@johnE, @thefatcontroller, @rob@rar, Vagere opened late this morning and having been there promptly at 9am I had a fair wait. When I went up Carrelly and the Transarc 2 still weren't running.
The pistes were busy in places but the only other significant queues I encountered were at Plagne Bellecote - situation normal!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
thefatcontroller wrote:
This was the 1st time I saw the helicopter, top right, it did one of those hovering beside the slope stops, the issue seemed to be above the barriers. Then about 30 mins later it came back with something on a winch, we were over at the top of Lanchettes lift then so couldn't see too much detail but seemed to be a group below the barriers for quite a long time.
Spoke to the pisteurs and someone went onto Bois high above the metal avalanche barriers and fell into them. Damage to leg and hip and had to be airlifted to hospital.
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?
thefatcontroller wrote:
Spoke to the pisteurs and someone went onto Bois high above the metal avalanche barriers and fell into them. Damage to leg and hip and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Didn't get out this morning in the end as had to work but went out about 1pm and conditions were very 'Les Arcs', you could experience 4 seasons in one run. It must have snowed heavy during last night as conditions were better today than yesterday. Utterly glorious afternoon boarding, lots of fresh and a tad flat light too.
Snowed lightly all afternoon, still snowing, due to snow heavy overnight with light snow and strong winds tomorrow. Tomorrow night looks hell, huge snow and high winds, hopefully clearing earlyish Friday, might be late start but Friday looking truly awesome. Saturday all clear for changeover day.
Not much else to say other than it was very nice today, thanks. Some photos.
Sitting on Plagnettes, we got out of the bowl, no visibility
Above 1800 looking towards La Plagne/Montchavin
Above 1800 looking at 1800
Arcs 2000 this evening.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Great photo's - as you say tomorrow looks like a humdinger. Friday and Saturday heavenly!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Been snowing heavy overnight, still snowing lightly, winds don't' look too bad at the moment, lets see what lifts open.
What do you call a group of bashers?
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An avalanche of bashers?
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Snowing very heavy. Wind not too strong, for now. Having lunch in 1800 buy Les Arcs have posted a warning to get back to your stations after 3pm. So we shall be doing that. Seemingly biggest storm of the winter due tonight.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
thefatcontroller wrote:
Seemingly biggest storm of the winter due tonight.
The resort has said that the road from 2000 to 1600 will be closed from 11am to 7pm.
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.
@rob@rar, 11pm to 7am? Not abnormal in a storm.
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
thefatcontroller wrote:
@rob@rar, 11pm to 7am? Not abnormal in a storm.
Is it not? I so rarely drive that way that I tend not to notice when the resort indicates it's keeping it closed so when I spotted it earlier on Twitter I thought it might have been unusual.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
rob@rar wrote:
thefatcontroller wrote:
@rob@rar, 11pm to 7am? Not abnormal in a storm.
Is it not? I so rarely drive that way that I tend not to notice when the resort indicates it's keeping it closed so when I spotted it earlier on Twitter I thought it might have been unusual.
There is a real avalanche threat on the road near 1950 so it’s closed at times for blasting but predictions for tonight are truly grim so they are being safe.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@thefatcontroller, good to have the advanced notice - @rob@rar, it is quite often shut overnight (I'd say at least 3 or 4 times a season anyway).
I recall one such time (last year I think it was) when the info came late, and we had the lifties and pisteurs stuck up here: the hotels had to find beds for them all.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
4pm here, on the bus 1600 to 2000 and road already invisible.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hi Long time lurker and 1st time poster.
We are due in Vallandry this sunday for a week and the nanny company we booked for child care has just pulled out!!!!!
Does any one know of any companys or inderviduals in Vallandry/Les Arcs that may be able to help.
We usually put the kids in the Creche next to the lift at Vallandry but we can't get hold of them via email or on the phone!!
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?
Snow, more snow and lots more snow....great conditions today, wind not as bad as expected (until late in the day) and visibility overall very good considering. Snowed all day and now at 6pm French time it is an absolute blizzard in 2000 and forecast heaviest snowfall of the year overnight. Snow due to stop around 9-10am tomorrow, will likely be a late opening but should be epic out there. Signs up in the apartment warning that it is forbidden to try travel out of 1950 or 2000 this evening. Total lock down.
Brown snow, been discussed before but is it a French thing not to clean up after your dog?
Some photos.
Lunchtime, on Charmotteger chair
Lunchtime, outside Arpette restaurant looking down to lift
7.20am in Arc2000, early start with lots of blasting waking us. Still snowing heavy and there has been lots and lots of snow.
What a shitty morning of news to wake up to. Be well all.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Driving up this afternoon but only as far as peisey, hopefully roads will clear by then.
Sounds like great conditions
After all it is free
After all it is free
Lost in the trees wrote:
Driving up this afternoon but only as far as peisey, hopefully roads will clear by then.
Sounds like great conditions
Can see delivery lorries arriving in 2000 so Peisey will be no issue. As for conditions, they do look great with a coffee
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Any recommendations for a pub close to lifts to watch football Saturday lunch time, Watford Vs palace? Les arcs side
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Lost in the trees, 1800 , 1600 or 1950/2000?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Bit of a blah day for us. Late start as had some personal stuff to attend to and was hoping/expecting the lifts over the top to open. When we did head out we went down to Pre Saint to see what conditions were like, light wasn't great and we decided to head to the bus at Pre Saint. Waited 40 mins for a full bus to drive straight past us. Grrrr. Busy day for the bus down, always head to 2000, school boy error. Anyway back up Pre Saint, conditions really grim no visibility, into 2000 and bus waiting to depart, hopped on.
Spent some time around 1600 and 1800, visibility up high still bad and the snow was actually a bit wet and heavy. Wasn't feeling it and had a few falls so we listened to our bodies and back to 1600 and bus home. Lots of blasting still at 6pm and Bois or Arpette never opened all day but Carelly did, very strange and a little disappointing. Safety 1st and all that but strange combination of lifts open.
Home tomorrow, roads are fine, conditions are great, enjoy rest of season and stay safe. See y'all in 2020. India next.
Anyway while waiting for the Cabriolet we watched the blasting under Varet. A bit in the distance but watch up right. I aint Spielberg!
We are due in Vallandry this sunday for a week and the nanny company we booked for child care has just pulled out!!!!!
Does any one know of any companys or inderviduals in Vallandry/Les Arcs that may be able to help.
We usually put the kids in the Creche next to the lift at Vallandry but we can't get hold of them via email or on the phone!!
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
The snow came back yesterday and by this morning there was approx 40cms higher up on the mountain and even about 10cms all the way down to Bourg Saint Maurice. For those coming out this weekend the roads are clear although risk of avalanche is a problem so be prepared for delays.
The pistes were well covered and the off piste had a good depth. However, the suddenly warm temperatures did it's damage and even by 11am the snow was becoming sticky on the pistes.
Many higher lifts were closed all day and even some lower lifts opened very slowly causing very large queues in various places.
The off piste higher up that was accessible was OK, but very quickly became heavy and very sticky. These unstable conditions meant that we had to be very careful everywhere we went.
Although we had a fun day. With visibility in and out combined with the warm temperatures it was very tiring on the legs. Having skied in the Arc 1600 area, across to Arc 1800 and then around the Derby chair in Peisey Vallandry we decided to head for home early at around 3pm to save our legs for hopefully better conditions tomorrow.
Finally a warning to everyone using the buses and a very big complaint to Les Arcs. The bus that normally runs from Arc 2000 across to Arc 1600 appears to be only once an hour even though the resort is very busy which is crazy. The timetable says two per hour!? Even worse, they do not appear to be running extra buses to allow all those trying to cross between stations to get on the bus when it does finally arrive! Crazy!! One hour plus delays means a lot of hanging around and very cod feet. Les Arcs needs to get this problem solved quickly!!
@snowcrazy, There were 2 buses running in the afternoon but yes there was a definite period with only one bus running and it was useless. The roads were fine but they knew the high lifts would be shut all day so agreed a very poor show yesterday. Not sure they overly care though.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
"Not sure they overly care though." Yep, nail on the head! They know that when the links over from 2000 to the 1800/1600 side are closed that many skiers try and take the bus to ski in the trees etc but absolutely no extra efforts made to run extra buses or even run the two per hour as per schedule. The French could so with learning about customer service like our Canadian friends provide!
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Tue 19-03-19 10:21; edited 1 time in total
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Blue sky spring skiing here today - hard in the morning, turning really nice then a bit slushy in places later. Very warm this afternoon.
Resort unusually busy (La Plagne also) for a Saturday - I presume that many people with their own transport who have had to contend with not very nice weather over much of the last week decided to stay for the extra day.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Another fun day comes to an end. Today we went over to the La Plagne side and after a ski around Crozats off piste area in very mixed conditions we headed for the top of the Roche de Mio.
Some went towards Brown Trouser Ridge and a ski down the back valley to the Champagny side which they told us later was OK with some lighter snow higher up, but then becoming crusty and finally slightly softer.
We went down the back of the Roche de Mio all the way to the Bauches chair. At the start we had really nice soft snow, even some untracked powder in a few places. However from just above the lower cliffs the snow became breakable crust the rest of the way to the bottom. The track out was OK, but we dd not fancy another lap.
Back up and over into the meadows down the Les Coches side and finishing in the waterfall gully and back to the Vanoise Express. The snow was very mixed again and you had to be very careful in the steeper section which had a number of avalanches to cross.
Finally a fast ski back across Les Arcs for a drink at the Mushroom in the Arc 2000 bowl and then over to Arc 1600 and time to watch the Rugby. Best not say anything about that! OH dear!!!
The snow off piste everywhere today was very mixed and very challenging at times. The pistes were much better and not as busy as the last few days. With mixed weather forecast for tomorrow it might be another interesting day. Vanoise at 10.10am for anyone that is thinking of joining us.
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?
Today turned out to be another blue sky day with only a few passing clouds. They forecast a grey overcast sky from 1pm and snow by 2pm, but it did not arrive until about 5pm and now we have a light dusting up on the mountains and it look's like the storm might finally begin.
As planned we headed over to the La Plagne side and they did open the Bellecote glacier area, but as the Traverse and Glacier chair stayed closed and the snow conditions had not improved from yesterday we decided on an easy ski to lunch. Those people I spoke too that did hike up onto the North Face said there was a little good snow right at the top, then breakable crust until around the middle section, followed by some very icy wind blown areas and soft snow at the bottom. I also heard that the Bellecote bowl was very similar. I am very pleased we did not go there and took the easy option.
As the group was very big today, some went to Montalbert and 17 of us went to Champagny for lunch.
The piste on the way over from Arc 1600 and all the way to lunch were in good condition. In fact today the pistes were more fun to ski than the off piste. There were a few queues at the chairs and you needed to take care at the main piste junctions. But overall on both sides of the Vanoise Express the resort was not as busy as the last few days.
The pistes across La Plagne and even back to the Vanoise Express from above Les Coches were good. I stayed on the easier blue pistes today to rest my legs so did not push it very hard. We even finished in time for a drink at the bottom of the funicular.
If the snow does come tonight it should refresh the pistes nicely. Fingers crossed for a powder day tomorrow.
What a day!! Went up quite early with not very high expectations after the crazy up and down temperatures of the past few days.
What a surprise! The night was cold, the snow came down and there was more up top than they had expected. To make it even better we were able to get onto the Aiguille Rouge Cable car not once, but twice without any queues.
The vis was in and out all day, but the snow was light and fluffy! Real powder again and with continuing low temperatures tonight and tomorrow it should remain good for at least another day, fingers crossed.
We managed two laps off the back of the Aiguille Rouge using the easier exit to Villaroger. Great powder at the top and still good almost the whole way down. We only hit cruddy snow when we were near the forest.
Hardly anybody around so plenty of room to put down our own fresh tracks.
To finish we headed for the Varet gondola and came down the lower half of the Robert Blanc couloir and into the Arc 2000 bowl just in time to see the Rescue off the face of the cliffs above the bowl. See the photos.
Not sure the details other than it was one person, more to follow when I get the facts. It was a very crazy place to get stuck and whoever it was they were very lucky!!
Tomorrow we will try and head over to the Bellecote for a run down the North Face. I hope the top is open.
For anyone needing your skis serviced, I had mine done again yesterday by Gordon at Polairestar down by the bottom of the Funi in Bourg. Amazing job, thanks. It was as if they never had any holes! Use this link to find out more about the shop.
I was just looking at the Les Arcs livecams (dreaming again) and clicked on the Mile8 cam. Wow it's changed. It now shows the snow park. This is not only good to watch but shows what the conditions are like midway up the mountain. A very useful addittion. The conditions this morning look very good indeed.
Our plans have changed a little bit and we will now get to Les Arcs on Friday 29th and leave late on the 6th. With 29 days skiing in the resort it now appears that the season pass was a very good deal at 23 euros per day
@johnE, thanks for pointing out the change to the livecams. Conditions were, indeed, very good today with the termperature a bit lower.
Unfortunately I twisted a knee in a proper wipe out this morning in La Plagne so I may miss some of the next few days .
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
Unfortunately I twisted a knee in a proper wipe out this morning in La Plagne so I may miss some of the next few days
I hope it recovers soon
After all it is free
After all it is free
Spring ski conditions are fun!! The sun is shinning, but it has stayed cold enough to keep the snow in good condition for another day.
Today we tried to do the double header! First up to the top of the Bellecote with only a few queues and then down the North Face. Next back to Les Arcs and up the Aiguille Rouge and down to Villaroger.
Unfortunately whilst the Bellecote leg went well, the queue going up the Aiguille Rouge was too big so we went down under the Varet gondola into the Robert Blanc couloir and then over to Lanchette instead and then down to Villaroger. Still good, but not the perfect route I had hoped for.
The pistes in the morning on the Les Arcs side were in good condition with a thin layer of soft snow on a firm base although very hard packed at the busy junctions and coming into the lifts in some places. In La Plagne the conditions were very similar with many people trying to reach the highest areas. The snow on the Bellecote was very good, still soft and light in many places. We were even able to find some untracked snow and managed to put the first tracks across the meadows at the bottom of the North Face and out by the summer path down to the bus.
On our return to Les Arcs in the afternoon the pistes had become quite polished in a few places, but overall they were still good to ski in the higher areas. The off piste route in Les Arcs was also good with soft snow most of the way down and even a few places where we were able to make our own tracks. We did not hit any cruddy snow until nearly at the bottom of the off piste area.
Tomorrow we plan find more places to make fresh tracks, but the question is where!? I will post another report tomorrow evening reflecting these changing conditions.
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Back on skis today and pleased to find most of the slopes in very good condition - hardish in the morning but all generally good until the early afternoon, when it turned a bit soft in places as expected. Nice and quiet as well. Very warm by lunchtime.
Looks like another week with almost unbroken sunshine and no significant snow ahead!
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Alastair, good to hear that you and the resort are in good condition We should be back to Les Arcs on Friday
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
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We should be back to Les Arcs on Friday