 Poster: A snowHead
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The portable snow cannons have been building up banks of snow on the Furi to Zermatt home run. These probably won’t open until the week before Xmas so they are getting in early.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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FYI - From the Cervinia Lifts: -
"We will know something exactly tomorrow but the snow condition didn't change so much during the last days. In case we will make a post on Facebook about the new lifts opening."
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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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Have a look through ECMWF 12z run - doesn't get much better for early season base building. 
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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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@JohnMo, how is the case rate in Valais? Everything we are reading here is the the number is Switzerland are going bananas.
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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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From lift co. Cerv:
We are pleased to announce that this Saturday, November 20, the upper part of Ventina will open up to Cime Bianche Laghi with the tracks 35 and 36.
It has also been confirmed the opening of the Valtournenche Compensation with the Salette TV and the Motta/Du Col line with the tracks 15, 12, 10 and 7 (return only). The connection with Breuil-Cervinia is also open.
Please buy Green Pass and ID to access the plants and buy the skip pass online at www.cervinia.it .
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Wildsmith wrote: |
From lift co. Cerv:
We are pleased to announce that this Saturday, November 20, the upper part of Ventina will open up to Cime Bianche Laghi with the tracks 35 and 36.
It has also been confirmed the opening of the Valtournenche Compensation with the Salette TV and the Motta/Du Col line with the tracks 15, 12, 10 and 7 (return only). The connection with Breuil-Cervinia is also open.
Please buy Green Pass and ID to access the plants and buy the skip pass online at www.cervinia.it . |
That's great news! My trip on 27Nov is getting more realistic! Do you know what they meant by Green Pass?
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oh, and thanks a ton @Wildsmith for the news!
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| Cookiemonsterhahaha wrote: |
| Wildsmith wrote: |
From lift co. Cerv:
We are pleased to announce that this Saturday, November 20, the upper part of Ventina will open up to Cime Bianche Laghi with the tracks 35 and 36.
It has also been confirmed the opening of the Valtournenche Compensation with the Salette TV and the Motta/Du Col line with the tracks 15, 12, 10 and 7 (return only). The connection with Breuil-Cervinia is also open.
Please buy Green Pass and ID to access the plants and buy the skip pass online at www.cervinia.it . |
That's great news! My trip on 27Nov is getting more realistic! Do you know what they meant by Green Pass? |
They mean get your Green Pass Italia ready (it’s an app where you scan your NHS Covid pass QR code into it)
Well that’s my understanding of it 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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| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
| Cookiemonsterhahaha wrote: |
| Wildsmith wrote: |
From lift co. Cerv:
We are pleased to announce that this Saturday, November 20, the upper part of Ventina will open up to Cime Bianche Laghi with the tracks 35 and 36.
It has also been confirmed the opening of the Valtournenche Compensation with the Salette TV and the Motta/Du Col line with the tracks 15, 12, 10 and 7 (return only). The connection with Breuil-Cervinia is also open.
Please buy Green Pass and ID to access the plants and buy the skip pass online at www.cervinia.it . |
That's great news! My trip on 27Nov is getting more realistic! Do you know what they meant by Green Pass? |
They mean get your Green Pass Italia ready (it’s an app where you scan your NHS Covid pass QR code into it)
Well that’s my understanding of it anyway. |
ah that makes sense, thanks. I was wondering if they introduced colour coded ski passes haha 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Very useful, thank you @VolklAttivaS5
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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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| Wildsmith wrote: |
From lift co. Cerv:
We are pleased to announce that this Saturday, November 20, the upper part of Ventina will open up to Cime Bianche Laghi with the tracks 35 and 36.
It has also been confirmed the opening of the Valtournenche Compensation with the Salette TV and the Motta/Du Col line with the tracks 15, 12, 10 and 7 (return only). The connection with Breuil-Cervinia is also open.
Please buy Green Pass and ID to access the plants and buy the skip pass online at www.cervinia.it . |
Good news,what does it mean return only?
Also can you connect from cime bianche to plan maison?or after come bianche need to take lift back up?
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I think they don't want you to do shuttle runs on the cable car then down 7 again - covid
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You know it makes sense.
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The uk nhs proof of covid vacc (dose 2) - travel version QR code is the green pass - it works ( ie gives a green tick) when scanned by the Italian verifation app
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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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| Wildsmith wrote: |
| I think they don't want you to do shuttle runs on the cable car then down 7 again - covid |
correction - I think they are referring to the run 7 in vt served by a 4 man motta chair so a potential bottleneck
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Hopefulimprover wrote: |
| Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail. |
Keep an eye on the openings this weekend. The only thing that will hold up openings is a lack of snow...and things look quite healthy currently. Another storm predicted on 25th/26th also.
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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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| Run28 wrote: |
| Hopefulimprover wrote: |
| Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail. |
Keep an eye on the openings this weekend. The only thing that will hold up openings is a lack of snow...and things look quite healthy currently. Another storm predicted on 25th/26th also. |
They are a lot more responsive on facebook messages than e-mail. This is their response when I asked about piste opening status, same message as what wildsmith posted basically "At the moment from Saturday 20th of November, will open the slope from Plateau Rosa to Cime Bianche Laghi and the connection with Valtournenche. In Valtournenche 3 chairlifs and 1 draglift."
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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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fyi, I also asked about daily upgrades from local to international pass as it isn't mentioned on their website anymore. The daily upgrade will be €35, meaning one needs to cross 3 out of 6 days to breakeven (easy if weather permits). Seems like the pricing changed, or maybe it is different during offpeak.
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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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| Cookiemonsterhahaha wrote: |
| fyi, I also asked about daily upgrades from local to international pass as it isn't mentioned on their website anymore. The daily upgrade will be €35, meaning one needs to cross 3 out of 6 days to breakeven (easy if weather permits). Seems like the pricing changed, or maybe it is different during offpeak. |
Wait if i book a 5 days national, and i want to upgrade 1 day to international it will be 35 euros?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Idb1213 wrote: |
| Cookiemonsterhahaha wrote: |
| fyi, I also asked about daily upgrades from local to international pass as it isn't mentioned on their website anymore. The daily upgrade will be €35, meaning one needs to cross 3 out of 6 days to breakeven (easy if weather permits). Seems like the pricing changed, or maybe it is different during offpeak. |
Wait if i book a 5 days national, and i want to upgrade 1 day to international it will be 35 euros? |
Yes, I understand it is a daily upgrade, so same price regardless which one you have pre-upgrade
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@Cookiemonsterhahaha, thanks for sharing! Thats good to know.
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| Hopefulimprover wrote: |
| Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail. |
I will (Ryanair willing - which is a very big butt) be on the spot tomorrow and will update! Atm if you go up to plain main the lift co says there are blue runs plus a small beginner travelator. So they have enough to learn on and the great views too!
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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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Thanks all - very helpful! We're going to take the plunge and hope for the best.
@wildsmith - looking forward to your update!
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Just had a couple of days in Zermatt/Cervinia. It is a real story of two altitudes. If you are above the snow line the snow is in great condition.
Yesterday I was over in Italy and the pistes right the way down to Plan Maison were in superb condition - right to the end of the day. However despite being a blue sky day the temperatures stayed low. Today was hot and the next few days look like staying that way. The lifties are going to have their work cut out keeping things that good. Hopefully those lower temperatures and storms appearing on the GFS runs for next week (so just out of reliable timeframe at present) materialise.
However once you get below about 2400m the snow peters out quickly - particularly on the south facing slopes. The photo was taken at Plan Maison at 2500m standing in excellent natural snow looking down at the Cretaz end of Cervinia. You can see there is not much lower down.
This is having an effect on openings. So while Valtournenche is opening you can only ski at the top section. The run down to Sallette at 2245m (and south facing) can only be used for returning home so as not to wear down the artificial strip. Similarly the Swiss lift company have already announced that at their “opening” at the end of next week in addition to those areas already open they will open Gornegrat down to Riffelberg. However they are not opening the runs to Sunnegga (which is also south facing and similarly is at 2288. If the lower snow had been good that sector would have opened at the end of next week.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| JohnMo wrote: |
Just had a couple of days in Zermatt/Cervinia. It is a real story of two altitudes. If you are above the snow line the snow is in great condition.
Yesterday I was over in Italy and the pistes right the way down to Plan Maison were in superb condition - right to the end of the day. However despite being a blue sky day the temperatures stayed low. Today was hot and the next few days look like staying that way. The lifties are going to have their work cut out keeping things that good. Hopefully those lower temperatures and storms appearing on the GFS runs for next week (so just out of reliable timeframe at present) materialise.
However once you get below about 2400m the snow peters out quickly - particularly on the south facing slopes. The photo was taken at Plan Maison at 2500m standing in excellent natural snow looking down at the Cretaz end of Cervinia. You can see there is not much lower down.
This is having an effect on openings. So while Valtournenche is opening you can only ski at the top section. The run down to Sallette at 2245m (and south facing) can only be used for returning home so as not to wear down the artificial strip. Similarly the Swiss lift company have already announced that at their “opening” at the end of next week in addition to those areas already open they will open Gornegrat down to Riffelberg. However they are not opening the runs to Sunnegga (which is also south facing and similarly is at 2288. If the lower snow had been good that sector would have opened at the end of next week.
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interesting, thanks for the update.
i have a trip to zermatt booked 4 – 9 December, reckon things will have improved by then?
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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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| cav wrote: |
interesting, thanks for the update.
i have a trip to zermatt booked 4 – 9 December, reckon things will have improved by then? |
In two weeks at this time of year you certainly would hope for one decent storm. Assuming the temperatures do drop back to average in a few days (as forecast) the snow making should allow more to open. Both Switzerland and Italy had the snow machines blasting away yesterday (but not today).
As I say what is open is in very good condition.
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| Hopefulimprover wrote: |
| Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail. |
There are planned to be no beginner areas open in Valtournenche or Zermatt. In Cervinia the area served by the first chair lift up from Plan Maison is good for beginners. Depending on what they are like even the area served by the next chairlift might be OK for them. Have a ride up yourself and take a look. Just don’t take them on the third chairlift up to Theodulpass. That is not suitable for beginners. Yesterday I saw a man get put on a sledge stretcher just 20 metres from that lift (he then got loaded onto a helicopter at the next bit of level land).
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You know it makes sense.
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| JohnMo wrote: |
| Hopefulimprover wrote: |
| Thanks @wildsmith - do you know if any beginner areas and/or blue runs will be open by next week? There are two first timers in our group. I've tried contacting the lift operator to no avail. |
There are planned to be no beginner areas open in Valtournenche or Zermatt. In Cervinia the area served by the first chair lift up from Plan Maison is good for beginners. Depending on what they are like even the area served by the next chairlift might be OK for them. Have a ride up yourself and take a look. Just don’t take them on the third chairlift up to Theodulpass. That is not suitable for beginners. Yesterday I saw a man get put on a sledge stretcher just 20 metres from that lift (he then got loaded onto a helicopter at the next bit of level land). |
Any chance italy will go in lockdown soon?2-3 weeks from now?
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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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@JohnMo, Thanks for that update. Very interesting. I've been contemplating an early Dec trip ad watching conditions develop. Surprised that Sunnegga is not opening - is that the whole of that part of the mountain or just the bottom section?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| DCG wrote: |
| @JohnMo, Thanks for that update. Very interesting. I've been contemplating an early Dec trip ad watching conditions develop. Surprised that Sunnegga is not opening - is that the whole of that part of the mountain or just the bottom section? |
Coming back from Furgg to Zermatt on the Matterhorn Express today I was looking over at that. Any meaningful natural snow has gone by Sunnegga. Plus being south facing the artificial snow will have been taking a pounding.
I think they could have opened Rothorn down to Blauherd. And you can downlift from Baluherd via the Gondolas. However they clearly though if they couldn’t open down to Sunnegga they wouldn’t open that sector at all. Pity.
I wonder if they would change their mind if storms do roll in next week.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@JohnMo, Thanks for clarifying. Fingers crossed...
If I do come out it will be 4th Dec for a week
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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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| Run28 wrote: |
| @JohnMo, how is the case rate in Valais? Everything we are reading here is the the number is Switzerland are going bananas. |
Don’t know on the Canton specific numbers. There is speculation that the federal government don’t want to bring in any additional measures until after the referendum on 28 November on the current laws. They are expected to win this.
It is odd having a resort covering two countries. In Italy you are meant to wear a mask on the chairlifts (no-one does - there was even a policeman in front of me and he didn’t). Also you are not allowed to close the bubble. Neither of these apply in Switzerland. In Italy you need the green pass to get onto the slopes. However they do not check your green Pass in the restaurant because they assume you have already been checked - which anyone coming over from Switzerland will not have been. In Switzerland each restaurant on the mountain checks your covid pass.
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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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Arrived in Cervinia yesterday night and I can vouch for what John said (not that it needed any confirmation anyway). Posted conditions are great everywhere and throughout the day, and while you do still see quite a bit of snow at the village itself, there's not that much snow further down from what's already open.
| Idb1213 wrote: |
Any chance italy will go in lockdown soon?2-3 weeks from now? |
Seems unlikely to me; despite the upwards trend, covid numbers in Italy ain't rising as fast as in other western European countries (I'm looking at you, Austria and Holland). I've heard talks of a lockdown for unvaccinated people (similarly to Austria) but nothing's certain yet I think.
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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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Italy have also got one of the highest vaccination records I think, higher than Austria and Germany I believe?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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And Switzerland actually?
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Obviously didn't pay the table surcharge........
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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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The GFS models getting confident that the temperatures will drop back to normal soon. So snow making can start again. But the hope for much snow next week seems to be going.
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Zermatt's website shows VT slopes are open but no connection to top of 7...is that true? i.e. VT side can only be reached through the cable from Salette?
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FAQ
