Tag Archives: Apres Ski

How to tell if you are a ski geek

unnamedHow to tell if you are a ski geek.*

*nb: In this article ski can be substituted for snowboard in most instances and as the ski v’s snowboard things is getting old we are just using the word ski because a). there are more skiers, and b). ski is a shorter word than snowboard. Any real ski geek may want to dispute this, please do so in the comments below.

 

Can you remember every ski holiday you have ever been on?

A true ski geek can remember more than if they just had a good time. They should be able to remember the exact dates, who went on holiday with them, which ski resort they went to, the flight times, the exchange rate at the time and the chalets hosts name.

Do you own your own skis?

Most experienced skiers will at the very least have their own boots, which is sensible and comfortable. But the true ski nerd will have their own pair of skis, preferably two, a set for normal conditions and a wide pair for powder days. They must also own a pair of ski poles.

Can you pack everything into your ski bag?

A proud ski geek should be able to proudly inform you that they can pack all they need for a ski holiday into their ski bag, thus making a saving on excess luggage. For extra kudos they should have a story about being told off by an airline for this, with the story concluding “anyway they let me on and they said don’t do it next time”.

Do you have a second “budget” ski holiday every year?

The best ski geeks will take a second ski holiday every year. However, this trip must be so cheap that it doesn’t sound any fun. The holiday must include some of the following; a coach trip from the UK with three or more stops: hostel style accommodation; two hour commute to the slopes each day; no free wine; other ski geeks; no eating out; hitch-hiking; homemade fondu; booking every aspect online separately.

Can you name every run in resort?

For most people a simple “I will meet you at the bottom of that run yesterday next to the bar we like” is all we need to arrange to meet up. For the ski nerd you must you use the piste name as well as give a recommended route and call each lift by name.

Have you ever been on a ski holiday on your own?

If you love skiing so much that you are prepared to leave your loved ones at home so that you can ski all day where you want and apres as late as you want, not get first lifts if you don’t want, drink as much at lunch as you want, then…. errm…. why don’t we all ski alone?

Do you have a collection of lift passes?

Most ski geeks will have at least one electronic lift pass in their wallet at all times. They will also have a collection of passes from all past ski trips. Attached to their ski trousers must be at least one day ticket from a snow dome or obscure ski resort. The older skier must also be able to produce a photo id ski pass from the good old days.

Is your facebook/twitter profile a picture of you skiing?

All true ski nerds live ski all year round on their social media pages. That is until they get married, then they will change their profile to a photo of them getting married, this will last a week then it will be back to a picture of them in hat and goggles, or of them getting some air, or a snow covered mountain range.

Have you ever had an argument about which is the best ski resort?

This is similar to an argument about which football team is better, the only difference here is that they will be using examples of black runs as opposed to formation strategy.

 

Why not unleash your inner ski geek and give us a call to discuss your next ski holiday 01273 466 535 or take a look at our chalets in Meribel and La Tania.


3 Valleys Snow Report – 29th March 2015

3 Valleys Snow Report – 29th March 2015

The report comes from our lovely La Tania Chalet hosts in Chalet Toubkal.

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Here is a little update on the snow and weather conditions out here in the 3 Valleys. Over the last week we have had a mixture of snow and sunshine with snow even down to resort level in La Tania.

We started of with a few centimetres of snow on Saturday night which was followed by sunny spells up until Wednesday afternoon, then overnight there was another few centimetres of snow. This was followed by snow on Friday morning which gave way to sunshine in the afternoon and into Saturday, it was even cold enough on Saturday morning that the snow cannons where working down in La Tania.

The weather for the week ahead is promising with heavy snowfall on Sunday night at around 1700m and above which is forecasted to become lighter but continue for most of Monday and even Tuesday morning, then the sun is set to return for a couple of days before more snow at the end of the week!

The forecast is looking like it could be a snowy end to the season so even if your not out until the last week there should still be plenty of snow for everyone out here on a ski holiday enjoy.

Click here to book a ski holiday to Meribel or La Tania next winter.


Three Valleys Snow Report – 22/3/15

Three Valleys Snow Report – 22/3/15IMG_1058

This weeks snow report is supplied by Pete and Karolina

It has been another sunny week here in the 3 Valleys. Up until Saturday 21st March when the weather took a slight change with cloud rolling in and snow arriving at about 1800 meters and above, unfortunately it came down as rain further down in resort.

The snow higher up has stayed well but below about 1700 meters has been a bit slushy and thin in places especially on the south and west facing slopes, there is still plenty of good skiing on pistes higher up the mountain.

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Meribel Alpine Skiing World Cup

Meribel Alpine Skiing World Cup

At the heart of alpine skiing world cup finals - Méribel Worldcup Finales 2014-2015.clipularThis is the week that Meribel hits the big time – Not that we arn’t saying that Meribel isn’t a big time resort. it frequently appears in top 10 ski resort list and if it doesent one of its sister resorts in the Three Valleys does. Anyhow as I was saying, this is the week that the Alpine World Cup comes to Meribel. Not only that it is this this seasons final.

When is it on?

It starts on Wednesday the 18th of March but there is practising going on from the 16th. Highlights will be the Downhill starting at 9.30 on Wednesday the 18th and the Slalom over the weekend.  Take a look at the full scheduled below.
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Who is racing?

If you follow Alpine racing avidly then you will recognise all of the names as these are the top 25 point scorers from this winter season. It is the Female 25 that has the big recognisable names in Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Tina Maze.

Is it on Ski sunday?

Sadly Ski Sunday has ended for the winter. We did hope that there would be a Meribel special due to Meribel being such a hot spot for British skiers and snowboarders. My twitter stalking suggests that the presenters arn’t in resort either.

meribel_la_piste_ski_worldcupHow can I watch it?

If you are in resort you can get a great view if the race climax down at the Chaudanne in the centre of Meribel of try and get a spot along side the race course. Or if you are at home in the UK then the event will be streamed live here http://livetv.sx/en/competitions/?c_407.

What else is on?

Lots! Every day there is a concert or ceremony to watch. Also you are in the 3 Valleys so go skiing in the worlds biggest and best ski area! There is also some pretty decent Apres Ski to enjouy, with most bars having some Alpine World Cup theme going on. And if that is not enough why not try and compleate our Alpine World Cup bingo card.


Guests Tips – Making the most out of The 3 Vallées.

Guests Tips – Making the most out of The 3 Vallées 3valleys

We asked our Facebook fans and guests how they make the most of a ski holiday in the 3 Valleys. The best tip won a helmet and a pair of goggles thanks to our friends at the Meribel North Face ski hire. 

Winning Post – Jonny L Vacca  – The more time you spend on lifts in 3vallees the better the run down! I find if I spend a lot of time getting lifts to the very peak I can have a 30 minute run down to the bottom with varying pistes and challenges!

Chelsea Taylor – Always have a hip flask!

Joe SirDrinksalot Walbyoff – Have a couple (or more) of drinks in pub le ski lodge down in La Tania!!

Ed Dalgleish – Mountain burger.

Sophie Milne – challenge yourself to the black mogel field just above the la follie douce, 8 mins, no one on the group falls that means a cheeky beer and boogie! If someone fails back up the chair! Great way to challenge yourselves! Val T!

Bradley Michael Wigglesworth –  Don’t miss the last lift from Les Menuires to Val Thorens, did it 2 days on the trot!!!

Tony Smith – Having just come back from the 3 valleys yesterday, I’d say my top tip is get out there and enjoy yourself, if there’s someone in your group that wants to stay at the hotel bar then let them, get out on the first lift ski/board hard and go up on the last lift, make the most of it, there’s so much to see and you’ll be on your way home before you know it, but most importantly have some fun that’s what it’s all about.

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3 Valleys Snow Report – March 15th 2015

3 Valleys Snow Report – March 15th 2015

Hello and welcome to another snow report. What can I say apart from it has been a truly stunning week out here in the 3 Valleys with wall to wall sunshine for the last 7 days. The weather was very warm for the most of the week which made the slopes a bit slushy in the afternoons, then towards the end of the week temperatures dropped a bit to leave some great skiing conditions.

Looking forward into the next week the weather is set to stay a bit colder than it has been and the possibility of some snow on Tuesday and again towards the end of the week. This week brings us the ski World Cup in Meribel with top skiers from all over the world coming to compete, so get yourself to the World Cup run and check out how the pros do it and maybe even pick up some tips to improve your own down hill skiing!

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We are nearing the end of the season but the slopes are holding up well and with the forecast of some more snow on the way it looks like we could be in for some more great skiing out here in Meribel and La Tania.

Book your Easter ski break 

 


3 Valleys Snow Report – 28th February 2015

3 Valleys Snow Report – 28th February 2015 

By Pete

FotorCreatedIt has been a great week here in the 3 valleys, it started on Saturday afternoon with heavy snow that proceeded to fall into the night. Sunday started with about 20cm of fresh snow in resort the snow returned again Monday night and most of Tuesday, we were skiing knee deep in snow on the pistes at the top of Courchevel. Wednesday the sun came out and this must have been the best day skiing of the season so far, the sun continued on Thursday then on Friday the snow returned!

The snow conditions out here in the 3 valleys are awesome at the moment and there is more snow to come. The forecast for the week ahead is looking good Saturday is due to be sunny so is good for transfer day, then snow returning on Sunday afternoon though to Monday night and coming back in on Wednesday night! It’s looking like it’s going to be a great March for skiing so take advantage of some great late offers at Alpine Action.

We have been speaking to Paul, a local French young man who manages La Taiga(in our humble opinion the best bar/restaurant in La Tania :). He has been living and working here for many years so his knowledge of the weather and mountains is second to none! He told us that the season is running a month late in weather terms, so that means we should be in for a great April as well as March! If he’s right the skiing conditions should be really good all the way until the end of the season.

The season of powder days and goggle tanned faces is truly upon us – there is no better time to come out to the 3 valleys, so pick up the phone or get on line and book one of the last remaining spaces we have left in our chalets in Meribel.


3 Valleys Snow Report – 21st Feb 2015

skin pose alpineaction3 Valleys Snow Report – 21st Feb 2015

Hello and welcome to a weather/snow update from the 3 valleys. It has been another stunning sunny week out here in Meribel, we were predicting a decent amount of snow to arrive last Saturday but it turned out only to be a couple of centimetres which was a bit disappointing.

Considering it has been half term, the busiest week of the ski season, the snow on the pistes have held up well. It’s been good skiing in the mornings but by the afternoon the runs are becoming quite icy. Looking forward into next week the snow and colder temperatures are set to return with a significant amount of snow due to fall on Saturday night and then again on Monday in to Tuesday!

This year the forecasts haven’t really been too accurate but the snow on Saturday looks more and more like it’s going to happen. The slopes are in need of some fresh snow as it has been 2 weeks since we have had a proper snow fall. If it does dump as predicted the new snow the conditions will transform from good skiing to great skiing with help from the fantastic pistes we have out here in the 3 valleys.

We are looking forward to the next week with our fingers crossed for snow so that we can enjoy some quieter slopes after the hustle and bustle of half term week. We only have a few spaces left in our chalets at Alpine Action towards the end of the season so book up soon to avoid disappointment, We hope you enjoy your skiing!


3 Valley Snow Report – Feb 14th 2015

Alpine Action Staff
Alpine Action Staff

3 Valley Snow Report – Feb 14th 2015

It has been a beautiful week out here in the 3 Valleys, we haven’t had any new snow but it has been wall to wall sunshine with cold temperatures at night keeping the pistes in nice condition.

With one of the busiest weeks of the season this week as it is English school’s half term we could do with some snow. It’s on its way and the snow forecast predicts that is will start snowing over the weekend and maybe even return on Tuesday. Any new snow will freshen things up and improve the skiing even.  I have spoken to Rachael who works in Ski Higher our favourite ski hire shop in La Tania and she assured us the snow is coming this weekend.

Out on the slopes in Meribel the skiing has been good this week with clear skies and good snow coverage on the ground. This is set to get even better with the snow that is coming over the weekend and the sun is set to make appearance on Monday and again later on in the week. If your coming out here this week it is shaping up to be another great weeks skiing out here in the 3valleys.


Hope you enjoy your half term week even if your not out here skiing. If you see Katie Leigh out on the slopes – our exquisite chalet host from Toubkal 1- don’t forget to tell her how nice her new ski’s are!

To look at our availability go to www.alpineaction.co.uk

 


3 Valleys Snow Report – 9th February 2015

IMG_08723 Valleys Snow Report – 9th February 2015

What a week we have had out here in the 3 Valleys it has snowed so much over the last weekend that we nearly lost our snow-o-meter! Since then the temperatures have been really cold which means the snow has stayed and turned the whole area in to a winter haven.

The pistes are in a really good condition with some soft snow on top of the mountain and a really good base layer which makes for great skiing. The weather is set to stay cold for the next week but with plenty of sunshine and even possible snow showers towards the end of the week heading into the weekend.

The on piste skiing should be near on perfect this week with the clear blue sky’s and freshly bashed pistes. If your out here this week don’t forget to put your sun tan cream or you could be going home with a nice goggle tan!

We are really enjoying the season so far and we are only half way though! We have had lots of fantastic guest staying with us and we can’t wait to meet some more. If you haven’t booked yet and are thinking of a ski holiday come out and see us here in Meribel and La Tania, we still have space’s in our chalets for March and April so come and join us after the February rush.