 Poster: A snowHead
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We are arriving on Saturday 16th...hopefully. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your photos and text. Looks a bit scary....I have skied la plagne, we just wanted to try somewhere new! If we ever get through all that snow. Have fun...Kind regards. X 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi folks,
I've really enjoyed skiing in Paradiski over the last two seasons, but I'm acutely aware that it's one thing skiing in a group of accomplished adults from skiing in a family with three primary school children and a mum who hasn't skied for a decade.
This is the situation my brother in law will find himself in come March when he will visit 1950. My experience doesn't really translate so I'm asking for your advice and assistance.
1. Any recommendations for ski schools in 1950?
2. Thoughts private lessons versus traditional ski school?
3. Pros and cons for mum joining the kids in the lessons?
While I have my own views on these options, I'd like to hear what the "locals" thank.
Many thanks.
CW 
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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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8.30am in Arc 2000 and just looked out the window. Wow, its chucked it down all night and still is a snow storm out there. Wind does seem to be down and bashers are at work but wow.... 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The view....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If I could get out without having to get on a bus, I'd be so happy...
They're currently clearing the queue area of Bois, so fingers crossed!
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@JP89, I would hang tight. Might take a little time but I don't think buses will be needed. In the meantime enjoy the sound of bombing.
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Looks like today's the sort of day for a ski down from 1600 to Bourg
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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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| Quote: |
If I could get out without having to get on a bus, I'd be so happy...
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Don't complain, I'm currently half way through my 1hr 45min commute to work. It is damp, chilly,but snow and mountain free, and the only coffee on offer is the rank muddied hot water that Scotrail pass off as a beverage.
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cardweg, Re items 2. and 3. - go for Private Lessons and Mum to join in. Everyone will have much more fun, and Mum will (just about) keep up with the kids 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Jonpim, +1 and Spirit 1950 in Arc 1950 we have used and are very good.
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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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Today was one of those special days Late start for me, so with yet more snow falling and mid-mountain cloud I lapped around Arc 1600 through the trees. Choppy powder on piste and great snow in the trees. Very nice start to the day. You could tell the snow depth has been steadily increasing as some of the piste markers were below waist height rather than above head height.
At lunchtime the snow mostly stopped, the cloud lifted, the sun began to peek through and the higher lifts opened. At that point the magic started I stayed on the west side of the Arpette ridge, thinking that the east side would be snow-loaded and avy risk 4. I lapped around the two itinerary runs (Clair Blanc and Fond Blanc) getting fresh tracks each time, in knee-deep snow with the occasional face shot. Bliss. The first 10m of the runs were wind scoured, but after that it was just about perfect. On the lower angle terrain below those runs you were free to take any lone you wanted back to the Arpette lift for yet another lap. Once things got a bit tracked I headed across to Arc 2000 for some more fresh tracks between the red runs from the top of Arcabulle. There was a lot of blasting on the Aiguille Rouge, with the PIDA plan being done from a helicopter. There were several massive releases, easily explaining why that side of the bowl remained shut all day. Great stuff to watch. On my way back home I stopped to chat to one of the Pisteurs at the top of the Bois de l'Ours lift who was watching his colleagues lob explosives out of the helicopter. He was saying it had been a hectic few days trying to manage the situation, and seemed surprised when I thanked him for his work. Unsung heroes, IMO.
Finished with a bit of a party at the Arpette restaurant, which seems to be the new spot for drinking and dancing before you come off the hill. Crowd seemed to be composed exclusively of Irish students, so it was a brilliant way to end the day
At lunchtime things cleared to reveal perfection!
Deep snow, faceshots, fresh tracks and unbridled joy
The snow was most excellent
Plenty of great lines through the trees
On the basis that you can never have too much snow (?) they turned the cannons on!
One of several huge avalanches off the Aiguille Rouge
They've had plenty of weather in the last few days
Party time
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Wed 13-01-16 19:04; edited 1 time in total
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@rob@rar, wow! Fabulous photos.
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You know it makes sense.
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That looks absolutely fabulous, I won't pretend to not be insanely jealous. Thanks again for the wonderful pictures.
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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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We started late in 2000 waiting to see if they would open the links over the top. Gave up at 11am and decided to see what they would say down at the lifts. Went down to Bois and the pisteur said no chance in the short term, issues with lifts being frozen and also avalanches. Decided to head for bus so went down to pre Saint but the buses were full. Sadly that meant a trip back up to 2000 on Pre Saint and a blizzard had set in again. A longgg 15 mins. As we got to the top of Pre we noticed they had opened Arcabuelle. Jumped on that but at the top the route over to 1800 was closed but they were just opening Transarc to take people down. Hopped on that, off 1/2 way and went to Derby, things were clearing up. Up Derby and down to Vallandry for a very nice lunch, in sunshine!!
After lunch we went up the lift from Vallandry, down to 1800 and up Charmotteger(?). Across to Carelly, up that and a quick blast over to 1600 and up Mont Blanc. Passed by Arpette and yes the party was in full flow(big group of Irish students over, model of best behavior), no stopping though. Down to Transarc and a quick stop for a beer at the bubble and home. Long day, traveled lots but snow was amazing. Boarded all day, might ski tomorrow. Some photos, not many phone crashed for a bit today..
On Pre Saint at 11am this morning, another blizzard, you can just see the run down to the right.
Clearing up at Derby about 12.30
Heading up Derby
Sunny Vallandry for lunch
Top of Mont Blanc about 3.30pm
Thats a tree at the top of Mont Blanc. I felt sorry for it.
5pm by the bubble bar in the middle of 2000 bowl looking up
and looking across to la Ros
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Poster: A snowHead
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| cardweg wrote: |
| 1. Any recommendations for ski schools in 1950? |
JP at AIM Snowpsorts
| cardweg wrote: |
| 2. Thoughts private lessons versus traditional ski school? |
I don't think there is a single best answer to this question, it depends on what you are trying to achieve.
| cardweg wrote: |
| 3. Pros and cons for mum joining the kids in the lessons? |
In general I think this is a bad idea as kids (how old?) and adults learn best in different ways. If you mix the two it is possible, maybe likely, that the experience will be compromised for the kids and the adults.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@rob@rar, If it is Wednesday then it would be the Arpette. They do an exellent post skiing dinner and moonlight descent.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
| @rob@rar, If it is Wednesday then it would be the Arpette. They do an exellent post skiing dinner and moonlight descent. |
I think this was different to their normal Wednesday night offering. There's a big university trip in resort this week (Trinity Dublin, I think) and the Arpette looked like they had geared up specifically for it (clearing the terrace all afternoon, security team on hand, extra beer points in the new snackbar, DJ Tof in his cabin putting on a good show). All great fun.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Can't wait to ski on Sunday!
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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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@thefatcontroller, nice pictures, looks great!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Looks stunning. Can't wait to move from snow-starved Italy to LA at the weekend. Degen, Bax, Geoff et al: are you out there?!
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POWDER POWDER POWDER and even a little bit of sunshine!
I am sure by now you are all bored of me saying powder again, but that is what we had again today!
I started off from top of Cachette with my first powder run down to the bottom of the Vagere through the cliffs and then once more from the top of the Vagere down to the Vanoise Express by various little off piste routes as a warm up for today.
Met with the others and we headed over to Les Coches to play in the forests and meadows.
More excellent snow everywhere as we made laps of the different lifts and found some places to put down fresh tracks as well as some steeper lines in the trees and even a few little drops.
A really fun day. Powder all day. Stopped for a quick lunch, thanks guys! and then spent the afternoon doing lots more.
By 4pm it was time to head for home. Had a nice final run down through the forest above Les Coches and then back over the Vanoise Express.
A nice cruise back to Arc 1800 and then I stopped off at the Arpette to see some friends before finally getting back to the Funi as darkness fell.
For those that like to cruise the pistes. Every piste we used today across Les Arcs and in Les Coches were in excellent condition. Even on the way back to the Vanoise Express where it is normally very icy.
Many of the lifts that were closed in the morning had opened later in the afternoon as the sun broke through. Hopefully the top lifts will open soon as the strong winds starts to drop.
There is not enough snow to ski down to Bourg although it looked like some people had tried! Guess they were on hire skis or snowboards!!
A great day and I have a feeling tomorrow will be more of the same.
I shall post the photos of today shortly over on the Les Arcs Winter page in the January Album. So many great shots to choose from. I shall try not to post to many. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
For anyone coming out, this is the time to try 'all mountain' skis. Take a look in Polairestar by the bottom station of the Funicular. They have a good choice for you to try!
http://www.polairestar.com/
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Mmmm. 10pm in Arc 2000, no wind and its not snowing. Might e-mail the tourist office and complain. Night all. Knackered. Boarding in powder is tiring.
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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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Snovillian. Yes we are, amazing skiing with Degen and family today, look forward to seeing you soon.
Villa back on track?
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Tried the La Plagne mob, but they were unable to help...
If I want to upgrade a Les Arcs pass to spend a day in LP, what's the cost? If I've got a decouverte pass and want a second day in LP (yes, yes... why would I do that? I've heard all the jokes) what's the cost?
Background: there's 8 of us arriving Saturday morning, so using Samedijeski for that day. Some are leaving leaving Tue (so no Decouverte opportunity - nothing less than 6 day passes), some Thursday (ditto), some Friday (so no problemo) - but if we all wanted to do the Montybear - Villaroger challenge, what would it cost the short stay team?
Or do they need to buy full Paradiski passes?
Ideas and €numbers welcome
AR
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thank you again...such great photos......roll on Saturday.
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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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| Arctic Roll wrote: |
Tried the La Plagne mob, but they were unable to help...
If I want to upgrade a Les Arcs pass to spend a day in LP, what's the cost? If I've got a decouverte pass and want a second day in LP (yes, yes... why would I do that? I've heard all the jokes) what's the cost?
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This link seems to say 13 euro round trip, however in the very bottom right of the page is the number for the Vanoise. Ring them?
http://en.peisey-vallandry.com/winter/the-vanoise-express.html#.VpdOyhWLRsc
Contact
LE TÉLÉPHÉRIQUE VANOISE EXPRESS
Quartier du Télépôle
Plan-Peisey
73210PEISEY-VALLANDRY
Phone : +33 4 79 09 67 00
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You know it makes sense.
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They have their 'poubelle' snow depth monitor on the Tignes thread, we have the decking monitor. The decking was clear last night and this morning a good 10cm on it and still snowing.
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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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@thefatcontroller, I think that's €13 just to get across - it won't get us up the lifts on the other side tho.
I think you're right, a phone call it may well have to be.
Meanwhile, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, it's beginning to feel a lot like ski-time, I'm dreaming of a white week, etc., and we arrive in 47 hours...
And the photos from Rob, TFC and Snowcrazy are just fuelling the excitement.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I posted a photo yesterday of some of the PIDA avalanches on the Aiguille Rouge. The Pisteurs videoed some of their work and it looked like this from the helicopter that the pisteurs were using for dropping explosives. You can see that a very large avalanche crosses the blue piste Vallee de l'Arc, which is the gentlest piste in the Arc 2000 bowl, and explains quite graphically why that piste has been closed for the last week. A secondary avalanche then completely engulfs the Arandeliières red piste. At avy risk 4 avalanches like that can be started spontaneously, and certainly by the passage of just one skier.
As we have seen tragically elsewhere in the Alps, when pistes are closed because of very high avalanche risk there is a good reason.
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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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@rob@rar, Wow, thanks for that.
For those interested, still chucking to down in 2000, the wife is awake and the decking needs clearing.
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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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Make sure she doesn't slip
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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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@Don Keebles, 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Managed to persuade her to move (decking cleared 3rd time), off out, still snowing heavy.
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Oh lord. Oh lord. There is no off piste. The piste is off piste. They didn't get a chance to bash it and it's all lovely and fluffy and very deep. Pancake refuelling stop in Arpette. Enjoy work y'all.
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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's the Fat controller off my Christmas card list
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FAQ
