randomtask123

3v sits at around $60 avg/day. This compares reasonably (a bit on the high side, actually) with the avg daily prices of multi-day passes at US resorts (eg canyons in utah ($50 avg/day).

All in price, however, is a whole different animal. Man are european resorts expensive...

bodory

I was in the 3 Vallées this week end and the snow condtions are still excellent.

JOUY31

I was there last week; the weather was great, but the staff from the operating companies told me it was too late (not enough snow) to go down to Brides (alt. 600m). They recommended that I go for the itinerary from the top of the Roc de Fer chairlift to Les Allues (beginning of Olympe2), but I did not have the time to go there.

The Saulire Express 2 from Méribel to La Saulire and the replacement next year of Les Plattières from Méribel Mottaret should reduce transit times significantly.

bodory

Brides was indeed not reachable by ski. But for sure were Les Allues, St-Bon and possibly Bozel (because on a Northern route than Brides). On Sunday the slopes were pretty empty : I managed to take 12 runs/lifts between 1 pm and 4 pm. On most lifts, I was alone. Monday and Tuesday were more crowded.

I was told that today was an outstanding sunny day and that the snow is quickly melting. Fresh snow is foreacted for next Sunday however, possibly making the Brides itinerary doable.

I have hardly seen so much snow in the past years. In Les Granges area in Moriond, the snow almost cover the road signs at the entrance of the Les Avals road. Very impressive!

Mynameismud

Back from La Plagne (again) and i must say this really now feels like the end...Still a lot of snow but Spring has come: a bit icy in the morning and then slushy snow in the afternoon. Not too hot though when riding but pretty hot on a terrace. Was a good week end though, not many people on the slopes ^

Catweazle

Just wondering if its possible to stay at Le Fontenay in Passy without a car. I mean, will there be places within 40 minutes walking distance where I can get food other than the hotel restaurant?

Flyinace2000

Hello FlyerTalk!

Wife and I recently moved from NYC to London and we wanted to try our hand at skiing in the French Alps. We are both strong skiers, we can handle any blue and nearly any black in Vermonth and dial that back a bit for CO (we have been to steamboat twice).

Our question is how to we go about booking something. We have found the Thomson Ski, Igloo Ski, and some other travel agent/booking sites for packages. Is this the best way? Back home i would book everything, but since we are so uncertain about locations and logistics a package seems the way to go.

We are currently looking at Trois Vallees, Val D'isere, Les Arcs, Les Deux Alpes.

We really aren't picky. We are looking for a a place known for the skiing not for the town. Kind of why we liked Steamboat. We are looking at 6-7 nights in late February leaving on the 23rd to avoid the mid term break.

The prices we have seen are from GBP 400-650pp. We would like to keep our all in budget (food, travel, lodging) to under GBP1300. If we can get lifts and rental (advanced) included then all the better, but not a deal breaker.

Thanks All!

Mynameismud

Hi Flynace2000

You can't go wrong with all that places: 3Vallées, Les Arcs which are now linked to La Plagne, Tignes-Val d'Isère...
You should have a look to each resort own website to figure out about accommodation, lifts...
http://www.les3vallees.com/en/accueil.1.l2/
One important thing is to avoid french school holidayss during february/march especially when Parisians are there

Flyinace2000

Can you expand on when the Parisian holiday weeks are. I am pretty sure the week we selected is not a holiday week since it was about £400 cheaper than the week before it!

stimpy

Here you go. It's not just the Parisiens though. http://www.education.gouv.fr/pid2505...ostal+ou+ville and the Swiss children are on break around the same time.

Flyinace2000

What about the package deals from the bookers in the UK. Are they reliable?

Mynameismud

Probably easier to understand (school holidays are the weeks in yellow, red, blue). Try to avoid yellow
http://www.calendriergratuit.fr/calendrier-2013.htm

bodory

Oh yeah : http://courchevel.livecam360.net/sau...r=44&z=60&tl=0

Mynameismud

aaah the top of La Saulire ^
Merci

stimpy

We did Jura for NYE. The conditions on the 31st were excellent. http://www.lesrousses.com/