 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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chrisrawles - Late April... Well you'll be unlucky to have issues with grass etc on piste above about 2500m - so the top of mountains in Val and Tignes but the lower slopes (down into the various parts of the resort) will be a little hit and miss (but skiable) more unless until the end of the season. Of piste could be more problematic!
Levi215 - Glad you enjoyed - yea Clare mentioned that she taught a Snowhead this pm... Might be around one evening in the Blue Note for a beer at some point.... although with Olivia and after a long days teaching don't very often get the chance. Yes Clare mentioned that you had asked about the Inside Out levels... I did not know that you were keen to know what level you are at... ill see if Clare can look at the levels to match you up when she gets a second!
Anyway back to today...
Very warm Spring day
It was lovely and clear and sunny early doors and little did I know that it would stay that way all day - in fact it was supposed to cloud over but never did.
Clare and I were on the same booking (are each morning this week) so we met the various kids from several different families all staying with different chalet companies but all know each other at the Savonnettes. In total we had 7 kids varying in age between 6 and 10 and some had skied before, others hadn't (well the ones that had skied before had only done a day but it ALL counts at that level!). Anyway after some huffing and puffing and sweating we got them going and they did well. The snow initially was rather firm but as it softened up the kids were able to get better purchase on the snow and by the end of the session they were starting to make small deflections in direction down the lower part of the Savonnettes - well done kids. Clare and I did a team teach which allowed the kids to get more skiing in, coupled with better class activity levels and they were able to lap around as I caught them off the lift and set them off and Clare 'picked' them up and got them back in the direction of the lift to repeat! Anyway a successful first morning for the kids and 4 more days to go... I am hopeful that by the middle of the week if the weather allows we will be up the mountain.... with a little bit of luck.... but there is plenty of work to be done before that!
It was glorious sitting in the sun at lunchtime before meeting my afternoon lesson. A nice couple out here with plenty of friends for a massive 50th birthday party. They had both skied 12 years ago for a week but not since then..... we started at the very beginning as a recap and worked our way up. Despite the need for a couple of cool down stops they did really well although fatigue did set in.... by the end he was on the Village lift and when she has fresh legs tomorrow she should make it on there too!
This evening has revolved around clearing up my desk and I am about to sort through loads of receipts from the last couple of months - ah the joys of being self employed!
The photos today comes from a friend as she was out walking her dog today! Rather cute pic!
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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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@Steve Angus, glorious day yesterday Steve - please apologise to Claire ... I approached her on the slope and thought it was Gavin P ! ... Don't think she was too offended !!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Like yesterday, but not as warm or sunny (although plenty of glimpses) and with improving skiers!
Well it was nicer weather than it could have been.... yes there was a blanket of cloud for most of the day and a breeze built up later in the afternoon but I had the same people am and pm as yesterday.
The kids in the morning did very well.... despite one of them not skiing because she was ill (apparently - I am not so sure IMO!) the other 6 did well. We had not had a freeze overnight which really helped conditions as it was soft right from the start and therefore grippy and slow for the kids. By the end of the session we had all 6 kids do a lap on the Village lift. I suspect that if conditions are different tomorrow then we could have a very different outcome..... weather and / or snow could halt plans to get them up / or nearly ready to go up the mountain!
The afternoon was back on the Savonnettes to start with and little by little we worked our way through the technical aspects so that we were able to head up the mountain half way through the lesson... A few laps on the Lac and Terrase lift and the guys did very well. Although they were somewhat tired when we got back down to the bottom of the Solaise Express!
I popped into town to collect some supplies as Clare did dinner time and as usual now that Olivia is in bed I am catching up with a few things.
Tomorrow should see a change in the weather although I don't think it will be as bad people think and / or was supposed to be looking at the forecast a few days back! I have the kids in the morning - if the 7th kid comes back then Clare and I are going to have to do some juggling around - parents seem to forget that when you have several kids you can't push them on as quick as you don't have multiple sets of arms and legs and also for safety we have to work at the pace / ability of the weakest members of the group.... since some of the kids are lesser co-ordinated than others and at the other end of the spectrum some of the kids (like their fathers) are a little pushier compromises have to be made! Anyway we will work it out! If the 7th kid does not come back then the others will have pushed a lot further on by the time Thursday rolls around!
I know I have mentioned it before but sometimes I really wonder why people have lessons - I really do. This is not in relation to anyone I have taught today or recently but just observations you see around the place. People seem intent on ignoring what they learn in lessons and trying to copy really poor ski technique from people they perceive around them as being better... You see people who have good technique after a lesson put it all up the spout by blasting onto tougher slopes / faster speeds etc and throwing away all the good stuff they have learnt..... The desire - especially amongst groups of men to out do each results in some pretty shocking skills (or lack of) on the slopes. When they come to have a lesson again you just know you are saying stuff that they have been told before they just have not spent time committing it to memory. Anyway it is one of those things I will never completely grasp I don't think.
The sad news around town from today was that the court ruling was finally made and the Cabane at the bottom of the Savonette nursery slopes was told to close within 2 months. It is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard..... all revolving around a complaint of the smell from the place..... it was in the UK press a few weeks back. Anyway there is no smell, it is only open during the daylight hours and therefore does not impact on the apartments around it (especially at night and everyone should be out skiing during the day) and finally it is a GODSEND having the place there so you can stop with groups of kids / adults and take a break.... I would go as far as to say it is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT stop point ANYWHERE on the mountain for instructors and beginners and is a VITAL service. So it will only have a detrimental effect on Val d'Isere.... I hope Valerie appeals and wins as I know every instructor is right behind her!
Finally thoughts go out to the people, friends and family as well as rescuers etc in the air crash in the southern French Alps - no impact around here although I was surprised to see the Courcheval SAF chopper and not the Val one flying around here.... I know many choppers were called in from other places to help in the operation so maybe that had something to do with it!
scorchio - no problems - yes she did mention that to me and have giggle about it!
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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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| Quote: |
I know I have mentioned it before but sometimes I really wonder why people have lessons - I really do.
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This is always a complete mystery to me too Steve
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
We had not had a freeze overnight
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When Val d'Isere has no overnight freeze the outlook for those of us at lower altitude is not great....
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"everyone should be out skiing during the day"
Funny the way we assume everyone is just like us and if they are not, they ought to be.
Not everyone goes to Val d'Isere to ski and plenty who do don't want to ski every day. Some who like to ski every day don't or can't ski all day. I think the proportion skiing all day every day is reasonably small. It's pretty obvious that is so if you consider the lift queues on a nice day versus a nasty one.
"The desire - especially amongst groups of men to out do each results in some pretty shocking skills (or lack of) on the slopes. When they come to have a lesson again you just know you are saying stuff that they have been told before they just have not spent time committing it to memory."
Possibly. Personally I find myself reverting to previous habits when I'm tired or when I'm concentrating on not being hit by other skiers on crowded pistes.
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Looking forward to coming out on the 4th. Will make a change from the fridges of Hemel and Mk.
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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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Back to Winter - well sort of....
The weather was very much like Winter again this morning with heavily overcast skies and a few flurries of snow around. You could see the top of Solaise and Bellevarde pretty clearly from town so it was not too bad and the temperature was just hovering around zero so again hardly cod. Anyway Clare and I met the kids and did a couple of warm up runs on the Savonettes before hitting the Village before finally making the commitment to head up the Solaise. In fact the weather up there was not too bad at all. There was about 5cm of fresh wintery powder up there already but if it goes on all afternoon and night then there could be a nice (small) powder day tomorrow!
Anyway considering the conditions the kids did very well although the wind was a little punchy at times so the kids got a little cold. All in all it was a fun session before taking the cable car back down to the bottom and dropping the happy kids back with excited parents!
Anyway with the weather closing in (and it continues to close in now this afternoon) I decided that even attempting the heli ski trip this afternoon would be a non starter and I have things to do at home so with the blessing of the seasonnaires I made the decision to postpone the afternoon session. Normally as an instructor moving sessions is totally impossible (we cant do it) but as the session specifically revolved around the helicopter it all added up to a natural decision. In all other cases you can always develop someones skiing so it is not relevant!
Anyway I am trying to focus on getting some things done at home before picking Olivia up later on and generally Clare and I are having a relaxing afternoon!
I may even go to the cinema later on to see American Sniper - not sure!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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mountainaddict - That mountain in the background is of the south facing slopes that border Val d'Isere on the NON skiing side of the resort..... even in the depths of winter there is usually hardly any snow on that face. I can assure you there is tonnes of snow left on the slopes and off piste - Val has so much north and east facing slopes that we will last well into May before the lifts close - I can assure you of that!
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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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Val has so much north and east facing slopes that we will last well into May before the lifts close - I can assure you of that!
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That is good to know @Steve Angus, So booking a a trip 3rd week April should be OK then.
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You know it makes sense.
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Lovely pictures of the clouds there, @Steve Angus. What a shame that after the great work you've been putting in with the kids the parents are so daft.  It makes me really angry when I see parents (who are often poor skiers themselves) taking struggling kids down red runs.
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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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^
You see a lot of that in Val d'Isere, where all the home runs get steeper, narrower and more congested as you descend. "Parent" is always dad and dad is always a Brit.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Loving those pics. Really looking forward to the 4th.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My opinion...it's good to come home from a ski holiday and say "I skied this run" and feel that you've achieved something, improved, whatever - but getting down it and getting down it properly are poles apart.
I don't think like that. I have a rather dodgy knee, and a successful ski holiday is getting out every day, having fun, trying some different runs and surviving the week unscathed!! Okay, I may stick to the blue runs and not push myself into doing reds - I can and have done in the past but 2 knee injuries since and I just don't feel that confident - but I still have a cracking week and can go home feeling I have achieved something.
The après beer mentality of "I skied down a black run and it's only my first week on skis" drives me mad...!!
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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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^ agreed sentiments there folks!
It got better and better today
It was one of those days where I had everything crossed in the morning but as it turned out it was not necessary as it turned out lovely.
There was a slight mix up in meet point with the kids this morning as in the parents had obviously not passed the message around each other so most of the kids ended up at the bottom of the Village lift when they should have been at the bottom of the Solaise! Anyway we got there in the end and got going just after 9am.... brilliant.
The weather for the first few hours (from getting up at 6am) of the day was dodgy to say the least. Initially it was a little snowy and very cloudy but by 9 it was reasonable but the clouds were moving overhead jolly fast and the clouds were generally at about 2700m and above which meant the tops of the mountains were in cloud - annoying. Anyway the kids were not 100% prepared for how chilly and windy and tricky the conditions were up Bellevarde so the first descent down the Verte towards the Marmots was slow to say the least with lots of stopping to warming hands and faces etc. Anyway we ended up taking a very early hot choc break at Marmottes before coming out to see the clouds had lifted a bit and the winds a little less which was welcome. So we went back up the Marmots so we could do a lap down the Petit Cross which the kids loved.... although the wind was obviously very altitude dependant... so going up a couple hundred metres had a huge effect.
Anyway we decided to take the kids down Verte to La Daille which ended up taking rather a long time and the kids were knackered by the time we got to La Daille although the heavy slushy snow lower down that had not re-frozen overnight did not help.
A quick lunch and it was time to start focusing my attention on the afternoons planned heli trip to Chevril - only about my 6th this season - its been GREAT. Anyway I spoke to the pilot as I did not think the weather was going to play ball and the group I was taking had already been cancelled on once a couple of weeks back. The pilot was hopeful but not certain as the wind was just OK but could not lower in altitude otherwise it would be problematic. However the thick clouds could be very problematic as they could mean we could not land at the top of Solaise which would then mean we had to land at La Daille which is boring to say the least.
Anyway I headed up with the team hopeful with everything crossed and initially it did not look promising. However just about as we got to the end of the hike I could see Solaise in the distance which must mean that visibility wise it was OK over there. The wind was OK as soon as you dropped down a couple hundred meters from the peaks which was good too. Anyway we FINALLY got the OK from the pilot and set off... the snow was lovely.... amazingly perfect to be honest - not that deep but it was locely. Lower down it got heavy as usual but all in all the best snow down there this season.
We called the chopper in it was apparent that conditions had got even better as the pilot said Solaise was on.... it got even better as the pilot was a happy man as he could actually fly today (and I think we were his only customers).... so cutting a story short he took us the long way around to get to Solaise and was 'throwing' the chopper around... which pleased us all..... it was a great flight.
After all the excitement it was a quick ski down Solaise and to Blue Note for a beer.... a great end to the day.
I have just done bath time for Olivia and Clare has now popped out for a drink with friends so I have the TV to myself!
Nice family day tomorrow coming up.
PS - Hi to whomever it was on a snowboard this morning down in La Daille who said 'hi' from this blog. Hi back!
PPS - Meant to say that 9 people were heli'ed out of the Gorges du Malpasset yesterday up at Le Fornet - as all the signs say up there - it is NOT passable at the moment.
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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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Hey Steve, that was me passing you this morning on the way down to La Daille. Sorry but didn't want to stop you in the middle of a lesson. Hope you had a good day.
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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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A really pleasant day
We awoke to beautiful sunshine streaming in through the window and it was such a pleasant start to the day off.... tea in bed and then a family breakfast - perfect.
I took a trip up to the Cash 2000, cash and carry and stocked up on some things that we needed. Even though the sun was out and the temperature was going to rise I was a little under dressed and chilly walking up there but not to worry.
As I was leaving home I noticed that the end of student week had resulted in a barrier to the car park over the way being bent, Olivias pram base had been attempted to be stolen overnight (luckily it is padlocked to the balcony in the public hallway outside) and finally some black and yellow pisteurs safety poles being stacked up as the students were stockpiling their bags etc to load onto the coach which was due sometime soon. Anyway for once it was not British students this week - mainly French.... Also the pram was fine, the barrier will have to be dealt with by someone else but the pisteurs poles I picked up and returned them to their office at the Rond Pont des Pistes - good dead for the day done.
Anyway by the time I got back from Cash the plans for the day had already changed - we had planned to go to Gav and Lou's for lunch but they were stuck up at the Fornet at the Signal restaurant as the cable car had broken down and they were up there as foot passengers with Mea so were stuck for the time being.... so we moved plans to the evening.... however an hour later they called to say the problem was averted and they were now back home. So we headed up there en famille to have a LOVELY lunch and played with the kids..... we opened a bottle of champagne - just because!
By 5pm we were home for some more quality family time and have just ordered a nice noodle takeaway.
The weather closed in a little this afternoon and I think there could be some weather on the way but we shall see..... back to work tomorrow and now the school holidays have started again it will be a busy couple of weeks!
Backcountryboarder - good to say hi.... yea was just taking the kids Clare and I have been teaching this week down the last little bit to La Daille - they were tired!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Should've booked more lessons!
I hate blooming clock changes as I am always worried that I am going to wake up too early or oversleep and as usual woke up early as I was worried I would wake up late (you get me?). Anyway there was a veil of clouds hanging over Val but glimpses here and there of blue sky and sun. A quiet breakfast to myself as Clare and Olivia slept suited me just perfect as I watched NZ cock up their chances of winning the cricket World Cup.
Anyway by show time I was ready for skiing but wondered if my and other TDC colleagues clients' would remember the clock changes. Bex our illustrious office girl superstar revealed at the meeting point that there was little chance of that happening as she had texted ALL coaches and clients that were supposed to be having 9am lessons this morning so everyone should be on time.
Anyway as it transpired my lady was about 10 mins late but she was a delightful lady..... having had a couple of ski lessons on the Brentwood (oh that slopes brings back memories from some 15 years ago) dry ski slope before coming out with her family (who all skied) on her first ski holiday. Anyway we got going over to the Savonnettes and conditions could not have been better - good visibility, great snow (forgiving, soft and slow) and not too hot. She did exceptionally well for her first taste of real snow but got tired by the end. I was about to take her over to the Village lift but I sensed that she was overly tired and mentally a bit anxious so we held back. However she was kicking herself when she enquired about booking more lessons this week for me to tell her that I was fully booked and apart from the odd slot here and there as a ski school we are fully booked too. Alas she is going to talk options through with her husband. I hope she manages to get some more lessons as she will need it for her confidence!
I got home at lunchtime and have had a nice family lunch but am about to have an old university mate around with his girlfriend for a cuppa and Clare is whipping up a lemon drizzle cake - yummy. Weather wise the early promise gave way to pretty horrible conditions about an hour ago and now it is raining in town - so that will mean snow higher up. I am pretty sure it will be like this non stop now for the next 24 hours so it will be lower slopes only tomorrow and the hope of powder higher up later in the week when it clears. However I am back on the nursery slopes tomorrow morning before having a teen academy group starting in the afternoon - should be fun.
This photo was courtesy of the pisteurs first thing this morning high above the clouds before the weather moved in. I forgot to take a photo of my own this morning.
TTFN
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POWDER AND DUMP ALERT
It's been snowing hard even down here in town since last evening and is still going strong. No sign of let up all day. Avalanche risk potentially going all the way back up to 4. A good 15cm here in town (minimum) from what I can see before 1st light out the window and likely to be loads more higher up.
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Make that more like 20+cm here in town and more up top.... lots of blasting going on. Set to to continue (snowing) all day!
1st day beginner kids + Savonnettes today = lots of knocking snow off the bottom of ski boots and VERY tired legs and falling over from them!
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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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Woooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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We are back in resort tuesday night so glad to hear more snow has arrived 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@harvsurrey, good luck with your transfer!
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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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Hire car from geneva , will keep an eye on the roads
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Even more interesting report than usual, Steve - and amazing pictures of those huts. You seem to be doing miracles with those little kids in such difficult conditions. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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I am still reading the reports Steve and enjoying the resort vicariously I guess. No skiing for me until next year. Thanks again for my lesson. I look forward to putting the techniques into practice next year.
Anyway. Time to think of sunshine and beaches with the family while I quietly plan next years ski holiday with the lads.
Have fun when you get back to Blighty following the cricket team around.
ATB, Mike.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Great video sequence Steve - thanks for posting!
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Steve Angus, much the same in tignes. Not much open all this week until today but the wind has been horrendous but the links to val opened for a few hours this afternoon as did the funival to tbe grand motte.
We made the mistake of trying to avoid the wind first thing hoping he overnight freeze hadn't hit les brev but we were wrong. The red down was sheet ice and carnage all over the place with groups who were not prepared for ice.
Still me and my daughter enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed a nice hot chocolate on the bridge whilst watching one of the TDC instructors doing a beginners lesson.
Lets hope the weather forecast is correct for the remainder of the week as I want my wife and daughters to get a good tour of val rather than the few runs they have had a chance to ski here forn Tignes.
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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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Loved the helicopter video @Steve Angus, .
Would be great to meet you at the EoSB!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Iski wrote: |
Loved the helicopter video @Steve Angus, .
Would be great to meet you at the EoSB! |
+1
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A mixed day
I was shattered right from the offset this morning (must get an early night tonight) BUT it was obviously much better weather out there than it has been the last few days... in fact the sun was out, the chairs were on the Solaise and it was looking like a nice morning.
The kids were very excited as I had told them that I would take them on the Village lift if all things were going well and they behaved so they turned up on time. They did very well and had a whale of a time. In fact they hardly wanted to stop for a break.
Cutting a long story short they loved it.... skied and listened well and lets just hope for good weather tomorrow so that I can get them up the Solaise.
The mums were a little late picking up so I literally had 10 mins for lunch but not to worry. It had been a nice sunny and warm morning but unfortunately as forecast the weather was moving in and it looked like it would go the way of the last few days - shut down of many lifts! Hmm!
I arrived at the meeting point to the news that indeed one of the boys was still down ill but the attendee was super keen as the links over to Tignes was open and having not skied the EK before he asked for a 'tour' so off we set. The weather was not too bad in all fairness but it was certainly not as nice as it normally is at this time of the year.
About a quarter of the way through (lets call him Bob) I was informed that his stomach was a little all over the place suddenly - a dodgy lunch he thought. Anyway the next couple of hours were a mix of cruising around Tignes (as he still wanted to go on) with several loo stops. Anyway I think he was glad to get back to Val.
I was on pick up, tea, play, bath and bed duty this evening (the full monty) for Olivia as Clare was having a quick drink with one of our colleagues who is out here on holiday (as he is mainly based in the UK these days due to family commitments) and then was having a 'chat' with a hotel in La Daille about working there in the Summer.
Don't think there is anything else on the 'list' to chat about tonight so will make it a short one this evening!
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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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@Steve Angus, Love the photo!
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FAQ
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