Poster: A snowHead
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Things have worked out so 21/22 of this month, me and the wife can go away for a (romantic) snowboarding break for a week in France.
Not got pots of money to spare - probably don't want to exceed £700 each including lift pass for a chalet/hotel hol with full board, transfers and flights.
Anyway, there are quite a few around (La Rosiere, Plagne 1800, Serre Chevalier, ADH) but just thought I'd canvas some opinions on resorts that might fit us:
* I love razzing it down reds mainly, and off-piste I enjoy (but not gnarly stuff) and the wife is pretty much the same.
* Not massive drinkers anymore and being on a tight(ish) budget we'll probably have a few beers after food, that's it, so it doesn't have to be a resort with a million pubs.
* We like tree areas (such as those up Le Fornet, Val d'isere) so that kind of terrain would be nice as an option if the weather closes in further up the mountain.
* We're both not particularly adept at using drag lifts so prefer resorts with a higher proportion of chairs, bubbles and cable cars.
* Not looking for lots of greens and definitely not looking for resorts that sport a lot of flats.
* Wouldn't want to be doing the same runs over and over, but the resort doesn't have to be massive; Les Gets/Morzine was nice (150km), as was ADH (200km+) - don't need 600km+ in reality.
* Cheaper lifts passes fit in with this although we're budgeting for £200 or so per lift pass just to be on the safe side.
* Not massively fussed about transfer times, although the shorter the better obviously, but to be honest, it's no an issue if it's 3hrs+.
* We're not insistent on 'chocolate box' looks - just happy to see snow to be fair
I know it sounds quite particular but I thought I'd work on the things we've found out over the years.
I think more than anything I would like to avoid just going straight for a big resort because it's there in front of me. Of course, we're dictated by what deals are there (booking towards the end of this week) but if there's a resort I'm not familiar with/aware of then I could miss out on a nice experience.
Anyway, ramble over - any help and advice will be most appreciated and go easy on me - been out of the game for a few years!!
Pat
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pat, My tip would be that Chalets are far from 'romantic' unless you are an aural voyeur and/or exhibitionist
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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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Specialman, Serre Chevalier certainly offers the terrain variety and a sense of travel. The Grand Aigle (IIRC) in Villeneuve through Rocket Ski offers a decent budget stay, food good and a pleasant enough bar.
The Southern French alps may have missed some of the recent epic snowfalls elsewhere, but depths seem fine. Plenty of tree line skiing if the weather comes down.
Otherwise, I'd probably suggest La Plagne.....but maybe because I'll be there end of the month
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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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I'd vote for Serre Che as well. Nice "grown up" resort. Huge amount of really good cruising terrain, and given the spread across the villages it has a really "varied" feel to it. Plenty of lovely stuff around the treeline, and some great cruisy chilledness for that last run home before beer.
Try the piano bar in Chantemerle. On the road, next to the bike shop. Forget the name! Wondrously drunk vieux Francais tinkles the ivories.
I'll be out there that week as well, so you can buy me a beer for the tip!
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Specialman,
Mountainsun have some OK places at low prices in the Les Arcs / La Plagne area - check that out perhaps? great tree skiing...
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Specialman, If you can be flexible and do Tuesday 17th to Tuesday 24th we can do you a good deal. Cheaper flights, B&B so you can sample some of the local fare. Pm Nina if interested. Become our 7th 's of the season. Still waiting to find a baddun, they have all been great company.
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