 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
As has been mentioned the past 2 days have been very busy on the slopes, as well as in the different villages. There have been arrivals on sunday, monday, tuesday (due to the Christmas over the weekend thing). Up untill monday evening Christmas week was very fun, but things are busy right now. Pistes are getting scraped due to the number of people having passed through by the end of the day. Ski school lines still allow a shorter wait time but Arpette, Bergerie always have a lot of pupils in line as well. Time to be careful out on the slopes. We were still treated to hot and sunny weather today. As mentioned above as well, the number of lower resorts having a more difficult start of the season will definitely have impacted the filling up of La Plagne at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@johnE, cool. yeah I've just managed to dig an old pass out and recharge it online. sorted 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
The SAP announce a ''probable'' opening of the télécabine des glaciers on friday 29/12/2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| boredsurfin wrote: |
Taken after just dismounting the Adret chairlift I reckon, or from the Terrace of the 360 restaurant |
Yes. No crowds after 1pm, as was said above. People taking later lunches or having to stagger lunch. Great run down to Montalbert.
If you wanted really quiet skiing we stopped by Notre Dame de Pre in the afternoon - just one piste today (not enough snow on the others) with some little kids doing the loop. Skiing as it once was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good to see at least some skiing at notre dame de pre. It’s a lovely little village with a great sports climbing centre above it. I take it the longfoy lifts were closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently lightly snowing here in Belle Plagne.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@boredsurfin, thanks for the pointer. Hope you're having a great holiday
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Glacier opened at 10:15. Queue wasn't too bad, about 25 mins or so. The lift kept stopping for various issues. The new cabins are very spacious and for 10 people (10 seats). People were trying to overload this quota and the lifties were having to eject the extra people.
Sadly no great views today but the snow up top was lovely. The red 'combe' run down to the middle station was fantastic.
They've replaced the old 2 man chair of Chalet de Bellecote with a newer 4 man. It's a single speed but there is a travelator which helps. This also seemed to be having teething issues as we were stuck on it for 20 mins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tris wrote: |
Glacier opened at 10:15. Queue wasn't too bad, about 25 mins or so. The lift kept stopping for various issues. The new cabins are very spacious and for 10 people (10 seats). People were trying to overload this quota and the lifties were having to eject the extra people.
Sadly no great views today but the snow up top was lovely. The red 'combe' run down to the middle station was fantastic.
They've replaced the old 2 man chair of Chalet de Bellecote with a newer 4 man. It's a single speed but there is a travelator which helps. This also seemed to be having teething issues as we were stuck on it for 20 mins. |
Thanks for the update. Does combe still have the nasty track into the corner before the descent proper?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| stevew wrote: |
Thanks for the update. Does combe still have the nasty track into the corner before the descent proper? |
It does indeed, the run is mostly the same apart from the very top. Luckily for us the track was still really nice with fresh soft snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Tris wrote: |
| stevew wrote: |
Thanks for the update. Does combe still have the nasty track into the corner before the descent proper? |
It does indeed, the run is mostly the same apart from the very top. Luckily for us the track was still really nice with fresh soft snow. |
Cheers, might give it a go next week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Well, that was the busiest Saturday skiing for a good few seasons, even had to queue for a couple of lifts! Seemed to be a mixture of French day trippers new to the area (looking at Piste maps, studying the direction signage etc) and people on late departure or Sunday changeovers.
Stopped for a coffee at Verdons and chatting to the staff they were saying they were surprised how busy it was and they were just about keeping up with the normal Saturday staffing level.
Got back down to Montalbert and found the streets to be pretty busy with people collecting kit and looking for parking spaces.
A couple of Paris registered cars just stopped side by side blocking our driveway and the road to the car park, a quick word in the ski shop and they came out of the shop and moved their cars muttering away to themselves. I guess the idea of carrying their hire stuff 50 yards or so would be such an effort 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@boredsurfin, Sounds like we’re in for a busy week then- when we eventually get there that is. BA from Edinburgh to Chambery was diverted to Grenoble and 3 hours late. Transfer changed and should be on our way up to Belle Plagne soon hopefully. Long day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@chopkins13, Yep its busy, plus day trippers, because lower resorts have a lack of snow. Do you know why flight was diverted, I have to be in Chambery tomorrow to collect family arriving
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@boredsurfin, Chambery was thick fog apparently and only a couple of brave TUI pilots seemed to fancy it. Lots diverting to Lyon and Grenoble. Transfer company has offered to collect us from Grenoble for an extra €150. BA laying on coaches to Chambery if needed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Ah, thanks, Grenoble isn't that much further, no sign of fog up here this morning. Transfer company adding quite a margin...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@boredsurfin, Indeed, but needs must at this time with little children in tow. Does anyone know of a shop/supermarket in Belle Plagne or Bellecote that is open after 9pm?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| chopkins13 wrote: |
| @boredsurfin, Indeed, but needs must at this time with little children in tow. Does anyone know of a shop/supermarket in Belle Plagne or Bellecote that is open after 9pm? |
Our return flight was also diverted to Grenoble from Chambéry. It's pure chaos here at Grenoble airport.
Sadly the supermarket shuts at 7:30pm. Hopefully the pizza cabin down by the lift pass office will still be open for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Tris, I feel your pain.
Dreading the return leg next Saturday - I fear several hours sat on the floor in Chambery airport!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@chopkins13, I know the feeling too well. 
Hope you have a great week. The snow is still really great for the time of year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Daughters BA flight tomorrow morning to Chambery has just been re-routed to Geneva..
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Tris wrote: |
| stevew wrote: |
Thanks for the update. Does combe still have the nasty track into the corner before the descent proper? |
It does indeed, the run is mostly the same apart from the very top. Luckily for us the track was still really nice with fresh soft snow. |
Part of me is glad they kept this as it will be nostalgic, the other thinks if is a tad silly. Do they still have warning signs about the pistes on bellecote being for "experts" only?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| boredsurfin wrote: |
| My Daughters BA flight tomorrow morning to Chambery has just been re-routed to Geneva.. |
Despite being diverted which is far from ideal, I'd be very glad she has been sent to Geneva.
Grenoble was a total nightmare last night. They just could not cope with the extra flights.
Due to various accidents it took us 2.5 hours to get down the valley and onto the N90 at Aime. 5 hours in total to transfer to Grenoble
Our flight to Manchester was delayed and we took off 4.5 hours later than scheduled, the most painful part being the plane was sat there waiting on the runway for us for 3 hours while we sat in the terminal. It took 45 mins to get from gate to the aircraft. Literally all they had to do was open the door to let us walk the 100m to the plane.
I've had some tough times at Chambery in previous years but this was next level.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ruswit wrote: |
Part of me is glad they kept this as it will be nostalgic, the other thinks if is a tad silly. Do they still have warning signs about the pistes on bellecote being for "experts" only? |
There was some banner type things across the top but unfortunately I don't recall what they said exactly. My wife/daughter don't do reds, I had to persuade them that the 'Combe' would be 'not too bad' so I was focussing on ensuring they were not panicking 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Nice and easy run to Geneva and back BA flight was early! Passports only long queue - Eu queue even longer...
Snowing quite heavily in Montalbert for last couple of hours - its all white again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@stevew, you're in la plagne next week Steve?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Magnificent day. Colosses, Blanchets opened 15min after the usual 9am. At least 20cm of powder everywhere and 200% enjoyment. A wonderful sunny day. I had a lovely time with my morning clients on Bozelet, the blue run on the Verdons sud side. The afternoon was spent in the Roche de Mio area, some soft snow bumps formed in the afternoon so good practice, but mostly it was a lot more busy. Wonderful day to start the new year. Happy New year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@JulieAimeLeSki, Yes what a brilliant way to start the new year - blue skies and powder everywhere. Like you we headed to the South facing slopes of Champagny sector to make the most of the sun in the morning and had a great few hours. Blissfully cold again tonight so hoping for some great piste conditions again in the morning too. New Year’s fireworks last night at midnight were very impressive too, well done La Plagne.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
How are the runs on the lower slopes looking? Quite a few still looked closed on the app. The red runs down to La Roche still look closed (nothing unusual there for this time of year!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@Handy Turnip, Haven’t been too low today, only as far as bottom of Pierre Blanche lift - lovely conditions down to there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Cheers @chopkins13 - let me know how it looks if you get on the lower runs over the next couple of days. There's lots of red runs on the lower slopes that are closed, but snow looks okay on the webcams down to Montalbert and Montchavin, so am wondering if they just haven't got the bashers out onto those lower reds yet (as it's still early season).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Runs that are open down to Montalbert are all fine - The closed Reds are because the streams running/under/across and beside them haven't frozen yet..
However rain is forecast this evening up to 2500m - lets hope that forecast is wrong...
Same forecast says a huge dump of snow on Saturday - that will be fun for the Grande depart!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| boredsurfin wrote: |
Runs that are open down to Montalbert are all fine - The closed Reds are because the streams running/under/across and beside them haven't frozen yet..
However rain is forecast this evening up to 2500m - lets hope that forecast is wrong...
Same forecast says a huge dump of snow on Saturday - that will be fun for the Grande depart! |
Interesting!! Never occurred that it could be due to streams running by the runs. Fingers crossed for those big dumps, hopefully all the way down to 1250m, and some colder weather!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| boredsurfin wrote: |
| Runs that are open down to Montalbert are all fine - The closed Reds are because the streams running/under/across and beside them haven't frozen yet.. |
Skiing off piste last week it was noticeable to me how many streams were exposed. Coming back to Crozats as an example.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@Layne, I was surprised by the stream in 1800 right next to the beginners piste! I've never noticed it before, it was surrounded by catch fencing ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@boredsurfin, yeah, very weird given the coverage isn't that bad.
And actually quite dangerous in places.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
#DépartsEnStations | Weekend of December 29-31
Traffic will be difficult on Saturday 30 both to access and leave the Savoie stations.
