 Poster: A snowHead
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Le Fornet tree laps this morning.
Sublime
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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To Snowmegaddon or not Snowmgeddan tomorrow, that is the question!
The next few days are going to be unsettled, the light snow tonight ay well peter out tonight but will start again in the small hours so for those skiing tomorrow, but it will be much colder up high - it will be a white out for those stuck in traffic it will be frustrating. There'll only be about 5 cm of snow tomorrow. Same on Sunday really, light snow, stiff breezes and much, much colder at altitude - I'd even go as far as saying barkingly cold in the wind chill. Monday, will be mainly cloudy with teh odd glimpse of the sun, there may be the odd snow shower in the afternoon, there's a couple of showery areas just to the south that may make it up to Tignes - there is a few curious bumps in the isobars! Tuesday may be snowy or it may not - youll have to wait for another forecast.
Tomorrow's travel: slow! The Tignes App has said that winter equipment will be obligatory and there will be checks which will give you an idea of what is expected. With 32,000 vehicles going down the Tarentaise (and a very minor 17k coming up) it will be very slow getting out of resort as the chancers who make it out before the police checks either slide into something or fails to negotiate Le Montet du Barrage (I made that name up) - that cheeky little up slope where the roads from Val and Tignes meet. As it will be snowing quite a long way down the valley it will be slow to Moutiers. The only mitigating factor was todays weather, the roads look busy on the webcams so maybe that will reduce tomorrrow's load. If you are going to the airport I'd get away as early as you can - it make take 2 or 3 hours to get to Albertville. Or leave it till after lunch.
As for flying - its OK over here with only a slim chance of fog at Manchester and Birmingham which would only slow things up a bit. It will be a bit grey and grizzly at Grenoble and Lyon and there may be the odd sleet shower at Geneva in the afternoon. Now, Chambery - is looking OK on the latest forecast published at 1500 French time (there won't be another forecast till the morning). It should be a nice day - there is a 40% chance of low cloud and mist until 0700hrs local but even at this worst case the figures suggest it would still be a goer. The very early flights in the UK may hang on a little to see how it develops. But it is mountain weather - there is no such thing as a cast iron forecast!
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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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@chocksaway, I will be heading out on Sunday for the week and hope to make contact when there....especially as I think I'm next door. 
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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If anyone in Val Claret needs to see a bootfitter...
Try Stephen Corne (@precision). Did a great job of punching shell and suggested another small tweak for me. Young french guy who seemed to be very busy. Definitely knows what he is doing!
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@Haggis_Trap, good to know used precision years and years ago for boots!
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| Quote: |
Young french guy who seemed to be very busy. Definitely knows what he is doing!
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Same as you in the trees at Le Fornet @Haggis_Trap  - looks fantastic out there!
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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 back into the apartment. First foray out this Season. About 20cms of fresh snow has fallen onto our balcony in Lavachet since it was cleared yesterday pm.
Visibility improved at about noon but had closed in again around 2 'ish.
Only rode Tommuesses (sp?) twice, and on both occasions I could barely move my skis when we got off the lift. On both occasions I had to scrape off ice that had formed on the base of the skis 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Haggis_Trap,hey, I’m in Tignes this week with my wife this time instead of the boys.
Have you any hook ups for some gully skiing (boarding) once it brightens up? I’d asked Rhys who we were out with last time but he’s tied up
I’ve done some in previous years over here nothing too crazy but keen for laps 
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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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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Same as you in the trees at Le Fornet @Haggis_Trap - looks fantastic out there! |
Le Fornet the best sector (as you know!).
Nice quiet / old school vibe.
| inchhighj wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap,hey, I’m in Tignes this week with my wife this time instead of the boys. |
Back to desk this week afraid. Didn't ski much steep terrain / gullies last week (high avalanche risk) But there was plenty easily accessible powder - especially around Aiguille Percee etc
Enjoy folks!
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You know it makes sense.
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Will try this again
"Upgrades have been made to the Marais chairlift, making it an express lift, with an estimated journey time of 8 minutes and 20 seconds. The lift links the Aiguille Rouge (which is above Tignes 1800) to the Aiguille Percée."
the above is a quote from last years page. Is the marais chairlift running/gone/replaced/in construction/planned. it is not currently shown on the Piste maps. It was slow and not very efficient but without it the options from there are now more (not less) limited. Thanks.
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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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@mcg, Neither the new one or the old were in situ a fortnight ago
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Poster: A snowHead
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@mcg, Checking the webcam of 1800, there's no sign of this lift showing running, I can see what appear to be a number of T Pylons crossing under the boises gondola and the main power cables but defintely not in use or strung yet.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just to let people know the coffee/hot choc machines at Les Marmottes next to Borsat chair are now €2.50, and machine does not give change. Its had a bit of a spruce up with some new machines and a repositioned water tap just inside the main dining room. Still excellent value, but that extra 50c caught me off guard and i had to leg it back to the table before someone snaffled my €2 credit.
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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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@mcg, I had seen this too on the Marais lift. The old lift was indeed very slow and I was looking forward to a quick upload from brev side. As you say, it isn't on the piste map at all now so the published upgrade (presumably) has not yet been completed.
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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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@@Tordi, @@Bowerz, @@Frosty the Snowman, Thanks all for the response. So i take it the plan was to replace/upgrade the marais chair, but not complete in time for this season.
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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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There was an attempt at some form of mini public consultation last year on what should replace the old Marais lift. The options included a much longer lift from the opposite side of the hill. At least the new Aiguille Rouge lift is bigger and faster than the old one, although its route means some of the terrain and some of the runs are no longer directly accessible.
I wouldn’t be surprised if @chocksaway comes along with the full lowdown soon.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Ski lots, Oll see what I can find, I have just arrived and need to lie down in a darkened room.
But I think the public consultation was about the future of the Aiguille Percee chair, a like for like replacement or starting from near Merles.
As for Marais, it was condemned and removed. The replacement was subject to all sorts of scrutiny and as the new pylons were going to be in different places new contracts had to be negotiated.
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Which ski rentals are recommended in Val Claret? We will be staying in Residence Nevada, so preferably not to far away from there.
I want to avoid an experience I had in Arc 1800 a few years ago where we signed up for a weeks rental, but the shop hardly had any skis! We were VERY limited. I'm looking for a place where we can pick and choose. 
Thanks!
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Marais chairlift's certification expired and it was dismantled and removed at least three years ago. Was to have been replaced but first the financial impact of Covid got in the way, then an environmental report. I don't know what the latest plans are, if any, but STGM's contract expires 2026 I believe so they may well drag their feet on investment. Hoping @chocksaway, might be able to do some more digging...
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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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Back in 2005/06 there was a Mural on the right hand wall at the bottom station of the Funi showing the plans to replace the lifts out of Brev & Boisses - still a work in progress. 
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| Taking_the_piste wrote: |
Which ski rentals are recommended in Val Claret? We will be staying in Residence Nevada, so preferably not to far away from there.
I want to avoid an experience I had in Arc 1800 a few years ago where we signed up for a weeks rental, but the shop hardly had any skis! We were VERY limited. I'm looking for a place where we can pick and choose.
Thanks! |
I like SkiOne a lot. It is neither the closest shop to Nevada nor the biggest but the service is excellent. This is also the place of choice for racers.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| snowfranck wrote: |
| Taking_the_piste wrote: |
| Which ski rentals are recommended in Val Claret? |
I like SkiOne a lot. It is neither the closest shop to Nevada nor the biggest but the service is excellent. This is also the place of choice for racers. |
+1 for SkiOne, send all my friends there and owner Manu knows his stuff for repairs and servicing
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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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On Le Marais: I took this picture last week on le plateau du Marais, it still shows:
-The (now gone) TSF3 Marais chairlift
-The (now gone) Sache gondola,replaced by the Brévières and Boisses’ gondolas
-The (now gone) Brévières chairlift replaced by the Brévières gondola
-The old Rosalin and Champany drag lifts (Grande Motte area), those were removed as well.
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Yeah, well, if STGM were a lift company, if might be quite funny... 
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You know it makes sense.
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Pistes are in great condition. There was a dusting of snow yesterday but no significant amount. We could really do with some sunshine.
@chocksaway, might be able to confirm that there's some on the way.
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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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@snowfranck,
There is no doubt to me that the area from AP to Brev needs lift investment to make it sensible. I do wonder if there may be reluctance to make it easy to get to AP to keep inexperienced skiers off Silene and Sache.
I do not know if there was a significant financial covid hit for STGM. There are number of areas that need replacement lifts. Grand Huit, Col de Ves, the lift up to a AP from the Palafour area, Vanoise, etc. I saw quite a bit of lifts breaking down in Dec. All in all if you are charging 396 Euros for a week then you need to deliver a high quality product.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| GeorgeVII wrote: |
Pistes are in great condition. There was a dusting of snow yesterday but no significant amount. We could really do with some sunshine.
@chocksaway, might be able to confirm that there's some on the way. |
+1 for some sunlight please. Tomorrow looks better. Snow conditions are great, if only you could see where you were 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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I think the previous posts sum up my feelings - great snow but tricky to see what you were doing. Point the skis downhill and follow them. It wasn't too bad when I set off, lift pass worked first time which is always a bonus - the new lift gates seem to produce a random set of LED light shows and random noises. Anyway green means go and off we went. Round the Palet sector was grey and grizzly so the plan was for a CocoCafé but they seem to be shutting regularly during the day. So it was the Aspen. It then seemed a bit brighter towards Val and indeed it was, the trees down to La Daille helped as well. Sadly, it was a suckers gap so, after 3 laps, it was deemed to be Croq-O-Clock at Roseé Blanche. Just as reliable (if a bit more expensive - just like everywhere across the mountain). There was a small comedy moment as the cream of British Ski Instructors (ICE) got up from their lunch and put each others jackets on. Of course, there was no teasing, moi? It was really quite grey by then so I didn't fancy Johan so came round the Palet bowl for a siesta.
So, you wanted an improvement, you got it. Slack high pressure dominates for the next few days and the cloud will progressively clear - by morning it should be OK, some residual cloud but it should be gone by lunchtime. So, its a regime of cold nights and pleasant days (cold up high) and 3 days of virtually unbroken sunshine. Permission to shout Hurrah in an annoyingly loud voice? But a word of caution the avalanche risk remains at 3 above 2000m, there is a persistent weak layer that could result in a large avalanche. It's a while since it's snowed but it's still dangerous in places. So think before charging off in any old direction. The weather starts to break on Sunday - early doors should be OK and then it deteriorates and there should be precipitation in the afternoon and into Monday - it is going to warm up again so it may be rain below the Dam.
Good to be back!
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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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Big HURRAH at the prospect of sun.
Think the random lights and noises on the lift pass doofer is to let the staff know what type of pass it is. My dad's got an over 75s and it plays a little tune compared to my green light beep.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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After a very pleasant evening with Old Fartbag the World was put to rights over a glass or two the weather played ball. It was basically a glorious day, a few clouds this morning including some very pretty lenticularis over Mont Blanc - this is normally a portent of poor weather but not today. As it was the first decent day this week the vast majority of people were playing the get to the top of the Grande Motte game - so we went to La Daille and Bellvarde initially. Fab, deserted pistes so a day of fast carving with Lord and Lady George VII and a couple of others. After coffee we tried Grand Pre and a bit of between the pistes where the snow in the shade is pretty much light and fluffy, though around the resort the off piste conditions are very varied (up Lanches was very scoured on Telegraph etc). Adopting the avoid the crowds late lunch game we did a Lanches/Vanoise and high speed cruising - Double M was a delight and then home round the Palet. We did notice one oddity - they were obviously releasing a lot of water from the reservoirs/conduits up the Sassiere and Nant Cruet as there was a huge cascade into the Lac du Chevril. I've seen this in the summer but never in the Winter.
And as promised:
Tomorrow: Dame Vera and a little less cool than today.
Saturday: Dame Vera
Sunday: a few fluffy clouds and quite a stiff breeze so it will keep cooler. The precipitation now looks like it won't get here.
Monday - still up for discussion as the block of cloud air from the North and the warm air from the Med battle it out to see who is 'the hardest". Currently it looks like an OK day - but that may weel change. Further outlook unsettled midweek and maybe quite a bit warmer - or then again maybe not!
Right off to relive our epic day in the Brasero!
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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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@Taking_the_piste, I'm no fan of the Follie, but I think they have the best chocolate chaude. Ignore the self service area (still a disaster area, word fail me how they haven't fixed it, or why anyone uses it), and go to the bar area. Obv it's not cheap, €7 I think, but it's very very good.
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| Quote: |
| So who serves Espace Killy's best hot chocolate? |
A lovely waitress called Nicole! 
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Another quick question if i may.
I've booked Ski's (I have by own boots) with Intersport Rent at the Front de Neige du Le Lac - I'm an intermediate to advanced skier and should probably have my own set by now at 30 and going every 1-2 years. I've read their reviews on Google/Trip advisor and it's given me a bit of a worry - does anyone have experience with them? I've booked the 'Noir freestyle' pack, hoping for a twin tipped all mountain ski that also isn't too narrow.
On the flip side, going every 1-2 years for a week means the cost of a decent set + bindings new seems like a false economy vs renting, I'd be open to a used/ex-demo (but probably not ex rental) set though. Any recommendations in Tignes for somewhere that might sell this?
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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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@Bowerz, Not heard anything good or bad and the staff change from year to year. But it is a very big shop with a lot of choice - so stick to your guns and ask for what you want. Its always difficult to gauge reviews in ski resorts - with ski rental and transfer buses it always seems that the vast majority of people only post when they are grumpy. If you checked all the transfer companies reviews you wouldn't use any of them !!!
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A glorious day again! It got off to a bad start when the lift wasn't working this morning, so I had to clump down the stairs but made it just in time to meet Mrs and Mr Lynnecha and we set off for Le Fornet. The runs from the Tov to La Daille were deserted and perfect at 9.35. A quick bus to Laisinant and a chair and drag got us to to Le Fornet ahead of the crowds and we did three laps on sublime pistes until it was time for coffee at Cascades. Sadly I then had to leave as I had to put the chalet boys Marigolds on as my buddies arrive in half an hour. The trip back across the Solaise was great except for Rhone Alpes which wasn't, its got a lot of artificial on it and you definitely need sharp edges. JC was not as bad by a long way - but some of the pistes will soon need a top up. The resorts have been busy using the cannons to keep them in good nick but its never as good.
Tomorrow's weather will be like today, maybe a couple of degs colder with a hint of a breeze at height to chill the Hot Choc. Sunday now also looks like blue skies and sunshine until the afternoon, a few more clouds will appear as the bars open. Monday is a bit tricky, depending on weather a small area of precipitation makes it over to us from the other side of Mont Blanc. It could be sunny all day or we could have light snow in the morning and cloud all afternoon. Hopefully, after the hamsters rerun the models we will know tomorrow, there will be a strong breeze. Tuesday looks like a quite windy day with a mix of sunny spells and clouds - but get out cos currently Wednesday looks like a shocker. We will be discussing rain/snow lines in great detail.
For tomorrows fliers I see no real weather problems grey and drizzly at both sides of the Channel (maybe Grenoble will have freezing fog but shouldn't preclude flying). Except Chambery..........where it will be nice as they are that bit higher! With only 21k cars coming up the Tarentaise and 18k going down with nice weather I don't forsee any traffic jams unless something unexpected happens.
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FAQ
