 Poster: A snowHead
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sj1608, heading to Morillon tomorrow for the week, that does not sound too clever. I'm guessing you have the low pressure working its way up to the UK in the morning so fingers crossed by the time we get to GM Saturday for breakfast it will have cleared and be set for a good weeks skiing
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes, it's due to clear by Saturday. But it's not good at the moment, still pouring with rain in Les Carroz, although the wind seems to have dropped a bit.
We've been watching the live piste/lift feed. Flaine is closed, except for nursery slopes, Les Carroz pretty much the same, with a few exceptions. Much more open in Morillon and Samoens, which I guess is due to the different side of the mountains that they are on. But it still wouldn't be any fun skiing there at the moment, as it appears to be raining rather than snowing all over the place.
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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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Come on Grand Massif Thread! not on the first page tut tut!
I'm flying out on Saturday night, what's new this year? have they done some work in Les carroz near the top of the gondola?
must try the new ridge red run down into Samoens, it was too windy last year.
How is the new Daimont Noir chair in Flaine? has it made that area more popular?
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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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Very quiet this thread for some reason!
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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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| mr_big_ad wrote: |
Come on Grand Massif Thread! not on the first page tut tut!
I'm flying out on Saturday night, what's new this year? have they done some work in Les carroz near the top of the gondola? |
yes, changed quite a bit, new carpet and whole beginners area
| mr_big_ad wrote: |
| must try the new ridge red run down into Samoens, it was too windy last year. |
Was a bit stoney 2 weeks ago, super views, but has ruined agile noir as they seem to piste the top now
| mr_big_ad wrote: |
| How is the new Daimont Noir chair in Flaine? has it made that area more popular? |
Much better, still really slow however so not many people, and it was bl**dy cold 2 weeks ago!
should be out there on Friday, ........................subject to striking french persons............. which may mean 18 hours on a boat rather than 1 hour 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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In addition to the changes mentioned by Carroz there is a new link from Blanchot to Pleine Soleil so that beginners don't have to go down the steeper bit that leads to Pleine Soleil and Combe.
Saturday was our last day, and was a bit of a mixed bag. Blowing and very icy on Tete de Saix (links to Flaine were open to begin with, but then closed), and very warm and a complete slushfest lower down
Sorry, we're back home now so no more updates from us for the moment  ....but we'll be grateful to receive them from those of you already there or about to arrive.
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Lindars chair lift is open today, first time this season. Kept breaking down though on the way up. Didn't care because the sun was out. Diamant noir chair lift is ok, didn't notice it was very slow, compared to before seemed better. Not many crowds at all considering its half term. Cascades run also open, great snow at the top, Sochi snow at the bottom ie light coating of artificial over pure ice. Many beginners slumped defeated at the side of the piste thinking, no doubt "why is this a blue run?" Glad we did it today.
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Minnie, It was prob slow when i was on it last because it was rather windy. (hence cold)
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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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Will pick up the gauntlet of reporting when we're there from Saturday! Can't wait. Is public wifi easily available?
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I think the tourist office in Les Carroz has free wi-fi judging by the number of people camped in there with their eyes glued to electronic devices! Not sure about elsewhere in GM.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks sj1608. Hopefully the Flaine tourist office will be the same.
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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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sj1608, Its not free, you have to pay for it, but its a wifi hotspot and they have machines you can use
There are some bars that have free wifi if you buy a drink
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carroz, oops, sorry to have misinformed. There must be an awful lot of people prepared to pay judging by the numbers in there last week!
Kennyboyo, no idea about Flaine tourist office, but Sucre Sale bar/restaurant in Flaine Foret certainly has free Wi-Fi.
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You know it makes sense.
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Report from mate in Flaine yesterday :
Absolutely great day. Beautiful views. Superb skiing albeit a bit mogully with all the snow. Weather not meant to be as good tomorrow.
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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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Lovely day again today, not full sun as some light mist but sun came out later. Mont Blanc range in the haze but great views into Flaine bowl. There was still some fun to be had off piste at top of Flaine, stayed up high most of day. Flaine seemed quite empty but the liaison back to Samoens was packed. Usually take the Chairiande red but legs were tired so did Dahu and then cut down Gouilles. Which was quite narrow and icy but quite empty, probably the ice explained that. Glad we didn't do cascades again...Could be quite warm again tomorrow, forecast sunny intervals.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We've been here since sat. We skied GM on Sunday in mixed conditions. Then Monday went up to les gets and moraine for a change and had a lovely day (family not skied it before) sun shone all day. Yesterday we tried praz de Los-sommand which is little heard of. Only 20 mons from Samoens and its a great little area for regulars in this area to try.
Anyway back to the GM today. This morning was ok. Not too busy and all runs had lovely conditions - although a Sahara sand storm (so I'm told) gave the whole ski area (and cars) a very dusty brown look. Quite bizarre really - almost looked like mus showing through. Didnt effect the skiing, although the light snow and thick fog that came down around lunchtime meant we stopped about 3. Getting a bit slushy after lunch low down. Still plenty of snow about. But could do with cooling down.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| stevo_the_saddler wrote: |
We've been here since sat. We skied GM on Sunday in mixed conditions. Then Monday went up to les gets and moraine for a change and had a lovely day (family not skied it before) sun shone all day. Yesterday we tried praz de Los-sommand which is little heard of. Only 20 mons from Samoens and its a great little area for regulars in this area to try.
Anyway back to the GM today. This morning was ok. Not too busy and all runs had lovely conditions - although a Sahara sand storm (so I'm told) gave the whole ski area (and cars) a very dusty brown look. Quite bizarre really - almost looked like mus showing through. Didnt effect the skiing, although the light snow and thick fog that came down around lunchtime meant we stopped about 3. Getting a bit slushy after lunch low down. Still plenty of snow about. But could do with cooling down. |
This shows what I mean
[img]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151886020620881&set=pb.277536130880.-2207520000.1392841706.&type=3&theater[/img]
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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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That didnt work - try alps Accomodation on Facebook for a couple of pics
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Beautiful sunny day, quite mild and so snow was hard packed and icy and melting at the bottom, so once again we stayed up high where conditions were best and we could make the most of the fantastic visibility. Need some colder weather and more snow! Loads of people skiing today, lift queues much longer than usual, possibly the local schools had brought the kids up because there seemed to be a lot of them. It's meant to be snowing tomorrow but at the moment that looks unlikely, still quite clear.
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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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Beautiful sunny day, quite mild and so snow was hard packed and icy and melting at the bottom, so once again we stayed up high where conditions were best and we could make the most of the fantastic visibility. Need some colder weather and more snow! Loads of people skiing today, lift queues much longer than usual, possibly the local schools had brought the kids up because there seemed to be a lot of them. It's meant to be snowing tomorrow but at the moment that looks unlikely, still quite clear.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Minnie wrote: |
| Beautiful sunny day, quite mild and so snow was hard packed and icy and melting at the bottom, so once again we stayed up high where conditions were best and we could make the most of the fantastic visibility. Need some colder weather and more snow! Loads of people skiing today, lift queues much longer than usual, possibly the local schools had brought the kids up because there seemed to be a lot of them. It's meant to be snowing tomorrow but at the moment that looks unlikely, still quite clear. |
Need more snow? is there not a lot? Webcams and the internet are suggesting over 300cm at the top, and over 100cm at the bottom?
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Yes, there is lots of snow, as a result of which most of the runs are now open. it's just packed rather hard right now. And icy because of freeze/thaw conditions. Would be nice to have some powder like we had on Monday, that's all I'm saying. But it's better than having a load of stones sticking out from the piste like people were reporting at Xmas!
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stevo_the_saddler,
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Yesterday we tried praz de Los-sommand which is little heard of. Only 20 mons from Samoens and its a great little area for regulars in this area to try.
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We usually try and get there once or twice a year from Les Gets and always have a good time.
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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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Is the parking near to the pistes at Praz de Lys?
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Snowshower, yes, we usually park somewhere, right at the bottom of a chairlift. So we have stopped first on the way through the village and either swapped a reciprocal pass from the PDS for a local one, or bought one, and then carried on to this parking which is on the right hand side of the road. Couldn't tell you where it is other than at the bottom of a chairlift.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Quite a bit of new snow today. Very quiet on the slopes for half term as it was snowing hard all day  would love a sunny day tomorrow as a great for a quiet Saturday ski before going home on Sunday.
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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 Pamski
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And we got a lovely sunny last day with some fresh powder too. Great day skiing on quiet slopes with no lift queues at all. That's it for another year for me. Family all in one piece is a bonus too
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for the updates stevo......sounds like you had a decent week there.
Regarding PdL.....shhhhhhhhh, we've been nipping rounds there for at least a day for years when staying in Morillon and very often have fresh snow with nobody on it, some very nice bits for my kids there as well.
Wifi is available in Morillon also if you buy a coffee in the bakery at Les Esserts, I think quite a few of small places may offer this if you are a customer paying for their normal products, not a bad arrangment I think.
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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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Sit outside of the Madame Vacances Les Terrasses de Veret in Flaine Foret and you'll get free wifi - no code required. But you might get a bit chilly. Or be really cheeky and sit in reception there with a load of teenagers!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Ricklovesthepowder wrote: |
| Minnie wrote: |
| Beautiful sunny day, quite mild and so snow was hard packed and icy and melting at the bottom, so once again we stayed up high where conditions were best and we could make the most of the fantastic visibility. Need some colder weather and more snow! Loads of people skiing today, lift queues much longer than usual, possibly the local schools had brought the kids up because there seemed to be a lot of them. It's meant to be snowing tomorrow but at the moment that looks unlikely, still quite clear. |
Need more snow? is there not a lot? Webcams and the internet are suggesting over 300cm at the top, and over 100cm at the bottom? |
If there is no more snow between now and when you go there will still be enough for a great holiday. All the pistes are good and seem well tended to. A bit of freeze thaw over half term but in the main all very nice especially south facing which was like beautiful spring snow in the afternoons. There were a couple of full days snow during half term which spruced everything up and gave two awesome powder days. A lot of the off piste in open bowls was tracked out mid week but Friday and Saturday snow topped that up too. If it never gets worse than that at half term I'd be well and truly happy!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Currently good skiing conditions over all Grand Massif above 1100m altitude. More snow and colder temperatures forecasted over next few days.
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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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Just returned from a week in Flaine - bucketloads of the white stuff so no worries about grass / rock skiing. Snowed about 2 feet worth over the week (22/2 - 1/3) when we were there over a very generous base. Get the first lifts up Grand Platieres and Aup De Veran if you can to lay fresh tracks. Most runs had a degree of moguls by the afternoon but by far the worst was the Tourmaline run. Cascades was beautiful although there was a bit too much poling for my liking. Enough snow on the lower runs into LC, Samoens & Morillon although we noticed they were significantly busier than the Flaine pistes (maybe the sunshine brought the hordes out). If you get a windy day, try getting the Grand Platieres cable car up first thing, lay some fresh tracks, race down to Desert Blanc and then back up again. The wind may just have covered your tracks and you lay some fresh ones down again! We managed to do this 3 times. Half term queues minimal to non existent in Flaine bowl - once waited 5 minutes max for cable car, on average less than a minute waiting.
Gave up on the free wifi at Madame Vacances Les Terrasses de Veret in Flaine Foret (that's where we were staying) as it was grindingly slow - not sure whether it was bad timing on our part. Maybe the sofas at reception being constanly full provided a clue as to amount of usage?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Kennyboyo, Thanks for the detailed update. 2 weeks today will be my first ski day, really cant wait!!! SOme warmer temperatures and rain forecast for the end of the week by the looks of things?
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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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Kennyboyo, Thanks for the detailed update. 2 weeks today will be my first ski day, really cant wait!!! Some warmer temperatures forecast by the end of the week though.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It just keeps snowing here. Great snow conditions but white out most of the day above about 1800m. Flaine pretty quiet this morning but many people did the same as us and headed for the tree lined slopes down to Morillon. 15 minute queue for the lift back out of town.
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Last couple of days have been blue skies and very warm, so although there's still great snow cover it's getting a bit slushy in the afternoon lower down. Off piste is pretty much all tracked out one and the moguls on the unpisted routes area getting a bit harder as the daily freeze/thaw does its magic. Forecast for tomorrow is more sun and even warmer. Been busy this week with a lot of French kids on holiday, so out of Samoens in the morning we've been using the old Vercland gondola to avoid the queues at the Grand Massif Express.
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I fly out next Sunday. Hope there is a fresh top up of snow before then!
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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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Ricknotgettingthepowder,
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I fly out next Sunday. Hope there is a fresh top up of snow before then!
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I'm heading East on Tuesday and am only expecting a sun-tan.
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Ricklovesthepowder, you should be alright - current warm spell is meant to end in the middle of next week. Good bases on almost all the pistes so nothing to worry about unless you were planning lots of off piste.
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FAQ
