AVB Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 Anybody off skiing soon? Anything booked yet? I am off to Reberty in Les Trois Vallees over New Year which accesses the Les Menuires ski area. Anybody been there? I am going to stick to motorway Pistes this year. I'm feeling to old and fragile for any serious stuff. Mind you I'm planning to get away to the Himalayas again in February for another short off-piste expedition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 Yes I have been quite a few times. Meribel would be my pick of the area as it is very well connected. Are you a competent ski/snowboarder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted December 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 Yes I have been quite a few times. Meribel would be my pick of the area as it is very well connected. Are you a competent ski/snowboarder? I would say upper intermediate. Extensively in US. Skied for the first time in Europe last year in Saas Fee in Switzerland. Also went to Himalayas last year which was all off piste and deep powder. I just want nice long cruising runs this year. Something the children can join me on. Booked it last minute so wasn;t a huge choice left - not that I know good vs bad in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 (edited) You will LOVE the three valleys. It truly is a fantastic resort for all abilities. IMO it is the best skiing in Europe, with Italy (milky way) coming in second place. If your feeling energetic try and ski the secret valley...it's a fourth mountain tucked away on the other side of the Three valley face. You will love it...just make sure you have plenty spending money! And don't miss the last lift home....talking from experience unfortunately Edited December 15, 2012 by BRNDL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted December 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 If your feeling energetic try and ski the secret valley...it's a fourth mountain tucked away on the other side of the Three valley face. Just looking at Piste map (I'm in the office trying to work but getting distracted by thinking of skiing). Is that behind Courchevel? From what I can see the three valleys appear to be Les Menuires, Meribel and Courchevel. Is the the secret one the next one over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 I am excited for you! Ok it's over les menuires/val thoren right to the summit then over the back. Off the top of my head I think it's called Orelle... The secret valley challenge, if you take it fully starts from Courchevel. It takes from 9am when the lift opens to 5.30ish when they close, you literally jump on the last lift home. It's pretty tough but you would be fine I reckon given your ability. You must ket me how how you get on there, it is such a wonderful place. IMO meribel and corchevel are the most picturesque of the three as they are heavily wooded areas ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 The three valleys are a nice skiing area, vast and accommodating for all skills. I am off to Saas Fee at the end of January. Fourth time there, last time we were on that glacier it was -32c! Last year we went to Zermat, much milder, but to my opinion less fun for much more money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted December 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 The three valleys are a nice skiing area, vast and accommodating for all skills. I am off to Saas Fee at the end of January. Fourth time there, last time we were on that glacier it was -32c! Last year we went to Zermat, much milder, but to my opinion less fun for much more money... Saas fee was my first experience of the Alps last year. Was ok but I found you had to walk a lot between lifts. Compared with the US it was hard work. Also a wide variety in the run ratings. A red ranged from an easy 'blue' to hard 'black' in my opinion. Not sure if that was just Saas Fee or all of the Alps. And so expensive. Looking forward to trying France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Get yourself over to VT and Orelle. Nice long runs from the top and some cheeky off road between the pistes. Worth the trip. We were in VT a few years back and cruised to Courchevel one day. The run in to Meribel from the top was great fun after a fresh dump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Get yourself over to VT and Orelle. Nice long runs from the top and some cheeky off road between the pistes. Worth the trip. We were in VT a few years back and cruised to Courchevel one day. The run in to Meribel from the top was great fun after a fresh dump. Great advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Saas fee was my first experience of the Alps last year. Was ok but I found you had to walk a lot between lifts. Compared with the US it was hard work. Also a wide variety in the run ratings. A red ranged from an easy 'blue' to hard 'black' in my opinion. Not sure if that was just Saas Fee or all of the Alps. And so expensive. Looking forward to trying France. Yes, the Alps are expensive. Saas Fee is relatively OK, compared to other resorts. You are absolutely right with the piste ratings. It is a trial and error to see which ones you like and enjoy. As for the walking, this is common on glacier skiing. The valleys might be closer to the US experience, I cannot remember to be honest! Either way you will have some fun, this is what Alpine ski is about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Yes I have been quite a few times. Meribel would be my pick of the area as it is very well connected. Are you a competent ski/snowboarder? Ahhh Meribel,,,, In my twenties I spent six full seasons there from 1999-2005, had the time of my life!!! Make sure you drop in Le Rond Point for the best apres ski on earth, I worked there for two of those seasons. Amazing resort, enormous area to ski. Used to love ripping down Mont Vallon or Saulire on a board. Other highlights depending on ability are a hike off the back of Vallon up to the Glacier Du Borgne, it's a couple of hours of hard graft for a minutes run!!! I also hiked up the Aiguille Du Fruit in my more crazy years, best run I've ever done it took hours to hike it! Shown on map background left. Have a look at the map it's an absolute playground, and that's just one of the three valleys!!! The possibilities are endless if you include the off piste and hidden spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batch Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 3 Valleys has got to be THE place to go and ski!! You can literally do a different route everyday from one side to the othjer and still not have scratched the surface by the end of the week!! Being based in Les Menuires you have to have lunch in St Martin De Belville at a place calle La Voute. One of teh best runs in the 3 Valleys in to St Martin is the Red run called Jerusalem, a must!! Jealous, have not been for a couple of years now due to starting a family but cannot wait to introduce my boy to skiing!! Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havana Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 Off the Alpbach (Austria) on Friday for Christmas and New Year :) :) Then Tignes/Val d'Isere in January I have been Going to the trois valleys for about 6 years prior to last year where i went to Tignes/Val for the 1st Time I truly love the 3 valley area, but i have to say its a close run thing between Tignes/val and 3 valleys both are massive areas!!!! The only problem i have is that the shooting and Ski seasons are at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Arrived back yesterday (now sitting in lounge at LHR waiting to fly to Delhi) Really enjoyed ourselves in 3 Valleys. Weather was fantastic. Bright and sunny every day bar one. Kids skiing came on very well (despite the chaos of ESF) and were coping with reds by the end. Didn't make it over to Courchevel as my wife is just too slow to make it. Enjoyed the runs down to Meribel and I see what people said about it being more wooded than Les Menuires. We were right on the piste at Reberty 2000 which was nice and quite. Went down to Les Menuires once and didn't like it. Benidorm of the Alps! Will almost certainly go again next year. If anybody is off soon stay safe and enjoy yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumpy Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Off the Alpbach (Austria) on Friday for Christmas and New Year :) :) Then Tignes/Val d'Isere in January I have been Going to the trois valleys for about 6 years prior to last year where i went to Tignes/Val for the 1st Time I truly love the 3 valley area, but i have to say its a close run thing between Tignes/val and 3 valleys both are massive areas!!!! The only problem i have is that the shooting and Ski seasons are at the same time! Tignes le lac is a great place would recomend it to anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Off to the alps next sun (shooting on sat) going to Morzine - Getz area. Anyone done any ski touring/mountaineering/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just three weeks untill my Saas Fee week! I cannot wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) You will LOVE the three valleys. It truly is a fantastic resort for all abilities. IMO it is the best skiing in Europe, with Italy (milky way) coming in second place. If your feeling energetic try and ski the secret valley...it's a fourth mountain tucked away on the other side of the Three valley face. You will love it...just make sure you have plenty spending money! And don't miss the last lift home....talking from experience unfortunately Noooo.. I found it barren and lonely for the most part... whilst extensive with good skiing, it didn't feel like it had a soul... The half hour gondola ride from and to Brides Le Bains every morning and night didn't help mind! Chamonix is the most amaizing place in europe IMHO.. would be back there like a shot... mind you, I much prefered the realism of breckenridge to the artificialness of Vail... You'll enjoy it though AVB, just not my idea of heaven... I like mountains covered in forrests as well as snow! :-) Edited January 7, 2013 by Vipa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just cancelled... :( I go to Champery every year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Happily no, I'm not going skiing this year. Or any for that matter. Personally I see little point going on holiday someplace where I have to wear more clothes than I would if I just stayed at home But, if it floats your boat I hope you have an absolutely fantastic time and get all the 'powder' and off-piste action that you heart desires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Just cancelled... :( I go to Champery every year Used to by the looks of your first word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unapalomablanca Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Anyone been to madesimo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Just three weeks untill my Saas Fee week! I cannot wait! How was it? Good snow? We have friends who have booked there for early March. I have abandoned plans to hit the Himalayas this year but have booked up to go to Val Thorens at Easter. Never done Easter skiing before but as Easter is early this year and Val Thorens is high hopefully will be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 It was amazing. We loved it. Great snow, powder every day (it snowed at night). Friday was the only day skiing was less than ideal, as only Platjen was open. Between Thursday pm and Friday pm we had 2 metres of snow!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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