 Poster: A snowHead
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Christopher, Currently Meteo is forecasting snow for Saturday... just in time for me arriving 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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jmdohanlon, look forward to seing you for a drink next week, there are quite a few people around in 1950 and 2000 during the week.
allanm, good idea, we can always meet in the altiport from 4.30pm for a drink as the last lift over is not until about 5pm.
Christopher, are you around all week and staying in 1600. If you fancy meeting up, like allan said, now that the lifts close later, the altiport is a good early meeting place.
Just a quick update, I am up at the X Games in Tignes right now. Anyone else at the games this week. Today it kicked off with slope and pipe. Some great moves and big wipe outs. The snowmobile demo was fun to watch waiting to see if they stacked it.
Must give it a go one day. If anyone else is in Les Arcs right now please do update this thread.
Gota go the party goes on!!!
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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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| snowcrazy wrote: |
allanm, good idea, we can always meet in the altiport from 4.30pm for a drink as the last lift over is not until about 5pm. |
Sounds good, if there are a few 'this' side of the hill, that want to go to Georges in the evening, I have [big] car so no doubt we could sort something out - would be good fun.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Today was the best day of the season, gloriously sunny, excellent powdery pistes, and lots of room, mostly, as the French school holidays finished last weekend.
It started off cold, it was -10C on my balcony at breakfast time, but as soon as the sun came out, matters improved. I was out early for me, at 9.30 am. I was zooming up from Plan Peisey, and I soon decided to make a bee line for the 2,000 bowl. When I arrived there, I decided to head for the Varet bubble, with the idea of taking some photos from the top of Aiguille Rouge. Big mistake! When I arrived at the cable car, there was a big queue stretching out of the building, and it was still nly 10.15 am! Some people were probably still eating their breakfasts, but I forgot that it was the last day for a lot of people.
So I turned sharp right away from the cable car (I hate queues...), and down Dou de l'homme, one of my favourite runs, and I was not disappointed! It was very quiet , I think I counted 2 other skiers on the way down, and the snow was perfect - a light powder on firm , but small moguls. I enjoyed it so much that I charged back up Varet to have another go in the area. This time, I traversed under the bubble and went above the Flying K area (when it is used at the end of the season!) and skied down a gully which used to be called"Robert Blanc". It was also in perfect condition, and I skied it non stop all the way down to 2,000 village - exhilarating stuff.
After this great star, I decide to head up Les Lanches chair , and down to Villaroger, but as I was going up on the chair, my mobile sounded, summoning me to meet the rest of my family, who had had a later start, in the 1800 bowl. So, back I charged underneath the chairlift, on a little used run which I admit I haven't skied for years, it's usually stony and icy. But I was pleasantly surprised, the moguls were quite big, but there was no ice or stones. I had to be careful I didn't fall, or else I think I could have slid all the way down to 2,000 village. But I managed it in one piece, and then back up Bois de L'Ours chair to the 1800 bowl.
I met my family at Transarc mid station and we then had an excellent lunch at the Aiguille Grive restaurant, near Charmettoger chair just above 1800.(to be recommended...)
The afternoon was very pleasant also, but in a different way, gently cruising with my family, back towards the Peisey sector, but I was persuaded to try the Boarder Park, which used to be called Apockalypse Park, and which I had never tried before. (maybe it was the old name which put me off!) I was very impressed! It really is much improved, with clearly defined runs for different levels of ability. I am not a "darksider", but I really enjoyed my visit, and my first attempt at one of the easier runs. I also took a few photos of the expert boarders tackling "Big Air".
Then back home to Peisey, and a well earned glass of wine, still in the sunshine! What a day! What a contrast with last week's cold windy weather!
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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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Jamie, Soz mate, no way was Friday the best day of the season (might have been best day of your season though (:>>>) ) if today was anything like it.....
Well it was still good fun. Snow was quite hard, especially morning, but for a couple of hours this afternoon softened nicely in places, especially where it was shade in the morning, sunny in the afternoon – that’s something to watch for from the lifts. Got here early today, but no way I was going to go up early, 'wandered' around Vallandry - I've only been away a few weeks - life stories!! Got up the hill about 11:30.
Well. if you like ‘bumps’ there’s plenty of them, not surprisingly, Comborciere giving a few people a big headache. Font Blanc, Mouet, Boir de L’Ours all big moguls, Claire Blanc, as well as big bumps, earth and rocks appearing. To the right of Claire Blanc, looking up was good fun, and nice snow later on. Deux Tetes, although bumpy, traversing around the back towards ‘M’ was nice snow. Although quite ‘compact’ it was very ‘grippy’ you could confidently go at a fair pace, really good fun, actually.
There isn’t much/any powder left, at least within the resort, only fresh track I got was a few yards under (left of) Clocheret lift where it goes into the trees.
‘M’ is still good fun, snow’s still good there, especially off the main track, as is the P€nis rock run, where I ‘missed’ a ledge and had an argument with a tree, I can now vouch for these ribcap hats, took a fair whack, both hat and head are fine.
Oh.. all in all, it is good fun, but we need snow!!!
Off topic a bit... Drove down after work yeterday, stayed in F1 'hotel' south of Lyon. it was fine, all I wanted for a couple of hours kip, but.. blimey, I'm sure prison cells are more comfortable, and certainly have more amenties, but TBF, it was cheap. BTW Drive a dawdle. cruise control point vehicle in right direction. There's just THAT bit when your 1/3 of the way there but not 1/2 (milestone) when it drags.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I won't be there until next week !! I'll try and bring some snow with me. Actually, I'll try and arrange for it to get there just before I arrive 
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snowcrazy, hoping to get a pass to arrive sat 20th will give you a shout if confirmed
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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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WiRED, long range forecast says major snow end of week after next as always
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WiRED, Couple of handfulls probably wouldn't go amiss.... (;>) ..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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snowcrazy I just love the way you are always so opimistic.
BTW, do you think the current large amount of surface frost we have (surface hoar) will make any differance when we do get some snow? If this gets buried underneath ' a fair dump' .. could be bad news, what do you think?
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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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allanm,
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If this gets buried underneath ' a fair dump' .. could be bad news, what do you think?
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wow what a question some many factors to take into account, I reserve my answer until we see what the temps, wind direction and what level of dumpage falls and hope that I am there on a blue sky day with a meter of fresh powder to give a proper answer
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Although we could do with snow, we did had a cracking time today - Cheers codger ++.
Mostly off piste or unpisted, although all within the resort. Big traverses both sides of the Grand Col found untracked, although not exactly powder, although there was a little, great fun though!
AR, down onto the glacier was good fun - AR bumps are fairly friendly, at the mo. Drosset was great.. just softening at lunchtime, bit like 'M' loads of different routes down.
Have bought one of these 'ribcap' hats, OK if you don't fall over and hit your head, but if you do (I was entertainments commitee today) it immediately comes off and wends it way, rather quickly down the hill, what a PITA! - took a big fall 100M plus on Grand Col, on a steep bit - lost one ski and was praying to god NOT to lose the other, but thats another story), fortunately, it [hat if you'd forgooton] was retrieved by codger , thanks, I owe you one for that - I will by some string.... or go back to wearing a helmet, whichever is cheaper.
But... I took a fall on Deux Tetes (too fast too confident) , and hat rolled on into Malgovert, right at the edge of what I though was a terain trap, and no-one else had been, no tracks. Stupidly (hat cost me £26!!) I went to retrieve my hat, he he, no problems and terrain trap not.. fresh tracks in powder!
Thanks also to codger for finding my shades, after yet another spectacular wipeout. I put the crashing today down to the fact I did my edges... razor blades they were, this morning.... nothing to do with... well anything else, of course!!
| livetoski wrote: |
allanm,
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If this gets buried underneath ' a fair dump' .. could be bad news, what do you think?
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wow what a question some many factors to take into account, I reserve my answer until we see what the temps, wind direction and what level of dumpage falls and hope that I am there on a blue sky day with a meter of fresh powder to give a proper answer |
Not sure what you mean by that, chatting with pisteurs, they agree, but there would have to be a fair dump on top of the 'persistant layer' of frost to be dangerous.. but if we did... interested on you view..
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You know it makes sense.
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allanm, OK what I was trying to say was that without all the correct information at the time of the next big snowfall then it is really difficult to predict what it would be like. The weather preceeding the next fall would have to be taken into account as well, surface hoar as you say is also affected by many variables and fluctuations in crystal formation and hoar varies across slopes gradients and convex and concave slopes.
What the pisteurs say could be correct, I would hate to predict without being there, thats why I said I would like to be there on a clear blue sky day after a big dump.
The ony good bit of advice which gets missed quite a bit is avalanche slope angles decrease in these conditions 25 degrees becomes a risk and going through the trees in clearings become something I worry about.
But hey less of the doom and gloom it will be great to see a good size dump so we can all get some face shots.
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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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livetoski, allanm, well guys arn't we getting all very professional tonight. Some real chat about conditions rather than the normal stuff. Right now my view is that the cold chill is slowly passing and as it is only warming up slowly there will be very little damage to the base as long as any new snow has a chance to bond without high winds. So in theory we could continue with great conditions, BUT this is all in theory. How it will turn out in the next few weeks who knows. The weather forecast changed again today. Now they say snow at the end of the week, maybe. The predictions of late have not been very good. If it gets warm to quick and the wind picks up we could have avalanches all over the place as the snow will not have time to bond and even the shallower areas are very hard packed right now so I agree, what are normally considered safe areas would need to be checked first. As they say, watch this space, only time will tell. But I agree it is going to be an interesting next few weeks.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| snowcrazy wrote: |
| livetoski, allanm, Some real chat about conditions rather than the normal stuff. |
Well, makes a change from 'Bluebird day','Off piste was fabulous... we found...', it also reflects the title of the thread.
Now that I spend most of my time off-piste, I'm actually interested in the 'snowpack', I think most snowheads would be of similar ilk, especially those who spend, say more than a month a year out here.
BTW, think the technical term is 'detune' but whatever, took a liitle off the edges off my skies, towards the tips, leaving the centre pretty sharp, no more big wipeouts, much to the disapointment of a few, Sorry guys (:>) , not 'entertainments' today.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ok, back to normality, no technical..
Run of he day was Mouet off the top of the Clocheret, don't really ski fast much more, but Mouet had ben pisted.. what a blast!!, and then down the gulley to the right of Comborcier - someone told me that is locally named 'death valley', nor sure on that, snow down there was pretty unpleasant in the shade, but lovely in the sun.
Was going to do 'Par Avalanche' this afternoon, but dipped out in the end, toooo many in the group, so couple of us split off .. these 'BIG' runs (Nancroise, Par Avalance, Bellacote etc) are OK, but when you've done them once, especially in the tracked out conditions we have at the moment, I don't think they're anything to write home about (apart from to say you've done them) - in powder, totally different matter!!
Hiked upto the Flying Squirrel for a little 'apres' this evening, 'tis a great place, and Inet connection much better (and still free) than the Mont Blanc. Cheers Will. - Burgers are the biz..
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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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looks like i will be with you all early Saturday 20th staying in Peisey
snow weather forcast seams to change all over the place so fingers crossed.
Happy Paddys Day
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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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Late start today, met up with codger & friends around midday, Drosset first, was really nice, then... up Comborciere... 'Death Valley' top was awful, heavy wet snow, but after the dip through the trees to the second couloire, snow was lovely - OK in the end. Spent the afternoon playing under the Varet, great snow still - where did these four girls go though (:>)??? Think we were all seriously 'seen off' there... LOL!!
Cracking day again.... Blue skies... just a little tooooo warm.
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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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allanm, sometimes you are full of rubbish  . Please come with us and demonstrate how well you can ski these 'Big Routes', have you really ever done any of them in the challenging conditions we have right now. A good off piste skier needs to be able to ski all terrain in all conditions not just so you can say 'you have done it'. Please think about what you are posting on here before you write it. By the way, Nancoix (Col de Chal) by the normal entrance is not a serious off piste route, I know 9 year olds that have done it. Also, where did you get this 'death valley' stuff from?? If you do not like how I have reponded to your post then maybe you should think before posting stuff like this.
As for the real conditions today  . The off piste is great, you can find 'chalk snow' firm, grippy and very stable. Also breakable crust, light powder type snow blown into pockets by the wind, icy crude where the snow has been cooked and re-frozen, even slush later in the day. Altogether you have everything that can challenge you all to be found in a single run. Real spring snow conditions and great fun. I love deep powder but you need to learn to ski everything well, I wish I could, but until then I will just keep on going out and trying to do better.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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snowcrazy, Ho Hum.... Keep you toys in..
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allanm, you did well to find untracked snow on Grand col , took a trip up there on the 8th and traversed left 3/4 's of the way before dropping in and there was nothing then , great run, spring like snow but not fresh unless there was something lower down , where did you tumble 100m??. Good run of Roche de Mio athough some poor soul was helicoptered out on Friday lunchtime , not sure of the line he was taking but was well down the valley.
We arrived on the morning of the 5th , 7 days of blue sky , occasional cloud and a really cold day on the 9th but pistes were ok , off piste was variable but generally soft and tracked out. Hopefully you guys will get more snow in Les Arcs soon.
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| Scot_Ski wrote: |
| allanm, you did well to find untracked snow on Grand col... where did you tumble 100m??. |
TBO, didn't find much [untracked], just the odd bit, just traversed a bit more than most, to the right looking up the lift, funnily enough I did say to the guys I was with that if we went far enough, we just might.....
I took a fair tumble near the top of the Grand Col, just to the right under the top of the lift. Just lost it, don't know why, but slid a long way down, just remember trying to get my one ski downhill again, so as to apply the brakes, realised I was going pretty fast, if I clouted something, could have been bad news. All a laugh in the end...
| snowcrazy wrote: |
| allanm, sometimes you are full of rubbish . Please come with us and demonstrate how well you can ski these 'Big Routes'.. |
I still struggle on these runs.. you know that, until I can up my ability, I'll leave them alone, but one needs to ski powder to learn - so in these conditions I'll 'go for it', that's why I said what I did. BTW, I was lead to believe that some people call the couloire to the right of Comborcier looking down 'death valley', sincere appologies if that is factually incorrect, perhaps someone knows the correct name?? The 'three fingers'
may be a collective name for these couloires.. not sure, but I did say that a few posts previous to this..
| allanm wrote: |
| someone told me that is locally named 'death valley', nor sure on that... |
Today?? Much the same really, bit of wispy cloud appearing, but nothing that ever looked threatening. Perhaps a change over the weekend, but people here not too optimistic. Very warm this afternoon, even right up the top, but snow excellent higher up in the afternoon, to getting quite slushy lower down, so paid to stay high.
Water splash opened for the first time this season today.. what a laugh!!
Edited to correct types (1) and to add this note (2)
Last edited by After all it is free  on Thu 18-03-10 19:38; edited 2 times in total
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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livetoski, I don't think it is that difficult on skis, think much more so on a board. Certainly most skiers were making it today, but some by the skin of their teeth, falling right at the end, but just making to dry land...just.
I for one should do it, as doing waterski instructor course this year..... but still don't fancy the consequences of skiing back to Vallandry rather damp... in the unlikely event that I go belly up (or down)...We'll see, Stella's cheaper at the Altiport, than most 'resort' bars....
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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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thefatcontroller.. et all who have PM'd me recently .. thanks.., OK guys, I'll crack on...
Sorry codger and snowcrazy really appreciated the invite for today - sorry.. had a better offer (:>) , but would have liked to see you ('K++') before you went back.. cracking couple of days!!
Today.. Not wishing to be the bearer of doom and gloom, finished the day off in a tee shirt... sooooo warm!! Even the top of the Transarc was fairly slushy, where the snow was in the sun.. Top of the Grand Col around lunchtime was fine but even towards to bottom of that, not particularly nice. Couldn't be bothered going up the Varet, but guess it was OK up there. No real queues anywhere. Altiport was a cracking laugh lunchtime
Looks like we're going to get rain over the weekend, quite high too, locals are quite worried - it's no good for anyone, it could be real sh!te for a while (we're bound to get a change before the end of the season though.. hopefully)
Theres a few 'snaps' of the past week here.. no login / signup required - you don't need to be 'my friend' - just click the link !!
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Oh dear, I wish I hadn't read that 
Best pack my water skis...
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You know it makes sense.
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What a crazy past weeks or so it has been. First was up in Tignes for the X Games, amazing stuff and loads of great riding around the Val Claret area in some steep couloirs with great snow in between watching the games.
Then the Etoile d'Or Champs. Some excellent future prospects amongst the racers. When I get the link for results I will post it. Have any of you seen Telemark racing, it is the World champs in Montchavin right now, jumps and all, these guys can really rock. I wish my knees would allow me to still do this, but my skills are just not up to it.
Then met up with friends and have been to busy in various places to get back on here until tonight.
Will try and post pics of all the great off piste that was done. The various descents have been excellent. Firm snow in the couloirs, plenty of challenging routes with mixed spring conditions. Even the tour to MontAlbert today found us on one small face with chalk like snow well hidden from the warm sun. Perfect stuff for a warm spring day in March.
For all those coming out to Les Arcs, the water-slide is up and running, did it today for the first time this season 'on my skis' without getting wet, great to have a leg that can hold a ski flat and stable again, the Doc sure did a great job.
If you fancy meeting up, post me a PM, come round to George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 most days from 5.30pm to 6.30pm ish or ask for me at the Altiport now the slide is open from around 4.30pm until 5.10pm when I must leave to get the link.
The snow conditions all over the Paradiski area are still great despite the warm conditions. Plenty of depth to the base in many places means even with the warm temps we have right now it should last 'as long as the rain' does not come. Will start posting again every day now that I am having a chance to chill out for a few days.
There are still great places to go off piste, but take care as the warm temps are now starting to make some places slide. If you do not know the safe routes take a guide.
The pistes had a very hard surface this morning after the night freeze but as the day went on the higher slopes softened up and made carving really fun whilst on the lower slopes if you like slush, it was also a good laugh pushing it around.
So for all those on there way out this weekend or in the coming days, do not be depressed you will have a great time.
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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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Thanks for that snowcrazy 
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Poster: A snowHead
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2 weeks today and will be there
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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About 18 hours for me!
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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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Spent the day in Les Arcs and have to say was not impressed with the piste and overall conditions (perhaps the last few weeks of non stop Canadian powder has set the standard!). Anyway all areas were heavy going with wet snow not made any easier by the rain that fell.
Saw many avalanches today, one we actually saw happen and the avalanche went onto the piste which was eventually closed. In fact a few pistes had been hit by falling snow today so not a good day to venture anywhere off piste - most unstable.
Les Arcs always has good snow but yesterdays La Plagne conditions were far better which we were surprsied by. Maybe the last 24 hours have made a big difference all round. We really need to the temps to fall and the snow to replace the rain.
Anyone else witness those avalanches today?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mouth, No it was pretty cr@p, bit still managed to have some fun though. Stayed on piste today, but all fairly wet and slushy, even higher up, 'Sluffs' all around the mountain, but not heard of any avalanches.. as yet. Coming back from 1800 to Vallandry there were some very loud 'bangs' could have been anything... No doubt about it though, with present weather and current snowpack, if we DID have big dump in the next few days, the resort may, possible close, but that's unlikely..... it rained.....today, we got wet!
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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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first proper day back in LA since about 85 86 couple of warm up runs after all night drive no sleep and on skis at 10'ish
Ok so its a little warm but the snow is still ok ! O yep here for a week IM me for a meet up we have some of next years Movement skis super fats to test out we trying to find some powder to see if they work, Brandon Snowshepherd is well made up ski testing on skis that look like two 2meter snowboards straped to your feet
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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livetoski, which bit of Les Arcs are you statying in or are you over in St Foy still, do you fancy meeting for a beer. What about this ski testing? If you fancy doing some slushy off piste, great fun on fat skis as well, let me know.
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snowcrazy, Did you actually go out today!
| snowcrazy wrote: |
| Well the RAIN came, yesterday and today it rained to 2500m. But the base is still good |
You're saying the base is good, but avalanches everywhere.. I'm confused (not difficult though). IMHO.... the rain over the last day or so has added to the weight on top of the snowpack, avalanches are, IMHO inevitable....
Cracking day though today with another snowhead and son, wasn't going to go up today, but was convinced otherwise.. 'B's' a great skiier.....love it.
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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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FAQ
. Loads of racers around right now so I am very busy. Most pistes have been well groomed and the race pistes are in excellent condition. Hope to see some of you later in the week. 
