Poster: A snowHead
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We have found a chalet which suits our large party but its 5km out of Champagny. We don't mind the drive in if the traffic is likely to be fairly clear (we will be doing rush hour to get some of our party to ski school) and if there is likely to be car parking space next to the main gondola.
Half term if it makes a difference (although I suspect not since it seems not really full of British package holidays - although it will be French holidays as well of course).
Anyone got any local knowledge?
Any other tips for this resort?
Many thanks
PS: have checked a couple of Champagny threads, but didn't address my rather specific question.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Will you be driving up from Bozel? I'd allow 15 mins for the drive and there is parking by the gondola but I've not tried to park there in peak holiday time.
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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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Thanks, juliad, no actually we would be coming from the other direction a little hamlet called La Chiserette.
I take you drive to gondola during no peak times and parking not a problem?
Thanks, again.
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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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TheManOnTheBus, our snowHeads voice on Champagny is skichampcouk, drop him a pm as he knows the area very well. Last year the parking area near the gondola was re-built with new facilities.
This year the lift from the top of Champagny is being replaced with a six man x2 speed new lift, so one of the reas huge bottlenecks willl be gone
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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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boredsurfin, thanks. Yes, I've done that (saw his name on the other forum sounding as if he knew it well! Glad you seconded that.)
Good news re the bottle neck going.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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TheManOnTheBus,
It should take approximately 10 minutes drive from your chalet in Champagny le Haut to the gondola in Champagny en Vanoise. The roads are kept clear between Champagny en Vanoise and Champagny le Haut, they have a regular shuttle bus between the two and they are usually very efficient at keeping the road clear. The road leading up to Champagny le Haut is a bit narrow and windy at the top but is passable with care.
I have never known a rush hour in Champagny, most of the people staying in Champagny le Haut are there for the cross country skiing, so you shouldn't get caught in a traffic jam.
You have a few options for parking near the gondola. There is the 4 storey car park in 'Le Centre' which is free, it does become full at half term but if you are early enough you should be ok. There is a new 2 storey car park next to the gondola which cost 5 euros a day to park and is hardly ever full. A lot people park on the roads leading up to the gondola rather than pay in the new car park.
If you need any more information send me another pm or give me a call, our number is on our website www.skichamp.co.uk
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skichampcouk, Many thanks indeed. Very helpful.
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Have been going to Champagny for 10 years and love the resort. Champagny le haut is in a beautiful valley but is more used by cross country skiers.
Roads are kept open to access the cross country routes and there is a free bus down to the main village about hourly through the day.
There is afree multi storey car park for about 600 cars next to the Tourist Office, but this can fill up in busy times. The new facility does charge for parking.
There is never a traffic jam in the village and if you are early for the parking it shouldnt be a problem.
Hope this helps and have a good holiday. Andy
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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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Thanks, Andy, very helpful. We've booked and committed now!
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Thought I'd bounce this up and pick the brains of those with local knowledge again.
Would anyone recommend any ski hire place: ideally near the main gondola. We will be driving into the centre each day from Champagny le Haut, and a ski hire place with lockers or a depot would be ideal.
Thanks all
Looking forward to our holiday.
TMOTB
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Thanks, *Roger C*, you (or anyone else) don't happen to know the name of the ski hire place under the car park (which sounds ideal - as I do like a home run ).
Incidentally, I assume that car park which you refer to is the four storey free one?
Thanks, again.
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Roger C, the home run being Le Bois down there, yes? I really liked that run, great in good snow. Wouldn't miss it by leaving skis at the gondola. Might be a little sketchy in bad snow as it is quite narrow...
There was a great little creperie place down in Champagny. Fond memories.
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You know it makes sense.
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The shop Roger C remembers is the Intersport shop, there is also a skimium shop and 3 skiset shops within 50 metres of the centre. We tend to use skishop Vanoise in the cente, it is one of the skiset shops. We have a link with an extra 5% discount off the normal skiset website price offering up to 45% off. If that is of interest to you let me know and I will PM you a link.
As Roger C mentions you can leave your skis in a locker at the top or bottom of the gondola.
My favourite run back to resort is Mont de la Guerre, it is reasonably easy for 90% of the run, the bottom bit can be a bit tricky but I prefer it to le Bois, especially now the Verdons Sud chair lift takes you up to the start of it in 6 minutes. Le Bois becomes very icy very quickly, even after the recent dumps of snow the run soon becomes difficult after a day or so. It has a few steep, icy bits that become bottlenecks during the busy weeks.
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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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skichampcouk wrote: |
My favourite run back to resort is Mont de la Guerre, it is reasonably easy for 90% of the run, the bottom bit can be a bit tricky but I prefer it to le Bois, especially now the Verdons Sud chair lift takes you up to the start of it in 6 minutes. Le Bois becomes very icy very quickly, even after the recent dumps of snow the run soon becomes difficult after a day or so. It has a few steep, icy bits that become bottlenecks during the busy weeks. |
I took my nieces down then when they were week 2/3 skiers in pretty average snow - they didn't enjoy it..
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Poster: A snowHead
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Another questions please!
One of our party is arriving at Geneva airport (the rest of us are driving a day earlier). He has found a bus transfer to La Plagne. According to Google Maps its not too far to drive from La Plagne to Champagny (so one of us can pick him up when he arrives).
However, it occured to me that that road might be high and closed in bad weather/winter.
Anyone got any tips on getting from La Plagne to Champagny?
Thanks
TMOTB
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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TheManOnTheBus,
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He has found a bus transfer to La Plagne
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If possible, see if the Geneva transfer can drop him at the Moutiers train/bus station and pick him up from there - that's the route you'll have to take from Ch. to La.P so it would be pointless him going all the way to La Plagne
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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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As geoffers, says he will have to pass through Moutiers to reach the other La Plagne villages. He can catch a bus from Geneva to Moutiers and then from Moutiers to Champagny with www.altibus.com.
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