 Poster: A snowHead
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@Captain Snowy, are you about to drop off the side of Pramecou up off the Col des Ves chair?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Backcountryboarder - 10/10 Gold Star - go top of the class.
Picky did look a little squashed - uno why! now corrected.
Captain S
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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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off to tignes on Saturday! so excited! ive been told it gets very icey in tignes, how true is this?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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No icier than anywhere else, in my experience!
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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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@HoneyBunny, good!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Absolutely, each resort will get hard snow on a morning after a freeze overnight. When this happens is directly linked to when a resorts height and when it closes - ie when all the snow has melted!!!!
Spring again today (a Marmotte was spotted in Le Fornet yesterday - about 3 weeks earlier than normal) - virtually clear blue skies. Had a charge round piste and by the sides (Leisses was very good). After a quick lunch in the sun we went in search of elusive spring snow and BINGO we hit the Grand Huit pimples bang on time for near perfect spring snow - Smashing.
We did see a very ill Piste basher on Lac which has disgorged its green bodily fluids all over the piste.
It must be Monday - there are men in red suits turning upside down on the Millonex. Must dash - meeting Mr and Mrs GeorgeVII in the pub.
Weather much as yesterday but with the chance of a bit more high cloud on Wednesday - there will be a return to more normal March conditions by the weekend - but the forecasts are all pretty nebulous for Friday and beyond.
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| GO1996 wrote: |
| off to tignes on Saturday! so excited! ive been told it gets very icey in tignes, how true is this? |
Define 'icey'? The lake is 'icey' most of the season - that's why you can walk over it between Val Claret & le Lac. 
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@Kenzie, the slopes...
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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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No need to worry about ice. If you're skiing over ice then move your legs wider apart to give you a more secure base. And nobody can turn on ice, so wait until you see a pile of loose snow and turn on that.
Everywhere can get icy.
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A most pleasant day skiing with the 'Tignes Chapter' of Snowheads!! Myself, Lord and Lady GeorgeVII, jimski and a handful of the great unwashed set off for Le Brevieres - great skiing all the way down as it had not frozen hard (if at all overnight). Somehow we got caught in a time warp as The Etoiles de Neiges (the ridiculously priced caf at the bottom) was playing 'All I want for Christmas is You' - a catchy number that is quite tricky to get out of your noggin - Lady G did threaten violence at one stage if I hummed it again!
Back to the skiing - we decide on a late lunch so after morning coffee at the Jam Bar we set off for the glacier, with a splinter group down Golf/Bus Stop - which was soft just before lunch. There was a bit of a faff with stopping lifts in Val Claret (perhaps they were testing the lights on the half pipe for Thursday - given that you can probably see the half pipe from Space I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't enough juice to run the lot!) we found nice snow around Lesse (the Cable Car was still rammed at 1230). We could also see the approaching high cloud to the west. A jaunt down Genepi found us at the Aspen for that late lunch. Col De Ves followed in the search of spring snow - but we were an hour late as the refreeze had begun - it was just that bit chillier today. So we settled for a piste charge until home time.
The high cloud has arrived but the cloud front has weakened significantly so all it will do is block out the sun (or moon) for a bit and after a few clouds in the morning the sun will return, same on Thursday. Friday will be quite a bit colder as the freezing level at lunchtime drops to 1500m compared with 2800 today. After that its all a bit unpredictable - the main action is over the Gulf of Genoa and the precipitation looks like it will struggle to get over from the Aoste valley - but it will be a south easterly - which of course means we could be in the regime where Le Fornet gets a shed full, Le Lac some and the 3V the square root of you know what. Definitely lots of water to go under the bridge before we will know for definite. Stay tuned!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@chocksaway, quality reports 
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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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| GO1996 wrote: |
| @Kenzie, the slopes... |
You should be OK if you follow the sun.
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Saturday getting excited but first time I've wanted snow forecast's forecast of heavy snow to be wrong (saturday evening is ok though). I dont wanna build a snowman 
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You know it makes sense.
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To be fair, it usually is. A top up would be nice though.
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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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Another epic day in search of the elusive Spring snow. There were breaks in the cloud at 9.30 and these got progressively larger as the day went on - still a few fluffy ones around. So first real run of the day was down La Face - a bit hectic but enjoyable snow before a push to Fornet via Solaise and the 'Up and Over2'. The first off piste run skiers right from the top of the T Bar was a little disappointing and somewhat teeth chattering - mostly I guess because of the cloud blocking some of th Sun. The air felt a little colder and there was a bit of a breeze. With a plan to do Pays Desert we decide to have an early lunch to let the warmth of the day do its thing. And then off we went to a curate's egg of a run - some frozen sastrugi, crispy chop (sounds like a Chinese restaurant!) and softer snow.
So not to be defeated in our holy quest we used the Pyramides chair and came down Ruisseau de Petit Bois to the West of Petit Signal - which was great snow - chalky and just nice. We continued cutting the corners down Mangard till it got a bit slushy in the valley. A quick whizz down the valley on the Train Rouge and it was time for Familial - again a mixed bag - but it was nearly 4 o clock. Just for good measure it was 'sous de Lat Toviere' to avoid the lemmings (some on Blades FFS) down Trolles.
Weather forecast firming up a little, tomorrow will be the last spring-like day, Friday it will start cooling down and progressively cloud over until a few flocons in the evening as the weak front passes through. The low then sets up over the Med near Genoa and gives us a south easterly from Sat until Mon- some of the precipitation (snow line about 1400m on average) will reach us - the $64000 question is how much. Most of the Apss are giving a much more realistic reading - my guess over the 3 days would be 30-40cm - with more towards Le Fornet. I (and any app) could be wildly out - after Monday its all a bit unsettled and unpredictable. More like a standard March.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Great report again chocksaway. Out of interest which apps do you refer to?
Also do you ever take pictures, just one or two would be ace like Steve posts in the Val thread, it's always nice to see the slopes 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Think Mrs Capt. S and I were following Mr Chocks tracks today - after the chaos at the top of the Funival etc - Face as ever was amusing - the numbers of Shaky Knees folk was in to double figures and a few fallers and sliders . . .
Fornet was Cold - quite noticeably so. Bit of a side track to mess around on Signal - was as icy as ever at the top - Mrs S moaned . . .
Do wish they would keep the salad bar stocked up more at the restaurant at Fornet! Back on the up and over then down L and over to Tignes, down to La D a couple of times (Ok and Orange not too bad slush wise at 3 pm). Then Tommys up and then down the dodgem run that is Piste H - nip up to the top of Le Motte (v cloudy) and a womble down ended the day. Beer in hand watching the events on the half pipe from my balcony ended a nice birthday!
Have fun
Captain Snowy
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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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@Captain Snowy, Happy Birthday! Don't forget the fireworks tomorrow night.
@Minion1980, As part of doing my amateur weather forecasting I look at a host of sites and then have a quick look at Meteociel and Snowforecast/SCGB apps - mostly for a laugh!
One day I must buy a smartphone but my ancient 'Builders Nokia' has a great battery life, bounces when dropped and I have no real inkling to check e mails more than once a day - the joys of early retirement. . I do sometimes take a camera out but its one for thing to lug about.
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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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Haha no worries, I lived with a builder for 10 years so I know exactly what you are talking about. Loving your posts regardless
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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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The Snowforecast amounts predicted have gone a bit bonkers  , however if in reality that translates to about 30cms of fresh for my arrival in the EK, I'll take that quite happily.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Working in Lyon this week and have just decided to head up to tignes for Friday, sat and Sunday. I'm on my own and if there is anyone willing to ski with a Scottish orthopaedic surgeon (hopefully won't need my work hat on!) gimme a shout on here. Staying in le lac. Would be happy for some company. Skiing alone is dull. Mark
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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A fine morning with just a light haze in the air - quite spooky to look through. We could see the clouds forming around us - especially to the south-east so the 'Up North Section' of the Tignes sHs had a grand day out. Myself, Lord and Lady GeorgeVII and Mr and Mrs W had a cruise round (and the odd coffee) on nearly deserted pistes - much quieter than last Saturday. The light deteriorated a bit and we have complete cloud cover now - expecting the snow to arrive later. Also spent a pleasant half hour watching 'Les Enfants de Snoworks' charge down the timed slalom in the Val Park - very impressive - humbled by a 9 year old - still their pedigree for skiing is a bit better than mine!
Looks like the weather pattern is settling down, the low that I have been banging on about seems to have settled and we can expect light snow continuously for the next 3 days with a snow line well below Les Brevs . I still think Val will get a little more than us - likewise we well get more than the 3V etc. It will really all depend how far over the mountains the system gets - lets hope its wearing skins!! Tomorrow could be quite breezy at height. After that its still unpredictable but mixed with snow showers, sun and a small rise in temps.
No snags for flying tomorrow from a weather point of view, but it could be a bit damp anywhere in the UK, over here will be fine if a bit misty in the Grenoble Valley early doors.
For those arriving this week don't forget Air Ladies in the half pipe in Val Claret - some of the best riders/skiers strutting their stuff for charity.
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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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@chocksaway, such great posts, thanks again for all of the effort. Thinking about stealing a post Easter week if conditions keep somewhat decent, so will be reading with interest!
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Thanks for the update @chocksaway, see you tomorrow!! (Well I won't, but I'll be there anyway!).
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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No hope for Lady George vii - nearly 10 seconds behind but to be fair she hasn't been through that course since 2012
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@chocksaway,
Just seen a few flocons floating passed the window.
Can you ask Mr T if I can have an appointment with him this week please ?
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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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@Mrs W, Will do - just put the phone to GOC down!!
@lynnecha, Ta - forecast seems to be going to plan - number of flocons is rising.
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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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How wrong I was last night - the precipitation didn't really make it over the mountains from Italy Grrrrrrr. It was quite bright this morning and clouded over gradually through the day but we have only had a few flocons and a breezy day. I fear that may be the same tomorrow and Tuesday - todays avalanche report suggests Tignes will get 5cm over the next 24 hours but there will be 30cm at Point de Galise which is only about 10km away - ah well. Tomorrow will also be quite breezy from the south east, Tuesday will be similar but without the breeze. Beyond that - sunny periods and cloud until the weekend - bit of a damp squib weather wise really.
Still lots of good snow on piste - so it may be a week for doing the miles and the lunches
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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There is snow now, but not s major dump. It's covered the road in resort. 44km of skis and 9000m of vertical today. Very windy today and quite cold. Some nice skiing together with one or two wind blasted pistes
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Thanks for the helpful update on vallee perdue chocksaway - didn't have good enough internet last week but we skied it on the Thursday mid-afternoon, lots of quite soft snow although piled up to the extent that my boyfriend's 180cm skis did not easily permit sideslip It was good for a laugh. Only one part, through the cave, where you need to take skis off.
Had a good week with pronounced freeze-thaw midweek, towards the end either not completely hardening or (on the last day) a bit crusty all day. The snow will help soften things up as some pistes were suffering from the wind. Lower down we didn't find as icy as you might expect, no full on slush either. I would imagine it will hold up well through the season in all but the sunny areas where wind has taken its toll.
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Variable!!!
Everything today can be summed up with that word. The official report in Tignes said 5cm in the village (more on my balcony!) and 15 cm on high. But the wind warnings were out. so high access was always going to be an issue. Just as we were about to leave the electronic jungle drums suggested 50cm in Le Fornet - so off we went via La Daille and the bus to Laisinant. The Fornet glacier was inaccessible but the Pyramides was running so we found some deep snow in the gullies. However the light was variable which made it very tricky and out of the gullies the wind had scoured the ridges. So it really was a day when every turn was different. We had a couple of goes at that before descending to the village via Mangard - I cut a couple of the hairpin corners and immediately disappeared up to my waist in medium weight fresh - so I sort of fell/somersaulted out of it and went for coffee. After a run up to the Bellvarde summit where the wind was still howling the off piste was no better 15cm or so on top of a hard crust. After lunch we stuck mainly to the piste. So not a classic off piste day but the new snow will really help see us way past Easter - plenty of availability here and in Val for a cheeky getaway
Tomorrow the weather looks similar - snow from the south east and a southerly strong wind - the experts are disagreeing how far it will come but the avalanche report is very interesting as he expects another 30-50cm near to the Italian Border and therefore with the amount of windblown snow on top of a hard crust we are at Risk 4 tomorrow - next door in the Vanoise region where they have had little snow it is Risk One. Mid week we will have sunny spells and it will be a bit warmer before deteriorating as the weekend approaches.
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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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I get
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FAQ
). Yip - its quite steep and narrow and the odd bit of side slipping but nice snow with a chalky feel. After the couloir, we picked individual lines across the Vallon de La Toviere - where the aircraft occasionally land - unfortunately there was also a skidooing trip running across so the noise and the smell of 2 stroke kind of spoilt the sanctity of the high mountains for a brief moment. As the snow had gone through a number of freeze thaw cycles - it was a mixed bag.
The first time I have been beaten by the older 'snowork enfant' 
