 Poster: A snowHead
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Temperature has dropped 2 degree in the last hour and the snow is currently slamming down hard. Might crack out the big boys tomorrow if this continues 
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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,
From your photo (View from the balcony. - 8am.) I can see the Cabriolet & looks like the 'travelator' on the right of pic is still there. Usually everyone coming from ice rink area skis down the slope at the side of this then (used to) shoot across what now appears to be the new hotel you refer to and then down to St. Jaques chair/1950 run etc. I presume there is still a passage somehow past this new hotel thingy??- it looks pretty close to the Cabriolet on RH side and also the restaurant/apartment block on left from your previous pictures.
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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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We were out on the first lift from Vallandry. On a SCGB session with Evo2, got more than a bit wet in the rain but had a great time on really good snow. Linds even ventured off-piste and was also using the piste markers for slalom practice. Packed up about 2.00 as were getting cold after stopping for a bit in wet gear. Never saw Rob so don't believe he's really here 😁
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| anarchicsaltire wrote: |
| Packed up about 2.00 as were getting cold after stopping for a bit in wet gear. Never saw Rob so don't believe he's really here 😁 |
I didn't head out until 1pm as I didn't want to get too wet. And I ski like the wind, so you wouldn't have seen me anyways...
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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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Hi, really enjoying reading all the updates, thank you!
Can anyone help? I am looking for lessons for Feb half term and it was mentioned on the lesson thread that evo 2 was now in vallandry. I can't find anything about this online so was wondering if you know anything about this or can point me in the right direction?
Alternatively I'd love to find a really good English speaking instructor for me just for a couple of hours does anyone have a recommendation? New gen are full. I could get over to les arcs if necessary. Thank you.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@nem, try JP at AIM Snowsports. He's probably fully booked for that week, but worth asking. Tell him that Rob from Inside Out Skiing recommended him.
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As mentioned by others, weather all over the place, but a great day had by us, according to 'track my ride' covered 56km between 10:30 and 17:00. (included lifts!)
Stuck to the following runs: Renard, Myrtilles, Morey, Aigle and then the following as just links from 1800 to Vallandry and back: Plan Bois, Rhodes, Maitaz.
Lifts used : Transarc, Derby, Grizzly, Vallandry
Some really lovely snow on Renard today (as was case yesterday) managed to make plenty of fresh tracks throughout the day.
Periods of the day where couldn't see where heading, and others when visibility was fairly good.
As headed back after 16:30 the snow was coming down above 2000m quite constant, presuming it continues overnight, then some good runs again tomorrow.
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| kapt wrote: |
@thefatcontroller,
From your photo (View from the balcony. - 8am.) I can see the Cabriolet & looks like the 'travelator' on the right of pic is still there. Usually everyone coming from ice rink area skis down the slope at the side of this then (used to) shoot across what now appears to be the new hotel you refer to and then down to St. Jaques chair/1950 run etc. I presume there is still a passage somehow past this new hotel thingy??- it looks pretty close to the Cabriolet on RH side and also the restaurant/apartment block on left from your previous pictures. |
Really good question, you obviously know the spot well. The building isn't finished but it does look like there will be no gap between Cabriolet and the new build. The run back from marmotte has been pushed up and the area below the Olympic torch has been blocked and a wall built at the bottom. The result is a much smaller entrance to this run to the left of the hotel as you look at it. Not sure how this will work as it can get very, very busy here with all traffic from 2000 having to go through it. It also looks like where you could ski straight from the run down Lanchette through onto this run now you have to ski around and enter by the hotel (not 100% sure on this as we haven't had a chance to go up the bowl yet).
All in all a mighty big block in the middle of a heavily used spot.
Still chucking it down in 2000. The Yuge app is saying 70kph winds in 2000 tomorrow and 11kph in 1800 and 1600. I don't mind heading to 1600 but like today if Mont Blanc is shut then it is very limited, you have to head to 1800.
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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 wrote: |
| ... if Mont Blanc is shut |
It was open for part of today, I did a couple of laps on it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@thefatcontroller, it must have opened up later, I think it was after 2pm that I rode it.
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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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@thefatcontroller, Is Doctor Foster a combination of Dr Peppers and Fosters lager hence a weird shandy?
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| @thefatcontroller, it must have opened up later, I think it was after 2pm that I rode it. |
Surprised we were there around 2pm and it was shut ' VENT VIOLENT'. The Mont Blanc lift out of 1600?
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You know it makes sense.
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| thefatcontroller wrote: |
| The Mont Blanc lift out of 1600? |
Yes. I might be wrong about the time as I didn't pay much attention to my watch today, but it was definitely open at some point early afternoon.
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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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@thefatcontroller thanks for reply.
Headed to 1600 and had a couple of runs around Cachette which wasn't too bad, then over into 1800. Stuck my mum on Villards and into the area debutant which she was happy with, then couple of trips up Vagere. Some nice but heavy off-pistey bits around Golf to finish the day off, and then a fantastic wait in the driving snow for the 1950 bus. Hope the linking lifts are open tomorrow, but doesn't sound like they will be!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@JP89, Wise move. Happy to be proven wrong but I have no expectation that the lifts linking to 2000 over the top will be open tomorrow. If we can get our asses out of bed early then bus to 1600 it will be.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Greetings all - firstly, thank you for updates, pictures and reports etc, you've essentially been teasing me and keeping me sane with pictures of wonderful wonderful snow while I sit in a windowless office waiting to go on holiday. Apologies if these are bone questions, but I'm going to Les Arcs for the first time in last week of Jan, and we are a group of 8 of mixed abilities. You guys seem to know the place like the backs of your hands, so any advice and thoughts much appreciated.
We're staying in Les Alpages de Chantel (I've been assured we're in building 1, which has the pool / spa etc...?) - what's the best way to get there on arrival with luggage and skis etc? I'm leaning towards a taxi, so any advice or recommendations would be ace. Any general advice for staying in Les Alpages also appreciated - tripadvisor seems pretty mixed (as always), but it looks pleasant to me. From what I can tell, the Dahu lift will make it much easier to get to and from the centre of town, unless I've missed something.
Finally, any words of wisdom for beginners - lots of lessons already arranged, but any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid would be great. I've had a good look at the various maps and websites, and the Mille8 area looks good.
Many thanks - JB.
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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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@thefatcontroller, Thanks for confirmation - sounds like yet another 'improvement'. We will be out in 12 days so will be able to see for ourselves & 'enjoy' the circumnavigation - or not.
Hopefully insignificant in the scheme of things , but there are times when a dash back at lunchtime to the apartment for a refresher, (without having to spend more of the hard-earned), via Marmottes/Chalets then after back out again to 1950 & lifts to top, is convenient. May not be so easy now. Glad to hear you're out there enjoying things - always informative reading your posts.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@JonathanBarnett, welcome to snowHeads.
Alpage du Chantel, where I'm based, is at the top end of Arc 1800 so if you get dropped in the centre of the village it's a bit of a pain to get to, relying either on the shuttle bus or the new Dahu lift to get to. Taxi would definitely be more convenient - are you arriving on the Eurostar to Bourg St Maurice? If you have a group of 8 it might be cheaper to arrange a private minibus with one of the local transfer companies (Ben's Bus, Mountain Rescue, Cool Bus, amongst others)
Mille8 is perfect for beginners, with a gentle slope served by a covered magic carpet, and then a lovely piste through the trees to progress to. The Dahu lift will be useful to get your beginners down to the ski school meeting points, and it's just a very short walk uphill from building 1.
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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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Will all the closures, has Rhonaz been open today?
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@Arctic Roll, Looked like it was but Pre and Comborciere were shut so you were not allowed ski down from 2000 to the bottom by Pre etc. The whole area was really shut. 1st time I've seen that. It was a buses day and the buses ran even though the roads were awful.
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I hope Sundays SF forecast is correct.
Cold and sunny first day on the hill with sensible winds. 
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11 January 2016. Went up late today as it was raining again first thing and all the top lifts were closed today. The winds up top were very strong and it was sleet at Arc 1600 and almost hail stones at the top of the Cachette chair.
The pistes in Arc 1600 were busy with many lessons, but even the racers were having a rest today in the wet snow first thing this morning so it was possible to use the race piste as well which was a bonus.
Same story skiing down into Arc 1800. It was sleet the whole way from the top of the Cachette chair down into Arc 1800 with the wind and sleet stinging your face. The vis was quite flat and I started to wonder why I had come out in such conditions.
There were plenty of beginners to avoid going down into Arc 1800 with English speaking students out in force.
With the wet conditions, busy pistes and high winds up top it was time to try and find some better snow with less people around.
Went up the Derby chair and headed back down through the trees. The first half was good, but by midway through the forest towards the Plan Bois piste the snow had once more turned heavy and the sleet was still falling. Time to head for lunch.
After a very nice lunch whilst looking out the window waiting for the heavy snowfall to begin it was time to head out again.
What a difference a few hours had made. Although still windy up top, the snow was now falling as real snowflakes and we found much better powder in the forest above Peisey Vallandry. Managed to do two runs down through the forest making a few fresh tracks before heading over to the 'Big Drop' which one person did! See the photo!
Then more OK snow down through the forest before splitting and heading for home.
By the time I reached the top of the Vagere chair is was a total whiteout with proper snow falling and high winds. After a hot chocolate and a chat at the Altiport I headed down empty pistes back to Arc 1600 and home.
With the fresh snow now arriving, tomorrow could be a good day if it continues to snow, the wind drops and the lifts are open. If anyone wants to meet up to ski. Send me a PM for meeting point time and details all depending on the weather at 8.30am tomorrow morning.
Photos from today will be posted shortly on the Les Arcs Winter page in the January 2016 album. Enjoy!
@rob@rar, Come and have a play with us tomorrow on the big skis. PM me here or on Facebook page.
@JonathanBarnett, The Lodge area is very good for beginners and the ESF beginner park is great for the kids. There is also a quieter place above on skiers right of the transarc.
@Arctic Roll, Rhonaz was open and you could get over to Villaroger side by using the bus down. Not sure worth the effort.
@JP89, Tomorrow looks like much of the same. Come and have a play in the powder in Arc 1600/ 1800 for a few hours with us if you like.
@anarchicsaltire, pleased to hear you enjoyed your session with Evo2 as one of my friends is doing some of the leading for them this season. If you want to join us on other days get in touch.
Just heard it is still snowing up top, but also windy. Tomorrow should be an interesting day! 
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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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Right good night all. Still blowing a gale in 2000 and snowing. Will be interesting to see what day light brings us.
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8am in Arc 2000. Still blowing a gale and snowing heavy. Very little sign of life with bashers parked up. Don't get the impression they intend doing much up here today. Winds calmer lower anyone?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@thefatcontroller, occasional strong gusts of wind here, but we're very sheltered so no doubt worse higher up. Moderate snow falling and plenty being moved around by the wind, and currently -4 degrees. Blasting has been going on for the last 45 minutes, so pisteurs working hard to open stuff up.
Difficult to know how much snow has fallen as it has been blown around a lot during the night, but I'd say a decent amount. The little access road to our garage is currently blocked by maybe 30cm of (drifted?) snow, awaiting the snowplough which is late no doubt because it's a busy morning for clearance duties. Not often that happens.
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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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Nice and blustery down in 1950 too, nearly swept away doing the bread run
Any thoughts on whether buses to 1600 will be running today? No idea if they're subject to weather or keep on going...
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@rob@rar, Cheers, one or 2 small blasts here around 6am apart from that all quiet around 2000. Sounds like attention is elsewhere. Will wait and see lift website update and aim for bus.
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You know it makes sense.
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| JP89 wrote: |
Nice and blustery down in 1950 too, nearly swept away doing the bread run
Any thoughts on whether buses to 1600 will be running today? No idea if they're subject to weather or keep on going... |
Takes an awful lot for the buses to stop. Already seen delivery cars here in 2000. They will be ploughing the roads as best they can. There are one or two avalanche danger spots on the road which they do blast at times.
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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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@thefatcontroller Ta, will brave the bus queues then!
Have a good day all.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Just a quick update. I have just heard that the road up to Les Arcs from Bourg is closed due to an accident and the road around to Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 is also closed due to weather conditions (avalanche risk). This may change later in the morning.
Limited lifts are open in Arc 1600, 1800 and Peisey Vallandry so we are still going skiing. No lifts will be opening in Arc 2000 at present.
Up to 50cm expected over the next 24hrs right down to Bourg. Right now in the valley we have poor vis, but not much snow! More info later.
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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, Cheers.
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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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Just been into the ESF place in 1950. As above, he said that the road was closed (as well as the resort!) for the time being, at least but seemed to think that tomorrow would be OK - well, not as bad.
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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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Just watched 2 ESF instructors pick up classes and they have taken them to the tiny bit of slope with the covered escalator beside the Cabriolet lift(open by the way). You've really got to be desperate, the run is about 50 foot long?
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Dunno, if I was learning again (still very new to skiing) I'd prefer that to nowt. 50ft is still enough for a few drills and a bit of learning.
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Just rang the tourist office in 2000. There has just been a big avalanche onto the road near 1950 so no chance the road will open imminently. She suggested I ring back in a few hours. Safety first......
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| Piemonster wrote: |
| Dunno, if I was learning again (still very new to skiing) I'd prefer that to nowt. 50ft is still enough for a few drills and a bit of learning. |
Sorry yes dont' disagree to a point, learnt on about 20 foot in Austria. Its just way too many of them and also weather conditions there are really, really bad. Looks like they gave up anyway.
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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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Help! Being held prisoner in Arc 2000. At least that's what it feels like. 
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| maggi wrote: |
| Help! Being held prisoner in Arc 2000. At least that's what it feels like. |
Patience. It will be worth it tomorrow or potentially this afternoon via bus.
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FAQ
