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what are the ski areas like?
what does it look like?
what is the snow record?
how much is a season pass?
what is the weather like?
if it's snowing, can we still ride?
who does the free guiding in Les Arcs?
Are they qualified instructors?
where's the best off-piste?
how dangerous is it?
what are the trips on offer?
are the trips included in the cost of
the season?
who organises the trips to other resorts?
who decides where to go and when?
is there a park and a pipe?
can we build kickers near the chalet?
are there any competitions?
can I go heliskiing?
what other mountain sports are there to
try?
what are the ski areas like?
Have a look through the resorts and accommodation sections
for info on what each of the ski areas are like, and
piste maps.
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what does it look like?
Big and white with mountains and trees. Click on the
photo link, above, for loads of pics of the areas.
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what is the snow record?
Excellent. All our resorts are high and very snowsure.
Les Arcs has great tree cover which helps protect the
snow if it's windy/sunny, Val d'Isere / Tignes are among
the highest resorts in Europe, with the added benefit
of year-round glacier skiing and great snowmaking/grooming,
Meribel / Courchevel have a massive ski area with probably
Europe's best snow making facilities for lower slopes,
and Chamonix has the bonus of being in the shadow of
Mont Blanc - so draws the snow clouds in. You've got
no worries!
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how much is a season pass?
Based on last winter's prices, Chamonix £420 and
Paradiski / Espace Killy / 3 Valleys around £500.
These prices may be subject to change.
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what is the weather like?
It can be as cold as -20 (and if it's windy, it feels
even colder) and as warm as +20 in resort. If the sun's
out, it usually feels a lot warmer than it is. As soon
as the sun goes in, you'll know you're up a mountain.
The weather in the Alps can be very changeable very
suddenly.
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if it's snowing, can we still ride?
Yes.
Les Arcs is one of the best resorts we've come across
for riding in white outs. There are so many trees so
you've always got something to focus on when everything
else looks the same colour! Similarly, while Tignes
is pretty bleak in a snow storm, Val d'Isere has some
great tree runs, while in the 3 valleys, both Meribel
and Courchevel have some great tree runs, and in the
Chamonix Valley, the Les Houches area is a haven for
tree skiing in a whiteout.
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who does the free guiding? Are
they qualified instructors?
Our hosts in each resort are happy to show you around,
and we're all qualified in the sense that we know the
area. The idea is for us to show you round - but we're
not mountain guides. We've been boarding/skiing for
years and are very sensible and won't take anyone to
places that are beyond their ability - but if you're
not comfortable to come with us we certainly won't force
you. If you want to head off the beaten track or improve
your skills, we're happy to recommend mountain guides
or instructors (eg Bellecote, Vallee Blanche, hidden
valley etc).
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where's the best off-piste?
There is loads of great off-piste. The best places depend
on the conditions - where the wind's been coming from,
how much snow there is, what type of snow it is - you'll
soon learn where to head, depending on what the weather's
been up to.
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how dangerous is it?
Mountains are by their nature dangerous - That's part
of their appeal. And it is something you have to respect.
While you can't plan for every outcome, you can make
choices about the situations you put yourself in. We're
not qualified to give professional advice, but we can
certainly offer you some tips about general mountain
safety and safe riding.
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what are the trips on offer?
What trips we run and when are ultimately up to you.
Ideas we've had include heli drops in Italy, days and
nights out in Val D'Isere and the Three Valleys, Chamonix,
Saint Foy, and trips to watch/participate in the competition
circuit. We can also organise days out to Switzerland
or into Italy, or to local Towns such as Annecy, Geneva
or Lyon. And we'll probably also run evening trips to
some other resorts for a change of scene - Val D'Isere,
Three Valleys etc.
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are the trips included in the
cost of the season?
Trips will be charged locally. We're not aiming to make
a profit out of them so the cost of hiring a vehicle
and petrol will be split equally between us. For example,
We reckon it will be about £20 per head to get
to Val D'Isere, plus whatever money you spend when you're
there.
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who organises the trips to other
resorts?
We do - unless you particularly want to do something
yourselves.
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who decides where to go and when?
You do - if you have any ideas of where you'd like to
go, tell us and we'll organise it.
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is there a park and a pipe?
Paradiski/Arc 1800 - there is a board park above the
Altiport restaurant in Arc 1800 plus an excellent pipe
in La Plagne. These are maintained regularly.
Tignes / Val d'Isere - The Tignes board park is reputed
to be one of the best in Europe, and there is a great
park in Val d'Isere too. There is a great half pipe
in Le Lac (just opposite the apartment), and 2 snowpark
areas in the Espace Killy region.
3 Valleys - there is a choice of parks in all of the
3 Valleys resorts ... you're spoilt for choice!
Chamonix - Chamonix is so not about riding park. You
have to build your own!
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can we build kickers near the
chalet?
Yes - if there's enough snow. In previous winters we've
had kickers and rails outside the chalets in Les Arcs,
Courchevel and Chamonix.
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are there any competitions?
Yes. There are competitions locally with both pro and
amateur sections. They are usually open to boarders
and skiers and include: boardercross, big air and freeride
events. Competitions range from the laid back seasonaire
events such as the workers challenge or 3V rally, to
the seriously hard core such as the Verbier extreme.
We are also planning to travel to competitions in other
resorts around the Alps, so if you're interested in
testing your skills, we can help you with signing up,
finding accommodation and transport etc.
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can I go heliskiing?
Yes. Although it is illegal to heli ski in France, it's
possible to arrange great heliskiing days out just across
the valley in Italy. You normally ride back across the
border into France.
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what other mountain sports are
there to try?
Loads. If you haven't already, try your hand at whichever
sport you don't normally do. There will probably be
people in the chalet whose gear you can borrow for the
day. Or have a go on snowblades or telemarks, do a parapente
jump (ski off the mountain with a parachute on), go
skidooing, or cross country skiing or ice climbing,
or snowshoeing ... anything ... and in a whole season
there's plenty of time to take advantage.
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