That time... Of sadness

Hey all, I´m sitting here in the internet cafe on my last day in Alpe D´Huez after the most satisfactory holiday i´ve ever had!

Just writing on this to pass some time, but also to get a little chat going. We were thrown out of the apartment at 10 am today and have to wait around until 5 pm to get the bus transfer to the airport. This place is truely amazing.

I could have skied for one more day (or a half day) but that would mean extending the lift pass for 40€, not really worth it - especially seeing as I got done everything on my list.

La Sarenne? AWSOME! Really, really good and seriously long. 16KM (Roughly 10 Miles for us brits)

Le Tunnel, fantastic! Incredibly steep - A real challenge, I did bail twice on this run, but managed it the rest of the way!
What was a little spine-chilling was on the way through the tunnel, we passed a little in-cave, in which there was a gravestone (RIP). That kinda scared me, but as I got out to that ledge and looked down, i´d honestly never seen anything like it.
P.S - Don´t do such steep and fast runs on freestyle skis and boots ;) haha, little thing I learned the hard way! But my legs got used to it after the 4th day :P

The view from the top? (Pic Blanc - 3330 Meters) - Immense. Never seen Mt. Blanc so clearly before - The feeling of standing so tall was incredible, I found myself having to gasp for air after talking - Such a good feeling.

Overall, the resort for Alpe D´Huez is really, really good! I know this isn´t much of a detailed or specific report, but it´s something at least.
There are two outdoor pools, one of which i´m looking out onto just now. Looks really cold :P

The chairlifts from where we were staying (Les Melez) - The Maeva hotel. They were pretty close, just walk accross a little road, pop your skis on and ski about 100 yards to the nearest Gondola. The balcony Looked out onto the Altiport (The small runway for small aircrafts and helicopters) That was pretty cool to look out onto every time something passed through.
Nearby was a little supermarket which had all the necessary things, bread, milk etc etc.

The lift pass was good for what it offered - Access to the whole area of chairlifts, free access to the swimming pools (there is, however, a stupid rule they have on the swimming pool - i´ll tell more later), free access to the night time skiing, which was also amazing! - I´ve taken a load of photos and videos, I might upload them to here or post a link to them when i´m home!

Now, the swimming pool - On the resort guide it states that men CANNOT wear swimming trunks? What?!?! Why not?
Instead we must wear tight speedos which I just wouldn´t. It also states on it about the swimming pool not being a washing machine or a shower.
How on earth can they justify these bloody stupid rules?
That was one thing that really annoyed me.

Anyways, this will do for now as it´s way too warm in here, the heating must be up full. So I will return to this post when I get home and reply to any messages!
Cheers, hope you all have/had a great holiday!

Sounds more than a 'satisfactory' holiday to me!

Glad you had a good time and thanks for the report. i've thought about going to Alpe D'Huez before but not actually done it...sounds great will definitely be thinking about it for next time. :wink:

Every year I consider Alpe d'Huez, and then end up booking for somewhere else. I will get there sometime.
As for the swimming trunks, its common all over france and some of italy too. I used to get annoyed about it when I was on camping holidays when I got thrown out of the pool for wearing swimming shorts, and never understood why they insist on speedos, and in many places, on swimming hats too. I understand its all to do with hygiene, as they believe that swimming shorts worn outside of the pool carry germs and dirt.
The French can be quite an infuriating race.

Good to hear someone had an amazing time though. Its all about furthering your own personal experiences.

Sorry to buck the trend - I hated every minute in Alp Dross! Over priced and full of French! Skiing good but too busy for me on and off piste. I found the apres ski too much like Blackpool and after 15 years as a club doorman i yearn for a quieter retreat. Found it now and it ain't in France :lol:

Well I've just got back from an amazing 10 day trip to St. Gervais. The scenery was stunning, the pistes were empty, the skiing fantastic, the town....French, the people friendly & helpful.

It could have been expensive, but we took a picnic every day & generally sat outside to eat with a view of Mont Blanc. There were picnic rooms in several locations where you could sit indoors, use the loos or buy hot drinks or snacks if you wished. We self-catered, which again could have been expensive, but we travel light, so we filled our suitcases up to the 20kg weight allowance with stuff so we didn't have to buy so much from the supermarkets.

All in all, a perfect holiday & I would recommend it to anyone. The only downside was having to come home :(

cirrus1007 wrote:Sorry to buck the trend - I hated every minute in Alp Dross! Over priced and full of French! Skiing good but too busy for me on and off piste. I found the apres ski too much like Blackpool and after 15 years as a club doorman i yearn for a quieter retreat. Found it now and it ain't in France :lol:

Do tell.

Tony_H wrote:Every year I consider Alpe d'Huez, and then end up booking for somewhere else. I will get there sometime.
As for the swimming trunks, its common all over france and some of italy too. I used to get annoyed about it when I was on camping holidays when I got thrown out of the pool for wearing swimming shorts, and never understood why they insist on speedos, and in many places, on swimming hats too. I understand its all to do with hygiene, as they believe that swimming shorts worn outside of the pool carry germs and dirt.
The French can be quite an infuriating race.

Good to hear someone had an amazing time though. Its all about furthering your own personal experiences.

I definetly recommend Alpe D'Huez. I'm saddened by sitting here at home back in Glasgow, looking all around me and all I see are buildings and city lights. Sob.
However, fair point on the swimming pool issue, it's just so dull I think!

Next stop.. Italy, somewhere near Turin airport in March. We hope this anyway, booked flights - yet to see if it will go ahead! :)

snowb4ndit wrote:Sounds more than a 'satisfactory' holiday to me!

Glad you had a good time and thanks for the report. i've thought about going to Alpe D'Huez before but not actually done it...sounds great will definitely be thinking about it for next time. :wink:

It really was the best holiday i've ever had, without a doubt. And you must visit Alpe D'Huez at some point, their runs are fantastic, really enjoyable and their snow conditions are great due to the high altitude of the resort (1860) - The highest ski-able peak there is Pic Blanc, 3330 meters. Trust me, the view is jaw-dropping, undescribable. The view speaks only for itself. This is where La Sarenne starts, Tunnel also which is off to the side of the mountain a little.
I wish I was still there.. Determined to take a season out one year and work with Crystal or anyone who will take me for a season! :)