 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone know what is the deal with the new chairlift in PLJ? Looks like it's no where near to be finished and they are supposed to open this weekend, snow conditions permitting?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 27-11-18 17:22; edited 1 time in total
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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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@Ozboy, yes that's what I have seen earlier. I somehow assumed the TS PLJ is defunct now  Many thanks for the clarification
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http://www.lemessager.fr/chablais/chablais-la-route-d-abondance-rouvre-le-21decembre-ia923b926n207829
”The Department of Haute-Savoie has just announced the date of reopening of the RD22: Friday, December 21st.
The suspense is over. The Abondance road will finally reopen to traffic. After months of security work and 1.5 million euros invested by the Department, this axis linking Thonon-les-Bains to the villages and resorts of the Abondance Valley will once again be open to users ... in a single meaning.
All the information and the reasons for the delay of the works are to be found in The Messenger of Thursday, November 29th.
The messenger”
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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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@Ozboy, what is the significance of this? Is it now easier to drive to Chatel via France entirely than using the Swiss route?
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@Oleski, it’s the reopening of the main route from Thonon to Chatel. It was closed in the late spring after a major rockfall and a longer deviation has been in place. I’m guessing it will save about 15 mins but others here are better placed to advise.
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@Oleski, @Ozboy, If you are driving from the UK to Chatel conventional wisdom says that it's best to leave the French A39 motorway around Dole and either go via Besancon or Poligny to Pontarlier, and then crossing the French/Swiss border at Vallorbe. The removal of the diversion on the Thonon to Chatel road won't change that.
If you are travelling between Geneva & Chatel the removal of the diversion saves about 10-15 minutes. Currently you can go via Feternes & Vinzier, which is not a signed diversion as it's not suitable for heavy vehicles, or you can takes the signed diversion via Publier.
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@Oleski, You guessed right.. Chatel opening pushed back to Dec 15 as revised on official site. Shame as we are there with the kids on 7/8 Dec and was looking forward to messing about with them on nursery slopes. Might drive them to nearest open resort if they really want to ski (Diablerets??).
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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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One of the main reasons why the road to Thonon is important is that the major hospital for life threatening injuries, the specialised trauma clinic and the medical imaging centre are also in Thonon Les Bains.
There are small medical facilities in Chatel and La Chapelle, but most injuries gets treated at the main hospital Thonon.
( Evian hospital is for maternity, toxicology, rehab, and some other specialisms)
A 15-20 minute reduction in journey time to the main hospital could make a massive difference in patient outcomes.
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Article in Dauphine:
- Delay in opening to 21 Dec due to safety measures.
- Rock slide of 3m2 from a pile uphill has damaged machinery (see pic) and risked safety of workers
- One way only from Thonon -> Chatel, while traffic towards Thonon will continue to take the deviation.
-Subject to weather (perhaps they will close the RD22 in rain)
https://www.ledauphine.com/haute-savoie/2018/11/28/vinzier-d22-fermeture-prolongee-jusqu-aux-vacances-de-noel
In Vinzier, the RD22, Bioge bridge towards the Valley of Abundance, which was to reopen in late November, sees its prolonged closure. "Surprises on the construction site have disrupted the schedule," says Nicolas Rubin, chairman of the department's roads.
In this case, a block of 3 cubic meters was detached from a pile of boulders upstream of the site, destroying the passage of a construction machine. "New measures must be implemented to ensure the safety of staff on the site," says the elected.
It was decided to restore traffic on a one-way road (meaning Thonon-Châtel) and access to ski resorts in the Valley from Friday, December 21st, the first day of the Christmas school holidays. The descent, in the direction of Thonon-les-Bains, will be deflected by the Gavot plateau and subject to weather hazards.
The total amount of work to be borne by the Department will be 1.5 million euros.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@WindOfChange, Which makes it weird that they plan to open the Thonon to Chatel direction and not the other way....
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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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@Matt1959, It is important not to deter the lift pass paying punters from visiting. From experience, a large proportion of trauma victims arrive at Thonon district hospital by helicopter (assuming they have insurance  )
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@BergenBergen, My apartment overlooks the valley in La Chapelle and during the season we see & hear a constant stream of helicopters bringing the injured down to the landing place at the back of the main road!
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You know it makes sense.
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@BergenBergen, +1 about the punters.
The helicopter bit depends upon the evacuation point.
When Mrs WoC broke her leg in an off-piste gulley, they could not land a helicopter nearby, so it was 2 blokes and a sledge.
She was then transferred into a Pompiers ambulance at the foot of Pierre Longue.
They unloaded her in La Chapelle Medical Centre for an assessment, and then a private ambulance took her from onto a private trauma clinic in Thonon.
As we had no additional insurance I was relieved that there was no helicopter involved.
The transport from piste to hospital was EUR 200, which included, Pisteurs, Pompiers and Private Ambulance, which I think was damn good value.
Footnote - since then we have always had ski insurance 
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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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does anyone know where the schools usually move their lessons if there is no snow in PLJ?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Oleski, if there is no snow in PLJ then there is unlikely to be any snow in the immediate vicinity. But they have invested heavily in snow making facilities and installed a 'snow factory' during the last year. However the region has been experiencing a lack of rain fall over the summer/autumn months so it remains to be seen if they have managed to collect enough water to run them.
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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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a random question. Can anyone recommend a quiet and dark location around Chatel? Santa is bringing Oleski Jr a telescope and we may well use the cold and clear nights for stargazing
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@Oleski, Drive up to the top of the Pas de Morgins (c. 10 mins from Chatel centre)
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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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@Oleski, We are at the very top Route Du Boude and our neighbour has a telescope and seems happy with the location.
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@DJL, @Ozboy, thank you! I am so excited, probably even more that the junior 
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So just to line up my ducks for the worst case scenario, i.e. if no snow materialises in Chatel over the next 2-3 weeks... Not panicking at all, honest.
What will be my best bet? Daily drive up to Avoriaz? Somewhere else in PDS? Outside of PDS entirely?
All opinions are appreciated 
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| Oleski wrote: |
So just to line up my ducks for the worst case scenario, i.e. if no snow materialises in Chatel over the next 2-3 weeks... Not panicking at all, honest.
What will be my best bet? Daily drive up to Avoriaz? Somewhere else in PDS? Outside of PDS entirely?
All opinions are appreciated |
Firstly, there's cause for optimism as this weekend is showing heavy snowfall down to 700m, according to Meteosuisse. Of course, this is still 5 days away and the storm may be downgraded, but at least there's very strong certainty for cold temps for around 5 days following Saturday, which will allow the cannons to run (assuming there's enough water fallen to run them whilst it's been pissing down this weekend following the summer/autumn drought).
Whereas there's a big difference in the heights of the villages, there's very little difference in height between the skiing in Avoriaz and the skiing in the Plaine Dranse area of Chatel. It's about 129m if I remember correctly, which isn't really significant. In addition, in the event of little snow, Avoriaz will suffer from all the crowds coming from Morzine and Les Gets, whereas Chatel will suffer from crowds coming from La Chapelle and Morgins, i.e. smaller crowds.
I would very much doubt there'll be no skiing in Plaine Dranse, because it has opened with mostly artificial snow during Xmas and New Year even during the very bad season starts we had in recent years. There is more artificial snowmaking now compared to then. It might not be the extensive, uncrowded skiing of the PdS in good snowfall, but there'll be skiing and good restaurants in Plaine Dranse.
If the worst happens and there's no snow in Chatel, the best alternative would be to drive the 58mins to Le Chable, park and take the gondola and to ski Verbier, where there is snow and skiing already as it's much higher. Again, it'll be busy if there's no snow elsewhere and Verbier's lift system is not good in my opinion, for crowd management.
As it stands, Chatel and the link to Avoriaz is scheduled to open from 15th. I wouldn't panic too much. It's not unusual to have warm or dry November/early December.
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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'd say day trips to Avoriaz.
I did the first week of the season the season before last, staying in a very green Morzine. There was skiing in Avoriaz but mainly above Avoriaz (Lac-Intrets and Choucas chairs running from memory), and the runs down into the Lindarets bowl but NOT the lifts up across to Chatel or Les Crosets.
From Chatel they may have had some runs open but I think most resorts were trying to keep their powder dry (this was the week before Christmas week).
All that said the lift pass was dirt cheap (50-60Euro from memory) and with half the people there being ski teams using the same fenced off practice run the slopes were yours to do with as you would, so didn't get boring. You just had to shift your skiing body clock to be first lift/on the run coffee for lunch and ski through till the snow became porridge around 2:30 or 3pm/head back tp the chalet for a late lunch sat in the sun in t-shirts and shorts getting a tan. All in all not the worst week's skiing I've ever had!
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| BergenBergen wrote: |
http://www.avoriaz.com/decouvrir/decouverte-interactive/webcams
If you look at the webcam at the top of Grand Conche , it looks like a number of raised platforms have been constructed to facilitate the dropping of dynamite over the edge. I am right  |
Bungee jump I reckon...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Oleski, it’s too early to predict where we will be in three weeks time. In the unlikely event that snow does not materialise in the PLJ sector in Chatel then Avoriaz will not be much better, nor will any other areas in the PDS or nearby. There are higher slopes at Verbier or Les Diablerets, both about an hour away, but they will be incredibly busy.
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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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It's turned mild again.
No frost this AM @ 1250m, but at least its not hammering down with rain which has been the case recently.
The snowmaking in PLJ really good now, and with the recent rain ending the long drought, then there'e some water around too.
If the night temps drop into the -4 -> -8 range, then they'll be able to fire them up.
It's due to turn cold and start dumping down this weekend, so I imagine they'll hold off the canons until that weather pattern passes to see what is required to be ready for the 14th.
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New person here, but thanks to all who contribute. I've found this forum a great resource over the last few years.
I am hovering over the easyjet 'book now' button for the 15th/16th. Weekend away with my son to be based in Morzine with no transport so hoping there'll be enough open and linking to keep us happy.
Keep the updates coming. Cheers.
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You know it makes sense.
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Raining hard in Morzine and 5 degrees this morning. Forecast still for lots of snow, to low levels, over the 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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@MajorMarmaduke,
That will be the first weekend of the season. Super Morzine will be closed so you'll have to catch the bus to Avoriaz (not sure when it starts running). There may be some limited skiing on Pleney. Don't think the links to Les Gets will be open, but happy to be corrected.
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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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Rashly or not I took the plunge and booked the flights under £70 each return with a hold bag between us on easyjet so thought what the hell.
Probably a vaguely stupid question for those out there on the ground. I've always wondered how much snow in cm un-compacted on average does it take to be bashed down to form a piste from bare grass?
Cheers
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hazarding a guess at 30cm. They’ve been making snow on and off in Avoriaz so you’ll have skiing for sure. Next week looks super cold after the snow so what falls will stay.
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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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@Ozboy, am surprised those guys would do a blog post on a single Op chart 216 hours away....I used to find them very conservative, not looking much beyond a few days. The above link has no analysis or supporting factors (ensembles etc), just 'Oh la la' look at this chart. It may well be correct, it's been cropping up on a few runs, but other models are showing much milder / wetter outcomes that weekend. It's just too far away and isolated to be useful (worth a write up) I think.
Current snowline looks around 1600-1700. Seems to be have been slight shift east for this weekend's storm, so will likely miss out the heaviest precipitation on sat. Best stuff coming down sunday night and all day monday. Making Tuesday once again the best day of the week.
I've been sliding on as little at 10-15cm the last month....that's all the meadows need, and with artificial snow set to help the pistes, there should be more than enough to bash.
@zzz good to see you back, winter must be very close
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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"A" bus (the one you need) starts running 15th. The "graded" pistes (most greens & blues, some reds) need a min 25cm base, rattrack compaction is about 4:1, so a min one metre of accumulated fresh required. Ungraded pistes depends on the size of the rocks and holes lying around, probably need 3m accumulated snowfall for everything to be open.
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@polo, I think that chart is best viewed in the context of all the commentary and analysis they’ve been providing about the upcoming snow events from about a week ago. Their forecasting is quite accurate, maybe in the conservative side, as they manually analyse all the charts and tend to arrive at a blended outcome. The various snow forecast sites are automated and normally rely on one provider which provides lots of chopping and changing and inconsistencies. At of last night moment France Meteo and Bergfex were quite different with the latter predicting 40cm on Monday on the Chatel side.
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Thanks for all responses - feeling informed. Bottom line need the forecasted snow to fall then!
Was hoping to stay at Le Cret so knowing when buses U/P (from memory) start running would be good. I feel on a roll - anyone know?
Cheers.
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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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You can find the bus timetable/route map here - http://www.mairie-morzine-avoriaz.com/images/Pratique/Affiche-90x65-AUDMPNCE-BD.pdf
It shows the stops in town but some are easier to find than others. One is just along the road towards the EFS offices at the bottom of the Pleney. Another is by the first shop next to the petrol station, just up from the roundabout near the Super-Morzine. There's then one on the roundabout at the top end of town, by the fire station from memory. Not sure on the others.
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@MajorMarmaduke,You can also get the 'M' bus to Ardent an ski from there.
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FAQ
