Lemage Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Hello, I wasn't sure where to post this request but would like to ask your advice. we have a house in 61 (orne) and are hoping to take the children to see 'proper' snow in Feb half term but we have looked on a map and cannot decide whereabouts is the nearest or easiest place to get to. We are only going for two or three days and will not be skiing but would like access to tobogganing etc just for the children (they are 9 and 7). In your opinions is it easier to travel from the UK to the snow then on to our house or is it more direct to go to our house then on to the snow? I hope this doesn't seem like too silly a request but as we have no experience of ski ing or the relevant resorts and other than sticking a pin in a map of France I'm really not sure where to start.thankyou so much for taking the time to read this ,I look forward to getting your responses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 It's a "bit length of piece of string ish". Do you plan to drive, train or plane? The Vosges near strasbourg may be about the nearest for a drive, but if it's plane or train, then a trip to the Chambery area would probably be just as easy. Do you want to stay in a resort (so that they get up and walk out onto the snow or are you happy to stay in teh valley have have a travel round, seeing bit's of snow as you go? How much is money an issue? Which ever, you don't need to book into a Big Expensive resort of you are not doing epic ski runs, so find a small quaint place and enjoy. If going from UK, then Andora is supposed to be cheap, but I understand that it's not quaint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PossumGirl Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 [quote user="JohnM"]It's a "bit length of piece of string ish". Do you plan to drive, train or plane? The Vosges near strasbourg may be about the nearest for a drive, but if it's plane or train, then a trip to the Chambery area would probably be just as easy. Do you want to stay in a resort (so that they get up and walk out onto the snow or are you happy to stay in teh valley have have a travel round, seeing bit's of snow as you go? How much is money an issue? Which ever, you don't need to book into a Big Expensive resort of you are not doing epic ski runs, so find a small quaint place and enjoy. If going from UK, then Andora is supposed to be cheap, but I understand that it's not quaint. [/quote]Quaint would never be a word one would associate with Andorra. Ugly, perhaps, but not quaint. However, I do understand that the skiiing is great as long as you're not looking for picturesque.PG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSA Aude Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 The 'boys' (OH also) have for the last four years been to Pas de la Casa (not quaint but apparantly good food and apres ski) and Axe les Thermes. Planning on Axe again this year - easy access to the slopes and reasonable restos in the town. Seems there are packages to be had, if not Carca airport and the drive. A reasonable road but be prepared to use chains if not in a 4 x 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiras_Back Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 If you're heading to Ax-les-Thermes then you'd be better off using Toulouse airport from the UK as it's closer, Ryanair doesn't fly there but many other lo-cost carriers do - ie. EasyJetKira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemage Posted November 12, 2006 Author Share Posted November 12, 2006 thankyou to you all for your replies.I'm sorry that my original post was so vague. we will be driving and whilst it would be nice to be in a resort as we will only be there for a few days it isn't essential. Cost unfortunately is as always an issue- the cheapest option would be great as all spare euros are being spent on plasterboard and insulation at the moment. Thanks again for all of your help kind regards Nikki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 LemageWhen are you planning to go?Dotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemage Posted November 12, 2006 Author Share Posted November 12, 2006 Hi thereFeb half term (10th feb)- providing there will be enough snow around !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 People in my bit of western France always seem to head for the Pyrenees, and it might be the easiest to get to from the Orne.I went skiing there once, to a place called La Mongie. It wasn't specially picturesque, but nearby Bagneres-de-Luchon was more attractive.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Are you certain half-term is February 10th? Ours is the 17th, although some authorities will be different. I ask because a frind of mine (retired) managed to book a holiday for him and his non-retired deputy head wife and got the week wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemage Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Hello Dickyes it is the 10th, I double checked as I couldn't believe how early it is next year many thanks and kind regards Nikki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo53 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 What about the massif centrale? Closer than the alps (we are in la Mayenne) and has some low-key ski resorts, which will also cater for cross-country skiing. Haven't been there but have looked at it in brochures and internet. I would avoid the big ski resorts - in most it's difficult to access more than a tiny strip of snow if you're not skiing.Have funJo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 There is plenty of snow in Finland at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deby Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 My advice is get yourself down to Grenoble and then go to Lans en Vercours. You can take the kids skiing and sledging for as little as 10 Euros a day. You can also pique-nique. The snow is great. Literally you can park your car at the foot of the slope, there is even a travelator (moving carpet) for those who do not fancy the drag lifts! You can then drive back down in to Grenoble (30mins) and stay at one of the very cheap city centre hotels and eat in their fabulous restaurants for just a few euros. Lans en Vercours is a french secret! So dont tell anyone about it.Deby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Hi Deby,Is it good for Red/Black intermediates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemage Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 hi all thankyou so much for all of your advice, I can see that I will need to settle down with the AA route planner and pick the nearest option, many thanks to all of who took the time to reply kind regards Nikki x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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