Advice sought - skiing/boarding in France mid-Feb.
Discussion
Am desparate to get some snowboarding/skiing in this year, after having had back surgery last year and not been on a 'jolly' for 2 years now.
Due to my 'complex' lifestyle, I only have 2x 5 day opportunities this season - one from 18-23 February, the other from 11-16 March.
The March window clashes with a Ferrari event I do not want to miss, so that only leaves the February one...
The trouble with the February window is that it's at the end of (UK state schools) half-term week, so it's a) bloody expensive (can't be avoided) and b) potentially very busy - especially with brats (to be avoided if at all possible!).
Now as it's the end of half-term, the UK kiddy count is going to be dropping - but a neighbour of mine said she thought the French have a month off (!!!!) for half-term, so the place is likely to be stacked with French kids (given I would be up a French mountain).
Can anyone confirm/defute this info. please..?
Due to my 'complex' lifestyle, I only have 2x 5 day opportunities this season - one from 18-23 February, the other from 11-16 March.
The March window clashes with a Ferrari event I do not want to miss, so that only leaves the February one...
The trouble with the February window is that it's at the end of (UK state schools) half-term week, so it's a) bloody expensive (can't be avoided) and b) potentially very busy - especially with brats (to be avoided if at all possible!).
Now as it's the end of half-term, the UK kiddy count is going to be dropping - but a neighbour of mine said she thought the French have a month off (!!!!) for half-term, so the place is likely to be stacked with French kids
Can anyone confirm/defute this info. please..?
I think I'm right in saying that although the month of February is earmarked for kids half-term, the kids actually only get a week but the weeks are staggered over the month. Different areas of France have different weeks for half-term - so it should be bearable. Hope so, I'm going next week.
This page gives the dates for the "hiver" holidays in France, that is split into 3 zones as noted above.
www.education.gouv.fr/prat/calendrier/calendrier.php?intAnneeID=21
Have fun and BE CAREFUL! I have just returned from a few days of skiing in the Alps - LOADS OF SNOW. 1.5 metres fell in 2 days. Unfortunately I'm not the king of powder skiing, so am now wearing a knee brace for a buggered ligament and am off to see the doc soon, potentially to organise an op.
www.education.gouv.fr/prat/calendrier/calendrier.php?intAnneeID=21
Have fun and BE CAREFUL! I have just returned from a few days of skiing in the Alps - LOADS OF SNOW. 1.5 metres fell in 2 days. Unfortunately I'm not the king of powder skiing, so am now wearing a knee brace for a buggered ligament and am off to see the doc soon, potentially to organise an op.
Febuary is notoriously buy in France.
Could you try somewhere other than France? Austria/Switzerland/Italy? All are liekly to be busy, but hopefully not as busy as France.
If you head higher up/further afield you should be able to get away from most of the crowds as a hell of a lot of people never get more than one lift away from their resort.
You could try hiring a guide and getting some off piste runs in. No crowds if you go that route.
Could you try somewhere other than France? Austria/Switzerland/Italy? All are liekly to be busy, but hopefully not as busy as France.
If you head higher up/further afield you should be able to get away from most of the crowds as a hell of a lot of people never get more than one lift away from their resort.
You could try hiring a guide and getting some off piste runs in. No crowds if you go that route.
SlidingSideways said:
Febuary is notoriously buy in France.
Could you try somewhere other than France? Austria/Switzerland/Italy?
My other difficulty is only being able to go for 5 days... I can only find one operator who will do me accomodation/transfers for this length of time (as opposed to a 7 night package) - and that's in France... St Gervais - to ski/board at Les Contamines & Mont Blanc's Domaine Evasion area. So you see how restricted I am for this trip...
The likes of Crystal do short breaks - but at this time of the year they are not interested in short break customer's, rather on selling 7 night packages - which I just can't do.
SlidingSideways said:
Febuary is notoriously buy in France.
True, but I've been going to Valmorel four the last four years in February and hardly any queuing. Maybe first thing if you use the main Gondolas/chairs, but there is another quiet way up
Not many black runs (5), but a great resort if you're happy with runs up to red. I'd recommend it, but don't tell anyone 'cos it might get busy.
nel said:
This page gives the dates for the "hiver" holidays in France, that is split into 3 zones as noted above.
www.education.gouv.fr/prat/calendrier/calendrier.php?intAnneeID=21
This is superb nel - thanks a lot for posting this up. Very handy.
Thanks also for the up to date snow report. I shall try and be careful up there. As I said earlier, it's been 2 years for me and I will have to take care of my back, 12 months post-op too (no heroics on the board then!). It could all be a recipe for disaster but hey you gotta live a little, right!?
CharlieAlpha66 said:
My other difficulty is only being able to go for 5 days... I can only find one operator who will do me accomodation/transfers for this length of time
EasyJet flight out there and a bit of asearch on the net should find you some accomodation that will take you for 5 nights.
Did this the year before last and it worked out cheaper than a package as we weren't restricted to Sat - Sat.
Might be worth a look.
SlidingSideways said:
My other difficulty is only being able to go for 5 days... I can only find one operator who will do me accomodation/transfers for this length of time
EasyJet flight out there and a bit of asearch on the net should find you some accomodation that will take you for 5 nights.
Did this the year before last and it worked out cheaper than a package as we weren't restricted to Sat - Sat.
Might be worth a look.
Trust me, this is pretty much all I have done since Sunday..!!!
You would not believe how difficult it seems to be. Flights I have sorted - either BA or EasyJet for approx. £100 each. Transfers I can sort for £66 each (return) But accomodation-wise, I have Google'd until I am
!! Because of the time of season, it's proving impossible. To be honest I am getting so f
d off with looking, I am close to not bothering to go at all! I HAVE to sort this TODAY, or bust...Phone Dennis at www.flyers-lodge.com he runs a chalet near St Gervais and Les Contamines.
They do paragliding stuff in the summer but also open up through the winter for week and long weekend.
I don't know if he will have anything but he might be worth phoning on the off chance that he can suggest something near by. The website says he's been skiing in the area for 17 years so he might be able to give you some info.
{disclaimer] I'm not linked to this place, I just happen to have booked a summer paragliding trip with them.
They do paragliding stuff in the summer but also open up through the winter for week and long weekend.
I don't know if he will have anything but he might be worth phoning on the off chance that he can suggest something near by. The website says he's been skiing in the area for 17 years so he might be able to give you some info.
{disclaimer] I'm not linked to this place, I just happen to have booked a summer paragliding trip with them.
CharlieAlpha66 said:
As I said earlier, it's been 2 years for me and I will have to take care of my back, 12 months post-op too (no heroics on the board then!). It could all be a recipe for disaster but hey you gotta live a little, right!?
If it's your lower back (which it normally is - we human beings are really very badly designed) then you might be well advised to wear a back support while on the slopes. Best of luck.
12 of Feb is the School Hols for UK for most I believe and is only one Week, The French Kids are off from the Begining of Feb for 3 weeks I believe. Thast why we are holping to go on the 26th in the 3 valleys area.
Best if you only want 5 days is wait for a late one, more likely to get in if going in a 1 or 2.
Or just turn up and find a B and B, remember The Uk dont use all the available accomodations that are avaialable.
Hope me Damaged ligaments in my ankle are fixed and raring to go in 4 weeks
BB
Best if you only want 5 days is wait for a late one, more likely to get in if going in a 1 or 2.
Or just turn up and find a B and B, remember The Uk dont use all the available accomodations that are avaialable.
Hope me Damaged ligaments in my ankle are fixed and raring to go in 4 weeks
BB
A mate of mine has a chalet in Chamonix which *may* be free when you want to go, and he *may* be happy to let you have it for 5 days (as you've found, 7 is the norm!). I don't know how many are in your party, but this chalet will sleep 6-8.
It's in a great location - literally a stones throw from the nursery slopes at the bottom of the Brevent ski area. I stayed there with a group of mates 3 weeks ago, so I can recommend it.
If you want me to pass on his details, drop me a PM...
It's in a great location - literally a stones throw from the nursery slopes at the bottom of the Brevent ski area. I stayed there with a group of mates 3 weeks ago, so I can recommend it.
If you want me to pass on his details, drop me a PM...
thegreatsoprendo said:Very, very good of you to offer - but it's just the g/f and myself, so we'd rattle about a bit in a chalet that size!
A mate of mine has a chalet in Chamonix which *may* be free when you want to go, and he *may* be happy to let you have it for 5 days (as you've found, 7 is the norm!). I don't know how many are in your party, but this chalet will sleep 6-8.
It's in a great location - literally a stones throw from the nursery slopes at the bottom of the Brevent ski area. I stayed there with a group of mates 3 weeks ago, so I can recommend it.
If you want me to pass on his details, drop me a PM...
Wouldn't happen to be the Club Hotel Terminus in St Gervais you're looking at would it?
If so, I've stayed there 2 or 3 times now and at one of their other hotels in Valmeinier once (going back there in March on a similar length break). Decent food, helpful staff and the ski guiding is far better than the bigger package operators. Level of hired equipment was excellent too and they have coaches at the hotel to take you to the different resorts.
All in all I can't fault it, superb value too...
Oh and if you get the chance to do the Aiguille du Midi, go for it. Its a fantastic day and you get to say that you've ski'd down Mt Blanc
If so, I've stayed there 2 or 3 times now and at one of their other hotels in Valmeinier once (going back there in March on a similar length break). Decent food, helpful staff and the ski guiding is far better than the bigger package operators. Level of hired equipment was excellent too and they have coaches at the hotel to take you to the different resorts.
All in all I can't fault it, superb value too...
Oh and if you get the chance to do the Aiguille du Midi, go for it. Its a fantastic day and you get to say that you've ski'd down Mt Blanc
d-man said:
Wouldn't happen to be the Club Hotel Terminus in St Gervais you're looking at would it?
Well spotted! It would indeed David... The guys that run it are about the only operator who offer this kind of short break service.
I've stayed there once before (2 years ago) and agree with everything you say. Prices have ramped up a bit since I last went but the overall package is superb - and let's face it, it's the only one of it's sort out there (that my extensive research can find leastways).
On that, if anyone else is looking for club hotel based, 3/4 catered, short skiing/boarding breaks - where you can sort your own travel (be it self-drive, fly-drive or train) then drop me a PM and I'll give you the details. Anyone I recommend who subsequently books gets me a £10 voucher off my next trip. Yay!!
And yes, I booked it yesterday, so look out Mont Blanc, Daddy's back!
I'll dig out the piste plan from my last trip and have a squizz at this Aiguille du Midi - cheers for the tip.
You might not find it on a piste map, Aiguille du Midi is actually the name of one of the peaks above Chamonix You take the cable car up to 3800m and then ski most of the way back to Chamonix.
We took the 'tourist' route down the Valley Blanche and onto the Mer de Glace glacier. There are several routes from the top, but that is the easiest. Good half a days skiing to get down, with awe inspiring scenery and our guide was excellent. Getting roped together to get down the 'arete' at the start was a bit nerve wracking and that was on foot! With decent snow conditions that was probably the hardest part of the day, a confident red run skier would have got on just fine when I did it.
Loads more info here
www.ifyouski.com/Resorts/Country/France/Chamonix/Valleeblanche1/
Edit to say that none of the skiing itself is that difficult, but it can be pretty hard work as its a long ski. If you find you have any niggles with your back (or anywhere else!) its probably best avoided.
>> Edited by d-man on Thursday 27th January 11:54
You take the cable car up to 3800m and then ski most of the way back to Chamonix. We took the 'tourist' route down the Valley Blanche and onto the Mer de Glace glacier. There are several routes from the top, but that is the easiest. Good half a days skiing to get down, with awe inspiring scenery and our guide was excellent. Getting roped together to get down the 'arete' at the start was a bit nerve wracking and that was on foot! With decent snow conditions that was probably the hardest part of the day, a confident red run skier would have got on just fine when I did it.
Loads more info here
www.ifyouski.com/Resorts/Country/France/Chamonix/Valleeblanche1/
Edit to say that none of the skiing itself is that difficult, but it can be pretty hard work as its a long ski. If you find you have any niggles with your back (or anywhere else!) its probably best avoided.
>> Edited by d-man on Thursday 27th January 11:54
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