 Poster: A snowHead
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Yes a bit of a leap in many ways!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| PeakyB wrote: |
@Steve Angus,
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The one at base Tufs has been there at least 3/4 years now I'd say. You may not notice it...
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3 years ago I stayed in the Vanoise hotel. Bedroom window overlooked Tufs base station, about 25m away. Still never noticed polytunnel and me a trained observer! Those tunnels are great for beginners and strawberries.  |
Cant believe you didnt see it.
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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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| PeakyB wrote: |
@snowornever, very handy. I could see morning lift queue from window and time my departure.
The tunnel’s for the Piou Pious then. Ahhhhh... |
No this one that snowornever is talking about is on the main pistes side of those buildings that the kiddies use.... so its not this one but a new one that went in a few years ago for all and sundry to use!!!! Within 50m max of the base of Tufs lift as I say!!!!
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| PeakyB wrote: |
It’s no preparation for this one  |
No certainly not - not many Strawberries can be grown in their either!
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Steve Angus,
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Cant believe you didnt see it.
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I got mixed up with trips. Actually end of April 2016 I last stayed in Vanoise. May pre-date Tufs tunnel.
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Ahhhhh...
No this one that snowornever is talking about is on the main pistes side of those buildings that the kiddies use.... so its not this one
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Yes, I realised, it was just a random pic of Piou Pious for cute effect. Always amuses me seeing tiny ones tottering in line, holding rope to keep them together.
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not many Strawberries can be grown in their either!
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Must be mushrooms, always smells of manure in Tunnel to La Fornet 
Cricket...England win and good to see younger players star in second innings...the two Doms.
Good luck with hectic schedule tomorrow and thanks
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@Steve Angus, That picture is really not helping
I knew that 12 people from the road service team that look after snow clearance and rubbish collection had to isolate last week but didn’t know it was now affecting more of the town.
I think a lot of people presume that because Val d’Isere is in the mountains that it’s isolated to a certain extent from Covid but this shows you are still facing the challenges that we are back in the UK.
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| muppet wrote: |
@Steve Angus
I think a lot of people presume that because Val d’Isere is in the mountains that it’s isolated to a certain extent from Covid but this shows you are still facing the challenges that we are back in the UK. |
Not quite. They've got 1-less challenge over there.
They can go ski touring for their exercise .
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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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PeakyB - ah that makes sense! Yea it was 2017 or thereabouts I think! Ah OK twas a random pic - didnt guess that actually! And yes the cricket win - how could I forget!
muppet - Sorry! Yes more of the town is becoming affected. They have just cancelled the canteen for next week too. There are confirmed cases all over the place at the moment and Radio Val and the talk of the town is that things are getting bad again locally! Doh! Macron will now speak in a few days time to announce the next step and a strict lockdown and longer school hols are under consideration... I think if they stop tourists at all coming from outside the local area then that may help - hmmm we shall see!
Bergmeister - indeed! Sorry!
Storm and a half
Well I had a very hectic schedule yesterday at Apex but all went off OK in the end. Twas a long day!
Meanwhile today has been pretty relaxed really. The kids slept well so it was a nice relaxed morning... Clare headed out to teach her little ones English this morning so the kids and I enjoyed time at home before a family lunch! The much promised storm of the century hadn't arrived last night and it was not too bad for much of the day but little by little the storm has been rolling in and I suppose in the last 24 hours we have now had about 30cm but they think we could get as much as 2m of snow in the next couple of days - hmmm could be an interesting!
The kids enjoyed playing in the snow for a couple of hours before hot chocs all around and then our neighbour came around with her two kids (one of which is also Bens best friend!) for a little play. Meanwhile the storm has intensified outside!
Tomorrow is a big day... Clare and I (after getting the kids off on the school bus) need to get off to Chambery (roads could be interesting getting there and back!) to sort out our french residency cards by getting our fingerprints etc taken... on the way we need to stop and get passport photos in Bourg. Having done all that I need to get back to drop Clare off before heading to Tignes to teach there for a couple of hours - could be an interesting day!
Wish me luck.
TTFN
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@Steve Angus,
Quelle journée. Bonne chance!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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If you are listening for the detonation and pressing the shutter, you are probably a good three seconds behind the actual detonation.
Eyeballing for the slide will get you closer.
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@chocksaway, avalanche risk 5! Quite rare isn’t it?
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You know it makes sense.
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PeakyB - Thanks and yes it is extremely rare - can count on one hand how many times Ive seen it happen here!
chocksaway - Was horrendous - more on that in a moment
Well folks what a day it was..... 30cm of fresh snow overnight - an early start (the snowploughs outside didnt help at 6am) and the walk up to get the car out. I was petrified that the road to the parking itself would not have been cleared by the ploughs but luckily they were!
The drive to Chambery was OK on the snowy bit to Bourg - it had snowed all the way to the valley floor. After we got down the snow turned into rain and basically it was a monsoon! Alas we got to Chambery in OK time and found the place and we in and out in about 20 mins so all good! Next stop will be the cards being posted to us - yay!
The drive back was equally easy but the road got slippy about St Foye where the slush line was but after that the blanket of snow meant for OK driving. One of the good things about the Covid situation is that 99% of people on the road are locals and know how to drive in snow and / or have 4x4's with snow tyres. The road into Val was pretty horrendous to be honest... there was a small slide across the road into Brev apparently earlier in the day and just before I came through there was a small slide onto the road into Val between the last tunnel and La Daille... it was a little off roading for about 2 mins over the debris! Anyway no sooner had I dropped Clare off than I turned around to get over to Tignes. The road up to there was no better and in fact the little tunnel half way up that is normally just one way was today 2 way as there was so much snow on the road side (if that makes sense) - a slide covered the road there.
So after getting to Tignes the news came through that a large slide had come down on the avalanche path down to the Chemin des Coves.... a French family of 4 who were walking on the closed path got buried. Anyway it was all hands on deck as of course non of them had transceivers etc. So everyone who was in the vicinity who was able came to help and there was about 150 locals helping out down probe lining! 3 of the family got out quickly as were only partly buried but the husband / dad was under for well over 2 hours. All the line searches and everything was turning up nothing and finally the PGHM used new tech to track his mobile phone signal! Anyway the guy was pulled out standing up right having sheltered behind a tree but was still swamped! His heart beat rate was well down in the 30's and his o2 level was down to 12% or something. He was also frozen having been cocooned for 2 hours! He is VERY lucky and what a team effort to get him out alive! If you look on Facebook and do various searches there are videos (see Henry Avalanche as he put a good vid on his website today as he was one of the searchers!) and pics etc! Quite incredible. Talking to a couple friends who were involved they were shattered by it all but thank god they are going home as a family of 4!!!!
Meanwhile teaching at Apex was OK (I have to be honest i was a little tired so not my best but hey ho) but there was a false fire alarm at one point that really stuffed the flow of one of the lessons! Also when I heard the road out was closing at 1800 I made a run for it about 10 mins early too! But hey ho I got home OK. So this evening all the roads around town for cars and pedestrians are closed and the road to Bourg and to Tignes are all closed. Tomorrow they will hopefully be able to clear the road somewhat BUT there is a LOT more snow forecast! Doh!
Here in Val the school is going to be closed tomorrow because of the snow so that will be a day of home schooling and then the Club des Sports this weekend has been cancelled too.... there is going to be a lot of time at home the next few days and that is aside from what Macron may announce in terms of a national lockdown again! I may be able to get over to teach at Apex tomorrow possibility otherwise I will be delivering those lessons online too!
Well folks I think thats all for now.
TTFN
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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 seen some of the avalanche reports. Monumental effort, and a life saved, a whole family in fact. Good work indeed by all concerned.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Steve Angus, Glad your traveling worked out in the end as it was probably the worst few days of the season to pick for the journey.
That family were so lucky, and stupid after all the alerts posted on lots of various media.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Steve Angus, lucky family indeed. Chapeau! to the professional and volunteer rescuers. Impressive turnout in those conditions.
Good to learn your journey went OK and expect the fizz is on ice for when the residency cards arrive.
I was in Tignes one week way back (maybe 1999?...late Jan) when the area was pretty much in lockdown from avi risk. Bit scary just walking around the village.
Be safe.
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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.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| PeakyB wrote: |
@Steve Angus, lucky family indeed. Chapeau! to the professional and volunteer rescuers. Impressive turnout in those conditions.
Good to learn your journey went OK and expect the fizz is on ice for when the residency cards arrive.
I was in Tignes one week way back (maybe 1999?...late Jan) when the area was pretty much in lockdown from avi risk. Bit scary just walking around the village.
Be safe. |
I saw some pics on another thread - scary stuff, but to be under for 2 hours he is a luck fellow. My Tignes app has been pinging for the last few days re avalanche risk of 5/5 and to not head out either walking or skiing.
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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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@Steve Angus, Love reading your posts... almost like being there! Reminds me of my seasons in the Alps - 3 were in Val Thorens, the others travelling around various resorts. Often thought about living there all year round - had jobs / work etc lined up, but never quite made it, mainly due to family / personal circumstances... and the dog I had at the time! (it was pre-1992). Your kids are very lucky - they will be bi-lingual and great skiers  What a combination!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Steve Angus,
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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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Glad they made the decision to suspend the traffic convoy.
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Gosh..! Great photos, tho... Love all the colours in the snow, despite the sad circumstances...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Steve Angus,
It was great news that the chap survived being buried for more than 2 hours. Wasn't he aware of the fact that he was walking in an avalanche chute?
When they used the Wolfhound device to track his mobile phone did everyone else searching for him have to switch their mobile phones off?
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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 am reluctant to say great photos of the rescue effort but I hope folk will understand my meaning.
The magnitude of the response brings tears to my eyes a truly magnificent effort.
It is a sobering thought looking at the pictures that this is the "real event" not a training session, there is a person under here who is going to die if we don't find him.
The mood of the gang when he was pulled out alive must have been very special indeed.
I am beginning to think that snow showers are more vulnerable to avvy danger than regular skiers.
The stats from Henry might be interesting regarding how few snow shoers attend his courses.
However celebrate a super result.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| rob@rar - indeed. How are you - hope all ok with you! |
All good thanks mate. Missing being in the Tarentaise. Counting the days until this nightmare is over.
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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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Indeed @rob@rar
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Poster: A snowHead
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P.S. (to everyone this is) check out Radio Val as they have some amazing photos on there from the last couple of days!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Fortunately you've still got the col double poma to get up to the glacier. It looks like it is the gondola signal line or power cable (?) that is broken which would be easier to fix. The haul line looks as though it's just been derailed perhaps by the shock of the avalanche on a pylon. That may be what twanged the thinner signal line causing it to break. No doubt they'll need to check the integrity and alignment of the pylons but may be lucky. It may well have happened before, perhaps one reason they have kept the pomas?
Hope you will get a chance to use some of this snow Steve.
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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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Peter S - good info there thanks! Well lets see if they get it fixed sometime before next Winter!!!!!! Now home schooling has come in I am not sure ill be putting my ski boots back on again anytime soon!
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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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@Peter S,
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you've still got the col double poma to get up to the glacier
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Are those still T Bars?
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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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@PeakyB, button lifts. Installed 1972/3. Don't think they've ever been T-bars, unless anyone knows better?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@moosepig, I’m thinking of Pissalais glacier above La Fornet. Though it was T Bars for the final pull to the top but maybe getting mixed up with somewhere else.
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its the Gondola
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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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@moosepig,
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@PeakyB, ah I see where the confusion arises... the Col drags, along with the Vallon gondola, allow access from the Fornet sector to the Pissaillas glacier ski area, as opposed to the Montets t-bar which does indeed provide the last few hundred metres drag to the very top.
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So we were all correct
I caught the Col drags (button lifts) on the coldest day of the last PSB. The gondola was closed due to high winds. I was glad I had 6 layers on.
Last time I caught the T Bar to the very top I fell off. Not through incompetence, but laughing at a slalom racer who, on missing a gate, shouted 'F!*k' so loudly that the sound probably carried to La Daille.
I quite like the T Bars. One of the last remaining nods in EK to the golden era of skiing.
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[quote="PeakyB"]@moosepig,
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I quite like the T Bars. One of the last remaining nods in EK to the golden era of skiing. |
Not so sure that the nostalgia for "golden era" applies to my experience, last time I used them I was joined by a very small lady whose first comment to me as she grabbed the bar in a death grip was " I always fall off these"!
And she was correct, luckily I was able to ski over the wreckage and stay upright!
On the other hand, many years ago I was on the old t bars that used to be above double m (ISTC), with a friend, my wife was on the t bar a few places ahead with a very large rugby player type ( not someone we knew), when the cable to their t bar snapped!
We nearly fell off ours with laughter, I never knew my wife could ski so well backwards!!!!!!
( In the doghouse for a day after that!) 
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FAQ
Henry's blog calls the Chemin Des Côves "the Avalanche Path" - is that a translation or a local nickname?