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Serre-Chevalier, France 2014-2015

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@Weathercam, Do it, you know it makes sense Very Happy
Oh, and told you there was gravel in there.........
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Well yesterday, Saturday was fairly wet n'miserable all day, with cloud hanging in the valley at around 1600m and on and off heavy rain. But legs needed a rest anyway.

Then in the afternoon decided to service some skis!










Sunday as forecast awoke to a beautiful day all be it temps in single figs, but they quickly rose and then out on the Cross Dresser to do some roads and trails above where KenX will eventually be living, and as you can see not bad countryside Cool

This is a nice shot of the off piste below Rocher Blanc where we skin up to from Les Combes




Summer village of Ratière where there must have been around 50 people attending a ceremony outside the Chapel


Looking back across to Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières


https://www.strava.com/activities/359371969


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 2-08-15 19:51; edited 3 times in total
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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?
Nice one Gav!
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Nice ride up a different route to Serre Ratier from Chantermerle with les chiens via Le Rocher Noir and Les Eduits below Aiguillette pistes. There's actually an interesting traverse to Puy St Pierre you can take, but as I had the dogs going all the way to Briancon was not an option.

Very hot today and good thing about the route was that there was loads of water for the dogs, though that didn't stop Beanie from jumping in the fountain!




Season Ski Pass Update
Went to the lift office to sort passes out, hoping that Kim was working in Chantermerle, but alas no.

Prior to going we'd decided on the basic Saison Evasion, but once in the office I didn't quite realise that all the various options were on top of the base price of €664 - having both daughters coming out was interested in the 5 x 50% off day tickets - but that was €100 on top of the €664 and then the summer lift pass was an additional €30 - so we're up to nigh on €800.

The Serre Che addict pass is €839 and that has all the above included plus more like 25% off La Grave, that's if it's running.

I then started to work out the maths and then I was told, that if the Tunnel problem is not sorted by 4th Jan 2016 you get a €94 rebate - so then it's a no brainer to go for the Addict pass.

http://www.serre-chevalier.com/en/winter/ski-area/skipass/season-passes/
In case the road between the Briançonnais and the Oisans has not been re-opened at January 4th 2016, SCV Domaine Skiable commits itself to compensate skiers who have bought a SerreCheAddict Season with a repayment within two months following the end of the season:

I also was able to pay in four installments which I know could work against me depending on the exchange rate, but there again I'm not paying nigh on €1700 in one hit.


I then went into the Tourist Office and the girl working there I happen to know and we talked about the Frejus tickets - and it's all very simple as she explained. "you give me €10.20 and I give you a ticket" though only for Class 1 vehicles (cars).

So looks like I'm going to be sending some via the post this season
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Were told the winter prices will be slightly higher (around 12€) and not to order any for travel after 1st September, as they are putting different ordering arrangements in place.
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and thanks for the heads up re the passes.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Hells Bells, doooooh that figures, should have told her I was talking about the winter season, as I thought she must have realised that!

You would have thought in normal circumstances, she would have asked the question, "Is it the Summer or the Winter that you want to talk about as there will be different prices?"

Mind you I'm pretty sure that she knew I was talking about the winter rolling eyes
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Ta for the heads-up as well! Have to work out which works best for us now......
Re the traverse from Chantemerle to Briancon through the Meleze forest, we did that last year and it's a really nice run Very Happy
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Hear the emergency "road" on the left bank of Chambon should be ready by October, as I stated previously think this can only be for residents of LG & Villar D'Arene and not for Joe Public, as there's a wee bit more to building a main stream road, though do hope that it's not a ruse that the lift office in Serre will use to say that there is a road opened and "we're not going to reimburse you".

Very very sad to be packing up to head back to the UK, though main road into Briancon today circa 16:00 was on a par with the traffic you get in high season, almost, and Center Commercial was as busy as February, though exaggerated by every one being outside.

So hopefully will be back in Sept as I'm not too sure about Kite Surfing trips to Egypt!

So KenX if that's the case, then if you need anything brought out from the UK (within reason Smile ) let me know.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Hope to see you in Sept! I'm actually driving back to the UK mid-Sept to go to my daughter's university graduation and also to sell our UK car, then flying back, so can pick up Marmite, Branston etc!!!
Actually joking about the food, there's nothing we miss out here so can travel light on the way back Very Happy
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@KenX, the only thing we ever bring out from the UK is teabags.
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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.
Oh, and less than 4 months till the ski season starts (not that I'm counting )
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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
@KenX, Very Happy
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I think we'll be out again in October, couldn't manage to sort it for any earlier dates.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Hells Bells, many talk about the late week of October, can't remember the name something like Fisson - when they put flowers on the graves, think it ties in with our UK half term, and a few places open up for that week.

End of Oct bit too close to Dec me thinks Cool

@KenX, I'll keep in contact if we do drive out !!!
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Poster: A snowHead
@Weathercam, it is Toussaint (All Saint's) which is a public holiday on Nov 1st where families visit their dead rellies and put chrysanthemum on the graves. We've been out then on many occasions and had everything from snow to temps in the mid 20s all in the same week. It is usually great walking weather and we do the house jobs on the crap ones. Some of the places open as the kids are off school for 2 weeks. We've got paying guests in the apartment until the end of September, so can't come out any earlier even if we'd been able to.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Good article here http://www.skipass.com/news/121190-la-grave-chambon-etat-des-lieux.html

More about the road on the other side of the lake - still can't see this being open to the general public etc in the winter, going to be interesting to see how it pans out - suppose can be no more dangerous / exposed than many other single track mountain roads etc
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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?
I'm going for the full monty lift pass, not sure though if they'll wriggle out of the refund if they open the forest road?
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Weathercam wrote:
Nice ride up a different route to Serre Ratier from Chantermerle with les chiens via Le Rocher Noir and Les Eduits below Aiguillette pistes. There's actually an interesting traverse to Puy St Pierre you can take, but as I had the dogs going all the way to Briancon was not an option.


Did the traverse on MTB again today with LynnX, hard climb up to Les Eduits de Chantermerle (around 400m ascent) , but afterwards a great descent down through Puy St Pierre to Briancon!
Came across the same little chapel in Les Queyrelles we found last year, took a couple of pics this time:





Then down the side of the chapel on a nice bit of singletrack by a canal, stopping along the way to admire a chamois surveying his terrain, top right of pic:



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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@KenX, sorry to spoil your Attenborough moment, but they are often there, had me fooled the first time I saw them too, they are not chamois but a herd of goats rolling eyes

I too probably posted some photos on here when I first saw them.

If you continue on the road to Puy Chalvin that's how you can get to Les Combes where you can park up and do a nice walk up the valley which is off the back of Sere Chevalier when you come out of the summer cable car.

What's the weather been like there so far this week?

My mate is climbing this week though the guide, who lives in LG suggested Dolomites on the basis of the forecast being bad for this week in both Southern & Northern Alps.
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Haha, too far to really see what it was!
Weather's been a bit changeable, but been out on the bikes in the sun every day bar Sunday which was pants........
Got my new DH bike now, loving it in the bike park:)
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@KenX, don't go breaking any bones by not acting your age Toofy Grin
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Never acted my age and don't intend to start now Laughing
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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.
@KenX, Very Happy
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
On another note, asked at the lift pass office if the insurance included in the Addict pass was valid off-piste, they said no, confirmed by an email response from the insurance company themselves after I enquired.......
Probably still go with the Addict pass as the other add-ons make it worthwhile
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@KenX, join the local CAF in Briancon - Mr & Mrs membership inc insurance off piste anyway sans guide very reasonable and valid for all Europe, but thought best for France as no hassle.

You can go down to their office which is open most week days I think from 17:00 6 Avenue René Froger

But you will need a Doctors letter to say that you have no medical conditions as per a lot of French clubs / races / events though when we renewed online last year was not required, again.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@44.8964969,6.6311888,3a,75y,64.21h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1szPode8LBlyTozhnfkJX-0Q!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DzPode8LBlyTozhnfkJX-0Q%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D55.698498%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656
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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.
CAF looks good, they not only cover off-piste but also mtb!
Also it would be good to get involved on a local basis for ski touring, off-piste etc so will get a doctors cert and get signed up Very Happy
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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
Yes I forgot about MTB they do quite a few sorties in the summer months I think?

Two seasons back I did a few tours with them and be warned pace is pretty quick going up though have to say none too brilliant on the descent which is so often the way with French club tourers.

Last season didn't do any tours with them as snow was so dire at lower altitude for touring and we did our own thing.

Did turn up for one tour but it was cancelled for whatever reason, but I went and did the route they were proposing and that's when I hooked up with a local from Nevache who again tore my legs off but ended up finding a great route above Val des Pres and Chalets de Granon.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
This has an amusing start - local Serre Chevalier snow boarder Olympic gold medal wining hero Pierre Vaultier


http://youtube.com/v/ZHTkLKWMjpY
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
2016 season lift pass bought, yeah baby....... Very Happy
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Poster: A snowHead
@KenX, just done ours too. 5 weeks in total next winter should make it worthwhile.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Hells Bells, Clearly it will @ €245 for 6 days (normal price) Very Happy
Which did you go for, I went for the addict as the extras are a no-brainer for what we'll be doing?
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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?
@KenX, we decided to go for that too, despite some of those extras being available on the standard pass last year at a much lower price. Kids will probably come out at some point, so can use the half-price days as well as the euros we have saved up on the Pacti'Cimes card.
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and so it is probably time to start the 15/16 thread wink
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