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France: Alpe d'Huez, Oz, Vaujany, Villard, Auris - Winter 11/12 |
 Poster: A snowHead
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Nick D, its been warm and sunny for a few days, set to continue for at least a week and its only snowed 2 inches since the last big dump on the 1st of Feb.
In the last day or two its become HOT. I got a sun tan today. Almost t shirt conditions with very heavy wet borderline slushy snow. They are doing a good job to keep the pistes in shape by grooming them every night but there are thin parts and I have seen one or two soil patches in the late afternoons.
No precipitation forecast yet, we are praying for one more big dump this season, some time next month. Surely thats not too much to ask for...?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Skola, 4th or 5th April for that big dump will do me fine, friends arrive in our place for the week tomorrow, told them to pack the Ambre Solaire!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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We're heading out 17th of March. Ive been to L2A 4 times and was going to try Alpe D'Huez this year, but seeing the lack of snow this month was thinking would it be a safer bet going back to L2A? Ive never been to Alpe D'huez, should I wait for another year, with better snow? and is it any good  ?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Why would the snow be any better at the 2 alpes?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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They have a glacier, some higher up slopes and more areas in the shade.
With that in mind I guess when there hasnt been much snow they will have a better base
On the other hand here its sunny all day. Feels like spring already. Really warm to ski in even if the snow is heavy. Im actually sunbathing on the balcony right now watching the snow clouds approach
13cm due tonight and another 6 tomorrow.
Its gonna get cold, apparently.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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About an inch on the balcony. Sunny, more clouds coming the south.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
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Just back from four glorious days in ADH. Weather was hot and sunny - apparently it was 26 degrees in Oz Village on Thursday afternoon! I've certainly never known it so hot on the slopes in early March before, although it was significantly colder on Sunday afternoon once the cloud came in, and snowing when we left yesterday morning.
The signs of Spring are everywhere - there is more grass and rock on show off piste than I've ever seen this early in the year, and the sound of running streams can be heard everywhere.
However, despite the blazing sun, the slopes have stayed in very good nick - particularly on the Auris, Vaujany and Villard Reculas sides. The conditions on piste were very heavy by mid-afternoon, but lovely and crisp first thing - perfect for hooning around, and best if you stay higher.
Managed the Sarenne a couple of times (it was closing at 1pm most days), which was great up top, and found some very challenging moguls off the back of Auris (Col de Cluy?). Le Tunnel was closed, sadly.
Pretty quiet, given it was still (technically) half-term. So if you are on your way out there, don't be scared off by the weather reports - there is still plenty of great skiing to be had on some empty pistes, and being back at work now, I can vouch for the fact that it's significantly better than being sat at your desk...
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After all it is free 
After all it is free
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Set to be very warm for the next week. Icy in the mornings and slushy by lunch time. Went down to OZ they still have snow in the town - Vajuany is bear but I think the access runs are still open. They have the snow cannons running at night where possible to keep the pistes topped up.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi All
Just got back from a great week in Oz/ADH. Beautiful blue skies all week and very warm. T-shirt weather on four of the days. The snow on the runs down to OZ was holding up fairly well considering the heat (17+degC on weds). Up on the Glacier wasnt too bad. Tunnel and Serenne were open intermitently. Serenne open in the mornings and was very chopped up and many brown patches and rocks towards the end. Tunnel opened up after 2pm and we very icy yesterday afternoon. The lower slopes in ADH were very sugary/slushy, although the softness was welcome in the park (many crashes) but was still enough for the guys on the airbag to tell me to speedcheck for fear of over shooting. The Auris area was very icy and not much fun. The runs around Vajuany had stayed in pretty good shape and the black run (cant remember the name) down to the lowest gondola was good fun all week albeit very soft at the bottom.
My first time to this area and Id definitly make a return trip and hopefully sample some of the off piste (with a guide of course). Although I did find a small 30m section I was able to leave a fresh track in  .
Hopefully the temps will drop soon along with a fairly decent snowfall to freshen things up a little bit.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
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ADH this afternoon
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Nice pic wheres that taken from?
Some snow due this coming week but not getting my hopes up for anything substantial.
Some nice spring snow off piste if you go looking.
Spending more time in the park / Duex Alpes at the moment.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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davidof, Is that from the top of Chamrousse? I can (almost) see my house from there! Failed to get over there again this season, maybe next.
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So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much 
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
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cams looking like winter again thismorning 
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Spent a week down there last week and had a very enjoyable time. Spring snow on the whole, but had a dump mid-week and managed to find some decent powder. Looks like there's more snow fallen since I got back and more on the way, so should be a great end to the season. All the bars / restaurants in Oz were closing or winding down for the end of the season. Nick D, met one of your mates who had his kid (Samuel) in the ski school with my son.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Bjorn_again_Daehlie, Yep that was Mike, should have been there myself as you may have heard, not happy. Still loads of snow out there from the sounds of it, tempted to take the rando skis over for a few days.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Anyone planning trips already this year? Currently looking at a few days over NY with the family and then a trip with the boys on the 12th Jan - bring it on!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Bjorn_again_Daehlie, Out on Boxing day for 10 days or so, lads trip 21st-27th Jan so will miss you lot again this year, then usual half term week & 2 weeks ish at Easter. No sign of lift passes yet, went for early SATA deal €499 for season.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Nick D, you lot don't half get good lift pass deals over there.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Nick D, "No sign of lift passes yet, went for early SATA deal €499 for season. "
Yes I went for that too and mine have not arrived either.
Hells Bells, Yes I think it was a pretty good deal. There have been a lot of changes in the pass system at Alpe d'Huez because last year they took out much of the entitlement to use the sports centre that used to be included in the weekly and season passes. It appears to be something to do with the town owning and controlling the sports facilities and pools but only owning 51% of the lift company, SATA. At the moment there seems to be a great deal of disagreement between the local council and many local business people over the direction the resort is taking, building a primary school in the middle of a ski slope seems to have been the tipping point.......
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hells Bells, We should try to arrange a short apartment swap this season or at least a day trip to each others slopes! skitow, Of course the €499 doesn't include summer use but I think its a cracking deal. SATA have to battle 2 other companies to continue operating the ADH lifts after this season, they've already relented an re-introduced the cheaper Oz/Vaujany pass after lots of complaints about its demise, interesting times ahead.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
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Nick D, I did not know that SATA's licence / contract was up so soon. For me I just want them to get it right, it's a cracking ski area with a good lift system, (except for a very few notable exceptions, like the chair from Montfrais to the Cable car mid station  )
We used to get the annual pass which like you say included summer use, but the 200€ saving with this season pass will more than pay for the occasional use we make of the lifts in the summer. Tend to do more cross country biking and walking that does not involve lifts anyway.
Unlimited access to the sports centre, swimming pools, gym, climbing wall, ice rink etc. is about 200€ I think for the whole year.
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After all it is free
After all it is free
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skitow, Yep the old Clos Giraud chair is well overdue for replacement! There's still talk of a new telecabine from Allemont to Oz being built at some point, along with 300 additional beds in Oz - not sure that would do much for the lift queues in the station. Here's to another great season anyhow.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi Nick D, might see you over NY - we might head down on the 1st for a few days. Just seen the deal on the season pass which looks a cracker. Unfortunately it ran out on the 15th Sept. Don't normally do the season pass as I don't get down so much at the moment, but that would've been worthwhile. Might have to start looking at my spam emails from SATA again in the future  .skitow, agree with you on the chairlift from Montfrais. Would also like to see the fabled snow cannons for the Sarenne.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
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I see on the webcam there's a new quite modern looking building being thrown up at the top of Signal - anyone know what this is?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'm heading to Alpe D'Huez with my daughter for the first time in 5 years at half term (ours is a week earlier than most though, w/c 9th). Anyone else there that week?
Nick D, We shall also be in L2A over Easter, we could perhaps meet up on either side one day.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Bjorn_again_Daehlie, Replacement Signal Restaurant. They have got quite a bit to do have'nt they !
Regarding the snow cannons for the Sarenne I understand that is a political not a technical or money problem, that part of the Sarenne is within the boundaries of another commune, not Huez, and they will not give permission for their installation. I am not sure of the reasons.
Nick D, Where did you hear of the Allemont to OZ link ? Is it just a fantasy like the Auris L2A link ? I actually like Allemont as a village and in the summer it is quite a busy place, if there was a link to uplift with your bike it would be a vast improvement on waiting for the , admittedly free bus, loading your bike in to the trailer and then offloading again in OZ.
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So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
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Colin B, Yes I will be with son and daughter, 14 and 15. Probably not as advanced skiers as your daughter but no problem with anything in Alpe d'Huez except icy Tunnel slope, but I am not sure that is good for any one anyway.
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You know it makes sense.
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skitow, Last time we went we stuck to the much easier stuff, the Tunnel doesn't sound that inviting. Be in touch nearer the time, perhaps we can meet up for a ski.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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skitow, you could always cycle up from Allemont to Oz  Colin B, we'll be in Oz on the w/c 9th Feb as that's also our half term.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Bjorn_again_Daehlie wrote: |
| skitow, you could always cycle up from Allemont to Oz |
Yes, just the once.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Perhaps we could have a mini Snowheads meet up.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Colin B,
Yes, sounds good.
The Tunnel is actually a very good run if there is some nice deep snow and not too many people, a combination which sadly does not occur very often. We went around 3 times one Saturday afternoon, the second 2 times because we were waiting for the Sarenne to reopen and it was the fourth run needed to make up the 8000m. (You pay 1€ to the lift people, that goes to charity, for a little certificate to say you have done 8000m of descent in 4 runs in one day.) Just something different for the kids.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Colin B, Definitely be good to meet up, think our half term is the week after but see nearer the time, if not definitely L2A at Easter. skitow, The Allemont lift has been spoken about for a while and was mentioned again in an OZ press release last winter. I quite like having a beer in Allemont waiting for the bus up with our VTTs!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Colin B, the Tunnel aint the place to practice your bumps for her level 2, they are much to big and steep to keep within a corridor.
look at the BASI youtube videos lol i know you know that already by the  , but for anybody else they are hard lol
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
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| Nick D wrote: |
| No sign of lift passes yet, went for early SATA deal €499 for season. |
Our arrived today.
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After all it is free
After all it is free
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Bjorn_again_Daehlie, I am out with 7 other snowheads from 12th Jan. My first trip to Alpe D'Huez, although others have been.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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chrisb, Cool. We'll be staying in Oz and there'll be a gang of us. Hopefully the conditions will be there too.
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