 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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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.
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Nice shot of the piste bashers on the webcam at the top of Cucumelle.
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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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Verrry niiiice, Hells Bells 
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Has anyone got any thoughts on where to park for a day trip? I'll be coming from the direction of Gap. I was last there about 20 years ago, and with the memory not being what it was...
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@PaulS, you could park at the Briancon lift station, you will go under the gondola as you arrive from Gap or you can head towards Chantemerle, plenty of underground parking underneath the new apartment buildings.
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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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@PaulS, depends on the time of year and day of week & time of day you get there, if low season / quiet time then for sure Briancon and Chantermerle not too bad but if it's busy then worth the extra drive to head up the valley.
For instance, if high season, even though we live in Villeneuve we might well drive to Monetier.
If driving up from Gap then there's also Vars which is actually quite a large area, along with Rissoul and then there's also Puy St Vincent (all closer to Gap than Serre)
And then totally off the beaten track I can thoroughly recommend the stations in the Queyras, (turn off at Guilliestre) off piste potential is massive, see this report from last season
http://www.stylealtitude.com/newsandblog/2014/03/30/if-carlsberg-made-a-ski-resort/
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Thinking of doing a ucpa week in serre che feb 7th. Anyone around that week to board with... Hoping to do some park stuff but dont know if ucpa will have a group teaching that...
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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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Those two photos are of different places unless the locacation of the photographer is very very different.
What are conditions like now? Has all the snow been washed away? Pity, if all that rain had fallen as snow it could have been the best start to the season in years. Out on 20th for a week.
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Anyone going this weekend? Its a pretty similar distance to ValThorens from me so trying to decide where best to go..or if its just best to stay at home until we get back from the UK end of Dec.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Kevin Byrne, friends reported good conditions on the top pistes of Monetier open at the weekend, and they have confirmed they will open again on Saturday and Sunday. Doesn't look like anything below Serre Ratier level though.
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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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@Kevin Byrne, think the photo was taken much further up looking up to the left, but like I said I'm probably wrong 
So see you maybe in the Frog when you're out. I'm arriving 16th or there abouts, I'm actually hoping for no snow lower down as we can then drive up from Cervieres to Les Fonts hopefully to get into that area for touring otherwise it's a very long hike.
Not too sure if Elaine will be with me or my daughter, all a wee bit chaotic on the domestic front.
This is a vid posted from last weekend
29-11-2014 Serre Chevalier confirme ! from skions.com http://vimeo.com/113156481
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Poster: A snowHead
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Conditions look good! Where abouts is that in SC, monetier?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@macgyver, yes.
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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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Right, fingers crossed and I might venture there this weekend
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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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Been there, done that  . Would it be better to go to Monetier or Villeneuve?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@macgyver, there will only be Monetier open this weekend, and then only the top lifts
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Ah ok fair enough. That makes that an easy decision then!
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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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A work colleague is heading out to Chantemerle in a couple of days (Sunday). He asked me about snow conditions - so we looked at the SC webcams.... what a mess!
I've not been to SC for a few years - but isn't the Serre Ratier area the main setting off point?
Is there any skiing available? He has a party of beginners / intermediates. Is there any access to reasonable slopes / lessons?
Will the resort actually open this weekend? Very few people around.
Thanks,
SM
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Yeah, Serre Ratier is sure looking sad and sorry. But the Cucumelle is a whole lot better. 
The snow cannons have obviously been working away and it is pretty amazing what the pisteurs can do. The best approach would seem to be to head for Monetier - the highest access point in the valley - and take it from there. High up looks good but skiing back to the valley will be a challenge!! The skiing in Monetier is great with a very atmospheric mountain environment.
If Monetier (plus whatever else is accessible) is not enough then Montgenevre might be worth a look for one day at least. It's higher so in theory should hold the snow longer - though I haven't looked.
All a bit unfortunate compared to a couple of weeks ago. On the plus side there may be some more snow next week and it is to get colder.
Hope your mate has a good time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Kevin Byrne, cunning plan, and trying to be optimistic but all subject to snow condition etc but this is what I sent out to some mates today that will be out 20th onwards and are getting a tad worried.
https://goo.gl/maps/IjIAr usually the road (D89T) is shut just pass Cervieres but it could well be open all the way up the valley to the Refuge Des Fonts, or at least to the first parking at Les Chalps, especially to a 4x4 and if you look at the image below some nice touring routes (blue dashed lines) and interesting safe terrain.
The road in the winter is usually a ski du fond route.
http://www.skitour.fr/refuges/refuge-des-fonts-de-cervieres,97.html
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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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He's seriously thinking about dumping the skis and taking the mountain bikes instead.
He's also looking at his holiday insurance. There's a clause in there about piste closures. Not sure of it will allow him to cancel though.
They're all quite disappointed.
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@shockingmoment, the news from the resort is that 70% of the pistes will be opening at the weekend. There won't be many people around now as the place doesn't open until tomorrow.
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You know it makes sense.
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So, what's the latest?
How was the first day?
Thanks
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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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Not good. They cancelled. They were going for the skiing - he couldn't see the point of travelling if conditions are as dire as they appear, and the forecasts don't help.
Not sure how they stand re insurance. Tomorrow. Should be an interesting conversation.
They'll save their holidays for another time. Half term beckons i think.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mates parents have just booked the Frejus Hotel which is now a Crystal Club Hotel 20th Dec for £306 pp inc flights / transfers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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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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@shockingmoment, although skiing is limited to the higher slopes, friends already out there report quiet slopes and decent snow on the ones that are open. Shame.
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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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and it has snowed a small amount overnight.
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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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Shame indeed. He’ll lose quite a chunk of money.
Holidays are limited though, and he said he’d rather save the time off to go when there’s decent snow across the entire ski area.
Part of the experience is seeing everything covered in white and not having to trudge through mud!
Fingers crossed for the 20th!
How much snow overnight?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| shockingmoment wrote: |
Shame indeed. He’ll lose quite a chunk of money.
Holidays are limited though, and he said he’d rather save the time off to go when there’s decent snow across the entire ski area.
Part of the experience is seeing everything covered in white and not having to trudge through mud!
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I'd say he's made the correct decision, despite the financial hit. Forecast for week ahead not great. Looks like going to be quite mild for next few days at least.
Some may be happy with a few days away from home just enjoying the scenery and perhaps some limited skiing but most people investing a week of their holiday and hard earned money for ski holiday want to clock up high mileage on the slopes across the entire resort.
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Part of an email exchange with friends in La Grave today.........
...don't hold your breath...
and don't look too much out of the widow: have seen more snow in july than now.
have a safe trip et à bientôt!
M
On 15/12/2014 11:46, Gavin Baylis wrote:
Have you seen the forecast for Tuesday, tomorrow ?
Guess who'll be driving (hopefully) over the Col 
Ciao
G
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Looking at the webcams this morning the Cucumelle ridge is still white and it's cold enough for the cannons to be running at Serre Ratier.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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SR is looking an awful lot whiter than a couple of days ago. Is that all artificial snow?
Only looks a couple of cm deep, but the few people that are there are wearing skies - which can only be good.
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@shockingmoment, the cannons have been going, but I also think there was a little bit of the real stuff fell on Monday. I am reliably informed that the snow that is there is good.
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FAQ
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