It’s the other stuff that wasn’t so much fun.
The week before Christmas I found myself sitting in an aeroplane at Manchester airport for 2 1/2 hours, with frozen WCs and no water for hot drinks, while it was deiced sufficiently to take off. We thought we were lucky to be on one of the flights which did not get cancelled because of the cold weather but, with hindsight, cancellation and a refund might have been preferable.
La Plagne is a decent resort for mixed ability ski groups. It has lots of accommodation options including luxury chalets; sadly, ours was not one of these although it had been booked as such.
WARNING: do not believe the website of Alpine Elements (aka IGOSKI); steer well clear. Here is another example – if only my friend had seen this report before she booked.
Our experience was horribly similar.
The chalet girl was 18 and way out of her depth. After the second day of inedible food served on dirty plates we complained, she received some support and the food improved from botulism casserole to a reasonable Christmas dinner.
However it was nice to be skiing with friends and we became regular customers at the nearest restaurant to our crap chalet.
My best days were that spent skiing high up on the glacier, and the day I persuaded Sam (fearless snowboarder) to accompany me down Morbleu. This black route is very steep and nearly always closed; often people peer over the edge and leave. I was too wussy to do it all by myself. It was indeed extremely steep and had huge moguls. It was hard work and great fun! We were both perspiring freely by the time we got to the end of this section. Then there is an unexpectedly long and fast runout which went on for ages. So I was glad to tick that one off.
The chalet would have been adequate if we had booked a bargain basement holiday, but I was ready to leave on Boxing Day. Just as well really, because I got home shortly after a pipe had burst and was able to turn off the mains before too much damage was done.
Hope you all had a better Christmas than I did and:
Sorry the chalet was so bad Anna. I guess chalet maids aren’t fully up-to-speed so early in the season; they probably haven’t got to grips with it all yet. Not that any of that is an excuse, just a potential cause…
Looks like the snow was good though – such a steep black-run would mostly be shut when there isn’t enough snow for it. π
Yes, there was snowfall whilst we were there as you can see from tree picture (which was Christmas Day). Morbleu gets closed a lot and it is not always obvious why – but there is always a stretcher parked nearby! π
Hey Anna, too bad you didn’t have as good a time as you were hoping, but I guess that’s what happens when you go skiing without Yellow Team! π Sun and snow is still good for you though, no matter what the accomm’s like.
To make you feel better, my Xmas wasn’t up to much either, but at least it was of my own making – dodgy finger syndrome π but not as bad as last time π
Also, I reckon I can outdo the pipe bursting – L’il Pete went to work on what amounted to the five burst pipes at PMRT Base on Tuesday!
Happy New Year to you, and anyone reading…
The running club hut also looks more suitable to scuba divers at the moment…
Happy New Year to Yellow Team.
Anna; perspiring freely – do they allow that sort of thing in up-market French ski resorts; you weren’t wearing ‘Ron Hills’ and ‘Buffalo’ were you?
It’s OK, it wasn’t Verbier!
shame I missed the skiing, but very happy to miss the burst pipe and subsequent mess. !!
Hi
Pics look wonderful… Shame about the place. Just popped by and crammed cards and small pressie through your door. Sorry we could not call … We did not have your home number on us…. Flying visit… Now on M6 homeward bound.
Happy New Year. Good luck with the pipe. X
At least you managed to get back in 1 piece and didn’t get delayed on the incoming flight as well. Hope you get cash compensation rather than another trip!
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