Skiing trip in February (1 Viewer)

[adriacoral]

Hi we're thinking of taking the motorhome to somewhere in France for a skiing holiday.Any advice would be welcomed as only ever skied once , pre kids and stayed in a chalet. Can anyone recommend a campsite that maybe has drying facilities as I'm not sure I will be able to dry out skiwear for 2 adults and 2 nearly adults!!

 

[jonandshell]

Camping L'Escale at Le Grand Bornand comes highly recommended by Funsters.

 

[SteveandSue]

You can take a look at www.motorhomeski.com
lots of useful info - and you can ask on their forum - sometimes takes a while to get an answer out of season - may help if you can be more specific with your questions?
Grand Bornand is good - also campsite just outside La Clusaz - swimming pool - can ski back (just) to campsite - Samoens is good - can't ski back but gondola right next to site -Pretty much all campites open around ski resorts will have ski lockers/drying rooms
A lot depend on your time available - budget - how good the van might be in cold temps etc
Enjoy - beats package holidays in our opinion

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[Armytwowheels]

Camping L'Escale at Le Grand Bornand comes highly recommended by Funsters.

Did I mention this already - that's where we are going in January! Not excited or anything.

Site booked, Snow chains bought, new ski jacket on order, just racking up a few more Tesco points before booking the tunnel.

 

[jonandshell]

We are doing VT in Feb.......again!!!!!!

The kids love it there and we can just shove 'em out of the van in the morning!
The Xmas trip will be a bit more varied, Led Rousses and La Plagne are on the hit list!

 

[Armytwowheels]

How long are you staying out there on the Christmas trip? Le Plagne is't that far from Grand Bornand is it?

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[jonandshell]

We are going to be out in the Alps from Xmas Eve to New years day.
Call us boring, but the New Years Eve party in VT looks good, we might just be tempted to get there for that!!
Le Grande Bornand is not too far from La Plagne or VT, but only if you are a crow or own a helicopter!!!!!!
Its a bit round-a-bout by road!

 

[Armytwowheels]

You will be gone by the time we get there then. We are booked in at La
Scala from 30th Dec and then might do a 2nd week over near La Plagne or Les Arcs, depending on the snow.

I Cycled up La Plagne to watch a stage of the TdF in 2002, not sure I could do that these days.

 

[jonandshell]

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!

It happens every year, but its still exciting for kids of all ages from 3-80!

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[haganap]

We will be at Le grand bornand for February half term.

We have skied and camped many areas of France with kids although they are teenagers 18.16 now. .

If you have not skied much before I can thoroughly recommend Pralognan Le vanoise....beautiful town lovely newbie skiing and a very nice campsite to boot.. check out the website for details...

I would recommend keeping it simple for your first time in a van its not as free and easy as you think when starting out

We are taking in our 14th ski trip in 10 years in the van and still learn on every one.

 

[jonandshell]

Good advice there from the Hagster!
It is quite astounding how the cold can affect your MH in different ways.
It is very liberating once you have your van sorted though, there are many aires around the ski resorts and you get to stay there at a fraction of the cost of using hotels.
Our first MH trip was all Hagger's fault and we had a week off grid at the highest resort in the Alps, Val Thorens!
Our van was up to it however, due to a little army arctic experience and an unhealthy knowledge of battery care and charging!!!
A site with EHU is a good idea until you find your feet. You can always practice being off grid by unplugging, safe in the knowledge you have a lifeline if the lights go out! You can also experiment with gas consumption on site too!
After that, the world is your oyster!

 

[Armytwowheels]

Grand Bornand at 1300m today

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[adriacoral]

Thanks everyone! Have done plenty of wilding but think we need a site with ehu for a first time! I will look at all sites, meanwhile any recommendations to keep the van safe in the cold would be very welcome! We have waste tank heater so hopefully the van is winterised to a degree....

 

[haganap]

Do you have an Adria coral? If so I had one as my laSt van so can offer plenty of advice.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks everyone! Have done plenty of wilding but think we need a site with ehu for a first time! I will look at all sites, meanwhile any recommendations to keep the van safe in the cold would be very welcome! We have waste tank heater so hopefully the van is winterised to a degree....

What about your fresh water tank, is that internal or external?

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[haganap]

If it is a coral the fresh will be under the diner seat and internal. The pipework is well lagged but despite a heated waste tank you can come unstuck high up because the tan water won't freeze but the outlet does preventing water from coming out. Far simpler to drain in to a bucket unless your only washing up etc as the waste is big enough for a good few days...then empty....sit back up and then repeat before you leave

 

[adriacoral]

It is an Adria Coral! Guess my funster name gives it away!
Good advice thanks, just been looking at cost of ski passes etc and not so sure we'll go now , once you add everything up for 4 of us with ski hire etc think I need another mortgage! Lol

 

[jonandshell]

We budget around £1600 per trip for 2 adults and 2 kids.. We do have our own kit though! That sum includes lift passes for all of us for 6 days, tolls, camping and fuel. It doesnt include food, which comes with us! The tunnel is free on Tesco vouchers!
Aldi and Lidl have ski gear promotions before Christmas each year which is ideal for getting kit for growing kids.
Alternatively, TK Maxx have a good stock of ski stuff in from about now. Surfanic have website and you will find some big reductions with their good quality clothing too.
Lessons and lift passes are the biggest cost. With the help of apps and books, it is possible to teach yourself, especially if you have skied before. Sending the kids for lessons would be about 280 euros for 5 mornings for both of them. They can then teach you!
Shell and I had both only had a weeks skiing some 15 years before we started again 4 years ago. Shell is nearly on reds, I chase my nephew down blacks! Neither Shell or I have had lessons this time round, we have used a combination of Ski School App and Ski Tips app!
Choosing a resort with free lifts in the beginners area will save money until your skiing progresses.
In Val Thorens, for instance, you can access up to blue (intermediate) slopes in the town area without a pass. Researching resorts can save cash if you are savvy.

The camping is the cheapest part!

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[Armytwowheels]

The camping is the cheapest part![/QUOTE]

Ski School App

Which app Jon? Had a look in the App Store and there are quite a few?

 

[jonandshell]

Ski School App by Elate media.

http://www.skischoolapp.com

Also there is a Ski Tips series.

http://www.skitips.com

They both have bad and good points! Its best to see what you want to achieve and use the techniques that work best for you.

 

[Soozywoozy]

Site booked, Snow chains bought, new ski jacket on order, just racking up a few more Tesco points before booking the tunnel.[/QUOTE]
Also going for first time in 20 years and very excited. Site booked (les contamines, snow today). Salloppettes bought (old ones don't fit anymore and stolen by daughter as neons back in fashion)
However looking for snow chains. Any recommendations please for 0ver 3.5 ton a class on ducato base and good places to buy them

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[jonandshell]

Got ours from here-

http://www.toys4cars.co.uk/4x4-van-snow-chains.html

You need 16mm links for a van, also get 'em quick! The price will rise in Winter, we paid 69 quid four years ago!

 

[haganap]

Just get Dominic to push!!!

 

[Soozywoozy]

Just get Dominic to push!!!

Excellent idea. Will that get past eu regulations though?

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[Armytwowheels]

I bought the snow chains off ebay, 16mm for commercial vans. Only paid £22 for them. 2nd hand but apparently never used.

 

[TheDentons]

Any resorts with free lifts on nursery slopes?

 

[haganap]

Pralognan from memory has free lifts in the nursery slopes....

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[Forestboy]

Anyone going to La Plagne check that the Aire is still open. We were there last year and the guy running it said it was its last year. Apparently building a hotel on the plot, shame as the best located Aire I've ever stayed on. There was talk of a new Aire maybe further up but nothing confirmed. Just started thinking about skiing .

 

[jonandshell]

Any resorts with free lifts on nursery slopes?

Val Thorens has free lifts all over the nursery slopes but the aire has no hookup and it is VERY cold due to the altitude!

 

[jonandshell]

Anyone going to La Plagne check that the Aire is still open. We were there last year and the guy running it said it was its last year. Apparently building a hotel on the plot, shame as the best located Aire I've ever stayed on. There was talk of a new Aire maybe further up but nothing confirmed. Just started thinking about skiing .

Thanks Rory!

That could make for a less stressful Christmas knowing that!

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