Essentials – ARRIVAL

Driving in

Full directions can be found here

Coming from Geneva and after passing through Sallanches – the big town in the valley – you head for Megeve. You’ll pass through Combloux, the first ski village on route. Once you’ve passed through Megeve you’ll enter the outskirts of Praz-sur-Arly. Pass the Intermarche supermarket on the left (great for stocking up – there’s also a little one in the village) and at the next roundabout, before heading into the village, take a left – towards the ski area.

Follow the road round and when you reach a T-junction, take a left – pass over the bridge and turn right. Almost immediately you’ll see a road heading off up to the left. This is the Route de Varins – take it. Around 150m up, take the first proper road on the left: this is the Allee du Plan de Varins.

Follow the rough road around to the right and you’ll see 2 large chalets on the right. Don’t turn off on the first the right, that’s the Erin des Alpes, set back from the road. The entrance to the car park of the Chalet du Chanteret is just beside this. If you have the clicker – head down (see here for parking info) otherwise pull up in front  of the building to unload at the front door (there’s a clicker in the cabinet draw in the living room with the key for our private garage). You can also park your car outside, especially in the Summer, in the spaces on the rise to the right past the Chalet.

Our apartment (#106 – but no marking on the door) is on the first floor on the right.

Putting the Heating On

If it’s winter, you’ll need to put the heating on. There are thermostats in each room, bump them up – around 5 blobs (setting 2-3) is probably about right. It takes around 24h to settle, you can readjust then. It’s you’re really cold at first, there is a fan heater in the cupboard in the hall. The towel rails in the bathrooms can also be used to dry damp gloves and other ski-wear. Press the button to give them a timed boost. If you need them on longer turn the knob clockwise. Remember to turn everything off/down on departure, see here.

If you’re the first to arrive in the season, you’ll also need to turn the hot water on. The fuse, labelled “Chauffe Eau” (top right) will be switched off (down is OFF up is ON). You’ll find the fuse box in the cupboard in the corner of corridor of the apartment. If you’re a large party, I’d recommend some bathing in the morning and some in the evening.

Switch for hot water on fuse box

Bins

You’ll need to take your rubbish to the nearest poubelle – its just on this side of the bridge going over the Arly on the way back into town.

The bins are by the bridge on the way into town

We usually keep a large shopping bag in the cloakroom cupboard in the hall to put recycling in until we do a bin run. And please remember the kitchen bin needs tall bin bags which you can get at the Intermarche

Other

If clean towels are not in the bathrooms you can find them in the cupboard nearest the door in bedroom one (nearest the kitchen). If the beds aren’t made up as you need, there are extra sheets in the cupboard nearest the door in bedroom 2.

The code for the Internet is the cupboard with the fusebox.

Cutlery and utensils are in the draws in the kitchen table. Placemats are in the cupboard under the Nespresso machine, under the shopping bags.

Please help yourself to cleaning materials and so on in the apartment but if something is running low it would be great if you could replenish.

Skiing

While there is ski storage, its recommended to keep your skis and boots in our lock-up garage with your car (no need to lock up while you’re here). Then you can head out through the garage door (there’s a separate key for this).

At the top of the ramp turn left and join the snow to the right of the Erine des Alpes. A 5 min shuffle across the snow will get you to the lifts. Head for the piste then across the road. The main Crete du Midi 6-man lift is straight ahead but make a note of the drag lifts on the left – the one on the left will drop you on the Combe Noire piste which runs right past our chalet when you head home. Pick up some speed and cut across the walking path, pulling around the far side of the Erine des Alpes, back to the parking ramp.

The ticket office for lift passes is opposite the 6-man lift, down near the road. You can pay for a couple of hours at a time, a day or a few days. There are 2 versions, one for the Val d’Arly area and for a bit more one for the entire Espace Diamant (but you really need a full day to get over the other side and back).

There are ski pass cards for all ski areas in to be region in the everything drawer under the music system. You can top these up online or save a deposit at the ticket office. Please put them back when you’re finished.

NB Please do not come up the stairs in ski boots as it damages the floor. If your boots need drying out in the apartment, please carry them.

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