 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
Me and my friends are off to Meribel on 12th Jan for a stag / ski week. After a fair bit of research we settled on Meribel due to the apres ski and the access to the 3 valleys. 3 of us are intermediate skiers, 1 is a beginner (who has had lessons at chillfactore) and 1 is an intermediate snowboarder.
We've used meribel-reservation.net to book a week self catering in Dryades G8 (?) for a pretty cheap price. We also booked our flights separately through Thomas Cook to Geneva, we land early on Saturday morning at 10:30.
So the question is, what are reliable (and cheap!) transfers from Geneva to Meribel, and what is the average transfer time? Would we be able to get an afternoon skiing?
Also, the apres ski, we're all working lads, and not part or fond of the daddys credit card brigade. So where is best go for the nights out?
Also, can we ski in / out from Meribel? I think we are near the top of the resort of Meribel (not motterat).
I don't think we can check in to our apartment until 5pm, so what's the chances of leaving our bags somewhere, or would that be dependent on the actual apartments?
Any other advice for having a good time in Meribel would be greatly appreciated!
Also, what are the general conditions, snow & weather wise in middle Jan? Is it as cold as i've been told / warned about?
Thanks,
Rob
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi RobMozz, welcome to snowheads! For transfers you can use our site - www.findtransfers.com - Local companies can get back to you with their quote and you can choose the one you like.
For aprés ski I like Evolution or Taverne, for a good pizza and cheap wine try Le Refuge.
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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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For on the piste fun you have the Ronnie (Le Rond Point) or the new Folie Douce as well.
Not sure about ski in / ski out - depends on where you are exactly!
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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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RobMozz, you'll be all right for snow this year (!) but it can be cold in Jan as the sun never gets very high in the sky.
In the 3V you can normally make the best of it by skiing east facing slopes in the morning and then swap valley sides after lunch...
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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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Thanks for the advice guys. I'll check out the links.
Been thinking is it cheaper / worth it renting a car from Geneva and driving to meribel?
I think we are staying at les plateau. As yup look at a map, we are on right hand side near the slope ish.
Is it easy to walk to piste and skI down to the lift?
Also, how long a walk is it to the main bars etc from there?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It's worth comparing the 2 for sure.
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Lots of threads on Merihell if you do a search... but as you're new
| RobMozz wrote: |
Been thinking is it cheaper / worth it renting a car from Geneva and driving to meribel?
I think we are staying at les plateau. As yup look at a map, we are on right hand side near the slope ish.
Is it easy to walk to piste and skI down to the lift?
Also, how long a walk is it to the main bars etc from there? |
In order:
Quite possibly between 5 of you but go Swiss side for simplicity and winter tyres in January. Your apartment road is quite likely to be snow covered.
It's about a 250m walk uphill directly to the piste by the Rond Point underground car park. If I could work out how to post a google earth link I'd show you... go on street view here 45°23'58.31" N 6°34'25.23" E
You may be able to ski between the apartment blocks opposite about 100m up the road to get to the piste. You don't need to go all the way to the Chaudanne unless you want to - where you're joining the piste is above the Adret chair so you can start your day there.
There's a free ski bus if you can't be assed to walk. Do your apres at the ronnie and walk or bus back to the apartment.
It's not realistic to walk to town. Take the bus. Get a free timetable from the tourist office. Last bus home from town is about 11:50pm so if you're out later share a taxi (rank opposite the centre bus stop). Bars shut at 1:30pm except Dicks. Dicks is an hour and a half walk to your apartment uphill if you're pi55ed so leave by 3:00am to make sure you get a taxi.
Go on Merinet or Meribelunplugged for more timely bar info. If you don't want anything pretentious go to Jacks/Tavern/Pub.
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Excellent advice, thanks Raceplate.
We're thinking of just getting a transfer, as cheapest I can find is 270 euros between 5 each way. So it works it a fair bit more expensive than renting a car. But it'd be much less hassle just getting dropped off outside the apartment!
Any idea which would be the best supermarket to go to? We are thinking of sticking 100 euros each in kitty and getting food for week in one go. Should be able to get enough food for week with that.
Also, whats the food / prices like up the mountain for lunch etc?
Thanks all!
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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 believe there's a small sherpa or casino where you're staying but the Spar in Mousillon is probably the "cheapest", you will need to get the bus back uo the hill. If you're going to cook I would taking a decent chefs knife (the one in your apartment will be useless) and sandwich box with some herbs and spices. This should serve you well for a few spag bol's, chile's, curry's etc
Have a good one!
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RobMozz,
Paid 18.5 Euro for a Burger and fries today in evolution, in the centre
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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expensive. Have a big breakfast, just get the bare minimum for lunch (assuming you're on a budget) and have lots of food in the apartment, for when you get back.
I wouldn't spend 500 euros in one go - if the apartment is a small one you'll be struggling to stash it all away somewhere. Struggling to carry it too, particularly if you buy a lot of beer (which is a good idea, as bars are v expensive). If you're really looking to keep costs down, think of a few bits and pieces you could take from the UK. Particularly tea bags. Get enough for a couple of nights.
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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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As ArgyleSki said, there is a Casino supermarket right next door. There's also a patisserie/boulangerie where you can probably buy decent sandwiches for lunch. pam w's right that the fridge in the apartment is probably very small so it's better to buy as you go. All the supermarkets are expensive in resort - you may be able to get the transfer driver to stop down the valley IF you pre-arrange it with them. Meat in particular is much cheaper. Lunch on the hill is dear most places but there is a seasonnaire orientated panini bar DOWNSTAIRS in the Ronnie.
If your budget is €15-20/head/day just for evening meal though you can easily eat in town. The Pub and the Taverne both do deals of Burger/Chips/Pint for €9-11 before 9pm ish or you can share massive pizzas in the Refuge or the Galette. The Cro-Magnon restaurant near you is also supposed to be good but I'm not sure of the prices anymore. If I were you I'd eat out 3-4 times, get some rotisserie chickens and microwave chips (assuming the flat has one, McCain Frite-Up! are excellent) and make a spag bol or something another night.
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