 Poster: A snowHead
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Very nice Snowcrazy, enjoy
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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 work snowcrazy, thanks!
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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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Webcams look beautiful this morning. Enjoy what looks like a fantastic bluebird day for anyone out there preparing to hike!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Looking nice and snowy at Arc 1950 and 2000 this morning.
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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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Another trip into the back country, this time with a scenic photo shoot in mind.
Blue sky, fresh snow, an empty mountain and no tracks in sight. What more could I wish for. 
As I shall be based in Arc 1950 as a ski host for the Film Festival VIP's again starting from tomorrow I thought it would be fun on such a nice day to get high and look across to Les Arcs ski domain and get some photos of the whole area. 
Time to head up to La Rosiere and into one of the back valleys looking across to Les Arcs.
What a great day. As always with La Rosiere you need to choose where you ski quite carefully to avoid wind slab, but there are some great off piste areas if you plan your route. As my idea for today was to get good photos plus finding some off piste. I headed high on skins and got onto the ridge away from the pistes. If only the lifts were working to get me half way up. Oh well! 
Having made the ridge, I had a photo stop and then headed into the valley. More untracked snow with great vis, but did give myself a little scare when the snow started to make strange noises. Ops!!!  Time to get onto safer ground quickly. All alone on unstable snow is not a good place to be. 
(Remember folks, like they say on TV, do not do this yourself. Well that covers me anyway. As I do enjoy being out in these places alone sometimes it is a risk I am willing to take. Please do not copy what I do unless you really know what you are doing. Ok I think that's enough, now back to the report.)
Once heading into the valley, on a very safe line I skied down towards the forest, stopping on the way for more photos and then finally arrived back at La Rosiere after a bit more skinning. Once I got away from the wind effected unstable stuff the snow was great. Managed to put fresh tracks everywhere I went and really enjoyed the calm peace of the place before the lifts open on Saturday.
Looking across at Les Arcs ski domain. The runs down to Villaroger are complete and they are getting them ready for skiing. The whole of the Arc 2000 bowl looks great and the off piste into the national park looks very tempting, but I think it might be very unstable right now.
Here is one of the photos, the others can be seen on my Les Arcs Winter page. Link below.
When I get up to Les Arcs 2000 bowl tomorrow I shall take a few pics of the area and maybe skin up to the ridge somewhere. Have a few meetings first so not sure how much time I might have. Check back tomorrow evening for more pics. Hope you enjoyed this second mini report. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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can anyone recommend a reasonably priced taxi firm?? We'll be arriving at bourg early Sat morning (7/1/12) rather tha jump on funicular and then shuttle to 1950, it will prob be less hassle since we'll have a baby with us. there'll be 5 adults plus the pup so we'll prob need a firm with a minibus. Cheers
snowcrazy, Thanks for the report and pics
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dsmart, tbh they are all much of a muchness from the station to 1950. I do have a rack of their business cards, but I can't tell which ones are cars or mini-buses from back here in the UK
But there are plenty of minibus taxis waiting in the car park there for you, more than enough not to worry about having to be first off the train. Last year I would have expected to pay, for 5 about €80 - €85 . But of course, am keen to find out what we'll be paying this year - let us know how you go!
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Arctic Roll, thanks, if we can get it for around that price its not too bad. I'll let ya know!
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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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Great report snowcrazy, just be careful out on your own! Hoping to put a face to the posts when I'm out at the end of Jan 
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Leaving in 4 hours. So excited Any news on what lifts are going to be opened?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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snowcrazy, Hi Chris, I'm skiing in Meribel this week, so the visit to Les Arcs was just to set my apartment up. Will be back in Meribel tonight (although currently in Tignes). Will get on touch next week when back in Les Arcs.
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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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snowcrazy, rob@rar, great stuff guys, many thanks for the appetite whetting info and pics.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Guys, judging on current conditions would you say that in your view the whole Paradiski area will be open from the 17th, including links to the lower villages and to the Vanoise, or is it likely to be the just the higher areas of Arc1950/2000 and Plagne Centre & above?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar, Are you out over Christmas? Lovely photos
red 27, I think Peisey/Vallandry were planning to open on the 17th. Its usually a lovely quiet week to ski
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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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red 27, I'm in Meribel and skied down to Meribel Village at 1,400m and it was OK. Good snow coverage, although a little bit crisp. If we get the snow which is forecast this week it might freshen that up as well. Although I didn't ski in Les Arcs yesterday the piste around Arc 1800 looked in perfect condition, so I'd be surprised if links to the lower villages weren't open. The snow line yesterday was down to almost Moutiers and snowcrazy skied to Bourg a few days ago, so there's plenty of snow for the pisteurs to work with.
genepi, yes, will be in Les Arcs from the 17th.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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genepi, rob@rar, Thanks guys. I love to ski the week before crimbo - sets one up for the 'festivities'
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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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Not enough.........................
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| genepi wrote: |
rob@rar, Are you out over Christmas? Lovely photos
red 27, I think Peisey/Vallandry were planning to open on the 17th. Its usually a lovely quiet week to ski |
LA / Peisey/Vallandry opened today, handbag next Saturday. Not all lifts though.
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Maersk, cryptic...............
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Today was one of those crazy days when there are just not enough minutes in the day. Having been out to way past my bedtime I was up and out at 7.30am to get my car sorted, collect my Carte Neige, ski pass and be back up to Les Arcs and ready for taking people out by 10am and I managed it, just!
The snow report from the pisteurs did not get to me in time for my early start, but in summary.
10/12/2011
Altitude
1620 / 1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Snow depth
30 75 cm 100 120
Températures
-0.5 -2 -4.5 -5
Risque d’avalanche (1 à 5) : 3 risque marqué
Last snowfall : 55 cm Le 07/12/2011
The best thing about today was the number of lifts open on the first day of the season.
In the morning I spent most of my time putting down fresh tracks in my favourite areas and managed to find some good snow, but also quite a lot of wind slab and crazy ice patches that you could not see till you hit them.
By the afternoon you could get to most places in the resort, but Villaroger did remain closed so did a grand tour of everywhere that was open. By far the worst place today was the last 100m coming into the Peisey Chair. Rocks, grass and a ditch half exposed. Shall not go there again until it snows a bit more.
With blue sky and a pleasant temp, it was a great start to the season and now we must hope it continues this way. I will try to have tomorrows details posted before going out in the morning.
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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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Going to peisey this afternoon for some skiing, will try get to arcs and back and take some pictures to post up.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Jon Ford, try the 1600m forecast - that's not so pretty...
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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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| Jon Ford wrote: |
| http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Les-Arcs/6day/mid looking good for the next week! |
Wow, that's changed!
I hope that comes off, what a week it'll be from the 17th
(I'm ignoring the rain lower down, ha)
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You know it makes sense.
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forget the rain at the lower. Im staying 1950 anyway!! Just ski 1800+ (plus not going for another 8wks so hoping it will be full on snow)!
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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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Jon Ford, sounds like a plan! 
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Poster: A snowHead
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| snowcrazy wrote: |
For all those that like to start watching the webcams.
Here are the links I have been using, they are not all turned on yet, but if you get bored then have a look and let us all know when they are back on.
Blah blah lots of links.
Have fun!! Maybe Allam will link them all together for us like he did last year. |
Done most of Les Arcs -- see my signature. If you want any added let me know (with the links),
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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how come one of the cams is labelled "valley of the idiots"???
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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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cheers allanm,
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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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rob@rar, We're there from 23rd to Jan 1st - it would be nice to catch up!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Another fun day comes to an end. Managed to hit the slopes today with a group of skiers and a snowboarder that were up for most anything.
Started off with a few warm ups on the pistes going up to the Grand Col which had just opened. Most if not all pistes in the Arc 2000 bowl are in very good conditions, but the piste natures all need more snow to save your skis from damage. Once up on the Grand... Col spent of the morning putting fresh tracks down various places and finally a fun line cutting back towards the Aiguille Rouge and Arc 1950 for lunch.
A good lunch in Luigis and then a grand tour of Les Arcs by a route including both on an off piste runs from Arc 1950 all the way to Peisey Vallandry taking in Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 on the way. The new Mont Blanc chair opened and does work well making a quicker journey out of Arc 1600. So as a link lift is is good. But you also get a great view of the off piste which I think is a real shame for our quiet little corner. Oh well!
Although still closed we also skied the new piste at the Peisey end and all the way back to the Vallandry lift which allows you to miss out the stones down into the Peisey lift.
Overall today, with most lifts now open, it showed how much fun can be had in Les Arcs in the first week of the season and more snow is forecast for tomorrow and the next few days. We shall see.
Other good news, the ESF is now in Arc 1950 with a new ski school office. They have a full range of options which link into the school in Arc 2000 with the added bonus that they guarantee all English speaking clients will get an English speaking Instructor, whether for private or group lessons. they are also cheaper than Spirit 1950 school in all areas. Other discounts are being discussed and I will post more info about this once I here.
The link for booking online is currently still through the Arc 2000 ESF office:
http://esf-arc-2000.com/index-en.html
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| snowcrazy wrote: |
Other good news, the ESF is now in Arc 1950 with a new ski school office. They have a full range of options which link into the school in Arc 2000 with the added bonus that they guarantee all English speaking clients will get an English speaking Instructor, whether for private or group lessons. they are also cheaper than Spirit 1950 school in all areas. Other discounts are being discussed and I will post more info about this once I here.
The link for booking online is currently still through the Arc 2000 ESF office:
http://esf-arc-2000.com/index-en.html |
Wow thats interesting. Spirit1950 are good but they have(had) a monopoly and priced accordingly. I have spent a lot of money with Spirit and have politely suggested a discount would be nice but was advised that the owner of Spirit couldn't care less and not to waste my breath asking him. This year he has lost my business. There is a huge difference in prices. Good news.
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looks like it's snowing hard there this morning
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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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allanm, thanks very much! That will help my snow-stalking over the next 4 weeks
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FAQ
, but there is loads of snow about and if you have a quick scan of all the web cams in the links section, you will have a good idea of the amount of snow around.
