 Poster: A snowHead
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@Handy Turnip, I think we've been there and liked it too. Good reminder, thank you. I'm hoping to do somewhere a bit more traditional too. I'm one of those odd people who don't like big lunches when I'm skiing.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Finally snapped this morning after a week in the van in Scotland last week and constant moaning from child and central command - booked a week in VT for start of April hols and then a few other days to roam around somewhere else. Should be good fun !
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@grumpygargoyle,
We really enjoy Tango, at the top of the town, near The Frog pub.
Lovely ambiance, delicious, wood-fired pizzas and lovely burgers. It's about €13 for pizza and €18 for burger & chips. And they have my favourite beer (Leffe) on draught, though that's €7 per 0.5L.
We also (2 years ago) enjoyed Chaudron Magique and Grange restaurants. They each had a good selection of meals (including traditional Savoyarde fare) and were both very reasonably priced, at the lower end of the VT range. Both were also nice inside, with traditional decor.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@skimottaret @davidyacht @offpisteskiing @gorilla I see some very nice restaurants listed but I think that they need some €€€€ warnings. I believe that La Bouitte is Michelin *** 239 + € taster menu); Le Chabichou Michelin **(75 € mains) ; Le Farcon (47 € lunch taster) & Azimuth Michelin * (40-60€ mains) . Clos Bernard, l’Oeil de Boeuf, La Casserole, Chez Pepe and Adrets Telebar are also all pretty pricy, with main dishes €30++ and certainly no plats du jours. For those on more modest budgets (and quicker lunch stops), I would go along with @Perty’s recommendations of La Loy (15€ plat) and Pizzeria du Mottaret. I would also recommend: Eskimo in Reberty; La Terasse and Brizolee in Mottaret; Le Setor between VT and Les Menuires, with plat du jours under 20 €. It is a good idea to book a table before 12.30 to guarantee getting the plat du jours. Have also heard La Petite Cuisine at La Folie Douce in Méribel is surprisingly good value. Otherwise, the hamburgers from the outlet next to the supermarket in the centre of Mottaret are very good. The Méribel Unplugged 3V restaurant guide is also worth picking up, as it has some good recommendations and sample menus.
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@Mike S, indeed - hence why I mentioned ‘top-end’ and ‘La Bouitte’ in the same sentence. 
Sadly in the 3V good and reasonably priced eateries are relatively few and far between (increasingly so with every passing year). To the afore-mentioned I would also add Katie’s bar in 1650 (La Boulotte) for a good cheap lunch stop.
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@Bergmeister, thank you. I'll definitely look those up.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yep, a number of notable go to eateries … Cretes, Lachenal, the Bergerie are no longer
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How is the snow ? I’m going to 3v for a few days next week , any easily accessible off piste powder to be had ?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| DavidYacht wrote: |
| Yep, a number of notable go to eateries … Cretes, Lachenal, the Bergerie are no longer |
the demise of Lachenal still makes me sad....
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Always seemed very authentic, best value and nice people. Notable for the number of instructors you found in there.
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Le Lachenal was always a fave of ours. I found it quite by chance back in 2006 when I walked to St M along the Doron from Les Menuires on my chalet staff day off. It was so charming and a world away from the mass market places. The building was wobbly (I once got stuck in the loo when the door handle fell off  ), but it was cosy and authentic. The word on the street back in 2019 was that the plan was to turn the building into some kind of psychotherapeutic retreat or treatment centre. No idea if that’s still on the cards.
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You know it makes sense.
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Any recommendations for a 1-1 off piste lesson in VT ? I've tried New Gen but full, any others people have used. My wife is doing a bit more touring and fancied a quick lesson.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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@orange, if you can get him, Dave Meyer / @Husky Dave is your best call.
Nurturing, supportive, knowledgeable and specialising in things off-pistey - he's one of the favourites of snowHeads on the bashes 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@orange I had a few private lessons a couple of years ago with Oxygene. They were really good. Did the Vallon de Lou
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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For those that know Les Menuires I have a lesson quandary. Can you help?
We’re staying very close to the Bruyeres snow front but as we’re staying Sunday to Sunday the availability of ski school is proving to be a challenge. Lessons seem to only be available in La Croisette or Reberty 2000
Which is easier to access?
Resort maps suggest La Croisette is a single quick trip on the Navette. 5 mins. Is that realistic?
And what about Reberty? Maps suggest it’s 2 busses but it’s always impossible to tell the walking routes from maps of the resort as they don’t show the cut throughs and pedestrian access well.
Thanks
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Should have said that access via the lifts isn’t possible as it will be kids first time on skis
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Lads: whats the snow conditions like?
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| Bergmeister wrote: |
@grumpygargoyle,
We really enjoy Tango, at the top of the town, near The Frog pub.
Lovely ambiance, delicious, wood-fired pizzas and lovely burgers. It's about €13 for pizza and €18 for burger & chips. And they have my favourite beer (Leffe) on draught, though that's €7 per 0.5L.
We also (2 years ago) enjoyed Chaudron Magique and Grange restaurants. They each had a good selection of meals (including traditional Savoyarde fare) and were both very reasonably priced, at the lower end of the VT range. Both were also nice inside, with traditional decor. |
Have just returned from staying in Tango for a week and can wholeheartedly endorse for good atmosphere, food and great staff.
You will be devasted to learn they've replaced the Leffe with Stella Artois though! Add a shot of Picon to dull the pain. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Flet©h, the question would be where exactly are you staying and where exactly is the ski school meeting place.
http://montagne.agencedesadrets.com/sites/pages/medias/plans/plan-station-menuires.pdf
I can't imagine there would be a ski school meeting place at Reberty 2000 but could be wrong.
I've stayed in La Croisette and can confirm if you got the navette down you could then easily get through to the front de neige where the ski school meeting places generally are.
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@Flet©h, I would have thought La Croisette but it'll be more than 5 minutes as there are several stops between Bruyeres and La Croisette - 15-20 minutes is probably more like it but I'm sure you can find a timetable online. You can't walk from Bruyeres to Reberty 2000, it's seriously uphill and a windy road. As you've said, the Reberty bus route will involve a change so might as well stick with La Croisette.
@Layne, There is an ESF at Reberty 2000, the meeting point is just below La Ferme restaurant from memory. https://www.esf-lesmenuires.com/les-menuires/informations/meeting-points/
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Raceplate, Thanks, that’s what I thought but really useful to have it validated by someone who knows
Online bus timetable says 5 mins but I didn’t think that would be realistic!
@Layne, online research says ESF have meeting points at La Croisette, Reberty 2000 and Bruyeres
Oxygénè are at Reberty
Prosneige are at La Croisette
But ESF are the only provider who does Monday to Saturday groups and then not from Bruyeres. Sod’s law!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Radio R' Meribel have issued notification of strike action taking place on the lifts in the Meribel Alpina (ie valley areas below Meribel-Mottaret) section tomorrow.
Strike / Strike Alpina - March 2, 2022 the traffic of customers on the Méribel Centre will be severely disrupted.
Client movement in the Méribel Centre ski area will be severely disrupted.
The Business Continuation Plan foresees that :
- It will be possible to reach the Méribel Mottaret ski area from 8.45am by the Legends chairlift and the Tougnète 1 gondola.
- It will be possible to reach Courchevel and Méribel Mottaret from 9am by the Saulire 1 and 2 gondola.
- the l'Olympe, Golf and Morel lifts will allow you to reach Méribel Centre from Brides-les-bains and les Allues, Méribel Village and the Morel plateau on their usual schedule.
The Vallée de Méribel ski passes will be valid in all the 3 Vallées on this day (it will not be necessary to go back to the sales point).
The slopes in the heart of the domain will be opened progressively to limit the saturation of the Chaudanne plateau during the 9.30-11.30am slot.
Avoid taking Trout in the morning to join Méribel Centre from Mottaret
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Appreciate all the info in here. Coming from the US for a week starting the 18th and staying in Courchevel 1650. Pretty far outside the comfort zone for my family of four.
I’ll continue to dig here but feeling pretty overwhelmed. lol
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| abusfullofnuns wrote: |
Appreciate all the info in here. Coming from the US for a week starting the 18th and staying in Courchevel 1650. Pretty far outside the comfort zone for my family of four.
I’ll continue to dig here but feeling pretty overwhelmed. lol |
1650 is very pleasant. Quieter than other parts of 3V, plenty of blue runs to cruise along, a couple of interesting reds, a couple of bowls to play around in, reasonable access over to 1850, and a free bus service if you find yourself in Le Praz after the lifts close. You’ll have a great time.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@abusfullofnuns, Chapeau sir (or Ma'am), for a great username. Welcome to SH.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| abusfullofnuns wrote: |
Appreciate all the info in here. Coming from the US for a week starting the 18th and staying in Courchevel 1650. Pretty far outside the comfort zone for my family of four.
I’ll continue to dig here but feeling pretty overwhelmed. lol |
Welcome to SH - you're on the right thread. Feel free to ask any questions (other than what the weather and snow conditions will be during your stay) - we're a friendly bunch.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@abusfullofnuns, Courchevel 1650 is a great place to stay! One thing not to worry about-language. Yes, it's France, but virtually anyone who works in the ski resort, in restaurants, in ski shops etc, speaks english. The lifties are probably the least fluent.
A cheery "bonjour!" may elicit a grunted response and maybe even a smile from the lift staff, but they are not up there with the "have a nice day!" mentality of NA.
You will also encounter a lot of Brits (and I would guess), far fewer Russians than normal. The latter can usually be identified by their extremely poor taste in expensive blingy ski wear.
Should you encounter a lift queue, don't stand back, or some other b**ger will nip in in front of you 
There are some really good native english speaking ski schools and instructors in 1650 should that be needed.
Make sure you eat at Copina in the middle of 1650, they serve amazing tapas.
The lift system is extensive and there is almost always more than one way to get somewhere. A 3V ski pass isn't essential, but the price difference between a Courchevel only pass and the whole 3V ski area isn't so great and most people, unless complete beginners, will go for a whole 3V pass. For decent intermediate skiers, you should not fret about heading over to Val Thorens and the Belleville valley and getting back. Ask away on the forum and we will all tell you our own views about the best routes and pistes. Each resort in the 3V is very different from the others and you really get a feeling of travelling about. Budget permitting, a nice lunch has to be part of the day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
A cheery "bonjour!" may elicit a grunted response and maybe even a smile from the lift staff, but they are not up there with the "have a nice day!" mentality of NA.
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Actually I'd go further and point out that in shops etc if you do not commence your exchange with a "bonjour" (although there's no expectation to be cheery) then the ensuing communications will typically be more truculent in nature.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks for the warm welcome
@admin
@bassman
@perty
@franga
@Richard_Sideways
Absolutely appreciate the suggestions. My 11yo daughter and I are boarders(sorry), and the wife and 9yo will be learning to ski. The wife has a little snowboard experience but is ready to transition to skis. We are starting our trip in Barcelona and will stop for a day in Andorra. The wife and kid have a 4 hour private lesson at Grandvalira. They also have a full day private lesson in S3V when we arrive. I booked that through Maisonsport prior to finding this site. The week long lesson requirements that I was finding are strange compared to what we are used to seeing. We may be up for some more instruction for them depending how it goes.
Thanks for the suggestion on Copina @perty! Added to the list. The only restaurant that was on my list was La Petit Savoyard. No reason other than the pics looked good.
Interesting info on the language and lifties. I usually chat up anyone who will listen including lifties. I have been immersed in learning french for the last 3 months but probably still at a toddler level. It's reassuring that it won't be an issue as much as I had feared.
The lift network and trails are definitely overwhelming, but I will just plan on hitting as much as we can. The lift passes from home allows us to have 7 days at S3V so we plan to take in as much as possible.
Gladly repay the favor on info for Colorado, Lake Tahoe, or Mt Bachelor. Usually hit those areas every year. I'll lurk around the US West thread to add info.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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The other thing you don't get in USA/UK is random rolling strikes of lifties, only affecting Méribel at the moment.
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I spotted Mike's post a bit further up about the lift strike on Wednesday. Perhaps naively, I was presuming it was a one day strike! Looking today I noticed that various Meribel lifts were again closed... and we're now on Day 3 of the 'strike'. We fly out from Manchester tomorrow night. Does anyone have any local knowledge as to whether this is ongoing everyday (until a resolution is reached) or just for a fixed period?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Strike does not affect Meribel Mottaret save that it seemed busier than normal (if that is possible).
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FAQ
