Poster: A snowHead
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All this talk on here of spending a season in the Alps has got me thinking.....Just where would be the best location to park a motorhome/converted van/former horsebox (delete as appropriate) in the Alps?
I've seen them in places like Tignes Les Brevieres, Les Boisses and Chamonix - with occupants living a seemingly simple, trouble and cost-free life of dreadlocks and dogs on the loose - but, where to go, that would be the 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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Somewhere low with good lift access to higher slopes is the best plan - especially if you have a coverted van/former horsebox rather than a posh-centrallyheated-antifreeze-filled-motor-home
A few places with collections of vans are:
By the Kayak base in Bourg St Maurice
Camping in Les Coches
Lowest carpark in Sainte Foy
Brides Les Bains
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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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Can I add the car park outside Plan Devin in Les Arcs to that list. It looks very cold to me.
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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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As many resorts as possible ??
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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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mountainaddict, A couple of friends are van people in Chamonix. Like you say they live a cheap and simple life. They do get a bit of hassle from the authorities and are subject to being checked occasionally as they collectively get blamed for petty theft in the town.
Having a job chambermaiding is also handy for getting showers.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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mountainaddict, I wouldn't stay by the kayak base by Bourg St Maurice - its a way from anything & always looks dodgy to me! But there is a caravan park at Bourg, which I'm told is quite nice. It's near the funi & just over the road from Super-U.
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I've seen vans/campers parked in La Plagne in a car/van park under the Bergerie lift! But it does look very very cold
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mountainaddict, have a look at http://www.motorhomeski.com/ for some hints and tips
Other places that spring to mind include Nancroix, close to peisey callandry - http://www.caravaneige-camping-savoie.com/ and I think I've seen some in the reberty section of les meniures. I've seen a few vans in the car park near pre st esprit in les arcs but not sure they've overnighters
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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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In this area, I know of caravan parks in Fieberbrunn (right next to the lifts) and St. Johann in Tirol. Tons of skiing all around.
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espri wrote: |
In this area, I know of caravan parks in Fieberbrunn (right next to the lifts) and St. Johann in Tirol. Tons of skiing all around. |
I hear Austria is much nicer than France.
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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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www.motorhomeski.com is the place to start. Their forum is quite imformative too.
It's very difficult to find places to 'rough camp' these days, the resort authorities like you to use specialist campsites but these can prove expensive if you plan an extended stay - circa €20-30 per night. Some recommended sites are Samoens, Chatel, St.Anton, Bourge St Maurice, Le Grand Bornand, Livigno.
Some other sites are not particularly near to the best skiing but they seem to have lots of seasonaires, and you can probably negotiate quite cheap season rates, eg St. Jean d'Aulps. Montachavin, Peisey-Vallandry
There are some cheap aires in French resorts, although most are charging €10 per night, so you might as well pay extra for the campsites. Among the best are Les Gets, Les Saisies, Le Grand Bornand. Le Praz, Les Menuires, La Tania.
There are some cheapish car parks which are close to good skiing but don't offer much in the way of 'facilities'. Among the best are Avoriaz, Plagne Village, Val Thorens, Chamonix.
I've seen people rough camp around Chamonix, Morzine, Briancon but they're used to being towed away!
Never really thought where I'd want to park up for a season, perhaps camping Arlburg in St.Anton?
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You know it makes sense.
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Quote: |
€1600 for the season (5 months)
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at that kind of money, best place to park the van might be in your drive at home, whilst you rent a cheap studio for the season.
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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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Details here of the Tirol Camp in Fieberbrunn, including prices. Looks to me like €1200 from 12th January till 7th April (plus electricity and gas).
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Poster: A snowHead
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pam w, thought studio rents are usually around €5000 in the alps? Not that I've looked very hard..
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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 correct answer to the implied question in the thread title is "Florida".
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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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camping Jungfrau at Lauterbrunnen but do not know about the prices - have met people who have parked up for season there on lifts.
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