LES ARCS 2012 / 2013

A snowHead

Photos from yesterday are now posted. Take a look in the Jan 2013 Album on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

As you can see it was one of those special days when almost everywhere we went we found fresh powder, sometimes up to our knees.

After leaving the Les Arcs area on the Vanoise Express we managed to get across to the Roche de Mio with only a few delays due to large queues. Starting with a warm up descending through the cliffs of the Roche de Mio we then headed onto the Bellecote and down the North Face. At first it looked like it was all skied out, but after descending the first section we crossed the avalanche area and found mostly untracked snow.

Take a look at the pics to follow the route we took. After plenty of time to play all the way down, we finally crossed the stream at the bottom and arrived at the 'Cheval' for a late lunch.

It had been a long trip, but well worth the effort. A great way for those going home to finish the week.

These are my favourite photos from yesterday! Todays report to follow shortly.

A snowHead

Should have posted this yesterday for all those just arriving, but it was to late last night. Yesterday we travelled around Les Arcs checking out the whole ski area one last time before my friend headed for home.

Mostly on piste today, the conditions were still very good. With plenty of snow depth on all the pistes we used. Starting from Arc 1600 we crossed over to the Arc 2000 bowl, then up the Varet and over to Villaroger. A good descent in the sun almost the whole way to the bottom, then up again and through Arc 2000 before heading to Peisey Vallandry via some nice off piste above the forest area to get some good photos of the Freestyle jumping. A quick lunch then up top again using the Grizzly Chair and all the way back to Arc 1800. Straight to the snowpark for a bit more fun and photos before heading back to Arc 1600 and home.

The snowpark is almost finished now. The Airbag is a great hit as always and FREE. The new video jump area is very popular. The boardercross is good and the Red and Green jumps are busy. It would be good if they ...built some blue jumps as well. The pro and blacks jumps are under construction.

The Speed test area above Peisey Vallandry is being well used.

In the Arc 2000 bowl, the Bordercross courses and the Sledge Rodeo run are open and also busy today. They have built an ice tunnel on the Sledge course again and down near the Arcabulle there is an Igloo being built for corporate events. Looks interesting.

The off piste is well tracked in most places now unless you go further away from the pistes, but the snow depth is good and there are plenty of places to find natural jumps and lines through the trees and open areas. All the piste natures are open if you want to improve your off piste skills without needing the safety gear.

Anyone coming out should have a great time as the sun is forecast to continue for the next few days. Have FUN!

Photos of today will be posted in the Jan 2013 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page shortly.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

The photos I like best from today!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

With the weather on the change it was time to hunt for more fresh powder before the sun and wind destroy it all.

Met up with friends and as we had to be finished by 3pm for them to get back to work (sad!!) we headed up to the Bellecote again.

After various discussions we choose a route which had a very interesting entrance and the finish was a little tricky as well. But in between we found some excellent untracked powder. At least 2000m of the stuff. Just what we wanted!

After a fun descent over a cornice and across a number of powder fields finally finishing thorough the forest we headed to the Cheval for a drink and then home.

The snow off piste was still good, firm and grippy at the start, soft and light in the sheltered areas and very mixed lowed down. Watch out for the old avalanche ice lumps. They stop you without warning when you hit one that looks like soft snow.

If you are interested in the photos. They are will be posted in the Jan 2013 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page shortly. Not many today as we did not have time to stop and pose.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

Two photos from today I like.

An interesting entrance, just about to jump.

A tight entrance, pleased I was not going first.

Enjoy!

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Left early this morning to make the most of the good snow before it warmed up to much. Headed straight over to Montchavin to meet up with friends and then went as quickly as possible up onto the Bellecote Glacier via the Roche de Mio face as a warm up.

After a quick check of conditions with the pisteurs we headed over the back and down to Champagny du Haut via a nice long powder field and some interesting areas where there had been a few slides which we crossed very carefully.

After negotiating the tricky path out we had a quick bus ride back to the Champagny Gondola and up to the restaurant by the Rossa chair for lunch.

Another quick ski and a few lifts later and we reached the Bellecote Glacier again. This time heading to the Friolin Bowl and a pleasant route down through mixed snow conditions to the Bauches chair. One final route through the forest above Les Coches and home.

Despite the lack of fresh snow for a few days now, we were still able to find powder in various places and firm chalky snow. First thing in the morning the pistes and off piste were hard packed and frozen in most places, but by 1pm the snow was more like spring conditions where it had been effected by the warm sun. If anyone is planning to go off piste, I would suggest doing so early in the day whilst the conditions are more stable. The pistes are holding up well and still excellent to ski in most areas. The warm sun makes it feel more like April than January right now.

Sadly there was an avalanche on the Petit North face of the Bellecote again today, but fortunately they were able to get both people out. I hope they are OK. Take care out there!

The photos i like the best from today!

On our way down the first slope. Very mixed snow early in the day.

Now it is time for powder turns!

More photos of today's route posted on the Les Arcs Winter facebook page in the Jan 2013 Album.

More to come tomorrow!

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I'll be there from the 12th - promise to catch you in George's one day.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

RattytheSnowRat, look forward to seeing you.

After an early start to make the first lift again today we headed straight to the Bellecote Glacier and over into the National Park. This time climbing the steep face above the Glacier before descending an equally steep snow field with a nasty surprise near the bottom which needed to be jumped before stopping on the glacier field below.

Following a little rest to collect peoples composure we headed down through the snow fields and bowls to make our own fresh tracks in the powder which was still in very good condition and mostly untracked. At over 3000m the air was thin, but the temperature was pleasant and it was turning into another very good day.

Finally stopping at the Refuge for a quick snack after a long descent we headed on towards the exit and the waterfall at the bottom before a...rriving at the car park for a well earned drink and the bus ride down to Champagny.

Following a nice lunch we headed for home via some easy off piste going into Plagne Bellecote which was in surprisingly good condition and a little more fun in the forest coming down to Les Coches where we also still found soft snow hidden from the sun amongst the trees..

The pistes we skied today were holding up well even late into the afternoon despite the warm sun and the off piste whether tracked or untracked, if you took the right aspect, was enjoyable to ski.

A fine day was had by all and with the warm weather continuing, as long as the routes are chosen carefully this week still has plenty of good skiing to be had!

Here are the two photos I like best from today!

Passing the waterfall, mind the holes!

POWDER AGAIN!!

If you are interested in following the route we took today, take a look at the Jan 2013 Album on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

Enjoy!

After all it is free

snowcrazy, just seen the pictures of the nasty supprise! i bet that was a brown trouser moment Laughing

Russeh, +1 - I'd have had to think long and hard about getting on to the downslope bit of that 'surprise'. Given it was 'near the bottom' I guess that would have made the difference.

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RattytheSnowRat, haha I guess these things happen from time to time even if you chose your route carefully

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Russeh, RattytheSnowRat, It was not as hard as it looked, but it was quite a challenge. The run out was good, so as one person found out, you had plenty of room to go over and come back up again. But you did have to be hold your nerve to make the turn at the right moment.

Late post tonight. The photos from today will have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe I will try and add one quickly.

I made a slightly later start today as it was supposed to be an easy day. It did not turn out that way.

Went up about 10.30 and had a few runs down the Arc 2000 Bowl mostly on piste with a friend before he headed home early to go and visit someone.

I then hooked up with one of the National Park forest guys and we went into the National Park Nature Reserve (NPNR) area. This turned out to be really fun. He lead which was nice and I tried hard to keep up. Sorry no time for pics while I was skiing with him. I just had time to catch my breath.

Having descended one couloir into the NPNR, we headed across another bowl and down another couloir stopping from time to time to check the signs, examine where some of the birds are supposed to be nesting and generally checking his area. It was very interesting for me to see him at work and I must admit I did learn quite a bit about the animal life in the area and how they need to be protected.

I also learnt how he issues the fines and generally enforces the Nature reserve and National Park policy regarding skiers etc. I also saw how they look out for those breaking the rules. By the way, in case anyone was wondering, the fine is now '135 Euro' and you could also loose your ski pass if you enter the restricted area without the permit and go out of bounds. This includes entering from the Grand Col entrance as well.

After spending a while with the Warden (Forest Police in France), I left him with his report writing which he sat down to do in the sun whilst looking out for rule breakers.

Having already had a good warm up I headed back up to the top and did another route into the NP down an easier couloir and then through the forest and back to the Comborciere Chair. Then up to Malgovert and over the back down the Robert Blanc Couloir. Finally back up again and through the Malgovert Forest all the way to the Mid station of the Funicular.

Had to go up to come down, bit of a pain. Then finally home.

What was to be an easy day turned out to be harder than I had intended, but also lots of fun. I was testing a new pair of skis today. 'The Volkl Kendo' 184. My thanks to Polaire Star Ski and Snowboard Rental Shop at the bottom of the Funicular for lending them to me. They are 89mm under foot and very good. Full test report of the skis tomorrow.

The pistes I crossed today were all in good condition and held an edge well. Not to hard packed and fun to ski as the pistes have now been compacted well. The new snow that is forecast is just what they need to freshen them up.

By choosing the right aspect the off piste routes still had powder in places and were stable when I was on them although you do need to be careful that the sun has not been out to long. The bad weather had not yet arrived when I finished today. It is predicted that some snow is on it's way over the next couple of days.

Now it is time for bed. Another full day is planned for tomorrow.

snow reports

A quick question re lift passes if I may - we're stopping in 1950 and kids are doing morning ski-school. The Discovery pass gives us one day in La Plagne - whilst it looks like a nice idea are we talking a whole day trip to get over there. I'm not sure of the time involved to get across to the Vanoise Express from where we are

I think you'd struggle to do it in a morning. Afternoon might be achievable, because if you get back to the Les Arcs side too late for the lifts you can get the bus back from 1600.

You know it makes sense.

snowcrazy, cool, i'm sure it does look worse than it is. Sounds like a fun day though

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

mikeh, you can get to the Vanoise with one lift (Bois de L'Ours) from 1950 , and about 15-20 mins ski.* However, you won't get to see much of La Plagne if you need to be back for lunchtime pickup.

As Jenniper says, you might be better in an afternoon, although again, you'd need to be prepared to pick up at 12 on the dot, get over to the other side for say 1ish, grab a bite, explore a bit, get the Vanoise back, then you've got minimum three lifts to get over to 2000 (Peisey, Derby, and either Grand Reynard or Transarc) or as suggested, bus from 1800/1600 (only need Peisey to get over to 1800, so you can leave Vanoise to "quite late"! ) You do pass bottom of Peisey and Derby on your way out, so could check last lift time.

* other routes are available

A snowHead

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Hi everyone, we are coming out on 25th Jan. I just wondered if there are any whispers of a flash sale on lift passes. I usually seem to miss them and it will probably be the same this year Sad

, but I thought I'd ask anyway ?
Papa

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Another day comes to an end with snow falling since about 3pm and continuing tonight right down to the valley with about 5cm settled on the ground so far as I walked home.

Today, before the snow started falling we skied across Les Arcs and up the Aiguille Rouge without any lift queues. It is very quiet on the pistes this week. They have held up well in the warm temperatures and now with fresh snow tonight should be in excellent condition tomorrow.

After a few photos we headed over into the national park and all the way down to Villaroger on mixed snow. Sometimes soft, other times a little crusty and towards the bottom hard packed chalky snow.

It was such fun we headed back up again and this time passed through the 'Whistler Gate' (the entrance to the Lanchette off piste valley) and down towards Villaroger again by a different route. This was again very mixed, but also fun to ski. Finally we went through the forest down to the restaurant at Pre Saint Esprit for a late lunch as the weather started closing in.

After lunch the snow had started to fall and the light was poor as we made our way across pistes and through the forest to Peisey Vallandry and then finally home.

I did manage to take some photos today, so take a look at the Jan 2013 Album in my Les Arcs Winter facebook page, plus a few from yesterdays that I will now post.

The pics I like the best from today.

Yet another day with some powder and now it is snowing again!!

What a fun route. From the top right of the mountain in the backround all the way down to the forest below

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Chucking it down and we arrive this weekend.....

After all it is free

ill be there tomorrow. cannot wait. thanks for all of the updates snowcrazy

7 hrs, 15 mins til my train leaves... excited . Again.

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Arctic Roll, how long does it take to get to bourg on the train?

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Hi CP, no problems getting down to Villaroger from the top of the Lanchettes lift, also did it from the top of the Aiguille Rouge a couple of times as the snow was so good. However, after a week of sunshine Michelle in Le Ferme was complaining that they would need more snow soon but looking at the forecast I think there vwill be plenty more before you head out. Have a great time out there, I'm off to Morzine on 27th so the new snow forecasted will be most Very Happy

welcome.

snow reports

Russeh, leave Maidenhead at 5:29pm, arrive Bourg at 6:38am. (Via a few beers, possibly...). so: ~12 hours inc. passport control, and getting across London. Is a couple hours quicker during the day, since they run the eurostar slowly overnight so you don't arrive too early.

30 cm freshies overnight in 1950 so I'm told, and blue skies expected tomorrow. Don't go mad on day 1... don't go mad on day 1... don't go mad on day 1... oh what the hell...

You know it makes sense.

Arctic Roll, thefatcontroller, taxi to the Euro* at some unearthly hour tomorrow a.m., traipse acoss via Le Metro to the Gare de l'Este (I think .... hope, on reflection ), 5 hour approx TGV and alight in BStM teatime. Don't go mad on day 2 ... don't go mad on day 2 ... don't go mad on day 2 ... oh hell, I went an' done an' did it ........

mikeh, I can get to the Vanoise express from 1950 in about 40 mins (but I usually take sneaky, unneccessary extra chairlift up to get some more runs in on the extreme right hand side of slopes above the VE - there's a nice long pisted(ish) red/black run between the trees). I've done the La Plagne Glacier and back a fair few times in the afternoon - it's easily feasible but with kids I def. would keep an eye on the time. Going back is quicker once you are over the VE as - described above - after one lift up you can just ski down to the Transarc which takes you over the top and you can pootle about back to 1950 in a variety of ways.

There are a fair number of longish flat or pole-necessry bits to get to the Glacier so first time out I would go over to Plagne village and back rather than stretching the kids to get to the Glacier. Once you have got that sussed you can work out if you want to do a sprint to the Glacier and back.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

What a great day!! They expected 15cm, maybe 20cm at most and we had 30cm by the time the lifts opened at 9.15am and it just kept on snowing. It was still snowing lightly when I came down at 5pm. I cannot wait for tomorrow.

Today we left from Arc 1600 as the links out of the Arc 2000 bowl were all closed at the start of the day and after a quick ride down through the trees and off piste into Arc 1800 we headed for the Peisey -Vallandry forests.

The snow was great although the visibility was very poor higher on the mountain. At times the snow was up to your waist. Even higher if you fell! The cold temperatures had kept the snow light and fluffy! AMAZING!!

When we reached Peisey - Vallandry we made a few different routes down through the trees on the right, left and centre from the top of the Derby and Grizzly Chairs all the way to the villages below and even one ride back up on the poma tow above the chapel run. Again the powder was in very good condition and the few pistes we crossed were also excellent. The new snow has really freshened everything up well 'on and off piste'.

After a quick lunch we headed back towards Arc 1800 through the forest again and then back over to Arc 1600. Some of us kept going and found more excellent powder in the Malgovert forest. Before finally heading for home. Going down to the middle station of the Funicular was good and some people were going all the way down to Bourg. Not me today. New skis!

What a great day. Powder everywhere you went without really trying hard. Most of it untracked. Tomorrow should be another special day.

Take a look at the photos in the Jan 2013 Album of my Les Arc Winter facebook page. Did not take many pics today, to busy having fun! Enjoy!

These are the photos I like best from today.

Canadian Powder in Les Arcs again!

You can spend a night in these in winter if you wish! Really fun!!

Powder power!!

A snowHead

Great conditions today! The sun shone and the powder was light and fluffy. The cold temperature kept the snow fresh and soft. The winds did not arrive and nor did the clouds or more snow as predicted by the French meteo. We were very pleased they got it wrong. There were smiling faces all day!!

After heading up the Arpette Chair we made a couple of warm up runs back down the same way in good visibility and fresh untracked snow under the lift. Then after watching the helicopter getting some shots of the Red Bull Linecatcher area above the Arpette ridge it was time to go start the days real work.

Down off piste to the Marmottes chair then up the Arcabulle and back down the middle ridge in more fresh snow. Then off the Col de la Chal to Nancroix. Again making our own tracks most of the way before catching the bus and crossing over the Vanoise Express to get to the meadows above Les Coches. The snow there was also in good condition.

Time for a picnic lunch in the sun followed by a number of runs down to the Bauches chair by different routes in more excellent snow. Finally finishing with a route from the Tow rope all the way back to just above Les Coches through the forest and onto the Vanoise Express.

Crossing from Peisey back to Arc 1600 by a mixture of pistes and off piste with one final run down the small hidden meadow above Arc 1600 to give us one last chance to make more fresh tracks after the lifts had closed and then heading for home.

What a fun day!!

The pistes we used were all in great condition most of the time and the off piste was mainly powder with a few hard patches mixed in to keep you awake. As it was a Saturday the resort was not busy so no lift queues anywhere.

Take a look at the photos in the Jan 2013 Album of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page if you want to see what the conditions looked like today. Enjoy!

These are the photos I like best from today.

What a great start to the day!

Into the back country!

Nice Air!

A snowHead

Just arrived on overnight from Paris. Up in Arc 2000, snowing lightly. Looks amazing. So much snow, even down as far as Bourg. More later, boarding to do. Enjoy work, mass, church whatever Toofy Grin

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

thefatcontroller,

Canny say I'm gonna enjoy work tonight as its my fifth nightshift, but looking forward to the 26th Jan heading back to Arc 2000 for third season in a row, fantastic snow last year and cannot believe its the same again ooh so excited.

Snowcrazy thanks for all your updates and although I am not an of piste skier your daily pics and updates are a welcome read and look forward to them every day, cheers.

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Great day today. 10cm of powder on top of beautiful pistes ( taking it easy: must get FITTER!!) went down to Villaroger via Lanchettes for a chocolate in La Ferme at 10:30 - first tracks all the way down.. Or , If Mrs Roll is reading this... no it's rubbish: Too much snow, too much sun, not enough people. It's not like real skiing.

Decided to do end to end, or La Ferme to La Ferme, so after picking up those who'd had a private lesson, headed over to Peisey and the farmhouse up the road from La Vache for a very good value Omelette and chips, bottle of wine, coffees and a sweet. 60E for the four of us.
The, after a trip down Grand Col went up Aguille Rouge, no Q, straight onto the cable car. Starting to get a bit tired at this point, quite a few miles today so decided to head for sauna and steam room. Which was nice.

Rather enjoying things at the moment.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

willie5094, Its epic Cool

Boarding today, so basically a lot of falling, however we did get over to 1600 and conquered our fear of the flat. Snow is great, so much of the stuff, as good as I have ever seen it. Tomorrow we are back on skis and heading off to La Plagne for the day.

Clouded over here in 2000 in the last hour, and got colder. Some light snow forecast.

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Quick update.

Snowing in Arc 2000 Cool

Cheese and red wine on the table. Gotta go....

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Arctic Roll, thefatcontroller, Shock

i think i'll stick to planes didnt realise it took that long!

I've just been made redundant :/ but on the plus side the pay off is pretty reasonable and i'm not worried about getting another job. So i'm chewing the idea of extending my les arc trip by going the week before. I've seen a chalet deal for La Plagne 1800, does anyone know how much a taxi would be from one side to the other. Or is it possible to get there on foot/bus with luggage via the VE?

After all it is free

Arctic Roll, Is Hemingways in 1950 new? Whats it like

Russeh, Its not quick but I hate flying and especially airports. Preference for travelling is train, drive and plane as last resort. The reality is if I flew yesterday I wouldn't have skied until today and going back we gain a days skiing by travelling overnight. We had a lovely journey across yesterday. Not sure on taxi but no chance of Les Arcs to Plagne 1800 by the Vanoise on foot.

Russeh, Try (33) 0614824634 for a taxi, used them myself on numerous occasions - they're pretty reasonable and will give you a price.

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thefatcontroller, change of direction from tapas to steak but don't know what it's like, Will be able to update tomorrow evening - we're going to sample things.

Help!!

LES ARCS 2012 / 2013

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