@stewart woodward, thanks!! they are aiming to leave at 4am!! hopefully pre the heavy snow.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
We are leaving Geneva at 4pm.Is it gonna be mental?
After all it is free
After all it is free
FullyTucked wrote:
We are leaving Geneva at 4pm.Is it gonna be mental?
The snow fall is forecast to get heavier as the day progresses. Your transfer time will probably be dependant upon other people's ability to put on chains in the cold/dark
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Not again! Currently sat in the Hotel at Leeds! Might be a bit of sleet here in the morning (and at Birmingham and in Scotland) other than that there is a chance of a rain shower anywhere in the UK. As SW says the snow will get worse over on our bit of the Continent - snow showers forecast at Grenoble (yes....!) and at Geneva so a chance of a delay or 2 there - it is one of the busiest Saturdays this year at GVA. As for the roads I am glad I arrive at 9.30 providing Leeds has got the deicing kit working this time. With 30000 vehicles going down and 35000 coming up the mountain I would not offer odds on me needing a hotel again............
Hopefully it will be good next week
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Well this time I was lucky - Monarch delivered us (only 6 on the aircraft!) on time, escaping from the airport took a while as we had to share a bus from the ramp. I opted for the cross country route to Chambery where it was raining heavily. I was thinking that if this turned to snow the there would be trouble....Luckily I was about an hour in front of the snow - this afternoons chaos between Lyon and Chambery must have been horrendous. Anyway I even managed to skip a police roadblock near Albertville as my French persuaded him that I really did want to go to a remote village off the autoroute which saved me a good half hour. As I arrived home it started to snow - the roads are now white and we have had 3-4 cm (9pm). It was only when I re-joined the 'net' and found out all the problems on the roads and at the airports I realised how lucky I was
I just hope everyone is home though I have seen some flights have been rescheduled until tomorrow. Luckily for those travelling by air tomorrow there appears to be little to hinder flying - but it will be wet and windy (and therefore bumpy) in the UK. Over here there should be no snags - perhaps a chance of fog at Lyon very early doors.
As for today - yes they did under estimate the snow in last nights forecast and the usual cuckoo clock efficiency of Geneva took a real hammering with problems with deicing equipment, the instrument landing system and a fire in an escalator in the terminal - hopefully it will all be fixed tomorrow - But I appreciate it is still a long night for some folks.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Took us 10 hours to go from Tignes to Dijon. Heavy thick snow in Chambery, cops stopped the peage there so we ended up going Aix Les Bains-Tenay and still caught 6mph traffic for 2 hours... When we made it onto the peage most of the vehicles were UK plates- wondering if they were going all the way home at 6pm...
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.
@chocksaway, what's your tips for flights from Leeds, any days cheaper than others? Sounds like sat is a good day to travel out if only 6 of you on the plane...
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
10-15 cm of snow overnight and still snowing The sun is trying to break through but more snow is good
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
6 on the plane -can't be good for Monarch -mind you I have not forgiven them for cancelling a flight from LBA to Munich for Oktoberfest meaning that I had to fly from Manchester at a lot more cost.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
And the snow broke through at about 10 o clock the skies cleared - although when I got up the Grand Motte it appeared that Tignes was lucky as most of the local valleys were chokka with cloud. This then slowly crept up the valley and we are now sat in cloud ahead of tonight's snow. Most of the snow had come after the piste bashers had knocked off for the night so every run was bumpy or mogully (if that's a word). So with all the holidaymakers picking a line was a tad tricky - it appears Parisians ski like they drive Still it will all get bashed tonight.
Lots going on in resort this week with it being a busy one. On Tuesday the 'Live in Tignes' events continue with a free live concert headlining the incongruously named 'Lilly Wood and The Prick' followed by 'FFF'. I guess it will be time for You Tube before deciding on that one. The annual Pisteurs show is also programmed for Thursday evening - lots of flashes and bangs, sniffer dogs and helicopters in Le Lac late afternoon. If you are here its worth seeing.
The weather will deteriorate overnight with snow Monday and Tuesday - Wed and Thu should be sunny and therefore fab and then it will deteriorate again for Friday and Saturday. Quite chilly for the time of year and it will be windy most of the week.
@muddewater, As for Monarch - it was the last flight of the season from Leeds - they cancelled the remainder of the programme during the drastic scramble to save the company last Autumn. I've had more cancellations with them over the last couple of years than I care to remember - they have also stopped giving vouchers when they do it so I will probably not be bothering in the future. @kitenski, Its going to be more difficult from Leeds next season - I prefer Grenoble as parking is cheap and the airport is a bit more reliable than Chambery. But Monarch and Jet2 have been having a face off over Grenoble over the last 3 years and it looks like they have both given up on it. I realise that there is not much demand to cover 4 flights a week (2 years ago) but at least one must be sustainable. It may be that Easy to Geneva may be better midweek - but the timings aren't great to meet the Altibus and parking at Geneva is monstrous at over a 100 quid a week - I might have to bight the bullet and cross over to Llllllllancishire
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:
As for Monarch - it was the last flight of the season from Leeds - they cancelled the remainder of the programme during the drastic scramble to save the company last Autumn. I've had more cancellations with them over the last couple of years than I care to remember
After one Monarch booking (MAN - Friedrichshafen in Jan 2015) and one late in the day cancellation, they've had their chips and I'd never book with them again.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Funny old day in the Alps. We awoke to leaden skies and therefore flat light. But out relatively early given the forecast - and so was everybody else! So we opted for the Col De Ves where, bizarrely, it was drizzling at the top - which immediately froze to the front of the gogs - so all in all it was less than pleasant. So we skied, by feel mostly, down to Val Claret for a reasonably long coffee to allow the freezing level to move back down the hill to where it belongs. Emerging to light snow we did a lap of the Grand Motte where there was some really good piste skiing (light not good enough for even the mildest of adventures). The snow picked up to 'moderate' so we knocked off at lunchtime - it has continued to snow moderately all afternoon - so depending on light conditions tomorrow we should be in for some good skiing.
The snow is forecast to continue through the night and tomorrow morning - but decrease in intensity. It will also be windy at altitude. Wednesday not looking as sunny now, Thursday looks nice deteriorating through the night and there could be quite a bit of snow on Friday - but the pressure charts are all a bit complex - and a pesky ridge of high pressure could divert the snow away - so no promises. Remember the 3 great lies - the cheques in the post, I won't......., and its going to snow at the end of the week
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?
Just had an e mail from the Tourist Office - if you want a late season ski for week starting 26/27 April and you buy 4 full lift passes they will throw in a studio for free (and to the first 100 to take up the offer - a pair of Tignes Boxers!! )
Val is Cloudy, snowing and very windy today - as well as busy! Did a couple of runs @La Daille and called it quits. May try again later if it perks up.
Snow is great though!!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
chocksaway wrote:
Just had an e mail from the Tourist Office - if you want a late season ski for week starting 26/27 April and you buy 4 full lift passes they will throw in a studio for free (and to the first 100 to take up the offer - a pair of Tignes Boxers!! )
Off to Tignes very soon! just checked and a lot of the runs are closed up at Grande Motte and even some further down! hope the weather clears and runs open for us
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Wild old day!! Tigski and I set off with a couple of others with the aim of going to Brev amongst the trees - but then so were every ski school in the resort - so we aborted the plan and returned via Aiguille Rouge to the Palet sector wher vis was pooor but the snow was great - pistes mostly deserted for some reason. There was tantalising glimpse of the sun mid morning - but it came to naught. It has continued to snow all day - quite heavy this morning - but it was difficult to tell as we spent most of it in cloud. It is still snowy and windy - not great conditions for an outdoor concert - think I'll give it a miss. Anyway, back to the skiing, after morning coffee we went up Lanches and came down Genepy via cairn - again great snow but at times we were skiing from piste pole to piste pole to get some definition.
So, to the forecast, it will be cloudy in the morning but the wind will drop and the sun will come out - so it might be an early start. Thursday still looks good but cold and then overnight and into Friday there will be some snow and it will be windy again. Saturday there will be a small respite (but again the picture is complicated) and then snow again on Sun and Mon.
There has just been some avalanche control going on - so I suspect the wind has moved things around a lot, the forecast is for risk 3 tomorrow - certainly be wary.
the only other bit of gossip is over the hill in Val. The decision on the 'Chipgate Saga' has been delayed until late March - this is the one where a Brit apartment owner (very rich) has been complaining about Le Cabane - basically a tent that does value food with a lot of frites and he doesn't like the smell.
@Kenzie, Inside out and back to front - it must be Thursday
@GO1996, At least there will be lots of snow and not so many people - next week we are down to only one French area on holiday
After all it is free
After all it is free
Roll on the 7th. Very few on holiday and I would just like to put in a pre order for wall to wall sunshine with 5-10 cms every night please
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.
Bonkers
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
chocksaway wrote:
Thursday still looks good but cold and then overnight and into Friday there will be some snow and it will be windy again. Saturday there will be a small respite (but again the picture is complicated) and then snow again on Sun and Mon.
Woot! just in time for my arrival
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Sun's out. Byeeeeee
PS Blinking cold
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.
A big day out Indeed the clouds cleared earlier than forecast so it was a dash to the first lift at 9. There was somewhere between 10 and 15cm more yesterday so the first hour was spent bouncing around the sides off the piste down from Aiguille Percée until the rest of the team got out f bed. Most of the new snow was either quite heavy or windblown with softer stuff underneath - so the legs are tired tonight. There was also a lot of avalanche activity (especially in Tignes where we seemed to have a bit more snow). There was also a lot of idiotic behaviour off piste - people skiing in places way outside their ability, on slopes where similar pitches nearby had already slipped and with no visible signs of kit - I did see the rescue helo doing a lot of laps of Petite Balme this afty - will have to watch for any news. Anyway - back to the fun we had (safely!). The first adventure was down Lognan - a variant of the Bus Stop run - again a heavy crust so every turn was an effort but fresh tracks are fresh tracks, thigh burn was the order of the day. We then skied down Familial all the way down to La Daille - Ok at the top lower down it was fresh snow sloughing off hard boiler plate beneath. Anyway- a quick look at the lift queues and we decided that Croque o clock would be declared early at the Rosée Blanche. Suitably refuelled we set off on the Bus for Laisinant and then up the signal poma to Grand Vallon - unsurprisingly it was mostly tracked out and certainly not the depths of new snow that we had enjoyed. Thinking that was enough for one day we then set off for home but the fresh untracked snow to the left of the Grand Huit was too pristine to ignore - so another 2 laps where we also spotted a couple of boarders in the Couloir du Lac Du Chardonnet - having bitten off more than they could chew in the avalanche debris they took off their boards and then walked into areas that had not slipped and then one dropped his board which slipped to an inaccessible position. Eventually they walked out - it would still be a long walk down to Tignes - lucky boys to be alive.
Weather forecast much as yesterday - make the most of tomorrow - Friday looks snowy and windy. Sat OK then very unsettled and unpredictable but Monday looks particularly snowy at the moment.
Need a lie down!
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Yeah, wasn't bad was it!! skied over to Tignes and worked our way round a dropped into Le Brev (or the lift just before it) then worked our way back as some clouds were gathering and did some runs on the Val side.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Another glorious day in the playground! Cold but sunny this morning and with the strong sun this afternoon it is relatively spring like - all to change....... As tomorrow is going to be quite grisly the world and their cat were out today, so we opted for the peace and quiet of Genepy, but that meant negotiating Val Claret - where the queue for Lanches was about 15 mins. When we got to the top of Vanoise there was the biggest queue I have ever seen for the Cable Car - it was all the way back onto the steps from the Funi. So having dodhed through that there was some great snow on the Leisse piste followed by a tour down Genepy where there were good pitches toobe found - with an ever present eye on the wind loaded slopes. After Genepy we opted for the route below Praiorond - where there was some of the softest snow of the season. However, lower down where the sun had melted the surface snow yesterday - there was some tricky side slipping. Following a pre lunch coffee it was up to some fantastic snow off Grand Huit - really smooth - almost like spring snow - and best of all nobody had done the hidden gulley - so we did it again.
The high clouds are just starting to appear now, they will quickly cover the sky tonight and the snow will start in the middle of the night. It should still be snowing lightly in the morning and be cloudy through the day. Around 10cm would be a best guess. Saturday should be relatively benign (great for those transferring out) with sunny periods (but could be windy on high)> Then it isfar to say that all hell could break loose on Sunday and Monday, depending on the exact passage of the frontal system (itself complicated) there could be a lot of snow - no promises. After that unsettled mixture of showers and sunny periods - though confidence in that forecast is not high. The zero deg isotherm is moving up the valley - so lower down (1500m ish ) it could be wet rather than snowy.
Off to the pisteurs show now - pics later.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Snowing heavily in Tignes this morning
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
As a reminder of the dangers still around - here's a 'trouser moment' from yesterday in Tignes (acknowledging this is also on the Val Thread).
As for today the snow has eased off now - looks quite miserable out there as we are now sat in a cloud - so having a day off (which is no bad thing after the last 2 days). So far, we have had about 5cm - with a bit more to come.
The snow should stop later this afternoon leaving a better day for tomorrow, which is a good thing given the 31000 vehicles going down the hill and 34000 coming up. That's not quite as many as last week but more than enough to cause traffic jams both ways. On the other hand for those travelling on Sunday - its going to be snowy but not too bad.
As for air travel the forecasts have just come out for tomorrow - nothing too much to bother about at the moment in the UK - except it is likely to be wet and a bit bumpy on approach and a slim chance of very early fog at Leeds. Over here, providing the weather passes at the forecast rate it will be OK - there may be a bit of mist around Lyon, I'll keep an eye out for the later forecasts.
Oh - and a top tip for Seasonnaires (in Val) - if you are that pi$$ed that you need a firefighter to assist you - its a good idea not to hit him as you end up in the cells overnight and an appearance in court in a month!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Still snowing very lightly - more snizzle really! Stayed miserable all day so have been experimenting with a new recipe - beef and chorizo in orange - time will tell!
No change to the forecast really - sunny periods Saturday then snow Sundy and storms overnight into Monday - high winds and significant snow currently forecast. Looks pretty shabby all next week with the odd sunny period.
All looks good for flying tomorrow bar what I mentioned earlier. The roads might be a bit quieter going down the hill as lots of folk legging it this afternoon on account of the weather.
And here's some photos of last nights Pisteurs Demo as promised:
They started with a demonstration of the Gazex on Trolles (the big crow scarer like contraptions dotted around resort) and then the old fashioned method of throwing grenades:
They then bury some children in the igloos:
And then helicopter heros arrive:
And winch down a pisteur and dog (yip that's a black lab harnessed to him )
Good skills from Biggles there as it was getting quite dark - they didn't get winched back up this year.
Time for the Jam Bar and a potential early night as its Saturday
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?
Is there a place where I can review all the avalanche activity in Tignes? I know Colorado has a database system where people submit avalanches they've caused/seen and the size of crown/slope aspect/height etc.
I know a bit about the poor snowpack here but want to get a better idea. I've seen a lot of really stupid lines the last few days.
Also.. any tree skiing besides down to Le Brevieres?
I'm not aware of any resource like the one in Colorado but henry's Avalanche Talk do a weekly update, home page here:
http://www.henrysavalanchetalk.com/
Tree skiing is also available down into La Daille and Le Fornet at each end of Val D'Isere, just watch for cliffs on the way to Brev and don't always follow others tracks high around La Daille - sometimes they belong to a parapenter
Is there a place where I can review all the avalanche activity in Tignes?
Not all avalanches will be reported. The avalanche in the video above will not have been reported as the Pisteures did not attend.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
7 days and counting. Even worse I am off this week and have to wait a week.....aaaarrrggghhh
After all it is free
After all it is free
Cloudy again...... A bit of blue sky over Solaise though. May go out later if it perks up but seem to have aquired a bit of a bug so not feeling great That's a massive 2 days decent skiing this week. Not my best trip ever.......
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.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Still it will all get bashed tonight.
)
That's a massive 2 days decent skiing this week. Not my best trip ever.......