 Poster: A snowHead
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Pamski,  . I suspect I have been warm because rustiness is making me put quite a lot of effort into my skiing. That said, I was back in my jacket today as it was noticeably colder after 11am.
I also skiied from Ardent this morning (as I think I will do most mornings). Pistes were bullet hard to start with. The Swiss Wall was very much closed - not that I would even attempt it in conditions like this - no fun.
Pistes are perfectly skiable, but it was a bit of a shock to see the deterioration in snow cover: large patches of grass and rock off piste even high up the mountain. The snow line is higher than I have seen it for some time in January. Mostly blue run skiing as a lot of the runs without snowmaking (some of the reds and I suspect all of the blacks) are closed. I have to say, conditions are really quite bad; but that doesn't mean that there isn't piste to ski. I think you just have to pick what you want to do, and go for it - forget off-piste or tree sking and concentrate on turns for example. There are no moguls to speak of on piste, as there isn't enough soft snow to be pushed around to make them.
I have given up on any ideas of touring (snow, if there is any, is like concrete off piste at the moment and avalanche conditions are dangerous - you can see evidence of slides all over the place), and spent the day doing carving practice, and think I will head to the park a bit and get on some kickers again (definitely starting on the green ones!). I spent a lot of time today doing some really nice railing around on piste, especially away from Morzine and Avoriaz (e.g. Les Crosets), where there were very few people around. So, andolini, if you want to get some GS fitness and technique improved, now is the time! I would have loved to have met for a ski, but am in Chamonix for much of next week. Have a great week - next week is meant to be colder with some snow forecast, so you could get lucky...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not been up the mountain for 2 days - due to a rather nasty strep throat thingy - but currently raining lightly at 1200m - may give a dusting higher up.
GFS weather model has thrown a wobbler this evening, putting next week's cold spell in doubt, however, there is so much variation in its ensembles that almost anything could happen, so it is nothing to be too concerned about at the moment and the ECMWF model may show something different when it comes out this eve!
Still looking like some sort of snow event is possible Mon/Tuesday next week - but with all this chaos in the weather models - its impossible to say whether it will be significant or not.
To highlight the above - the Met office are also expressing the highly uncertain weather pattern for next week from some postings by forecasters on weather forums this afternoon and eve.
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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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The blacks at Prodains were good this afternoon. the avalanche debris is mostly on south facing slopes, some of the piste skiing is quite good, bit like spring skiing, just avoid the shady icy slopes early.
There is light snow showers forecast tonight and it is quite cloudy now.
Snow forecast Sun night.
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Been in Chatel since Sunday and to be honest the slopes are not too bad at all. In pre le Joux the guys in ski school are getting good snow and are doing very well .We skied around Avoriaz today and up around Arare was very good and skied right down to the bottom of the new cable car. It's not perfect but ŵe are skiing and yes some slopes lower down are 'crap' but it's not a disaster zone,but that's our opinion and I guess it's what you are looking for in a holiday !
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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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Kiters, absolutely, good to see you are making the best of it; but if you want to do any touring or off piste skiing it has been crap.
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Kiters, great to hear that, glad you are enjoying your hols and your beginners are doing well
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Hey folks, we arrive Friday for a 3 day long weekend. Just had a fright looking at this webcam (Les Gets):
http://www.morznet.com/morzine/webcams/the-portes-du-soleil-centre.html
Checked the tiny, tiny date in the top corner - Sept 2012! Phew. I know the snow conditions aren't brilliant but... not a good ad!
Anyway - some advice please.
Are we better of sticking to Avoriaz, or will there be enough snow to keep us busy for 2 days in Morzine / Les Gets and a day in Avoriaz?
Both good intermediates.
Thanks
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shockingmoment, did the same with the webcam in December!
For les gets, try their own site as they have a mont chery cam which looks straight at the main slopes.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Sun 2-02-14 15:24; edited 1 time in total
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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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Blimey, looking at the webcams, I may be best hiring a car and driving to Tignes.
I am returning to Morzine after a great time there last Feb. Other than that trip, I have always gone high and always had perfect snow. This trip was booked with fingers crossed and now it looks luck my 20 year record of luck has run out.
With temps still well above freezing, I can't see much being open at all by Monday morning.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
I can't see much being open at all by Monday morning.
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What??
I think you'll find the situation little changed from today. Except it's due to get colder.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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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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[b]b
Enjoy yourself on great pistes around avoriaz and linderets
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sun 2-02-14 15:25; edited 1 time in total
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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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Ok, I've had a look at the Avoriaz cams and that looks better. I've been looking at the Pointe des Mossettes webcam for the last month and it all looked fine, until about a week ago. It looks a bit sorry for itself at the moment and I was worrying about how much worse it could get and still be skiable. It may be better in the flesh, so to speak. This holiday is a special one so I need it to be memorable for the right reasons, if possible. I'm sure it will be.
It was just a wobble and I knew you guys would revive my spirits.
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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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andyrew, excellent !!!!
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Still confined to barracks today - but my wife reports OK conditions this afternoon at Super Chatel. Skies have cleared so a refreeze on piste is likely tonight - so bullet hard tomorrow morning. It is a good job the sky has cleared as it was between 8c and 9C when I went to bed last night under the cloud!!!!
Snow arriving Mon eve/night. 10 to 20 cm still poss to resort level - though we will have a better idea when it comes into range of the NAE and Euro4 precipitation models on Sunday. Beyond that - a very high level of uncertainty but very cold weather now looks unlikely - but there may be more opportunities for snowfall between Thursday and 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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Update to the above - latest GFS suggesting a fair bit of snow to the French Alps next week - detail and distribution North to South uncertain - but we may be better off in the scenario being shown - rather than the bitterly cold easterlies that were being forecast a couple of days ago.
Meteo Suisse have toned down their precipitation forecast for Mon night - but I suspect this may change tomorrow looking at how the latest model runs are progressing and Meteo France is looking different.
All in all - I'm far more optimistic with the outlook in terms of potential snowfall as it stands so far this evening, than was the case yesterday and the day before. I'd much prefer a more mobile set up with the chance of decent snowfalls, even if they might be marginal snow/rain events at 1000m, than freezing cold, but dry easterlies.
Lets see if this snowier trend continues tomorrow...
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There is one thing I think you may have failed to take into consideration though .Chatel Snow, apparently Mont Blanc was wearing its hat today. I have been reliably informed that this means it shall snow within 48 hours.
You heard it here first folks.
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More like April than January today. Skied from Les Gets over to Morzine Nyon, lower runs very bare, not worth the trip down to Morzine. Mont Chery quieter and in good condition, but Chamois closed so had to download on the lift. Quite desperate now for a decent dump or a drop in temps, not sure it will hold much after the weekend.
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prthomas, very depressing as I am off soon,hopefully the temps will drop so the snow canons can get some action.
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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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Louis, that wasn't a complaint - I am here and loving it. And I will be back in work on Monday with a suntan
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Just packed our bags for Avoriaz tomorrow. I hope these comments aren't as bad as i fear.....i saved up for ages for this trip
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Anyone been around Champery / les crosets recently? Going to throw two kids in the car and mooch down for a sneaky ski tomorrow, wondering if pistes are in decent nick?
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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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I've been skiing from Ardent too, and will tomorrow, the last day of our 3 day trip. It's been ok up from Avoriaz, we never tried skiing Morzine or Les Gets. I did go over to Les Crosets, it was pretty windy on the way over, and we headed straight back to Avoriaz. I can't be doing with the slush lower down, might catch the bubble down to the bus stop tomorrow evening.
We've had a great time so far, enough snow for us to ski all day.
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Good advice to take the bubble down to Ardent car park if later in the day, busy, chopped up and slushy. If you have had a good day why ruin it. We skied down the other day but it was very early afternoon and as already reported only a couple of other people there. Our daughter spent a season instructing in Whistler years ago and she nearly always took her classes down on the gondola - just try and finish on a good note she used to say.
It still dark and 00.7 at our chalet in Les Gets - we are meeting friends at the top of the Ardent gondola at 9 - hope it gets a bit lighter soon!
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You know it makes sense.
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Variations on a theme on this morning's weather models. Snow still likely to arrive during Monday (possibly the afternoon). GFS has downgraded amounts from this snowfall and for further snow in the week but the Met Office and ECMWF charts are different and so expect further flip flops from the models over the weekend and extended outlook remains very uncertain.
Meteo Suisse has upgraded potential amounts considerably (20 to 40cm snow equivalent from it's raw precip data for Morgins for the period Mon to Wed)
10 to 20cm at 1200m still looks possible for Chatel with more higher up - but as mentioned above on yesterday evening's post above, we should have a better idea on Sunday. Fingers crossed for this one - as its potentially a very important snowfall!
Bit of a refreeze under foot this morning in Chatel, so pistes likely to be hard first thing- but air temps above freezing. Bit of cloud about, but some sunshine likely and another mild day on the mountain.
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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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Just sat on the transfer bus at GVA. It feels like a benidorm transfer coach, t shirts and sunglasses on.
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Poster: A snowHead
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On the piste reportage from Champery - its fine. Pistes a little bit slushy lower down, but overall it's grand.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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coddlesangers, nice attitude 
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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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Set off on the circuit as soon as the Chauxfleurie lift opened. Snow really very good first thing, skied then down to Pre la Joux and then over to the Linga run, down that with only about 3 other people in sight, and down to the bottom where we got the C bus into the middle of Chatel. Up the gondola, sun out, few people around still, and then with the help of the few pomas (one lifted our friend at least 2 feet off the ground) we got to the chairlift and downloaded to Morgins, as the piste was closed. Skied and walked across the village and up the chair, coffee break at the top. Then the series of lifts back via Champoussin and Les Crosets - very thin snow in places and not sure how long it can stay open in parts but really tremendous efforts being made the piste prep teams. Then back to Ardent via the Abricotine run which was very nice. Quick drink at the Escapade when we were back. Just for those who want to know how long these things take it was 5 hours - and we were certainly not rushing and got the odd poma wrong so had to repeat one or two runs. Sun out all day and very enjoyable.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Pamski, sounds lovely, really wish I was not confined to school holidays!
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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 run from morgins back to les crosets via champoussin was not pretty at all. Smushy snoguls, muddy bits, and lots of bare spots. Hopefully this is the low point snow wise for the season. Legs are bunched.
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coddlesangers, exactly right, and I was quite pleased that I managed to negotiate my way back through the moguls, muddy bits and bare spots but still quite do-able and some of the other parts really compensated for the grot parts.
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2 more sleeps until fresh snow arrives!
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| Chatel Snow wrote: |
| 2 more sleeps until fresh snow arrives! |
Forum needs to develop a fingers crossed emoticon....
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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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| Pamski wrote: |
Good advice to take the bubble down to Ardent car park if later in the day, busy, chopped up and slushy. If you have had a good day why ruin it. We skied down the other day but it was very early afternoon and as already reported only a couple of other people there. Our daughter spent a season instructing in Whistler years ago and she nearly always took her classes down on the gondola - just try and finish on a good note she used to say.
It still dark and 00.7 at our chalet in Les Gets - we are meeting friends at the top of the Ardent gondola at 9 - hope it gets a bit lighter soon! |
Busy today - runs above Avoriaz from Fornet were in nice condition though: looks like this side of the mountain is faring better than the Swiss side.
Took that run down to the Ardent bibble - very slushy and full of very nervous skiers trying to get down. That said, I had great fun boating around in the slush!
There is plenty of skiing here. Yes, it is a pretty poor January - but that is all relative. If you're arriving in resort, you'll still have a great time on piste, especially if you get up early and avoid the crowds for an hour or so.
Off to Chamonix for a few days tomorrow - fingers crossed for that fresh snow!
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Very pleasant day today, tottled around Lindarets, over to Linga, all on piste of course. Pistes generally holding up exceptionally well. Lower slopes obviously a little troubled but I have it it worse in January, much, mch worse
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