 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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thefatcontroller, any news from your mate?
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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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Mouth, I would but the teenager wouldn't 
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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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thefatcontroller, Is the Aguille Rouge a 'must do run' ? How is it graded? (We're off to Les Arcs on the 2/2) rob@rar, Perhaps you could teach me to ski 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My search for untouched powder!
After yesterday's pretty limited skiing - my missus hates ice and there was a lot of it lower down (or frozen concrete, as some might say) I was determined to get out on my own today & find some of that dusty stuff. I've been charging round like a lunatic all day & it went a little like this -
I was out at 10.15 a.m.(early for me) & it was still icy lower down, though not as bad as yesterday. I charged straight over to 2,000, via Derby & Transarc & was on Varet just after 11.00 a.m. I tried Dou de l' homme under the bubble, some of the piste was OK but the top bits were mostly windblown & crusty. So I went back up the same lift & joined the small queue for Aiguille Rouge (new replacement cable car), but there was a short delay because the cable for the entrance door was broken! Shades of vanoise Express...
It wasn't bad from the top, but I was too late to catch "first tracks" - the darksiders had beaten me to it! I should get up earlier... On my way down, I went right at the junction towards Villaroger, but I didn't fancy skiing down to the bottom yet, because of the rain-affected lower pistes, so I turned off the "road" & took the black Genepi run down to 2,000 , following 2 young French lads, who disaappeared from sight soon after. It was quite good to ski on, but very heavy, interspersed with lumps of snow from blasting higher up. I went back up Varet & cut across to Grand Col to see what it was like there - usually the best snow in the area. I had 2 runs, turning left at the top of the chair, once off piste, once down Refuge black. I was disappointed - why ? Because the light was poor & I couldn't see the moguls!! I skied like a ****, cursing, blaming everything except myself, of course.
I had to be careful, so I then decided on a break - my knees were starting to tremble. So I went to Les Chalets de l'Arc for lunch, full of apprehension, because we had tried a few times before & had always been unsuccessful - full up! This time, being January, they had, I think , one empty table & I squeezed in (lamb curry & rice - pretty good).
I was astonished how busy they were, first week in Jan., usually very quiet, and a grey day, poor visibility, snowing gently most of the day.
After lunch, I skied down le Vallee de l'Arc & up the old Comborciere lift (when are they going to change it?) for one of my favourite black runs underneath the chair. But instead of going straight down the pisted run, I took the left fork at the top towards Malgovert, & then cut back across the off-piste in between - at last I found it - glorious powder, much lower down than expected, almost untracked, & not a soul about. It made my day, brilliant rolling slopes, not too difficult, & I linked in with Comborciere piste about halfway down, with a big smile on my face. I went back up the chair & turned for home on Belvedere Blue, then I noticed that Les deux Tetes drag was shut & the piste was deserted & unpisted, so exit stage right, & it was brilliant also, almost as good as my previous run, & even lower down.
This finished me off & I headed back to the Peisey woods, staying on piste, absolutely knackered, but very , very happy, looking forward to a few glasses of my favourite vino.
The moral of this story is - don't go charging off to the highest & most famous spots, you can often find good snow in the most unexpected places. Seek & ye shall find....
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Is the lack of the VE service making the Peisey-Vallandry area quieter than usual?
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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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Butterfly, the whole domain resort seemed quiet over Christmas & New Year, not just the Peisey/Vallandry area. Don't know whether that was because the VE is shut or people staying away because of the poor start to last season putting them off.
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rob@rar, On a purely selfish note of course I'd love it to be quieter than normal at half term, but I do feel for businesses who're suffering losses because of it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thefatcontroller, jice report...let me know what Montchavin etc is like
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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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erica2004, I was asking the same question in this thread on 31st December and got lots of advice (and a photo!) - well worth a look... 
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hey guys i was there for new year and found loads of queues so i think the VE is not making much difference, sorry to disagree
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You know it makes sense.
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kewhoward, just found it 
have you done it yet?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| thefatcontroller wrote: |
Anyone on there way is in for a real treat.
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And more to come, apparently.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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After the rain of only a few days ago, this is heaven! We've been out most of the day, and the powder was brilliant, I reckon at least 25cm (someone else is exaggerating a trifle, methinks). Lower down it has covered up all the boilerplating, and higher up it is fabulous, and it is still snowing , as I write. LOTS OF LOVELY REAL FLUFFY POWDER, a joy to ski on!! Also, being changeover day, the pistes were deserted.
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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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fj,
Sounds like heaven, we are out in 2 weeks hope it all holds out !
I see you are located in Peisey - we are staying at Chalet Edelweiss in Peisey do you know it ?
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Kwakazx6r - yes, I know where Chalet Edelweiss is - it's in Villaret, a small hamlet next to old Peisey village, underneath the Vanoise Express cable car. It is very convenient for the lobster pots lift, which takes you up the hill to Plan Peisey, where the 6 man chair & the Vanoise Express normally run from. As I am sure you are aware, the Vanoise Express is out of action for the whole of this season, due to cable problems, but this should not spoil your enjoymment of a great area.
Ski Beat which runs the Edelweiss, has an excellent reputation for food & service in the locality, and the chalet is a superb modern building. We love old Peisey village, it has a couple of bars, some very good restaurants, and a nice Dairy Food shop run by the local farm. Try their cheeses!
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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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fj,
Sounds great, thanks. Is it possible to ski down to Peisey village from Plan Peisey ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, if conditions allow- in other words, if there is enough snow, which isn't always the case. It isn't too difficult, if you don't mind dodging a few bushes & trees. The route is directly underneath the lobster pots, so you can plan out your route beforehand, from above!
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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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thefatcontroller, nice pics, thanks for sharing
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Not that much to add to what has already been said, but as I've been lurking for weeks on this thread, and have another 5 weeks in Les Arcs this season, so I thought I'd make my first post - take it easy if I've done something wrong.
Anyway... got back yesterday after 9 days, did fly drive Heathrow to Lyon, no problems at all there. The rain earlier in the week was pretty miserable, but certainly went uphill after that - later in the week was absolutely gorgeous. The dump Friday / Saturday changed things so dramatically. Saturday was really the first time I've skied on a foot of real white fluffy stuff, absolutely amazing. Towards the end of the day I was venturing a little off piste, what a feeling!!!
Really struggled with the bottom of the Refuge, which I inadvertently hit, should have stayed left! The moguls were massive, but the other two blacks I did were fairly easy, Bosses and the one off the top of the Grizzly.
Took a couple of private lessons with ESF which I thought were very good and reasonably priced at €70 for 2 hours.
Only slightly negative bit was the state of the roads, they weren't good after the dump. The road from Nancroix to Vallandry really was quite scary, I didn't use the chains, but in hindsight should have done. The only way to get up the hill was to go reasonably quickly and not be afraid to spin the wheels a bit.
All in all, an amazing week.
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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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Just got back (with allanm).
Before Friday there was still loads of powder hidden away as got bullied by bigger boys (and girls) to do malgovert... so much powder!!!
But... stuff of dreams last 2 days!!!
Friday was extraordinary!!! Never seen powder on piste like that. Looks like they just didn't bash the resort as some treat for the locals/hardened. Couldn't see where the pistes stopped and the off piste started in some areas.
Got first tracks (well, maybe 3rd or 4th) down morey. Had to pinch myself 
Couldn't be more different from last year.
Also considered (for a moment) of doing the run down under the lobster pots. But then again I was already sporting a bruised rib from earlier in the week (poor excuse I know).
If its similar in 3 weeks time (unlikely) i just may have a go.
Tux
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allanm, welcome to Sn wheads! Great report. I will be out in Peisey for first snow Sat am - We have needed chains to get in 3 ex 6 visits to Peisey. Getting very excited. Glad to hear malgovert is open, not managed that quirky old piste for a couple of years.
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You know it makes sense.
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Martin Nicholas, Enjoy, conditions are fantastic, you are in for a treat 
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Mon 14-01-08 18:33; edited 1 time in total
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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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Who is going to be out from the 26 Jan through to mid Feb, sounds like the snow is great and more is on the way. What a winter.
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Poster: A snowHead
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snowcrazy,
Im out 26th Jan for a week - sounds fantastic, cant wait
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snowcrazy,
Yes, I'm back out on the 25th for 2 weeks and then the 13th March for another 2 and a bit weeks, on a mission this year, I'm going to learn to ski this season!!
These next two weeks are going to drag like there's no tomorrow, one working day down already though.
AllanM
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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geri, It was a place called Le Solan?
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Another brilliant day on & off piste, today. Went to Blanche Muree resto for morning coffee, & teased one of the waiters who is a Biarritz fan (they got thrashed by Sarries on Sat. In European Cup. Then headed up Col de Frettes, & down Lac piste, one of my favourite little pistes. I then headed for Aiguille Rouge cable car, and was astonished to find NO QUEUE (that must be a first!). The snow up top was pretty good on & off piste, so I decided to head for Villaroger down the 6 k. run. It was excellent, just a few small stones on the road in the usual place just after the right fork on the piste. I zoomed down to Le Solliet resto, which seemed to be full of les Rosbifs - English chatter everywhere, not a Russian in sight, must have hangovers after their New Year celebrations... le Solliet has changed hands recently, and all the staff seemed very keen, including Madame who held the door open for me, whilst I staggered through with a trayful. I didn't bother with the last piste down to the village, 'cos I find it a little boring, just a road , really, though having read thefatcontroller, and his lunch at La Ferme, I might have made a mistake! Diots & pasta don't exactly compare with venison...
On my way back up to 2000, I tried Les Drosets black for only the second time ever, and it was excellent, one of the best runs of the day. This is the run that goes over the top of the main road up to 2000, and it was great fun, especially dodging the bushes lower down. I then went up Comborciere chair & down Malgovert piste, another one of my favourites. It was great , as usual.
Les Deux tetes Poma was working today , so I went up it, & back down the piste, another excellent run, partly on powder. I then headed back home, via Le Clocheret, Col des Frettes & the woods.
It was another great day, I don't think I've seen the snow so good, so early in the season, both on & off piste, for a long time.
Oh yes , as I write this, IT'S SNOWING AGAIN! I can't cope with any more...
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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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fj, Its always worth that last bit down to Villaroger for the lunch. Try it, you won't regret it. Its simple you order the plat du jour, an alcoholic drink and relax
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fj, its good here innnit?!
Having had one or two too many beers last night, decided to spend the day over at 1600 in the woods by Mont Blanc chair. The snow is great, the pistes / restaurants / lifts empty, and its still snowing. Like you, did the Rouge with no Q on the cable-car (last thing Sunday eve), never thought I'd get another chance to walk straight on - clearly I was wrong!
Been told to expect 20cm overnight, and a white out storm on Wednesday with 60+ - maybe wishful thinking, but will be going for the 2000 bowl black tomorrow just in case - genepi is open, as are the bumps under Varet, so a few of those, and if Droset is as good as you say, then it has to be worth a shout.
The conditions are certainly as good as I have ever seen them for this time of year, and honestly, there is no-one about ( well, the odd ski school, but even there, one of our party is only here for a couple of days - they are happy for him to join a class for those days, rather than pay for the whole week - they must be desperate!) so if you are thinking of a late booking, its certainly worth a thought.
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