 Poster: A snowHead
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After a smattering of early snow in October, but nothing too much to curse the season
it all seemed to start so well and right on time with a big dump in the second half of November
but within a week it was all gone as a foehn ripped through the alps
Christmas was pretty thin, about 30cm of snow with no base at 2000 meters, I even got my snowshoes out, a good walk ruined
finally on the 29th enough snow to ski again on the fields up behind the house
and enough to open the local resort
but still very thin everywhere below 2000m by early Jan
and worse by the 15th
and worser with torrential rain
but the rain turned to snow and finally kick started the season
by the second half of Jan conditions were good even at mid mountain levels
with some powder fields
even the forest were skiable by the 28th
early Feb and the snow depths looked close to normal
a nice descent of the Pic de Pin west couloir, a highlight of the season
 
but mixed conditions a few days later due to the mild weather
but some excellent OP in our local resort
and another great day's skiing on the 25th through the woods
by March temperatures were warming up again and the snow could be variable
 
almost a last blast of winter in early April
careful missus, rocks are lurking just under the surface
ski resorts were empty at the end of the season
 
the season was perhaps 2 to 3 weeks early than normal
fresh snow on the 28th promised much but turned out to be a bit of a damp squib even if it did allow skiing down to 1650 meters for a day or two
 
To sum up, a short season, principally mid January to early April, without travelling miles to go skiing. Some days of epic snow, some very good skiing but also a lot of indifferent snow due to the mild winter. The base always lacked a bit and the missing snow was really felt from April when things warmed up. Conditions were a bit unstable, particularly near the Italian frontier but some unusual avalanches closer to home.
Not sure I'm going to ski again this season, more torrential rain this week at altitude.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 6-05-15 12:59; 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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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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Great pictorial record. Thanks for posting!
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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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@davidof, fascinating. And great photos. Thank you. 
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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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@davidof, thanks, always enjoy you trip posts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Really interesting.
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| davidof wrote: |
| To sum up, a short season, principally mid January to early April, without travelling miles to go skiing. Some days of epic snow, some very good skiing but also a lot of indifferent snow due to the mild winter. The base always lacked a bit and the missing snow was really felt from April when things warmed up. Conditions were a bit unstable, particularly near the Italian frontier.......... |
Very similar to my experiences, though I did do a few road trips and did have some superb days, especially in Valle Maira.
When we did get the snow, it was very dangerous, and unfortunately that did curtail many of our regular routes, and we did tend to stick to the trees and not venture forth into any questionable terrain.
I think this year it was the number of very experienced skiers in our area that were caught in fatal incidents that really focused the mind, and everyone was very nervous.
What we really missed out on in Serre Che this year was the heavy snow falls that fell at lower altitude, some in very close proximity to us only 25km away in the Queyras and Vai Lattea, which was very frustrating.
We only had one substantial snow fall the whole season (the infamous Dec 29) and then we only managed 35cm, rest of the snow fell in 5-10cm dribbles.
Luckily we had the early snow fall back end of November at altitude.
What that basically meant was that many of the runs down to the valley were extremely limited and as most of those involve tree runs you need need substantial cover. And that also resulted in no cross country skiing - think I only went out once and I was hoping to get into skating style.
The lack of snow later on in the season also meant many of the favoured South facing spring touring routes were non starters, unless you were prepared for a long Scottish hike (and Chapeau to them) 
That said just looked back at my Strava and would seem that I put skins on and hiked at various levels of vertical for nigh on forty days!
All my photos tend to be in the Serre thread in snow reports but this is one of my favs when I toured up to the Galibier in superb winter powder with les chiens.
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Yes, maybe Serre lacked a few epic days but thanks to the better early season snow had a higher batting average than we had (I'm basing this on your thread). Val d'Isere also seemed to have a lot of excellent conditions but on average it is 700 meters higher than round here.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great thread I commend u
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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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Enjoyable reports and pics davidof - but give us a clue on what area of France they relate to... 
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You know it makes sense.
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First photo, Couloir NSA, Roche Noire, les 7 Laux. Classic relatively steep off piste on the first snows of winter so lots of rocks not far from the surface. This was the 19th November and the snow completely melted in the week following.
Next two photos les 7 Laux and Alpe d'Huez in mid December (12th I think)
Then 23rd December, Cime de la Jasse, Belledonne range
I cycled to the snowline then snowshoed to the summit, not enough snow below 2000m to ski.
29th December, the Mure des Molles (wall of the softies) in the Belledonne, classic sledging terrain
and enough snow to open our local resort, St Hilaire du Touvet, Chartreuse, and its extensive off piste
even if there was a bit of grass showing
Then the Aulp du Seuil on the 8th Jan, again I cycled up from home to the snowline and snowshoed, about 20cm of snow at 2000m
dry!
The Oratory, 15th Jan, Charmant Som, Chartreuse, Nordic skis, okayish on the road
The rain soaked shot is le Grand Revard, Bauges on the 16th. Fortunately the rain finally turned to snow overnight and got the season going, just about.
Happy Campers on the 18th Jan
but care still needed in the backcountry
the guy with the dog was on the 21st Jan, there had been a bit more snow, this time we were on the Chamechaud in the Chartreuse
then a couple of days later fresh powder on the Cime de la Jasse in the Belledonne
Hell Yes!
still not much snow depth but some decent accumulations in the valleys.
25th Jan, St Hilaire, Chartreuse, things could still be a bit rock 'n' roll off piste
but it was starting to look like winter by the end of the month, here in the Chartreuse, vallon du Seuil
last day of Jan, high avalanche risk so nice and safe in the fields of the Belledonne, here the Pierre Roubet chalet near Barioz
Will detail the rest later.
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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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Cheers!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Cheers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Nice pics!
And the days are getting shorter!
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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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I feel a bit in awe watching @davidof 's pictures of his off piste adventures and admire them hugely.
I just don't have the ability/bravery/desire to go off piste and enjoy skiing on the pistes but completely appreciate others who have the expertise to master and enjoy the full spectrum of the mountain environment.
I guess the upside is though that the weather is a bit less important. For me the pistes were in reasonable condition at the beginning of december and were good for the 4 or 5 times through the season out till the end of April. However, I think when looking off the pistes early on, there was no way, you could see people venturing outside the prepared pistes. So I guess your experience of what is reasonable weather does vary hugely depending on the sort of skiing you enjoy.
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