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| A brief review Only sixty miles miles from Nice but a 20 degree C drop in temperature inspite of the blue skies and bright sunshine. In April 2007 and December 2007 we took the regular TAM coach or bus, the 750 to Isola 2000 for an afternoon's skiing. Click on the dates for reviews. In January 2002 we took the day-return Ski-Bus from Nice for the first time to check out the resort. It cost 26 euros (current price for 2008 is 30 euros) and included the skipass. It must be pre-booked. Review here We arrived in Isola 2000 by 9.30 am and skied the whole day, stopping for a two-bottle lunch. The bus left at 5pm, back in Nice by 7pm - just in time to stagger out for pizza. Our weekend was aided and abetted by helpful advice from Paul who lives in Valbonne. Visit his website |
| daughter on the chairlift 'Lombarde' climbing Domaine du Levent - the Italian side which gets all the afternoon sun. |
| Setting off down 'Chevrette' a blue run, daughter following father. Great snow. |
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| Lunch alfresco. Husband in his cool hat (not). See the blue sky and all that sunshine - gorgeous! |
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| on the bus home... evryone tired from the skiing or was it the two-bottle lunch? |
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| Daughter and me on the nursery slopes. No crowds, just great snow and sunshine. Lots of easy green and blue runs for me. |
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| Husband and daughter on the nursery slopes. |
| Ski from Nice at Isola 2000 |
| All about Nice |
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| click on any of the photos to enlarge |
| Isola 2000 is a modern purpose-built (1970s) ski resort very close to Nice in the Southern French alps, part of the Mercantour National Park. Isola 200 is only about 60 miles away which means that it is perfectly possible to go for a day's skiing without staying over. Nice really does have everything to offer. I've read that you can ski in the morning and be on the beach by the afternoon. Isola 2000 is certainly not the most beautiful resort in France nor are the runs extensive but with a fresh fall of snow, some sunshine and blue sky, it can be hard to beat. There are four options to take a day trip to Isola 2000 for a few hours skiing. The first two are the easiest and cheapest options ie the ones we use. 1. Ski-Bus During the ski season, the Ski-Bus will take you to Isola 2000 and back to Nice in one day. It leaves Nice at 7:30am and returns in the evening, leaving Isola 2000 at 5:00pm and arriving in Nice about 7:00pm. The cost of this bus in 2007/08 is 30 euros and includes the ski pass, excellent value. The Ski-Bus must be booked in advance. You need to exchange the bus ticket for a ski pass on arrrival and you will need to pay a couple of extra euros insurance for the day. No sophisticated electronic ski passes in Isola 2000, definitely a Blue Peter job with bent copper wire and a very sticky label. You get one go to get it right. Demo here We ski in Meribel in the high French Alpes every year and we have only ever managed to try the Nice-Isola 2000 Ski-Bus once. It was great fun though and I recommend it and would do it again given the opportunity. I would only recommend the Ski-Bus as a day trip if you can already ski. (if you can't ski and need lessons from the ESF take the second option, the TAM 750 bus, see details below) The Ski-Bus parks close to the bottom of a drag lift so you need to be able to organise skis, exchange your bus ticket for a pass and buy additional insurance.Then on with your skis and straight up the drag lift to the main ski area to get started. Definitely not for experienced skiers who will quickly cover most of the runs, Isola 2000 however has some lovely easy wide green and blue runs which are ideal for a family learning to ski for the first time. I would recommend hiring a car and driving or getting a transfer from Nice or Nice airport and staying in a hotel or apartment on the slopes and getting proper lessons with the ESF Ecole de Ski Francais You can find out more information from the Isola 2000 website, the link is on the left. On the day we went to Isola 2000, everyone on the Skibus appeared to be youthful and French, each person carefully placing a snowboard in the hold. A great way to spend a Saturday with friends. What a fantastic country. 2. TAM 750 bus or coach I've written extensively about this option in my blog. We went in April 2007 and December 2007, click through for all the details. You are dropped off by the main centre so you can go straight to Ski school if you are a beginner unlike the Ski-Bus which drops you off by the lower car park - you need to wear skis and use the drag lift to get up to the main centre. It's 16 euros return. You need to buy ski-pass for the afternoon. The Ski-Bus is better value than the TAM 750 because it is cheaper and you get more skiing but the 750 works well if you can't make the Ski-Bus which only operates during school holidays and weekends during the season and it must be booked in advance whereas the TAM 750 - you just turn up in the morning and buy your ticket in the Gare Routiere. This also means you can choose a good skiing day with precision - just check the forecast the day before. 3. Hire a car in Nice Hire a car from the airport or locally within Nice and drive to Isola 2000. We did the drive in the summer once. I didn't like the hairpin bends and the sheer drops one side and mountain wall the other. During the ski season, you will be driving back in the dark and coping with French drivers used to the route and in a hurry. It also means no wine at lunchtime. I would hire a car if I were staying overnight so that I could drive mid morning and mid afternoon to avoid the 'rush hour'. We hire a car to drive to Meribel every year. Convenience and speed are the biggest advantages in driving yourself. By law, you will need snow chains during the season which the hirer will be able to provide. 4. Private transport ATS and other companies will transfer you from the airport or your accommodation, door to door usually in a minivan. An expensive option but could be viable for a group of friends sharing the cost. Booked and paid for in advance and at the times you dictate. |
| return to main ski page Ski-Bus from Nice to Isola 2000 TAM 750 to Isola 2000 (April 2007) TAM 750 to Isola 2000 (Dec 2007) my virtualtourist Ski-Bus review Isola 2000 - external link snow report Isola 2000 - external link Paul's advice for Isola 2000 Nice to Meribel - Mottaret ESF Isola 2000 (ski school) |
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