 Poster: A snowHead
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| Ageski wrote: |
| So I’m thinking narrow and a bit like Vallee de L’Arc 4 |
To be fair, we love the whole Vallee de L'arc run. Nothing quite like a gentle cruise with spectacular views.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Charmettoger! But it's still been quicker than queueing for Transarc this week.
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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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I see blue skies on the webcam!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@195062, I'm happy that Clocheret is still slow.... it keeps the majority away from some great piste and off-piste access!
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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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Booked Feb 2027 last night and will be staying in Les Arc 1800 and planning our first driving trip! So should be an new experience all round!
I've booked a large apartment for 4 families (18 in total) at the Residence Le Ruitor, which seems close to the Villard, Transarc 2 and Jardin Alpin lifts. Anyone stayed here or near by?
It seems to be at one end of Arc 1800 so will this be to far for the "main" centre area?
Just looking for any info really.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Roscoe, It is indeen a bit out of the way with a 5 minute downhill walk to Jardin Alpin and perhaps 2 or 3 times that uphill to the resord centre at Villards. There are much more out of the way places in Les Arcs.
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@Arctic Roll, Shhhh don't mention that area. It is also one of the routes from 1600 to the 2000 valley.
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| johnE wrote: |
| @Roscoe, It is indeen a bit out of the way with a 5 minute downhill walk to Jardin Alpin and perhaps 2 or 3 times that uphill to the resord centre at Villards. There are much more out of the way places in Les Arcs. |
Ah ok, so more of a 10/15 minute walk into "town". Bit more than the, 1 minute to town, 3 minute to villards and transacr lifts, 3 minute to charmettoger lift as advertised on Vrbo!
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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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@Roscoe, I'm a slow walker.
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@Roscoe IMHO it's only a 5 min walk to the near side of town with several bars, small cafes and a supermarket. Plus there's an escalator up to the Transarc lift and ski pass office - very handy for your end of town.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Hamlet wrote: |
| @Roscoe IMHO it's only a 5 min walk to the near side of town with several bars, small cafes and a supermarket. Plus there's an escalator up to the Transarc lift and ski pass office - very handy for your end of town. |
Looking at google maps and that’s the kind of time I’d be expecting.
Assuming the ESF drop off point is outside their building there? So a similar walk?
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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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I don't think there are ESF meeting points at that end of 1800. They are shown in this link and are a bit of a walk. Depending on timing I'd suggest going up Villards and skiing down. [url=]https://www.ski-school-arc1800.co.uk/meeting-points/[/url]
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| Hamlet wrote: |
| I don't think there are ESF meeting points at that end of 1800. They are shown in this link and are a bit of a walk. Depending on timing I'd suggest going up Villards and skiing down. [url=]https://www.ski-school-arc1800.co.uk/meeting-points/[/url] |
Thanks, this is very useful.
The group will have young children still very much in the beginner category, so logistically heading up the lift and back down might not be do able. Plus the lifts aren't likely to be open prior to drop off time.
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You know it makes sense.
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We have stayed that end if 1800 last 2 years at Easter tbh it's a pain if getting to ski school as its maybe only 10 minutes in trainers as an adult but in ski boots with kids it takes forever. The actual esf meeting point ( if true beginner's)is maybe 5 minutes from the esf office, up a wee magic carpet then a further 2-3 minutes walk. Also there is no toilet up that end. Nearest one is at the ticket office by transaction so another faff, as like us you get there and the child needs the loo.
My son had some esf private lessons the 2nd year and meeting point was vagere lift, which is still a pain to get to as an up hill walk from transarc
I would allow 30 minutes for get there without any stress.
Basically I think unless you are heading up transarc the location is a pain. Although handy for supermarket.
We had amazing views though.
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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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| jas915 wrote: |
We have stayed that end if 1800 last 2 years at Easter tbh it's a pain if getting to ski school as its maybe only 10 minutes in trainers as an adult but in ski boots with kids it takes forever. The actual esf meeting point ( if true beginner's)is maybe 5 minutes from the esf office, up a wee magic carpet then a further 2-3 minutes walk. Also there is no toilet up that end. Nearest one is at the ticket office by transaction so another faff, as like us you get there and the child needs the loo.
My son had some esf private lessons the 2nd year and meeting point was vagere lift, which is still a pain to get to as an up hill walk from transarc
I would allow 30 minutes for get there without any stress.
Basically I think unless you are heading up transarc the location is a pain. Although handy for supermarket.
We had amazing views though. |
Thanks for the honest review/advice. Seems like it might be more of a struggle than I first thought it might be. But we're a large group of 4 families and finding accommodation to all be in one chalet/apartment at a reasonable cost is like finding a needle in a haystack.
I'm sure it will be fine and as you mentioned, just leave half an hour for the journey and eliminate the stress.
Is the Charmettoger lift not as useful as the transarc if not going to the very top?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Charmettoger lift stops at the mid-point of the TransArc (basically other side of the piste). So, if you don't want to get to the top ...
Disadvantages: It's slower
Advantages: Tends to be no queue
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I still think I'd walk down to the Jardin Alpin lift and ski across to the ski school meeting place rather than walk up to it
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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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I must apologise for my misspelling of Charmettoger earlier. I Blame @rob@rar, who calls it "charm me todger" 
I'd always use the Charmettoger lift to get to the Transarc midstation. I hate queing and the is rarely a queue for the Charmettoger lift. It also has the advantage that you don't have to take your skis off.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| johnE wrote: |
| I still think I'd walk down to the Jardin Alpin lift and ski across to the ski school meeting place rather than walk up to it |
This was my first thought and will hopefully be able to do this when we can. But 3/4 of the children have only done the first stage (Piou piou) of ESF ski school, so might be even an ask to get them to do that.
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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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| Roscoe wrote: |
Thanks for the honest review/advice.. |
I don't know if someone else can chime in, as I always stay in 2000 and not 1800, but maybe there's somewhere you can pay to store your gear close to the lifts? That way you'd be doing the back and forth walk each day in regular footwear and not carrying anything. That would make a huge, huge difference.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| greengriff wrote: |
| Roscoe wrote: |
Thanks for the honest review/advice.. |
I don't know if someone else can chime in, as I always stay in 2000 and not 1800, but maybe there's somewhere you can pay to store your gear close to the lifts? That way you'd be doing the back and forth walk each day in regular footwear and not carrying anything. That would make a huge, huge difference. |
From google maps, appreciate that doesn't take into account terrain and incline, as the crow fly's, its 200m to the Villards lift heading up so am I making a mountain (no pun intended) out of a mole hill.
Do they do lockers at the front? Seems a waste of the lovely heated boot room we have at the apartment.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 24-02-26 12:47; edited 1 time in total
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@Roscoe, I guess it depends how tolerant you and your kids are of walking in ski boots carrying bundles of gear. I would rather avoid it at all costs. I hate being sweaty and annoyed before I've even made my first turns! But I appreciate that I may be an outlier. Obviously if you add in a steep incline as well then it could be an absolute nightmare.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Tue 24-02-26 12:54; edited 1 time in total
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Oh, and if you find you are averse to taking the Transarc, ski round the corner and take the Vagere. It's much quicker than the Charmettoger. The new Transarc is much nicer than the hideous old one though.
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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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| Quote: |
It's much quicker than the Charmettoger.
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Not if you have seen the queues today.
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| greengriff wrote: |
| @Roscoe, I guess it depends how tolerant you and your kids are of walking in ski boots carrying bundles gear. I would rather avoid it at all costs. I hate being sweaty and annoyed before I've even made my first turns! But I appreciate that I may be an outlier. Obviously if you add in a steep incline as well then it could be an absolute nightmare. |
I have 4 kids so my tolerance is at an all time low all of the time lol!
I suppose we'll learn a lot on day 1, but that's a year off so no point worrying too much about it now. Will focus on our week away in Easter across the valley in La Rosiere.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Roscoe, might be worth looking into other ski schools? I'm sure there is a ski school based over the end of the station you are staying in, but for the life of me I can't remember what it's called. Edit - Having looked at the resort Map there's a kids club ski area over in that area by Arc Adventures.
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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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| wills_h wrote: |
| @Roscoe, might be worth looking into other ski schools? I'm sure there is a ski school based over the end of the station you are staying in, but for the life of me I can't remember what it's called. Edit - Having looked at the resort Map there's a kids club ski area over in that area by Arc Adventures. |
There seems to be Evolution 2 but they are pretty much right next to EFS, so will be a much of a muchness.
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Sorry for spamming this thread recently, but once I've got something in my head I need all the info.
For those that driving to Les Arc or the wider Tarentaise valley, how far south to you drive from Calais for an overnight stop, if you do so? I'm thinking Troyes / Dijon will be a good overnight spot with a 6/7am leave time in the Saturday morning to try and get ahead of the half term traffic.
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You know it makes sense.
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We, fortunately, haven't had to do the run at half-term or holiday weeks for many years (8 yrs). However we always aimed be through Moutier at or before 9am in order to beat the traffic before it built up at the roads & tunnels into the valley.
Morning crossing (ferry for us) and about 7 hours driving ... I would aim to be much further south, beyond Bourg en Bresse or just north/east of Lyon, more driving on the friday but makes saturday much easier imo.
We still follow a similar routine with our current non-peak week travels, though are more relaxed on Sat start times to hit the SuperU (Moutier/Bourg) at 10:30 ish
No doubt others with more recent experience will advise further.
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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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Try to tend to get to Chalon sur Saone, leaves only about 3 hours or so to do the next day, but you will need to leave early to avoid the inevitable traffic jams. I actually tend to travel Thursday and find somewhere to stay in either Bourg or in resort for the extra one night.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Roscoe, Many driving Snowheads - including us on multiple occasions with ankle biters - stop at the Logis Val Moret , 100m off the A5, a bit south of Troyes. (exit 22) 4- 5hours from Calais.
If driving electric, a huge Tesla stop opposite. Petrol and diesel about 5km ( Bar sur Seine) so can use stopped time efficiently and save the odd schekel filling offroute, Or if getting close, m-way services just before the exit, "Troyes le Plessis".
https://le-val-moret.com/en/
On the return journey tend to go a bit higher, Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique for e.g. about 2.5 hours from Calais. or Chalons en Champagne, 3.5 hours.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Anyone out there with a snow report on the conditions at present?
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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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@Roscoe, sorry I cannot be bothered with stopping. It only takes 10 hours to drive from Calais to les arcs including stops.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
| @Roscoe, sorry I cannot be bothered with stopping. It only takes 10 hours to drive from Calais to les arcs including stops. |
What time do you get the tunnel? Close by? Or a super early start in the Uk?
I’m about 3 hours from the tunnel, so add the crossing time and faff of arrival and departure at a busy time, I won’t expect to be on the road from Calais until 3pm cet. We can only book our accommodation by the week so would need to get a room in resort for a night (near impossible in half term week), so stopping makes sense to me.
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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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| Roscoe wrote: |
| johnE wrote: |
| @Roscoe, sorry I cannot be bothered with stopping. It only takes 10 hours to drive from Calais to les arcs including stops. |
What time do you get the tunnel? Close by? Or a super early start in the Uk?
I’m about 3 hours from the tunnel, so add the crossing time and faff of arrival and departure at a busy time, I won’t expect to be on the road from Calais until 3pm cet. We can only book our accommodation by the week so would need to get a room in resort for a night (near impossible in half term week), so stopping makes sense to me. |
If you are looking at booking early enough check out the base camp lodge in Bourg, they do rooms by the night, even just before/during half term when many others wont.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Borg could be an option.
But I’d be happy with a cold beer, some dinner (for 4 kids and OH too) and some shut eye, followed by an early start to beat the rush.
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| Roscoe wrote: |
What time do you get the tunnel? Close by? Or a super early start in the Uk?
I’m about 3 hours from the tunnel, so add the crossing time and faff of arrival and departure at a busy time, I won’t expect to be on the road from Calais until 3pm cet. We can only book our accommodation by the week so would need to get a room in resort for a night (near impossible in half term week), so stopping makes sense to me. |
I'm 90 minutes from the Tunnel and have always done the journey in a single day, with just one driver. Typically leave home around 5am, which isn't that much earlier than a normal wake-up time. I used to arrive in Arc 1800 around 7pm, but now I have an EV so with some extra time for charging I get in to resort around 8.30pm. All fairly civilised. If I had a three hour drive at the UK side of the journey I'd still try to get it done in a day, but that would probably be my limit for doing it in one hit. Longer than that and I'd reluctantly take an overnight stop somewhere.
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@Roscoe, 2-3 hours from tunnel (Banbury), leave 4am Friday and head to Macon. Still aim to be away by 7am latest to be ahead of crowds.
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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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@Roscoe, I leave home about 4 in the morning for an 8:30 crossing and get to Calais about 10:30 to 11. The shuttle never leaves on time. 10 hours later we are buying pizza in pizza Charlotte in arc 1600.
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@joshua, To be fair, a lot of threads go off piste at the best of times!
Being Paris week in all resorts, I'd image lots of Brits are giving it a wide berth and so the lack of response really is from the fact that others on this thread just aren't there at the moment. I know some are returning after this week and I'm sure they will give their thoughts.
Until then, I satisfy myself by looking at the Yuge and Bergfex apps which are very good/accurate for weather reports and webcams so deffo get them if you haven't.
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FAQ
