Where is the nearest ski resort in France / Italy ? Forums

Loxley

Hi,

am planning my first trip abroad for the end of Feb 2007.
at present my destination is Pas de la Casa in Andorra, but it's a good 900 miles from my home in Derbyshire.

can anyone suggest / recommend somewhere closer to hand ?

Thanks
Mark

Batch

The Alps are only 600 miles!

peejay

Hi Mark,

The closest French skiing area to Calais is the Vosges mountains, around Gerardmer, Col de la schlucht and La Bresse at about 360mls. Unfortunately theres never 100% guarantee of decent snow here. Last year though, there was loads!
You could always make it part of your route and if the snows not good then carry on down to the Alps.

There is also a slightly closer resort at Winterberg about 350mls, but that is in Germany.

Worth keeping an eye on the webcams for these regions.

pete

Loxley

I am still trying to get into the 'movable' home ethos of motorhoming. I am still stuck in the 'choose resort, arrive, stay for the week, go home' mentality.

I chose Pas de la Casa originally as its the best place I have been for snowboarding, but do appreciate its a fair old hike. My sons have tried most of the main resorts in Italy/France but prefer Pas for its wide open runs.

What are the resort names in the Alps I should be searching for in Autoroute as the ski brochures just tell you the town/region but it doesnt matter when a transfer bus is taking you ! Need to be more sure of my destination when I am driving ! LOL

Thanks

drifterman

Hi Mark we are going to Bourge St maurice March 24 for 2 weeks. Where you can ski Les Arcs,La Rosière and Val d'Isère although latter is a 45 min drive away. Le Grand Bornand is also very popular with mhf members.Both are around 600 miles from Calais
Jeff

Batch

We;re doing the same in Feb. Probably the same site!

drifterman

Hi There
Is this the site your going to Batch

Batch

Yep went there last year really good!

ruthiebabe

Hi

The nearest French resorts are probably the following (not in any order):

La Plagne/Les Arcs

We have twice stayed at Montchavin campsite, really handy for the new link to Les Arcs, but you can also stay at Aires in La Plagne and Les Arcs

Three Valleys

We have stayed at the aire at La Tania (once) and the aire at les Menuires (three times) you can also stay at the campsite r the car park at la raffort below Meribel and also at rather poorly situated aire at Courcheval.

Flaine/Samoens

We stayed at the new aire at Samoens but it’s quite isolated and the lifts are slow. We prefer the Verdun car park on the way up to flaine, but rather bleak if cold and only facilities are lift station loos. Good lift access though, convenient for whole area.

The above are high resorts with extensive ski areas and good snow records.

The following are even nearer and also highly recommended but lower so check on the conditions first:

Portes de Soleil area, many resorts such as:

Les Gets

We stayed at a great aire right by lifts, would recommend.

Then you have a couple of small resorts, again low but lovely if snow.

Le Grand Bornand

Apart from the campsite there is a small aire but no facilities. Max 2 nights I think. Arrive about 5 as it gets used by cars in the day. Good location near cross country trails and not far to lifts for the mountains.

La Clusaz

Campsite but no aire, or you can use lift station car park up the valley, or a small parking up at Merdassier . we haven’t stayed here but for a few euros used campsite for water and emptying.

I suggest buying the Good Ski and Snowboard guide for reference. About the resorts, then find them on the Atlas.

Good luck! Post any more Q’s we’ll try and assist.