Poster: A snowHead
|
We have 2 excellent choices for a catered chalet 10-17th March. Please help us decide which one we choose...!
We ski mainly reds and easy blacks, so which is best area for those runs?
Where is likely to have best conditions?
Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Val D'Isere or Les Arcs.
Hope that helps.
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Of those two I prefer Tignes Le Lac. Not stayed in Montchavin itself, La Plagne waa nice but I prefer the Espace Killy
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
La Plagne/Les Arc offer great intermediate terrain and if condtions are right some good runs in the trees. Tignes more challeging, neither should have a problem with plenty of higher altitude stuff but Tignes I'd imagine has the better snow record with more run higher up.
Tignes I'd say is better suited to upper intermediates and advanced skiers LP def better for beginners and more nervous intermediates although PL has some great off piste. How challenging the blacks will be is too relative to condtions at the time really.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Tignes
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Mumof2, given your ski level, Tignes le Lac IMHO
|
|
|
|
|
|
Montchavin is pleasant enough - 170cm depth reported at the moment, so likely to be fine in 10 days time but, if more reds and easy blacks are the top priority, then it has to be Tignes. Point well-made by Grizwald, about blacks in general though.
Should mention I've not stayed in Montchavin, but in BP and PB although skied over there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Montchavin is a much more pleasant place to stay IMO and skiing wise I think it would suit better. If the elements flair up there are local options in the trees. If not there is plenty to go at higher up on both sides of the VE. I've stayed in Les Coches the next village to Montchavin and Tignes Les Lac for the record.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
La Plagne
Tignes
On a purely numbers basis for reds/blacks, Tignes takes it and that does seem to be the main expressed criteria. Montchavin seemed far prettier and personally, I think having tree skiing options is always handy. And pleasant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I would find it difficult to put one above the other, but Tignes Lac is on the Lake and therefore flat, if there is a suggestion of ski to/from I would be sceptical. As Chasseur, says Montchavin is a prettier village and the the skiing is excellent. I'm not sure if there is any forest to ski through in Tignes.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Tignes would get my vote for late March, given you can also take in Val D'Isere in the same area. In fact we'll be there ourselves that week. More variety of run, tends to have better snow conditions, excellent lift system. Montchavin is also good and close enough to the Vanoise Express to easily access both La Plagne and Les Arcs areas. It is true that in snowy weather there's more tree skiing in La Plagne and Les Arcs.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Thanks for all your valuable advice everyone.
I've just realised that the XGames are being held in Tignes that week, so likely that slopes/lifts there will be busy.
So we have (99%) decided to plump for a late deal in Val d'Isere and link to Tignes when it suits.
We like the sound of Montchavin and all those trees you tell me about... so we'll bring the kids with us there next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mumof2, We were in Tignes 2 years ago when the X-Games were on. I didn't notice any difference at all in crowds compared with many other years we've been there in March. Obviously you get gatherings immediately around the games site, in and just above Val Claret centre, but made no difference to lift queues or skiing to us. It was good fun stopping occasionally on the piste side to watch some of the spectacular events. Val D'Isere is a more attractive town than Tignes, if you can get a good chalet deal there. However, I think the skiing on Tignes side generally offers more to those looking for mainly red runs, with many of their blue runs being interesting too. One frustration for many about Val D is that the runs back to the valley are often difficult and their official gradings misleading. For example, from Tignes side, to return to Val D village, you have the option of Face de Bellevarde (steepish Black) Epaule de Charvet (another definite Black, with steep bits and long schussh at the end) or the Santons 'gun barrel' run. This is officially a Blue but can be a nightmare towards the end of the day, when crowded with relative beginners and those who've fallen over. Lots of people end up either catching the Olympique gondola down, or else ski to La Daille and take the bus back to Val D. Hope that helps but wherever you are in Espace Killy you should have a fantastic time!
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
intermediate,
Quote: |
This is officially a Blue but can be a nightmare towards the end of the day, when crowded with relative beginners and those who've fallen over.
|
Yep, that brings back memories First time I ever saw a queue of blood wagons. Suddenly the blacks were easier!
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Oh my. Thank you intermediate for your advice on returning to Val d'Isere at the end of the day.
We booked a late deal today in Val and now I'm glad I came back to snowheads to check any new messages!
I will check out the XGames too.
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Good choice! You'll definitely have plenty to keep you busy in Val and Tignes. Also, don't forget to check out La Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille bubble one afternoon. It's an experience not to be missed - get there about 4.
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Mumof2, Yes, great choice of resort. Good news is that weather forecast for next 8 or 9 days is colder with bits of snow. That should make the pistes perfect for the sunny week that will follow for us. Also, in good snow, those home runs into Val D village don't seem anything like so daunting, especially around the middle of the day. At the end of an afternoon though I usually prefer the quite challenging reds down to La Daille (the OK or Orange pistes) followed by a short free bus ride back to town.
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Piccadilly wrote: |
Good choice! You'll definitely have plenty to keep you busy in Val and Tignes. Also, don't forget to check out La Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille bubble one afternoon. It's an experience not to be missed - get there about 4. |
Friday is the best day. If you really want to spoil yourself, have a meal at La Fruitiere next door too.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Tignes Le Lac for sure!!! Hope u have fun!!
|
|
|
|
|
|