 Poster: A snowHead
|
@Timc it's the first proper weekend with good snow and sunshine, all of greater Geneva area were out on slopes today. Next such day will be less busy, by mid Feb Sat being more quiet will be pretty much a certainty.
I can also confirm Didier Defago is definitely open and skiable all the way - it's a very cruisy blue that's more sightseeing than skiing at the bottom half. The start (above the forest) had superb snow though, lovely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| simonsaysowot wrote: |
| Is there anywhere to store a suitcase and ski bag in storage for the day at the top or bottom of the prodains gondola please does anyone know? |
Don't know of anything around Prodains and not used it myself but the Avoriaz website says there's left luggage facilities at the main arrivals area - "Luggage room (leave your luggage in a safe place every Saturday from 8am to 5.30pm, 2€/luggage to enjoy your day. Contact : 04 50 74 06 4".
https://www.avoriaz.com/en/staying/access-and-transport/arrival-and-departure/
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
I guess that must be up top near the Amara buildings. We wouldn’t be able to get our stuff up there I think. Well we could but would need to come back down again a few hours later so wouldn’t be worth it. Hoping there’s somewhere near the prodains gondola if somebody knows
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Circuit today - cloud building all day and quite a chilly and strong wind as we came across the Swiss side. Impressed with the new Morgins gondola.@chaletbeauroc, the usual sign is up saying Corbeau down to Morgins is closed so we downloaded on the chair - but snow cover looked reasonable from the bits we could see - where is the barest bit usually?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@andy from embsay, As you say, the visible parts look OK, and there have certainly been people skiing down in the last week or so, but it's visibly very thin cover on the bottom slopes. The other weak spot is just before you turn onto the path that comes across the front of the hill through a woody area and to the top of the bottom slope. Quite a wide part above that but very exposed to the sun and can't be seen from below.
I might be prepared to risk it, on old skis and not with guests. Let us know what you find 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
I might be prepared to risk it, on old skis and not with guests. Let us know what you find |
Won’t be over that way for a couple of weeks, sadly!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looks like it is going to rain quite heavily on Wednesday, hopefully followed by snow on Thursday.
How will this effect skiing on the pistes in Avoriaz?
I assume if snow follows then it is fine, what if no snow follows, will it be an ice rink or can something be done to stop that?
Also, with the snow that will hopefully come after, will that be enough to give everything a nice covering again, lets say there is 5-10cm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Astontech, if it rains for a day (or two) the pistes in Avoriaz will be absolutely fine - seriously, don’t worry. The snow cover is 300% better than a year ago - they bash the pistes every night so all will be well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @Astontech, if it rains for a day (or two) the pistes in Avoriaz will be absolutely fine - seriously, don’t worry. The snow cover is 300% better than a year ago - they bash the pistes every night so all will be well. |
Thanks 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Been out for a few days now. Les Gets was lovely and picturesque in the sunshine but really need to get high for any decent snow. Lower stuff was mostly artificial and icy. Tulipe was very good though.
Avoriaz has much better snow and despite no snow for a few days still soft and powdery. Very enjoyable day on the sector.
The Swiss side was probably the best of the lot. The run down from the top of grand conche was great and repeated a few times in different configurations. Very beautiful area with great snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
It's been snowing all night here in Avoriaz, an exciting day ahead of us.
My first time in PDS, hugely impressed with the area above Les Gets, between the trees.
The long red pistes above Avoriaz are lovely as well and I had an excellent gluten free burger at the Cookie Cafe by the Point de Mosettes, another good reason to reach CH sector in that area.
On a powder day like this (our last), where should I go?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Timc wrote: |
| Whoever said that Saturday transfer days were the quietest day of the week has got it wrong for the Les Gets bowl. Big queues for all four lifts in the bowl. |
It snowed in the valleys but people were stuck under a stratus, looking at webcams and waiting for the weekend - by 10.30am LG was indeed very crowded. Queues going up Nauchets before lunch, unheard of (outside of Feb hols). I assume weekenders filled Perrières up.
If that can reassure you the main parking in Les Carroz (in nearby Grand Massif) was full by 9.30am that day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Saturday transfers quiet days myth dissolved this Saturday as well.
We skied to Chatel and then Morgins, pistes were rather crowded but what surprised me the most was the big queue at the double button lift before Morgins.
CH sector was quieter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@drporat, we were over that way yesterday and were surprised to see a queue on that drag (Chalet Neuf) - can’t ever remember seeing one there at all!
I’m not sure that PdS (especially Les Gets) ever experiences a really quiet Saturday, as it’s so popular with weekenders from Geneva and surrounds - there always seems to be a big queue at the ticket office on a Saturday morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@andy from embsay, makes sense.
It's rather close and what's not to like?
From my point of view, Avoriaz is more suited for a trip with the OH/small kids, just like Les Arcs 1950.
Morzine close to the gondola and minibus transfers seems to be better located for the fun parts
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @drporat, we were over that way yesterday and were surprised to see a queue on that drag (Chalet Neuf) - can’t ever remember seeing one there at all! |
Often a queue in the busier weeks, especially if they are only running one drag
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Quite grim high up today - a couple of early laps on Grandes Combes. May have got first tracks down a very pleasant Combe de Machon then headed up Choucas (very briefly!) before heading to Lindarets for some trees. Early finish as we’re off home tonight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Visibility at the top of chamossiere was poor first thing this morning but Arbis made up for it with a couple of inches of fresh on top of the groomed piste. Visibility closed in at the top of Ranfolly with heavy snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
It was a good day above Les Gets all the way to Point de l'Aigle and Chamoissiere, with good visibility in spite of the thick snow.
We returned to Avoriaz around 16 to encounter a thick whiteout. That thick that we skied by Folie Douce without being able to see how many were outside.
Not necessarily a bad thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| DJL wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @drporat, we were over that way yesterday and were surprised to see a queue on that drag (Chalet Neuf) - can’t ever remember seeing one there at all! |
Often a queue in the busier weeks, especially if they are only running one drag |
The Chermeau has been closed quite a bit this season (even when the light on the big boards show it as green), which means everyone needs to take that double drag to get back up out of C-N.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
@drporat, we were over that way yesterday and were surprised to see a queue on that drag (Chalet Neuf) - can’t ever remember seeing one there at all!
I’m not sure that PdS (especially Les Gets) ever experiences a really quiet Saturday, as it’s so popular with weekenders from Geneva and surrounds - there always seems to be a big queue at the ticket office on a Saturday morning. |
I was told Swiss side can be quieter on a Saturday as the Swiss use that day to do their shopping and ski on Sunday when the shops are closed. Chatel can be heaving on a Saturday but quality of skiing and queuing are very good
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Ozboy, that’s exactly what we found the other day - the only queues were CN drags and Proclou. Swiss side no waits at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@andy from embsay, CN is a pitch point as everyone coming from Petit Chatel and La Chapelle, heading to Siper Chatel and beyond, have no option but to take these lifts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I don’t really know much of that area @Ozboy, other than when passing through on the circuit. So can you somehow contour across from the top of the CN drags to get over the ridge to Super Chatel? From the piste map there’s a t-bar (Charmeau?) that takes you up and over too?
Can you get back over to Super Chatel from the top of the new Conche chair?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
I don’t really know much of that area @Ozboy, other than when passing through on the circuit. So can you somehow contour across from the top of the CN drags to get over the ridge to Super Chatel? From the piste map there’s a t-bar (Charmeau?) that takes you up and over too?
Can you get back over to Super Chatel from the top of the new Conche chair? |
Charmeau is only opened during holidays and that is the quick way back to SC instead of taking CN and veering left on the way down. Conche does indeed lead to Super Châtel from the plateau where there are some runs back to CN. There are some challenging runs off Morclan that also lead to the top of Conche and worth doing in good snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Hi Guys, what are people making of the rain to snow transition in Avoriaz 1800 tomorrow/Thursday?
There seems to be quite a spread in forecasts when this will happen, Meteoblue suggesting sometime around midnight-3am Thursday.
Can anyone more experienced speak on this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Copied from weather thread:
Below is the very specific forecast for the next 48hrs for the Haute Tarentaise . Looks quite a rollercoaster.
Eh oh! ️ Eh oh! Eh oh! Eh oh! SPECIAL BULLETIN: EPISODE THREE DISTURBING TO COME !
Eh oh! As mentioned several days ago, a new disturbed sequence will be in place for two days until Thursday evening.
This sequence will bring rain to high altitude tomorrow, large water accumulation again in the valley and Thursday, occasional heavy snowfall in station...
Eh oh! DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE PERIOD:
The first precipitation arrives next night from 00h/01h.
This first salvo should be with us until late tomorrow morning before a temporary calm in the precipitation level.
It will snow at the beginning of disturbance at 1500/1600m but very quickly at dawn, the LPN will fly to 2000/2100m depending on sectors, then up to 2200m during the morning, locally up to 2300//2400m under the latest rainfall on the sectors most exposed to the redoux.
We expect in the valley a cumulus of the order of 15/20mm locally 25mm on the most affected sectors.
The snow layer at 1800/2000m before the snow reaches 10/15cm before the rain.
We expect 20cm of heavy snow above 2500m, locally 25cm.
Eh oh! Calming down is expected between the end of the morning tomorrow, and the new salve scheduled tomorrow from 17h/18h.
A few showers possible however during the calm period, rather localized in the mountains, LPN around 2200/2300m altitude.
Then a new salve arrives then late afternoon, and should last this time here until the next day, until late Thursday evening.
Intensities will vary by time of day, with the strongest likely to be between sunrise Thursday and mid-afternoon.
We expect in the valley a cumulus of the order of 35/45mm locally 50/55mm on the most concerned sectors.
It will snow tomorrow at the start of the second disturbed sequence at 1900m then the LPN descends during the evening to 1800m then 1700m in the first part of the night.
In the second part of the night the limit of rain and snow is about 1500/1600m altitude.
At sunrise, despite some doubts still on the LPN is about 1500m, locally 1400m.
Then the LPN caps around 1400/1500m until afternoon before the LPN goes back down under the latest rainfall to 1100/1200m.
Some flakes are not excluded up to 700/800m altitude but in very low quantities.
Above 2000m snow accumulations will be in the order of 40-50cm, at 1800m, we expect 35-40cm locally.
20/30cm expected above 1500/1600m.
10cm above 1300m, suns could whiten up to 1000m Thursday night, locally 800/900m.
Over the whole episode, a cumulus of 80 to 100cm is expected above 2800/3000m altitude!
Regarding the wind, it will remain fairly weak in the valley, despite some gusts to 35/45km/h over the episode and at altitude, the wind will force from next night with gusts over the entire episode at 60/65km/h above 1800/2000m and gusts up to 80/90km/h above 2500/3000m altitude.
Eh oh! Thanks for reading, we'll see you Thursday evening for the next bulletin for your Friday day!
Have a nice evening, everyone!
Roman VIVIANI by Météo Tarentaise
Our partner R’les Arcs la radio station
( www.laradiostation.fr )
⬇️Map from the ARPEGE model showing the cumulus in mm expected in the valley (careful not to take at the foot of the letter) (Meteociel)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Astontech - so the answer to your question about when will the rain tirn to snow in Avoriaz is “some time Wednesday evening” - in any case it seems to be likely there’ll be fresh snow at resort level by Thursday teatime, even if Wednesday is going to be pretty unpleasant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@andy from embsay, how’s the forecast looking lower down (to LG town)?
I’ve seen very mixed and very contradictory reports. Will be out there 2 weeks tomorrow
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @Astontech - so the answer to your question about when will the rain tirn to snow in Avoriaz is “some time Wednesday evening” - in any case it seems to be likely there’ll be fresh snow at resort level by Thursday teatime, even if Wednesday is going to be pretty unpleasant. |
So it looks like Thursday could be all snow?
I can’t quite work out still given the variance across websites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Timmycb5, not a lot of snow forecast from what I can see - maybe some sleety stuff. But 2 weeks away there could be a massive change. The snow and low temps last week was absolutely transformative.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Astontech wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @Astontech - so the answer to your question about when will the rain tirn to snow in Avoriaz is “some time Wednesday evening” - in any case it seems to be likely there’ll be fresh snow at resort level by Thursday teatime, even if Wednesday is going to be pretty unpleasant. |
So it looks like Thursday could be all snow?
I can’t quite work out still given the variance across websites. |
It could be, it couldn’t… that’s the problem with weather models - they’re models and a slight variation in assumption can make the snowline shift by 200m, which could make all the difference. And that doesn’t take account of different aspects of the mountain. Meteoblue’s multi model page shows you the various options in one place. That suggests a more sleety day than snowy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
It’s very unsettled and it will be a cycle of rain to mid mountain and blizzard up the top. Freeze line can sometimes be a few 100 meters lower in PDS. In any case it’s a day for a long lunch in soggy thermals. A ski race cape or Guy Cotton fisherman’s jacket are essential pieces of kit for PDS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| Astontech wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @Astontech - so the answer to your question about when will the rain tirn to snow in Avoriaz is “some time Wednesday evening” - in any case it seems to be likely there’ll be fresh snow at resort level by Thursday teatime, even if Wednesday is going to be pretty unpleasant. |
So it looks like Thursday could be all snow?
I can’t quite work out still given the variance across websites. |
It could be, it couldn’t… that’s the problem with weather models - they’re models and a slight variation in assumption can make the snowline shift by 200m, which could make all the difference. And that doesn’t take account of different aspects of the mountain. Meteoblue’s multi model page shows you the various options in one place. That suggests a more sleety day than snowy. |
Thanks for the link!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Ozboy wrote: |
| It’s very unsettled and it will be a cycle of rain to mid mountain and blizzard up the top. Freeze line can sometimes be a few 100 meters lower in PDS. In any case it’s a day for a long lunch in soggy thermals. A ski race cape or Guy Cotton fisherman’s jacket are essential pieces of kit for PDS. |
Freeze line is often lower in PDS - why is this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@Astontech, Cooling of air by Lac Leman for storms approaching from the north.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ozboy wrote: |
| @Astontech, Cooling of air by Lac Leman for storms approaching from the north. |
Ah so that could be advantageous also, thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ozboy wrote: |
| @Astontech, Cooling of air by Lac Leman for storms approaching from the north. |
Lac Léman in winter is warmer than the surrounding land.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Astontech wrote: |
| Ozboy wrote: |
| It’s very unsettled and it will be a cycle of rain to mid mountain and blizzard up the top. Freeze line can sometimes be a few 100 meters lower in PDS. In any case it’s a day for a long lunch in soggy thermals. A ski race cape or Guy Cotton fisherman’s jacket are essential pieces of kit for PDS. |
Freeze line is often lower in PDS - why is this? |
I have never really noticed that. It often precipitates more in the PDS than other areas because the Chablais is the first set of mountains (ignoring the Jura) that a weather front will encounter on its passage south eastwards.
For info it’s hosing it down this morning and 4C in Morzine town. It’s going to be a grim couple of days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Astontech, The Haute Tarentaise isn't terribly relevant to the PdS ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
