 Poster: A snowHead
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| DJL wrote: |
shoosk, it's hot! That said the snow depth is pretty good and even the runs down to Morgins from Super Chatel were OK today if a little soft.
We did a day from the Barbossine lift. No queues anywhere in the Super Chatel/ Morgins area and pistes well prepared though suffering in the sun.
Five hour ski ticket followed by a few beers in the Avalanche watching the rugby. Great atmosphere and the right result!
Looks like early starts and picnic lunches for the rest of the week. |
Thanks for the info.
First lifts, sun lotion and sunnies it is!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another hard day in the sun - St Jean d'Aulps and Roc d'Enfer first thing as it all opened - up and down a few of the runs and coffee at the top by the poma, snow getting soft just by the second café on the circuit by 11. The new poma going well now and speeded up since January and the run back to join the piste down to the gondola base much improved. Round again and the difference in the snow in 2 hours quite marked - finished off with a lovely salad at the Licorne before skiing back down to the car. The French are around in droves - spotted by the woolly hats and lack of helmets. I think you would be hard pressed to better the learning area for small people at the top of the gondola at SJD - all off to one side with no-one needed to career through it.
Wall to wall sunshine here - and very nice out on my terrace while a bit of DIY shelf installing is going on inside.
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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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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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Over in Chatel area for part of today and we all got very frustrated by the new "rule" that all backpacks must be removed. Badly organised...no notices generally and at most lifts there was no one instructing people of the requirements. So then mad panic literally as one got on the lift...and Cornebois lift was stopping every 10 chairs or less as they just stopped it if anyone had a pack on however tiny (leading to an unnecessary lift queue). Actually far more dangerous in my view to remove backpack...indeed squashed on a full chair my water tube got stuck in the chair so getting off was very difficult and a beginner or less confident skier would likely have fallen over. So it's our third lengthy trip here this season alone and never before has this been the case other than on the lift out of Morgins. What's going on...does anyone know? Will it take someone getting their backpack straps seriously entangled in the chair mechanism for them to reverse this? (And that is something I've actually seen happen on a lift with very nearly serious consequences.).
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Reason could be the death of a British child two seasons ago due to a ruck sack catching and the child getting caught up and suspended by the straps. This happened on the chair up Linga, I am guessing there may have been another incident in the area to cause for checks again.
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Reason could be the death of a British child two seasons ago due to a ruck sack catching and the child getting caught up and suspended by the straps. This happened on the chair up Linga, I am guessing there may have been another incident in the area to cause for checks again.
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carolh, summer,
Yes - I mentioned this a few pages back - my concern was not the fact of having to take a back pack or ABS off - but the lack of signs and the last minute request to remove it, just as you are about to load. Having said that - I soon got back into the habit of taking it off. Some consistency across the PDS would be good regarding this!
I'm told it is related to the tragic accident on Linga a while back, as suggested by Summer above.
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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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carolh, yes, as summer, has suggested this cropped up a couple or so years ago after the sad death of the British child, at the time they had big notices up everywhere and most of the lifties were very vigilant in making sure that people flipped their backpacks round to the front. I expect there are probably more people using backpacks at this time of year too so that they can discard clothing, take picnics etc. We had big notices about it around Les Gets at the time - I have been on lifts here since though with people who got quite stroppy about having to remove them but once told why seemed able to accept it.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 10-03-14 23:21; edited 1 time in total
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I always remove my backpack and yes it is a pain but for one thing, with it on I feel as if I am too far forward on the seat.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Backpack - how long does it take you to get it off? Undo waist and chest strap, lengthen left shoulder strap and slip your left arm out. 20 seconds max.
Anyway back to the snow. We had a great day. Started off at Cret Beni in La Chapelle - first time I've been there in 24 years in the PDS - really nice little area. Well kept pistes and because of the aspect most of the piste stayed pretty good. Some of the steepest red runs I've seen anywhere (but alternatives to avoid them). Mighty fine coffee stop at the restaurant before the second chair then over to Braitaz for a few runs then lunch at the restaurant below the gondola arrival. Salade chevre chaud well recommended. Very soft by 2pm. Then over to Torgon for a few runs and back to Petit Chatel across the fields - barbed wire, grass, mud patches and tumbles aplenty.
As we had left the car at the Braitaz parking Guy and I had a run down to pick it up but overshot the car park and ended up at the Fer Rouge for rehydration. Oops! Nice spot.
It's much too warm but as there has been a good depth laid down it is holding up well. Early starts recommended.
Over to the Swiss side tomorrow.
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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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Both GFS and ECMWF are showing less of a chance of winter returning next week, if this morning's runs are to be believed. Might all change again by this evening though!!!
Deja vu this morning - blue skies and another very warm day lies ahead.
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Another beautiful day, although I can now see a few clouds in the sky. Up from Ardent when the lifts opened and straight over to Switzerland where we made quick decision to do the Ripaille and having coffee at the second café down by 9.45. All so different from our last trip down there in January when there was thick cloud and we picked our way down from the top - Planachaux was looking better than expected - another coffee at the Torpin just above the bottom of the poma and t bar, eventually home via the Grand Conche and the Abricotine, and the run down to Ardent was in good nick - but that was only 12 o'clock. About 6C driving back from Morzine to Les Gets.
Friends starting to arrive from tonight so we do need to do a little sorting out here now!
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You know it makes sense.
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| DJL wrote: |
Backpack - how long does it take you to get it off? Undo waist and chest strap, lengthen left shoulder strap and slip your left arm out. 20 seconds max.
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....which leaves a few unfastened straps & buckles dangling ready to get caught in a chair, as opposed to none. I don't really follow the logic of why it is a great deal safer than having it on the back.
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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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i pray , please winter come again!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
I don't really follow the logic of why it is a great deal safer than having it on the back.
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I suppose a bag that is not securely attached to you is less likely to cause problems than one which is. and on some chairs a bulky backpack pushes you a bit too far forwards.
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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 thought the issue two or three years ago was that the backpack had gone over the back of the chair, so when he jumped off he was still in some way attached to the chair, and then suspended. I find it irritating to sit next to someone who sits sideways on so that their backpack is not pushing them forward - its just taking up most of the space that would be for me.
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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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Another lovely day in Chatel - bit more cloud and breeze - but still warm. PLJ seemed harder and icier first thing compared to yesterday. Cret Beni was soft and slushy in places this pm.
Chances for decent snow have receded for mid-week next week - though small changes in the charts could change that again.
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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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The Pepsi challenge was pretty rubbish end of last week, skiing along the surface of compacted, transformed snow, so must be worse now after the very warm temperatures.
Any sunny slopes to access north faces should be regarded with caution, especially if at all steep, i.e. to traverse in.
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Hi there
I'm travelling down from Yorkshire on Friday, staying near the bottom of the Linga lift. Anyone know where we can pick up a wifi connection near there?
Thanks in advance
Andy
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| abd wrote: |
Hi there
I'm travelling down from Yorkshire on Friday, staying near the bottom of the Linga lift. Anyone know where we can pick up a wifi connection near there?
Thanks in advance
Andy |
The Schuss hotel / bar at the bottom of the Linga telecabine have wifi - though I am not sure if it is free etc - but well worth an ask.
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Thanks Chatel Snow,
Also, where in Chatel are there bumps at the moment? Obviously know I can go over to Avoriaz and sample the delights of the Swiss Wall just wondering where we might be able to get some practice in on Sunday as we warm up for our L2 starting Monday.
A
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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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abd, Heading up the Pierre Longue at Pre La Joux this morning - looked to be lots of bumps in the usual places - so you should be fine!
Had a quick session this morning whilst our little lad was at mini ski club - very hard first thing - best snow was in the Stash coming back from Avoriaz. Sunny pistes softening rapidly though as it is clearer today and feels warmer.
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A brief forecast this eve - not the best for snow lovers - but having glorious sunshine & T shirt weather comes a close second best! Hoping that this evening's ECMWF model run pulls a rabbit out of the hat as the latest GFS operational run is effectively dry for the next 10 days.
Chatel Snow Forecast Update 12/03/2014: 5.40pm
The latest info from the global computer weather models is suggesting that apart from the chance of a dusting on Saturday night, there may be no new snowfall in Chatel for the next 7 days at least. There appears that there could be a change during the 7 to 10 day period, as shown by this morning's ECMWF model, but even that is still a long way off.
The temperatures may get cooler over the weekend, but could then become rather warm again for the first half of next week.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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abd, I heard just the other day that the bumps on the black Renards are huge at the moment, more than the level required for L2. Apparently there are some good bumps areas in the off piste area known as Donkeys which is off to the left at the top of the Cornebois lift between the two red runs. Good luck with the L2 
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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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Thanks all. Will keep you all posted.
A
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Recent bump report - both Rhododendrons and Casse Noisettes from the top of Rochassons. No idea what you need for L2 but spotted someone in a BASI jacket off the side of the red down to Lindarets under thr Chaux Fleurie chair. The iteneraire under ther French Mosettes also had plenty. In fact go anywhere that hasn't been pisted and you find bumps!
We had a great day - repeat of Monday on both sides of La Chapelle. Braitaz first at first lift time and the pistes were perfect firm (hard) first thing but softening quicly to give spring snow and there were so few around it didn't cut up. Over to Cret Beni at 12.00 for a few runs then picnic below the top chair and sveral runs down the ESF gates (its harder than it looked at Sochi!) Snow holding up well all day and only a few scraped patches on the last red down.
Sure, we could do with some fresh but anyone out next week will still have enough to ski on.
Thinking of trying the couloir below the cross down from Mossettes tomorrow. Anyone done it?
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You know it makes sense.
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| DJL wrote: |
| No idea what you need for L2 but spotted someone in a BASI jacket off the side of the red down to Lindarets under thr Chaux Fleurie chair. |
Those would probably be L2 standard especially at the margins of the run, unless they have got a lot of traffic and grown too big (not seen them for a couple of days). They get very slushy from early afternoon though, so maybe try them earlier in the day to see if they have softened after the overnight freeze.
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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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Thanks DJL, rob@rar. I appreciate that unpisted runs will bump up DJL, thing is that I've not skied Chatel before so don't know what's pisted and what's not.
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Poster: A snowHead
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abd, the run that DJL, mentioned (underneath the Chaux Fleurie) is just off-piste (to the skiers left of whatever that piste is called. It's a nice pitch for either variables if the snow is fresh, or small bumps if it's had some skier traffic on it. Thos shows the pitch, with variable snow
https://vimeo.com/77780919
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks rob@rar, on a train at present and t'internet blocks the vids so will look later.
Am getting soooo excited!!!!
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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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DJL , I looked down it today at lunchtime, way to soft , you need to be on it early!!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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rob@rar, I assume the brief for that run was "balls out speed please"???
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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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kitenski, out Trainer gave us a choice of how to ski it. Someone in our group said "we'll GS it". Then he got slap from the rest of us.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Might be worth pointing out that the run mentioned is not actually in Chatel as abd is not familiar with the area. Ok, it's only just over the top but technically in Avoriaz sector and a full PDS pass needed.
rob@rar nice vid 
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sarah, I'd assume you'd have a full PDS pass for a L2........
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Thanks sarah, we'll have full PDS passes
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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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Peter Kuwall did tell me that Chatel only passes would be sufficient, however there's hardly any price difference between a 13 day PDS and a 13 day Chatel, so a full PDS it is.
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kitenski, abd, for the BASI boys, same video in slo-mo gives a better sense of the work needed for that kind of variable snow (small bumps covered with a bit of fresh).
https://vimeo.com/77849806
Variables this week is scrapped hardback through to lumpy/grippy, and with nothing forecast for at least a week or so will remain the same for a little while.
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