 Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for great updates. Hope all well after recent minor ailments.
Late entry for Monday's caption competition, the new sculpture top of Bellevarde, with more than a nod to caper movie The Italian Job. 'I only told you to blow the bloody snowboards up!'  |
So much for val being posh - in the dolomites they leave BMW's up mountains.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another late entry for the caption comp - Steve Angus' offer to drive his customers' skis to the slopes comes to an icy end on the first trial.
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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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...and another even later entry...
"Val d'Isere Uber coverage found eager, but lacking..."
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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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Loving this thread Steve - thanks for helping to get me through work until we leave for a week in La Daille on 7th January! Literally counting the days now!!!!!
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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HoneyBunny - yea I'm afraid so.... going, going, gone!
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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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Just been watching the giant slalom on ski Sunday and we wondered where the start gate was situated on the slope. We found it amusing the commentator talking about the flat bit! IIRC the commentator is not a skier, I'd like too know where the 'flats' are on the Face! Maybe it's that little ledge about half way down where I have to stop as my legs are shaking and I need to muster courage for the next bit......
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Thanks, Steve. Yes they were the 'flat' bits we thought they were, hehe. Thanks for the info about the start gate, much easier to picture now. Kudos to Matt Chilton
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You know it makes sense.
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P.S. Meant to post this photo YSE posted today.... I was looking out the window today and from a good 500 yards away I could see a huge area of yellow next to a YSE chalet down here in La Daille and I assumed they must have been taking a photo for their records / advertising purposes .... how right I was...... but urm where are the boys?????
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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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I notice that gondola has ski/board racks on the outside. Is it not big enough to take your equipment inside, or is it just an extra option?
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Poster: A snowHead
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I was looking out the window today and from a good 500 yards away I could see a huge area of yellow next to a YSE chalet down here in La Daille and I assumed they must have been taking a photo for their records / advertising purposes .... how right I was...... but urm where are the boys?????
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There's nothing like a bit of diversity when recruiting staff...and based on that photo, that's certainly nothing like it
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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but urm where are the boys?????
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who cares.. now what chalet was this 
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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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thelem - it is big enough but the trend nowadays is to give people the option of taking kit inside or putting it in the racks on the outside - their choice... like the new Solaise gondola!!!!
intermediate & Mr.Egg ha ha!
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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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Just had to post this photo from Radio Val this morning - it is going to be a good day eh!!!
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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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@Steve Angus, You managed to photograph me at the slalom! In the photo with the red and blue smoke, I'm on the left in bluey grey, filming with my hand in the air. 
| thelem wrote: |
| I notice that gondola has ski/board racks on the outside. Is it not big enough to take your equipment inside, or is it just an extra option? |
The snowboard slots have been taken off the Solaise gondolas and you now have to take boards inside. The new lift will be fantastic for La Daille. Jan must be rubbing his hands!!
I was in the traffic going down on Sunday afternoon. It was horrendous. At St Foy, we were following a Bordeaux registered BMW X5. He had summer tyres and no chains. We told him to pull off the road as he was sliding everywhere, but he refused. After the first hairpin below St Foy, he slide down the road, all four wheels locked up, bouncing between the Armco and the coaches that were stuck on the other side of the road. It was lucky no one was hurt but he must have done a few €XXXX of damage to his car and that of others. Idiot. On the whole, it was the French visitors who behaved appallingly (like stopping to put chains on their car or coach and completely blocking everything coming up behind them  ) and the tourists and transfer drivers who were in well equipped vehicles, driving sensibly. Throw in a few avalanches blocking the road and it was carnage.
I hope I never see it that bad again.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The updates and photos have proved too tempting. Just booked to arrive on Thursday for 6 days:)
Preparations for Christmas can just wait.
@bar shaker, The journey down sounded scary. I'm off to watch some videos about putting on snow chains as we've not had to do it for a while. Must also make sure we get the correct chains with the hire car.
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@muppet, We didn't need to put ours on, but I did check we had them and they were the correct size.
On Sunday evening, you could only go up or down in a Police escorted pelleton, with up to 14 other cars. If you didn't put chains on, you weren't allowed to use the road up or down. It's a shame they didn't start this at lunchtime.
We started to help push a car out of La Daille supermarket car park at 2pm. After 30 seconds it was apparent that he had so little grip (and no chains) that if he did get onto the road he was another accident waiting to happen. We left him to it, much to his ire.
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@muppet, Nice one!! You will have a great time.
We didn't need to put our chains on, but I did check we had them and they were the correct size in case we were asked to by Le Plod.
On Sunday evening, you could only go up or down in a Police escorted pelleton, with up to 14 other cars. If you didn't put chains on, you weren't allowed to join the pelletons. It's a shame they didn't start this at lunchtime.
We started to help push a car out of La Daille supermarket car park at 2pm. After 30 seconds it was apparent that he had so little grip (and no chains) that if he did get onto the road he was another accident waiting to happen. We left him to it, much to his ire, but he was gone an hour later.
Sunday was a 'ten year storm' and the roads are normally in excellent condition despite normal snowfall, but definitely take the correct chains just in case.
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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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Well that was an eventful couple of hours
So it was a lovely start to the morning as Olivia climbed into bed and she spent about 15 mins giving me huge hugs and kisses which was a lovely way to start the day!
After getting her off on the school bus I made inroads into my todo list....
bar shaker - yes the road situation occasionally does get like that - never pleasant for anyone concerned.... but hey how FUNNY is that that I managed to get you in the photo I took above!!!
muppet - temptation... its not that its destiny - the powder has your name all over it!
Anyway on a slightly different topic I received through a report that a working group out here in the Alps have been putting together on the potential impact Brexit might have on the seasonal workers style business such as the ski industry out here! IM NOT GETTING POLITICAL HERE but I thought I would share it with everyone for your perusal!
http://sbit.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SBIT-Brexit-Impact-assessment-Dec-2017-Hi-Res.pdf
The weather was pretty nice this morning - well actually it was lovely - wall to wall sunshine. After the 15cm or so of snow top up last night it was a powder morning and with the lower temps the snow was always going to be better. However the av risk is still high out there (4/5) so the safe bet was to stay on lower slope angles.... however having said that there was news filtering through of people being buried yesterday and also today AT LEAST 2 skier activated slides were observed by persons on the mountain I know... be careful out there for a few days folks! At least there was not 'serious' news so far - long may that continue!
The clouds rolled in little by little in the afternoon and then by late afternoon it was a blizzard once again!
This is when I had a funky couple of hours... firstly I started my daily periscope broadcast and as seems to happen about once a year I got a message pop up when I was filming informing me that Periscope HQ were going to feature the broadcast which suddenly means it appears on their home page and the numbers of viewers goes through the roof.... although not everyone watches the whole thing of course I can tell you that all in all I have had nearly 22000 people watch todays broadcast so far... questions flying in from all sides, retweets etc - it goes bonkers. Anyway the content of the broadcast I try to get fresh and relevant and the same sort of stuff but hopefully you will enjoy it anyway!
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1kvJpkjaEgoGE
After that I collected Olivia off the school bus and then the first of two bonkers / bad things happened.... Olivia and I went to get on the elevator up to the eighth floor we live in in La Daille and the doors would not close... then the floor selector button did not respond... anyway we got out then someone else walked in so I decided to get back in and try it out.... they were able to select their floor (1st and 2nd respectfully) and the doors closed and up we went... they got out no problems and the lift carried on upwards towards our floor... however it got nearly to what I think was the 7th floor and stopped dead!!!! The internal lift doors would open but not the actual door to the landing... the floor indicator lights went off but not the ceiling lights thanks goodness..... we were stuck in the lift!!!!! THANK GOODNESS for mobile phones. I called Clare and she basically had to go to reception (carrying Ben down 8 floors as she did not want to risk the other lift playing up too and her getting stuck) and tell them.... they got the maintenance man I am guessing on the case and he went to the control room and must have reset the computer or something... anyway within about 15 mins we were out the lift and home again.... I will not lie when I say it was a little scary and Olivia did get a little upset but we got there thank goodness!
The latest TDC weekly snow report got published today too:
https://www.facebook.com/tdcski/videos/10155918834518607/
A little later on I got the second piece of bad news of the day (bad thing).... one of my best friends ex girlfriends whom I was quite friendly with announced that had been diagnosed with breast cancer - I think they have caught it early but I'm thinking of you Gem!
So the weather is supposed to clear up later tonight and tomorrow will start sunny before YET ANOTHER front moves in promising loads of snow again!
Tomorrow I am back teaching (with Xmas day falling as it is this year the changeover days for tour ops (which has an effect on when lessons start etc) things lesson wise are all over the place) and will be working non stop now right up to early next week!
I think the final thing to state and I dont try to do blatant plugs ever but I thought I would take the chance to do so tonight....
Our little chalet business.... a self catering apartment in the centre of Val d'Isere... is available for weekly rental once again this year. Taking up to 5 persons it is 2 bedrooms so perfect either for a family or a couple. Many weeks of the season still available. Please spread the word and get in touch!!! Good prices for SH's! All mod-cons like UK sat tv and wifi etc all included!
TTFN
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Where did you take the pic on the top (in your last post) from Steve?
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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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Hey Steve - word is that Santons is now officially a Red Run. About time I say!
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Yes I noticed Santons shown as a red on piste map. Shut all last week but it looked the same from Solaise. Perhaps they've embedded a few steel spikes, to stick out from the rock walls half way down, just to make it interesting 
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You know it makes sense.
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@Steve Angus,
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went to get on the elevator up to the eighth floor we live in in La Daille and the doors would not close... then the floor selector button did not respond... anyway we got out then someone else walked in so I decided to get back in and try it out.... they were able to select their floor (1st and 2nd respectfully) and the doors closed and up we went... they got out no problems and the lift carried on upwards towards our floor... however it got nearly to what I think was the 7th floor and stopped dead!!!! The internal lift doors would open but not the actual door to the landing... the floor indicator lights went off but not the ceiling lights thanks goodness..... we were stuck in the lift!!!!!
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Le fantome de Vallee Perdue est furieux peut-etre? 
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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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@franga,
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Where did you take the pic on the top (in your last post) from Steve?
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My guess is on Collet from the top of the Bellevarde...but I'm usually miles away!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Steve, from my point of view I think ur periscope will be
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the most interesting update today
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- its a long way better than any webcam / work email / bbc news
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@franga, Pretty sure that picture was taken from the entrance to the Grand Pre lift looking back up to the plateau where you exit the Olympic gondola.
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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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| GeorgeVII wrote: |
| @franga, Pretty sure that picture was taken from the entrance to the Grand Pre lift looking back up to the plateau where you exit the Olympic gondola. |
Definitely is. You can see the Bellevarde restaurant and the Olympic cable car station. The powder is un-touched as it's a bit flat there... below (to the right of) the piste.
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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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Ah yes! Run must be the blue Collet then. And the chair in the distance the Fontaine Froide!
Thanks
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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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@Steve Angus, can you share any info about your external thermometer?? After something for the UK 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Well you've tempted me - week booked with UCPA for this Saturday. 
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Franga.... yes as intermediate and GeorgeVII have said it is the entrance to Grand Pre looking back up the Collet piste to Olympic area... not sure you can see Bellevarde Restaurant though from here bar shaker and yes it is the Fontaine Froide.
vasta - yes it looks like they have now officially made it a red run - wow about *&^*%(^ time!
intermediate - not sure I like steel spikes to make it more interesting.... perhaps a few IED's or something instead!!!! But yea a ghost in the system as far as the lift is concerned!
Wildsmith - THANK YOU!!! I try!
kitenski - check out homewizard.co.uk (or is is .com) - I have that system at home with their weather station... works a treat... have alerts et al set up.... its good!
kat.ryb - good you'll love it.... I SHOULD BE ON COMMISION FROM THE RESORT SHOULDNT I
Todays update shortly!
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Gosh that was a tough gig...
One of those days when the weather was not your friend and the teaching as a result hard work... not helped by a cold! Being the first day when I was teaching all day and Olivia had to get to school it was all action stations this morning... however I seemed to have been awake most of the night - at least in a light sleep - it must have been something to do with my cold.... also Olivia decided to come and wake us up about 5am too.... argh not a great start to the day!
Anyway I still managed to get everything done and get her on the bus and make the meeting point for before 9am!!!! yay! I dont think I necessarily need to catch the 8.30 bus each day as it got me there very early but anyway!
So at the meeting point we worked out the groups and went on our way.... very little was running due to the high winds but the Olympic was on go slow and for good reason it was fierce up top!!!
Check out this video my colleague captured this am:
https://www.facebook.com/tdcski/videos/10155925627393607/
Anyway the lesson was a tricky one with a) the weather and b) not much open... especially when you haven't skied with the group before (I have skied with some of the group before but not for a year and not all of them together!). Anyway we worked hard and made some changes... initially we headed to La Daille and then took the Funi up but the weather looked like it was getting better so we decided to do a lap or 3 on one of the only options up top.... the Bonnevie drag! It was mainly a chopped up powder frenzy but hey thats what we had therefore thats what we learnt to improve..... a fun morning.
Powder anyone?
Lunch was taken in town and I had to make the phone call back to the UK to arrange for delivery of a VERY late Head skis and boots order that I should be skiing on now... anyway I should be able to collect the gear next week when I'm back in the UK.... so on that front there will be NO DAILY UPDATES HERE OR ON PERISCOPE FROM MONDAY 18th - MONDAY 25th DECEMBER INCLUSIVE
So that along with collecting some packs and some poor time keeping from my am lesson meant 'lunch' was hardly eaten before it was back out for the pm session... the weather had gotten worse and the afternoon session was all about trying to improve a team of 3 girl friends off piste confidence... they all skied off piste but it was more about trying to bring them back from injury etc to get them feeling happy again! It was a tricky afternoon trying to get the blend of terrain, task and weather right to bring confidence levels up - not an easy task in that weather... but hey we have another couple of sessions to go.
The 20cm's of fresh snow we had overnight certainly got moved around so the av risk once again today was high and will remain that way. The snow that has been falling all day long and should continue all night will mean we have had about 2m of snow fall at altitude in the last week... but of course it has been packed down / moved around somewhat so caution is urged. By tomorrow it will be another canvas to consider!
However more weather fronts interspersed with breaks are forecast over the next week so watch this space!
In local news the training run for the World Cup womens Downhill had to be cancelled today due to the fresh snow... the current plan has also meant (and could once again be changed due to the weather) the Super G will now be the Saturday and downhill the Sunday - that means the Super G can also count at the training run for the DH - all technicalities!
However on the World Cup front the wind last night damaged the large screen TV down here in La Daille where the finish area is....
The british infantry (well some divisions anyway) army are also here in town for 5 weeks now learning how to ski and ultimately race... so there are millions of burly men and women who are flying around out of control all over the place at the moment - eek!
The official opening of the new parking between town and La Daille also happened today... a high ceiling and wider parking space is very welcome too! 190 spaces can be booked via www.parkingvaldisere.com now!
With such a heavy day and not feeling on top of the world I fitted in my periscope this evening before I have an early night - back on the hill all day again tomorrow
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1BdGYMMLebMGX
TTFN
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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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FAQ
