 Poster: A snowHead
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| Layne wrote: |
That's good grim. Almost makes me glad to be at work.
I said almost  |
I'm going to stick it out for another week, we did think about coming back tomorrow, but both logistically and financially is a nightmare.
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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 all,
We arrive next Friday in 1950 and I am soooo looking forward to it. Hopefully we will all get a good dump of snow as it sounds like it's needed. My Skate Banana snowboard ain't going to like those rocks and stones poking through ! Hope all of you out there at the moment have a great weekend and I will do my best to avoid colliding into you next week when we hit the slopes.
Papa
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Boris, I really dislike the Poudreuse, but unfortunately it's the only easy to get to piste side restaurant if your lapping around Vallandry. New owners this year seem to have slightly reduced the food prices, but the drinks (especially the vile hot chocolate served in soup bowls for silly money) still seem more expensive than similar places in the resort. I'm hoping that with more time the new owners (who took over the Arpette last season) will improve the place and cheer up the staff there. |
what about la vache now ski in and out. great food, lovely owner and staff. failing that the place above peisey, just up from th evanoise. or if you want to stay upp the hill then the blanche muree can be accessed on a village only pass.
I am out 29th jan for a week. who is around?
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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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Just home after another night out, I really must start going to bed earlier.
Today despite the rain lower down yesterday evening we found some good 5 - 10 cm of powder up on the Grand Col where it had not rained in the off piste areas. Good fun and were able to make some fresh tracks on a very hard base. Then over to AR area and good snow high up again with more fresh tracks in shallow powder going down Par Avalanche ridge area back towards the piste. Both runs were quite short but with nice powder on a hard base above the rain / snow line.
Then as we went lower off piste, anywhere below about 2200m had been rained on and was a real mixed bag of breakable crust, rough crud or just plain ice and very hard snow all thrown in together. These conditions are a real challenge and very good for tuning those skills, but it does hurt if you fall down.
The pistes around the resort are hard, firm and icy, but many places today had a thin layer of fresh snow on top and the lower slopes are still ok because of snow canons everywhere. Although the resort does need more snow, you can still ski everywhere if you stay where there are canons and take care not to ski to fast and then hit an icy patch. Even all the way down to Villaroger.
For those coming out, you will still find plenty of firm hard snow, but not deep powder unless it snows again. But it is still better than being stuck in an office 
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Papalaz, When you get here, come round to George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 near where you are staying I think for a drink and chat. Might even arrange to do some riding if you like the off piste.
bertie bassett, good to hear you will be coming for a visit. Send me a PM if you are interested in meeting up when you get here.
allanm, if you fancy another day out, give me a call. Pleased to hear you are staying around another week, there are still good places to go.
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bertie bassett, I will be out on 29th Jan. Hope to meet up and ski together again this year.
snowcrazy, see you at George's
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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we are on the direct. eurostar to Bourg
should arrive 18:20, then a short while before we get uptown 2000
hope to catch up with some of you during the week
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snowcrazy, We are staying in Auberge Jerome so we are right on the door step of Georges. You might have met my friend before as he uses the wine bar now and again. Would defo be up for some riding with you, unfortunately i don't have any off piste safety gear apart from my helmet. But if there are some areas that are ok for a bit of safe off piste then that would be great. I am out again in March for a week as well.
Look forward to meeting you.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Did a few hours in and around 2000 with the kids this morning but horribly busy. Most places still on Sunday/Sunday to allow for New Year. Normally very quiet Saturday wasn't!
Decided to get on road early, going the Bourg-en-Besse route as opposed to Lyon. Quieter and less than 10 miles in it. Had a great week skiing, not so much fun boarding but we live to tell the tale.
On the restaurant review side, Cyril who ran 'La Ferme Du Caesar' in Montchavin has bought the place beside the huskies/ at the bottom of Comborciere and Pre St Esprit lifts below 1950. Great host and good food, worth popping in. Huge fire which the use to cook the meats for reservation only dinners. It is now called 'Chalet Caesar'.
Back out in March without kids. Anyone heading out in the meantime be safe and have a great time. Speak in March
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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 piste low is pretty grim, still some good fun to be had higher..... and even some fresh tracks for the ever so slightly more adventurous.
Nice to see Tuxpoo and buddies today, hope the wee run of the Varet was to your liking 
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thefatcontroller, maybe 2000 was busy because of people who would normally be scattered round a big area congregating in the areas with better snow? I'm sure that was the case in Les Saisies, it was far busier than a couple of days ago. Not that there were any queues - just a few peeps congregating and sorting themselves out to get on the lifts. But with such very hard snow, I'd prefer not to have anybody coming down behind me. I want a whole piste to myself, thanks.
The problem with the more snow-sure areas is they get swamped with folk from the less snow-sure areas. I reckon they should keep the riff-raff out. 
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You know it makes sense.
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| sicharlton wrote: |
Hello everyone, I'm just in the process of booking a trip to Les Arcs for next Monday (27th Dec) I'm looking in to buying lift passes and I can only really seem to see ones where they want to post them out to me.
Can someone advise on where I can buy them? I'm going to be staying in Arc 1800 - wouldn't mind purchasing when there. Will price differ?
Any help, really appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Simon |
Whatever you do don't buy them on the coach if your'e travelling with a tour operator. I have just returned from Les Arcs with Inghams and was charged a credit card fee of 2.5%, . I bought 4 lift passes and 2 pairs of skis and boots for the children and the handling charge (whatever that means) alone was 28 euros!!! not only that but I was also given a lousy exchange rate, not impressed, especially when talking to other guests who went direct to the lift pass office, if I had done that I would have saved a massive 58 euros!!, this has left me feeling ripped off and shows utter contempt for the customer. I have travelled with Inghams many times in the past and cannot remember being charged so why now??!!
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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 you were very brave getting on the board at all on that boilerplate. I felt very sorry for the beginnerish snowboarders yesterday - no way would I be on a board in those conditions. Even really good boarders were taking it very steady.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hey all, we're off today first riding day tomorrow.
I'd love to meet up with some of you for a ride and to get some expert advice about the hill!
How will I recognise any of you regulars in georges? I don't actually know where we are staying, just stumped up the cash when asked but I think it's 1800.
Everyone have an excellent and safe week.
Rolf
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| kangarolf wrote: |
Hey all, we're off today first riding day tomorrow.
I'd love to meet up with some of you for a ride and to get some expert advice about the hill!
How will I recognise any of you regulars in georges? I don't actually know where we are staying, just stumped up the cash when asked but I think it's 1800.
Everyone have an excellent and safe week.
Rolf |
Let us know what the snow situation is like when you get there mate, I'm there on the 5th Feb
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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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Sunday..... mixed bag, on and off, bit of snow and accompanying bad visibility on most off the transarc, but still good fun - got some fresh [ish] tracks with Rob H - not easy though...... for me.
Looking at the Grand Col didn't inspire much so didn't bother with that. Believe the AR was closed later on, if that is true, no idea why.
Font Blanc and L'ours are both now officially closed, and rightfully so unless you have shares in Ptex.
Hopefully a bit of a refresh tonight, which will make make for a more enjoyable day tomorrow, doubt it will last long though.
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Snowed on and off all day, but not much. Was snowing when I left Arc 1950 tonight to go home. Raining below Arc 1600. Just chatted on the phone about plans for tomorrow and it is still snowing up top. The big problem is the temp going up and down all the time. If it would only stay cold now the conditions would improve quickly.
Still managed to find some good spots off piste today despite the poor vis at times. Piste were in good condition high up. Grand Col was good but with flat light. Other pistes even down to the Mont Blanc in Vallandry and in Arc 1600 were ok where the canons had been blasting earlier in the week. For those into piste skiing the conditions are still ok in most places. Although Villaroger is closed now if you do not live there. We did most of the main pistes across the whole of Les Arcs today and they were all ok. The snowpark is also in good condition and there is always the bordercross and sledge piste to keep you busy.
I think we all need to stay positive, it is still better than being in the office!!!
Papalaz, kangarolf, Angry Squirrel, jasongibson100, send me a PM if you want to meet up with your mobile number or pop into George's in Arc 1950 after skiing.
Anyone coming into the bar, just ask George behind the bar and he will point us out. It is a very friendly place.
codger, see you when you get there, conditions off piste are not as bad as it appears, we should have a great time. We made some nice tracks today. Even 5cm - 10cm makes a great difference.
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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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will pop into. George's a couple of times
it's been heavy snow in 2000 for the last 2 hours
about 15 cm forecast tonight
I had flu last week and had to spend this afternoon in bed after 4 hours this morning
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Hi all, coming to Arc 2000 (with 3 brothers) on the 15th via Eurostar etc. Just wondered if anyone has tips on a guide and avalanche kit rental for a couple of newbie off-pisters? Am assuming the "natural" runs in the 2000 bowl are OK unguided but is avalanche kit still advisable for these (assuming they are open)?
Got the bug 2 years ago and on my 6th trip already! (Sometimes I don't mind not having kids!)
We arrive on the overnight train about 6.45am and plan to try dumping our kit off somewhere and getting straight out on the pistes in the morning. Unless the previous tenants of our apt. are very kind we'll need some kind of left luggage. Any ideas?
Also, we are self catering, so thinking of buying some food in Bourg St Maurice before taking the funicular up as I assume it will be slightly cheaper. True... or wishful thinking?
here's hoping the overnight snow comes as promised tonight!
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Could all those currently in the Les Arcs area please do some snow dancing for us please? T minus <2 weeks and counting.
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| snowcrazy wrote: |
Papalaz, kangarolf, Angry Squirrel, jasongibson100, send me a PM if you want to meet up with your mobile number or pop into George's in Arc 1950 after skiing.
Anyone coming into the bar, just ask George behind the bar and he will point us out. It is a very friendly place.
codger, see you when you get there, conditions off piste are not as bad as it appears, we should have a great time. We made some nice tracks today. Even 5cm - 10cm makes a great difference. |
Will try mate, Its the Fiance's first ski trip, so if she hasn't collapsed in exhaustion we'll pop in lol
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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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compostcorner, I'm going to have a better look at that tomorrow when its not so dark - I have to say that what I saw didn't look very promising 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Megamum wrote: |
| compostcorner, I'm going to have a better look at that tomorrow when its not so dark - I have to say that what I saw didn't look very promising |
looked good from what I see here -> http://www.snoweye.com/?resort=fr_lesarcs
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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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Monday.....
We got some snow!!! Great day.
Put first tracks on the 'Rat Run' this morning while we were waiting for 'Le Derby' to open, no tracks.... then 10mins later skied out!! LOL!!! --- Same story in 2000 bowl really, steeper bit all had 'untacked' , as we skied home.
Many 'great bits' but best was 'Pnis Rock'... up Deux Tettes button, turn right and straight down. Met Snowcrazy and associates at the top, but he decided to take his entourage down the childrens run to the RHS, whilst we got first tracks down the real thing. He he!!
We agreed 'M' was good fun, probably only though as it was closed though, notably, the piste poles have been removed, so perhaps you are not sking a closed run which would invalidate some insurance, Snowcrazy is that right?
Personally, biggest thing for me today was that I can now gauge far better how far my skis will run, so got fresh tracks, in loads of places where I wouldn't have gone before, thinking I might have to poll out... yes traversed a bit far off the G Col.. and Varet.. , and had to poll a little, but was well worth it.
Cracking day.
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You know it makes sense.
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Angry Squirrel, They are all 1950+ and even some of those look sparse on steeper edges in the odd shot. We are looking at starting from 1800 - thats a lot of difference where plus temps are concerned. Lets face it they are hardly likely to show the cams that illustrate that things might be a bit sparser. How much snow did you get today and at what level?
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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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| Megamum wrote: |
| Angry Squirrel, They are all 1950+ and even some of those look sparse on steeper edges in the odd shot. We are looking at starting from 1800 - thats a lot of difference where plus temps are concerned. Lets face it they are hardly likely to show the cams that illustrate that things might be a bit sparser. How much snow did you get today and at what level? |
http://www.lesarcsnet.com/webcam.php <- fairly sure this one says 1600 
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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 will only be skiing on piste and will be based in 1800 in just over a weeks time - the forecast doesn't hold too much promise in that time so what I was wondering is if there is a list - or even better a Les Arcs map that shows those pistes which have snow canon on them? I think the off piste mob might be OK as their routes might tend to have fewer skiers on them, but I have some desire to protect the bases of my own skis and would prefer to stick to those pistes which are likely to have a better amount of snow coverage on them (although they will probably be busy). I see these as being those that have snow canon on them and kind of hope that it is possible to find this info. I have no desire to commit to a way down only to encounter earth, stones and grass 1/2 way down. Does anyone know where to get this sort of information off the top of their heads, or does anyone know the pistes that have the canons on them please?
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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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Megamum, head high if the snow is thin. Pistes with snow cannons are generally the busiest and/or the lowest. These usually have the worst snow if conditions are marginal.
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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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Been in Les Arcs since Saturday.
Skied from 1800 to 2000 and over to 1600.
It is dumping it down with snow now all over the resort. It's been snowing since lunch and has not stopped, it is very heavy. There has probably been around 6 inches already and this has covered up the horrible icy pistes. However there are still loads of ice patches on the lower slopes and red/black runs all round the resort seem very icy.
It does not look like stopping soon... tomorrows weather SUUUUUUUUUUUNNNSHINE.
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Megamum, I'm sure you'll be fine. Almost all the pistes in Les Saisies are well covered and Les Arcs has more higher runs. The off piste, on the other hand......
Still, dumping now, so will be good tomorrow - though a very warm weekend won't help.
To echo rob@rar, the run here which is in worst shape is the bottom few hundred yards of our run down to our local chairlift, which at 1500m is lower than the main part of the resort. It's got cannons all the way and when I did it at 0900 this morning it was very icy. Before the last lot of snow it also had big muddy patches - because it's south facing. Aspect is crucial.
Also, when people say that there's loads of "ice", what they usually mean is hardpack - there's been plenty of that round here, before the last snow, but practically no proper "ice", and the icy patches were marked.
Piste maps all generally mark the pistes with snow cannons very clearly - orangey sort of highlighting, often. But the cannons are there for a reason.... they don't tend to cannon the runs which generally have good snow. and they can't run cannons in warm weather anyway.
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Been skiing here since Sunday. Sunday was ropey but the resort has been transformed by the recent snow. Monday and today were superb and it's still snowing here at 1800. If you're heading out, don't worry about your skis (like I was) the pistes are miles better than they were. Just look forward to some great skiing 
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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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Snow here was excellent today with a much welcome 20cm here in Peisey and closer to 25cm in Arcs 1600 and 2000. More forecast tonight and throughout the week
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FAQ
