 Poster: A snowHead
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Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers. |
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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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.... at thats one of the reasons why the Folie is a 'Marmite' place for most of us locals... can you tell which side I sit on!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Steve Angus, Not my cuppa either.... My gang like it but prefer Cocoricos
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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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Hello, everyone, new guy here!!
Planning a solo snowboard trip to Tignes between March 6th and March 16th this year.
Never been to Tignes (or any other ski resort in the Alps actually - only been to Grandvalira in Europe).
Ive got tons of questions, if anyone could help me out I'd appreciate so much! Ill book a flight to Geneve
1. Are the 3 first weeks of march snow sure in Tignes? Do i get some powder days? I might postpone the trip to 2nd and 3rd week of March.
2. Is it safe for a solo traveler? I mean, thinking of the avalanches and off-piste trails. Im no newbie, but going solo really scares me a bit.
3. Im planning to stay in https://stayhideout.com/hostel/tignes/ any other suggestion?
Im travelling from Brazil
; )
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| landi wrote: |
Hello, everyone, new guy here!!
Planning a solo snowboard trip to Tignes between March 6th and March 16th this year.
Never been to Tignes (or any other ski resort in the Alps actually - only been to Grandvalira in Europe).
Ive got tons of questions, if anyone could help me out I'd appreciate so much! Ill book a flight to Geneve
1. Are the 3 first weeks of march snow sure in Tignes? Do i get some powder days? I might postpone the trip to 2nd and 3rd week of March.
2. Is it safe for a solo traveler? I mean, thinking of the avalanches and off-piste trails. Im no newbie, but going solo really scares me a bit.
3. Im planning to stay in https://stayhideout.com/hostel/tignes/ any other suggestion?
Im travelling from Brazil
; ) |
"Are the 3 first weeks of march snow sure in Tignes?" YES 100%
"Do i get some powder days? " - you might be lucky but lesser chance at that time of the year. But its possible yes
"Is it safe for a solo traveler? I mean, thinking of the avalanches and off-piste trails" - you should never ski alone and off piste no
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@Steve Angus, thanks;
I might do some off piste but only every bit close to the piste.
Bookin my flight to Geneve tomorrow.
Do i get the ski passes online or do i wait til' i get there? Can i ski both Tignes and Val d'isere with the same pass?
Also which is the best transfer from Geneve?
tks again
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Ok, this might sound silly, but... is snowboard allowed in all of the Tignes-Val dIsere area, right?
I heard there are some ski-only resorts in the US, never heard 'bout those in Europe, though
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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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@landi, you can buy separate Val d'isere or Tignes passes but the joint one is best. Loads of snowboards out there. I'll leave others to answer the rest of your questions.
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I see the National Strike is starting to bite a little bit more with lift closures today with Paquis, Grand Huit, Almes, Combe Folle, Col de Ves, Lanches, Cable Car, Vanoise, Fressse, Aiguille Percee and Chardonnet shut.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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 - maybe I'll pack the toothpicks and be doing some XC next week at this rate!
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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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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers. |
They don't just hang out in FD though. These tossers are then the types of tossers who block up the lift queue or do other nobby type things and even if you are perfectly polite in asking them to perhaps not block everyone else etc, they'll stand there and tell you, firstly, to 'calm down' with feigned shock on their faces... then get really lairy at you because you dared say 'Thank you, I'm perfectly calm, but would you please mind letting us through to the lift'.... and when they finally do, they cut you up when you're skiing...so many tossers out there these days.
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@landi,
If on your own stick to the Naturide pistes rather than solo off-piste. They are patrolled pistes that are not bashed, so have similar conditions to the off-piste.
Otherwise contact one of the schools for off-piste lesson/guidance, such as Evolution2 or The Development Centre (TDC).
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You know it makes sense.
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| Extremophile wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers. |
They don't just hang out in FD though. These tossers are then the types of tossers who block up the lift queue or do other nobby type things and even if you are perfectly polite in asking them to perhaps not block everyone else etc, they'll stand there and tell you, firstly, to 'calm down' with feigned shock on their faces... then get really lairy at you because you dared say 'Thank you, I'm perfectly calm, but would you please mind letting us through to the lift'.... and when they finally do, they cut you up when you're skiing...so many tossers out there these days. |
I just think the general awareness out there is shocking these days. The ski industry seems to have blown itself up. Half of the problems seem to stem from many people believing the hype and BS coming from ski companies amongst others hyping everything up. I even hear people these days talk about it 'not being possible to ski off piste unless you have specialist off piste skis' and other BS such as that!
Kenzie - thanks for saying and yes landi be aware that 'just off piste' is actually where most people get caught up in avalanches... its a common misconception that avalanches happen a long way away from the slopes but in fact more people are killed and injured within a couple hundred metres of the slopes than anywhere else!
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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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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| Extremophile wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers. |
They don't just hang out in FD though. These tossers are then the types of tossers who block up the lift queue or do other nobby type things and even if you are perfectly polite in asking them to perhaps not block everyone else etc, they'll stand there and tell you, firstly, to 'calm down' with feigned shock on their faces... then get really lairy at you because you dared say 'Thank you, I'm perfectly calm, but would you please mind letting us through to the lift'.... and when they finally do, they cut you up when you're skiing...so many tossers out there these days. |
I just think the general awareness out there is shocking these days. The ski industry seems to have blown itself up. Half of the problems seem to stem from many people believing the hype and BS coming from ski companies amongst others hyping everything up. I even hear people these days talk about it 'not being possible to ski off piste unless you have specialist off piste skis' and other BS such as that!
Kenzie - thanks for saying and yes landi be aware that 'just off piste' is actually where most people get caught up in avalanches... its a common misconception that avalanches happen a long way away from the slopes but in fact more people are killed and injured within a couple hundred metres of the slopes than anywhere else! |
Yep… In a low snow year, when we were running a chalet I had a guest who went to great pains telling me why his skis were off piste powder specialists not design for piste skiing. I said ‘it’s not snowed in over a month’…. I walked away from him as he blinked repeatedly, unable to compute.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@chocksaway, but strangely all on Tignes side, nothing closed in Val. Any reason for that you aware of?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Dr John wrote: |
| @chocksaway, but strangely all on Tignes side, nothing closed in Val. Any reason for that you aware of? |
Was anyone from Tignes CdS racing at the World Championships yesterday?
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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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| Extremophile wrote: |
| Steve Angus wrote: |
| Extremophile wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Son 1 was in VDI last week visiting seasonaire Son 2.
They were in Folie Douce and Girlfriend of Son 2 had a drink thrown at her and was then threatened and verbally abused by a male in a group of Brit males in their mid 30s.
Son 1 witnessed it and went over and told said male what he thought of him in no uncertain terms. The group had been on the sauce and were driven on by their dutch courage.
Son 2 arrived back from the loo and proceeded towards the melee at speed at which point the shithouses exited rapidly.
Tossers. |
They don't just hang out in FD though. These tossers are then the types of tossers who block up the lift queue or do other nobby type things and even if you are perfectly polite in asking them to perhaps not block everyone else etc, they'll stand there and tell you, firstly, to 'calm down' with feigned shock on their faces... then get really lairy at you because you dared say 'Thank you, I'm perfectly calm, but would you please mind letting us through to the lift'.... and when they finally do, they cut you up when you're skiing...so many tossers out there these days. |
I just think the general awareness out there is shocking these days. The ski industry seems to have blown itself up. Half of the problems seem to stem from many people believing the hype and BS coming from ski companies amongst others hyping everything up. I even hear people these days talk about it 'not being possible to ski off piste unless you have specialist off piste skis' and other BS such as that!
Kenzie - thanks for saying and yes landi be aware that 'just off piste' is actually where most people get caught up in avalanches... its a common misconception that avalanches happen a long way away from the slopes but in fact more people are killed and injured within a couple hundred metres of the slopes than anywhere else! |
Yep… In a low snow year, when we were running a chalet I had a guest who went to great pains telling me why his skis were off piste powder specialists not design for piste skiing. I said ‘it’s not snowed in over a month’…. I walked away from him as he blinked repeatedly, unable to compute. |
Beggars belief eh!
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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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| Dr John wrote: |
| @chocksaway, but strangely all on Tignes side, nothing closed in Val. Any reason for that you aware of? |
I was thinking that... all I can think of is that Tignes seem to have a few more longer term and younger / perhaps more militant and thus union member lifties whereas Val dont seem to... thats just a hunch thats all!
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
| Dr John wrote: |
| @chocksaway, but strangely all on Tignes side, nothing closed in Val. Any reason for that you aware of? |
Was anyone from Tignes CdS racing at the World Championships yesterday? |
?
Not sure yesterday but Laura Gache was today in the Womens!
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@Dr John, As Steve says just a hunch! But in the last election the proportion of Tignards that voted for Melanchon matched the National picture, in Val he got a much smaller%.
We do have quite a young militant in my block, from a wealthy family. I generally steer clear of politics with French folks, on this topic of retirement age I just say it’s not fair on your kids who are going to be paying for your long retirement until the bubble finally explodes, as it inevitably will….
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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
| Dr John wrote: |
| @chocksaway, but strangely all on Tignes side, nothing closed in Val. Any reason for that you aware of? |
Was anyone from Tignes CdS racing at the World Championships yesterday? |
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Not sure yesterday but Laura Gache was today in the Womens! |
Just thought some in Tignes might have used the strike as an excuse to bunk off over to the 3Vs to support some local skier.
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@chocksaway, @Kenzie, @Steve Angus, younger, more militant (and bearded & pierced) might account for it. I do know the STMG offer terrible terms; no accommodation, no guaranteed hours, called up to work at the last minute etc. Not sure of the exact STVI terms but anecdotally they're apparently much better (the lovely Flo of the Marmottes always seems quite happy anyway...)
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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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@Dr John, I’ll ask when I’m back about conditions but I do know there is a large block of STGM accommodation next to the Home Club. In the end it’s the same company that provides the personnel to operate the lifts ((Compagnie des Alpes)
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@chocksaway, @Dr John, . I suspect many of the Tignes (STGM) workers are resident in Tignes. Our "landlord" and his wife both work for them. He works the higher lifts and she does Revenue Protection (checking for fraudulent use of lift passes). They're both locals so do not require accommodation.
Some of the lifts that remained closed a couple of weeks ago seemed to have been selected to cause minimum disruption. Grand Huit and Vanoise for eg could both be easily by-passed.
Just a few thoughts after a three week stint in Tignes. The light powder snow that dropped during our first few days provided some of the best skiing I can ever remember. Probably down to the very low temperatures, but it was coming up off the skis like smoke.
We have never seen Tignes so busy in January. Probably a combination of factors. Poor conditions elsewhere, Uni holidays, full ClubMed?. There was definitely a high level of muppetry on display most days.
Concur with Chocksaway about the QDC and Brassero. Excellent food and service in both. Our favourite coffee/choc stops in Tignes are Cocorico (opens 11am I think) and the Croissanterie in Le Lac (next to ESF office). Coco's for reasonable prices considering location, (and fresh Pizza by the slice), and the Croissanterie for the best coffee and delicious pastries.
Btw, if anyone is tempted by the apres in Cocorico (Val Claret) make sure you lock your skis up.
There were some unpleasant scenes at night over the last couple of weeks on the buses from Val C and outside some of the bars. Excessive alcohol consumption being the common denominator.
On the way down we filled up with diesel in Luxembourg. Euro 1.51 ltr southbound, and 1.56 on the way back. And brimmed the tank with "Grand Froid" fuel (winterised to -20c) at Le Clerc in Aime. Autoroute prices varied from high 1.80's to 2.15 ltr.
Thanks to those we skiied with, enjoyed meals, coffee stops and the odd happy hour G & T/Beer. (you know who you are). Look forward to seeing you in March.
ps, 5 hours to Lyon St Exupery when we left. The lights at the Tunnel du Siaix had been activated. This always baffles me. It causes huge queues on transfer days and must generate high levels of pollution in the valley. The 2nd major delay was caused by an accident near Chambery that also caused huge queues. Continued up to our overnight stay in Nancy. Checked out it's Unesco listed royal square, Place Stanislas, on Sunday. Amazing scale and architecture
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Kenzie - 
chocksaway - yup indeed.
Dr John A friend of mine who worked for STGM couple years back swapped to the STVI last year because the terms are better! He's a Brit by the way - works top of Marmottes this year - Liam!
GeorgeVII - the sioux tunnel lights and the lights coming from Albertville direction - its to stop cars queuing in the tunnels - and if there were to be a fire.............. also dont want the pollution in the towns themselves - not ideal solution the lights but it is what it is.
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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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@Steve Angus,
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also dont want the pollution in the towns themselves - not ideal solution the lights but it is what it is.
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I get keeping the tunnels clear, but when traffic is idling all the way back through Aime, Bourg st M, and all the choked up side roads and villages, it's just moving pollution from one place to another.
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| GeorgeVII wrote: |
@Steve Angus,
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also dont want the pollution in the towns themselves - not ideal solution the lights but it is what it is.
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I get keeping the tunnels clear, but when traffic is idling all the way back through Aime, Bourg st M, and all the choked up side roads and villages, it's just moving pollution from one place to another. |
Yup. But they obviously think it’s better that way! Hmmmmmmmmm
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You know it makes sense.
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Reports of a fire at Le Ski d'Or in Val Claret. 54 guests & staff looking for emergency accommodation according to one post.
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
| Reports of a fire at Le Ski d'Or in Val Claret. 54 guests & staff looking for emergency accommodation according to one post. |
Yea have heard something bubbling through about it but no no more for now!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Kenzie, Just going to write about that. It was the Ski D’Or in Val Claret operated by Alpine Elements. It started in or under a jacuzzi in the basement. From a private video I have seen there was a lot of smoke, so not sure about the viability of operating it next week. Nothing on AE’s channels. It was a mass turnout of the emergency services including Pisteurs on skidoos hurtling across the Lake. 4 people with light smoke inhalation issues.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just had a quick look at the weather and travel. Essentially, high pressure is in charge all week, so blue skies and sunshine, cold nights but quite warm by day over the weekend and into next week. No snow for a good while.
Lots of traffic tomorrow, strangely my phone won’t open the document to say how many. But the Prefect has appealed to the French strikers not to block the N 90, so guess what they’ll do. Hopefully they won’t shut Calais as well. But expect queues all afternoon on the way up the Hill.
There might be a bit of fog at Brizzle and Luton, which could slow things up if it forms. Likewise early mist may form at Chambery and then clear, if it forms there may be a few delayed take offs from the UK.
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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: |
Just had a quick look at the weather and travel. Essentially, high pressure is in charge all week, so blue skies and sunshine, cold nights but quite warm by day over the weekend and into next week. No snow for a good while.
Lots of traffic tomorrow, strangely my phone won’t open the document to say how many. But the Prefect has appealed to the French strikers not to block the N 90, so guess what they’ll do. Hopefully they won’t shut Calais as well. But expect queues all afternoon on the way up the Hill.
There might be a bit of fog at Brizzle and Luton, which could slow things up if it forms. Likewise early mist may form at Chambery and then clear, if it forms there may be a few delayed take offs from the UK. |
76000 cars I think I saw
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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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@Steve Angus,
76000 cars - probably just as well you've got a snow drought!
Does that number include transfer coaches?
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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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@Kenzie, I think the 76k is vehicles heading in over Fri, Sat and Sun. I’ve looked again and can’t find the details, but, based on recent years, bar the C word years, I would expect 38k vehicles heading past Albertville tomorrow.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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This might be the wrong place but I thought I'd give it a go.
Didn't think I was going to make it back this year but we've finally found (and agreed on) a place and booked (Yay!). The thing is we will be down in 1800 (in MMV L'Ataviva) which I've never been to before. I've looked on the interwebulator and have found that there seems to be only one bar which doubles as a pizza place, and one supermarche. Bit of a one horse town by the looks of it!
Is this correct?  Surely there must be a bit more down there as there seems to be quite a few residences? Can anyone shed some light on this issue? The three of us are in our 50s so don't want raving apres, but a decent bar (preferably french) for a beer &/or G&T would be nice! Would it be better to apres in Le Lac and bus it home maybe?
I'd love to know what sort of time the pizza place shuts as hopefully, if traffic and Chambery chaos allows we'll be getting there very hungrey at about 9pm ish.
Also, I think there are two hire shops, does anyone know which is the better of the two to hire from? My mate is adamant that he's going to hire when he gets there this time despite having his own skis here, silly man!
Looking forward to March now!
Thanks guys.
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We stayed in the MMV Altavista in Jan 19 (before the dreaded C word)
Apartments have a small but nice bar and restaurant. You can also order breakfast stuff the night before. There were a few livelyish bars in the resort and a few restaurants. Certainly enough for this 40 something! Seemed very French - not many Brits about . Very easy to get to Le Lac by bus all evening
And of course skiing home it is compulsory to stop at Cafe Le Soli!
Have fun
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PS we hired from the shop in the apartment. Couldn’t get more slopeside. Lockers in there as well
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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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@gixxerniknik, Only reports I have had for this year say that the supermarket is very good. Not sure what bars are running, but it is quiet down there. But a bus to Lac and back is easy and you can also go down in the bubble to Les Brevieres, there’s a couple of nice bars down there, just make sure you don’t get stuck!
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Whats the snow like recently peeps?
Me and two pals are looking to share a transfer (or hire car) from Geneva to Tignes Friday 24th - returning to GENEVA 01 March.
Transfer prices seem astronomical this time (£600+), does anyone fancy sharing, or know any good companies that are running on reasonable rates?
Thanks in advance.
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FAQ
