Just my opinion but the drop in to Abricotine is quite an eye opener for a beginner skier. For a start, it gets pretty mogulled and I would certainly class it as red rather than Blue.
The run down that Ricklovesthepowder, mentions through the goat village is actually also quite steep in places, so you need to be aware of that.
If the kids are having lessons, then just ask the instructor what the kids are up to and they will let you know!
From memory, the Proclou run also has the great kiddy Stash area, which my kids LOVED when they were learning to ski, they had fun going through the trees as well...
Dont worry though, you'll be suprised how quick they can pick it up, My kids have been skiing 3 years now (maybe 4) and are 9 and 11. They ski everything in the PDS now from a piste perspective including the Coupe De Monde etc (havent tried the Swiss Wall yet) and are just making their first forays into off-piste. Love skiing with them now.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Thanks Markoncarp, They've both ski-ed before (a while ago) but have also been indoors several times this winter, so i'm hoping they'll progress reasonably swiftly. Lessons are afternoons, so i'll probably stick to the Zore/Proclou area on day 1 then take it from there. I'm also nervous about doing too much before lunch/lessons as i don't want to tire them out, as 3 hrs is quite a long lesson.
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?
Tire them out. your kidding me!
I started when I was 9 and would ski from first to last last lift. The only rest I got was leaning on a t bar as there were very few chairlifts in seefeld 30 years ago!
The run down that Ricklovesthepowder, mentions through the goat village is actually also quite steep in places, so you need to be aware of that.
You can avoid the steepest bit by going through the village, rather than around it.
You're right that it's a stiffer blue than the other runs described, even then. But it's generally nice and wide. Just stay off it at "home time" - when it becomes a bit of a nightmare!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
FlyingStantoni wrote:
You're right that it's a stiffer blue than the other runs described, even then. But it's generally nice and wide. Just stay off it at "home time" - when it becomes a bit of a nightmare!
You're right that it's a stiffer blue than the other runs described, even then. But it's generally nice and wide. Just stay off it at "home time" - when it becomes a bit of a nightmare!
Yes anytime after 3
They'll be off with their instructor at that time, so I'll hopefully be off seeking out some steeper stuff elsewhere!
Thanks for all your help everyone - and sorry to hijack a "conditions" thread - guess I should have been asking on the Resorts forum, but this seems to have a fair concentration of PdS experts - my first time there, having been something of a Chamonix-holic for a long time, but decided that Morzine would be a better place for the kids than Grands Montets!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Ricklovesthepowder, Its a popular misconception that the French/Swiss border is at the top of Mossettes, You actually cross the border on the chair on the way up.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Markoncarp, I'm trying to to establish "drop in" to Abricotine you mean that gets bumpy? Are you ctonfusing it with the red bumps run under the uop and over chair?
To my mind the crux is that left hand bend at the junction with the Mossettes face, that does get quite cut up and is usually full of self propelling debris.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
under a new name wrote:
Markoncarp, I'm trying to to establish "drop in" to Abricotine you mean that gets bumpy? Are you ctonfusing it with the red bumps run under the uop and over chair?
To my mind the crux is that left hand bend at the junction with the Mossettes face, that does get quite cut up and is usually full of self propelling debris.
Im with you, i dont get which bit is steep and bumpy. From the lift you stay at the top of that ridge before doing a right hand turn which goes a little steeper, but not much. The worst part of Abricotine is probably right at the bottom, the left then right "S" bend which can get chopped up.
Bergenbergen just checked and your right, never knew that! Seems a little odd that the border does not run along the ridgeline rather than half way down the piste!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
andy from embsay, All sound advice regarding Abricotine. As someone who started off young kids in the PDS quite a few years ago I would add a couple of things:
Don't underestimate how long the Abricotine run is. It starts at piste marker 75 if I remember correctly! Whilst a confident skier will cover long sections of it at 40kph (you need to schuss to avoid the poling) any nervousness on the downhills means poling the flats. The top bit is a narrowish road with drops (fenced where dangerous) It's absolutely no problem but is the sort of territoriy that can cause nervous kids a rough time.
The weather can be much different on the top and if it is cold and closes in that makes kids more nervous and they then ski even slower (or claim they can't "do it")
It is however a fine run (especially the red start) and a real thigh burner. The restaurant at Brocheaux (I prefer the Restauarant Abricotine but both a good) is one of our favourites and just before the turn f to Brocheaux (where theFrench Mossettes lift starts there are some good opportunities for bumps, tree dodging and little drop offs to the right of the piste which kids love (they are often better performers than Dad on their short skis as well)
Have a great time.
I take it that is Embsay N Yorkshire? I remember rock climbing in the quarry there in my youth. Nice part of the world just down the road from my Mum's
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
BergenBergen wrote:
Ricklovesthepowder, Its a popular misconception that the French/Swiss border is at the top of Mossettes, You actually cross the border on the chair on the way up.
That's right......so don't forget to get your passport out to show it to the customs official half way up.
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.
Whitters, it only gets bad if you are refused entry
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
I think there's a similar situation in Cervinia the top station of the big cable car (Plata Rosa maybe?) is in Switzerland and we were told by the rep, and this was mid 90s sometime, that on occasion there would be border guards and they would turn back an entire cable car, just to make a point once or twice a season. Not sure if it's true, but that was the spiel.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
DJL, Yep, Embsay just outside Skipton - I am actually from the correct side of the Pennines in Cumbria, but have been exiled over here for about 15 years now, so both children could qualify for Yorkshire (if they played cricket, that is - ballet more their thing). Apparently big Ron Fawcett started climbing in the quarry, so you're in good company.
Thanks for the tip on that run - as it's a while since they've been skiing it's difficult to know if they'll be of the nervous disposition, so I think the tip to poodle around Zore/Proclou then talk to their instructor is spot on.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Serious question.... Is there a point on any run, or top of a run, that there is a sign showing France in one direction and Switzerland in another? There is one at the join of Cervinia and Zermatt, and my daughter is hoping for a photo that she can upload to Facebook!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
jamescollings, i don't think I've ever seen one, but I've skied over that border so many times it may be just that I don't see it. There are various signs on the French side saying "retour Suisse" although that's not quite the same thing.
There is a French customs post just at the bottom of the French Mossettes lift - actually just a hut with a sign saying "Douanes" - I've never seen any sign of life in or near it. Nor have I ever seen any border police or anything like it, anywhere on the hill.
From memory there are four places in Europe where you can ski across a border, these are, 1. the PdS (France and Switzerland, although you can do it more than one place), 2. La Rosiere (France) and La Thuile (Italy), 3. Zermatt (Switzerland) and Cervinia (Italy), but I can't remember the other one ... anyone?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Ischgl to Samnaun?
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?
Somewhere in the Milky Way (Montgenevre/Claviere) between Italy & France?
Never noticed a sign on the Champery/Avoriaz borders, but haven't been on the Morgins/Chatel/Torgon borders for many years so maybe there?
As mentioned above though there are plenty of signposts with flags next to the resort name, so at least it gives a flavour of the international nature of the area.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 17-01-12 15:56; edited 1 time in total
paulio, looks like you're right although I wasn't aware of ever having heard of that one, so there may be others. If there are i'm sure we'll hear soon.
Someone needs to start a PdS gossip thread so we dont clutter up the weather!
Edit: Whitters, possibly although I don't know where the actual border is up there.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 17-01-12 15:56; edited 1 time in total
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anywhere in the Pyrenees you can do France/Spain/Andorra?
Top of Wrynose Pass - Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmoreland!
Agree about cluttering up the thread - my fault for asking questions. I shall desist forthwith.
Soz.l
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
now in Cumbria, with a LA postcode just for confusion
After all it is free
After all it is free
Ok "Unofficial Portes du Soleil not-the-weather Thread" now open in The Piste
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.
Wow pistes seriously flat, hard and fast today. Even Planachaux piste over in the sun all day on Swiss side was billiard table flat and no soft snow to talk of. Not ice but definitely firm snow as my beginners today found out when they had numerous splats! Forecast to change tomorrow, warm up with a flurry of snow and possible rain showers to 2000m on Thursday, reverting back to snow over the weekend. Anyone fancy a banked snowboard slalom on Saturday? My ski school are hosting a fun race down the natural gully next to Crosets Park. A short link here http://youtube.com/v/xPJEg03JOfw.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
All
Posting as I agreed that I would.
We arrived in Chatel on the Saturday and began snowboarding Sunday. Shed loads of snow everywhere, but as the chap above says, starting to get very hard and unless your edges are sharp, it can be hard work.
Spent an excellent time in the snow park in Avoriaz today. Unfortunately there were several reds that, especially without sun, were suffering with heavy crusty snow. The skiers in our group were okay, but the snowboarders found this afternoon tough going.
We cannot complain about the conditions; blue skies and excellent base, but it is getting hard.
On the positive, it's due to snow on Thursday evening and then through Friday so I am hoping our last day will be powder and a little easier on the bones and bruises!
James.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Incidentally, I am on the internet for the next ten minutes. If you have any questions then fire away!
(If you are an off-pister, avalanche threat is now low, but then the off piste, such as it is, is either tracked or crusty, with soft underneath. Very hard to board through).
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.
Hope there is some fresh snow before 29th then clear skies for week please
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
under a new name wrote:
Markoncarp, I'm trying to to establish "drop in" to Abricotine you mean that gets bumpy? Are you ctonfusing it with the red bumps run under the uop and over chair?
To my mind the crux is that left hand bend at the junction with the Mossettes face, that does get quite cut up and is usually full of self propelling debris.
For me, Abricotine starts a LONG way up (I think someone talks about marker 75?) The cut up and steep area I am talking about it accessed via a two or three man chair which is in Avoriaz just down from the Swiss Wall area. When you get out, from memory, you have a choice to go left or right dependent on whether you want to ski back down to Avoriaz or straight on (and down some reasonable bumps for a beginner) down to Abricotine.
Once you are past them, then its a lovely flowing run, flat in places, but on a clear day its a great one for letting the ski's run...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Markoncarp, That sounds like accessing Abricotine via the Cubore lift. The first bit is usually fairly mogulled and steep and would put the wind up many red run skiers
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Markoncarp, i don't think that is Abricotine, aren't you talking about the Cubore three man chair that goes up to the side of the Fornet bowl? It has a red run under it that is usually half pisted, half moguls. You can turn off Abricotine to take this chair, indeed it is another (quicker) way to get to Avoriaz avoiding the bottom flat bit of Abricotine, but I don't think of that run a forming part of Abricotine itself.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
sanman,
sanman wrote:
Ok "Unofficial Portes du Soleil not-the-weather Thread" now open in The Piste
Went up to Mont Chery today after work and it was just perfect! Deserted, sunny and the snow was beautiful. Mr NN was a particular fan of the Marmotte down the back - what a lovely sun trap
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Could be the start of the change in the weather - minus 0.5 this morning - yesterday it had been minus 7.5, previous day minus 13 at similar time.
sanman,
sanman wrote:
Ok "Unofficial Portes du Soleil not-the-weather Thread" now open in The Piste
Have you been paying attention ?
Sorry must try harder
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.
Watch out PDS, I'm coming to get you. Land tomorrow early evening, driving through the forecast snow storm, on the slopes Saturday and hit the long lunch action IMMEDIATELY.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
must try harder