Forum menu
When to book Alps s...
 

[Closed] When to book Alps summer holiday - now too early?

Posts: 3829
Free Member
Topic starter
 
[#6743113]

Off for a long-overdue visit in July/Aug - Morzine or possibly Les Arcs.
Given that the chalets are now full of skiers etc, will they be interested in taking summer enquiries/bookings now? Just at the initial enquiries stage so not sure how many or type of stay yet...


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:04 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

A lot of the guided holiday weeks are already sold out for 2015. If you mean accommodation only you have more time. Yes they will take bookings etc now.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:06 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Mine was booked months ago and it's now full on the week I'm going...


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:06 pm
Posts: 3829
Free Member
Topic starter
 

It will be digs/food only...


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:08 pm
Posts: 1812
Free Member
 

Your probably too late for the best spots.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:08 pm
Posts: 12809
Free Member
 

I've tried in years gone by to try to stir them up in the winter months and got little or no replies - as you say they're busy tending to every whim of the snow brigade (their words, not mine).

IME there's little or no money to be saved by booking early and whilst some of the famous places sell out, most don't.

Endless choice for every budget pretty much.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

My apartment in Ste Foy is vacant?


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:15 pm
Posts: 3829
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Fog - where is that?
Any good bike action?


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:22 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Sainte Foy Tarentaise, just across the valley from Les Arcs and down the road from Tignes and 45 minutes from Italy via the Col Petit St Bernard.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:26 pm
Posts: 66109
Full Member
 

White Room's patch basically ๐Ÿ™‚ Fabulous riding around there. Haven't done much unguided riding in the area mind.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 3:28 pm
Posts: 3829
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I've been to Morzine a few times before - not for a while admittedly - but I know the layout of PdS.
Having never been to Les Arcs, would it be essential to have a guide to maximise our time there?


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 9:25 pm
Posts: 31
Free Member
 

Most book up early to take advantage of cheap flights. Flights used to released up to 3 months ahead, now its more like 9 months, our busiest booking period used to be Jan/Feb these days we are booking up October..


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 9:49 pm
Posts: 66109
Full Member
 

@Rascal- slightly tricky question that. I've done 3 years guided with white rooms and categorically, rode brilliant stuff that I would have missed, and avoided wasting time, missing connections, all that sort of thing. I couldn't do the saint foy uplift at all solo because it seems half random and half french. So there's no chance I could have as good a week, or really come anywhere close.

Buuut, I could have gone down and spent a week riding around there with no guide, a bit of forum advice, and had a brilliant time. If I didn't know how much better it could be, I'd be happy.

Possibly Yvan Bonin still does solo guiding around there? He used to guide with WR, I spent a couple of the best days ever riding, just chasing his wheel. Just don't expect many words. Or maybe you could convince a white room or bikevillage guide to do a rest day.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 9:57 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

Northwind
I couldn't do the saint foy uplift at all solo because it seems half random and half french.

It seems the Foy lift requires a particularly "French" style conversation about proving your Identity, even though you've been up the same lift 5 times already that morning, involving lots of shrugging of shoulders, and eventually resulting in an "ok then, but only this once you understand" kind of finish...... ๐Ÿ˜‰

Well worth it mind for the way back down, especially via Care Bear or CBS!


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 10:35 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

nasher - Member
Most book up early to take advantage of cheap flights. Flights used to released up to 3 months ahead, now its more like 9 months, our busiest booking period used to be Jan/Feb these days we are booking up October..

Ady, are you guys still trying to get somewhere down near San remo too?.


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 10:41 pm
Posts: 3829
Free Member
Topic starter
 

We'll be driving.
Only thing is I don't know how many are coming. Or when. Or where.
We need to have a chat.
Looking at Morzine chalets - but seems pretty pointless until we make a few decisions beforehand ๐Ÿ™„


 
Posted : 02/01/2015 11:01 pm
Posts: 636
Free Member
 

I booked two chalets in Morzine for July 2015 in October for 20 of us


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 12:00 am
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

Not strictly relevant, but on Christmas Eve I booked a weeks guided riding in Scotland (incl. accommodation) for June and my first choice of dates was already full!!


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 12:11 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

OP as I said if you want a fully guided holiday you are probably too late for Jul and Aug. For June and Sep with a bit of pedalling you still have time. To book accommodation only (self catering) you can do it a week or two before. Depends what you are looking for. From the sound of your potential group size you can leave it a bit, you where never looking for fully guided anyway.


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 12:20 am
Posts: 66109
Full Member
 

FWIW I booked in about April or May last year- picked up a cancellation. The plus side of doing a sport in which every so often someone smashes themselves into powder ๐Ÿ˜†


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 12:35 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

We booked our 2015 White Room slot back in September. Not so urgent for booking the second week in Bourg.


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 8:50 am
Posts: 31
Free Member
 

@ nobeerinthefridge

We are already based in Sanremo, but For Nov - end of March, then we head to Molini..

That said molini is about 15 degrees, sunny and no snow at the moment!!


 
Posted : 03/01/2015 1:44 pm