Les Arcs 2010 / 2011 Snow Reports

A snowHead

JimW, great advice for everyone. Stay positive and be happy, it is still better than being in the office. Well I think so anyway. Toofy Grin

But having been out this morning I am now going to post what it was like in my opinion. Those that like to read this stuff, please remember you can still have fun as we do most days even when conditions are starting to become poorer Very Happy

Hurtle, I agree it is well worth a number of people that are out here posting what they feel it is like. I think Megamum and BMF_Skier, plus the kids have done a great job in describing what they have experienced and hope others also do whilst they are here. I do not have to always agree with what others write, that is their opinion of the day, mine might be different, but they are also here and so it gives a broader view of what it is really like for everyone to read. During the course of the last few weeks I skied or boarded (only once, I do not like hard packed pistes on a board) with many different people of variable levels and see first hand how they manage in the current conditions. When I post, I try to take into account what they say about the day. Today I went out by myself for a quick blast this morning to see how the conditions are changing whilst I wait for my friends to arrive later. Over the next week, I shall try and include more of there feedback or even ask them to write the updates if they wish. snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

As I have some time, here is what I have posted direct from my facebook group page daily update. All these weather details, snow condition reports, temps etc are all provided by the SMA, Pisteurs and local French meteo office direct from the mountain each morning to me and translated into English. I also add what I can see when looking out of my window before going on the snow.

A Lunch time weather and snow report update today.

WEATHER FORECASTS & DAY: Today is mostly sunny, but with thinly veiled sunshine at times. Ridges near the border are under the clouds sometimes. It will again be very cold with the presence of Foehn and Lombardy winds gusting strongly.

As feared, the strong winds have blown the top layer of snow created by the snow canons away in many places leaving a very hard packed and often icy (blue ice) base to ski on in some pisted areas. The SMA have tried hard to move snow onto the pistes to reduce this impact, but with further strong winds and cold temperatures predicted, the more exposed areas on the Les Arcs ski domain are likely to become 'icy crud' and quite hard to ski for everyone.

For the best skiing this afternoon.

It will be better to stay high and ski in sheltered off piste areas if you wish to find the best snow taking great care regarding any wind loaded faces.

For piste skiing, whether on higher or lower pistes, look out for icy areas (real ice) and try to use those pistes that have snow canons or are sheltered from the winds and softened by the sun. I hope your afternoon was better than my morning.

ALL DETAILS BELOW ARE PROVIDED BY THE Pisteurs and SMA. Very Happy

LA BONNE PISTE: (provided by the pisteurs/SMA)
SECTEUR 1600 : AROLLES
SECTEUR 1800 : GRAND RENARD
SECTEUR 2000 : AIGUILLE ROUGE
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY :RENARD

TODAY'S SNOW DEPTHS and TEMPERATURES: (at 8am each morning)
Altitude, 1620/1800m: 55cm, -6; 2040m: 83cm, -11.6; 2400m: 132, -12.2;
3000m: 150cm, -15

Risque d’avalanche (1 à 5) : 1 Dernière chute de neige: Jeu. 13 janv. 2011 05 cm

REMONTEES FERMEES
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : TK Combe,
SECTEUR 1600 : TK Vezaille, TK Pierre Blanche, TK Millerette
SECTEUR 1800 : TSD Villards , TS Renard
SECTEUR 2000 : Flamme Olympique, RODEO PARC,TSD Plagnettes
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : TK Rhonaz

TIPS OF THE DAY
Significant work has taken place in recent days on the Villaroger sector (production of artificial snow and grooming) to enjoy a great descent from the summit of the Aiguille Rouge (3226 m) to Villaroger (1200 m) . These 2000 meters in altitude between the cooler mountain summit, forest area and pastures can now be fully explored showing the areas many facets.

CAUTION: Some tracks have areas of hard snow or icy patches, so caution, slow down at the sight of orange banners that indicate a danger and make sure you prepare your skis (edge grinding).

As you can see from the details above, each day on my facebook group page: Les Arcs Ski and Snowboard Info Group (link below), there is comprehensive description normally posted at 8.30am. This page is public access so you do not need to be a facebook member to view these updates. It is provided to give anyone in resort the most up-to-date info on ski/snowboard conditions each day in English.

Each evening whenever possible I then post what the conditions were actually like whilst out during the day taking into account the opinions of those with me that day so that you can read a balanced view of the current situation.

If people coming to Les Arcs want this update sent automatically to them, they need to join facebook and add an app to there iphone, I think that is correct.

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Well, we're just back from a couple of weeks in Plan Peisey. We had a fabulous time Very Happy

Megamum - great reports & it was good to see you & the minis Very Happy

snowcrazy, Great to meet up with you at last! N really had a couple of fantastic days skiing with you - thanks! I might even join you when we're next out in March - but if you even threaten to take me down the Flying Kilometer, I'll cry Twisted Evil

Now on to the snow conditions......
As has been said, best up high, & the artificial cannon snow down lower is quite icy in patches. They were a bit slow to get the cannons going in Peisey I think, but there are piles of the stuff around at the moment, & credit must be given to the piste bashers guys who seem to manage to return the pistes to some semblance of normality overnight. The worst piste I found was the mid section of L'Ours - one of the red runs back to Plan Peisey. Lack of snow has meant they have ploughed up a quarter of the pistes width to use on the other side. With the artificial snow, the result is sheet ice on a busy slope. To be avoided when Club med are on their way home Skullie

However, there are other routes back, so not the end of the world.. Get your edges sharpened, definately, & you'll have fun snowHead

The new Parchey lift has made La Vache a great coffee/lunch stop - easy to get back on to the slopes. Lunch service has speeded up fantastically, thanks to Celine, the lunchtime girl Very Happy

The Flying Squirrel is now called Au Plante des Batons, & is run by a French couple. Didnt venture inside, but apart from a coat of red paint, looks similar to how it was.

I'm not sure why people have been having a go at Chris - I for one really value the opinion of someone who knows the area as well as he does, and shares his knowledge so readily Very Happy

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

genepi,

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Just back today after a week in Arc 1800 with a party of 6 - mixed abilities including a couple with limited experience. However we all agreed it was the best ski holiday we have ever had.

Absolutely agree conditions are pretty hard packed but in my time I have skied far icier areas. Certainly even yesterday the resort was offering a huge range of well prepared pistes. Icier patches were appearing towards the end of each day but normally at predictable places.

There's no doubt that cover is a bit thin and worn for the time of year and of course some fresh snow would be nice however in my view there's still plenty of terrific skiing to be had and I wish I was still out there for another week.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Oh, I forgot to mention the beautiful days of glorious sunshine Very Happy

The first couple of days were hot & sunny (+15 degrees on our balcony), great to sit in chairs at the new snack hut at the top of the Peisey lift & look at the view over towards bellecote & the col d'Entreporte where we walk in summer. Then temps dropped radically & we had -15 to -21 up the top! Freezing but with clear blue skies & sunshine. For me, preferable to the days of flat light we had last year.

After all it is free

STOP PRESS, yesterday, morning before the drive home we found the best and softest corduroy we skied in the holiday - real proper posh snow that you could look good on

So where was this gem?

THE SNOW PARC above 1600/1800 - just after it opens at 10am - we were the second party through the gates after the piste basher had finished and it was just the most fabulous surface to ski on. I'm not sure it lasted more than 20 mins once everyone arrived to do 'park' things, but while it lasted we even rode on the dreaded T bar to do it several times!! (The kids were doing the park jumps, and I was just swooshing through the corduroy to meet them at the end ). God did we look good (I think ).

So there you go - if you want to remember what it's like to ski a well prepared surface get yourselves to the snow park just as it opens at around 10am.

The thing is if they can do it to the snow park and the rest of the piste just beyond, why can't they do a few more pistes like it for folks?

As we drove home last night I looked at all the hundreds of cars pouring into the area many of whom were likely to tip out skiers who might not have been on the snow for 10-12 months. I bet the piste patrols were kept busy this morning picking up a great number that fell foul of an unexpected surface - I hope not too many holidays were ruined in the first 2 hrs until folks got used to things.

I assume it hasn't snowed yet?

genepi, I agree re: the sunshine. Last year we had better snow, but spent all week unable to see where we were going (which was also rather grim), given a choice I think I'd sooner have the sun and the harder pistes of this week. However, I'd spent good cash on persimmon lenses which I didn't get the chance to test in poor light - Oh, well - I guess I can used them elsewhere - the sunshine was lovely just a pity the snow wasn't deeper!

Well were here in Les Arc at the moment having finishing skiing for the day, conditions aren't ideal but it's nowhere near as bad as it's been made out. Yes the piste are hard, there are scraped sections but I haven't seen on patch of true blue ice. There's a whole lot of awesome skiing to be had still.

Best run was probably grand melezes. Long, fast and a lot of fun!

The top section of arandelieres was the worst, bumpy,abit stony in places and busy. Lower section leading. to vallee de l'arc was good still though.

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afrothunder88, Each to their own, you clearly thrive on very hard compact fast pistes. However, many holiday skiers aren't of the ex.race piste breed and many one week a year skiers might not have your experience on these sorts of conditions. Glad you are enjoying yourself, the forecast promises more of the same over the next 7 days. N.B. there are really slabs of 'blue ice' around, maybe you just haven't seen any yet, but I can promise if you cover most of the local area you will find them (and I hope not by accident!) - that's just a fair warning - I found them to be unpredictable surfaces to ski on.

My ski instructor who had taught in the area since 1997 said he had never seen conditions so bad with so little snow at this time of year, I guess he could also be wrong though!

It stands to reason what happens when hundreds of folk ski and board over the same area with a recent history of high temps and no snow fall - common sense supports all the statements and there is no way it won't be very compact underfoot. However, I guess, if this is what you thrive on, the skiing could well be 'awesome' for you. It wasn't for me! In contrast I found Grand Melezes to be one of the bogeys in the pack!

The only decent snow we found was in the snow park after being freshly prepared when compared to the rest of the area you suddenly realise just how bad it all is. It can be oodles better than it is.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

ANOTHER DAY ON THE SNOW IS OVER!!!! Such a hard life I know. Seriously though, it is good to read in private messages and in posts here that many of those who were here last week had enjoyed themselves and that those who have just arrived do not think the conditions are that bad.

Personally, for me and the group I was skiing with today that have just arrived plus a few other folk that I chatted to on the lifts. Nobody felt that conditions were that bad either. Certainly the two beginners I was chatting with thought it was great to be out in a resort with blue sky and plenty of snow all around even if it is a bit hard when you fall over. Quote, "we are still going to have loads of fun, this is our first ski trip."

As for those that were with me, our day was divided into two parts. After a warm up on the pistes in the morning around the Arc 2000 Bowl, we headed up to the top of the Aiguille Rouge at noon and then off piste down the skiers left of the 'real glacier ice' on a very good firm chalky surface (Warning this is not the piste, if you try it take care!) and then all the way down to the lift just above Villaroger via an off piste route that still had soft snow, good snow cover all the way down and in some steeper sections, a firm chalky base that was good to ski as long as you can keep a firm edge whilst turning. It will hurt if you go over and slide!!

After a lovely lunch at the Soillet Chalet we went back up the top and then down the off piste near to Droset, then onto a favourite route for many of us, the hard way into Malgovert and down to Deux Tetes tow. Ops!!

Finally a ski down to the Arpette Chair and back towards Arc 1950 with a little diversion to do one of the hidden valley routes on the way back. Finally into George's for a few well earned drinks. Roll on tomorrow.

All the pistes we crossed today were firm with a compacted hard surface, but I did not see any blue ice on the pistes we skied today, although on the steeper pistes it was very slippy and you did have to hold your edge well or use a bit of side slip when making your turns quite often. The biggest surprise for me was that they have put a snowmaking machine on the piste down to Villaroger so that right now, you can ski the whole way down on the Blue piste without any trouble although it is artificial snow so quite slippy in places. The slightly warmer temps today, warmer than they predicted has started to make a difference to the snow surface and skiing into Arc 1950 at 5pm, it even seemed quite sticky on my skis.

Thanks to all those people that have posted there support for the effort I make to share what I see every day when I am out skiing or boarding. For those coming to Les Arcs, you can read the daily weather and snow update each morning at about 8.30am in English direct from the mountain on my facebook group page, link below. As long as I get up in time to translate it and add what I can see out of my window of course.

snow reports

snowcrazy, friends learnt to ski in Bulgaria on sheet ice. We learnt to ski in Flaine, in rain, sleet, thunder, blizzards and high winds. Others are wrong to suggest that less than perfect conditions will put off beginners.

Hells Bells, I agree, I learnt to ski in Scotland when I was very young and it did not put me off. Many on here know what the weather can be like North of the Border sometimes. From what I heard today from one of my friends who were there this New Year, it can still be rather bleak. But his kids still thought it was fun Toofy Grin

You know it makes sense.

http://www.snoweye.com/?resort=fr_lesarcs - >>pullin my best snowdance moves! Shocked

lol

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I remember when this thread used to contain happy thoughts of people going on their travles to LA.
Now its turing into a bit of a school playground with childish chit chat due to the poor weather. Puzzled

A snowHead

Weather is great. Pistes are mostly hard and grippy, with sections of ungripable hardpack on pitches where most people go down sideways. Makes for fast and fun skiing, with occasional "pucker up periods". On my slalom skis for the first time this season. Effing things are a bit of a handful, so I think I need to man up and show 'em who's da boss.

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

It's quieter than I expected in resort. No lift queues, and reasonably quiet on piste. Some of the busy intersections, some of the steeper pitches on popular pistes and some of the narrower sections of pistes are unpleasantly hard, with little or no grip. Generally, however, I really liked today's piste conditions. Firm, grippy and very fast was the order of the day. I stuck to the easier pistes and stayed on my ski edges as much as possible, so lots of high speed short and long radius turns. Had a couple of moments where my skis suddenly started to travel sideways rather than forwards, but having the odd burst of adrenaline flowing into your system can be fun Happy

Snow line on the other side of the valley is very, very high for this time of year. It's kind of curious in that it doesn't feel like January, although not quite warm enough to feel like April which is what you'd expect with the snowline that high. One or two places where a few pebbles are showing through, but generally snow cover is complete on all pistes that I skied above 1800m. Did bother with any off-piste. It's a week for slalom skis and working on technique development Happy

In between runs I chilled out on my new favourite sofa.

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Is that the newly refurbed Arpette restuarant Rob? cycled passed there in the summer but it was closed for restoration.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Fogliettaz, yes, they've done a really good job on the terrace, and done some external renovations to the main building (new roof, new exteral wood cladding). The external bar is great, with decent music and some funky seating (old chairs from the Arpette lift, inflatable sofas, etc). No significant change inside.

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

+1 ^^ much better this year.

After all it is free

just had a couple of loverly days in la plagne. sunday lunch inforpelet no issue getting down to montbear. today did 30 lifts
all different no drama. montchavin was predictably pants. rest all good. les arcs tmoz

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Was playing around with a helmetcam today and got a bit of footage showing piste conditions. It's not terribly exciting, but here it is:

http://youtube.com/v/F-cl-PVyO2E

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rob@rar, Cheers, that's got me in the mood for next week. snowHead

snow reports

I can't get the video to stream Sad

oh, well I can guess what its like! We ate in the Arpette on rob@rar's, recommendation and felt it was very good. An enormous pizza fed both kids and on Saturday we had Plat du jour which was Boeuf Bourginnon (sp?) and it was really excellent. Def. worth recommending.

rob@rar, Looks lovely - wishing I was back there..... Very Happy

You know it makes sense.

rob@rar,

Great post and nice vid, feeling great about heading there Saturday now!

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

PamW - sadly yes, tis true that I had one instructor in Obergurgl whom I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy but.....let's put that behind us and concentrate on Les Arcs Very Happy

So, despite my huge reservations about piste conditions, I am pretty impressed with Les Arcs. To put my experience today in context: I am a very cautious blue piste cruiser (that sounds soooo wrong but I am sure you know what I mean!) with only 8 weeks experience. We have stayed around the 2000/1950 area today but have happily skied all blues without so much as a minor wobble. Yes, occasionally there is a small icy patch but I have certainly skied in worse conditions. My 6 year old and 10 year old found it equally accessible and comfortable to ski. I was on the verge of cancelling our trip but am so glad we didnt and couldn't be happier - unless of course snow gods wish to bestow a a fresh 10cm plus upon us overnight Very Happy

. On the whole, you couldn't ask for a better ski trip - the sun is beaming down, the pistes are not at all busy and absolutely ski-able.

Chap working in Skimium told us to avoid Vallandry-Peisey until 12pm when the icy conditions will have softened. We are intending to try there tomorrow afternoon.

I have seen 4 people taken down on the medics skidoo today though - certainly more than I have ever seen before in one day and I did feel slightly unnerved by that. I can only assume that they have been caught short on reds/blacks or off piste. However, Mr Hascas has also skied a fair number of those today and found them no more challenging than usual (unlike me, Mr Hascas has 34 years ski experience.......I was a child bride Very Happy

)

A snowHead

rob@rar, makes me want to come to LA! I have to say, from that video, conditions look like they're pretty good.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

rob@rar,

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rob@rar, excellent helmet-cam work. What camera have you got and what bit of software did you use - simply iMovie or something more sophisticated?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Freddie Paellahead, I have a Contour HD 1080P. I was playing around with adding filters to it today (a polarizer and a couple of Neutral Density filters) to see if I could improve the picture quality of snow in bright sunlight. I usually edit with Final Cut Pro so that's what I used for that video, but it was a simple edit with a cross dissolve transition which iMovie can do very easily.

After all it is free

You've inspired me to have another go with my video from the DOlomites. The camera records it as a .avi file and I'm then using QuickTime Pro to export it to an MP4 file, but I'm trying to fiddle with the settings to get as good quality as possible when I import it into iMovie rolling eyes

(But, of course, Macs are good at this sort of thing... not Evil or Very Mad

)

Freddie Paellahead, will iMovie do the conversion for you automatically, rather than converting each clip with QT? I think the problem is that avi files are Microsoft proprietary, so might need a bit of fiddling with before iMovie can work with them.

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Rob@rar, dunno bout anyone else, but watching that vid got my adrenaline up ready for next week! lol cracking vid mate! Very Happy

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Les Arcs 2010 / 2011 Snow Reports

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