Double M was pretty special. I could put first tracks down around the piste markers! Looking back for the missus resulted in stacking it, which was akin to going head first into a swimming pool of powder Wading out needed Ministry of Silly Walks type paces.
We went up to the top of the Soleil sector too yesterday. Equally empty, mint condition snow and plenty of fun still to be had off the sides.
Back in the UK now for 10 days. At my desk with a very pleasant full body ache.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@bar shaker, I did a bit of off the side this morning and now have a €30 hole in my ski (and a bruise)!!
Another beautiful morning this morning, a few degrees warmer than yesterday, but the cloud started to fill in and it is now overcast. The pisteurs have been hard at work and Merles chairlift opened in Tignes this morning with Piste Lac. This is all natural snow so it was in superb condition with some nice soft patches to the sides, but I did find a rock so ski off piste with caution. Preparations are ongoing on Palafour but they will need a bit more snow to fill in the culvert just above the Savouna before letting the general public at it, a day or two.
The weather forecast over the next few days will be difficult to pin down exactly as a series of weak fronts and troughs complicate the picture, so take this forecast as a trend rather than a certainty! The cloud will continue to thicken and we are expecting light showers of snow just after dark and this should continue throughout tomorrow, there won't be much snow and no sun either. The light snow showers should continue into Thursday but the sun will make an appearance on Thursday afternoon. Friday will be a day of sunny periods and showers. Currently Saturday looks like being sunny but the start of Baltic like temperatures by day. Perhaps Admin will be selling sH themed thermal underwear in the Taos!!
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?
@GeorgeVII, Popped into the lift pass office. Pass Tignes are no longer being offered. But when you log in they will still be honoured until the expiry date for loading your purchases. I asked if you would still get the discount, she said yes, but she wasn't a 100% convincing. I can't do a dummy run as my pass is already loaded.
Looking back for the missus resulted in stacking it
Now look what you made me do!!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@chocksaway, Thanks for following that up . Time will no doubt tell. Sorry to hear about you dinging your skis. Good job you've got some new ones in transit.
Brilliant thread. Can't wait to get out. Quick question, is there anywhere that would fill a BCA (air) avi cylinder?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Apart from the Aspen in Val Claret where else is recommended for good value lunchtime dining?
After all it is free
After all it is free
@VolklAttivaS5, Les Marmottes restaurant is great value on the way towards Val. It’s in the next Valley from Tignes, so skiable from Toviere lift and many of us used it last year. Self service but very reasonable. Loop bar in Tignes is good for burgers etc. We also get a discount there as Snowheads. I’ve also eaten in the Taverne de Neige in Val Claret which is also fine. Pepe 2000 in Val Claret is also good for pizzas.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@VolklAttivaS5, Just realised this isn’t the PSB thread. That doesn’t change my recommendations, but the Loop bar discount probably won’t work outside the PSB.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@WASHOUT, Sorry can't answer that one most people up here use ABS.
@VolklAttivaS5, @geepee, has just about covered it. The Loop do do a loyalty card routinely, but its basically a 10% bonus on what you pay, that mounts you until you have enough to pay for the next Jagerbomb. Other favourites are the Cascades in Le Fornet (the sister of the Marmottes restaurant) and the Rosée Blanche In La Daille - a decent lump of homemade quiche for €5 or a Croque for a bit less.
@GeorgeVII, One of the Donny Crowd did a dummy run and he said it appeared there was still a discount.
PS Its snowing (if very gently)
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@geepee@chocksaway thanks
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.
Looked out the window. Looks grey, misty and cloudy. Snoworks session this pm. May not go out much before. Would not mind if it was snowing more than the odd flake. Some reports indicate may go on like this until the weekend
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Here’s a 5 minute video of what the opening weekend and Monday were like.
The powder clips are all off Double M or the section above it.
It was definitely a day for rest. It was snowing quite hard this morning and despite a few sunny spells flocons have been falling past the window all day. The staff in the resorts have been busy, in Tignes it looks like Palafour will be the next to open, the piste poles are out, it is currently being bashed, the cannons are running and the gates were being readied this morning:
The weather patterns continue to perplex the professional forecasters so standby for change again. In fact the two major forecasting systems are giving completely different outcomes on Saturday - so here goes. Tomorrow will be pretty much like to day with light showers of snow all day, there will be little chance to see the sun. Friday will be similar and the temperatures are going to drop. Saturday - to be honest anything could happen. There is a low pressure are building over the Gulf of Genoa which might give quite a lot of snow especially towards Le Fornet. On the other hand it may not reach us and the sun my come out but it will be windy so a day for an extra layer and covering everything up. Higher lifts may be closed Stay tuned for more......
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Snowheads cards were definitely giving discount on Loop Bar food last year, but not drinks.
We need someone to order a Chilli Bowl and a pint, as a research mission.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Does the Spar (Sherpa?) in Le Lac with the deli in it and the small seating area got a rotisserie in it? I can’t remember if I saw hot roasted chickens in there or not?
If not, is there somewhere else in Tignes with a rotisserie?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@VolklAttivaS5, I'll have a look - they are still stocking up. There used to be one in the Palafour gallery but that is long gone.
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?
@chocksaway, Info appreciated.
Got to say looking @bar shaker, 's video it looks pretty good out there. NOT jealous in the slightest
@VolklAttivaS5, From memory I think that you could get a half poulet & frites for around 6 euros in the Spar.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Did get out today and there were some Ok periods late morning and early afternoon before the weather closed in again. There seemed to have been more snow than forecast in certain areas. The Merle area providing some nice if short pitches. Still had to watch for those pesky rocks; one of the Group was disconsolately walking to the repair shop with a big hole in his base at the end of the day.
Despite the thin cover it is a pretty good start to the season.
They have been test running Grande Huit and there were bashers up in the bowl mid afternoon. So confirming that the Palafour area opening is not far off.
@GeorgeVII, yes that’s ringing a bell with me I am sure I’ve seen roasted chickens in there before
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@chocksaway, ok thanks
After all it is free
After all it is free
great video Barshaker.........
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.
And the Palafour is open! The resorts are quoting 5cm in the villages and 20cm at altitude. The cloud is quite thin at the moment and there are a few small flakes in the air so popping out to have a look.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@chocksaway, you know the Super U down in Bourg St Maurice? Well you’d expect it to be cheaper than the supermarkets in Tignes but how much cheaper is it?
Is it worth the cost of the bus or petrol down there and back when you factor that in?
I do believe they have a rotisserie in the Super U though do they not!?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
VolklAttivaS5 wrote:
@chocksaway, you know the Super U down in Bourg St Maurice? Well you’d expect it to be cheaper than the supermarkets in Tignes but how much cheaper is it?
Is it worth the cost of the bus or petrol down there and back when you factor that in?
I do believe they have a rotisserie in the Super U though do they not!?
Most people I know who live in Tignes go down to Bourg to stock up - its not just price (which is a factor) but choice.
Not a lot different to hopping in the UK, to be honest - there are plenty Sainsburys local shops, but if you are doing a big shop you jump in the car and go to the Supermarket.
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.
@VolklAttivaS5, much more choice in Tignes these days. Spar as mentioned plus Casino(near the Loop Bar), and Carrefour (Rue de la Poste) just in Le Lac.
Sherpa in Lavachet. Carrefour has become a bit of a favourite for us as we tend to stay just over the road.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@VolklAttivaS5, The newish Carrefour in Tignes is a lot closer to valley prices than the other supermarkets.
VdI link reported as open on the Tignes website which is an unexpected bonus
Oops - wrong forum; thought I was in PSB
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
GeorgeVII wrote:
Got to say looking @bar shaker, 's video it looks pretty good out there. NOT jealous in the slightest
The snow quality was perfect and we had blue skies. What more could you want for the 3rd week of November?!!
I'm back out on the 8th. If it is half as good, I'll be happy.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@nelly0168, very true the extra choice is a factor for me definitely.
@rjs, thanks, good to know
@Ice Princess, thanks for that
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?
@VolklAttivaS5, I think its been covered, for a week it would not be worth bothering. But as I have a car I go to Bourg once a fortnight to Lidl first and then Super U for everything else (more than 2 would try my patience). If I was on my own it would be barely worth it but I often have hungry hordes squatting!!
It has been a mixed day today, this morning there was the odd patch of sunshine (especially around midday) but it has generally been cloudy. What was a surprise to most of us was the strength of the wind, which closed the lifts on the Grande Motte, the isobars were much closer together so at the top of the newly opened Palafour it was very chilly and the light was poor so I chose to take inspiration from Wallace Steven's The Snowman:
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow
and I went in amongst the trees of La Daille and did a few circuits round the Bubble. There was quite a bit of new snow around (5-15cm) and one or two groups of trainee instructors; but on the whole it was quiet especially on Raye:
The wind should drop tomorrow but it will essentially be like today with light snow showers and the odd glimpse of the sun. It will seem a bit warmer with the drop in wind chill. The 2 major forecasting systems are starting to agree for Saturday, not surprisingly they have kind of met in the middle. The best summary would be the odd sunny spell with some moderate snow showers but a brutal easterly wind, more layers and a face mask!! There will be more snow towards Le Fornet than in Tignes. Sunday looks brighter with the odd cloud but the wind will still be there, do not be lulled by the calm in the villages.... As for Mondays forecast there is little agreement or confidence so I won't bother but it then looks better until next Friday.
@chocksaway, oh yeah I agree for a week it’s not worth it
I’ve got a 3 month stint lined up though so don’t know whether it’s worth bothering to bring my car or not
The choice of stuff in a big supermarket is much more attractive over 3 months though than it would be for 3 weeks
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@chocksaway, can we assume the Fornet/Pisaillas area will be open for us next week, weather permitting? Looks like loads of snow & no humans there at the moment on the webcams. Wondering about Brev too, from memory they don't usually open the bottom bubble until nearer Xmas?
Like @head_like_a_rock, I'm in the area next week, any guesses if more pistes will be open? Apologies for appearing greedy!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@head_like_a_rock, @grumpygargoyle, Firstly in Tignes, Piste trolles is now open and they have declared that the Chaudanne and Grand Huit Chairlifts will open on Saturday (so ski in and out for the PSBashers). Val have not declared anything officially that I can find but Radio Val reporting you can ski down from the Solaise to the village by Plan and M (expect to see overconfident beginners having a nightmare!). Some of the Pissaillas Glacier is open and I would hope they will open some more of Le Fornet. Having said all that Val's focus is on preparing the racing pistes for the Criterium, I don't think I am being over harsh by saying that punters come second in the pecking order in Val at this time of year. There are only so many pisteurs to do the work and only so much capacity for the snow cannons.
@VolklAttivaS5, Don't forget to add a significant chunk for parking costs - something like €500 for a season indoor car park pass.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@chocksaway, thank you. I'd complain about the race but it's because of it that I'm there.
Ta
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@chocksaway, yeah that’s what is kind of putting me off as I’d want to park it underground/multi storey.
Plus I don’t think I can be bothered to drive the whole way on my own, did it once before and it cost quite a lot actually for 1 person compared to flying and getting the Altibus.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Quote:
Snowheads cards were definitely giving discount on Loop Bar food last year, but not drinks.
What's a Snowheads card??
Quote:
Don't forget to add a significant chunk for parking costs - something like €500 for a season indoor car park pass.
£500?! Think I'd be taking my chance on a free spot (eg Les Brevieres or Les Boisses) with occasional digging out/engine starting throughout the stay...
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Wading out needed Ministry of Silly Walks type paces.
Think I'd be taking my chance on a free spot (eg Les Brevieres or Les Boisses) with occasional digging out/engine starting throughout the stay...