mornin' just to let you know - my previous incarnation as ChickenDhansak is dead - mrs D.. sorry mrs snowhouse, objected to the curry references. Anyway whatever the name if eurotunnel is fixed on Boxing day we're still up for a lutins meeting on Sunday. Our friends - who have a place at the vensoc end of town - were due to be travelling down yesterday - just waiting on an update on how they got on! Sounds awful from all the reports.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
snowhouse, I'll never get used to it!
Today was cold again, but really quite sunny so it felt much warmer. Temps reached -2 in the early afternoon, but then a cloud sent them back to -12! The nursery slopes weren't all that interesting so I took a pic of nice chalets and Christmassy trees instead - of course LDA is only big, ugly apartment blocks isn't it? It snowed a bit at Tea time, but I think it's stopped now.
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?
easiski, sounds like conditions will be near perfect for when i come out on boxing day, can't wait
paulmck, thanks for that, I know exactly what he did now, it's fairly easy if the viability isn't good to get too far right: I almost did it last season not my best moment. There are two runs (i.e. big off piste descents) below there but you need to now exactly what you're doing. Scottish Skier and I did one of them last winter and there are pics on my trip report. One memorable part was sideslipping part of the exit couloir with an ice axe in case of a fall which would have been pretty nasty. If you missed that couloir there are two others which end in massive ice falls so good route finding is absolutely imperative. We also got buzzed twice by a heli, once half way down and once as we reached the road, we probably got seen ducking the rope below signal.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Today was only -10 at 08.30 in the morning - great! Unfortunately is was wild and windy, and by the afternoon you could only ski in one direction on the nursery slopes! The wind removed any loose snow that was lying anywhere, and you couldn't see where you were going, never mind the terrain! Of course I didn't bother to take a photo, because there was nothing to see. It's died down now and tomorrow is supposed to be both warmer and with less wind, so I'm hopeful.
That wind can change things so quickly. Did the wide red that ends at the Toura restaurant three times in succession on Thursday afternoon. Second time I skied it much better but in the twenty minutes it took to get back to the beginning the wind had reduced much of the piste to concrete and combined with snow swirling into my eyes meant my third attempt was survival mode. Shook my confidence so I had to ride the Village chair back down instead of going down Valentin which I had managed OK the day before. Looking forward to going back to LDA, especially for the Envers du Signal red which always put a smile on my face after getting down the scary first bit.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
truffaut, yeah that first pitch off the top of Envers by the chairlift is something else. It's always like an ice rink it seems - even when you've got knee deep powder everywhere else! I am amazed it is a red run.
Swirly, that's serious balls-out stuff - Man of Steel. Where does it put you out when you reach the bottom? I have a burning ambition to hire a guide and go from behind Lac Noir down to St Christophe or Venosc, but I only seem to get out early or late season when the conditions aren't right. I like your tag, by the way. Very funny
easiski, lovely picture - is that looking up your street from in front of your house?
After all it is free
After all it is free
paulmck, No, it's further up the road behind the Place de Venosc - lots of old buildings and smaller chalets there - a different world, never discovered by the english tourist (the french seem to wander a lot more).
It was positively balmy today at 0 degs this morning, and although a bit miserable and overcast (and windy at altitude), it was really quite pleasant. The worst problem was that much of the snow had been either blown away or melted at the southern end of town, but at the northern end it was quite nice. I heard that good snow could be found in sheltered places all over the mountain if you knew where to look.
Pix of the Petit Plan end of town from the Petite Aiguille chairlift, and of lots of happy peeps on the nursery slope.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
easiski wrote:
- a different world, never discovered by the english tourist (the french seem to wander a lot more).
Ahem - some of us have walked round most of the area, winter and summer!
Nice pics today
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Butterfly, You're the exception! How many times have you heard the words 'ugly' or 'characterless' or whatever used to describe LDA? It's simply that the average Brit tourist never leaves the centre & main street.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
easiski, true. There is a lot of variety to be found just for the looking and it's a shame so many don't. However that's the same wherever in the world you go. We've been to Tenerife several times as it's an island with lots of variety and interesting places to visit, yet your average Brit reckons it's typified by the ghastly Veronica's strip in Playa de Las Americas . One of the most interesting exhibitions we visited is Güímar’s step pyramids, similar to those in Peru and Mexico, a fact that the Norwegian adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl used to support his theories relating to the migration patterns of ancient civilisations.
On our last visit we happened to be in the return check in queue with the same people that we'd chatted to on our way out. We asked where they'd stayed and what they'd seen/done. They knew only the name of their hotel complex - they didn't even know which area of the island it was in. They'd been all-inclusive and had barely left its confines. It reminded me of the teenage lad I used to teach who told me he'd been to Spain for his hols - on asking him where, he didn't know. I asked if it was on the mainland, or an island, perhaps Ibiza or Majorca. No, he was certain they hadn't been to an island, it was "Spain" and he said the airport began with a "p". Eventually he recalled the airport name: Palma.
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.
Butterfly, [groan] [/groan]
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Butterfly, easiski, the irish mob I worked with thought that was a perfect holiday... All inclusive, Irish breakfast provided, eat only "irish" food... They had often stayed in the same places that they would all suggest to each other because it had irish food... They returned with photos of the resort they stayed in...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
little tiger, each to his own I guess, but I will never understand it. To me an essential part of holiday is exploring and finding out about local culture. This is why some of my ski trips have been a little bit frustrating as my lack of skill clips my explorer wings!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Butterfly, agree with you 100%, went to Tenerife this year (the wife wanted some sun in the feb half-term instead of the usual snow ) i wasn't particulary interested in going, mainly due to my image of the island as being all Playa de Las Americas. We stayed in Adeje and although the resort itself was nothing to shout about just outside we found the Barranco del Infierno which was a different world, one of the best walks i'd ever been on ( & a restuarant that did a superb Tenerife chicken ) a little imagination and driving away from the tourist traps i found Tenerife to be a beautiful island both culturaly and visualy, i will definately be going back
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
we went to Fuerteventura a few years back (good surf was the draw). like others we noticed that some simply stayed in the complex, all day every day. i overheard where to get good fish and chips and chinese in the town - "but i wouldn't go anywhere else - they just serve that foreign muck" she said without a trace of irony.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
anybody give me a heads up into lift pass prices for L2A
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?
Arno, Blimey! I haven't heard anything but I've been running round distributing cards and some bottles of wine to appropriate people!
Lizzard, I pushed your card under the middle payment tray! I missed you.
Today was warm and dull, but the snow was very hard in the village. Last night it evidently turned from rain to snow and then back to rain and then it froze! It was skiable, but hard work, and not brilliant fun. However it started snowing again at about T time, so fingers crossed we'll get enough overnight to cover the hard bits. Pic shows very little view from my balcony today!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Right guys ,although we are not leaving for les2alpes until boxing day the missus is packing already, the burning question is, that she quite fancies (as do i) the outdoor pool after a hards day on the slopes, but do they provide towels to hire or do we pack our own, we seem to be up to our weight limit already and the extra could tip us over the edge
After all it is free
After all it is free
LIAMJ, no hire towels - why don't you just use your hotel ones?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
not exactly professional quality but gives an idea of the huge scale of it!
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.
Arno, f u c k That is huge.
paulmck, drops you near the river but then you have to walk upstream to a bridge which is by a small carpark with a big boulder in it. The way we went involved a small bit of caving! The St Christophe run off Toura is good too, we did it a couple of times but it melts out pretty fast we were on it late Feb early March.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Arno, HUGE! Nothing on Davidoff's site either, but LG say that the lift is closed due to extreme avalanche risk. Would be interesting to know where it started as the webcam fromthe top looks normal.
It rained today - all day on and off (which means even more severe avvie danger). It's supposed to turn to snow tomorrow. The Chrissy celebrations in town were a bit of a wash-out sadly. I didn't take a photo because it was horrid!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Arno, is this the video: link? Your one has stopped working.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Today was a real christmas present! It had snowed overnight, all morning until early afternoon the clouds rolled around a little and the sun came out from time to time. We had about 20cms of fresh snow at Cretes level, and both parts of the Combe du Thuit were open but unpisted early afternoon. It was great! My students did really well, and the Chemin des Demoiselles was fine, with stunning views (see last two pix). A very good day all round. The first pic shows what I saw when I looked outside first thing, dramatic pic from the Cretes and then the views I mentioned from the chemin
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
easiski, Butterfly, Hope you have a very Merry Christmas, see you in the New Year
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hope all enjoyed Christmas Day!!
This time next week, we will have arrived in L2A!!
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?
easiski, Glad you got some great weather for Christmas Day! Now we're the right side of Christmas the ski trips seem a whole lot closer
fragy, will you be out the same time as us again (20/3)? Was trying to think of somewhere round here to go and play in the white stuff, but couldn't. If we get more as predicted I might go and find out what the "Another World" mountain board place in Halifax is like - it's just off the M62. They have 3 rope tows and 7 slopes 300-500m long that they say are suited to beginners & intermediates.
Butterfly, we are out on the 13/3, might just cross paths in town. The "Another World " sounds like it may be worth a visit.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
It was really quite nice again today, although there was light cloud most of the day, it was principally bright. The wind had dropped and we got up onto the glacier which had the most fabulous snow. Skiing down wasn't bad either! It's still a bit hard in patches at the bottom (we did the last bit of the Valentin which was a major moment for my guys). Otherwise it really couldn't be better on the piste.
View from part way down the Dome run on the glacier.
easiski, Good to see the pics. Sounds like a good Christmas
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
easiski, lovely! How do you do the "last bit of the Valentin"? It doesn't look that long on the close up piste map I found. Also, that shows Petites Cretes going off towards the Red Eggs from the entrance to L'Y as well as the section we used. I don't remember seeing evidence of that where you exit the 2-man chair. Yes you're right, I have nothing better to do on Boxing Day evening than drool over piste maps - and I spent part of the afternoon watching my new "Basic Edging" DVD
Minor crises in the Lizzard household at the moment - I have burgeoning throat infection and Mr L broke a metacarpal yesterday. Boo!
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.
Butterfly, take the first two legs of the Chemin des Demoiselles and then go straight on! You come onto the Valentin about 2/3 of the way down. 2-3 steep turns and then it flattens out (well a fair bit - it's never blue). Path is just where you get off 2 man Cretes chair - very dull, goes down to Vallons chair - no point at all.
Clear today and -10
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Lizzard, go to pharmacy and get Betadine gargle - gargle every few hours for a day or two...
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
The nursery slopes weren't all that interesting so I took a pic of nice chalets and Christmassy trees instead - of course LDA is only big, ugly apartment blocks isn't it? 
It snowed a bit at Tea time, but I think it's stopped now.
not my best moment. There are two runs (i.e. big off piste descents) below there but you need to now exactly what you're doing. 
Of course I didn't bother to take a photo, because there was nothing to see. It's died down now and tomorrow is supposed to be both warmer and with less wind, so I'm hopeful. 
) i wasn't particulary interested in going, mainly due to my image of the island as being all Playa de Las Americas. We stayed in Adeje and although the resort itself was nothing to shout about just outside we found the Barranco del Infierno which was a different world, one of the best walks i'd ever been on ( & a restuarant that did a superb Tenerife chicken 
) a little imagination and driving away from the tourist traps i found Tenerife to be a beautiful island both culturaly and visualy, i will definately be going back
