 Poster: A snowHead
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allanm, We have an apt in Charmettoger you can rent for a very small fee. If you send me an email on janiceosborn24@gmail.com I'll let you have the 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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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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Yesterday was the final day for most of those that have been here over the last few weeks so we went up for a final days ski even though the weather was quite poor again. It ended up being quite a fun day despite the conditions. 
Started off in the Malgovert and Mont Blanc forest areas where the fresh snow had been just enough to cover most of the small rocks and fallen trees coming through whilst changing the crud into enjoyable fresh spring snow. 
Then up the higher lifts into the mist and clouds to find very poor light in the Arc 2000 bowl. With light snow still falling we went over to the Peisey Vallandry Forest via a quick run through the snowpark and a few jumps and rails (the kids, not me) in a white out. 
Over in Peisey Vallandry, by not dropping below the Derby lift the forest areas were also good and kept everyone happy until lunch. After lunch the snow was still falling so a few more runs through the trees until we finally headed to the snowpark for one last time and then the waterslide. 
'Only fools and English kids go on the waterslide in the afternoon white out!!' 
When we got there it was deserted (not really a surprise) except for a few English kids, but the Altiport bar was open so the adults were happy. Much to my surprise the slide proved popular even in these conditions. It was the last day, so getting wet did not really matter I guess. After a number of turns nobody in the group had fallen in. Amazing as we had to shout when to go as you could not see the start point through the mist. 
Finally a nice hot chocolate and time to go down, pack up and for everyone to leave. Hope those on the train last night had a good trip home and managed to get some sleep. 
Today I am having a rest. Despite the fresh snow last night, the vis is still bad and it is wet outside. Tomorrow should be another powder day. Two weeks to go, fresh powder down to 1600m in the morning and staying good higher all day. For anyone coming out or just arrived. You are in for a good time. The pistes are in great condition everywhere now. La Grange is shut and so is Villaroger shortly, but all other areas are good and you can get over to La Plagne and right down to MontAlbert without any problem as well.
Even the snowpark and the waterslide are in great condition still. The conditions are nothing like this time last year so if you have the time, it is well worth the effort to get over here quickly. Right now good fresh snow in the morning, turning slushy lower down in the afternoons.
I shall try and catch up with posting all the photos today. Take a look later in the day in the March and April albums of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.
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To give you a better idea of the conditions right now and to read a few comments about the different things to do, here is a copy of what I posted on my facebook page today.
WHAT IT LOOK'S LIKE OUTSIDE: (From ME!)
Right now it is still wet and damp outside with mist lower down and very poor vis. It is raining lightly lower down, but snowing higher on the mountain. Taking the day off today! Time to rest my shoulder again.
STATISTICS: (at 8.30am each day) (Pisteurs)
Altitude: 1620/1800m, 2040m, 2400m, 3000m,
Snow depth: 105cm, 195cm, 240cm, 260cm,
Temp: -2.5, -3.2, -4.8, -6.2,
Risque d’avalanche (1 à 5) : 3 risque limite (considerable)
Last snowfall : 10 cm Le 15 avril 2012
WEATHER & FORECASTS OF THE DAY: (Meteo)
A dull day. The mountains will often be shrouded in thick clouds. There will be light but sustainable precipitation all day. The snow/rain line is from 1000 to 1200 m moving up slightly to about 1400m later in the day. Light winds in general becoming stronger in the late afternoon.
AVALANCHE CONDITIONS TODAY: Avalanche Level 3 (considerable) The risk level is now at level 3. The fresh snow is unstable sitting on a wet base that has re-frozen and can slide quite easily. Take care. Remember to always carry Beeps, Shovel and Probes when skiing off piste, (local authority advice posted by the pisteurs, stay safe and be prepared).
TREND FOR THE NEXT DAY: (Meteo)
A slightly better day, but rather grey with intermittent light rainfall, heavy rain possible in the afternoon. Snow line at 1000 m in the morning rising to 1400 m during the day. Light winds.
THE LIFTS THAT ARE closed TODAY: (Pisteurs)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : TK COMBE, TSF PARCHEY, TSD GRIZZYL
SECTEUR 1600 : TK MILLERETTE , TSD CACHETTE
SECTEUR 1800 : TSD VILLARDS, TS GRAND RENARD
SECTEUR 2000 : Some delayed.
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : TK RHONAZ
LIAISONS with other areas: (Pisteurs)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : DECALE
TRANSARC 1 : OUVERT TRANSARC 2 : OUVERT
LIAISON ARCS 1600/1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : OUVERT
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : OUVERT
VANOISE EXPRESS : OUVERT
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : OUVERT
THE BEST PISTE TODAY: (Pisteurs)
SECTEUR 1600 : MONT BLANC
SECTEUR 1800 : VALLEE DE L’ARC
SECTEUR 2000 : CHARMETOGER
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : RENARD
TIPS OF THE DAY: (Pisteurs)
Another 10cm of fresh snow fell last night and there is powder on top of most groomed pistes giving conditions worthy of early season. Most slopes are open across the Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry area with flat light away from the tree runs. Downhill skiing on the forests pistes of Villaroger, Peisey-Vallandry and Arc 1600/1800 is highly recommended for better visibility.
RECREATIONAL AREAS:
ARC 1600: The WATERSLIDE animated star of the moment which is to cross a waterslide 20M long aquaplaning. The SNOWPARK is still fully open. Kids Comment: "Both these areas are still fun, even in poor light  !"
ARC 2000: Toboggan run the "RODEO PARK" (slide over 3000 m of track); Boardercross by the piste Plan Vert. Test your speed and braking distance on the track reserved for this purpose along the side of the piste Plan des Eaux under the chairlift Plagnettes. Kids Comment: "We found all three things rather wet and slushy and not so much fun in the afternoon as the morning when you can go faster!! "
SKI the Paradiski domain:
Enjoy the immense area of La Plagne by taking the largest cable in the world "the Vanoise Express." To do this make sure you have the brochure "PARADISKI instructions", self-service package and enjoy exploring this area. Kids Comment: "Friday going all the way to Montalbert was good! Going in the gullies on the way was the best part "
Peisey-Vallandry: the BOARDER to CHARLOT. Kids Comment: "Ok, but not as good as the one in Arc 2000 now. This one is short and the jumps are smaller "
SECURITEE TIP: SKIING IS GOOD, SKIING SAFELY IS BETTER (Pisteurs)
It is very important to master and control your speed at all times, to slow down when approaching departure of ski lifts and snow fronts. Remain able to stop a safe distance from others. Be cautious and follow pistes at your ski level. Always make sure your children wear a helmet and have respect for others. Check and adjust your bindings. Be aware of fluorescent banners planted on the slopes, they will cite passages, gradients, intersections and are there to make you slow down. Please be prudent at all times. Always the respect nature!!
Have a nice day!
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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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thefatcontroller, I suppose me saying last week was friggin brilliant doesn't help 
As much snow as there was when we were there in Jan, we all had a fab time and loved the skiing. By tacking on a few nights each end in hotels it also was a very enjoyable week
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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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thefatcontroller, Boris, Pedantica, boredsurfin, I am very sorry to fuel all your pain, but well, now that I have started to catch up with all the pictures, while I wait for the update of todays weather and snow conditions from the pisteurs to post, here are a few pics from the last few days.
(Getting through the Mouse Hole in the Lost valley in Val d'Isere, always popular with the kids and quite fun for everyone if you like an adventure)
(Untracked powder on one of the Glaciers in Val Thorens)
(Indian Gully in La Plagne. another popular kids route on the way to lunch)
(Powder on the KL piste nature)
(Deep and Steep on the side of the piste, you do not have to go far to find good snow right now)
(Up to his knees in the powder and loving it under the Grand Col chair!)
More to follow as I get the rest uloaded later. School hols are finished now so time to get down to more backcountry trips.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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snowcrazy, let us know what it's like, i'm off to Tignes for 3 days next week.
Sadly not made it to Les Arcs this year, will try and get over for a week around and spend Burns night at George's next season.
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You know it makes sense.
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Mmmmmm Forperet restaurant - my favourite lunch stop in the whole Alps! Does anyone know of any similar hidden gems in Tignes? Off there for a long weekend.
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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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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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thefatcontroller, Yes have got some rather annoying texts from Montalbert this morning 
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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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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Thanks to everyone who offered an apartment, now sorted. Just hope all this snow disappears by the end of next month! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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allanm, nice photo, very clever!
Today, April 21, was one of those days when you think it will not be very good, but turns out to be amazing! POWDER everywhere!!! Pictures of today will be posted shortly in the April 2012 Album Two. Take a look at how much fresh snow has fallen even if the vis was not so great at times.
As many of the lifts close tonight for the season, if we were to make one final trip down the Bellecote, today had to be the day. During the last week I have either been visiting other ski resorts or the weather has kept us away. Although yesterday was good, the icing on the cake is to go down the North Face of the Bellecote on a powder day.
We made it to the top of the Bellecote by just before 11am and due to the weather already starting to close in we headed straight over onto the North Face. We had fresh powder well above our knees at times until on the final ridge above the forest. Then the snow turned to spring conditions and although more difficult was still fun to ski. Finally we went through the forest and hit the path which was skiable again after the recent snowfalls.
By 12.30 we were sitting drinking a beer and having a snack at the bottom waiting for the bus. The weather was closing in, but we had made one final trip down the Bellecote in powder on the day the connecting lift closes. I am
In the afternoon we went up high again, but found the Gondola to the Roche de Mio and the Bellecote were now closed due to bad weather so we played around in the untracked powder fields of the Crozats Chair before heading down through the forest one last time towards Les Coches and finally the Vanoise Express. Once back in Les Arcs we stopped at the Altiport for a final drink as it shuts tonight and then down to Arc 1800 for a cup of tea and then home.
The season is coming to an end, but today was good and it was snowing again whilst I was on my way home. Tomorrow should be another powder day!
Peisey Vallandry closed at the end of skiing today. Arc 1600 will be closing tomorrow after skiing and only the Chantel (until Wednesday at the moment), the Transarcs and Grand Renard will remain open in Arc 1800 during next week.
In Arc 1950/2000 for next week the Varet, Grand Col, Aiguille Rouge, Marmotte and Arcabulle are confirmed to be open (weather permitting). I will report again tomorrow morning once I have final confirmation of what is remaining open.
However, even with only limited lifts open in Les Arcs, the snow is excellent on and off piste and everywhere that will be open is in very good condition for this time of year. For those coming out you should have a good time as long as the weather is kind to you!
Well above his knees at times!! April 21
Telemark skiing off piste and he is only 13 year old!! with powder up to his waist at times!
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Today was yet another amazing powder day!! I do not use the word amazing very easily, but today was special. There was about 30cm of fresh snow down in the forests and more higher up on top of what had already fallen in the last few days. We spent the day in the powder hardly touching a piste and when we did go on a piste they were covered in powder as well.
As today was the last day that Arc 1600, some of Arc 1800 and a few important lifts in Arc 1950/2000 will be open I spent most of my time in these areas. First with some French friends that left me gasping for breath trying to keep up with the speed they ski through the deep powder. Then at a slightly more relaxed pace with another friend before meeting up with some others for a few jumps (not me. them, I took the photos ).
The powder in the Mont Blanc and Malgovert forests was excellent. Deep, light, fluffy and mostly untracked. Then heading higher as the sun broke through we managed a few routes over on the Arc 2000 side which also had great untracked powder at times.
Finally heading back to the Comborciere valley where we found the snow was already going off by 3pm and then down through the Malgovert again where the snow had still mostly stayed in good condition. Taking the Arpette chair back up we then found a nice route down a couloir off the ridge before stopping for a well earned beer in Arc 1800 and then home.
Overall today was great, perhaps not the best this season, but it was still up there as a good day in the office! If you are planning a last minute break you will not be disappointed. Loads of snow, pistes in excellent condition everywhere and plenty of fresh powder to keep us all happy.
Take a look at the photos which will be posted shortly in the April 2012 Album Two of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page and see how many of the routes you can name. Tomorrow they hope to open the higher lifts in the Arc 2000 bowl so it should be another untracked powder day if I can get up there early enough! What a last week of the season this is already turning out to be!!! 
One of Les Arcs land marks! Les Deux Tetes!
Malgovert, a place where everyone can go and play safely!
But there are also places where you can take some big air, so keep to the marked areas and stay safe!
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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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Oi! You can go off people you know.
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Poster: A snowHead
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what will you do when the season closes?????
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm now trying to work out how and when to go next season 
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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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Boris, Snap. Just bought an 'ouse so it looks like next year is fooked, if we are really unlucky the following year is also out.
Bum
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Avalanche clearing - Road closures tomorrow Wed 25th. 5am - 7am 1600 to 1950/2000 (looking at the map, just from the UCPA)
Dear weather IT IS THE END OF APRIL...
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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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Arctic Roll, Yes, bonkers isn't it. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry for causing so much sadness to you all BUT the snow is just getting better and better
Today I went over to the La Plagne side. Below is what we did. But we did have to drive as most of Les Arcs is closed whilst almost all of the La Plagne ski area is open. In Les Arcs today I was told there were only 6 lifts open. None in Peisey Vallandry (area closed), none in Arc 1600 (area closed), none in Villaroger (area closed), only two lift in Arc 1800 area and 4 in Arc 2000 area today. The Vanoise Express is also closed. I do not know what Les Arcs think they are doing, but there are many unhappy people here and I have heard quite a few saying they will never come back if this is what they can expect.
As the lift pass for the final week still costs 162.50 euros. People are saying this is very poor value for money and I agree. My advice if you are thinking of coming out for a last minute ski, go to La Plagne, Espace Killy or Val Thorens. You will get much better value for money. Or come to Les Arcs knowing you can only ski a very limited area officially at least. It is possible to ski back to Arc 1600 off piste from the top of the Transarc and you can also ski most of the higher forest areas of Peisey Vallandry as long as you can get back to the Transarc and even down to Pre Esprit though the top of the Villaroger area. But you will be going into closed areas which are not patrolled so you are doing so at your own risk.
Now for what we did today!! Enjoy! Tomorrow we will try Les Arcs again.
What a day!! After the hassle of getting over to the Arc 2000 bowl yesterday we went to the La Plagne ski area today. What a great move!! Arrived at Les Coches after only a 20min drive and we were up and skiing within 30 min.
After getting to the top of the Les Coches side of La Plagne, due to the weather and poor vis we decided to head off piste into the forest areas. Starting from high on the ridge we carefully made our way through the meadow and down the steeper face into the forest areas in very deep snow. Due to the higher avalanche risk with so much fresh snow about we went very carefully down the steeper slopes taking a very conservative line.
After nearly an hour of untracked deep powder we arrived at La Roche and then had a run down through the forest on that side in more fresh snow finally reaching the Omelette Restaurant almost exclusively off piste from leaving Les Coches to arriving in Montalbert. This is a route I have tried a number of times, but today was the first time I have managed to do all sections off piste almost the whole way.
After a good lunch we headed back to Les Coches by mostly off piste routes again with snow falling around us, the wind blowing quite strongly at times and great powder well up to our knees.
By the time we reached the car it was 5pm and we had only stopped once for a short lunch. Quite a day and although the vis was bad at times, the snow conditions made up for it.
Tomorrow promises to be more of the same as it is snowing higher up again tonight. If you are interested in seeing what it looked like today, check out the latest photos in the April 2012 Album Two. Enjoy!
Entering into the backcountry! April 24
The peace and quiet of the wilderness! April 24
Powder again!
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 24-04-12 23:42; edited 2 times in total
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snowcrazy,
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the Omelette Restaurant
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Le Forperet
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Boredsurfing, you have posted this before, are you on commission?
Have you seen the photos of Montalbert I posted over on the other thread yet? With all the problems over in Les Arcs I guess I have to agree for once that sometimes La Plagne is better organized
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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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Just incredible. April 24th, and it looks like January 24th. I shall live the last days of the season vicariously through you, snowcrazy! Loving the photos.
Bet there'll be comparisons next year!
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FAQ
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