Really interesting reports as Mr Mogulski and I arrive next Saturday. We had a day in Serre Che in 2005 when in Sauze and a week with a school trip in the 1990s. Will be interesting to see how the area has changed. Any news on getting the avalanched lift running by next weekend?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@mogulski, I saw that they had already put the new hut in by the lift and all the snow was cleared, but today it was closed.
I also saw groups of people walking up from Monetier Eychauda lift to ski Vallons though the lift later closed, so they'd have to get bus back.
Also this was the reason the Lautaret was closed on Sat after the strong winds
Should add that we're interviewing the Chief of Piste Security on Tuesday maybe he might know when it will open
If you have any questions that you're curious about let me know.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 15-12-19 17:58; edited 4 times in total
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?
@mogulski, I've heard it will be ready sometime this week.
Thanks for that. Looking forward to skiing there again. We are usually in Meribel for Christmas but got a good deal with Skibound for Serre Che. Then going to Andorra in January as we discovered that over 65s get a free ski pass, then Birthday Bash in February. Rest of the season not sorted yet....
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Happy Christmas maybe
Conditions pretty uninspiring here this week until Friday, grey overcast sky with temps around +5 which will consolidate the snow-pack, which is probably a good thing prior to the holidays.
Some pretty scary photos of a big slide on the Clot Gauthier on Saturday, though that area did have some poles above it marking it out as a steep drop/rocks but someone took a line under it as there is so much snow there.
Suppose I should come clean about the conditions this week, pretty dire to say the least
In fact, just had a WhatsApp from a good friend who does not really ski who is out here.
Well what’s going on with the frigging weather? Even I know this isn’t ideal.
This morning is worse because we have rain in the valley so that makes it grimmer.
Friends piste skiing have just reported snow is a bit soft.
There's still plenty of the white stuff around so don't panic and hopefully more on the way for this Friday and over Xmas though temps will dictate whether it falls as snow in the valley.
XC tracks now all up and running, both classic and skating.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Good news is that the Cucumell chairlift is back up and running.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I'm hoping to travel from Calais to Briancon by car at the weekend. Previously, I have used the Col du Lautaret, but I have seen the post above saying it was closed due to the volume of snow. Any advice? I've got winter tyres and snow chains.
I have found this link. Is this the best info on whether the col is open?
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.
The col should be open; but the forecasted strong winds may cause drifts across the road and the freezing level is dropping. Depends on what you're driving, tyres etc.
Usual alternative. Turn off the D1091 at Vizille and follow the N85 to Gap and then up the valley to Briancon. Highest point is Col Bayard,just over 1240m so much less affected by snow. The big information board as you drive towards Vizille will tell you the state of play
Also a lot of snow forecast this weekend, so maybe take a look at coming via the Frejus tunnel, faster than going via Gap.......
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Defo go via Frejus as the Gap route could be a massive ball ache with the holiday traffic, that said you'll end up with traffic from Chambery up the Maurienne but will probably be rain there.
And just goes to show how people have different perceptions of their day etc bumped into some teachers who were having a quick pint or two or three at 18:30 in the Chaz and they were firing on all cylinders after such a great day's skiing and fresh snow!!!
Forecast looking bonkers - below is for 2,000m so look at the FL
And as @KenX, and I heard from the top honcho of Serre Che Piste & Security this week, there is not a definitive answer to what happened with regards to the Cucumelle chair avalanche
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.
We are driving from Troyes to Monetier on Saturday... and our sons are flying into Grenoble and getting the "Bens Bus" leaving 12:30
Looks like the earlier we can get in the better!
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
Too late now to pre-buy for Saturday, but I'm hoping we will be able to use the Col du Lauteret.
There is avalanche control work scheduled for Saturday morning - depending on the conditions of course - the road may be closed for some time but I assume the closures will be early in the day. They don't always go to plan mind. I'll post more info if I get it.
@davidof, had a friend who spent a lot of time in Les Gets / Morzine and the above image is pretty well how he described it, with the words feck used a lot and rain
Maybe a month or two of snow Jan/Feb then it all starts disappearing March onwards, I really can't understand why people go there
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Rain turned to wet heavy snow in the valley though was a very wet ski up on the hill.
Cam (link below) showing how it's snowing at the moment.
Went up the hill to see a mate who used to be behind the bar at Halte de Pré Chabert (bottom of Monetier) and now is at their new resto La Cabane top of Aravet lift the one that's a bit more of a hike, which used to be the old Bercauill or something.
That was a 10 year old video, but they were still clearing snow from the gallery on Wednesday......
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Weathercam, Any idea what altitude the isotherm was hanging around at? Considering La Grave tomorrow.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Planned reopening on early Saturday afternoon if they can do the avalanche control work.
Fermeture Col du Lautaret
Déviation par la N85
En raison des mauvaises conditions météorologiques, le col du Lautaret situé dans les Hautes-Alpes est fermé à la circulation dans les deux sens entre Vilar d’Arène et Pont de l’Alpe pour une durée indéterminée.
Déviation par N85
Une déviation est mise en place entre Grenoble et Briançon par la RN85 via la Mure et Gap.
- Sens Grenoble vers Briançon : déviation depuis Vizille par la RN85 via La Mure, le col Bayard puis la RN94 en direction de Briançon.
- Sens Briançon vers Grenoble : déviation depuis Briançon par Gap et la RN85 via le Col Bayard et La Mure jusqu’à Vizille (descente de Laffrey).
Restrictions de circulation au Col Bayard : interdiction des PL supérieurs à 26 tonnes non munis d’un dispositif ralentisseur homologué indépendant des freins de secours et des freins de service, interdiction valable depuis la limte des Hautes-Alpes jusqu’à Gap.
Restrictions de circulation dans la Rampe de Laffrey : interdiction pour les PL de PTAC supérieur à 7,5T et aux autocars non autorisés qui devront emprunter depuis La Mure la RD529 via St Georges de Commiers.
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.
Bit rubbish weather-wise here this morning............
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Oooh. Horrid. Not much point coming out.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Col reopened at 14:45 in the end but we’d already made the call to go to the Frejus tunnel. Roads were busy but moving all the way. Lots of snow at side of road all way up to Montgenevre and down to Briançon but no issues.
Looking forward to getting up on the mountain tomorrow. It’s snowing right now.
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.
Another 25cm of light-medium pow overnight, tree-skiing with @Irbis and @Maverick in constant snowfall this time, weather cleared around 13:00 or so, same as yesterday:
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
More to come tonight hopefully, so rince, lather, repeat............
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Looks like it's very windy there today!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
KenX wrote:
Another 25cm of light-medium pow overnight, tree-skiing with @Irbis and @Maverick in constant snowfall this time, weather cleared around 13:00 or so, same as yesterday:
Looks sweet
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@BobinCH, it was! Same again today too, without the sunshine
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Col du Lautaret closed (again!) until this afternoon, strong winds, drifting snow.......
Happening a lot this season due to budget cuts for clearing snow overnight, now they're closing it during the day while they clear it................
The Col is very windy at times and that gallery along with certain points of the road are very prone to drifting!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Another 20cm given to us yesterday and the Chantemerle trees were in fine form!
Today being the first day of the mad New Year's rush, Weathercam, Irbis and I opted for a sneaky 800m skin up the Vallon du Fontenil between Monetier and the Lautaret, the snow seemed pretty awful on the way up tbh, crusty and not enticing, however the descent was pretty darn good
That was filmed with my Xmas pressy, Crosstour CT9500 on a backpack clip, easy to attach and turn on and off, but wonder if a helmet mount may be more stable re the horizon tilting?
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.
@KenX, looks sweet A helmet mount will definitely be more stable but more likely to be clonked by lift bars / trees
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
A helmet mount will definitely be more stable but more likely to be clonked by lift bars / trees