Hi all, I'm in a part of 6 travelling to Tignes tomorrow. We're renting a car from Geneva airport and will be due to arrive in Tignes by around 8pm.
Does anyone know if the road from Bourg-St-Maurice will be open around that time? I know it was closed last night.
Really hoping the wind dies down. If so, it will be an amazing week next week!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
dendix, make sure you've got hot drinks in a flask and stuff to keep you warm and you get chains for your car. Good luck and enjoy your week.
welcome to s
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?
...interim update. Got to meeting point... NOTHING moving until 10am and then it was just the very very very beginner lift (Village) that is 200m long and a vertical of some 50m.... problem was my clients were not allowed to leave their chalet in their part of town so we are trying again for a 1pm start.
It is possible and just 'possible' that the funival will open later and possibly the Solaise Cable Car but nothing else at all.
THE ROAD TO AND FROM BOURG ST MAURICE MAY RE-OPEN in about an hours time at 12/12.30pm....... but as you can see if you cick on the link there is a good reason (source unknown for the photo) why they had to lock us down for the past 12 hours.
To clarify and summarise what people have written above.
Hope you do become a fan of the EK Pedantica.
YES that is all snowfall from about 5pm onwards last night... the wind whipped it around therefore it is actually stacked up much higher than that. (see photo in a moment in next post). The 'gremlins' are actually my gf's snowboard boots. I don't think wearing my BCA gear indoors would do me much good... no one can hear your screams underground! Yes that is my main front door. The lights were actually the snow clearer tractors coming by to start to clear the path to the main buildings front door. Those tractors are MASSIVE and those lights are on TOP of the cab - quite a scary site seeing them come at you when you are trying to dig your front door out!
and practice putting them on before you leave the comfort of the car park - apart from anything else, will confirm whether they are the correct size. There are some reports recently of people being given the wrong ones!
Welcome to SHs, good luck with your journey. Be prepared for it to take quite a bit longer than planned. But the snow is going to be terrific.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Setting off to Tignes tonight- any idea if roads will be cleared by tomorrow afternoon? Looks like we picked the best week to come judging by the forecast!
Thanks, we've bringing a set of chains in our hand luggage on the plane. Hope they fit, otherwise I think they're pretty expensive to hire!
Hope more lifts and pistes open today for all you guys who are already there. Horrible to be trapped in the resort when there's so much fresh snow to be enjoyed!
Stay Safe!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
dendix, chain sizes are moderately specific to the tyre size, so do check. We've hired chains before (and used them) and the hire charge was not as expensive as buying a set (which is the other option).
After all it is free
After all it is free
...you can stop in supermarkets near the airport and pick up sets for about £30 for a cheap set... yes they are usually pretty size specific... check what is says on your wheel rim and buy accordingly!
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.
SOME MORE PHOTOS AND COMMENTS ...
This was the snow clearer tractor coming by my front door this morning... I felt like I was being rescued - even though they were attempting to clear the whole of the road to the main front door to the building as opposed to my personal front door.
After an hour of working and digging I had tunnelled my way some 10 metres from the front door towards 'freedom'... that is my full size shovel on the side so you have an idea of scale.
When I made it to the road - finally. If you look back to the photo I took from the same spot last night.... this evening you will be hard pushed to actually see my living room reading light on!
When I finally made it to our meeting point (on cheaper camera phone now - so sorry for reduction in quality) a handful of other people had also made it.............. JOKE for you all. 'How many lifties does it take (they are all lifties in the picture) to get a chairlift ready for opening after a mammoth storm.'.......................................................................... ANSWER: All the guys and girls you can see in the picture - the only ones that could actually make it to work (sorry not the funniest joke ever but you get the idea.)
A few people expectantly looking if anything is open... WHY AM I CALLING THIS PHOTO 'HAT RICK'.... MY FIRST EVER IN A SEASON?... any knowledgeable Snowheads or ski fanatic would be able to get the answer.
OK OFF TO TRY AGAIN TO SEE IF WE CAN GET A LESSON GOING TODAY
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
black flag?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Not sure if this link has been posted already - shows conditions last night...
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.
Road still shown as closed 30 mins ago as I came through Aime -also closed access to Tignes,La Plagne Bellcote, Belle Plagne and Val Thorens..........I set off at 4-15 this morning for a 6-30 pick up in La Praz and got there at 5-45 the Gendarmes were stopping lorries going up .......and its still snowing.....
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Fri 6-01-12 14:48; edited 1 time in total
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
Steve Angus, three days of Black Flag in a season? Until this season I think I'd only ever seen three 5/5 days, but I've had two this season already.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Hi Steve
This is the stuff of legends. We arrive in Grenoble tommorrow at 1pm what is the chances of getting to the resort and what will be open sunday???
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Black flag is pretty obvious... I think Steve must be referring to the man with an orange jacket with luminous hood - 3rd time he's seen him this season
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I think the guy in the jacket is Henry Schniewind from HAT photos a little blury. May be because it's the third black flag of the year with Henry in the photo.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Steve Angus, you might find that using snowshoes will get you out faster - trample the snow down, instead of the much more laborious digging it out. I had to do just that this morning - far, far, quicker and a lot easier on the back.
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?
pam w, is that the back entry onto the pistes Pam, amazing amounts of snow!! I trust you'll be cutting steps into it soon to get up it
Road still shown as closed 30 mins ago as I came through Aime -also closed access to Tignes,La Plagne Bellcote, Belle Plagne and Val Thorens..........I set of at 4-15 this morning for a 6-30 pick up in La Praz and got there at 5-45 the Gendarmes were stopping lorries gouing up .......and its still snowing.....
road has just re-opened
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Official snow depth in the village is still only 1.4m today
is that the back entry onto the pistes Pam, amazing amounts of snow!!
No, that's immediately in front of our terrace. The wall up onto the piste is much more impressive! the only practicable way onto the piste is in front of the restaurant - they piste a path in there each night. None of the official paths in our residence have been cleared today, so I used the raquettes to bash a path out. However, the chairlift is still closed, so probably no chance of getting up the mountain today. and this at 1550m!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Incredible photos, and very exciting updates too. Proper snowmageddon.
pam w, is that the most snow you've ever seen at your apartment? It has to be!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Piccadilly, yes, it is the most snow, though we came very close in March a few years ago. The official lower snowdepth in Les Saisies is 1.88m. The Beaufortain usually has deeper snow depths than the Haute Tarentaise at the same altitude - but of course their altitude goes a lot higher than ours (high enough for a lot of the snow to be blown away by those stupendous winds)
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.
Peter S wrote:
Official snow depth in the village is still only 1.4m today
I think the measuring pole is just oppostite the Solaise Cable car station.
I was thinking exactly that when I checked the same page this morning, how can the snow level after so much snow be down on yesterday? I guess a lot of what was there has blown away from whatever measuring device is used.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Yes everyone seems to have gotten it correct... 3rd black flag in a season - next seen three in a season (and especially since we are only about 1/4 the way into the season - incredible).
No sorry Chris ski H that is not Henry from HAT.
I have to admit I was wondering why the official snow depth measurements are down so low as well... and yes Peter S the official measuring stuff is right by the base of the Solaise Cable car station just there on the snow.... maybe it has become blocked up with tooooooo much snow to be readable anymore.
dougals69 you should get to resort just fine tomorrow UNLESS we have more snow or high winds... the road reopened in the end today at 12.30. They work tirelessly to keep things open wherever possible... it should be just fine even though it is another busy transfer day.
EVENING UPDATE
Well not much really happened this afternoon apart from EPIC snow... they kept everything shut down bar three little lifts at the base of the mountain.... the lift queues got MEGA big as a result - anyway the kids had fun - especially when we went a found a jump which they could launch themselves off and 'splat' into the soft stuff on landing. Things are starting to calm down and get back to normal... we even saw a little bit of sunshine this afternoon although I got the impression there was still a rather lot of wind up high.
People became a little impatient in the end this afternoon (with the avalanche risk still at 4 it is hardly SAFE) to get to the 'good' stuff up high and I saw a few nutters on all fours (seriously) walking up (well crawling really) the Face de Bellevarde - some got as high as the top of the Bellevarde Express chairlift (that is a long way up)... so there were a few (well earned if not slightly silly) 'glory' tracks down the Face by the time I finished the lesson about an hour ago.
A night of pisting and more blasting in the morning etc and we should be set for a great one tomorrow.
NB: Some little *&^%&* has managed to cave in part of my path (kids) by walking along the top of the ridge you can see in the photo above... gonna do a tad more digging out now then head out for some food with the gf.
Tomorrows update will be a little later in the evening so have fun those of you travelling tomorrow and stay safe... for those of you out there tomorrow - leave some for me as I am teaching tomorrow but a lower level lesson before Eurostar drop off then pick up from Bourg St Maurice in the evening!
P.S. pam w I may just invest in some snowshoes - good suggestion.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Steve Angus wrote:
SOME MORE PHOTOS AND COMMENTS ...
When I finally made it to our meeting point (on cheaper camera phone now - so sorry for reduction in quality) a handful of other people had also made it.............. JOKE for you all. 'How many lifties does it take (they are all lifties in the picture) to get a chairlift ready for opening after a mammoth storm.'.......................................................................... ANSWER: All the guys and girls you can see in the picture - the only ones that could actually make it to work (sorry not the funniest joke ever but you get the idea.
People are commenting that how can the snow level still be the same as yesterday. Look at this photo that Steve has taken and note the snow level on the gates where you show your pass, and on the hut of the room. There is only about 10cm on it. The only reason this can be is that the wind has blown all the snow around. Not sure if this is a good thing or not ?
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.
Ricklovesthepowder wrote:
People are commenting that how can the snow level still be the same as yesterday. Look at this photo that Steve has taken and note the snow level on the gates where you show your pass, and on the hut of the room. There is only about 10cm on it. The only reason this can be is that the wind has blown all the snow around. Not sure if this is a good thing or not ?
They had done a lot of packing down work by the time I got there and the piste basher had been over it a few times but I have ALWAYS thought over the years that amount fallen from the skies always varies from micro-location to micro-location.
But yes the wind also was a big factor last night too.
It has calmed down a little bit now and is a chilly night out there.
As mentioned before, tomorrow nights bulletin will be a little later than normal.
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
LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE A BLUEBIRD DAY OUT THERE TODAY...... and the road to and from Bourg should be just 100% fine - a little slow as it is transfer day but nothing to drastic... I am sure there will be several readers glad to hear that!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Do NOT go to Val - leave all the snow alone for me next month!!!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
ITS OVER for another year... and a sigh of relief... the school holidays, Xmas and New Year is behind us...
It was very cold this morning as we had had a cloudless nights sky. They decided to do a staggered opening of the Solaise Express, Olympique and all the main lifts up the mountain. They were still doing quite a lot of control work and they did not want millions (slight exaggeration but it felt like an awful lot of people surging to get up there this am) of people all coming up and shooting left, right and centre and not being able to control where everyone went in terms of managing the avalanche clearance.
Anyway when we finally did get up there we were greeted with lovely groomed slopes and all the lifties working really hard to dig out and prepare their various stations for opening later on in the day. As an example it looked to me as if the bottom of the Borsat lift was actually buried and the lifties were quite literally having to dig out their station!
Chilly but well groomed pistes this morning... Mont Blanc had another 'hat' on and by this evening there were ONCE AGAIN snow flurries around town.
The Stade Bonnevie in Val d'Isere... some lovely opportunities to lay down some tracks in the fresh stuff.
Lat day with the kids today and we had a fun last day... despite being delayed getting back for lunch as the Marmottes lift had tech problems so we had to go to La Daille in the end so that cost us an hour. They gave me a lovely set of presents including some yummy chocolates, but for me the two 'best' presents from them were Connol having a sob on the slopes on the last run down protesting that he had to leave Val d'Isere and go home, 'I don't want to go home.' He is only 7 bless him. The other one was Molly announcing that she wants to become a ski instructor when she grows up (she is 9)... she would make an AWESOME instructor actually so you never know!
Had to do the Bourg Eurostar run this evening which passed without incident (yippee). We passed what looked like in the car headlights as roadkill of a massive wild boar by the side of the road - incredible! Not sure it was though but it looked like it.
We also welcome to town a Channel 4 TV crew that are here to film the gf and I for a documentary about couples who conduct 'alternative' lives. Hopefully it will make it to air. They want to film me teaching a lesson tomorrow morning and will be in town for a few days. Ill keep everyone updated as to what they are filming and then hopefully when it may be on TV.
Take care everyone.
I AM OFF TO AN EARLY BED AS I AM SHATTERED... ONLY A FEW WEEKS UNTIL FEBRUARY HT AND CHAOS RULES ONCE MORE
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Loving this thread! Glad things are slightly calmer weather wise - one week to go til I'll be in Val, looks like there's enough snow, now just hoping for some sun!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
lottie ... looks like it is going to be a nice day out here - just a few clouds to clear away and we are set up for a day and then week that looks something like...
YEEHAAAAAA
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?
I never knew it takes so long to film a TV program?
I felt a little like a film star today as the Channel 4 production team followed me around all day.
They filmed my lesson, then they filmed me on the slopes generally chatting about skiing etc, then it was home to interview both me and the gf about our lives, jobs etc, then it was down to a buddys of mine and now finally we have finished for the day... so for about 4 hours I would guess with the actual record button being pressed they reckon they will have about 4 minutes of footage... they are here for another 2 full days so that will mean the same sort of thing for another 2 days in order to get the 12 minutes of footage required - incredible!
Anyway the conditions today were absolutely lovely for skiing... somewhat overcast for most of the day but there were sunny periods as well.
There had been about 10cm of fresh snow up the top of the mountain but the pistes were deserted - transfer day coupled with no school kids around...
There were ample opportunities to lay down some fresh tracks and after a cold night the snow was VERY light and fluffy - perfect.
The forecast is for sun, sun and more sun for the whole of this week... bring it on.
The Europe Cup is coming to town this week therefore preparation work starts tomorrow for that... lots of shovelling of the soft snow out of the way starts in ernest at 9am for those (un)lucky bods.... my turn on Thursday and Friday!
Tomorrow should bring filming of me and the gf actually skiing and god knows what else they would like to film but we shall see.
Oh the life of a film star eh Steve! You'll have to keep us all updated as to when it will be shown.
I'm home now and just wanted to share, albeit little belatedly, my experience of Thursday night's storm. Having spent an enjoyable apres at the Moris with Mikey and his band from Meribel, I ventured back to our apartment at Les Hauts de Rogoney (at the top of the nursery slope) to make dinner, being careful to follow the back route through the old village past the church and UCPA. I can safely say that I was soaked within 5 minutes, freezing cold slightly after that, couldn't see my hands in front of my face due to swirling snow for well over 50% of the time and was well and truly scared by the time I got back to the apartment (a 5 min walk took me about 15)- which was about the same time that it was announced that the village would be going into lockdown at 9pm (unbeknownst to me - no radio in the apartment).
As my friend was still at the Moris, I texted her to tell her to stay there as I was coming straight back (wrapped up in waterproofs this time) armed with her ski trousers and goggles and that we would eat there - typically (as I was obviously making very silly decisions that evening) as I arrived back, the Moris stopped serving food, however Jeffers (cheers mate) managed to get us an invite to join the residents upstairs in the bar. After a bit of food (thanks Eddie!) and a few drinks, we all clubbed together to get Mikey and his band to play a private gig in the dining room and I have to say it was just the most fantastic evening of great music, good dancing and huge laughs - an evening I will remember for a long time to come. A big thanks have to go to the Moris staff for that night - they were great - and a big cheer to those that took the opportunity to get dressed up in their beachwear for the impromptu 'defy the weather party'.
By 1am the winds had dropped slightly and the walk home was safely negotiated with slightly less trauma than earlier, although definitely not something to ever do alone (and probably something we shouldn't have done at all!). Next time a resort I'm in goes into lockdown I might just be sensible and stay in with a movie, but I am really glad I decided to stay out for Hurricane Andrea.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
The sun IS FINALLY shining ...
Its going to be a lovely day out there... and still the forecast predicts sun, sun, sun, sun, sun, sun, sun............. all the way through the week.
Steve Angus, enjoy , you deserve it what proramme they filming for ??
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Neilski Not sure what the name of the program is going to be called but it is all about couples that lead alternative lives , lifestyles and jobs etc. They are filming about 12 mins with us and 12 mins (approx) with 3 other couples to make a one off hour long program to go out prime time on Channel 4 - probably next month. Will keep you posted.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Steve Angus, Wow great news. Should be excellent for business!
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.
Hope you're enjoying the sun today Steve! The webcams look absolutely glorious!
shoogly, fantastic video - thanks for putting it on! Steve Angus, been following this thread every day, and just want to thank you, as it's brilliant. We were in Val first week of April last year, and hoping to come back 20th March this year - with no kids! Just waiting to hopefully get a cheap deal nearer the time, as it's outwith school holidays. Thanks again
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
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