 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Do you think the snow will still be there when Oscar and I are back on 20th March? |
Given Tignes' shocking spring/late season snow record you've got next to no chance... 
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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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Quote:
Do you think the snow will still be there when Oscar and I are back on 20th March?
Given Tignes' shocking spring/late season snow record you've got next to no chance...
Wed 02 Mar, 16
19:20
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bug, shall I cancel my flights and reservations at Montana Village for 2nd April?
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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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Crikey, so much snow.
Looking forward to seeing the webcams tomorrow morning....
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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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@Gaza, It's all taken care of.
There are two possible scenarios for that week;- a. It will snow ALL week and there won't be the slightest hint of sunshine.
b, It will be bluebird skies all week. Possibly a bit cold but the snow will remain in perfect condition. This is how our weeks usually go when we're in Tignes.
Just need to make sure that the Jam Bar have stocked up the cellar and Chocksaway has plenty of Hobnobs to go with the Yorkshire Tea. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My experience for late season Tignes has usually been early to wall sunshine, followed by a late week bout of rain/sleet/deep powder.
Any one of the above usually drives bar sales and late afternoon lethargy.
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Morning all. What's the news from the poubelle monitor or has it bee buried?? 
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Lots of lifts closed currently due to "violet winds"
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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All a bit wild, but just having a cup of coffee before venturing down to Brev, via Chaudannes, good old Winston springs to mind "Never in the field of ........"
Had about 12-20cm overnight, but its all being rearranged every 5 minutes.
We will be skiing in May! But if you are coming in March bring a shovel they are running out of places to put snow.
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@chocksaway, LOL!!!
At least I won't have to worry about it all melting before I get there.
Today looks like an early pub day to me, doesn't look as though many people are about. Links appear to be shut and it's looking very grim on the Bellevarde cam!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I just got back from a week in Val d`Isere, and would very much like to eat a slice of humble Savoyard pie.
I always used to knock the French on their unfriendliness and expensive, overfilled huts, what has happened in the last few years?
I was greeted at every single lift, without exception by beaming lifties who honestly looked like they were enjoying their job!
Found some incredibly good value huts, my favorite the one at the top of Cascades lift, where I had a huge slice of homemade Quiche, salad, as much grated cheese and dressing as I wanted AND a vin chaud for 10€  ( The Signal bar at top of Pyramids was also impressive with his 27 different bottled beers)
The skiing was as usual amazing, endless beautiful runs, and although some got really busy it was still possible to find quite ones. The queues for the bigger gondolas seemed to move really quickly, and there were almost no queueing at any of the chairs.
I really was impressed, it wasn't how I remembered it at all, the only thing I would gripe about are the state of the toilets. Usually only 2 or 3 in each hut and almost always without loo roll.
Do any of you "local" out there think things have changed in the last few years or is it just me?
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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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@HoneyBunny, We lasted 2 and a half hours.
@Kooky, Glad you have found it better! Things have come on and there has been a lot of 'service training' in the 2 resorts. There has been a lot of improvements in loos though, if you know where to look. The 'shed' in Val Claret is now very smart, as are the ones in The Maison and under the Tov Gondola in Le Lac. There is a new one in Brev at the back of the gondy station. The absolute worst are in the Carline by the Lanches Chair. Over in Val the ones in the top stations of the Olympique and Funival are modern. By the sun bar they are average, Le Fornet are not so great. There we have it: the Chocksaway Guide to fine ****ing in the Espace Killy!
Because of the high winds there were very few lifts open outside of the village drags in both resorts. So we elected to aim for Les Breviers. The ride up Chaudanne was a bit brutal this morning, but as the wind was from the North West we were quite sheltered heading down towards the Dam. There was enough light in the trees to enjoy the piles of new snow and so we did 5 laps of the Boisse/Breviere Bubbles over lunchtime whilst it was quiet. There was a lull in the wind early afternoon, it is now blowing very hard again.
In terms of total snow this year Radio Val have just announced that the centre of Val has had 5.19m of snow to Mar 3, against 3m last year and 3.5 m the previous year to the same date (the totals for the whole of last year was 4m and the previous one 4.4m.) The demise of European skiing as forecast by the doom mongers in the British tabloids early in the year seems a bit misplaced!
It will stop slowing in the early evening and the winds should drop by morning, although there will be a stiff breeze still. Tomorrow morning will see a progressive opening (avalanche work) and there may be a glimpse of the sun at breakfast time through a milky sky. This will not last long as snow down to 1400m is expected to start again mid morning. Saturday now looks snowy all day with winds building through the afternoon, the snow level will be Bourg. So with the 31000 cars coming up and 27000 going down expect a fair few delays once you have left the motorways coming up and a slow crawl if you are leaving, go early (0600) would be the advice, for those coming up keep an eye on the Apps and consider having a break don the valley if you are arriving after lunchtime. Expect transfer bus times to come forward. Sunday will see sunny periods with snow showers - it will still be cold. Monday morning looks OK with a few snow showers in the afternoon, but in weather terms that is a long way away.
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You know it makes sense.
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There was a little bit of sun this morning, but the snow kind of fizzled out, there were a few flocons this afternoon. But it did warm up and the roads turned black again, this will not last unfortunately. So it was mostly a day of flat light skiing, so not a bad last day for many.
The weather remains quite unpredictable, we may see the sun next week for some periods but it will be cool for the time of year; probably best not to leave the thermals behind . The wind will pick up dramatically this evening and it should start snowing around midnight when the temperature will drop significantly as the winds swing to the north. By the time anyone has thought of leaving, it will be snowing quite heavily, all the way down to Bourg. So expect a slow journey down into the valley and some long tailbacks, you may find bus departure times creeping forward. There will be a brief interlude in the afternoon, with less wind and the odd glimpse of the sun. But shortly after dark the wind and the snow will return with the snow line being somewhere around Albertville. The Avalanche risk tomorrow is 4 out of 5 after all the wind and snow tonight, somewhere between 15 and 25 cm of snow over the next 24 hours. Sunday will start with light snow showers but it will improve, but it will be cold with the freezing level at the airports. Monday currently looks the best day with bright (but cold) sunny periods, the odd cloud will appear around the peaks. Tuesday and Wednesday look like a mix of snow showers and sunny periods, again the snowline will be way down the valley. The end of the week looks a little more settled.
For those flying tomorrow: it is going to be difficult to be accurate as both here and in the UK most of the airports are expecting precipitation, but the forecasters are hedging their bets as to whether, it is rain, sleet or snow, the odd degree could make all the difference. With that caveat here goes, in the UK there is a chance of a shower almost anywhere in England, and most forecasts from Manchester southwards have sleet in the forecast but Luton has a chance of heavy snow showers which would slow things down. Unlike today Leeds/Bradford (which was closed for 3 hours due to snow) looks as though any brief showers will be rain. Over in France/Switzerland Chambery is going for a chance of sleet, Grenoble a chance of snow, Geneva rain and sleet and Lyon a mix of the lot. All this precipitation should be over by 0900hrs, so there may be the odd wait in the UK for it to clear. In the afternoon there is a chance of a thunderstorm anywhere, pilots do not fly in thunderstorms - they wait for them to move. So having said all that, probably not many problems unless it drops a degree or 2.
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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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We were greeted this morning by 11cm in the village and 15 somewhere up in the clouds! It continued to snow lightly all morning, so a late start. We disappeared over to Val D'Isere to try the La Daille trees, just occasionally there was a glimpse of the sun to help. Most of the snow had fallen after the piste bashers had gone to bed and it was not as light and fluffy as we hoped. On a couple of occasions I came to a juddering halt as you hit a fresh patch. As ever lunch at Rosée Blanche was just the ticket. The hill fog thickened after lunch so it was an early finish. About an hour later the cloids parted and there was a glorious hour of blue sky - after I came in!
The clouds have now filled in again and we are expecting showers again this evening. These will bring some snow and gusty winds (this may cause a few bumpy arrivals for the late flights at the airports). Tomorrow will be mixed, the light snow should stop before the porridge is eaten and it will be a morning of sunny periods. The clouds and light snow will reappear after lunch. There will be a breeze and it will feel cold out of any sun as the freezing level will be down in Bourg.
Monday should be a good day, mainly sunny with the odd cloud on the peaks. Initially it will feel cold but as the sun is now getting quite high in the sky it will warm up out of the shadows. Late evening will see more cloud and light snow. Tuesday will be sunny periods and some snow showers in the afternoon, similar on Wednesday but with the snow in the morning. Thursday and Friday will be warmer with the freezing level rising to 2100m but there will be a chance of a shower at any time during the day.
Beyond that, the Jetstream forecast is showing the jet moving north - the main belt will be over the UK which means more unsettled weather for them, but high pressure and blue skies and sunshine for us, spring may just be on its way. A month today for the first marmotte sighting anyone????
For those flying tomorrow, there is a chance of a rain shower almost anywhere in the UK, but nothing to bother biggles at the pointy end of the aircraft. Over here it should be OK, there is a chance of a shower in the afternoon, Grenoble is hedging his bets with a chance of a light snow shower up to 11 o'clock. We'll see who is right in the morning!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Chocksaway,
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| Beyond that, the Jetstream forecast is showing the jet moving north - the main belt will be over the UK which means more unsettled weather for them, but high pressure and blue skies and sunshine for us, spring may just be on its way. |
Ooo yes please[/quote]
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 5-03-16 18:23; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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+1 ^
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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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| chocksaway wrote: |
| high pressure and blue skies and sunshine for us |
So loads of snow, then a warm sunny week for me! Just what the doctor ordered 
One week today I'll be on a coach on my way to Val, YAY.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@HoneyBunny, I thought you might be pleased!
Had to go shopping today, so no sliding about (thankfully!). But it was a nice morning with a few more cm to freshen up the pistes. It progressively clouded over this afternoon and it started snowing lightly about 4 o'clock. Before I go onto the weather I must mention the leading contender for muppet of the season. I was walking down the road past the Escale Blanche in Le Lac when out of my eye corner (lucky I was wearing shades ) a skier launched himself off the snow front at a reasonably quick speed towards the Escale Blanche Terrace entrance, now we have about 1.70m of snow in the village. From his sightline there was no way he could see traffic coming up the road from the roundabout and it would have been impossible to stop, mainly because he was in the air as he hit the pavement and then crossed the road, he was also lucky that the snow hadn't worn quite through otherwise his skis would have come to an abrupt halt and he would have gone head first into the horse trough For those not familiar with the geography you can get a reasonable idea from the Le Lac webcam.
It will snow lightly through the evening this evening, the cloud will progressively clear to leave a sunny morning with a freezing level down at 600m. So out of the sun it will feel cold and there will be a breeze. It will cloud over late afternoon and the winds will pick up, probably closing the highest lifts. There will be more light snow after dark. Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with light snow showers all day, one for the trees I think. Wednesday look like starting with sunny periods and then cloud and snow showers in the afternoon. Thursday looks like sunny periods and a little warmer. Friday just looks grey and cloudy. for a general synopsis for Saturday onwards I will hand over to the Beatles "Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's alright........."
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We arrive on Saturday in val claret. First time in Tignes. Can't wait. Be great if the sun has got his hat on.
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Just got back, snow is excellent and still falling, I'm sure you'll have a great week 
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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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What a (cold) day . Well below minus 10 on the balcony this morning and it was still minus 15 at the top of the Grande Motte at 2 o'clock . So the first task was to find the winter mitts and an extra layer or 2. It was bluebird through the morning but after lunch we could see the clouds massing down towards the 3 Vallees, the sky is now obscured by a milky layer. After a couple of warm up runs on Grattalu, it was off piste in the Palet and Col De Ves all morning. Great snow, in some places it was soft, some a bit windblown, but there were still fresh tracks to be had. It was like a great off piste day in January. The breeze also built up during the afternoon. After lunch we headed up to the Grande Motte where the fresh snow was more windblown and therefore, harder work! The pistes that we crossed are all in excellent condition.
I have been looking at historical snow records (courtesy of Ski Club 1.0) as the second/third week in March sees the highest snow depths at village level, it can still accumulate higher. We are now showing 171cm in the village (and 310 on top) - you have to go back to the 94/5 season to see depths as high as that . I think I might have to delay my ferry home..... Because of the recent bad weather and the raging hordes of holiday makers I have not been up the Motte much. You can physically see the difference these large amounts of snow have had. Descente has filled in with snow and is much less steep, in early Feb it was a steep ice field. Also the approach to the Leisses chair is now wide and easy, unlike earlier in the year. Its also nice to have no steps to negotiate at the top station of the Cable Car.
Meanwhile in the village the SFR Halfpipe World Cup Final has started in Val Claret. The training is Today and Tuesday, Qualifications are on Wednesday morning and the finals are on Thursday evening at 6.30pm, terminating with a firework display.
And the weather, we will have light snow through the night this should stop by breakfast time leaving a cloudy and cold day, the marginal increase in temperature will be offset by the stiff breeze at height and the lack of sun - wrap up warm. There will be more light snow in the afternoon. Wednesday should be a bit calmer, with a milky sky in the morning and light snow in the afternoon. Thursday will be nicer with sunny periods and a couple of degrees warmer again. Friday looks cloudy and again a stiff breeze blowing on top and then spring arrives with sun all day Saturday.
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I was so pleased to see Col De Ves open on Saturday. Knowing it had been closed for a few days and it being super quiet Saturday and also seeing literally nobody getting on it I knew there would be some excellent tracks to be had even on the marked un-pisted route under the chair (I forget the name now) I wasn't wrong and being about the 3rd person down the run made the tortuously slow long chair ride up there completely worth it! I would have done a couple of laps but was on a 'girlfriend skiing' day so was pleased to get up there once while the other half pootled down into Val Claret and waited for me
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@chocksaway, you have to go back to the 94/5 season to see depths as high as that
where you seeing that you need to go that far back? 98/99 had more snow than now. Was, from memory, 5m then at the summit and over 245cm resort.
Curious really... where you are seeing those stats - Ski Club you said.. but don't see that far back !
Cheers
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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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@chocksaway, would you know if there is free wifi available around the Espace Killy at various points. From the Val D'isere app it appears there is but it doesn't tell you how to access it. We found it really useful in Schladming last year when it as available in restaurants and lift stations.
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You know it makes sense.
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@chocksaway, yeah, we picked it up at the Maison in le lac in January, but never really got out of the valley that week due to high winds.
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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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Good morning, I was just wondering if anyone has used the ski pass online purchase website and then collected in resort at a lift pass office? I am assuming it will all be fine but just checking?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Minion1980, Seems to work very well for everyone I have spoken to. As ever in France bring your e mail receipt and a piece of ID (passport) and all will be well. ALl the office staff speak more than passable English (a bonus in the wage packet ensures this!!).
Well this morning certainly put the B back into Baltic . As I was making my way through the cornflakes it was minus 12 in the village and minus 18 at the top of the Grande Motte. There was a bit more blue sky than had been predicted with thin cloud floating about. So the first lifts were a bit chilly, but as the morning wore on it was OK in the sun as the sun is now quite strong, out of it or when skiing fast it was finger numbingly chilly. The cloud built up through the day and the blue sky seemed to be favouring Tignes over Val D'Isere, especially in the afternoon, it looked quite gloomy over Le Fornet. A stiff breeze built up in the afternoon, meaning the glaciers were only for the hardy. The cold does have benefits, as it has kept the snow in ace condition, there was even fluffy light stuff between the trees down to Tignes Les Brevieres. The pistes are in awesome condition - to be honest the cold can last as long as it likes providing the snow remains this good.
The forecast over the next few days is a little tricky, there are lots of weak fronts around that keep coming and going, but it is going to be cool out of any sun and there will be a moderate breeze above 2800m or so for most of the week. So standby for forecasts of cloud and sun amounts to vary. Tomorrow will start sunny and very cold, the temperature will rise a bit but thin cloud will encroach through the afternoon - early birds and worms!!! Thursday currently looks sunny all day and a degree or two warmer again, Friday the same but that degree or two will disappear. Saturday and Sunday will bring sunny periods. Wrap up in the morning!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks chocksaway will purchase now! Yay
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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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@NE1, From memory I think there may be Wifi in the "picnic" room that's located at the bottom Toviere gondola station.
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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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A glorious but chilly day. The air was really cold and there was a cheeky breeze at height, not that I really had time to notice as I was with a Evo2 Off Piste Group today. I can say the one piste we crossed was in very good condition. Off piste is generally very good, you just have to be careful with the aspect, today if it had been in the sun early doors it then refroze in the low temperatures.
We started in the Vallon de Sachette (down to Tignes Les Brevieres), in particular La Pente du DZ:
We then did the secret variant down into the village called 'filet' - definitely with a guide only folks.
After some snow assessment work on Epilobe regarding the effects of the sun we had lunch and then it was up the Toviere for a hile up to La Pointe de Lavachet (formerly known as Mickeys's Ears). Luckily that breeze kept us cool on the way up which has a few nerve jangling moments. The Boss chose the Grande Couloir de La Pointe De Lavachet or Lorenzo for short. Quite steep and wide , you can't quite see the main entrance (above the green jacket's head), to get that picture would have been against good off piste protocol of points of safety etc):
From the same point looking down to the Barrage de Tignes - spectacular!
Nice snow and not butt clenchingly steep (excuse the French!).
To get back to civilisation you have to do the lower bit of the Lavachet Wall:
Nice Tracks!
Just as the light faded we popped down "The Thumb" the souther and easiest of the Toviere Fingers.
And now for the weather:
The cloud will thicken through the night and there may be the odd flocon. There will be a few clouds in the morning but they should burn off to leave a sunny but chilly day, but the wind should all but disappear, one layer less maybe? Saturday and Sunday will be sunny and a couple of degrees warmer, but still cool for the time of year unless you are on one of the terraces in the village! The next three days should give sunny periods with fluffy clouds on the peaks and a gradual warming, still not spring quite, but getting close.
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yeah lovely photos and it sounds like you had a hell of a day!
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@chocksaway,
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then the next 3 days look like being reasonable with the chance of a giboulée ('April Shower' they come a bit earlier here) at any time really
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Would that be a rain shower??
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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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@GeorgeVII, Mostly snow up here, but rain in Meribel on Thames
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FAQ
