 Poster: A snowHead
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Good weather today, blue skies and not as cold as forecast. The only downside was it was a bit windy from time to time - although we didn't head up high where it looked more than a bit windy. Had a bit of a blast first thing to warm up for (my brother-in-law's) lesson with New Generation, and found perfect piste conditions. Good grippy snow, well prepared and nobody around for the first hour or so. Very nice. This photo especially for butterfly who will be skiing there (the area at the top of the Vallanry & Grizzly lifts) in a couple of weeks. It was looking very nice there today:
The resort felt much busier today, with some piste intersections looking quite busy, and the first (short) lift queues of the season. Although the easily accessed off-piste is largely tracked out, but there is still nice pitches of soft, cut-up snow to find near the pistes:
My brother-in-law's lesson with John Thomas of New Generation in Vallandry went very well, with a good mixture of on-piste technique development and then using those skills in a bit of gentle off-piste. John is a great instructor - well worth booking if you are looking for a private lesson in Les Arcs.
After lunch in the Flying Squirrel (top burger, sitting on the balcony with great views across to La Plagne  ) we headed to Vallon des Rosset (sp?) for a bit of gentle off-piste. The snow was either wonderful or wind-blown crust. Fresh tracks all the way down as very few people had done the route since yesterday's snow. Tricky to ski on the exposed ridges which were crusty, but hugely enjoyable nevertheless. We didn't see anyone else until we reached the bus stop down at Nancroix. It's a great route, with fabulous views down the valley and up to the North face of Bellecote.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar, some more great pictures, brought back good memories of our trip down the same off-piste route a couple of weeks ago! Did you catch the fallen tree, this time?
I went round my favourite area around Varet bubble, today - Dou de l'Homme, Les Cretes, Robert Blanc etc. - all in great condition, marvellous on ze bumps, good off-piste, even though it was well tracked by the time I arrived.
I then headed up Comborciere lift, and tried some more off-piste between Malgovert & Comborciere. I was amazed how wind-blown & crusty it was, though enjoyable, all the same. The wind seemed to be funnelling up the valley from Italy direction, though Deux Tetes was excellent on piste.
I finished off skiing through the woods back to Peisey, it was absolutely fantastic down there, the best runs of the day, and perfect powder, well sheltered from the winds.
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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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fj, yes, it was another good trip down there. I ducked under the tree this time I'm off to Courchevel for a couple of days then back to London otherwise it would be good to meet up. Are you skiing with snowcrazy this week? I saw him last night and he seemed to have some good stuff planned for the week (probably a bit too much for me, if truth be told).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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rob@rar,
so from no Vallon to three times in as many weeks. I am sooooo jealous.
And is Will still at the squirrel? - I know there were some questions last time we spoke. PM me if any info is on a 'need to know only' basis...
Got friends over in our place for the Feb half term, but Michael and I (plus les femmes et les petites) are back at Easter. Are you around? It would be great if conditions were good enough to be able to try some of those January routes again...
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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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JimW, yes he's still there, but he was skiing today so I didn't get to see him.
It's a great route, not sure why I've not done it before this season, but I'm trying to make up for that!
Jane and I are out for her 'Easter' holiday, but that doesn't coincide with the bank holiday this year - we're here for a week from the 8th April. Does that coincide with you?
When I get back to London I'll email you the photos I took when we skied together a couple of weeks ago.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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More great pics Rob.
I need some lessons .... presumably though John will be fully booked in half term weeks?.. and will I need a mortgage to pay for private lessons?
Think we will be out the same week as you in April if Jane fancies a ski - or maybe meet up for a meal?
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jayne durham, he might be. I'll PM you his email and mobile so best to get in touch and ask him. If John and his colleagues are booked you could ask snowcrazy if he has any recommendations for ESF guys.
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rob@rar, thanks for the picture - hope it looks that great in 2 weeks time!
jayne durham, you mention half term - are you there 16-23rd? I was beginning to think I'll be the only SH that will be in the region that week. Wondering whether to bother putting my shiny new SH sticker on my shiny new helmet!
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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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| Quote: |
Wondering whether to bother putting my shiny new SH sticker on my shiny new helmet!
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Butterfly, Be a devil - you know you want to!!
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Megamum, 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great pictures!
What time to the lifts start up? I'm curious how early you have to be to get all this great snow.
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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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mdemon2, about 9.15. Sometimes it helps to be on the first lift, sometimes it's just luck, sometimes it's knowing where to go. For me it's mostly just luck
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You know it makes sense.
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Lunch time update - Monday 4 Feb
It started snowing mid-morning here in Les Arcs and now it's snowing quite hard. Visibility is really poor; so no photos like Rob's from yesterday. Not too cold and no wind as was the feature yesterday. The pistes are getting busy and there's shortish queues at all the popular lifts.
jayne durham, From what John was saying yesterday, the half term isn't fully booked yet, so you might be lucky. I think his lessons are well worth it, even with the poor exchange rate.
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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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Hard a great time in Les Arcs last week, its a shame that the rain we drove through on friday night was falling as snow up on the hill! A little bit gutted about that, and depressed now that I'm back at work, must plan another trip soon!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Conditions are looking good and forcast is looking clear for the end of the week. Really looking forward to getting there on Friday.
rob@rar, can you also pm John's details
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar,
| Quote: |
| mdemon2, about 9.15. Sometimes it helps to be on the first lift, sometimes it's just luck, sometimes it's knowing where to go. For me it's mostly just luck |
Such false modesty - I think for you its mainly about knowing where to go
Will email vids of skiing ( or PM a link to Picasso if I can get them uplaoded) when I've got over the weekend's sporting results. SO thats a few days away then...
mdemon2, we were skiing with Rob after a trip to the medical centre, a long coffee and then a lunch, and still got powder, powder powder. Just gotta know where to look!
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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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| kevinrhead wrote: |
| rob@rar, can you also pm John's details |
Done. Have a great trip
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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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Still snowing lightly in Les Arcs, and has been for most of the day. As a guestimate I'd say about 15cm at resort level, maybe a little bit more. Everything shold be refreshed so excellent conditions continue. Sorry that there's no photos today, but I skied in Courchevel so nothing tasty to add to my favourite thread 
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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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| Quote: |
jayne durham, you mention half term - are you there 16-23rd?
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Hi Butterfly - we arrive late on Thurs 14th and leave on Sun 24th ... so put the sticker on and I'll try to spot you! We'll no doubt have plenty of time to look around when standing in lift queues... Oh the joys of half term skiing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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rob@rar, How are things in Courchevel? My daughter is heading out to help with high season at 1850 on Wednesday
I'm a tad jealous of the snow, but not in the least of the work! 
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| Martin Nicholas wrote: |
| rob@rar, How are things in Courchevel? My daughter is heading out to help with high season at 1850 on Wednesday |
Only did a few pistes today but they were in excellent condition. It snowed fairly hard up until lunchtime, so the already good conditions were improving all day. It will certainly be good when your daughter arrives.
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Well, just back from 16 heavenly days in Plan Peisey
rob@rar, I left your mobile no. on my computer, so never got in touch - sorry 
I was really pleased with how my skiing has improved this year - must be absorbing some of the info on here - so definately not time wasted! We had a day in la plagne - driving over there with our guide/friend, who left his car there to pick up later when picking his son up from hockey, & we really enjoyed the pretty trip back down to nancroix. I know the husbands would have prefered the North face route, but my improvement wasnt that enormous  Ventured over to Montalbert & had a good lunch at La Forparet (?sp). Another day we went to St Foy - fun there & so quiet on the Saturday we went. Husbands went for the off-piste fun, & my friend & I enjoyed the slopes.
My husband had organised a few sessions for me with our instructor friend, who set my friend & me a day of challenges  First one was Aguille Rouge. I'd done it nervously a couple of times, but this time the snow was great & I had no trouble with it at all Then we went to Malgovert, as it clouded over & the light flattened. This was my first experience of real bumps & could have done with some bright light to help, but we got down, if not stylishly, safely. We then skied down to Les Granges, which I had never done, & came back up to 1600 on the funicular.
I did Coombe for the first time - usually it is closed when we have been there, & there was a Lamagier hovering - amazing to see so close up.
But the highlight was my very first trip off piste We did the Col du Chal. We've walked there in the summer. The peace & quiet & atmosphere were amazing. Wonderful snow & all so different from piste skiing. Its really whetted my appetite for more.
Just realised most of the photos are on my husbands camera - will post some sometime.
More snow was falling on Saturday as we left in the late afternoon. So anyone going out there soon will have a great time
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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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jayne durham, there are quite a lot of snowheads out for half term. Give me a call when you get here so we can meet for a beer and a ski this time.
What an amazing powder day today. Great in the trees and loads of fun in the white out conditions high up. It is hardly snowing now as i look out the window but it might start again, sky still cloudy. Tomorrow they say the sun will come out and if the wind does not come it should be great. We will try to leave a few places untracked for those coming out but not promissing!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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A quick update after day 2 of my family trip. Glorious week so far - wife and 2 children delighted with their instruction, due partially at least to snowcrazy's referrals.
Superb morning yesterday! Between the pistes in 1800 and 2000. Great fresh snow with broken crust underneath but a total revelation for a piste bashing numpty like me! BruceW, good to meet you (I was Andrew) and sorry to hear from your friend that your shoulder is not good - hope to see you later in the week.
Today - plenty of snow, 40cm they say. 10pm and its stopped for now. Been out in a good group making the best of trees and new snow while its a bit yuck at the top.
Praying for light winds for tomorrow. Snowcrazy's nose for a good run is something to behold! Never have I skied so far in a morning but been unable to say that I have completed a whole piste!!
(You might have guessed I can't find the smileys on this mobile gizmo...)
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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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jayne durham, Snowcrazy, ooh at last, other SHs to look out for!! I shall be in a red jacket with white lid sporting a SH sticker on the back! We're staying in Vallandry & I am a novice, so prb shan't be venturing that far away from there, but who knows where NewGen will end up taking me 
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I am having lessons 11.30 to 1.30 Mon-Fri, so have got part of each morning and the afternoons to practise etc. Are there good viewpoints/places I should try to see whilst staying in Vallandry that I could access without skiing slopes beyond my ability, eg pedestrian access routes? I thoroughly enjoyed going up to the Grande Motte viewpoint when in Tignes. Remember that at present I am limited to very easy blues!
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You know it makes sense.
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Butterfly, You must walk up to Notre Dame des Vernettes
http://renaud91.free.fr/Photos/vernette/Exterieur/index_000.html
These are summer pictures, but beautiful in winter too. To get there, walk up to Plan Peisey & follow signs to La Vache (new restaurant- very good). Its a well walked path - quite snowy at the moment, so your yaktrax will come into there own. Its about a 40min walk from Vallandry, I would guess, but not to be missed!
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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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Butterfly, There's also a lovely panoramic view of Bourg-st-maurice from a viewpoint on Foret! But on a blue sky day, everywhere is a viewpoint
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That sounds like a good idea geri, perhaps with a visit to the restaurant too.
I take it the Sherpa & Flying Squirrel are worth the walk too then!
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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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Butterfly, Don't get to excited by the Sherpa, its just the local Spar but an essential service, though one could argue the Flying Squirrel is more of an essential service
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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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thefatcontroller, 
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Another great day in the powder. The sky cleared, the sun came out and we were up to our knees in powder. Even with the hords arriving this week, it is getting busy, we still found some untracked areas. Fresh powder on top but be warned, hard ice or crud underneath so care needs to be taken. The kids say that they had a great time as well skiing to fast all over the ski area with some excellent french instructors and local racers. More snow forcast for tomorrow, maybe, but could also bring high winds. Today the winds did not come which kept the snow good all day. Still quite cold so the snow should be good again tomorrow for those with any legs left after today.
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Snowing quite hard at the moment. A bit of a surprise to me as I didn't see this in any forecast.
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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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rob@rar, 
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rob@rar, meteo france had it on their site last night
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FAQ
currently sat at home using one fingure typing !!!
