J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by PertyB

I am in the lucky position of being part of 2 families who are hoping to rent a chalet for the forthcoming season-not to stay in all the time, but to visit for weekends, when the snow is good, and for some of the school hols. This may not be as mad as it sounds-given the horrendous cost of packages or flights plus accommodation for half term, for a few quid extra and the plus side of flying into Geneva on any day of the week, it could work out really well.

The burning question is where. Whilst I am familiar with the big french ski areas of the 3 Valleys, Espace Killy, La Plagne and the other resorts in that area, we are looking closer to Geneva-resorts I have never visited at all. (If it were down to me alone, I'd be in St Martin De Belleville-but it will probably lose out to resorts closer to Geneva)

Anyone out there who has a view on the comparative advantages/disadvantages of the following resorts-i.e. you've skied and stayed in more than one, let me know what you think.
Matters of low altitude, clonky lift connections, ease of movement around the resort by car/on foot/in ski boots/by bus, bits to avoid would all be helpful. N.B We are all good skiers so need enough to keep us entertained.

The list (this is where there are decent sized properties after searching for a week online, endless phone calls and emails-so, even if you are tempted...please don't suggest anywhere else or my brain will explode!)
Villars;
Morzine;
Les Gets;
Les Carroz.

I am off to France and Switzerland on Monday to check out some property and the resorts, but time and lack of snow means I won't be able to explore them as much as I would like.

Cheers
Sarah

See my entry for another member recommending an excellent orthopaedic boot fitter in Les Menuires- if Lurch (Armando at his shop "Au Pied des Pistes") can't help you, I'd be very surprised!

Hi,
As you are in the 3 valleys, you may want to consider a trip to Armando at "Au Pied des Pistes"-local number 0479 07 30 87. Best to phone and say you are coming. He is an orthopaedic podiatrist who has a small boot shop, based in the Bruyeres area of Les Menuires. I bought my boots from him 3 years ago when I spent a season in France, as well as other guests and people with funny feet. He has just sorted out a friend with all sorts of foot problems. The most important thing is he knows about feet-he can look at your feet and tell what you need from that. His shop is not the easiest to find-take the Boyes piste from above Les Menuires down towards Reberty, and keep right as you round the right hand bend above the bottom of the hill. His shop is just below Absolu sports, set back from the piste in the right-but all you will see is an A board with 2 yellow feet on it and an arrow!!.

I think he's great. He speaks reasonable english, wears a white coat (and looks like Lurch from the Adams family!!). He isn't the cheapest, but will do his utmost to ensure you have the best fit. Note that his shop is shut from about 12.30 until 3.30.

Basically you know you are getting the real deal from him-rather than some keen but inexperienced "boot fitter" in a shop in the UK. You also get to go back for adjustments.

I would never buy boots in the UK-and my feet are normal, but for high arches. He took one look at my Snow and rock insoles and pointed out they were useless. He made me new ones. I now do my boots up at 9 am and don't or even open them until I finish for the day. No pain under the toes, no numb feet. How many skiers can say that?? Believe me-a pair of comfy boots are worth the extra cost!

Happy shopping.

Here's my offering for on piste rules:
Most, if not all, are the sort of things you would do if you were driving a car or riding a bike. All suggestions are derived from personal experience.

1. Only stop at the side of a piste unless it's an emergency or you're sure there's room.
2. Try and check over your shoulder before you pull over to stop-avoids cutting up the person behind.
3. Maybe we should consider hand signals to show we are pulling up or to the side.
4. Never stop just below a really icey patch..people will end up trying to stop over the ice and pile into you.
5. Look behind you before you start back onto the piste.
6. Assume the person infront is likely to do something unexpected.

And finally...
If you are a good skier in your early 40s, skiing with teenagers who are obsessed with the snow park, never ever succumb to the temptation to match them over the jumps. You won't bounce. A broken arm, helicopter ride, quite a lot of pain and weeks of day time tv may be the consequence..... :roll: :? . And all those people I guided round the 3 valleys last season would say I was a naturally cautious careful skier. We all have our stupid moments!
Yours,
in a sling
Perty

Trois Vallees takes some beating for the sheer amount of skiing, plenty of blacks and lift served off piste. Any resort there is good, though if you want the harder stuff on the doorstep, Id suggest Courchevel 1850 (expensive, but has the Grand couloir black), Les Menuires (ugly but reasonable prices, less crowded, with the Lac de lou itineraire off the back), Val thorens-at 2400m snow sure with great blacks off the Cime de caron.
Perty

OH..yes..I should add, the lift station at Le Chable is across the car park from the railway station-about 50m, and there is a ski ticket office at the lift station too. As far as I am aware however, as yet you cannot buy lift passes online in Verbier.

Yes, it's a really easy way up. The lift links directly into the next lift -The Medran-up in the middle of town, so you don't even have to go out of the lift station. There is a ski hire shop at the bottom in the lift station at Le Chable, though I don't know if they are online.

We are going next week to Verbier itself and have done skihire in Verbier online through SkiSet, and I think the shop is in the main square-about 5 mins walk from the Medran lift. But if I were you, I think I'd look into doing it in Le Chable at the lift and then you don't have so much walking to do.
Have fun

Have skiied the first week of the season (the week before Christmas) up high in Tignes in Dec 2003 and had a fab time, last season the snow was good for Christmas week, and amazing on New Year's day (18 inches of fresh powder) and in Jan 05 the week after New year was OK for piste skiing in the whole of the 3 valleys.
I reckon Christmas week is one of the best value of the season.
Am off to Verbier this weekend for a couple of days...looks just about OK, though I'll let you know about the scratches on my skis next week!
So...in my humble opinion as long as you go high, you will get some good skiing....and then there's time left in the season to go for a second week....and a third.....