 Poster: A snowHead
|
April 22. Last time on the Bellecote for me today until next winter.
Went up with first lift from Arc 1600 and headed over to the Bellecote to look for fresh spring snow. After a little detour which did not work out that well (not my idea this time, but did give us a few good turns) we ended up having another good day!
Started with a lap in the Bowl on skiers right. By staying on the sunny side we found snow that was just right for skiing most of the way down to the chalet chair. Even had enough snow to cross the river.
Back up top and time to head onto the North Face. As the steeper routes had a number of avalanches we played it safe and went down the skiers right shoulder of the Petit North Face. Not many people had been this way in the last few days and we had plenty of room for fresh tracks in the spring snow all the way to the traverse onto the main face.
Hit the softer snow as we began to cross under the cliffs and over a number of avalanche fields. Not a place to hang about for very long.
Joined the summer path and continued far right and were able to ski all the way to the footpath. Then hike down the track back to the bus stop.
Once at the bottom, had a nice drink before heading to Les Arcs and a quick ski over to the waterslide for another go. Still dry!
It was well worth the effort to make one last trip over to the Bellecote today. Plenty of spring snow to enjoy and only slushy conditions at the bottom and crossing back to Arc 1600 at the end of the day.
The snow conditions everywhere we went today in Les Arcs and La Plagne on piste were typical for spring. Hard packed and firm first thing in the morning and becoming soft and slushy as the day progressed. If you stay in the sun the off piste has a good window when it is still fun to ski. But do take care as there are many places that can slide.
Tomorrow another ski in Les Arcs and a nice lunch with friends!
Only a few more days to go. Must make the most of them,
Photos from today will be posted in the April 2015 album on my Les Arcs Winter page shortly.
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
April 23. Who says all the good snow in Les Arcs is finished!
What a way to bring the season to an end. Today we had what I expect, if the forecasted weather is correct, to be our last proper 'off piste' session before the lifts close.
Went up the Arpette chair as it opened and down the off piste to the Marmotte Chair as a warm up in pleasant spring snow. Then time to head for the top of the Aiguille Rouge before the snow became too soft.
Time for one last trip from the ridge into the off piste by yet another route we seldom use. The snow was in excellent condition for this time of year from the very start all the way down to where we joined the track to the Pre Esprit Chalet.
After a well earned drink it was time to head up the Bois de l'Ours chair and over towards Vallandry. Had a fast ski around the piste and then time for lunch.
After a very nice lunch I headed back to the waterslide (still dry) before leaviing for home.
The pistes all over Les Arcs where we skied today were still in good condition. In the morning they were again hard packed and after lunch slushy in many places.
As long as you stay on the open pistes there is plenty of snow to reach all the stations.
The off piste is typical spring conditions. With the night freeze and high temps during the day you need to use the sun to best effect,Overall you can still find some great places to ski.
Tomorrow weather permitting we are off to Val d'Isere so my last post from Les Arcs for this season will be at the weekend.
Take a look at the photos for today in the April 2015 Album on my Les Arcs Winter page to see the current conditions. Scroll towards the end of the Album to find the latest photos. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
For anyne around there are some real bargins to be had at Polaire Star Ski and Snowboard Rental Shop at the bottom of the Funi in Bourg. Well worth the effort of visiting the shop.
http://www.polairestar.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Today I was in Val d'Isere. Please read the Val or Tignes threads for my report.
If you are interested in what it looked like in Val d'Isere. Take a look at the photos for today in the Espace Killy 2015 Album on my Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream…
Last day tomorrow in Les Arcs. Hope the weather stays good for one final ski. Anyone wanting to join us. We will be on the 9am Funi and meeting at the bottom of the Vagere Chair at 9.30am. All are welcome!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Hoping someone here can help - trying to find the name of the pre-bookable bus that picks up at arc1950 and goes directly to Bourg instead of having to get free bus then funicular. Saw some people getting it this year looked like easier option luggage went under the coach instead of piled up inside.. I know you have to prebook it online as driver was checking papers. Can anyone help?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
April 25. Last day of the season in Les Arcs. Very sad. Despite the 'rocky start' to the season. For me at least it has been a very good season again!
Today we went up with first lifts and a plan of skiing the whole of the Les Arcs system by 12 noon. First headed for Arc 1800. Not much snow left at the bottom now. Then over to Vallandry. Better than Arc 1800 at the bottom. Next Peisey and the Vanoise Express. Good the whole way down! The VE was still running today, but due to time limit did not go across.
Next over to Arc 2000 bowl via the Derby and mid station of the Transarc.
Up the Varet and oh NO! On the last day of the season the Aiguille Rouge had technical difficulties just like the first day. Due to needing to finish early we did not wait around and see if it would open.
Instead headed down to Arc 2000 and then Arc 1950. Finally up the Bois de l'Ours chair and said our goodbyes before splitting up. Headed down to the waterslide for one last go (still dry, it was shut!) Then down to Arc 1600 and home.
We were on piste today and the conditions were good in most places although a little soft later in the morning with some grass and mud coming through lower down. The clouds and mist came and went and the light was very mixed, but ok. It rained a little lower down, but was snowing at the top of the Transarc and Varet for a while.
Is the 30 cm's forecast for this week really going to happen. I will be out skiing somewhere next weekend if it does!
A great way to finish the season in Les Arcs and I am already looking forward to next season.
Photos for today are in the April 2015 Album on my Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy the last day of the season with us.
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream…
To all those I have skied with this season in Les Arcs and elsewhere. It has been great skiing with everyone and I look forward to meeting many of you again next season.
A very special thanks to Polaire Star for your support this winter,you help has been great! Have a good summer and I look forward to seeing you guys again next winter.
http://www.polairestar.com/
For anyone following this thread that I have not met this winter. Thanks for following my posts and I hope you continue to read what I write next season here and also over on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.
If anyone wants to join me for a ski or snowboard next winter, please do get in touch and let me know the dates when you are on holiday. I always enjoy meeting new faces.
I hope everyone has a good summer! Bye for now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@snowcrazy, Thanks for updates, enjoy your summer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some interesting figures for the season from the pisteurs
Pisteurs Secouristes des Arcs
3 hrs ·
Quelques chiffres sur l'Hiver 2014-15 :
Cumul de neige : 366cm (moy depuis 1981 : 549cm)
Cumul des précipitations en eau : 349mm (moy : 460mm)
Nbre de jours de neige : 66j ; +10cm : 13j ; +20cm : 4 ; +30cm : 2j (moy : 58j ; 20j ; 9j ; 4j)
Chute max en 24h : 30cm le 29/01 et le 29/03 (moy : 48cm)
Précip max en eau en 24h : 42,7mm (gros jour de pluie jusqu’à 2600m et 10 cm de neige lourde dans la nuit le 30 mars 2015)
Moyenne température hivernale : -1,68°c (moy : -3,32°c)
Moy décembre : -2,8°c (générale à -4,4°c)
Moy Janvier : -3,8°c (générale à -4,8°)
Moy Février : -4,5°c (générale à -5,1°c)
Moy Mars : -0,1°c (générale à -2,3°)
Moy Avril : +2,8°c (générale à +0,4°c)
En résumé pour 2015 :
- 2 mètre de neige en moins que la moyenne mais 8 « jours de neige » en plus (à partir de 1mm en gros).
- Une grosse journée de pluie avec 42mm d’eau en 24h (+2°c de moyenne sur cette période)
- Concernant les températures, l’hiver a été relativement chaud par rapport aux moyennes des 34 derniers hivers (+1,6°que la moyenne)
- Le mois d’avril est le 3ème plus chaud depuis la création du poste d’observation (2,4° au dessus de la moyenne)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Quick question for you all. Does anyone know the details of the further lift system expansion that I have heard rumours will be undertaken around the resort this summer?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@wills_h, some info here (in French).
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@rob@rar, Cheers, for some reason the website is blocked here at work. I'll take a look at home this evening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@rob@rar, The big one this summer is the one linking 1800 straight up the top for a ski into 2000? If this happens it will be fantastic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@thefatcontroller, yes, although it's not from Arc 1800 itself. AIUI, the new lift will start a little bit above the centre of Arc 1800, near the Chantel & EdenArc part of the resort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@rob@rar, I hope they make it so it is directly accessible as you ski across from the top of the lift in Peisey?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@thefatcontroller, That side of the hill is rather asymmetric, in that you can get back from 2000 to Vallandry in one hit, but takes several to go ther other way. I think it is because of the 'downhill' course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@ringingmaster, We have 2 routes from the top of the Peisey lift to 2000, either straight to Derby and then to mid station Transarc or down to 1800, up Vagere and then to Arpette. Would prefer the direct to 1800 option and then 1 lift, if the new lift requires a lift up to it from 1800 then all a bit stupid but this is France... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@thefatcontroller, I may be wrong but I thought you could ski to the bottom of the Transarc and up the transarc then down to 2000. Most of my party hate the Transarc so we tend not to use it.
The bad news for anyone staying in 1600 is the Chantel lift will be closed despite our petition to keep it open. This lift stayed open late and offered tired skiers a gentle and vey scenic route back to 1600 along the forest tracks. I do not see what the point of the Dahu or new Villards lifts is at all. It is not possible to get anywhere from the top of them. They just look like a waste of money.
It looks as if one of my favourite pistes, the Cachette, will now be closed as well. It appears odd that 3ha site above the UCPA will be released for development in Arc 1600 but yet another piste is removed from the resort. It is starting to get crowded in Les Arcs and pretty soon it I think it will be like St. Anton - too much accomodation for the amount of skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@johnE, Sorry yes, Transarc from 1800 up but a 15 min stand, we usually take Vagere and Arpette, nice runs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@thefatcontroller, If I was approaching the mid station of the transarc I would head over to the Grand Reynard lift and use that. There was no mention of it in the presentation but I heard somewhere they were planning to remove it.
Oddly at the end of the day I prefered the Chantel to the Vagere, though the queue was just as long. It was just that I preferred Gollet as darkness approached. There was something magical during Christmas when you got the Combettes piste and looked down on the resort with Boug st Maurice below all lit up as darkness approached. Often I would just stand there for 5 minutes appreciating just how lucky I was before heading down to Arvi bar for a vin chaud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@johnE, AIUI the Dahu lift will be pedestrian friendly and will allow easy access between EdenArc/Chantel and the Centre of 1800.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@johnE, Grand Renard is only there to avoid a queue, the run from the top into 2000 is boring, the run down Plagnettes is always fun from the top of transarc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cachette will be big loss to Les Arcs. It is the only decent steep groomer there. The black runs are great but you get sick of moguls. Contrast to EK where Face, Trolles, Rhone -Alpes etc provide variety from ungroomed runs for those looking for challenging skiing on piste.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@thefatcontroller, yes, Dentes du Peigne is probably the most boring piste in Les Arcs. But then you do avoid the Transarc
| Quote: |
the run down Plagnettes is always fun from the top of transarc.
|
Tuffes is much more fun
@peanuthead, The Cachette piste was closed all Easter this year for training and I missed it. The other excessively bashed red pistes are generally more crowded so you cannot go for a blast. The very first time I skied the Cachette I thought it was a downhill race course I could imagine a downhill course starting at the top of the Clocheret lift and finishing either in 1600 or Courbaton. I beleive it actually was used as a race course for quite a while.
Perhaps we can dream that they will reopen the Tommelet piste in compensation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@peanuthead, @johnE, The Cachette piste is not being closed. The building work will be near the UCPA which is not really going to have that much effect on most of the Cachette. The Mont Blanc at the bottom might be effected more. At least that is what they are saying right now.
@johnE, Not sure why you thought the Cachette was closed at Easter. It was open each time I skied down it. You just had to take the alternate route at the top to avoid the race area, but it was open.
However I do agree with the comment that they are building to much in Les Arcs. Where will all these people ski. It is already to busy at high season.
@wills_h, Yes, the new lifts, weather permitting will be done this summer. But I also shall miss the Chantel. Really stupid idea to take this out. The new lift will not work for most people trying to get home late from Arc 1800 back to Arc 1600 or the Funi. I hate taking the bus..
For anyone interested, I just posted the photos of my day out at Glacier 3000 in Switzerland. Really nice to be able to ski 8750m vertical in one day by just using a cable car. The same as four trips in one day down the 'North Face of the Bellecote'. Hope you enjoy the photos. This is a great place for freeriding. Well worth the effort to visit the area. Let me know if anyone wants to take a trip next season. If the weather and snow conditions are OK you can ski new routes everyday for a week without even hiking.
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@snowcrazy, I got impression from reading links that the only part of Cachette that will be left will be reserved for racers. But if I understood incorrectly then that's a relief. Mind you if it results in Cachette being substantially narrower + more crowded then it won't be as much fun
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@snowcrazy, Actually it was only the crossing from Combettes being closed that annoyed me by forcing me to walk through the village.
My reading of the announcement was that the race development facility was being ressurected and this involved the convertion of the Cachette piste to a specialist race piste with a tunnel to enable La Source to cross it. I am glad I am wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Bloody hell, if I opened up the webcams and saw today's in mid January I would be happy, let alone mid May............ 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
coo!
( and this is why they close for the off seasons... who know what sort of weather the mountain is going to throw at you)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
What a monstrosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
Yep, it will be much uglier then
|
according to the artist's impression above, for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Unfortunately pistes will be uglier too with all those extra people
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Don't know about Les Arcs, but in my area the beds are all full for only 5 weeks of the season - at other times the pistes are very quiet. Makes you wonder about all that investment. But I guess somewhere with lots of package tours gets rather better occupation rates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Having a blank moment, can someone remind me when the discounted season passes tend to go on sale please?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@pam w, It has been a while since I looked at the statistics but Les Arcs is only actually full for 3 weeks a year: New year, and two of the half term weeks and I mean full, with apparently over 100% occupancy. The other two half term weeks are close to full and the rest of the time anything from 30% to 90%. Our apartment normally rents out for 5 or 6 weeks a year and we have it for 4 or 5 weeks so it gets a reasnoble proportion of use.
I still worry that all these new residences will turn Les Arcs into another St. Anton where the number of guests far exceeds the ability of the resort to cater for them comfortably.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| pam w wrote: |
| What a monstrosity. |
IIRC, the Les Arcs resorts are already so dominated by architectural monstrosities that building more sympathetically looks out of place anyway, the Disneyesque theme park at 1950 being a case in point. Anyway, people go to the French megaresorts for convenience, not Savoyard ambience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
WELCOME TO THE SUMMER 2015 season in Les Arcs and the paradiski area.
Finally had a chance to get back to Les Arcs.
Here is an update of what is going on in Les Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950, 2000, Villaroger and Peisey Vallandey. More to follow about other areas of the Paradiski soon!
Work is going ahead with the race stade in Arc 1600 on the cachette piste. Mixed comments about when public will be able to use this piste next season. Some say it will be open for everyone except when it is being used for competitions. Others say it will be closed most of the time for training with a side route possible. Another person said it will be closed and nothing else possible. Time will tell. For me I am pleased I like the off piste at the sides as that should not be effected. More news about this when I get it.
For VTT this summer. VERY BAD NEWS! The bottom half of the Black race track under the cachette chair is closed and so is North Shore jums area and the VTT Slalom course. They have built an extention to the red track down to the Cachette chair, but it is not as good as the bottom half of the black which is closed. Work still goes on below Arc 1600 to Bourg, but the black track is open.
In Arc 1800 the Gondola to connect Arc 1800 with Edenarc is going ahead and they hope to have it finished by the start of the winter.
The new chair from the right of the finish of the Gondola to the top of the Col de Fretes connecting the Chantel end of Arc 1800 to Arc 2000 bowl is also underway. The person I spoke with says they hope it will be ready by next season, but not sure!?
The Chantel lift has now been removed so there is no way of reaching the top of the easy piste to go back to Arc 1600 without going to the top of the Vagere. A very bad move in my view!
The Grand Renard Chair has also been removed and will not be replaced. NO MORE short cut to Peisey . AGAIN in my view a very bad move!
Edenarc building work is continuing and it is very dusty up there. The Golf course is open, but more limited than before.
The work on the buildings at the top of the Mille 8 continues. They hope to have this finished by the end of the summer.
In Arc 2000 more building work is taking place as already reported. They are extending the hotel residence. It does not look like much else new is taking place over on that side.
Arc 1950 is just starting to open. Still many places are closed. I hope George's will be open soon. It was shut when I went past, but I heard he plans to open after 5pm most days.
Villaroger has some work going on under the bottom chair and there is an extention to the large chalet continuing on the way throught the first section of the village.
Peisey Vallandry did not seem to have much new going on this summer, but I will be back over that way again and check it out more carefully.
The Vanoise Express is open Monday to Friday so it is possible to get across to La Plagne side and ride the VTT tracks or go for hikes in the forest and even across to the bellecote, but it is a long way even on a bike.
More to follow about Les Arcs side and the La Plagne side as I get more news.
For anyone interested in following developments over the summer. I have just started posting photos of work around Les Arcs side on my summer page.
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsSummer
Go to this link and open the photo albums then open the Summer 2015 album.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I thought lift system around 1800 was very good. Definitely not broken or in need of fixing and I think a lot of above not good developments.
Major problem with Les Arcs is insufficient capacity to get up Aiguille Rouge on good days. Other gripe is many great pistes around 1600 not worth it due to very slow chairs- would love to see Clocheret / comborciere replaced with something faster. If they had resources to invest that's where I would have gone for. .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
