 Poster: A snowHead
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Well it’s Sunday Eve, so hope/assume everyone had an uneventful trip down
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Getting down easy.. Getting back easy…. Until you get to Eurotunnel. 1 hour plus border queues…..tomorrow no doubt much worse
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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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Left St Michel de Maurienne at 2:30 today after skiing in Valmenier today. Arrived in Troyes for an overnight about 20 mins ago. Heading for the tunnel tomorrow (13:30 train) and will update on any delays.... Kind of hoping that we'll get there before the rush of people leaving the mountains tomorrow.
It's been a really nice week. Something of a winter holiday with skiing rather than a full on ski week as the weather has meant done closures of resorts in the valley and reduced opening of lifts etc. However, some snowshoe/ski touring excursions have been good fun on three down days!
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We left Tignes at 5:30, 10 mins in and there is a steady stream of traffic in both directions but the road is in great condition. So far so good!
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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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...and now stationary on the N90, just like on the way up!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Still in Saalbach, packing now and leave apartment by 9am followed by a gental half day of skiing till 1pm (our 8th day skiing this holiday) when we will leave for Munich Airport to make our 8pm flight back to LHR
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A26 very quiet. Got to tunnel 2 hours early. Bumped to next train, saving 1.5 hours. No queue for check in and about 10 cars in front at passport control. No drama, sorry!
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Likewise, once we were past Moutiers it was incredibly straightforward. Couple of cars ahead of us at passports and onto a train 2 hours early.
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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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Took the southerly route from Serre Chevalier which was a long but nice route. Sat nav took us on several interesting detours up hills. The really beautiful N85 over to Grenoble.
Traffic wasn't so bad and are stopped in Dijon for the first time, seems nice
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As it looks like the busiest 2 weeks of half term coming up did anyone drive to the tarrentaise today and if they did how was the parking?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Arrived at the tunnel around 1345 on Friday 13th and found it very quiet, straight through guy at border desk said they'd thought ahead this year and ensured enough staff. Saturday drive was ok, a very early start from Troyes after a poor sleep at the IBIS Budget Troyes EST and a very slow stretch around Chambery (I never know quite where I am) we took the satnav advice (wish I'd stuck on the autoroute) and we ended up having a cultural visit routed through the centre of Grenoble can't imagine we saved much time at all before rejoining the autoroute I think at the Albertvile turnpike usual mess but from the Grenoble direction. Arrived at Val Cenis before 1400 compared with after 1800 last year, far less stressed and headache free.
Incredible week best in 25 years for us snow wise looks like back to spring like February conditions this coming week as seems to be the norm now but with masses of snow should be great.
Drive yesterday, left Val Cenis 0415 and arrived at the tunnel 1340. Less than two hour drive Uk side and opened front door at 1545. Couldn't have asked for a smoother drive home.
Been with MGS Val Cenis last three years and need a change thinking Avoriaz or Les Deux Alpes next February (self catering apartment and driving as usual) could really do with some advice who to book through, used Erna Low in the past but happily book direct somewhere, I just don't know where! Any advice would be very welcome please?
Welcome home half termers, hope everyone had as amazing time as my family did.
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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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| James77 wrote: |
Arrived at the tunnel around 1345 on Friday 13th and found it very quiet, straight through guy at border desk said they'd thought ahead this year and ensured enough staff. Saturday drive was ok, a very early start from Troyes after a poor sleep at the IBIS Budget Troyes EST and a very slow stretch around Chambery (I never know quite where I am) we took the satnav advice (wish I'd stuck on the autoroute) and we ended up having a cultural visit routed through the centre of Grenoble can't imagine we saved much time at all before rejoining the autoroute I think at the Albertvile turnpike usual mess but from the Grenoble direction. Arrived at Val Cenis before 1400 compared with after 1800 last year, far less stressed and headache free.
Incredible week best in 25 years for us snow wise looks like back to spring like February conditions this coming week as seems to be the norm now but with masses of snow should be great.
Drive yesterday, left Val Cenis 0415 and arrived at the tunnel 1340. Less than two hour drive Uk side and opened front door at 1545. Couldn't have asked for a smoother drive home.
Been with MGS Val Cenis last three years and need a change thinking Avoriaz or Les Deux Alpes next February (self catering apartment and driving as usual) could really do with some advice who to book through, used Erna Low in the past but happily book direct somewhere, I just don't know where! Any advice would be very welcome please?
Welcome home half termers, hope everyone had as amazing time as my family did. |
We've stayed in Avoriaz many times. We've always used AirBNB for the accommodation there. We've been there at New Year and Easter and whilst there's been snow on the road from Morzine or Avoriaz it's always been kept clear enough to get there in a normal car (last couple of times in a RWD BMW on Crossclimate 2 tyres). This last week I suspect it was a challenge. On the way into resort you've always got the option of parking at the bottom and getting the lift up (would recommend packing with this in mind...you need it all to be easily transportable anyway to get get from car park to accomodation in Avoriaz). If it snows a lot just before you leave, it may be a bit more problematic!
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@7ncj, Have you used Airbnb for February Half term always worries me as it's such a busy time if the owner decides to cancel we'd not find alternative accomodation?
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You know it makes sense.
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Left Abondance valley PSD at 1415, went through Genève then over the Jura and joined autoroute just south of Dijon. That's where the fun started, with a delay at Dijon, a small delay at Troyes and then another reasonable one at Chalons en Champagne, all three where the autoroutes merge. Got to tunnel at 2320 and was on our booked return at 0020 ish. On reflection it wasn't too bad a run but tbh it was a not the greatest journey...
Only 4 more half terms left then one less family on the slopes!
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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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| James77 wrote: |
| @7ncj, Have you used Airbnb for February Half term always worries me as it's such a busy time if the owner decides to cancel we'd not find alternative accomodation? |
Not Feb half term, no. We’ve always avoided Feb HT until this year, when just my son and I could go so we grabbed a last minute package holiday. We have used AirBnB loads though for New Year and Easter ski trips, as well as August holidays and never had an owner cancel once the booking has been confirmed.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Our first Feb half term journey back. We left Chatel at 7:20 on Saturday. Overnighted in Troyes (with the rest of the UK it seemed). We'd allowed ourselves the option of Skiing Saturday morning if we wanted but it was snowing again so did not do it. Went via Pas de Morgins / Lausanne / Pontarlier / Besancon and then intended to join Autoroute. 10 minute delay into Pontarlier then SatNav took us on non-motorway due to all the traffic on the motorway. Was quite a nice scenic drive!
Got to Troyes around 4pm and had a nice look around / dinner. Overnight in the B&B hotel near the motorway. Not great but did the job OK.
Left 7am on Sunday, very easy drive to the Eurotnnel, straight through check in / passport with no waiting. Popped into the Flexiplux lounge where all the toilets were blocked and overflowing (quite grim), then onto the 11:06 train (last car loaded). Pretty easy drive on the UK side. All in all a pretty easy journey home with lots of room to do it quicker if we want to. Was expecting it to be a lot worse, particularly at the Eurotunnel.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Great week in Austria and much better drive to Rotterdam on the A3 via Frankfurt than the drive down from Rotterdam on the A8 via Stuttgart.
Not sure what that means though 
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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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out of interest - does anyone ever take the ferry anymore?
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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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@AliAfro, People certainly do and there is lots of debate on the pros and cons of each here - I suspect those with children tend to use the tunnel as it's less crossing time and more driving time?
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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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@AliAfro, we take the ferry still- and sometimes the tunnel. We bought a few ferry crossings with DFDS last year and used some of those in September, then a return trip in December. January we took the tunnel and this weekend we are using the ferry. We always go in the lounge so a bit of peace, something to eat etc before driving again. Time isn’t particularly of the essence for us, any more - although it probably is running but we won’t go there - and we always break the journey.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I take the ferry at midnight on fridays usually for a few reasons, mostly because I have already driven 3.5 hours and I sleep well at sea so 1.5 hours sleep goes down well and I usually get away with just another hours sleep on the continent. Wife has an irrational fear of a fire in the tunnel or it filling with water, its probably safer than an ferry in reality but whatever makes her happy. It is also cheaper, paid £165 return this half term for 4 of us in e class with roofbox.
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We use the ferry.
Have a good 6 hour drive to the terminal so leave home in the morning get 4ish ferry kids (6&4 ) have a run around, food and change to pj’s. Back in the van then drive until about 2am. Kids just fall asleep and get transferred to their beds. We are usually then only a couple of hours drive away, stop off for a food shop and we are in resort by lunchtime.
Works pretty well and kids only have one big day of travel.
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It looks as if I’ll be driving solo to les arcs in a couple of weeks. Though we usually do the journey a couple times a year we’ve always had someone in the passenger seat to collect and pay tolls. Since it only takes a few seconds to collect the ticket and a few more to pay I’ve never seen the point of a peage transceiver. Now I think it would make the journey a little easier.
So people how would you recommend getting one?
On the same vain any advise about the crit air stickers
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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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@johnE, I travel solo and thought the same about peage doofer for many years. Eventually got one when they had an offer going. Now wouldn't want to travel without one. Example: A couple of years ago at Albertville - queue of 20+ cars at each of the pay barriers; just sailed through the 30 lane. Mine is Fulli.
Crit Air - just make sure you order from the official site. There are plenty of cowboys out there wanting your money.
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@johnE, Crit air is peanuts and lasts the life of the vehicle, for risk of potential fine it's a no brainer
Toll tag will be easier for you if sole driver and assuming you're in RHD car! Once you have one, I suspect you'll see the benefit
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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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| James77 wrote: |
| Been with MGS Val Cenis last three years and need a change thinking Avoriaz or Les Deux Alpes next February (self catering apartment and driving as usual) could really do with some advice who to book through, used Erna Low in the past but happily book direct somewhere, I just don't know where! Any advice would be very welcome please? |
Tourist information website and/or immo. Sometimes direct with owner once you have contact.
Or Sunweb/Snowtrex.
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@Yoda, we usually just sail through the payment booths with sometimes one or two cars in front of us, very rarely more. We try to pick up the tickets without stopping.
Though the telelpeage will only save me 10 minutes on the journey. The removal of hassle getting out of the car and the upset it will cause the drivers behind will be worth the effort of getting one. I was talking to a friend who lives in Grenoble who has a telepeage and a consequent discount on toll charges. What sort of discount can I expect?
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You know it makes sense.
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@johnE, a doofer is a nice to have rather than a must have - for reasons well documented on threads on here.
I'm not aware of any discounts - other than some modest offers on initial sign up (perhaps waving of a fee of some sort). We use https://www.fulli.com/en which currently has free start-up (usually 11 Euro), 10 months free monthly management fee (usually 1.90 per month used) but will charge 14.90 to delivery the doofer.
We are lazy and never bothered with a Crit Air.
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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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@johnE, I've never been aware of any discounts but if you sign up for one it will presumably be mentioned on the supplier's website if they exist.
I read somewhere that right-wingers in the French govt have voted to remove the crit air zones, but if and when that may happen is anybody's guess. For the paltry cost, just get one. (But be careful how and where you apply it, they don't come off easily!)
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Yoda, When I first signed up with AREA it did offer discounted rates for a yearly subscription on roads run by AREA. It wasn’t worth it for the amount of journeys I do. Whether this still exists since AREA became APPR became Fulli became Mobilis (marketed as Fulli) I don’t know.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Got back to West Devon 7pm last night.
Great last day's skiing on Saturday - best conditions of the week. It is a bit of a hassle to be moved out of the apartment, have the car packed and have room for all the skis, boards, boots and clothing to be packed at the end of the day, thank goodness for roof boxes. Luckily the teens are used to this so no problems getting changed in the back of the car - memories of skiing in Scotland!
Left Les Menuires around 6pm, easy drive down for a quick Maccy's in Chambery then very easy drive up to Caen, got in around 6am, took our time, no hassle, had built in time for power naps but Monster, coffee, chewing gum and Tangfastics saw me through.
Ferry to Portsmouth with free cabin which was great, got in at 1:30pm, stop for lunch from M&S food hall at Hedge End and easy drive home.
Over the years we've done everything - flying, snow train, Eurotunnel and ferry but for our location and number of kids, this works really well for us.
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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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| jonathancarty wrote: |
Left Les Menuires around 6pm, easy drive down for a quick Maccy's in Chambery then very easy drive up to Caen, got in around 6am, took our time, no hassle, had built in time for power naps but Monster, coffee, chewing gum and Tangfastics saw me through.
Ferry to Portsmouth with free cabin which was great, got in at 1:30pm, stop for lunch from M&S food hall at Hedge End and easy drive home.
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Sounds like you were luckier than our friends that also went to Val Thorens, on the drive to Caens on Saturday they were informed the night boat had been cancelled so had to scramble to find an alternative ferry.
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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="obmij"]Great week in Austria and much better drive to Rotterdam on the A3 via Frankfurt than the drive down from Rotterdam on the A8 via Stuttgart.
hi we are driving hull rotterdam to austria in the next few days im presuming that was your route.I asked a week or so ago on here how was the new entry procedure into euroland at the port can you offer an update .I agree the frankfurt route is best or at least will be so long as the ongoing roadworks are causing delays. cheers thankyou
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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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| Quote: |
we are driving hull rotterdam to austria in the next few days im presuming that was your route.I asked a week or so ago on here how was the new entry procedure into euroland at the port can you offer an update .I agree the frankfurt route is best or at least will be so long as the ongoing roadworks are causing delays. cheers thankyou
Mon 23 Feb, 26
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We were first car off the ferry into Rotterdam mid January and had the photo/fingerprints done plus passport stamp. It wasn't a super fast process and I wouldn't have wanted to be the 100th car as I imagine there would have been a long wait.
Coming back from Rotterdam last week the camera/fingerprints device wasn't working and we had to ask for our passports to be stamped as the woman doing the passport control forgot to do it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Rob_Quads, that's the trouble with the crossings from Portsmouth - there are so few boats - many fewer than there used to be.
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Do you need a Crit air though? if its just Autoroutes and ski resorts I cannot see evidence they are required.
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@blahblahblah, probably not, although if you venture into Reims or Lyon yes
For five euros over lifetime of car, I've just gone with it just in case
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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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| Illetas wrote: |
| Quote: |
we are driving hull rotterdam to austria in the next few days im presuming that was your route.I asked a week or so ago on here how was the new entry procedure into euroland at the port can you offer an update .I agree the frankfurt route is best or at least will be so long as the ongoing roadworks are causing delays. cheers thanky
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We were first car off the ferry into Rotterdam mid January and had the photo/fingerprints done plus passport stamp. It wasn't a super fast process and I wouldn't have wanted to be the 100th car as I imagine there would have been a long wait.
Coming back from Rotterdam last week the camera/fingerprints device wasn't working and we had to ask for our passports to be stamped as the woman doing the passport control forgot to do it. |
Hi, thanks for the info we have one of the cabins with supposed early disembarcation but wether they leave space Im not sure as they didnt last summer when we crossed so will endeavour to get to port in good time though dont suppose there will be too many cars as we cross tommorrow , cheers
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I think they have also been the subject of discussion in French parliament recently, and may no longer be required. Not passed into law yet though, so for now Crit'Air still stands. We got one when we were told the whole of the Grenoble ring road was going to be part of the scheme. They do put speed restrictions in place, but as yet, I have never seen any signs of restricting vehicle categories.
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