 Poster: A snowHead
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I don't know how you keep going...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Seriously though, enjoying yourself? Conditions much improved??
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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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currently staying in VT, and its chucking it down with snow. To be honest, on the arterial pistes, the snow isn't that much better as the skiers have worn it thought to the icy base, particularly in Meribel but on other pistes there is much more grip than has been last week. (i have been in the 3 valleys for over a week now). Its looking to get a reasonable dump overnight so it remains to be seem how much improved conditions will be within the next few days.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Quick look out of the window this morning and a load of snow looks to have fell and still falling in la tania.
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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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@letsgetpiste, had a good day skiing with family, very determined 6 year old did 13.5km with her before we stopped to do some bum boarding in the afternoon.
I am struggling a bit with my titans compared to the skis I teach on, but getting there. Also my waist line isn't liking my salopettes which doesn't seem to be helping.
I have a lesson this morning hoping to work on steeps and bumps technique, hoping I can perform...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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La taiga bar terrace in la tania during the night
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32cm overnight in la tania avalanche risk very high
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| Little Martin wrote: |
| avalanche risk very high |
I think you're right to stress this to people with conditions over the next week or more. This amount of fresh snow is so tempting to the powder hunters that the weak or non existent base isn't given enough consideration. Use guides, use advice, use caution!
Glad to hear the rest of the trip is going well! Your 6 year old must be a machine!!
Cheers for all the updates! 
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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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I'm watching this with great interest! Thanks for all the updates indeed. Sorely tempted to come out again the last week in January, but only if conditions are considerably improved over those at Christmas; limited time, VERY limited money, so need to get the right week.
So PLEASE keep up with the info; decision time needs to be in the next 10 days...
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| Quote: |
@letsgetpiste, had a good day skiing with family, very determined 6 year old did 13.5km with her before we stopped to do some bum boarding in the afternoon.
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Good for her! I remember a few sessions with her at Hemel and determined is a very appropriate word!
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I am struggling a bit with my titans compared to the skis I teach on, but getting there
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Are they new? Have you had them tuned/serviced? I found my titans a bit tricky at first but they became a lot more predictable once I'd had them serviced. If you need a recommendation for a good place in La Tania for that let me know.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| t40ora wrote: |
| Sorely tempted to come out again the last week in January |
I'm in VT from 30.01.15 and the long range is looking cold and snowy for the next couple of weeks (pinch of salt with the longer range stuff). I'm being cautiously optimistic 
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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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There are a couple of runs still closed such as Christine, Boismint and the runs in Orelle. All stuff that has been recommended to me. Any locals got inside info on these runs and the likelihood of them being opened following the recent snowfall? Like I said earlier, I'm not out till the end of Jan, but I'm starting to put together some potential intineraries...
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| letsgetpiste wrote: |
| t40ora wrote: |
| Sorely tempted to come out again the last week in January |
I'm in VT from 30.01.15 and the long range is looking cold and snowy for the next couple of weeks (pinch of salt with the longer range stuff). I'm being cautiously optimistic |
Cautiously optimistic is about right for us too.
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You know it makes sense.
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| kieranm wrote: |
| Are they new? Have you had them tuned/serviced? If you need a recommendation for a good place in La Tania for that let me know. |
Sorry to butt in but....
Skiset in LT (opposite the Ski Lodge/Tourist Office, next to the ESF) has got a shiny new Wintersteiger automatic servicing machine that is absolutely brilliant. I meant to post about it a couple of weeks ago and forgot so this has prompted me.
One of these: http://www.wintersteiger.com/us/Ski-Service-and-Rental/News/Latest-News/177-Three-good-reasons-for-the-WINTERSTEIGER-automated-machines
This is an extremely rare machine (the next nearest in the Savoie is in Val d'Isere, I believe) that is capable of doing the base edge on your ski from 0.25 to 1.5 degrees as well as whatever you like on the side edge. The owner told me last year he was going to buy it over the summer and I think I was his first customer for it! It also does a ceramic polish on the base edge which not only aligns the "grain" of the polish with the direction of the ski but it also apparently tempers the steel slightly to make it harder and last longer.
Normal ski servicing machines leave the base edge flat and then you have to rely on the ski tech to put some kind of a base edge angle on the ski by hand but for obvious reasons the results are extremely variable. In comparison, this is laser guided and completely automated through touchscreen programming.
I had my fairly new Head Magnums done to the factory 1 degree/1 degree setting and they were better than they were out of the wrapper. This is a first for me - I don't think I've ever thought a ski service was even as good as the original factory finish before, let alone better. (I will add that I don't service my own skis; I suspect that as good a finish can be achieved with time and care by a well-practised DIY tech).
Anyway this was absolutely the best ski service I've ever had anywhere. To ski on, I felt a real difference, particularly on hard packed ice. Usually on ice I feel as though the ski is either on or off and if the outside ski breaks away at speed it's going to be scary. With this though, the grip felt much more progressive and if the edge did break away it seemed to just slide away gently until it re-gripped. Very, very confidence inspiring and a big contributor to the most fun I've had on piste for several years.
I promised the owner I would spread the news about this very special machine so I hope that it helps some more people have more fun. 
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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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Cost?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Could have done with this last week on the icy slopes of death. Well maybe not death just a bit slippy.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Raceplate, ooh I should have popped in there as I used my FIS SL skis most of the week they may benefit from a good tune. Used that shop before for a stone grind, their old machine also wasn't that bad I think.
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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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I should have added that if you want specific angles, you need to tell them.
For cost, I got charged €45 the first time and €40 the next. I'm not sure if that's because he'd lowered his prices or just decided he liked me! They're not known for giving discount to seasonnaires and he did say he was going to do some market research before final pricing because he wanted to pull in business from neighbouring resorts and valleys. Apparently the shop in VDI that has the machine charges €58 for the full ceramic treatment.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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lesson this morning went great, instructor instantly realised where I was going wrong in my turns in the deeper snow, spent the rest of the lesson just using pressure, didn't feel like I was fighting the skis after that.
Plenty of avalanche control going on first thing, lifts above la tania bubble were closed till around 10.30.
Managed some off piste off the side of bouc blanc piste at the top, lovely stuff, all tracked out about 15 mins later.
@t40ora, the conditions are getting better and better with each snow fall and more pistes opening, there's more forecast this week, definitely building a good base, although off piste is probably still to be avoided. All the instructors I've spoke to today have said conditions are infinitely better than last week. Friends who skied in courchevel said conditions were great over there this morning.
@kieranm, I haven't used the titans for a while, I usually use the 150's at hemel so much lighter and easier to demo with - so it's more a case of getting back to using a heavier longer ski. I had them serviced on the first night, that made them ski better. My main issue was I was trying to ski in basi 1 mode, trying to do perfect short turns - so I was using a lot steering rather than just letting the pressure do the work in the deeper snow - I'm happy now that I've sorted it, got another lesson on Wednesday to try move onto some blacks if they are open to put everything into use.
Daughter had a good lesson, her instructor is happy.
Back to the weather, very light snow at the moment, hoping for another top up over night, but nothing heavy is forecast till later in the week, but FL maybe a little high for the lower resorts.
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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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@balernoStu, I've also used them before and generally been happy but my favourite used to be Meribel Ski Service who does a full service for €32, finished by hand to a base edge of 0.5 degree. If LT Skiset holds his €40 price then I think that's excellent value and I can't believe it's right on my doorstep! I'm sure they'd have done a great job on your FIS skis.
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The Combes chair with the intermediate stop in it has certainly been done, feels very odd sitting on a lift after the bar has gone up and people have got off!
Not sure about the night skiing but I know that where they do it in Livigno it's an extra 8 euros. Did it once in Toronto and although it's a bit interesting I can't say I'm desperate to try it again (although wouldn't mind giving it a try at some point), effectively you're skiing the same runs you can during the day but with limited options and less light. The place was so well floodlit that evening if I was 'skiing under the stars' I couldn't see any of them  In mitigation though it was my first time on skis, the place was packed (during Christmas holidays) and the piste was cut to shreds.
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| letsgetpiste wrote: |
| There are a couple of runs still closed such as Christine, Boismint and the runs in Orelle. All stuff that has been recommended to me. Any locals got inside info on these runs and the likelihood of them being opened following the recent snowfall? Like I said earlier, I'm not out till the end of Jan, but I'm starting to put together some potential intineraries... |
*Cheeky bump* 
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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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I'm coming to the 3valleys for the first time w/c 17th it's a complete of weeks away but I was wondering if anyone can recommend where I can get my skis waxed in courchevel 1650. I know there's the fancy service mentioned above but they just need waxing. My local shop has a 10 day league time and I don't fancy leaving my skis with them for that long.
Probably a question closer to the time but are the peists still a bit rocky? I'll rent if they are because I really don't fancy damaging my brand new I.titans!
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Pistes should be fine they are now besides the odd stone but most are covered now and it's forecast to keep snowing for the next 7 days.
Try the boot lab, they might do servicing
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Snowing again
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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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More avalanche control going on this morning, it stopping me getting back to sleep. Looks like it snowed through the night will try work out depth when I go for breakfast.
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| Little Martin wrote: |
| More avalanche control going on this morning, it stopping me getting back to sleep.. |
You're having a rough old time of it this week!
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks @Little Martin I'll check that out
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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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@Russeh, you could try the Intersport or Frances Blanc in Courchevel 1650 for waxing. We've experienced some variable servicing in the past so use Intersport (Patrice Sports) in 1850 for full servicing when skis need a good base grind. He will hand finish them too.
It looks very tempting up the hill from our balcony here in Bozel but we've too many other things to do today. I'll post an update on conditions when I can.
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Poster: A snowHead
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If you get the bus down to Le praz Rene at Olympic Sports (right next to Les Peupliers for great Vin Chaud will do a good job.
We have used him for years and he will be only too pleased to show you his sooper dooper ski servicing Machine also.
Am in La tania next week if anybody fancies skiing with an old cautious skiier!!!! or even a vin chaud as above Mob 07834084050 or e mail brianblessed98 at gmail. com
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Can the good s in this thread suggest a good place to stay in 3v over next few days? Criteria include:
- very handy access to lifts and ski in ski out
- a good breakfast
- either sauna / jacuzzi on site or a communal one close by?
Initially thought val thorens just to be close to altitude if the freezing point rises as much as predicted, but rarely sleep well in those space station places so willing to go further downhill.
Probably also not a bad idea to be able to get to the trees in Courcheval in view of impending whiteout and also close to the height in Val Thorens if need be for slush avoidance, so Les Menuires or St Martin wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea.
I assume if snowmageddon arrives this weekend we might have an easier return journey - due to fly from Geneva at 21.00 on Saturday night - would there be queues out of resort for an evening depart and is it much easier to avoid them by staying lower?
Thanks in advance!
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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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| 8611 wrote: |
Can the good s in this thread suggest a good place to stay in 3v over next few days? Criteria include:
- very handy access to lifts and ski in ski out
- a good breakfast
- either sauna / jacuzzi on site or a communal one close by?
Initially thought val thorens just to be close to altitude if the freezing point rises as much as predicted, but rarely sleep well in those space station places so willing to go further downhill.
Probably also not a bad idea to be able to get to the trees in Courcheval in view of impending whiteout and also close to the height in Val Thorens if need be for slush avoidance, so Les Menuires or St Martin wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea.
I assume if snowmageddon arrives this weekend we might have an easier return journey - due to fly from Geneva at 21.00 on Saturday night - would there be queues out of resort for an evening depart and is it much easier to avoid them by staying lower?
Thanks in advance! |
Reberty 2000 is quite nice. Not much going on but literally ski in ski out a lot of the property.
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I wouldn't worry about freezing level pistes have plenty of snow on them now and more forecast.
Worked this morning so didn't get to enjoy any powder. Went out this afternoon on a mission to ski as much as I could , managed 30k in just under 3 hrs. Headed into meribel, pistes up to usual meribel standard, some good stuff on top, but lower down near meribel centre scraped off to boiler plate with small rocks everywhere, people were falling over all over the place I kept heading onto the sides of the pistes to ski on snow. Meribel really need to up their game as their pistes never seem to deliver compared to courchevel.
Most runs are bumpy everywhere, they need bashing, had a bit of fun coming down bosses, thought I spotted some powder on the way up but hidden bushes to the side of the piste changed that plan. Best run of the day grand lac down to st martin express.
Mostly sunny, nice day to be out.
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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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| Ricklovesthepowder wrote: |
Reberty 2000 is quite nice. Not much going on but literally ski in ski out a lot of the property. |
Got sorted, thanks, leave some powder for me 
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Does anyone have recommendations for a steam room & swim sort of place? Are there any hotels where you can pay to use?
The Olympic Centre has one but €22 seems a lot for the municipal pool
Edit: In Meribel Centre
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| Quote: |
Meribel really need to up their game as their pistes never seem to deliver compared to courchevel.
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I absolutely agree. Skied a lot around Meribel and Courcheval today and the pistes just seems to struggle so much more for snow in Meribel. Runs over near 1650 are great now; had great fun off and on piste over there
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| Little Martin wrote: |
| managed 30k |
What do people use to track this distance? Apps on phones or GPS trackers or other such devices??
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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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@Russeh - there are plenty of places in 1650 to wax your skis - I would pick the one closest to you.
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@letsgetpiste, ski tracks is the one I use. Gives you distance speed height
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