Poster: A snowHead
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A bit of a self interested request. Looking for a 3 day weekend target destination for the end of January.
Want a bit of true intelligence re state of offpiste coverage. We are not interested in how many km of piste are open with the aid of cannons nor whether people have had a perfectly good time on their holibobs. By my reckoning this far out we should at least be looking at places where offpiste is respectably covered with something that might be described a "decent base" even though there will be some sharkteeth etc, acknowledging that subsequent cover is in the lap of the gods.
So any offers?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Western Alps eg EK / Cham / Verbier. Doubt there'll be sharks by end of this week. It's been tipping it down up high
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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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The base here in Les Arcs is still below seasonal average, I think, but this week's forecast might bring it up to average if it translates to snow on the ground. Plenty of sharks this week, still. Not sure if the wet snow that's already fallen, and the heavy snow that is forecast, is going to stabilise the avalanche risk, so that should be be a factor in your decision.
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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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It was DUMPING over the Arlberg Pass today. Rain in St Anton (but snow by the first gallerie), snowing to below Stuben on the other side.
Ischgl yesterday had enough to ski offpiste higher up on mellow slopes, but still needed care for rocks beneath. Intense avi control all day (most I've ever seen in an open resort during the day) with a LOT of big slides as a result.
Montafon has a lot less snow, and it's currently raining a lot higher.
Further east in Tirol around Innsbruck there's a lot less snow. Other than Stubai and maybe Obergurgl, not enough to ski offpiste. Hoping that'll change this week...
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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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Insufficient base here if off-piste is your thing
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Chamonix.
Tignes.
Verbier.
Lech.
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Two British skiers/snowboarders had to be rescued from a glacier crevasse over the weekend because they had left the marked pistes on the Hintertux glacier. The search for "freshies" nearly ended in tragedy for them and the people that had to rescue them. Fresh untracked snow is usually left by the locals, ski bums and seasonaires for a very good reason.
Snowing quite heavily above 1800m here in the Bavarian Alps which should provide some good touring as the freezing level drops once the snowpack has settled.
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CH coverage in % vs seasonal average
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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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^ That's a nice reference - anyone know sources of similar pics for France, Austria, Italy, Bulgaria (one of these may not be entirely a serious candidate).
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Espace Killy seems to be getting hammered and more to come...think I'd be heading there
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The best that can be said Bout the Dolomites right now is that you won't have a whole lot of competition for lines off piste.
The piste is excellent though.
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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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@Dave of the Marmottes, davidof did one for France in the weather thread. As per @kitenski, western alps have much better base than anywhere else and EK, Cham, Verbier getting hammered. Stick to that broad area unless there's a major dump in the next couple of weeks somewhere else.
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Tarentaise is now pretty much at normal levels for the time of year (it is still early January after all...). I was riding off-piste in the trees in Sainte Foy all day today, no hassles with roots, stumps, etc. Snow-depth is somewhat inconsistent as there has been a lot of rain at very low altitudes (i.e. below 1500m, higher at times, but not a big issue). Not a problem round here as all the skiing is higher than that, but lower-lying areas elsewhere have suffered badly. At high altitudes, some exposed areas have been stripped by strong winds, others have received masses of wind-transported snow.
Avalanche risk is very high at the moment (4, but a very big and worrying 4).
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