Is there an NPR skiing thread? If Not...

[Tichtheid]

I spent ten days in Breckenridge many moons ago. It was fantastic. A new dump of powder practically every morning, clear blue skies, the town itself looked like an old Western set - perfect.

It wan't too expensive from what I can remember, certainly a lot cheaper than some of the other resorts nearby, like Aspen.

You do catch your breath a fair bit because of the altitude.

[dpedin]

I spent ten days in Breckenridge many moons ago. It was fantastic. A new dump of powder practically every morning, clear blue skies, the town itself looked like an old Western set - perfect.

It wan't too expensive from what I can remember, certainly a lot cheaper than some of the other resorts nearby, like Aspen.

You do catch your breath a fair bit because of the altitude.

I had 10 days in Breckenridge too and loved it. The town had a bit of character unlike most US and Canadian ski areas I've been to. Spent a day skiing in Vail and in Beaver Creek and both were easy to drive to and good fun too.

When we got to Breckenridge we were advised, because of the altitude, to drink lots of fluid, avoid alcohol and use lots of sunscreen - of course as a well travelled know all Scot who had been on many ski trips across Europe I ignored all the advice and got pissed the first night then managed to burn my face on the second! By day 3 with stinking hangovers and a badly peeling face I began feeling the altitude but luckily a few bars etc have O2 on tap if required. By end of trip I had acclimatised. On day in Vail we were approached by couple of guys who offered to carry our skis from the car park to the lifts - again my Scottish know-how kicked in and I refused their help suspecting they would run off with skis leaving us stuck in our ski boots unable to chase. How was I to know they were hired by resort to help skiers? Pesky helpful Americans! I would recommend Brekenridge as a base but don't expect the charm and scenery of many European resorts nor a great variety of food and drink.

PS Just heard this afternoon from my son who is currently in Les Deux Alps who says it has beens snowing and powder is waist deep! Good news for anyone travelling soon, as long as temps don't rise again.

[laurent]

Got 2 days of skying in the Jura (1200m) rained most of the day today should be a bit better next week.

We are most likely heading back tomorrow as it is unlikely there will be much to ski on tomorrow.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

In Les Arcs this week, and conditions aren't too bad at all (had been fearing the worst before we arrived). It's snowed quite a bit since we arrived, so the pistes are improving, especially lower down. It could do with being a bit colder though, the snow falling at Valandry was pretty wet. However the problem is visibility (except for yesterday, which was fantastic). With the fog it's like skiing in Scotland (except the snow is much better, the pistes are longer, the chairlifts are modern etc etc).

[TheFrog]

I spent ten days in Breckenridge many moons ago. It was fantastic. A new dump of powder practically every morning, clear blue skies, the town itself looked like an old Western set - perfect.

It wan't too expensive from what I can remember, certainly a lot cheaper than some of the other resorts nearby, like Aspen.

You do catch your breath a fair bit because of the altitude.

That's a good tip, thanks

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Got back from Les Arcs today after a pretty good week.

However, Chambery airport is an absolute disaster! It's been a few years since flying through there and I don't remember it being quite so awful. Far too many flights taking off close to each other, and security just can't cope with the number of people. A shame to end the trip with such a stressful experience, next year I will actively seek to book a trip via a different airport. Which is a pity as it cuts the transfer times compared with Geneva for the likes of 3V, Tignes, Val D'Isere, Alpe D'Huez etc.

Would not recommend!

[dpedin]

Got back from Les Arcs today after a pretty good week.

However, Chambery airport is an absolute disaster! It's been a few years since flying through there and I don't remember it being quite so awful. Far too many flights taking off close to each other, and security just can't cope with the number of people. A shame to end the trip with such a stressful experience, next year I will actively seek to book a trip via a different airport. Which is a pity as it cuts the transfer times compared with Geneva for the likes of 3V, Tignes, Val D'Isere, Alpe D'Huez etc.

Would not recommend!

My kids must have been there at the same time and possibly on same flight! Said the same, complete clusterfuck queued for over 2 hours from drop off to getting on flight and it took off late. No opportunity for a coffee or even a toilet visit. It's a shame as I always liked going via there, it was a bit better than the ski shed in Geneva.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Got back from Les Arcs today after a pretty good week.

However, Chambery airport is an absolute disaster! It's been a few years since flying through there and I don't remember it being quite so awful. Far too many flights taking off close to each other, and security just can't cope with the number of people. A shame to end the trip with such a stressful experience, next year I will actively seek to book a trip via a different airport. Which is a pity as it cuts the transfer times compared with Geneva for the likes of 3V, Tignes, Val D'Isere, Alpe D'Huez etc.

Would not recommend!

My kids must have been there at the same time and possibly on same flight! Said the same, complete clusterfuck queued for over 2 hours from drop off to getting on flight and it took off late. No opportunity for a coffee or even a toilet visit. It's a shame as I always liked going via there, it was a bit better than the ski shed in Geneva.

Sounds right, we were late taking off back to Edinburgh. Hope your kids had a good week skiing though!

[clydecloggie]

Got back from Les Arcs today after a pretty good week.

However, Chambery airport is an absolute disaster! It's been a few years since flying through there and I don't remember it being quite so awful. Far too many flights taking off close to each other, and security just can't cope with the number of people. A shame to end the trip with such a stressful experience, next year I will actively seek to book a trip via a different airport. Which is a pity as it cuts the transfer times compared with Geneva for the likes of 3V, Tignes, Val D'Isere, Alpe D'Huez etc.

Would not recommend!

My kids must have been there at the same time and possibly on same flight! Said the same, complete clusterfuck queued for over 2 hours from drop off to getting on flight and it took off late. No opportunity for a coffee or even a toilet visit. It's a shame as I always liked going via there, it was a bit better than the ski shed in Geneva.

Sounds right, we were late taking off back to Edinburgh. Hope your kids had a good week skiing though!

Chambery was pretty great when we used it ~5 years ago. But have to say it was a stunning day so we just sat out on the grass until our flight was called. Inside the terminal was a bit mental. I blame it on the Edinburgh and Manchester flights that were taking off ~30 minutes before our Glasgow one. Obviously our flight queue was as well-behaved as any to the Weeg.

[dpedin]

Got back from Les Arcs today after a pretty good week.

However, Chambery airport is an absolute disaster! It's been a few years since flying through there and I don't remember it being quite so awful. Far too many flights taking off close to each other, and security just can't cope with the number of people. A shame to end the trip with such a stressful experience, next year I will actively seek to book a trip via a different airport. Which is a pity as it cuts the transfer times compared with Geneva for the likes of 3V, Tignes, Val D'Isere, Alpe D'Huez etc.

Would not recommend!

My kids must have been there at the same time and possibly on same flight! Said the same, complete clusterfuck queued for over 2 hours from drop off to getting on flight and it took off late. No opportunity for a coffee or even a toilet visit. It's a shame as I always liked going via there, it was a bit better than the ski shed in Geneva.

Sounds right, we were late taking off back to Edinburgh. Hope your kids had a good week skiing though!

Yeh they had a good time - they were in Les Deux Alpes so high enough for plenty snow plus it snowed during the week. Complaining of sore legs so must have been ok!