Hello everyone
I am new here at the forum. Arriving to the area in 2 weeks time. Will be staying at San Sicario Alto.
My concern is that the link between San Sicario and the rest of the ski area is still closed.
Is there any explanation to this?
As I can see from the maps two tracks are open in San Sicario area. And those two are bottom tracks next to the village. The upper part connecting to Fraiteve is still closed, which makes no sense to me to have tracks higher in the mountain closed when there should be a better snow situation?
And if that is closed staying in San Sicario is a serious mistake meaning that you need to drive 20 mins every morning to get any skiing at all.
Does anyone have a clue why this link is closed and are there any chances to put it to function any time soon?
Thanks for a reply
Cheers
Boris
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Hi Boris,
I can only assume its because like the rest of the VL, there are no cannons up high and they have only had 50 cm of fresh snow since the start of the season. It sounds like they have had to move/transport snow around to open the link from Sauze to sestriere to get it open finally -First time tomorrow! Why is the link not open in San Sicario?! I assume they have started with the bigger resort connections first so maybe they might work on San Sicario but I have a feeling it might be harder to do also.
As you say your best bet is to drive to Sauze or Sestriere- I guess not a disaster. Of course things can change in 2 weeks... I wouldnt consider anything more than 7 days in the forecast as reliable.
Maybe someone knows more though as I have just learnt from other comments.
Im out in just over a week and Im just hoping things stay as they are now with a dry weeks weather coming up I can try keep you posted if you wish!
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 15-01-16 21:11; edited 1 time in total
@Albotian, Don't quote me on this, but from what I've heard the lift companies are busting a gut at the mo to get as much open and linked together as possible. It is going to be very cold at least until the middle of next week so cannons will be working overtime.Still possible for more snow before you arrive. I'm sure you'll be fine.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I bet they are busy trying to get that open.
If they've got Sestriere open, then Sansicario is incremental work... I'd be hopeful
After all it is free
After all it is free
Tnx guys for the replies.
I sure would appreciate being updated. If you find out any other details please post.
It would be really great if they at least open a single connection to Fraiteve so that people can just get out and move around.
Cheers
Boris
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^ What @HeidiAmsterdam said and @Albotian, I'llkeep this thread updated from when I get there on Sunday.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@japes1275, Thanks for all the updates and I hope you had a great week out there. Ok not a huge ski area for you but from what it seems like great conditions on the pistes you had and pretty decent weather . Hopefully it stays the same or improves further for the rest of the season!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@stef88, I think you might be OK in VL - especially if they open the link to Sansicario... I don't that I'd be changing plans yet...
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.
@HeidiAmsterdam, Im not changing plans. Im stuck here on a package holiday . Im dreaming of the holiday after this already . As you say, links are slowly opening and temps are staying low for at least another week meaning there will be skiing in VL ! Not a huge area but the pass we have allows a day in Montgenevre too and I see they have a lot more snow/ open so we will head there for a day too.
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
@stef88, I know the area may not look to big, but there is more than meets the eye, you won't get bored in a week, for sure! if the Sansicario link opens, I *think* that is all that is need to ski to Montgenvre - but I may be missing something there...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@HeidiAmsterdam, even if the link is not open the tour operator we use says they will do a bus transfer, at a charge but I cant see it being more than 20 euros or something. The one advantage of using a tour company . The fact that montegenvre has managed to receive quite a bit of fresh snow is a big saviour for the VL as a whole I suspect. The reason we chose the VL was to make use of all the areas and it might just well be possible!
Im looking forward to it, the powder will have to wait for another trip
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Cheers Stef, happy to keep you informed! Back home now, didn't get time to post an update yesterday, it was such a fantastic ski day! It was very cold but sunny all day and some really nice snow.
Yes, all in all it was a great week, could have been better but it could easily have been a lot worse. Skied 5 days out of six (it was raining hard on Monday) and didn't really get bored. Got a bit frustrated with the lack of interest by VL in opening more runs though, at least two or three looked ready but were left un pisted. It also amazed me that some of the new runs they opened didn't get pisted overnight. I mean let's face it with only 10% of the resort open they must have had a bit of spare time on their hands!! It's new to me not having virtually the whole resort pisted overnight and I'm only talking other normal Italian resorts here, not swanky Swiss, Austrian or French ones.
I'm not even sure if the link to Sestriere is open today, I didn't check or hear anything. On Friday a shopkeeper gave me a wistful look and said 'perhaps, hopefully' when I said the link should be open tomorrow!
Anyway, will be interested to hear some reports from the next week or two to see how things are. Will I return to the ViaLatea? I'm pretty sure I will - I spent enough time looking longingly at the closed runs over the top from the bowl to not go back and ski them!!
Hope you all have a good time over the next few weeks.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
So looks like a dry, sunny and cold week in the VL this week. Hopefully a little top up of a massive 3 cm of snow today Best news for the VL is the warm spell next weekend looks to be holding off and it now could be staying relatively cold for the next 2 weeks (at least cold enough to carry on firing the cannons). Worst thing us folk going out over the next few weeks would be a warm spell melting away the small base that exists. I really hope the VL gets a big dump in February otherwise people skiing here over easter might aswell pack their hiking boots!
Also another few runs seem to have opened up throughout the VL. I heard they are trying to get the JOUV.-SPORTINIA lift in Sauze Doulx open soon also which will add a run or two more. Whether they do is a different matter
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I wouldn't be one that would really used the Jouv-Sportina run - all things being equal.
I'd be more interested to see the link open up to Sansicario, as I the skiing there is great fun... that would make me happy.
I have still have 5-6 weeks - so no time to panic yet.... Feb 26.
In the meantime, looking for a cheap, cheerful and cheeky get-a-away to snow...
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?
@HeidiAmsterdam, you seem to get a lot of weeks skiing, pretty envious Yep by the end of February it surely will have snowed again haha. No the lift to me is not that important but the addition of another run is always good - or is that piste not a very nice one?
Let me know what you choose for your cheep/cheerful trip , already trying to work out where I could do something similar for next year.
In the case of bussing it, if you've got a MW area pass but links are closed I'd expect to be able to claim for the cost of busses. More so in my case getting the pass as part of the Crystal package. I'm paying to ski the whole area so I shouldn't be paying extra for a bus, and if I can't ski it all I expect some kind of refund. Usually there's some refund available on lift passes for piste closure though not sure if links are closed. I also have my insurance but that's just piste closure so I assume I get no payout if technically there's a patch of snow that can be skiied on somewhere.
What actually happens is another matter.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@deadkenny, I was wondering if there is any claim for this. For the people staying in Sansicario they definitely stand a chance as the link is closed- if they booked with an operator though Im sure the operator will have a bus already running to neighbouring resorts free of charge.
I am staying in Sauze and currently the link from Sauze to Sestriere is open so I think a refund is unlikely - perhaps a small one on the fact that a pre-paid lift pass is currently more than what VL are charging on the day due to only half the pistes being open. We will be pushing for some money back - or at least a free bus to montgenevre for the day as a just deserved. Neilsons normally charge for this bus to Montgenevre as apparently its very hard to ski too due to bad lift connections so a free bus trip there would be a bonus. Tbh If its ~20 euros or so for the bus I would still pay it just because Montgenevre has a lot more open and it will be different slopes/scenery for a day.
With no snow forecast the next 2 weeks lets all hope they manage to keep that link open
Hi @HeidiAmsterdam, Replying here rather than in the weather thread. We're in the Splendid.
We enjoyed the Sansicario runs last year (we were in Mongenevre) hoped by staying in Sauze this time we would get more chance to ski them this time, so hoping they get that link open.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Sauze pistes in great condition considering, but start to get a bit scraped by mid afternoon. Popped over to Sestrierre for lunch. Skied everything there very quickly. Likely to spend the vast majority of our time on this side.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@sequoiaboard, Thanks for the update. Sounds good. Guessed it would be getting a bit churned up in the afternoons - starting to move into peak season and limited slope space. Ill be happy with that if it stay that way next week.
Few questions if you have any spare time , if not no problems I can wait until I see it for myself next week 1) Any more slopes looking like they might open in the areas you have skied? 2) You think the link will be in good enough condition to stay open for next week? 3) Are They still running cannons at day time as well as night or just night now?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
stef88 wrote:
@HeidiAmsterdam, you seem to get a lot of weeks skiing, pretty envious Yep by the end of February it surely will have snowed again haha. No the lift to me is not that important but the addition of another run is always good - or is that piste not a very nice one?
Let me know what you choose for your cheep/cheerful trip , already trying to work out where I could do something similar for next year.
I give professional trainings, and there are never trainings during school holidays - and I have kids... let's just say I've worked very hard to get to this point. On the down side, I have age working against me these days. I can't ski all day for 6-7 days straight anymore, so I have to make more ski trips to compensate!!!
And Sansicario, is not a piste, but it's own resort like Sestriere, but smaller, but I like the pistes over there a lot. I can spend the better part of the day there. Also, a couple of refugios that I'm rather fond of...
Cheap-Cheerful-Cheeky will either be a mid-week in Salzburgland or a couple of days at Lake Tahoe combined with a business trip to SFO - but not really looking forward to a 4 hour drive to Tahoe, after a 15 hour trip and jet lag....
@bruised - a friend of mine stayed in Splendid, you'll have a bit of a hike to the Clotes lift, which is a bottleneck in the mornings, but other than that, she said it was, well, splendid. I'm staying at Orso Bianco - so I hope there is snow, cuz if there isn't, I'll have to ski down to my car, and get back to get the last lift back up - which will be a pain... so obviously won't be doing that every day -
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 18-01-16 21:23; edited 1 time in total
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@HeidiAmsterdam, Nice-dream job, even if it does mean a lot of travel.
Yep I know Sansicario is a resort, and as you say very nice pistes which was part of the reason I wanted to come to VL. I meant the addition of the Jouvencaux lift, it it opens will add an additional piste or two! Every additional piste opening is a huge bonus for anyone skiing now or the near future - thats like 5% more skiing area open
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Any update on what the company is doing on Fraiteve? Stef88, have you climbed up there what so far? I am curious about that one in particular. If they opened the link from Sestriere to get up there sort of hoping that you could also go downhill to the other side? Meaning San Sicario.
Cheers
Boris
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.
Hi @Albotian, Im not out there until this sunday but @sequoiaboard, is out there now. The only other thing I can suggest is maybe try contacting your hotel/accommodation and see if they can ask whats going on - e.g. Are they even trying to open the link or they are just waiting for the next snowfall.
Unfortunately it looks like its staying dry for another week which is not helping your cause Must be one of the worst starts to the season in VL! Late January and the ski areas are still under half open!
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Mon 18-01-16 22:39; edited 1 time in total
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
Is there any way you could change your accommodation to Sauze or sestriere?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Not likely. I considered changing but it is a group of people traveling together and it would mean changing too many. I just can't really understand why they are not letting at least the lift to take you up to Fraiteve from San Sicario. Then you could use the resort with the skis on rather than be driving around. Now I can see that the temp is all fine, so there should be no excuse for not making snow to at least cover the links!!
The cabin lifts connecting Cesana with San Sicario and Claviere could also be used with skis off. It would help moving around too. Just can't figure out why they keep it shut.
Have seen bad seasons before but at least people would give their best to fix the damage.
This seems a bit flimsy to me!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Yep I agree. Temperatures have been on their side so they really should have (or should be) making an attempt to get it open. Most importantly for you, you want to know if they are at least trying so hopefully @Albotian, can answer that. If not I will next week - if it isnt open by then!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Tnx for the reply.
Do post the update once you see it yourself.
Hopefully they do "something"!
The forecast looks like it is gonna stay below zero most of the days. With that kind of weather they really should be able to put snow at least to tracks. It is not going to be a dream skiing trip with ice and snow covered Christmas trees around but at least you get decent minimum of skiing.
Looking forward to here some updates from you
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Out to claviere during half term week so following this thread with interest. Keep the updates coming 👍😀 fingers crossed for a little more snow! 4 weeks and counting.
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?
Saw some people moaning about the condition of the bowl - well obviously it wont be great without cannons on it and limited fresh snow.
I suspect they will try and get this final piste and lift operational for the weekend traffic, like they have done with other lifts this season - then hopefully it stays open!
Really to far out to be confident but latest GFS models puts a low down in the Mediterranean bringing snow to the Southern Alps end Jan/early February. Annoying I often get snow on my last day or the day I leave the resort and as yet it could happen again. This could be a saviour for people coming out early February so I hope it sticks around for you. I think this far out you could probably say about 20-40% chance of it coming true. Im going to be keeping a close eye on it as I hope it will arrive one day earlier giving me a powder day also!
@Albotian, Keep the hope up!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Thanks for keeping us up to date stef88. The platoon are heading out this weekend and I will provide more local intel next week
Sounds like the place is holding up pretty well. Only time will tell how the warmer temps will effect it! Hopefully a new piste/lift opening up this weekend too.
New GFS models also go back to a potential bit of snow later next week - not very likely, lets be honest but still hope!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Tnx for the update mate.
From your video it looks pretty decent. I reccon that is Souze part of VL?
Any news on Olimpica Alta and lifts 34,35 and 36 descending you from Fraiteve to San Sicario?
Cheers
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I can try keep you posted if you wish!
. Im dreaming of the holiday after this already 
Must be one of the worst starts to the season in VL! Late January and the ski areas are still under half open!
