 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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Increased wind seems to plague the Alps more and more. A case for more snow fencing ?
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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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I'm going to Chamrousse in Feb, hopefully it will improve bu then. keep us updated with teh conditions 
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| Libertine wrote: |
| I'm going to Chamrousse in Feb, hopefully it will improve bu then. keep us updated with teh conditions |
I'm on a family trip last week in March and glad of updates too.
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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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There was a big ski testing weekend in Chamrousse this weekend (adverts all over town) which, after the organisers looked at the state of the snow, was cancelled. A real shame for anyone going. However it is -6C in resort now and snowing, I'm expecting 10-20cm which will be good news.
Snow fencing, yes a good idea. They have it a lot in the Massif Central but something to think more about elsewhere.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Friday to Saturday we had around 50cm of fresh snow at 2000m but it was very light, around 100g/M3. Saturday was freezing so didn't take many photos as I didn't want to get my camera out. We were skiing Les Sept Laux backcountry.
I've rarely skied snow as light but the downside is you need a big fat freeride ski and there is little base in places which means all the rocks, treestumps, dead skiers etc are covered. One guy I chatted to had taken out an edge and was very unhappy.
Today we were in St Hilaire du Touvet, the closest ski area to our house. The resort was closed yesterday due to mechanical problems with the ski lifts. The runs go from around 1000->1400 meters. There was about 20cm of snow on zero base on the N/W facing slopes. There was some new snow falling as we left.
Check out the http://www.grangeauxloups.fr/ Restaurant in St Hilaire.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sat 6-02-10 12:15; edited 3 times in total
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davidof, Good idea this thread - it's nice to hear about the smaller places. thanks. 
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Well as expected the torrential rain has washed out St Hilaire du Touvet and the Col de Marcieu. The pistes were green this morning so it was off to the Collet d'Allevard which has bottom pistes at 1450 m and a top car park at 1650m. A quick look out of the window confirmed that it has snowed a bit from 1750m last night.
Allevard also seemed to be having mechanical problems with ski lifts so Junior and I ended up skiing the upper slopes on the 600m long lac drag. The snow was rock hard, it seems to have been rained on then refrozen. A good base and ok to ski but not a surface to fall on. Junior found it a bit quick and gave up turning, instead schussing from top to bottom until I warned him that he was not able to control his speed properly and risked a crash.
I explored higher up. A bit windy but warm with some spots of rain at 2000m. I didn't go off piste as the surface was 1cm of refrozen rain crust. Skiing on piste there was soft, fresh snow above the 1750m mark and good skiing but you had to take care lower down. I came over one rollover only to find a stretch of dirt and rocks. 
Waiting to see what Christmas Eve brings. Meteo France is saying rain to 2400 meters, which will not be great.
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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've just been told that the rain crust was load bearing and could be skied on without any problem... so that's something positive.
As Rob or someone says on the Weather Outlook thread, if the rain only lasts half an hour before turning to snow it will not be too bad. I think we are going to end up with a snowpack like in 2007/8 where it was very stable below 2200 and unstable above - we had a case of risk 2 below 2200m all winter and risk 4 above. In a few meters you went from a relatively sound snowpack to something potentially deadly and indeed all the fatal accidents were above this altitude. We'll see.
Hope you are all well in the North, when are you coming over this year?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Given the lack of snow below 1600m we headed for Chamrousse today (bottom pistes at 1650m). We were somewhat reluctant as it is the start of the big holiday week. No snow on the roads until the resort which was pandemonium. The best was a new bronze VW 4x4 (is it some sort of Cayenne thingy?) that was sitting in front of me with all four wheels spinning wildly pointing downhill (how do you manage that?) until he suddenly found some traction and swerved off into a stone wall. Pratt.
It must have been Chav week in resort judging by the people in and around the place. Walking around town in jogging pants with a hole in the butt and yer kecks showing is not a fashion statement.
Snow cover was pretty good. The new gondola has been operating since the start of the season and is easing queues at the Recoin end. Junior wanted to ski through the woods to look for bears, he claimed he'd seen prints from the Bachat Boulod chair, and there was around 5-10cm of light snow on a hard base. Pistes were very hard with fresh snow where we skied. There were no visible bare patches which is an improvement but a few rocks rolling around the place. I picked a few up and lobbed them off piste.
Lots of idiots who could do with taking lessons and very very busy with people skiing far too fast in beginners areas. We really do need US style piste patrols for these out of control idiots. Will post a few photos later.
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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 wrote: |
| ... around 50cm of fresh snow at 2000m but it was very light, around 100g/M3 ... |
Now that's what I call a properly detailed snow report! Top marks 
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You know it makes sense.
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BTW no reports from the Chartreuse for the time being, all the resorts have been washed out by recent rain. 
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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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davidof, Looks great at AGS - I must get back there again with some stronger skiers this year.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| easiski wrote: |
| davidof, Looks great at AGS - I must get back there again with some stronger skiers this year. |
My group were pensioners! Of course in France that can mean people from my age upwards.
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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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Rather than start a new thread, I hoped some of the locals on this thread might be able to advise me.
I'm already booked in Chamrousse for the first week of the Easter break (Mar 27th - Apr 4th)
Now the group might be expanding to include a wheelchair using experienced skier.
How wheelchair friendly is Chamrousse?
I can see that much of the area is accessible via drag lifts, which is what I've been asked to check on, and they would be driving around the resort to specific lift points.
Does anyone have personal or 2nd hand experience which might help our decision?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Just back from Chamrousse. Chaos on the roads due to snow from 1100m on the return the snow level was maybe just a little lower... say 1000-1050m. About 10cm of fresh on a base that is partially refrozen. There is about 10-15cm of snow at 1500m. We were going to the cross country ski area not resort level so assume things were even better higher up. Chamrousse has had most of the resort open during the recent warm, rainy spell but will be pleased with this fresh snow as it was starting to get a bit thin lower down. Heavy snow when we left. I'm expecting 25cm.
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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: |
I'm expecting 25cm.
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 Sounds 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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We decided to head up to the Collet d'Allevard today given the forecast of sunshine this afternoon. Apparently it had been utter chaos this morning, a crash on the way down had blocked the road until 11am and most holiday makers had been trapped in resort. They were still there when we arrived and the resort was chaos. Two restaurants hadn't bothered opening and the others were packed.
Junior and I decided to ski, the sun didn't arrive until 16h30! but there was about 10-15cm of fresh snow at 1450m, maybe 20cm at 1750m which is as high as we skied in the biting cold. Teh missus finally found a spot in Le Timon, not the nicest looking pizzeria from the outside but good food and not to expensive, we came out with 27 euros for 3 pax wiine included.
We skied pretty much on piste where the slopes are globally in good. Off piste things have improved but there is still not much depth.
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| JimG2009 wrote: |
Rather than start a new thread, I hoped some of the locals on this thread might be able to advise me.
I'm already booked in Chamrousse for the first week of the Easter break (Mar 27th - Apr 4th)
Now the group might be expanding to include a wheelchair using experienced skier.
How wheelchair friendly is Chamrousse?
I can see that much of the area is accessible via drag lifts, which is what I've been asked to check on, and they would be driving around the resort to specific lift points.
Does anyone have personal or 2nd hand experience which might help our decision? |
Hard to judge if you are not wheelchair bound yourself.
There is a new gondola lift to the summit of the slopes and it would be worth asking if you can take a wheelchair user on this. How is the wheelchair user skiing? In a handisport rig? Normally resorts are getting a bit more geared up for wheelchair users. If you can send me a specific list of questions of what you want to do I will check with the tourist office next week.
This photo is a severely handicapped wheelchair user skiing at Chamrousse
so I imagine the resort is used to this kind of activity but I would still try and get things organised with the resort in advance.
The Roche Beranger does not have any stairs so wheelchair users can get around and it has an inside shopping area (a bit like a small version of Portsmouth's much loved!!! Tricorn center) but still. You can park outside this center. The Recoin also is pretty flat and you can park where the restaurants are. Same for the Bachat Boulod. I assume by easter there will not be much snow in resort.
Apart from the Gondola there are some chair lifts in the Beranger and Recoin area, the drag lifts are more used for beginners and links down at the front neige level.
Hope this helps a bit.
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Davidof,
Many thanks for that.
I've passed on a message to my brother-in-law and will get back to you.
Failing that I will contact the tourist office myself, but these things always seem to work better with someone on site.
Hope I get the chance to buy you a few beers as a thank you.
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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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This is from the Dauphine
http://www.ledauphine.com/accident-l-incroyable-mesaventure-d-un-livreur-savoyard-hier-matin-sur-la-route-gelee-du-collet-il-s-arr-te-pour-cha-ner-son-camion-glisse-dans-le-ravin--@/index.jspz?article=243337&chaine=25
| Quote: |
A deliveryman Savoyard may recall for a long time January 2, 2010: While he was busy chain the wheel of his truck on the road to the collet d'Allevard, the vehicle suddenly slipped and plunged into the ravine . The father of the driver who accompanied him on his tour just had time to jump from the cab not to take the plunge too!
The accident occurred at 5 o'clock on the RD 109 after the driver of the company Snta Chambery had to stop the snow fell yesterday and the cold polar night had turned the road into a real ice rink .
To continue progress towards the station, the driver decided to stop his machine. He jumped from the cab and prepared to install chains on the front wheels when the truck began to slide backwards ...
The passenger, apparently remained there in the cockpit, felt that the truck more than adhering to the road: it ran out, time to see the vehicle leave the icy roads and switch side into the ravine, where some trees have blocked the vehicle a few feet below.
The road to the Collet rather busy at the end of holidays and the beginning of the weekend, had to be completely blocked to traffic between 9 hours and 11 hours.
A private company equipped with lifting gear has been in effect sought to lift the truck back on the road and make his escape.
Moreover, the very cold temperatures this early in the day on Saturday made it very uncertain viability of access roads to stations.
Yesterday morning it was totally impossible to get Chamrousse, les Sept Laux, Huez or _ for example _ without special equipment.
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Skiing a bit of les Sept Laux backcountry today. Snow is not great below 1600m however things seems fairly stable to 2300m where I stopped. Beware that it has been quite windy from the S/W and this had cross loaded south facing slopes and loaded north facing slopes, at the same time it has left some areas icy.
I only skied about 500m of piste down to resort. The piste preparation and snow canons are doing their job. Avoid closed pistes lower down, they are closed for a reason - you'll wreck your skis.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I must admit I was a little demotivated this weekend. A return to work for Monday didn't help my mood but in the end we headed up to St Hilaire du Touvet the nearest resort to the house. The weather below 1600-1800 m could best be described as "foggy" around these parts and so it was to be. Junior and I hit the slopes. There was not much more snow than when we were last year before Christmas and it was not too cold. In a reverse to Ski Club advice the slopes were actually better lower down. Higher up the pistes had some bare patches and a lot of stones - this must be due to the steepness with stones naturally rolling onto the slope. Or is it the Marmottes that put them there overnight? I've never quite worked out where all these stones come from when the ground has 30cm of hard snow? Maybe piste bashers digging them up?
The runs were not heavily groomed and the skiing was very good. All the local resorts have now opened so we hope to strike out further afield.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Mon 1-02-10 10:59; edited 1 time in total
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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, Keep up the good work with this thread. I'm finding it very interesting. BTW my friends who came to AGS last year found it very tiring on the pomas, so we didn't do much more than check out the area. (They aren't very fast either, but are very good company). I would deffo like to go back + still trying to get to Resort X and Les 7 Laux!!
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You know it makes sense.
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I was also up at the Col de Porte yesterday (Sunday), but sledging en famille rather than skiing. My daugher is only just over 2 1/2, hence the sledging (which mum and dad enjoyed immensely too!), but she was taking great interest in the small teleski and the little ones skiing. Unfortunately we forget to take her plastic skis - next weekend. We had a nice lunch in Les 3 Sommets too.
We were also up at Correncon in the Vercors on Saturday. Again not skiing, but walking and sledging in the Ski Nordique / Golf area. There is stacks of snow there now and the alpine skiing area looks to be in pretty good shape. What a difference from Christmas. All this new snow has been good for the small Isere resorts.
RE the off-piste crust; I was in AdH on Friday; condistions were incredible, though we also encountered crust when skiing off-piste down to the Col de Cluy.
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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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Hey Dave, good to hear from you. Please don't hestitate to update us on any of the resorts you visit.
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Poster: A snowHead
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davidof, Do these places have websites? How about directions? A map perhaps? That would be soooooooo cool.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| easiski wrote: |
| davidof, Do these places have websites? How about directions? A map perhaps? That would be soooooooo cool. |
Here is a map showing the Chartreuse resorts:-
http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Chartreuse
not all the names are clickable, I will update it sometime.
The best resort in the Chartreuse is St Pierre which is a nice village but the other resorts are interesting too. A lot of them are too small to have websites but I will update with more information.
Again a clickable map of the Belledonne, which despite being a major mountain range rising to nearly 3000 meters is relatively underdeveloped compared to the Chartreuse
http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Belledonne
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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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Hi David. Hopefully there will be a few update over the next few months - a lot depends on the weather when we have la petite in tow. We're desserting the Isere this weekend for a small Savoie resort - Aussois.
I managed a lot of skiing in the Chartreuse, Vercors, and Belledonne last year while on Chomage Partiel. The smallest I skied at was Col de L'Arzellier in the Vercors - one old slow chairlift and a 2 (or 3 on a good day) drag lifts. Very good with kids though with a couple of restos / snack bars and a great salle hors sack.
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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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davidof, Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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davidof, the website for that hotel is most inviting. I love "Le Sabot de Venus is part of "accueil du parc" which is a quality gear fitting the natural parc whiches." Maybe you could get a few nights free in exchange for translating it into English?
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| pam w wrote: |
| davidof, the website for that hotel is most inviting. I love "Le Sabot de Venus is part of "accueil du parc" which is a quality gear fitting the natural parc whiches." Maybe you could get a few nights free in exchange for translating it into English? |
ah it is pretty bad, probably the fault of Google translation. You must see a lot of bad English around the place, I'm pretty much immune to it now. I think some people have a higher opinion of they linguistic abilities than is warranted by reality.
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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 davidof, , nice pics as always
I'm off to Chamrousse on 12th Feb, what are the coditions like there ?
ta
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FAQ
will make that nasty rain go away ...
