 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
So im going snowboarding and have been looking at where to go, I have narrowed it down to Les Deux Alps or Les Contamines , my question is which one should I go to for a absolute beginner.
If i go to Les Deux Alps (With action outdoors), the overall cost will be approximately £665. (inc flights transfers etc)
Going to the same place with Travel Talk (the other UCPA agent) with cost £600, but leaving on the 7th April (so one day less).
The other option is Les Contamines with Travel Talk, the cost of that excluding transfer is £455 (leaving on the 7th April)
So what do other snowheads think?. I want to go LDA but i could save quite a bit of $$$ with Les contamines (if i can find a cheap transfer)
Merci.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The first time I did a DIY trip I was surprised how much I had to pay for the transfer. I would get a quote on that before committing.
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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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The cheapest I have found so far for Les Contamines from geneva is £200 from resort ride (which brings up the price to being more then LDA), unless theres somewhere cheaper that anyone knows of.
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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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mcewen06, are you comparing like with like? UCPA is full board, equipment hire, lessons, pass, etc. Most deals don't include all that.
You can't go wrong with beginner lessons through UCPA.
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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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they are both UCPA (traveltalk and Action outdoors).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry, hadn't clicked with that. I suspect mcewen06 is right. I have been looking at transfers from here to Geneva on Thursday for some friends - I would have driven but being out of action have been looking at alternatives. £220 one way from Les Saisies to Geneva. Les Contamines is nearer, but it won't be cheap. If Les Contamines turns out cheaper, it's a great little resort, and the snow will be top quality at the moment. But if "apres" is important to you, there's a heap more of it in LDA.
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| mcewen06 wrote: |
| The cheapest I have found so far for Les Contamines from geneva is £200 from resort ride (which brings up the price to being more then LDA), unless theres somewhere cheaper that anyone knows of. |
This is why I said to get prices first. I haven't ever got transfers (unless provided as part of a TO package) for what I considered a good price. There was a poster in here a couple of months ago advertising their site which was offering shared transfers trying to get people hooked up with others who need the same transfer route which is great idea in theory. However in your boat I would go with then complete package option to Les Deux Alpes. I had done a number of TO trips befor doing any DIY ones.
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I would go deux alpes. In April the extra height will make a difference to the snow being still snow not slush. Les contamines could be absolutely fine . . . . . . But equally might not be so great - I have had it both ways..
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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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i'm pretty sure i took a bus from GVA to les Contamines a few years ago and certainly did not cost £200. probably closer to £20
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NickyJ, transfers to/from 2Alpes are cheap - Bensbus or public transport, regular services.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I think Annie's advice about altitude is good - I had not properly focussed on the April bit. LC is often still great in April and I had a super day there a few years ago on the very last day of their season but in warm Aprils I've also had poor conditions there, even at the top.
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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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Same here hadn't taken that bit In either. From what I have rEad it has the largest Glacier in Europe which is why I have booked their for April 2014. So can't comment on it for personal experience. Hope you have a great time.
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The vast majority of skiing in L2A is higher than Les C's highest lift. In early April, unless there's a freak winter, pretty much the whole of the main side of the mountain will be open - the smaller side will probably be horrible. You'll probably have round 2000m of vertical available. As an absolute beginner it may not seem too important but if you progress quickly you may appreciate the options later in the week.
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You know it makes sense.
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Agree with snowhouse, Even in 2011 when conditions were dire in April L2A had good skiing even in the afternoons above 2600m (ie 1000m vertical). Many other resorts had very little. I'll be there for my 8th Easter.
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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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Certainly last April in L2A you could still get from the top of the glacier down to the village even if the last run was a bit horrible so if you had any sense you took the lift down.
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Poster: A snowHead
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April, go to L2A.
Also, I have a feeling that osme of the UCPA centrws are more english language friendsly than others. I hadn't seen Les Contamines on AO website which may indicate less english spoken, if that is a consideration to you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ugh loads of spelling / typos!
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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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| Quote: |
I hadn't seen Les Contamines on AO website which may indicate less english spoken, if that is a consideration to you.
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An interesting point. I saw people with a UCPA instructor in Les Contamines a year or so ago, and just assumed they'd come from Chamonix or Flaine. I hadn't realised there was a centre there. I saw them from a chairlift so didn't have a chance to ask. they looked like they were having a lot of fun, charging between a couple of the pisted runs.
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