snow forecast french alps????

Hi Alistair
Thanks; it sounds a good, big area for (among others) intermediate skiers like me. From what I read, Villeneuve seems the place to stay. Any other tips welcome !

billip, If you have not booked yet I would try Monetier as it gets the best snow. Tony stayed at Villeneuve and enjoyed it there however, he has friends that have stayed at Monetier and rate it very highly. I will be staying at Chantemerle from 5th March for a week. Tony, will give you all the information to assist you, perhaps drop him a PM. He was very helpful when I booked.

Just to confirm, I've been 3 times in the past 2 seasons, stopping in Villeneuve twice and Briancon once. I rate the ski area very highly, and it gets decent snow. We had a heavy snowfall when I was there first week in March 2010, and also over Easter in early April.
Its high altitude skiing, so you can always find good snow to ski on but might have to forget the offpiste at times like this.
Monetier is the highest part, but the ski area has high pistes across the area. Its probably quieter up above Monetier than anywhere as many people dont bother tracking across, although it only takes an hour to hit Monetier from the bottom of Briancon.
Some nice bars and eateries in Villeneuve, its a rustic old village with character. I imagined German troops marching through the place when I was there, its got that old kind of feel to it. Dont be put off by buildings that look they are falling apart, go inside and find some really funky bars.
If you want tips for particularly good places to ski or wheres best to eat on the slopes, drop me a PM and I'll try to help.


NB Emma - this is not anything to do with my work for the Mayrhofen Tourist Board )

:?: Would I...?! :lol:

P.S. Awww you're really getting the hang of the smileys now Tony. It makes a big difference :D :thumbup:

EmmaEvs wrote: :?: Would I...?! :lol:

P.S. Awww you're really getting the hang of the smileys now Tony. It makes a big difference :D :thumbup:

NOW?
And you've been on here, remind me, how long......? :roll:

Tony_H wrote:

EmmaEvs wrote: :?: Would I...?! :lol:

P.S. Awww you're really getting the hang of the smileys now Tony. It makes a big difference :D :thumbup:

NOW?
And you've been on here, remind me, how long......? :roll:

Tony,
After you've been on here a bit longer and learnt your way about the site, you'll discover that the date members register is in their personal profile :wink:

According to this, Emma joined us on 6th March 2010.

Emma,
Are you going to have a big party to celebrate your first anniversary on J2Ski? I love virtual J2Ski parties :D :D :D

Back on Topic
I have been studying the snow situation in Courchevel, and they say it's been 3 weeks since they had any decent snow and they're managing by using their 563 snow cannons (fortunately it's still been freezing at night) and pushing the artificial snow about with the piste bashers. But the pistes are hard and reported to be icy in resort. And there is no snow forecast for the next week, which only leaves one week for it to snow loads before we get there.

But I'm not too despondent as I find ski-ing hard packed snow easier than powder and I don't mind ice. As long as I don't have to take my skis off and walk on any of the pistes I will be quite happy :D

Ally

Not going to France this season is looking like a mammothly good decision

Tony_H wrote:Not going to France this season is looking like a mammothly good decision

Don't speak too soon that old Foehn wind could blow at any minute