 Poster: A snowHead
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Any updates on conditions out there?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yep any updates please? Flying out Thursday........... 
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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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Pistes above 1400m have good snow (a few stones here and there), pistes 1100 to 1400m quite good, can be a bit harder early on and a bit scraped later. Overall good conditions and v. quiet slopes.
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Thanks skier52, that sounds ok to me.,Look forward to finding out for myself when we hit Les Carroz on Friday for the weekend 
Any recommendations as to the best bars gratefully received as I haven't stayed there before. 4 blokes early to mid 40s so don't need or expect anything too lively!!!
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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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There are 4 bars in the village square, St Jacks, Carp Diem, The Marlow and another whose name I forget . . . age
Roger C,
it is very quiet and you will be making your own fun.
We used St jacks mostly as there is free wifi and as it's small you don't need too many people inside to make it cosy!
Have fun.
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have always enjoyed the Marlow (especially when there are six nations games on). My favourite ever pint of Leffe was drank in that bar after a superb day skiing. I wasnt even that bothered when scotland beat us....
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The Marlow does a nice breakfast for eight euro.
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A group of 9 of us are heading out to Samoens during the first week of February... looks like the snow is improving by the day which is a relief! Its our first trip there and was wondering if any one could recommend a good pub and restaurant in the village and also shed some light on how much food/drink costs in the Grand Massif area? 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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There are several bars and restaurants in Samoens none of which are really too far apart as the village is not that big really so give whichever one you fancy a go. We have been several times now, our last trip at new year and we are going out again the same week as you. We have used a few restaurants and bars but mostly self cater so my memory of prices is a bit vague, sorry. Coffee on the mountain is 3.60 or 3.80 a cup as I remember.
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Does anyone know why the Lindar Nord lift and Lapiaz drag in Flaine are closed? We are heading out next week and particularly like those runs in that part of the resort. I'm hoping, therefore, that its a lack of snow which will be rectified by the forecast snowfalls and not something more fundamental. Are they often closed?
Thanks
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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rachelharrisonsmith, Not enough snow, so snow bridges and holes in various areas have not formed properly yet. Those lifts have not been open all season
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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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tcw6, food on the hill is generally pricey but there are huts that are relatively ok. Of the ones we used and would recommend are the one at the bottom of Les Molliets and then another in Samoen area on Dahu run and the cheapest place we found was Morillon.
The ones we used in Flaine were expensive and not particularly good value, I know there are good ones but these are very expensive.
Large beers around 6 euros, coffees 2 euro, vin chaud 4 euro, plat du jour 12-20euro.
Beers in the village around 5 euro so generally cheaper than the big French resorts.
Hope this helps.
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tcw6,
Some tips to answer above questions;
On the slopes - coffee generally about 3.50 euros - all about the same. Cheapest place to eat is Mimmy's (up at the "old" Samoens 1600 - behind the old looking apartment buildings) - American Burger (inc chips) is about 8 Euros and Steak Hache is about £11. There is a snack bar under the restaurant half way down the very far left Blue run in Flaine (as you look up at the bowl) which does hot dogs etc - but the drinks a rip off (3.80 for a can of coke - no glass or service!).
In Samoens:
Bars:
Coveys (Irish Bar) is a must if you want English Speaking, English football and rugby etc and a quiz on a Tuesday - Free Wifi
Aspen Bar - always empty when we've been in, odd atmosphere.
Bar Le Savoie - good choice of cheap meals plus lots of drink choices - always lively, right in the village square. Free wifi
Bar next to Louisianne restaurant - good atmosphere, but often quiet. Has a good vibe when busy.
Restaurants:
Louisianne - Pizza plus Savoyard (cheese) specialties
Le Serac - They cook a great steak - good on the local stuff too
La Clarine - if you want cheese-fest, this is the place to go
plus lots of others….
Hope this helps
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You know it makes sense.
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The 4th Les Carroz bar is Pointe Noir. My preference of bar in order is St Jacks, Carpe Diem, Marlow, Pointe Noir. Large beer in SJ is 4.80E.
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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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carroz thanks for the reply. As I thought, but a little disappointing that they are very unlikely to be open next week. On the plus side, I'm visiting the area again in March so fingers crossed that they will be open then.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for the Les Carroz après info northantsred and skier52
Look forward to trying them out Saturday eve
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Most of the slope side bars/restaurants in Flaine are owned by the same family so don't expect much variation in the high prices.
Best value IMO is Le Pre next to the DMC - the food is simple but good value in comparison to others
Also a good place to sit outside & people watch plus service is usually quick if you want to get the miles in
Best slope side place for food in the whole GM is L'Beu in Morillon - try the Savoyarde omelette - simple rustic cooking but great value
Another option we use is to buy a packed lunch from the bakery in Flaine Foret & take it with us for a picnic on the slopes
You can do it yourself but if you're only there for the weekend it can be easier to pick up & go
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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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Much new snow this morning? Morzine has a fair amount so in guessing Samoens has also?
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When we arrived late last night the chalet owner told us 20cm had fallen over thur night/fri am and it certainly looks like Les Carroz received a good dump.
Piste conditions across the Grand Massif today generally good, a few bare patches appearing by late afternoon but nothing more hat you'd expect. It's pretty cod so the recent snow is still light and fluffy, certainly above 1900m.
All in all we are happy if you are heading out in the next few days piste skiing is good, off piste cover thin in places but still good fun to be had
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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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Regarding food and drink in Samoens, a good staying in option is to go to the traiteur in the village, le Veau Gras. Butcher, charcuterie too, but ready roasted chicken and salads are v good as are the prepared meals for reheating. The Wednesday market includes a fresh pasta stall too usually, excellent stuffed pasta.
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carroz, Charge them!!!
Good to hear about the conditions, really looking forward to my 5 day trip in mid march!!! Is more of the ski area now opening up or are parts still closed?
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Most of the grand massif is open, just a couple of closed lifts and runs
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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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Special day!
Snow first thing under corbalanche lift was superb, and got first tracks down, just been brilliant all day, now need some new legs!!
Only been around les carroz and tete des saix, but it has been a big smile day when everything clicked.
Very few people, was finding untracked powder at 3pm, everything in superb condition...roll on tomorrow
Ricklovesthepowder, I have had words with the management company, apparently the guests really liked it...............well they are on the NO list!
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carroz, Sounds great, pity I won't be there this time. But, enjoy  Ricklovesthepowder, have you discovered www.flaine.com yet? It gives conditions/ lifts and pistes open/depths throughout the GM.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just had an email from the Ski Grand Massif bods. Cascade is opening exclusively (so I understand it) for season pass holders from tomorrow and until 1030 free coffee and croissant at the lift, others from Thu.
Obviously had enough snow so might give it a go for the first time when we go out this weekend.
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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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Another rather good day
Has been very cold so snow squeeky and keeping very well. Started with the far side of the bowl into vernant, and usually as it faces south it gets wrecked quickly, but it was superb.
Gers was open, so did Veret into Gers, Powder was rather wonderful, even though I skied it not very well....... Froze up on the couloir entrance.
Snow in Flaine is just excellent.
Corbalanche was the same as yesterday, rather nice powder and totally empty at lunch time, even powder lower down in les carroz was light.
Criusy piste day tomorrow as my legs are a bit stuffed
Basil, Cascade is a superb run (apart from the up bits !) and the views are wonderful. Its not difficult, you will love it!
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carroz, Are the uphill bits a real pain?. Mrs B won't like it if too much walking/poling?.
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You know it makes sense.
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billb, Thank you, so much better than the Samoens website which is quite frankly awful
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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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Basil, They are a bit of a pain, needs a bit of skating. The top has a number of rollers. You have to do it at least once, and conditions are good at the moment.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, I'm in Samoens and heading home tomorrow pm but was hoping to do Cascades before heading off. See from the post above that it may be open to season-pass holders only. Any idea if they let regular pass holders on it tomorrow (Wed)? Will they actually be checking passes? thanks v much
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ajc2260626, I think that they are trying to make season pass holders feel 'special' and that the exclusive bit is the coffee and croissants until 10.30.
This is an extract from the email they sent:
En effet, les chutes de neige de ces derniers jours nous ont enfin permis d'ouvrir ce tracé magique de 14km.
Mais ne le répétez à personne, l'info vous est réservée !
Elle ne sera communiquée officiellement qu'après-demain sur nos systèmes (facebook, webécrans...).
Nous vous attendons donc dès demain (mercredi 29 janvier) à l'arrivée du téléphérique des Grandes Platières !
Petit déjeuner café-croissant offert jusqu'à 10h30 sur présentation de votre forfait saison, exclusivement.
I read it as 'we're telling only you' rather than 'only you can come'.
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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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sj1608, thanks! will give it a go...
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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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Yes its breakfast for season pass holders, no way could they check passes on cascades, as there are 2 ways to it, the top near desert blanc, and then the skate to it from the bottom of gers past the lake.
Cascades was reasonably skiable (very hard however) at new year as I did it off piste from gers, so this snow should have made it very good indeed, there is a fair bit of snowmaking at the base, just watch for stones near the base (when you get to all the tight turns) as they are always there even if the snow is good.
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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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ajc2260626, let us know how it is if you make it - we arrive on Saturday and it's on our list, too!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Good news about Cascades run, we arrive for long weekend on Friday! Please advise, not sure if I have skied Gers bowl, is it pisted? Is it ok for reasonable intermediates, I haven't skied for a year and am always a bit nervous when I start off...which lift is it to the Gers bowl? Thanks,
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Cascades has to be done once… to realise why you shouldn't bother again, but those of us who go every year forget and do it again about every 3 years 
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….. but it is worth doing… once!
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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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Minnie, Gers is not pisted, but if you can do an ungroomed black then the piste will be ok, the drag back up is very steep. Get the DMC lift from Flaine, then go left as far as you can. The fisrt entrance to the long full cascade run is on the right just after the top of desert blanc chair lift.
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stevo_the_saddler, Daughter and I had an interesting Cascades run last season when the gers drag broke and we had to get the last bus, so it was a race down cascades, (in the slush it was end of march) luckily she can skate well, we did it by 5 minutes.....we both agreed it was the best way to ski cascades
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FAQ
and got to clean the apartment a bit as the last set of guests have left it not very clean...why stuff your dirty linen at the back of a cupboard..... 
