Anyone done a ski bus trip?

[mattpayne]

Firstly, Im only a beginner so the resort doesnt matter much to me, aslong as there is a hill with snow on it im happy! but I fancy boarding this year...

Having a look about the coach trips look good for a weekend, has anyone taken one? and how comfy is a coach for as long as it takes to get to wherever!

I was looking at meribel for a weekend - 260-270 through most of feb - april


looks like a lot of slope time for your money... but... how tiring is the bus! - bus leaves london 1700 and id get on at thurrock so i expect 6pm ish


Day 1 - Thursday
Arrive at pick up point 30 minutes prior to stated pick up time
Take pre-allocated seat. Overnight travel on coach

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Day 2 - Friday
Arrive Brides les Bains approx 9.15am
Arrival Procedure:
Breakfast is available immediately upon on arrival
Pre-booked lift passes will be issued and ski hire ready to collect
Rooms will be ready to check-in too.
Please note: rooms will have been quick cleaned. ie. Beds stripped, bathrooms cleaned, towels changed and bins emptied in order for arrival guests to freshen up. Full clean will take place once all guests have left for skiing
Regular 5/10 minute gondola shuttle buses available to Olympe Gondola.
Free to Ski
On return to Brides les Bains, wait at gondola station and regular shuttle bus service will return you to the hotel.
Bar serving happy hour specials open from 17h00. Restaurant serving 3 course evening meal open from 19h30.
Overnight Hotel

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Day 3 - Saturday
Breakfast served from 07h30
Shuttle bus available from 08h00 – 10h00
Free to Ski
For those wanting to stay in Meribel after the gondola closes, an apres ski bus will be available leaving Meribel at 19h00
A charge for this service is payable locally and must be prebooked with hotel staff prior to departure from the hotel that morning.
Bar open from 17h00. Restaurant serving 3 course evening meal open from 19h30.
Overnight Hotel

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Day 4 - Sunday
Breakfast served from 07h30
Shuttle bus available from 08h00 – 10h00
Room check-out time at the Hotel Verseau is 08h30. This gives priority to arriving coach passengers to access their rooms on arrival. Luggage storage facilities are provided.
Free to Ski
Shuttle bus available from 15h30 on departure days.
Shower and changing facilities available. Opportunity to purchase Sandwiches for the journey from the bar.
17h00 load bags and board coach for 17h30 departure from hotel
Overnight travel on coach

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Day 5 - Monday
Early morning arrival at pick up point for onward journey home or to work.


The busses sound quite comfy and i can take my board for free...



New Coach Fleet
This season our coaches are top of the range Scania Irizars, which lend a more luxurious feel to the coach experience. All offer:
Choice of standard or club class seat
Adjustable back rests
Lap seat belts
Individual reading light and air conditioning
Hot/Cold Drinks facility
Washroom
Colour TV/DVD with films on route

[Jonny]

I guess it'd be pretty equivalent to doing a longhaul flight - although possibly a bit more cramped as you can't really walk up and down as much... Depends if you are the type that can sleep in a reasonably upright seat or not?

I know people that have taken the Eurostar to Paris and then the snow train down to the south and they said it was pretty decent - lots more room than you'd get on a coach... I think they have sleeper cabins too

[mattpayne]

Thats a good idea and never thought of that! the train will be a much faster way to travel, but just checked eurostar and they only do sat - sat trips, cheap starting from 140 return, but no accomodation, the bus includes 2 nights half board

[ferretca18]

i went by caoch to Kaprun in Austria with my old school (granted a few years ago but same principal)

Dont expect much sleep, just too awkward sleeping on a bus. But saying that, it was fine when we got there, got a few hours kip in and then we were up for hitting the slopes:)

Only problem we had was on the return, took ages due to bad conditions and a very bad crash (we were held up for about 4 hours) and in that time the road became covered in snow so we managed to crab our way back to better roads!