 Poster: A snowHead
|
The base of my board and my wife's skis will need a bit of TLC before our next trip. There are a few patches of piste that are a bit bald and they were digging snow out of the off piste ready to spread around, on Sunday. The snow forecast for this week can't come soon enough.
The long range forecast looks to be two weeks of snow and then cloudless skies, starting on my return on the 19th 
The resort was very quiet for New Year. New Years eve was busy but before was quiet and from New Years day onwards it was deserted. We had a car to ourselves and two other people on the Olympique lift to the top of Face, at 2pm on Sunday. That morning we think we were the only people in the halfpipe on Santons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Doesn't seem to be a Val d'Isere specific thread, so hooking onto this one. Anyone got any news on the Val d slopes? Are L & Super L open down to Laisinant? Out there next week, hopefully the smattering of snow forecast for later this week will freshen things up a little. I presume it's a case of being wary of the usual pinch points?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
We're heading out there on 15th for the first time and could someone kindly tell me if the "Tignes only" ski pass covers the Ski Tranquille area below the top of Col de Friesse because I have a couple of nervous skiers in our party and that area looks most suitable for them. They could take the bubble back down from top of Toviere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
pam w, I suspect the bare patches have more to do with wind than anything else. It's certainly not warm enough for any significant melting.
Around the middle of today there were a few flakes in the air but certainly nothing of any significance. On the plus side it has been another sunny day and the pistes are still holding up well. The pisteurs are definitely earning their corn at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
We're heading out there on 15th for the first time and could someone kindly tell me if the "Tignes only" ski pass covers the Ski Tranquille area below the top of Col de Friesse
|
northantsred, It will certainly get you into that area but I don't think it covers all the lifts over there, Marmottes for example. I do remember that my first venture off the nursery slopes some years ago was into that area and we did indeed take the bubble back down at the end of the day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
rorie, спасибо Большое!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
rorie, You said you had only learnt numbers and the alphabet.
С Новым годом вас, слишком
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bar shaker, that doesn't make sense to me (rorie's message isn't proper Russian either, but it's clear what he meant) . What does your message mean?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
northantsred, As Bogusman, said, you need a VdI or EK pass to use the Marmottes chair lift for full Tranquil area access but Fresse will take you into the tranquil area. You may be able to use the Borsat Express which would also help but I don't know as I have never used this lift.
There are other beginner pistes, some of which have free lifts - The Bollin chairlift (Val Claret); Rosset chairlift (Le Lac); Lavachet tow lift (Le Lavachet); and Pitots (Brévieres). Also, the Brevieres chair (not free) gives access to a very gentle blue run that would be enjoyable for first timers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Hurtle, It means 'happy new year to you, too'. My Russian is only as good as Google Translate 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
We're heading out there on 15th for the first time and could someone kindly tell me if the "Tignes only" ski pass covers the Ski Tranquille area below the top of Col de Friesse
|
northantsred, You would have to go up on the Fresse chairlift from Val Claret, then ski down to Tommeusses which brings you back up to the top of the aeroski which you could take to get back down to Le Lac. A bit of a palava really. Better to pay the extra for the full Espace Killy pass and use the whole "ski tranquille" area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
bar shaker, Lockkeeper, thanks for the replies, after looking hard at the piste map and working out the figures we will buy the full EK pass. As you suggest.
It also will give them the chance to experience what looks like the longest green piste I can ever remember seeing that runs down to La Daille "verte" while i can explore other routes down.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
northantsred, If you get the EK passes I would also recommend the upper Fornet valley. You can take nervous skiers to the cable car on the bus and then its two cable cars to the top. From here there are gentle rolling blues down to the mid station and the area is normally very quiet.
The blue below the mid station has some steep sections (very steep if you turn right at the cable car station) and you may want to get the cable car back down when done. An easy and picturesque route is up from Val d'I to Tete de Solaise on the Solaise Express (have a coffee and enjoy the view at the cafe here) then up the Glacier Express. A short easy run down to the Leissieres Express lift (otherwise known as The Disney Lift!) then ski Point Abatte and Valon down to the cable car. The bus stop is outside the Fornet cable car station. All easily do-able by very nervous skiers.
The buses are all free and link Le Lac with Val Claret, La Daille-Val d'Isere-Fornet and Les Boisses.
Have a good time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| northantsred wrote: |
It also will give them the chance to experience what looks like the longest green piste I can ever remember seeing that runs down to La Daille "verte" while i can explore other routes down..... |
The "verte" is crap- it's only classed green to fool people that anyone can ski down to Daille - seriously there are some very challenging bits and it can get very scraped and scary. Last time I took the gondola down straight into Val D'Isere
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Richk83, where are you staying?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| Richk83, where are you staying? |
Were staying in Val Claret
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Buy it at the funicular in VC
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| bar shaker wrote: |
| Buy it at the funicular in VC |
nice one cheers buddy
16 days and counting!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
You may be able to use the Borsat Express which would also help
|
Just come off that very lift and it's clearly marked as not included in the Tignes pass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We really do need some snow now. The forecast is calling for 15cm tomorrow which would be a start.
That said the pistes are mostly in OK condition and the snow cannons were running this afternoon. Light got quite flat in the middle of the day but seemed to be improving around 3-30 to 4pm. Moguls are so much more fun when you can't see them
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woke to a dusting of new snow with the sky promising more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Stewart, we are staying at the Alpaka till Sunday. Are you likely to be in for a beer between now and then? Would be good to meet you in person.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| northantsred wrote: |
It also will give them the chance to experience what looks like the longest green piste I can ever remember seeing that runs down to La Daille "verte" while i can explore other routes down..... |
The "verte" is crap- it's only classed green to fool people that anyone can ski down to Daille - seriously there are some very challenging bits and it can get very scraped and scary. Last time I took the gondola down straight into Val D'Isere |
The 'Verte' is a tough run for a green - very long from the Rocher de Bellevarde (or from the Col de Fresse via the green 'Borsat' run) down to la Daille, but is made much worse as most people take a wrong turning at the Trifollet restaurant ie left down the red 'OK' run, instead of straight across the OK into the trees, then left down the lower part of 'Verte' to the bottom of the Etroits chairlift or the Funival. That said, if the 'OK' is being used for World Cup racing at the start of the season then you are forced to take the red 'Stade de Competition' run at the Triffolet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have taken the Red to the left and this opens out into a massive mogul field for the last 500m.
Not much fun on a board.
The green through the trees on the right hand side (as you go down) is a lot of fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Bogusman wrote: |
| Stewart, we are staying at the Alpaka till Sunday. Are you likely to be in for a beer between now and then? Would be good to meet you in person. |
I very rarely miss a night in the Alpaka Will look you up tonight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
The forecasts are showing snow every day for the next week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
stewart woodward, I'm Ian and my son is James. I think the Alpaka folks know us by now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Stopped for a drink at the bottom of the Borsat Express in the hope that the light might improve a bit. So far today we have had almost every condition known to man. Yesterday's snow has improved things a bit but with the temperature at plus five it feels a bit like April at village level. Further up there have been quite high winds. And since about one o clock the light has closed in with just a few snowflakes in the air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Off to Val Dizzy on Sunday. Looking forward to a week long game of weather roulette.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Well, the light did eventually get better and we had glorious sunshine for 10 minutes on our home run down Bluets. But it's gone dull again now. Fingers crossed for a fantastic final day tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Kenzie wrote: |
| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| northantsred wrote: |
It also will give them the chance to experience what looks like the longest green piste I can ever remember seeing that runs down to La Daille "verte" while i can explore other routes down..... |
The "verte" is crap- it's only classed green to fool people that anyone can ski down to Daille - seriously there are some very challenging bits and it can get very scraped and scary. Last time I took the gondola down straight into Val D'Isere |
The 'Verte' is a tough run for a green - very long from the Rocher de Bellevarde (or from the Col de Fresse via the green 'Borsat' run) down to la Daille, but is made much worse as most people take a wrong turning at the Trifollet restaurant ie left down the red 'OK' run, instead of straight across the OK into the trees, then left down the lower part of 'Verte' to the bottom of the Etroits chairlift or the Funival. That said, if the 'OK' is being used for World Cup racing at the start of the season then you are forced to take the red 'Stade de Competition' run at the Triffolet. |
Oh how I hate that run
some bits are good but the bottom of it - ugh!
busted my thumb at the bottom last year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heading tomorrow! What's the snow like - has the little bit that's fallen over the last few days done any good?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
Heading tomorrow! What's the snow like - has the little bit that's fallen over the last few days done any good?
|
Short answer is yes, it has refreshed the pistes and some of the off-piste too.
Slightly longer answer is that the temperature has gone right up. Well above freezing at village level, so things are a bit slushy low down. The forecast shows high temperatures persisting for a few days yet. I think that Dr John, probably has it right. It's going to be a bit of weather roulette. But always bear in mind that the EK is going to be better off than anywhere else with the possible exception of Val Thorens.
I was privileged to meet stewart woodward, in person this evening and he will no doubt be along soon with a more bullish prognosis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
the temperature has gone right up. Well above freezing at village level, so things are a bit slushy low down. The forecast shows high temperatures persisting for a few days yet. I think that Dr John, probably has it right. It's going to be a bit of weather roulette.
|
Hmmm.....Mrs MA & I are having generally poor luck with ski weather so far this season. Of 11 or 12 days since November (in Espace Killy, Pennines, Scotland and Austria) I think we've had one sunny day, a couple overcast and the rest either snowy or foggy. Not looking like much change from that for our next 7 days (from tomorrow) at Espace Killy 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
