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#1
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
Due to having children at school, we must take our main ski holiday at
half-term. So we aim to find resorts that are not going to be too busy. We drive there, and stay in apartments. This year we skied in Alpe d'Huez at Easter, and the crowds were not too bad. The ski area was pretty enjoyable (much better than I remember from the last time I was there, in 1995). Can anyone advise how crowded it gets during the February half-term week? As a point of comparison, I consider Flaine to be fairly uncrowded (except this year, when due to lack of snow everyone from Samoens/Les Carroz/ Morillon descended on the place!). Any other ski resorts within driving distance of the UK that are (i) uncrowded, (ii) reasonably snow-sure, (iii) have apartments conveniently located for the slopes? |
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#2
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On 31 May 2007 02:08:24 -0700, Clive Backham
wrote: This year we skied in Alpe d'Huez at Easter, and the crowds were not too bad. The ski area was pretty enjoyable (much better than I remember from the last time I was there, in 1995). Can anyone advise how crowded it gets during the February half-term week? I repped there in March last season, but sadly can't remember whether it was UK half-term or not. Maybe you could remember, I was there for three weeks from March 6th. In any event, the crowds were not at all bad at that time, and the snow was plentiful, and the sun was shining (well, for some of the time). You don't specify whether you're concerned about lift queues ( 5 mins max, on any lift, when I was there) or corwded pistes. The latter, of course, will very much depend on where you want to ski, but there are so many pistes, even in the main resort area, that overcrowding is rarely a problem. As a point of comparison, I consider Flaine to be fairly uncrowded As it happens, I've spent a _lot_ of time, in Flaine, in holiday periods and outside them. L'A d'H would certainly have more people per km of piste at busy periods, especially at weekends due to its proximity to Grenoble, but the lift system is such that it can cope with them, so queing is not much more of an issue than it is in the Grand Massif. (except this year, when due to lack of snow everyone from Samoens/Les Carroz/ Morillon descended on the place!). Sorry, my fault. Due to injury I wasn't skiing much this season, and what I did was all in Switzerland, so the French weather decided to take a well-earned break. Any other ski resorts within driving distance of the UK that are (i) uncrowded, (ii) reasonably snow-sure, (iii) have apartments conveniently located for the slopes? Crikey, where to start? Well, I guess (from your previous choices) that you probably want one of the normal brit-friendly resorts; the first one that springs to my mind is Val Thorens. Vast area, with the whole of the 3Vs easily accessible, but doesn't suffer from the overcrowding that affects the neighbouring resorts. Very high at 2200m, and almost barren, but some great skiing, and loads of apartments. Closer to drive to than A d'H, although further than Flaine. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#3
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
Ace, thanks for the info:
On 31 May, 10:37, Ace wrote: I repped there in March last season, but sadly can't remember whether it was UK half-term or not. Maybe you could remember, I was there for three weeks from March 6th. Half-term is in the middle of February. I'm happy to ski pretty much anywhere in March, but in Feb we have the French holidays as well as the British half-term to contend with. You don't specify whether you're concerned about lift queues ( 5 mins max, on any lift, when I was there) or corwded pistes. It's lift queues that irritate me the most. Crowded pistes can usually be bypassed off to the sides. Any other ski resorts within driving distance of the UK that are (i) uncrowded, (ii) reasonably snow-sure, (iii) have apartments conveniently located for the slopes? Crikey, where to start? Well, I guess (from your previous choices) that you probably want one of the normal brit-friendly resorts; the first one that springs to my mind is Val Thorens. Vast area, with the whole of the 3Vs easily accessible, but doesn't suffer from the overcrowding that affects the neighbouring resorts. Call me weird, but I've never been taken by the 3 Valleys. With the exception of Courcheval, it seems a bit bleak to me (Val T especially so). Closer to drive to than A d'H, although further than Flaine. I thought the route to Alpe d'Huez was pretty straightforward. It took about 1 hour longer than driving to Flaine. Getting to places like 3V, Espace Killy and La Plagne looks much more involved and vulnerable to holdups. We might even think about La Thuile, which we know is uncrowded. We've driven to Chamonix before and it was OK - any idea how much longer it takes to get from Chamonix to La Thuile via the MB tunnel? |
#4
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On 31 May 2007 09:48:03 -0700, Clive Backham
wrote: Ace, thanks for the info: On 31 May, 10:37, Ace wrote: Closer to drive to than A d'H, although further than Flaine. I thought the route to Alpe d'Huez was pretty straightforward. It took about 1 hour longer than driving to Flaine. Getting to places like 3V, Espace Killy and La Plagne looks much more involved and vulnerable to holdups. Not IME. I've always preferred the Eastern route, heading off (A39?) from around Dole and joining the A40 towards Geneva, then leaving that and dropping down to Annecy via Frangy. Then Annecy-Albertville, thence Moutiers etc. Regardless of route, IME Alpe d'Huez would take much more than an hour more than Flaine, so I'd reckon that VT would be Flaine+1, Alpe d'Huez Flaine +2. We might even think about La Thuile, which we know is uncrowded. We've driven to Chamonix before and it was OK - any idea how much longer it takes to get from Chamonix to La Thuile via the MB tunnel? Less than an hour, I'd have thought, although I've never done it. Skiied the area a few times from La Rosiere, but it's not high on my list of fave places due to relativelty limited quantity and quality of skiing. And it can be a bit of a minefield skiing back down to La Thuile in busy periods, as there's only really one run home, which can get very worn. If you're looking at smaller places, though, I can thoroughly recommend le Praz de Lys, which is a charming little village and ski area with relatively few people. Some pretty decent skiing if the snow's good (never been when it wasn't, so can't really comment) and hardly anyone skiing off-piste. Which leaves more for me :-) Also probably the best ski area I know (in France) for non-skiers, with loads of walking, sledging and snowshoe trails. It's located between Taninges and Les Gets, so easy enough to get to. One can also access it from Sommand, on the west of Taninges, so even closer, but I don't know what sort of accomodation there is there. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#5
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On May 31, 10:08 am, Clive Backham wrote:
Due to having children at school, we must take our main ski holiday at half-term. So we aim to find resorts that are not going to be too busy. We drive there, and stay in apartments. This year we skied in Alpe d'Huez at Easter, and the crowds were not too bad. The ski area was pretty enjoyable (much better than I remember from the last time I was there, in 1995). Can anyone advise how crowded it gets during the February half-term week? As a point of comparison, I consider Flaine to be fairly uncrowded (except this year, when due to lack of snow everyone from Samoens/Les Carroz/ Morillon descended on the place!). Any other ski resorts within driving distance of the UK that are (i) uncrowded, (ii) reasonably snow-sure, (iii) have apartments conveniently located for the slopes? Alpe d'Huez will be very busy during the second UK half term week of 16/02 (two French areas including Lyon and Marseille overlapping) but not as much for 09/02 (only Marseille). If you still want to ski Alpe d'Huez but don't want a busy resort Vaujany is great as there isn't much accommodation capacity but massive lift capacity from the village so there is virtually never any queuing from there. It's also a nice pretty village. See http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.70. Vaujany gets booked-up VERY quickly though for busy dates. Equally Oz- en-Oisans is a great family resort also on the same ski area. Again nothing as busy as Alpe d'Huez and nice family feel to it. See http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.296. Otherwise closer from the UK have a look at Les Saisies which offers everything you are looking for and is not well known in the UK. See http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.155 PS. to be honest there is always snow everywhere (except one or two places in the Jura or Massif Central maybe) in February. Otherwise the resorts may just well sell their lifts and build snowdomes instead! Morillon, Samoens and Les Carroz are great in my view for what you are looking for but then you may say I am biased. See http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.47 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ XS Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk |
#6
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
It's certainly given me some more options to consider. On 31 May, 18:15, Ace wrote: On 31 May 2007 09:48:03 -0700, Clive Backham wrote: I thought the route to Alpe d'Huez was pretty straightforward. It took about 1 hour longer than driving to Flaine. Getting to places like 3V, Espace Killy and La Plagne looks much more involved and vulnerable to holdups. Not IME. I've always preferred the Eastern route, heading off (A39?) from around Dole and joining the A40 towards Geneva, then leaving that and dropping down to Annecy via Frangy. Then Annecy-Albertville, thence Moutiers etc. I take it that the N508 (Frangy-Albertville) is an OK road, then? And is Moutiers no longer the massive bottle-neck it used to be? (I vividly recall a terrible 7 hour transfer from Lyon to Tignes a few years back, but I think that was before the road into Moutiers was dualled). But it's all a bit academic. I'd imagine that Val d'Isere/Tignes, La Plagne, Courcheval and Meribel will be heaving at half-term, and I just don't like Val Thorens (which you suggested earlier). Regardless of route, IME Alpe d'Huez would take much more than an hour more than Flaine, so I'd reckon that VT would be Flaine+1, Alpe d'Huez Flaine +2. This easter, we did Watford-Alpe d'Huez in 13 hours door-to-door. The best we've ever managed for Flaine is 11 hours, usually it's 12. I think the A40 often causes hold-ups, and the route to Alpe d'Huez avoids it. Maybe we were just lucky this year to get a clear run. |
#7
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
Clive Backham wrote:
Due to having children at school, we must take our main ski holiday at half-term. So we aim to find resorts that are not going to be too busy. We drive there, and stay in apartments. This year we skied in Alpe d'Huez at Easter, and the crowds were not too bad. The ski area was pretty enjoyable (much better than I remember from the last time I was there, in 1995). Can anyone advise how crowded it gets during the February half-term week? As a point of comparison, I consider Flaine to be fairly uncrowded (except this year, when due to lack of snow everyone from Samoens/Les Carroz/ Morillon descended on the place!). Any other ski resorts within driving distance of the UK that are (i) uncrowded, (ii) reasonably snow-sure, (iii) have apartments conveniently located for the slopes? You may also want to consider the western Swiss resorts. IIRC Verbier is a shorter and probably quicker journey than Alpe d'Huez. Since I have never skied in Feb. I cannot comment upon the crowds. However, the lift systems in places like Verbier and Zermatt feel antiquated compared to the French ones and you do spend a lot of time waiting for telephriques. BTW have you noticed how noticed how early Easter is next year. It may be the earliest Easter for 50 years! John |
#8
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:54:35 -0700, Clive Backham
wrote: Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. It's certainly given me some more options to consider. On 31 May, 18:15, Ace wrote: I've always preferred the Eastern route, heading off (A39?) from around Dole and joining the A40 towards Geneva, then leaving that and dropping down to Annecy via Frangy. Then Annecy-Albertville, thence Moutiers etc. I take it that the N508 (Frangy-Albertville) is an OK road, then? It's not bad, although if you're driving at peak times the road from Annecy to Albertville will be very slow, with just the last few miles a dual carriageway. I guess in recent years we've just made sure we're not doing it during the middle of a Saturday in the French holidays... And is Moutiers no longer the massive bottle-neck it used to be? (I vividly recall a terrible 7 hour transfer from Lyon to Tignes a few years back, but I think that was before the road into Moutiers was dualled). Again, it;s a question of choosing your time. Weh we were driving from the UK we'd developed the pattern of leaving London on a Friday afternoon and then driving as far into France as we could get before neither of us could safely drive. Then we'd grab 2-3 hours of kip in the car at a service station, then carry on and get to our destination in time for breakfast. I realise that this may not suit, but it's what my routings and timings were based on. In the last few years we're only a couple of hours from Geneva, so such issues are much more easily resolved. But it's all a bit academic. I'd imagine that Val d'Isere/Tignes, La Plagne, Courcheval and Meribel will be heaving at half-term, Yupp. and I just don't like Val Thorens (which you suggested earlier). Your choice, I suppose. Regardless of route, IME Alpe d'Huez would take much more than an hour more than Flaine, so I'd reckon that VT would be Flaine+1, Alpe d'Huez Flaine +2. This easter, we did Watford-Alpe d'Huez in 13 hours door-to-door. The best we've ever managed for Flaine is 11 hours, usually it's 12. I think the A40 often causes hold-ups, and the route to Alpe d'Huez avoids it. Maybe we were just lucky this year to get a clear run. I think you probably did. My best time was solo, from MK to Tignes le lac, at about 12 hours door-to-door. This was during the day, a couple of weeks before xmas, so the traffic wasn't too bad, but the weather was attrocious, and I reckon I'd have been up to an hour earlier without the torrential rain, then snow. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#9
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:03:43 +0100, john elgy
wrote: BTW have you noticed how noticed how early Easter is next year. It may be the earliest Easter for 50 years! Humph. Global warming for sure. -- -Pip |
#10
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How busy is Alpe d'Huez in February?
On Jun 1, 10:54 am, Clive Backham wrote:
This easter, we did Watford-Alpe d'Huez in 13 hours door-to-door. The best we've ever managed for Flaine is 11 hours, usually it's 12. I think the A40 often causes hold-ups, and the route to Alpe d'Huez avoids it. Maybe we were just lucky this year to get a clear run. Driving to the French alps My suggestion for busy dates like half-term is to take a ferry or Eurotunnel on Friday afternoon. Drive during early part of the night (kids will be asleep at the back which is always easier) to about an hour from resort and then stop at a cheapo hotel (would not advise Formule 1 but anything above is ok ie. Premiere Classe or similar - you obviously need to book in advance and plan your itinerary). Next day you can be in resort for 10-11 am without getting-up too early. At that time there is generally not too much traffic up to resort and ski hire shop, ski school and lift pass office won't have queues that you get from 4-5pm. Generally you won't be able to get into your apartment that early but if you can park the car somewhere safe you can then enjoy a bit of skiing on empty slopes (Sat is the quietest day of the week), a nice lunch at a mountain restaurant (without crowds) and then check-in at your apartment for 4-5 pm. If it's sunny enough on the slopes you won't feel the tiredness of the journey until in the evening. Same for return on next Sat - check out, pack car, ski and leave resort in evening, hotel and then ferry or Eurotunnel before 4pm on Sun. If you all decide to give it 100% on the slopes for your last day it may be a bit sweatysmelly in the car for first part of the journey but hey you will have skied 8 days instead of 6 for all those buggers still queuing at airport security for their 4 hour late charter... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ XS Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk |
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