 Poster: A snowHead
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Im heading out on 28 Feb - last year I was there a week earlier and it was still pretty busy in the lift queues, pistes and restaurants. Anyone know if it will be quieter that week ?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| melandnick wrote: |
| Im heading out on 28 Feb - last year I was there a week earlier and it was still pretty busy in the lift queues, pistes and restaurants. Anyone know if it will be quieter that week ? |
Still French holidays I believe so not much.
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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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yeb, still half term holidays until March 5.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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ah well, just have to ski right until the last lift instead to make up for it 
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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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@Layne, @johnE, yes that is exactly what I mean. You never know what to expect so need to be well in control with the pistes so busy. IMO I think the off piste i safer (for me anyway) when it is busy on the pistes. But then I hate being around loads of people with little control anywhere!
Quick update!! If you are driving out tonight or tomorrow YOU WILL need snow chains as it is now snowing all the way down the valley and starting to come down hard with little sign of it stopping! They may make you stop in the valley if you do not have the right gear to drive in the snow! Police warning signs are switched on for having winter gear for your car.
Anyone flying tonight they are warning of heavy snow at airports this afternoon and evening so expect delays to flights. This might have a knock on effect for tomorrow so check your flights. Hope this info helps with your safe trips out!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What the crazy one said about the roads + there is a specific warning about traffic between 8-11am Sat. It is French holiday cross-over day and considering the roads it is likely to be a total 'mare - avoid if at all possible. It's still snowing and has dumped at least 2m in the last 4 days. Day before yesterday the road from 1600 to 1950/2000 was closed for hours because of an accident. Also it's a criminal offense to overtake a snow clearing lorry so (1) I would advise against it and (2) don't lose your rag if you hit the tail of a queue behind one of them, it's sit and crawl I'm afraid.
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Anyone ever used ESF in arcs 1800 for teenager "free ski" classes ? Trying to work out the difference between freestyle class and free ski class. I think the former focuses more on the parks where the latter is all mountain including some parks . Any one with experience of this please ?
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15 February 2016. Poor light, little wind, a few snow flakes and powder again! Some even untracked.
After meeting up we had a fast warm up down to the Carreley chair from the Cachette chair then another little route down to the Arpette chair.
Met with more people and off piste down to the Marmotte chair. Then up the Arcabulle chair and down the Col de la Chal route to Moulin for a change with fresh tracks in OK snow most of the way.
We were even first down most of the track through the forest which was nice!
Then back up top of Piesey Chair and most of the way down to the Chapel through the forest before using the Tow and then the Derby Chair.
Through the off piste route down the ridge with more nice jumps and then the big drop! Most people did this. Then more tree skiing before going back up the Carreley Chair and the group split.
On our way back to Arc 1600, a nice run down from the top of the Clocheret Chair through the cliffs and the the forest before finally having a well earned beer and home.
Most of the pistes today were in good condition with the odd hard packed slippy patch. The pistes were busy in most places and there were queues on many lifts although not as long as was expected.
The off piste was still good despite the high winds over the last few days, but you did have to take care in some areas where the snow may still be unstable.
Photos from today will follow later. I will add another message when they are posted.
I still need more likes for my photo on the New Gen facebook page to win the Competition. Please hurry and like the photo, this is really important as I would like to take my friend on a very special day out.Take a look at his photo and be inspired! Use the link below and go to their facebook page then please like my photo.
Thanks Chris
https://www.facebook.com/SkiNewGen/photos/a.1042397649135137.1073741850.206918672683043/1042400979134804/?type=3&theater
@backhojo, yes you are correct. Free ski is more freeride and freestyle is more park and tricks. If you send me PM with more details of the group either here or on my facebook page I can let you have more info and options for Les Arcs. Most important what dates are you planning to be here.
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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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16 February 2016. More fun in the powder and through the forest. Even a bit of night skiing to get home!
Well done to all the youngsters today for some excellent skiing. Even the adults did quite well, but we did see a few falls!
After a delayed start we all met up at the top of the Arpette Chair and headed to the top of the Transarc. Then a nice ski down the Col de la Chal in a mix of untracked powder and tracked meadows. The route out through the forest got another vote as a great way down with the fast banked bends adding to the thrill.
Then lunch at the snack bar and another route in the steeper narrow paths through the forest to the Chapel. After a look at the skeleton it was time to head for Vallandry. A little pushing on the track then down to the Grizzly chair. Across from the top of the chair all the way to Arc 1800.
After one more run down to the bottom of Arpette Chair we split with some of us heading back to Arc 1800 to see the Laser Show!
Had a few drinks and watched the show (It was OK, but I did not like the music much) then a bit of night skiing back to Arc 1600 and home.
The off piste today was very mixed, but still good fun with plenty of places to put down fresh tracks. In the trees it was tight and quite challenging at times, but also really fun!
The pistes everywhere we went were in good condition and easy to ski, but they were busy and so were the lifts.
Photos from today will follow shortly on the Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy.
I still need more likes for my photo in the New Generation competition. Come on folks, please show me your support for all the effort I take in bringing you these updates.
Please use the link below and like the photo for me. Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/SkiNewGen/photos/a.1042397649135137.1073741850.206918672683043/1042400979134804/?type=3&theater
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Gorgeous and unexpected sunny day yesterday. We are loving les arcs, its busy but sometimes you arrive on a piste or at a chair and its very quiet, over in vallandry yesterday it was empty as I think everyone headed up high as we are doing today!
BE WARNED - someone took my sons skis from outside the l'arpette. We were completely stuck. Luckily the manager chatted to a table full of security who were having their lunch. A quick radio to a mate and a skidoo arrived to whisk him back to vallandry. They couldn't have been nicer so well done les arcs! We are looking at a big bill if they don't turn up before the end of the week. They guy in the shop said it was the second one that day.
We'd like to head up aiguille rouge foir the view- could anyone tell me what the red is like down from there? We do easy reds but not hard ones! Same question for the bellcote for our decouverte day tomorrow. Thank you.
Looking like another bluebird. The most is hovering around the bottom of your balcony. Have a nice day!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@nem, IMHO the red from the top of the aiguille rouge is pretty hard at the start. There is a narrow well scraped bit followed by a narrow track which is often stoney. It shares this bit with the black and is, once again in my opinion the hardest part of the black all the way down to Villaroger. However, once you have coped with those 200m you are faced with a glorious wide piste with ample oppurtunity for wide carved turns and a lovely run back to 2000. My suggestion would be to have a go at it, but wait patiently at the top until you get a clear run over the tough bit.
Sorry to hear about your sons skis - were they insured?
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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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@nem, @johnE, is right. If you get passed that initial section of the Aiguille Rouge it's a great piste. I wouldn't sweat going up the Bellecote if I was you. It's a long ride up for nothing special in terms of piste skiing IMO. Inversens is a great piste and if you head over the top of the Grand Rochette or up Verdons Nord there are some great pistes that sound like they would suit.
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@nem, I've found that if the snow is good, the short black bit straight from the top is easier & nicer than the red track bit at the top. Take a look & see - if it looks really moguled & icy, forget it! You have to pass the entrance to it to get to the red path. As @johnE, says, hang about at the top - walk up to the viewing spot to take photos & wait for the liftful of people to have started their descent, so you can take it gently. They have widened the red track slighty, so not as bad as it was. On a clear day the views are magnificent
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You know it makes sense.
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Thank you! You gave us the confidence to give it a go. Horrible queue to get up there but the top is spectacular. Our second week snowboarder hated the run down but the rest of us had a lovely time followed by a welcome pizza and beer in the umbrella bar.
Swooshed by l'arpette on the way back and picked up my sons skis which had been returned so a pretty good day all round!
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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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@snowcrazy, Apologies for the thread diversion but a quick question - is much open in 1600 in the summer? We always come to Bourg for our summer holiday but I'm currently looking at accommodation in La Grange and I'm wondering if 1600 is a realistic option for a biere in the evening. Easier to roll down the hill than it is to walk up it (like we did to Montrigon last summer!  )
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@nem, great the skis returned
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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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@Jenniper, There are only a couple of bars open during the summer in Arc1600. The Abrevoir has been closed the last few summers but the Arvi has been open. There are a couple of restaurants open as well. It is a fair trek up from La Grange to Arc1600 however.
I go to Arc1600 every summer for at least the last 12 years and it is lovely.
I am glad you had a good trip up the aiguille rouge. It is a lovely run, but I can see why a novice boarder hated it. Nice that your sons skis were returned. I assume that they were taiken by mistakie.
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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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Did anybody who is out there atm get involved with the world record attempt on the torchlit descent last night? Looking for 3000+ ...
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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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Sorry for lack of updates, but been really busy and only now off to bed.
All the photo's from 18 Feb 'Gully and Jump's day in La Plagne!' are now posted over on the Les Arcs Winter page in the 'Half Term Week's 15 to 27 Feb' Album. Take a look in this album and see what great conditions we have been having over the half term week. Enjoy!
I will try and catch up the last two days tomorrow.
Today we were over in La Rosiere and Italy for the Women's Word Cup. Great day out with good weather in the morning, but very windy in the afternoon. Worth the effort to go from Les Arcs for the day. Even managed a little off piste on the way over to watch the race. Nice lunch at Italian prices before heading back. Even skied through the Fort on the way home! Whe in Les Arcs there is a free bus linking the Funi with La Rosiere lifts. Very easy both ways even without a car.
Les Arcs update to follow tomorrow.
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
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Thanks @johnE - I'm thinking funi up and pedal back down 
Edit - also I should have said Les Granges rather than La Grange!
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@snowcrazy, Thanks for reminding me about the free bus to La Rosiere. Where does it leave from - the bus station, I assume. I take it that I will need a Les Arcs lift pass to get up and down the funicular that day and buy another lift pass for the day in La Rossiere. Last year when I went over to La Rosiere I bought a 3 day lift pass for Les Arcs, drove to La Rosiere skied there for the day and bought another 4 day lift pass for Les Arcs (My number of visits are just on the cusp of being better to buy a season pass). It was a good day out, which I found actually more satisfying than going to La Plagne for the day, probably because it was all completely new to me.
@Jenniper, I have probably mentioned this before, but one day we were skiing down the red run to Les Granges and came upon a unicyclist cycling down the piste. On reaching the road he turned onto the road and headed off down to Bourg. It wasn't you by any chance?
If you are early enougth to get the funicular up then have a beer outside the Cairn in the corner of the square in 1600 or the paranomique at the bottom of the 3 Arcs building. They are sheltered from the wind and catch the evening sun beautifully. And has magnificent views across the Isere valley to Mont Blanc.
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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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Haha no - definitely two wheels for me
Thanks for the tips - beers in the evening sun sounds perfect.
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Here's a question for you les Arcs specialists. We're a group of 19 staying in Plan Peisey within 10 mins walk of the Lonzagne gondola. I've been tasked with researching the lift pass situation. We have 10 kids going to the New Gen school, they're all at the early stages of learning, having been once before. There are 5 adults who are good capable skiers and will only stop to draw breath and 4 adults who would be intermediate and require regular coffee/chin wag stops.
I suspect the adults will sort themselves out at the time, but I'm really not sure whether the kids will be fine with the local area pass or whether we need to consider the next one up, which I think is the Discovery pass. Anyone with experience or knowledge they'd be kind enough to pass on?
Thanks in advance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Blanch62, They do not do local area passes any more (ie just Peisey/Nancroix). You will need to get a full Les Arcs pass. As for getting a Discovery pass or a Paradiski pass I would not bother. I doubt the ski school will want to take the children across the Vanoise Express
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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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22 Feb 2016. Sorry for the lack of detailed posts for the last few days. Been really busy.
The pistes are holding up well to the busy traffic at the moment although this week does not seem to be as busy as last week. There are some hard packed areas around lifts today and lower down the pistes were getting sticky due to rain below 2000m by late afternoon. Higher up there was fresh snow falling in the afternoon.
The off piste on the glacier area was good in sheltered areas away from the wind and the effects of the sun from earlier days. Lower down today it was very heavy and quite challenging at times as the rain started to have an effect.
Hopefully tomorrow will bring more fresh snow with lower freezing levels and a good base!
The photos up to 20 Feb are now posted on the Les Arcs Winter page in the 'Half Term Week's 15 to 27 Feb' album. I will try and catch up the next few days tomorrow. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
@Blanch62, You need to speak to New Gen and see what they advise. They do sometimes take the children across the other side, but it does depend on the group. For the adults I would advise the discovery pass as it is fun to go over the other side at least once. Remember if you buy passes before December for the next season you can get a discount.
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Today, 23 Feb 2016, it was raining in the valley, but fresh snow above Arc 1600.
Headed up for first lifts and spent the day around Arc 1600, 1800 and Peisey Vallandry areas in the forests and the more sheltered open meadows. It was windy up top with poor vis. The snow was fresh powder higher up. In the trees it was soft and light in the higher areas, but as the day progressed it started to become heavy off piste and sticky on piste in some areas below about 2000m.
After a well earned lunch we headed down Malgovert and through the forest back to Arc 1600. Then one more run down the Deux tetes and the Mont Blanc forest before leaving for home.
The pistes have a good covering and as I came down it was snowing lightly again at Arc 1600. Hopefully it will be another powder day tomorrow. If anyone wants to join us, send me a PM for meet up details.
Still behind in the Photos, but catching up slowly.
Photos from our day on the Bellecote '21 Feb 2016' are now posted. Another route this time. Take a look. Conditions were mixed, but still fun! Scroll towards the end of the Album to see your photos.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973259629417170.1073741860.195692797173861&type=3
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You know it makes sense.
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@snowcrazy and @johnE thanks for your feedback. Very helpful. One query remains though about the 'Family' discount on passes. They say that they consider a family group to be 2 adults and 2 kids. Do you know if they nee to be related? With the GBP plummeting vs the Euro, I need to find every saving possible (plus I'm a tightwad). 🙂
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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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@Blanch62, Don't think so - we are family of 5 going with family of 3, so for purposes of lift price purchase they have acquired our daughter!
Not sure how you've booked, but our letting agent gets a discount on published prices which are a few more pennies saved!
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Poster: A snowHead
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24 Feb 2016. Another Flat light and snowy day most of the time. But there were the odd spell of clearer light and even a few rays of sun trying to break through.
It was snowing lightly at the start of the day. Then cleared up a little before closing in again during the afternoon.
Not to worry! Les Arcs and La Plagne have plenty of tree areas to ski so the crowds were spread over a wide area and we had loads of fun again today.
Spent most of the day around the Les Coches forest and up off the Roche de Mio. Found some great powder and made plenty of fresh tracks all day.
Finished off with a fun ski down to the Vanoise Express in the trees with plenty of jumps.
Then across Les Arcs and home. Still busy everywhere, but not to bad and lift queues were OK again today. Maybe due to the weather.
Photos from the last few days are now posted. Take a look and see what conditions are like right now. Les Arcs Winter page. Follow this link.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973259629417170.1073741860.195692797173861&type=3
Remember to scroll down to the last photos to see the most recent ones.
The final photos for today will be posted shortly.
The pistes are mostly in good conditions due to the little top up's each night. Everywhere we went the pistes were busy, but the off piste had few people around.
If you want to try and learn about off piste skiing, start on the piste natures and then when you are ready, take a guide and see what else the ski area has to offer. The off piste areas are really good and not all are scary. Enjoy!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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25 Feb 2016. Yes, I am finally up-to-date with the photos and reports for February. It has been a busy month and had some great riding.
It has been really fun riding with so many people, young and old since the start season and there is still another two months to go!
Thanks to those that bothered to vote for my photo in the New Gen Comp. I came third! Must do better next time if they do it again.
Now for today's report!
The mist and clouds came down today and did not really clear that much. BUT it was snowing which is a plus and the powder high up was great!
Started the day with a little couloir above Arc 1950 off the Arpette ridge. Then into the Park and some nice snow most of the way down to Villaroger, but it did get heavy and sticky lower down. The vis was very poor so you really needed to know where you were going.
Back up top and down to Pre Saint Esprit through the forest. Much better vis, but sticky snow again lower down.
Back up the chair and down another couloir which had great snow, but you do need to be careful and get the exit right.
Up top again and this time from Malgovert all the way to Arc 1600 through the forest.
Did not see many people around all day and had all the routes we did to ourselves, very nice!
After a very late lunch decided to call it a day as the snow was getting heavy and wet.
The pistes higher up are in great condition, but lower down they are very sticky in some places and smooth and warn in busy areas. It is still crowded so take care and be sure you can slow down in time. Mind your knees in the heavy snow. It is easy to strain something and spoil your holiday. But at least we did not have any lift queues anywhere we went in Les Arcs today.
Another great day! More to follow in a few days.
Photos for today are now posted in the 'Half Term Week's 15 to 27 Feb' album on the Les Arcs Winter page. Remember to scroll towards the end of the album to find your photos. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973259629417170.1073741860.195692797173861&type=3
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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 looking to do a private lesson can anyone recommend someone?
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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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If you pm me I can give you the details of a great guy at ESF in 2000. Someone on here gave me his details last season.
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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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| FullyTucked wrote: |
| I'm looking to do a private lesson can anyone recommend someone? |
JP at AIM Ski School. Tell him Rob from Inside Out Skiing recommended him and you might get a discounted rate.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I would recommend both John Thomas and Martin from New Generation - used them for the past 3 years for private lessons and have more booked this season - outstanding tuition.
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Wowzer, it's been a good while since I dropped in here! Good to see some familiar names still haunting the pages.
I'm following Snowcrazy's updates with interest as, come the 12th of March, I'll be making my first trip to Les Arcs in four years. Equal parts excitement and jangling nerves are gripping me in the run up, as it's also four years since I've been on ski's outside of the local fridge and I'll be flying solo.
Last time around, I was safe in the bosom of Arc 1800, and had the mrs firmly in tow. This time, she's letting me loose on the poor unsuspecting good people of Arc 2000 without her fine company. Not so much because she didn't want to join me, more that as she's a school teacher we'd have had to fly over during school holidays, which would have increased the costs by about 400% 
I'm looking forward to it immensely, I just hope I've not lost the knack lol.
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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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Hello all. We will be going to Les Arcs 2000 in a couple of weeks. I have had one weeks ski school in Austria and a few days skiing without lessons at Glenshee. I want to book a few private lessons. I really enjoy it once I get going and I'm no expert but not an absolute beginner either. The thing is, I am slightly nervous and I don't really like very steep runs, is there plenty of variety at Les Arcs, it's not too fast is it? 
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FAQ
