Recommendations....

Hi all... I'm looking for suggestions. We are a very loose group of
mixed ability - from absolute beginners to decent intermediate skiers.
For the last couple of years we've been spoilt in Le Grand Bornand in a
self catering chalet 50 yards from the piste, but we are looking to go
elsewhere in 2007.

Our main requirements would be:
- good for the newcomers - we want them to come back next year!
- short (say 90 minutes max) transfer times from a major airport
- probably France - its nice to be able to speak a few words of the
local language
- there are no kids to consider, so we will be going at a reasonably
cheap time (mid Jan), but naturally we would like to keep costs down!

So... any ideas? Or at least any ideas as to where would be the best
place to get information (books, websites etc)?
And if anyone wants to go as far as recommending a specific self
catering chalet for 10ish people...well... that would be welcome too

Many thanks

rob

rob craine wrote:

Hi all... I'm looking for suggestions. We are a very loose group of
mixed ability - from absolute beginners to decent intermediate skiers.
For the last couple of years we've been spoilt in Le Grand Bornand in a
self catering chalet 50 yards from the piste, but we are looking to go
elsewhere in 2007.

Our main requirements would be:
- good for the newcomers - we want them to come back next year!
- short (say 90 minutes max) transfer times from a major airport
- probably France - its nice to be able to speak a few words of the
local language
- there are no kids to consider, so we will be going at a reasonably
cheap time (mid Jan), but naturally we would like to keep costs down!

So... any ideas? Or at least any ideas as to where would be the best
place to get information (books, websites etc)?
And if anyone wants to go as far as recommending a specific self
catering chalet for 10ish people...well... that would be welcome too

Based on those requirements I'd recommend the Grand Massif (the area
containing Flaine/Les Carroz/Samoens) - it France, it's close to Geneva
and there is a good variety of skiing.

I'm afraid I don't know of any large S/C chalets - I know a very good
catered chalet in Les Carroz (http://www.lescarrozski.com/) if thats
any use.

As for places to look for general info, I'd try the SCGB site
(www.skiclub.co.uk), the travel-agent type sites also have a bit of
info (iglu, ifyouski etc). I quite like www.alps.com but the coverage
is patchy - some resorts get a lot fo coverage but some don't. Once
you've narrowed it down do a google for the resort name.

Steve

rob craine wrote:

Hi all... I'm looking for suggestions. We are a very loose group of
mixed ability - from absolute beginners to decent intermediate skiers.
For the last couple of years we've been spoilt in Le Grand Bornand in a
self catering chalet 50 yards from the piste, but we are looking to go
elsewhere in 2007.

Our main requirements would be:
- good for the newcomers - we want them to come back next year!
- short (say 90 minutes max) transfer times from a major airport
- probably France - its nice to be able to speak a few words of the
local language
- there are no kids to consider, so we will be going at a reasonably
cheap time (mid Jan), but naturally we would like to keep costs down!

So... any ideas? Or at least any ideas as to where would be the best
place to get information (books, websites etc)?
And if anyone wants to go as far as recommending a specific self
catering chalet for 10ish people...well... that would be welcome too


As Steve said, the ski club is a great place to do your research.

Once you've picked a resort, Erna Low have quite a range of large s/c
apartments and chalets - their search engine seems to require you to
have some idea of location and date. I haven't travelled with them, but
their prices look pretty reasonable, especially if the accommodation is
as good as the pictures suggest.
http://www.ernalow.co.uk/index.asp?ID=2

-Sarah

"rob craine" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all... I'm looking for suggestions. We are a very loose group of
mixed ability - from absolute beginners to decent intermediate skiers.
For the last couple of years we've been spoilt in Le Grand Bornand in a
self catering chalet 50 yards from the piste, but we are looking to go
elsewhere in 2007.

Our main requirements would be:
- good for the newcomers - we want them to come back next year!
- short (say 90 minutes max) transfer times from a major airport
- probably France - its nice to be able to speak a few words of the
local language
- there are no kids to consider, so we will be going at a reasonably
cheap time (mid Jan), but naturally we would like to keep costs down!

So... any ideas? Or at least any ideas as to where would be the best
place to get information (books, websites etc)?
And if anyone wants to go as far as recommending a specific self
catering chalet for 10ish people...well... that would be welcome too

Many thanks

rob

Seconded re. Erna Low - and particularly le Grand Massif - you won't ski it
out, it's varied, has a great lift system, and is one of the friendliest
areas I've skied (three visits now) in France. Simple transfer from Geneva,
too.

Samoëns is a great village, and now connected to the action via the Grand
Massif Express Gondola.

RM