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The view from............ Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Steve Angus wrote:
rob@rar wrote:
Damn, I missed that. Is the piece online anywhere, it would be nice to see Clare being interviewed.


Its on her Instagram page here:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVSHDAlooZX/

Hope it works. Copy and paste job perhaps!
Thanks Steve. I though that was excellent, she did really well. I did a live radio interview once and found it a terrifying experience, but Clare looked calm and was extremely clear in all her answers. Top marks!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
PeakyB wrote:
Did I read there’s a new multi storey car park in Val Claret as part of the masterplan?
If so, maybe the last bit to be built?

I think the regular Tignes thread on here had plans, details and comment last month.


Yes, I think so. Built on the first bit of the site that you get to when you arrive in Tignes, but they are using that space as a construction compound this year.
snow conditions
 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?
Hi Steve, question please about the Champs Avalins in your neck of the woods La Daille.
Is it still running...we have stayed there a number of times through Ski Total and Inghams, but it seems to have disappeared off the radar for booking it for this season (actually looking for next, but anyway)? I hope we can somehow as it was one of the few affordable places to stay left in Val and great location.
Cheers.
ski holidays
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Hi @Steve Angus, we're coming to Val D'Isere for Christmas week and are wondering how to manage the Pass Sanitaire for the kids who will only have 1 jab by then. I see the Solaise Pharmacy will be providing anitgen tests, however many other pharmacies across France only seem to do these on an appointments basis with limited appointments available. Would you be able to find out what the provisions will be for the British teenagers showing up - i.e. can we just drop in every 72 hours or do we need to plan appointments in advance? Thanks in advance (and we'll be in touch for the lesson we missed a few years back when we were staying in Tignes!)
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
You need to read what the French govt websites say about teenagers and unvaccinated
As for pharmacies it’s likely they will require appointments booked if you consider how many people in your situation are going to be after tests in peak season weeks
Give the pharmacy a call and book them in as soon as (everyone will be doing the same!)
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Put a quick Motte ski report in t'other EK group. General gossip around Val; no restaurants open, nadda. Only bar currently open is Blue Note, which is good for Matt and Emma at least. The Casserole closed last week, for good. The building owners have taken it back and won't do anything with it. Same is happening up the Rue de Park Des SPorts and Rue de Coin in anticipation of the dreadful Coin development which has been mooted for years and, IMHO, will do great damage to Val, turning it (even more) into a rich persons ghetto. The Lodge bar is closing (yet another good seasonaires place going), but the restaurant will probably limp on.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Dr John, all sounds a bit concerning - The Lodge was always a favourite for a cheap pint until 8pm when we were there! Just been reading about the development, does it finally seem like it might get underway then?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
snowornever wrote:
You need to read what the French govt websites say about teenagers and unvaccinated
As for pharmacies it’s likely they will require appointments booked if you consider how many people in your situation are going to be after tests in peak season weeks
Give the pharmacy a call and book them in as soon as (everyone will be doing the same!)


This link below should tell you everything you need to know about entering France from another country and should be the location where any changes to procedures are posted.

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/

Note - France is using a traffic-light system for countries you may be entering from. UK is currently an 'orange' country.

If dependants are entering France with adults who are fully vaccinated then the dependents don't need to be vaccinated. But if they're over 12 and unvaccinated they'll need a negative PCR taken less than 72hrs before entering France or a negative antigen test less than 48hrs before entering France.

Coming back to the UK, the UK rules apply, which for England would now be a private LFD test on day 2 after arrival back in the UK.

If the adults travelling are unvaccinated then I don't think travelling for holiday from an 'orange' country would be one of the permitted reasons for travel and entry to France would be prohibitted.

At least the above is my reading of the current rules in preparation for a business trip in a few weeks time. Of course, the regulations could change at any time.
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Thanks both. I am well versed in the rules for entry and return. What I really want to know is how to get some peace of mind around getting access to the Pass Sanitaire for the teenagers whilst we are there.

I have contacted a pharmacy in Bourgeois St Maurice who said they won’t open up their appointments until the end of November. I’m also waiting for a response from the Solaise pharmacy in resort. I would (perhaps unreasonably!) hope that the resort would recognise this potential problem and have plenty of capacity to test British teens during the season
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Is your concern that a pre-trip negative test result expires part way through your trip and therefore a re-test is required?
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Pre trip tests can’t be used for the Pass Sanitaire (at least not the lateral flow tests we have booked). So we will need to get lateral flow tests for the kids (aged 15 + 13) every 72 hours (basically need 3 during the 8 days we are staying) for them to be allowed access restaurants (and potentially lifts). But it’s really not clear whether in-resort pharmacies will be set up with lots of capacity and testing on demand, or if there will be a booking process. I’d rather not leave it to chance. Hoping someone on the ground can help find out how it will work in practice.
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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.
@dunc999, yep, gone the same way as Pacific and Morris. Val needs to avoid the homogenization trap and ensure enough regular bars & restaurants survive to keep the cosmopolitan and inclusive feel that makes it so great. If a venerable old restaurant like the Grande Ourse can be closed down at the land owners whim with nothing to replace it then nowhere is safe. The very wealthy might fund the the 5 star hotels and uber-chalets but they don't go out in the evening, all their cash stays behind closed doors with private chefs and wine cellars.

As for the Coin development, who knows. On the one hand I hear the original planning application has either expired or will do very soon. On the other, it seems landowners are preparing for it and they will probably know more than I and the seasonnaire gossip mongers do. I do know from speaking to Henrick that if it goes ahead then he will cash in his chips at the Danois and won't bother with a new one. Suspect he won't be alone in that so don't believe the development website about the new Danois/Lodge/Whatever.
ski holidays
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
ma94jcg wrote:
Pre trip tests can’t be used for the Pass Sanitaire (at least not the lateral flow tests we have booked). So we will need to get lateral flow tests for the kids (aged 15 + 13) every 72 hours (basically need 3 during the 8 days we are staying) for them to be allowed access restaurants (and potentially lifts). But it’s really not clear whether in-resort pharmacies will be set up with lots of capacity and testing on demand, or if there will be a booking process. I’d rather not leave it to chance. Hoping someone on the ground can help find out how it will work in practice.


As I'd been reading up mostly to figure out how to handle my business trip I hadn't consiered the impact for 12-17 yr olds. And my son falls in that group!
Have you seen the testing info on https://www.valdisere.com/en/healthcare-protocol/
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Yeah, seen that. It’s as far as I have got. Calling the pharmacy on the number shown gives a recorded message. Unfortunately I don’t speak French and I can’t get it to translate as the recording quality is so poor. Need help!! Think it says something about only testing certain days but need to know how to speak to someone to book a test
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Interesting that recorded message

When I tried to book tests thru the number off Sante.Fr website I got a recorded message too!
I ended up calling the hotel and a very helpful receptionist looked the pharmacy number up in the local directory and surprise surprise it was different and when I called I got straight through and sorted tests out very efficiently!!
ski holidays
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
snowhound wrote:
Hi Steve, question please about the Champs Avalins in your neck of the woods La Daille.
Is it still running...we have stayed there a number of times through Ski Total and Inghams, but it seems to have disappeared off the radar for booking it for this season (actually looking for next, but anyway)? I hope we can somehow as it was one of the few affordable places to stay left in Val and great location.
Cheers.


Sorry slow reply. Just been making our way back to the UK for a short holiday!

Anyway to address your query.... tbh I have no idea whatsoever. All I know is that post brexit and with covid and SOOOO much uncertainty the whole market has been TOTALLY turned on its head! Everything from recruiting staff to attempting to be profitable is tricky to put it mildly. The building is still there of course but what is happening with it this season / next I dont know. Sorry not the most useful of answers but I really dont know!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
ma94jcg wrote:
Hi @Steve Angus, we're coming to Val D'Isere for Christmas week and are wondering how to manage the Pass Sanitaire for the kids who will only have 1 jab by then. I see the Solaise Pharmacy will be providing anitgen tests, however many other pharmacies across France only seem to do these on an appointments basis with limited appointments available. Would you be able to find out what the provisions will be for the British teenagers showing up - i.e. can we just drop in every 72 hours or do we need to plan appointments in advance? Thanks in advance (and we'll be in touch for the lesson we missed a few years back when we were staying in Tignes!)


Hi folks. Sorry off air as been getting back to the UK and having my birthday but catching up on this chat now.

So firstly this 'situation' is VERY well known about - the authorities know this problem is coming down the track! First and foremast will be the decisions the government(s) take on the situation in general and secondly what they do locally. Although last season never happened as such dont forget there were some French (for some of the season at least) travelling to ski via touring. Val set up a mobile testing centre in a hut near the Spar Petrol station.... I have heard rumours that they are likely to do the same again (in multiple amounts if needs be) if the situation arrives. It should be noted that there is ongoing decision making about whether passes for this or that will / won't be needed and for whom. For all the talk about 'everything decided' in terms of 'no pass sanitaire needed for adults to buy lift passes' etc and the rest of it nothing has been 100% finalised and of course could change at the last minture anyway! So what I would say is if the resort are going to welcome Brits and other nationalities and there is a requirement for testing etc then something will be put in place! Thats all I know.
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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?
Dr John wrote:
Put a quick Motte ski report in t'other EK group. General gossip around Val; no restaurants open, nadda. Only bar currently open is Blue Note, which is good for Matt and Emma at least. The Casserole closed last week, for good. The building owners have taken it back and won't do anything with it. Same is happening up the Rue de Park Des SPorts and Rue de Coin in anticipation of the dreadful Coin development which has been mooted for years and, IMHO, will do great damage to Val, turning it (even more) into a rich persons ghetto. The Lodge bar is closing (yet another good seasonaires place going), but the restaurant will probably limp on.


Always is a ghost time at this time of the year be under no illusion at all thats for sure - REAL ghost town! The Coin development started a few years back but as usual with these things is bouncing about in legal action. For the good or bad of val - perhaps - can't answer that. However worth remembering that some of the decisions now were taken a few years back by what one would consider a right of centre of Mairie - that Mairie is now being controlled (as of April 2020) by a left of centre outfit so within their powers they are trying to improve the situation in the town and already on the ground lots more 'socialist' decisions are being taken! IMO.
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ma94jcg wrote:
Thanks both. I am well versed in the rules for entry and return. What I really want to know is how to get some peace of mind around getting access to the Pass Sanitaire for the teenagers whilst we are there.

I have contacted a pharmacy in Bourgeois St Maurice who said they won’t open up their appointments until the end of November. I’m also waiting for a response from the Solaise pharmacy in resort. I would (perhaps unreasonably!) hope that the resort would recognise this potential problem and have plenty of capacity to test British teens during the season


As I say I would bet a pound to a penny that when it comes down to it the resort will make sure this 'worry' is taken care of but for the moment until anything is known for certain there is nothing that can be booked etc. You along with a LOT of people will be in a similar position!
ski holidays
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Dr John, La Casserole closing? Classic bit of thread drift here. At the back end of the last complete Season we had, I picked up two ski tourers who asked for a lift back to Val from the lay-by near the Lake statue. They insisted that I had a beer with them as a thank you. I was directed down a side street which lead to the old Ducs du Savoie hotel where they opened a private parking area for me. (I had stayed at the "Ducs" many years ago with my son so I recognized it). We then walked back across the main road and up to the Casserole. They got the beers in and we had a bit of banter about Brits in Val'd.

It was mid afternoon and I think the place was actually closed. I was possibly having a drink with at least one of the owners. They were uncle & nephew. The older guy was a proper character and it turned out that he ran the parapenting operation at the top of Solaise. The nephew was a more polished character, much quieter. He and his family owned and ran one of the larger hotels on Avenue Olympique. They also owned the Ducs du Savoie (hence the parking access). The old guy said with a wink "their main hotel is very upmarket, but they don't give a f*** about the Ducs. They just rent it to the Brits and leave them to it."

I had to remind them that I was driving back to Tignes and get them to open up the parking compound. As a parting shot the older guy offered me a free "flight" if I went to find him atop Solaise.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
GeorgeVII wrote:
@Dr John, La Casserole closing? Classic bit of thread drift here. At the back end of the last complete Season we had, I picked up two ski tourers who asked for a lift back to Val from the lay-by near the Lake statue. They insisted that I had a beer with them as a thank you. I was directed down a side street which lead to the old Ducs du Savoie hotel where they opened a private parking area for me. (I had stayed at the "Ducs" many years ago with my son so I recognized it). We then walked back across the main road and up to the Casserole. They got the beers in and we had a bit of banter about Brits in Val'd.

It was mid afternoon and I think the place was actually closed. I was possibly having a drink with at least one of the owners. They were uncle & nephew. The older guy was a proper character and it turned out that he ran the parapenting operation at the top of Solaise. The nephew was a more polished character, much quieter. He and his family owned and ran one of the larger hotels on Avenue Olympique. They also owned the Ducs du Savoie (hence the parking access). The old guy said with a wink "their main hotel is very upmarket, but they don't give a f*** about the Ducs. They just rent it to the Brits and leave them to it."

I had to remind them that I was driving back to Tignes and get them to open up the parking compound. As a parting shot the older guy offered me a free "flight" if I went to find him atop Solaise.


Interesting read..... there are certainly lots of families (well not many actually but a handful of very powerful ones at that) that are landowner etc within Val and they own this bit of land and that. You have to be about 20th generation to be considered a local and those ' locals' are the dozen or so that own most of the land and hotels about town etc. One brother will own this and the other that - its the history of the place and the same across France its just that Val is geographically quite small that its so close nit. For good or bad!
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
hey @Steve Angus, first off a belated Happy Birthday - saw the ticker under your name yesterday! I'm considering staying out after the PSB to catch the mens WC race on the saturday - I have been keeping an eye on the ValD website for tickets but it seems that tickets have been suspended for the fanzone by the organiser - would you happen to know if they will be allowing fans this year / or what the deal is with getting tickets? That being said is it worth being in the fanzone / or is there enough atmosphere to soak up the races standing on the side of the piste? - plan would be to try and catch the start of run1 and then majority of the 2nd run.
ski holidays
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@ma94jcg, As it’s currently a very quiet time the Val d’Isere pharmacy shares opening hours with the pharmacy in Tignes. After the Toussaint holiday next Monday you are more likely to get a answer.

Last season (that didn’t happen ) Val d’Isere had put in place 3 testing places, the medical centre/doctors would test people with symptoms. People that worked in town were encouraged to test every week so along with the hoped for holidaymakers, they set up an extra testing facility (large wooden hut) near the ice rink plus the pharmacy.

When we were out in August the pharmacy couldn’t do any tests for a week due to a technical fault, this didn’t affect us as we had test kits with us for our return to the UK and others drove to Tignes or Bourg. It might be more problematic in winter.

I know we all love to plan on Snowheads but I think after the decision on whether the Pass Sanitaire is required for ski lifts, which is expected soon, options will become clearer.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Thanks @muppet and @Steve Angus. Hopefully we’ll know more soon!
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
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@Dr John, Where in town is now doing a workers set lunch in off season ? They would easily do 100 covers some lunchtimes.
Casserole was always our go to place late October/Early November Sad
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Madeye-Smiley Skullie
Steve Angus wrote:
GeorgeVII wrote:
@Dr John, La Casserole closing? Classic bit of thread drift here. At the back end of the last complete Season we had, I picked up two ski tourers who asked for a lift back to Val from the lay-by near the Lake statue. They insisted that I had a beer with them as a thank you. I was directed down a side street which lead to the old Ducs du Savoie hotel where they opened a private parking area for me. (I had stayed at the "Ducs" many years ago with my son so I recognized it). We then walked back across the main road and up to the Casserole. They got the beers in and we had a bit of banter about Brits in Val'd.

It was mid afternoon and I think the place was actually closed. I was possibly having a drink with at least one of the owners. They were uncle & nephew. The older guy was a proper character and it turned out that he ran the parapenting operation at the top of Solaise. The nephew was a more polished character, much quieter. He and his family owned and ran one of the larger hotels on Avenue Olympique. They also owned the Ducs du Savoie (hence the parking access). The old guy said with a wink "their main hotel is very upmarket, but they don't give a f*** about the Ducs. They just rent it to the Brits and leave them to it."

I had to remind them that I was driving back to Tignes and get them to open up the parking compound. As a parting shot the older guy offered me a free "flight" if I went to find him atop Solaise.


Interesting read..... there are certainly lots of families (well not many actually but a handful of very powerful ones at that) that are landowner etc within Val and they own this bit of land and that. You have to be about 20th generation to be considered a local and those ' locals' are the dozen or so that own most of the land and hotels about town etc. One brother will own this and the other that - its the history of the place and the same across France its just that Val is geographically quite small that its so close nit. For good or bad!

You forgot to mention the generations long feuds!
For those not having spent a considerable length of time in an Alpine ski resort think the Appalachians, the Highlands or Yorkshire/Lancashire.
ski holidays
 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.
@muppet, I think the Lodge is doing a workers menu du jour during the week. We always like the lodge in off-season and summer, but tend to avoid when the resort is busy as the service tends to creak a bit.

We asked around about the covid check plans and the answer is no-one has a clue. If pass sanitaire isn't required to buy a lift pass (and it wasn't for a season pass a week ago), then checking at each lift would be a nightmare. One solution in my mind would be to have your lift pass flagged as having been verified once for pass sanitaire, thereafter you're free to come and go as you please. Drawback is it would require software development and roll-out, and maybe a two queue system at the lifts.
snow report
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quick update on covid testing. The Solaise pharmacy responded to my email - they asked to get in touch after the 22nd November when they will have planned their testing approach for the season
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
barracuda wrote:
hey @Steve Angus, first off a belated Happy Birthday - saw the ticker under your name yesterday! I'm considering staying out after the PSB to catch the mens WC race on the saturday - I have been keeping an eye on the ValD website for tickets but it seems that tickets have been suspended for the fanzone by the organiser - would you happen to know if they will be allowing fans this year / or what the deal is with getting tickets? That being said is it worth being in the fanzone / or is there enough atmosphere to soak up the races standing on the side of the piste? - plan would be to try and catch the start of run1 and then majority of the 2nd run.


Thanks!

Interesting as this year they seem to be going MORE towards the 'ticket or nothing' system - before it was only if you really wanted to have the plum spots / views that you needed a ticket - so the fact that tickets have been suspended at the moment is somewhat intriguing! TBH I dont think there is that much to be gained from being in the thick of the action personally - in terms of good view (you have to time it right of course!) I always think that being on the lifts over the pistes at the time of racing is the best bet! Yes you might get a good atmosphere in the action but its not like the Kitzbuhel DH race with 100,000 people watching - its never more than a few thousand people max.... and to be honest unless a French man is winning there is sometimes a feeling of sour grapes about in my experience! Anyway Im sure that something will pop up soon for tickets though so keep checking!
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
muppet wrote:
@ma94jcg, As it’s currently a very quiet time the Val d’Isere pharmacy shares opening hours with the pharmacy in Tignes. After the Toussaint holiday next Monday you are more likely to get a answer.

Last season (that didn’t happen ) Val d’Isere had put in place 3 testing places, the medical centre/doctors would test people with symptoms. People that worked in town were encouraged to test every week so along with the hoped for holidaymakers, they set up an extra testing facility (large wooden hut) near the ice rink plus the pharmacy.

When we were out in August the pharmacy couldn’t do any tests for a week due to a technical fault, this didn’t affect us as we had test kits with us for our return to the UK and others drove to Tignes or Bourg. It might be more problematic in winter.

I know we all love to plan on Snowheads but I think after the decision on whether the Pass Sanitaire is required for ski lifts, which is expected soon, options will become clearer.



Good points there - especially the oncoming decisions on Pass Sanitaire as then we will know more that is for sure!
snow conditions
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Kenzie wrote:
Madeye-Smiley Skullie
Steve Angus wrote:
GeorgeVII wrote:
@Dr John, La Casserole closing? Classic bit of thread drift here. At the back end of the last complete Season we had, I picked up two ski tourers who asked for a lift back to Val from the lay-by near the Lake statue. They insisted that I had a beer with them as a thank you. I was directed down a side street which lead to the old Ducs du Savoie hotel where they opened a private parking area for me. (I had stayed at the "Ducs" many years ago with my son so I recognized it). We then walked back across the main road and up to the Casserole. They got the beers in and we had a bit of banter about Brits in Val'd.

It was mid afternoon and I think the place was actually closed. I was possibly having a drink with at least one of the owners. They were uncle & nephew. The older guy was a proper character and it turned out that he ran the parapenting operation at the top of Solaise. The nephew was a more polished character, much quieter. He and his family owned and ran one of the larger hotels on Avenue Olympique. They also owned the Ducs du Savoie (hence the parking access). The old guy said with a wink "their main hotel is very upmarket, but they don't give a f*** about the Ducs. They just rent it to the Brits and leave them to it."

I had to remind them that I was driving back to Tignes and get them to open up the parking compound. As a parting shot the older guy offered me a free "flight" if I went to find him atop Solaise.


Interesting read..... there are certainly lots of families (well not many actually but a handful of very powerful ones at that) that are landowner etc within Val and they own this bit of land and that. You have to be about 20th generation to be considered a local and those ' locals' are the dozen or so that own most of the land and hotels about town etc. One brother will own this and the other that - its the history of the place and the same across France its just that Val is geographically quite small that its so close nit. For good or bad!

You forgot to mention the generations long feuds!
For those not having spent a considerable length of time in an Alpine ski resort think the Appalachians, the Highlands or Yorkshire/Lancashire.


Indeed.
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Dr John and ma94jcg - indeed - no one really knows yet - still all to be decided. Not ideal for international travellers wanting to plan in more details now but it is what it is - I am sure that within the next couple of weeks things will become clear.
latest report
 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?
barracuda - further to what you were asking about above, Radio Val this morning released the info on their website - look for the 'info' part of their website for todays update and it is written at the bottom - you can use the real link there as well as translate what is written. Anyway looks like tickets can now be purchased if you are keen.

"Les billets pour assister aux épreuves hommes du Critérium de la Première Neige du 11 et 12 décembre prochain sont en vente. Comme nous vous l'annoncions il y a quelques semaines, l'accès au site au pied de la Face de Bellevarde sera payant cette année. Pour assister aux épreuves depuis la fan zone, espace gratuit les années précédentes, il faudra désormais payer sa place 10€ par jour. L'accès aux tribunes est fixé à 25€ et 60€ pour la terrasse VIP. L'accès restera cependant gratuit pour les épreuves dames a la Daille la semaine suivante. Pour réserver votre place c'est ici"
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
@Steve Angus, perfect thanks Smile
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Its on!

Well if there is one thing that has remained consistent the last few weeks and that is the growing confidence that a) there must be a season by hook or by crook and b) there will be a pent up demand to 'make it happen' from tourist and providers alike no matter what.... so we are certainly all trying to gear towards the deadline that is the season start in only a couple of weeks time - yay!

When I last updated about 6 weeks ago it was that time in the year when the Winter was far enough away that there was plenty of time to think of other things as well as the upcoming Winter. The days were not too cold and the weather pretty set. Now the weather is threatening - the snow line coming lower and lower, the activity around town is getting ready for the Winter as opposed to start new projects or finish Summer projects off etc. Whilst it is probably a little above par temp wise its only a few but the issue at this time of the year is that without it being 24/7 below zero the ground doesn't really get cold enough to either allow any snow that does fall to settle or artificial snow to be made. Over the half term break a few weeks back it was on par temp wise so the snow settled and ground was cold enough to make artificial but the last week or so the temp has risen just those few deg c - just tipping the scales for now the wrong way! Anyway of course up high it will be stacking up nicely. Having said all that for the last few days and going forward a few more days there is a large retour d'est blowing and as locals know that is great news for those of us right on the Italian border as we get such high localised snowfall. So basically I think when the clouds part the Val glacier will be caked in the fluffy white stuff and the higher peaks too. Yay. I know the Grand Motte has had a few days of 'interesting' weather recently thats for sure!

So back in the early Autumn we had a few nice family walks such as this one up the Manchet.



For those of you who were watching Sky news the other week (and mentioned above) you might have seen Clare talking to Kay Burley about the upcoming Winter season... her moment of fame. A lot of practicing and set up time but she did really well!




Anyway we headed back to the UK as normal for half term but with what has gone on the last 18 months it is the first time we have been back to the UK as family since July last year. It is a long drive and we always chose to do it overnight - either keep the kids entertained for the long drive during the day and answering the 'are we nearly there yet' or take the hit and do it overnight! Anyway Olivia woke up with a rather stiff neck after sleeping like this most of the night bless her!



The two weeks back in the UK were the usual mix of mad dashing about seeing friends and family but also trying to have some down time. Oh and I had my birthday too.... in particular the highlight was a yummy curry out with Clare. We took a time out to go and see my mum and it was a rather emotional day. The kids did so well singing and dancing for her and I have some really cherished memories of her with the grand kids. It was quite emotional and over the last 18 months it was so emotional to actually be able to all be together in the same room. Bless. I thought I was going to be in pieces but I wasnt - more relieved that it actually happened more than anything really. The day was thrown a real curveball though in that the plan had been for us to go from the care home to my sisters to spend the rest of the day seeing her.... however unfortunately she woke up that morning with a cough and you guessed it it was COVID. She is better now but that mucked up the plans to see her too!

Meanwhile I treasured the time being a dad on one of the days teaching (well sort of) Olivia how to fish... digging up worms in the garden and watching the float bouncing about for hours on end but to no avail I dont think was her idea of fun in the end but it was nice to spend some time with her! Ben spent lots of time baking with granny too!

Anyway the time whizzed by and we got back to Val a week ago. This last week it has been a mix of catching up with the to do list and also I have a long queue of people asking me to get a load of maintenance jobs done around town in the run up to the season!

You may remember last month I reported on the river channeling work over the road - well they seem to have finished that now - the river was rerouted temporarily and they lay a bed of concrete - dropped in the new pipes and then covered with the river bed again before finally allowing the river to run its normal path again! Also the work on the new base station on the funival is going full steam ahead and I think they will start cladding with stone the outside in the next week or so so hopefully by the start of the season it will look presentable!

Meanwhile here on the skiing front for this Winter it is getting a lot clearer what you will need actually to get on the lifts.... essentially masks, masks, masks. Bars, restaurants etc then yes health passes needed but for now not needed to actually purchase a lift pass (proof of vaccination etc). In terms of case numbers which ultimately is how the rules will develop regional and locally within France the Savoie has a case rate of about 100 per 100,000 at the moment which is quite high and very locally in Val about 150+.... all in all this means that when the tourists start arriving this number will rise quite steeply so I think the rules will only be increased somewhat this Winter. Lets hope not a strangulation though! However locally already masks have been re-introduced to the primary school here and no inter class mixing has also come back!


I had a lovely day out with my little boy and the nearest wildlife park - Ben in particular loved feeding the animals - he loved that

Another awesome family activity was baking cookies


Even early October there was decent snowfall accumulations atop the mountains such as here on the Bellevarde

See told you it was major work down here in La Daille

At this crossing at the tourist office roundabout there was a collision a few weeks back between a lorry and a pedestrian - luckily it seems as it the pedestrian will make a good recovery but it was touch and go for a while

Coming together nicely between natural snowfall and snowmaking

The new bus shelter for the bus station going in
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
COVID info update

For those who have been eagerly asking what the resort is planning in terms of needing tests / certificates etc especially for younger members of the families... well anyway today there has been some shift. This was written on the Radio Val website this am:

"Nous pensions en être sortis, mais pas tout à fait. Les communes de Val d'Isère, Tignes et Sainte-Foy sont en train de s'organiser avec les professionnels de santé du territoire afin de pouvoir gérer le traitement des demandes de tests PCR et antigéniques cet hiver. Les règles imposées aux voyageurs de nombreux pays et compagnies aériennes incitent en effet à mettre en place des centres pour des tests dits « de confort » pour les personnes asymptomatiques. Les centres médicaux, le cabinet du centre et Médival continueront de proposer des tests, uniquement pour les personnes présentant des symptômes. Un site internet dédié ou un numéro de téléphone unique seront mis en place prochainement pour réserver facilement son test. S'il reste encore plusieurs questions à régler, le centre de test avalin sera opérationnel pour l'ouverture de la station le 27 novembre prochain. Nous vous proposerons une interview de Caroline Cerri, déléguée COVID sur Val d'Isère et Jérémie Karibian, médecin à Médival d'ici quelques jours pour fournir plus de détails."

Essentially I think what it all means that within reason to make sure it is as user friendly as possible and enticing as possible for people to keep coming / booking etc the resort are putting structure in place to allow the necessary hoops to be jumped through as easily as possible e.g. via testing in resort etc. So all in all I think it is all sounding pretty positive - phew!
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
P.S. It has been dumping down virtually all day today!!!! Yay!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Seemingly, now, after Dec 15th if you are 65 you need to have the booster, or else you must do the tests every 72 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.
Thanks Steve. Do you know if pre-departure tests needed to enter France would count towards the Pass Sanitaire 72 hour window if it was in force for ski lifts? I would hope so because if it were suitable for entry to the country in the first place, they would surely be sufficient for the PS? It would save getting a test (teenage daughters) first thing on arrival on Saturday evening/Sunday morning.

Cheers.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Steve Angus,

Hey Steve it feels like forever since I looked at this forum and hope you are doing well.

Had like many lots of personal challenges and losses the last 18 months and was lucky to ski the last week of 2020 before lockdown .

To honour the last 18 months what better way than to be back on day 1 of a proper season

So 27th of November we will arrive in Val .

Alas my good friends @ Neilson won't have Toviere open to paying guests and although I will say hi to my good friends there this season we are staying up in town .

Fear not we also have March 2022 booked back at Tov in La Daille .


So Steve .... I am glued to the thread again

Now where is Honeybunny ...... surely she needs to appear Very Happy
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