Poster: A snowHead
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I thought that as i browsed this site enough in the last month or so it was apt that I should now upload a report myself, so here goes:
Booked through Skiworld, staying in Chalet Alcipois in Lla Plagne centre, there was 8 of us in the chalet, although we had iniotially booked for 10. Flights from manchester were on time with Monarch, arriving in Grenoble appox 12:30. Quick turnaround and we were on route to resort for our three hour journey, stopping in Mautierre (??) to drop off a party of 9 who were travelling on to Les Arc. The Chalet is located in La Forrett area of the village, for those who know the area it is the cluster of Chalets just above the L aFrance hotel that you ski under and also about 500 yds from the Capella pieste. Our rep Matt escorted us the short trip up the road to the chalet. Chalet was as described, rooms a little small ( I had the largest room and this was fine) but plenty of storage space for your clothes and a corridor to put cases. There were three rooms downstaris all en suite, and two rooms upstairs thatshared a bathroom. Up[stairs there was a lounge and dinin area and a small kitchen. Our chalet host was Phil, an ex chef and french teacher.
We used Oxygene for our ski hire. All booked on line about a week before going, at a cost ranging between 60-90 euros depending on the package chosen. Alll the gear was top notch. The lads were skiing in brand new Head boots and the ski's even at the lower level packages were in excellent condition and well serviced. There was also no problem in exchanging any problem items. I opted for the prestige ski's as I have my own boots and got some Dynastar Legends which were recommended by the shop worker and he was right they were a superb ski to use both on and off piste.
We knew we had landed on our feet when the first meal was presented to us. As I said the chalet host was an ex chef and were were treated to restaraunt standard food and three courses of it every night. The standard never slipped at all and he worked his socks off all week. Not only was his food good but he was a good laugh and very helpful with any suggestions for eating and drinking out and also ski areas and runs to try. The chalet was keot in a good condition all week and it never felt like we had a stranger in our chalet. He even made a special cheesecake for one of the group who had been dissapointed when the language barrier had meant he ordered the wrong food the night before when we ate out.
Skiworld were excellent all week, we saw the resort manager 2-3 times at the chalet, and the Rep matt popped by each evening to check things were OK. He offered a free guiding servicd on a number of days which we never used but probably should have. There was a pub crawl (resort orientation) on the second night although we only made it to three pubs as we were all shattered. Overall excellent service from skiworld and would have no fears of using them again.
OK on to the important bit - the skiing.
Plenty of snow in La Plagne from the previous weeks dump and bluebird skies for the first four days. We really couldn't have asked for much more really especially as we had a few begginers in the group. I will say that I do not believe this is an ideal resort for begginers. Yes there is a decent green run supplied by a chair and a drag in la plagne centre but beyond that the green areas are few and far between. The big problem is the blue runs. We talked to one of the instructors in the Oxygene shop and they said that they had problems grading the runs. A lot of the blues have parts that are more like a red and this causes issues when you are trying to get new skiers to move accross resort or just increase their experience. It is a fantastic resort for intermediate and advanced skiers and the off piste options are endless. The previous weeks snow off piste had been well tracked out and was a little crusty when we got there owever the on piste conditions were fantastic. The glacier was open and the runs off there were in great condition. We didn't go over to Les Arc but to upgrade you local area ski pass only costs 40 euro, the daily rate is 30 euro so if you are planning to go across you may as well upgrade for the week. One member did pop over and he was at the vanois express in Les Arc by 10 am.
on Thursday the clouds came in and there was a bit of flat light about in the higher areas. It started snowing about 12pm and was still going when we left yesteray at 8am. I would guess that there was abt least a foot of new snow and on Friday I was skiing in off piste up to me knees and higher where it had drifted. It was awful leaving resort yesterday as the skies were blue and it would have been an awesome day.
Overall a great ski holiday, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Skiworld as a TO and there service was excellent all week. Obviously we got lucky with the chalet host but by the sounds of things the food was excellent in all the chalets and Phil was giving lessons to those who were not at his level. La Plagne was great, the lifts could be improved as it felt like you were on them for ages at times. The reort is ugly and the nightlife low key. I would recommend Scotty's bar for apres and the band in there are fantastic (mon wed fri). Time to book my next trip now, just hope the wife will let me go in February!
Any questions just ask would be glad to assist, apologies for the typos but did this on my phone...
Bon Ski!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Super report
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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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mushywill, Good report, I was in LP this time last year and there'd be no snow for ages but the pistes were still in decent nick and got some very good guided off piste in too. I know what you mean about some of the blues but I think it's good for early intermedaites so that they push themselves a bit (there were a couple in our group) particulary with those who have colour paralyisis. I think I know the blues you're talking about-Mira at the top of the gondola from LP centre spriongs to mind? Sttep drop off intially but then pretty flat, seem to be the norm for several others, nice for a blast.
I've never been so close to suicide as I have been this year when leaving the conditions in resort. Long may it continue.
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I've travelled with Skiworld a few times and I can't fault them to be fair.
From the guys and girls on the phones to the chalet host, they all seem to know their stuff. You get a sense of unity.
I think its really important to know where your money's going these days, so having someone who knows their stuff taking your money is a mild relief! I went to La Plagne a couple years ago with a group of freinds. We booked probably the cheapest Skiworld chalet at the time, but were never schmoozed with the line "it has a rustic aesthetic" or any other bull.
Turns out the chalet was pretty good. Nice open fire to socialise around. The chalet host was a nice guy too, although made a habit of smashing an item of crockery every morning when he got in. It was an amusing wake up call by the end of the week! Cheers James, wherever you are...
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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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although made a habit of smashing an item of crockery every morning when he got in. It was an amusing wake up call by the end of the week!
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Fantastic! You are never going to forget that are you!
I have had similar experiences as mushywill and jesuscreeper with Skiworld and would be happy to use them again. The last Chalet I stayed in with them also had a professional chef - maybe Skiworld just pay them well as they obviously seem to attract (and keep) good staff season to season (or their clients leave big tips!)
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mushywill, Great report. As above, I've had good experiences with skiworld too and La Plagne... but not both at the same time... yet.
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