 Poster: A snowHead
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Well said Dabber, I live in abondance (20mins from Chatel) and ChatelSnow's reporting is spot on and better than anything else on the web - love it! Don't leave ChatelSnow please!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| nevis1003 wrote: |
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nevis1003, why do you feel the need to be needlessly rude to people on this forum on a regular basis?
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I corrected him after he, as he says misunderstood what I said about skiing in powder.
I don't understand why he re-posts weather forecasts which are much more accurate in their original state.
But if he likes doing that it's a free country.
Similarly some of the stuff you post about about piste conditions, on or off piste, is quite inaccurate.
The best place to determine weather or snow/avalanche conditions in the Chablais is here http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-montagne/bulletin-avalanches/chablais/OPP01 |
The best way to determine weather or piste conditions is skiing 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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Chatel Snow, PLEASE DON'T GO!!!!! We need you!
Thank you for all your forecasts and mountain reports. I certainly appreciate it from home or when we're out in Morzine.
Seriously, don't go.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Chatel Snow, another please don't go !! Your posts have always been very informative. Much appreciated - thank you !
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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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Hear hear - please keep posting.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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i am off to mozine next sunday & find Chatel Snow reports very helpful!
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CS. Where are you? All forums get the odd troll or keyboard coward. Sounds like people want you to keep posting. Especially me. I'm flying out on Wednesday. 
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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 for the positive posts and private messages received - much appreciated and it is nice to know that some people appreciate the honest way that I am trying to portray the Chatel area, its snow conditions and potential snowfalls.
One reply to mr Nevis above, as the link he provided above for the Meteo France Chablais avalanche report, which appears to be the only one he looks at, is a good one, but has several very obvious flaws.
- it gives projected snowfall for 1800m - great if you live in Avoriaz, which presumably Mr nevis does, but most of us live at far lower altitudes - so what about the forecast for 1200m or 1000m? This season has been mostly about marginal snow/rain events at resort altitude.
- it is issued once a day at 3pm in the afternoon - and like all forecasts can be quickly out of date (6 hours is a long time in snow forecasting). I have also noticed that the local avalanche level in Chatel the next day, has been different to the one forecast on that link!!!
- it is a general forecast for the Chablais region - whereas there are obviously big differences in snowfall at the same altitude across the Chablais region.
- its report of what has fallen in previous days is also a general one or average across Chablais and is often different for this valley.
- it is often simultaneously showing different snowfall forecast amounts to those on Meteo France's own precipitation forecast - so which one do you believe?
- it should be used in conjunction with the excellent Swiss avalanche centre forecasts - as we are right on the Swiss border
My point here is that to rely on one source of forecasting information is not necessarily the most sensible thing to do for one particular locality. I have found the recently publically available Euro4 model to often be excellent for this area - but like all computer models it is not infallible, though it has often been much better than the GFS this year. The Euro4 Met Office model powers the data behind the rainfall graphics on the BBC forecasts, replacing the previous NAE weather model and is a key Met Office model.
From a personal perspective, I have been producing daily forecasts for a locality in Wales for over 11 years, which have a large local following and compliments the broader regional forecasts produced by the Met office / BBC etc.
Back in the 80's my dissertation and project essay for my degree were related to the effects of the landscape on local wind flow and snow measuring and mapping - so I do have a reasonable understanding of what goes on up the mountain when it is windy. I spend a large proportion of my time on the mountain off piste, as although a relative newcomer to this area (having done several seasons elsewhere), I have been fortunate to have been shown some amazing nooks and crannies by one of the local old hands - including some spots that few venture on.
I apologise for rambling on and blowing my own trumpet, so to speak, but I feel this is necessary to counter the negative post(s) above.
Back to the forecast and there appears to have been some upgrades overnight to Wednesday/Thursday's snowfall and I'll post an update later today.
Yesterday was as clear as it gets - view to the valley bottom towards Lac Leman
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 6-03-14 8:46; edited 1 time in total
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...and spring conditions, with beautiful scenery above Morgins ...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Chatel Snow, keep up the good work. Much appreciated as I count down the days left in my office until I depart for the mountains.
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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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Chatel Snow, 
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Great pics. fly tomorrow. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited.
Can you please arrange for a good dumping of snow for the next 24 hours and then a couple of days of sunshine?
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You know it makes sense.
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Chatel Snow, just to add to the big thumbs up you're getting from everyone apart from one idiot. I look at your reports very enviously each day and I'm waiting anxiously for each weekend so I can hit the slopes myself...not always the PdS, but in the general area.
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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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Here is my view on the latest forecasts / models for Chatel for tomorrow's potential snowfall, copied from our website... remember it is just an opinion...
Chatel Snow Forecast Update 25/02/2014: 5.35pm
As mentioned on our twitter feed earlier, there have been some model upgrades for the amounts of snow forecast for tomorrow's potential snowfall, which is due to arrive overnight. This morning, the Meteo France website was showing 25cm for the upper slopes, but this has since come down to 13.5cm (8cm at 1200m) with the 3pm Chablais avalanche bulletin saying 15cm at 1800m - however, the models are showing something a bit different. The GFS raw data on its latest run suggests nearer 25cm to 30cm of snow equivalent precipitation for much of Chablais and the all important Euro 4 nearer 20cm. The Euro4 figure often appears to correspond with the amount of precipitation that falls at approximately resort level, so if what falls out of the sky is all settling snow, then the 8cm Meteo France estimate might be an underestimate and there could also be more than 20cm on the upper mountain. Note the use of the words "might" and "could". During the last snowfall, there was quite a downgrade in the models overnight, so it would be nice to see something similar being shown tomorrow morning, or perhaps even an upgrade. Beyond tomorrow, there is a chance of further snow on Thursday night through to Saturday, and although Meteo Suisse are suggesting virtually nothing from it, the charts suggest otherwise, with some significant snowfall looking more likely than was the case on our update yesterday, though this is still very likely to change again by then.
Forecast update on Wednesday morning.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Right, I give in your forecasts are good…
I was thinking what would be useful would be a quick translation of the French avalanche forecast for the Chablais which I don't think is available elsewhere in English, Im used to all the words now, but I am sure most people struggle with it.
Regards,
Nevis
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| nevis1003 wrote: |
Right, I give in your forecasts are good…
I was thinking what would be useful would be a quick translation of the French avalanche forecast for the Chablais which I don't think is available elsewhere in English, Im used to all the words now, but I am sure most people struggle with it.
Regards,
Nevis |
Good idea - this should be used too- v relevant to PDS too and in English.
http://www.slf.ch/lawinenbulletin/lawinengefahr/index_EN
Re. the Chablais avalanche update from yesterday, where 15cm is forecast for 1800m today - Meteo France have upgraded amounts for upper mountain to 26cm - though mixed messages from other models and sources this morning.
1cm so far this morning from light showers. The main event, if it actually occurs, is due to arrive later.
Temp 1.5C - so relatively mild (again)
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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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Chatel Snow, your photo posted at 10 38 yesterday - we have an almost identical photo, taken at Easter 2008, enlarged on the wall of our kitchen - I know exactly where it was taken from. I had to do a double take when I saw it here!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| sanman wrote: |
| Chatel Snow, your photo posted at 10 38 yesterday - we have an almost identical photo, taken at Easter 2008, enlarged on the wall of our kitchen - I know exactly where it was taken from. I had to do a double take when I saw it here! |
It's a nice view!
Still dry here in Chatel, quite cloudy - Wednesday is no school day in France so about to take the little one up to Super Chatel for a couple of hrs.
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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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sanman, I thought that place was my secret picnic spot, down the raquette track near the two Morgins drag lifts?
Obviously not secret and every snowhead and his dog goes there!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Haha DJL, not quite i have never taken my dog there!
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sanman, When are you out next? do you overlap our lad's trip (March 8-15)?
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Chatel Snow, keep up the good work. Much appreciated as I count down the days left in my office until I depart for the mountains.
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+1
I go to chatel or Les Gets every year. I love the updates. It is a place that has captured my heart and I read all your posts with great interest and enjoyment.
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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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DJL, sorry David I am going out on Saturday but coming back on Wednesday 5th, then going out again on the 19th, so sadly I will neatly bracket your dates. We will manage to meet up one day! Cheers, Tim
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It's dumping down now... really started coming down at about 2-3pm. Hopefully it keeps going overnight as we have a guide booked for tomorrow to do some off piste.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Snowing heavily down in Morzine!
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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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As feef reports above - it has been snowing since earlier this afternoon and moderately for the last hour or two down here in Chatel at 1200m.
Today is the 53rd day since 10th October that snow has fallen out of the sky during any 24hr period in Chatel - with just over 3m of snowfall measured here at 1200m (snow that has settled), with obviously a lot more than that higher up the mountain (probably more than double so far).
Latest thoughts on tonight's snow = still mixed messages...
Chatel Snow Forecast Update 26/02/2014: 5.35pm
There are still mixed messages from the models and forecasts this afternoon for the snowfall, that has only really started in the last hour or so here in Chatel. The output from Meteo France is contradictory (again) with its Chablais avalanche bulletin suggesting 15cm at 1800m (and 5cm for tomorrows potential snowfall), but its precipitation forecast on the same section of the its website is suggesting 27cm of snow for the upper mountain this evening and tonight and 12cm for the resort! Which one is going to be nearest to reality? Some of the other model output viewed appears to support the avalanche bulletin and Meteo Suisse and the SLF avalanche bulletin suggest 10 to 20cm as a likely outcome. So, it is now just a case of waiting to see what falls!
After tonight's snowfall, there is likely to be some further snow tomorrow evening and into Friday, which could be significant followed by further falls over the weekend and on Monday too, meaning, by early next week, there could be a fair bit of additional depth on the mountain.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Thu 27-02-14 15:34; edited 1 time in total
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I'll be waiting till I wake up before deciding which skis to take... the fatties or the all mountains
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You know it makes sense.
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7cm on the van roof so far this evening (1200m) - still snowing moderately at the moment.
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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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This snowfall has brought a decent max measured depth of 14cm to 1200m here in Chatel - will be heading up early to check on conditions higher up. Currently -1.5C.
If latest charts are to be believed, there is the chance of some fresh snow of varying amounts every day until Monday or Tuesday! Forecast update later.
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Poster: A snowHead
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So, so crowded today!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Harry Flashman, not before 1030am 
Snow was lovely this morning but I did feel for the people struggling through large lumps of soft snow that had already accumulated by 10am on the blue leading down into the Ranfoily Bowl.
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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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Very quiet in our favourite area above DJL's pad in Chatel before 11.30am this morning. Lovely snow on piste - but not quite enough off piste to stop you feeling the bottom - though is was OK in some spots. 14cm at 1200m on the van roof this morning - and max depth recorded of 20cm at 1900m. Be interesting to know what it was like towards Pre La Joux and Avoriaz - as their official site was only reporting 14cm at 1800m. There is a mention of this on the forecast update below...
Chatel Snow Forecast Update 27/02/2014: 4.00pm
Last night's snow was a useful one (14cm at 1200m and nearer 20cm at 1900m) and there looks like being some more snow over the next few days, starting off with a light snowfall this evening / tonight. At the moment tonight's snow looks like being only a 5cm or so affair, if that, but better than nothing. Further snow is expected from Friday afternoon into Friday night and this might be more significant, perhaps a 10cm to 20cm snowfall at resort altitude, with more higher up. Over the weekend, there may be some showers knocking around, especially on Saturday, but it it not yet possible to tell if they will affect this area, or add to the snowpack. Another area of snow could arrive on Monday. It was interesting to see that the Meteo France Chablais avalanche update this morning mentioned that there had been more snow than it was predicting yesterday, and it suggested that 25cm had fallen generally at 1800m across Chablais, however, in this area the forecast was not too far off as Chatel saw 14cm to 20cm and Avoriaz was only reporting 14cm at 1800m and 15cm at altitude - it just goes to show the quite wide variations in snowfall that occur across Chablais.
This morning above DJL's ...
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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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Tiny flakes falling now here in Chatel - the beginning of another snowfall - though probably a very light one (unless we get a nice surprise)
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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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Dusting (e.g. couple of cm's) of snow at 1200m in Les Gets. Using the 'stick my shoulders out the door for a couple of seconds' method it's definitely feeling colder tonight. Which would be nice as I'm sick of scraping slush off the driveway in February.
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Snow! About 15cm on the balcony this morning. Happy days.
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A bonus 10cm on the van roof this morning at 1200m - more than expected & still snowing lightly from the snow showers that the radar shows in our area.
More potent band of snow arriving later!
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| MeMyselfandI wrote: |
| Snow! About 15cm on the balcony this morning. Happy days. |
Fantastic - bit more than us - have a great day! Its always nice to wake up to a surprise snowfall!
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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 am in morzine from Sunday and more snow coming next week? 
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I'm liking the recent reports. A modest top-up most days and bit more to come next week. Seems to be slightly cooler as well.
We arrive a week tomorrow - any sun and blue skies on there way?
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FAQ
