneva to Courchevel 1850 is around two and half hours on a good run, but better to bank on 3 hours.
If various drop offs at different chalets and hotels on the way could extend trip.
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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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| NickyJ wrote: |
Does anybody know why there is significant differences?
Thanks |
Did you read the T&C for both companies (few billies do I know). Crystal, for example, would state transfer times are for when you leave the airport compound to when you cross the city limit sign at the entrance to the resort. So the 3 hours driving round the backstreets until you get to your hotel at the top of resort would not be included nor would the 2 hours waiting for the W rotation from Cardiff to make up the numbers on your coach.
Big operators will often be able to run a direct coach to Courchevel because the resort is so big, but if they have accommodation at 1550, 1650 then 1850 you could be in for a long transfer.
Other companies may have to de-coach in Moo-tears which can take an age.
I've even heard of a bus doing Merihell, Village, La Tania, Courchevel in a quiet week.
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NickyJ,
From leaving the airport using the "voie rapide" and autoroute from Chambery Airport to Albertville takes c. 60 mins. I would then add another 60 mins to go to 1850 (especially since Crystal 2000 is right at the top just below the alitport).
The above is based congestion free roads with no intermediate stops.
Mark
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