 Poster: A snowHead
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Can't seem to find a thread for this season.
Any views on the current conditions?
I've not skied this area for many years but heading to Champoluc for half term with the family all DIYing
Can anyone recommend places to hire teenage boots and skis from?
cheers,
Greg
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Looking very much more promising than 10 days ago...
Currently I think high winds keeping links closed.
No idea what the stability is like...
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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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@under a new name, I guess you've not skied there yet this season??
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@kitenski, no, we haven't. We are somewhat constrained in that we are down to one property and it's pretty much 100% rented out - which is great, but limiting 
Mind you, we haven't skied Chamonix either!! (Alpine anyway - had some nice XC skating)
Being lightweights.
And the OH refuses point blank to ski if it's raining.
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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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Keeping an eye on this myself, as we're heading out in March and my sister's there next month. Both some way off, but nice to know if a good base is forming. The best place I've found to see current conditions is the Monterosa Ski Facebook page, where they give regular updates and lots of photos (which generally make me want to head straight out there). After a poor start (like everywhere), things have definitely picked up in the last week or so, and the forecast for the next few days is promising as well. Doubt it'll be a classic season, but this time last season it was looking ropy too, and then lots of snow fell in March and we had a great trip in April, so you never know.
As regards hire, I don't know whether they do specifically what you're after, but we used Telemark, just by the lifts, 3 years running and were very impressed by the service and the friendliness. Assuming it's not changed hands in the last couple of years, I'd certainly recommend them.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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No idea on Telemark but Ivan at Tako is related to my OH. He's also good.
Mind you, so is most of the valley. Related I mean.
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@J2R, @under a new name, Thanks, do I need to pre-book with it being half term do you think?[
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 11-01-16 17:40; edited 1 time in total
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@kitenski, I would!
The shop that ski2 use which is upstairs rents Stöcklis if you fancy playing on a real race ski
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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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@under a new name, I'll be taking my Volkl Code Speedwall L which are stiff enough for me at the moment!!
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| kitenski wrote: |
| b]@J2R[/b], @under a new name, Thanks, do I need to pre-book with it being half term do you think?[ |
Not sure, as I've always managed to avoid half term. It's never that busy in the Monterosa area, though, so I imagine you'll be OK. The only thing is that you do get visitors from Turin and Milan at the weekends who may well grab the best skis, so pre-booking may be a good idea (although you can always change your skis after the weekend when all the skis come back in).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hi all, snow looking a bit better out there now and fingers crossed some more for half term. I have only ever skied this area with a guide, but this trip is with the kids so little/no off piste!
Any recommended runs?
Has the bucket walk on lift in Alagna gone?
Looks like only a black down to Alagna, my kids can ski blacks, is it pisted?
Lastly I will have a hire car, is it worth a day in Antagnod and/or Brusson?
Thanks in advance,
Greg
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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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| kitenski wrote: |
Any recommended runs?
Has the bucket walk on lift in Alagna gone?
Looks like only a black down to Alagna, my kids can ski blacks, is it pisted?
Lastly I will have a hire car, is it worth a day in Antagnod and/or Brusson?
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There are a couple of great long descents which I always enjoy: from the top of Passo dei Salati above Alagna, one going down to Alagna (yes, it starts off as a black but it's not a very challenging one under normal snow conditions), the other going back towards Gressoney, either down to the bottom of the Seehorn lift or all the way down to the bottom of the Punta Jolanda lift. They're very exhilarating!
As general areas to spend time, my favourite places are the Frachey bowl area of Champoluc, and the Seehorn-Jolanda area by Gressoney (this is a good place to aim for if the visibility is poor).
I've never bothered with Antagnod or Brusson, to be honest, but I should do some day. Another place to know about, if you're based in Gressoney-la-Trinite or Stafal, is Gressoney-St-Jean, down the valley. If the winds get up, sometimes a lot of lifts get closed up top in the other areas, but this, being more sheltered, tends to stay open and it's a nice little area. Only really practical if you're based in Gressoney-la-Trinite or Stafal, though, as it's a drive or bus ride down the valley, not lift-linked to the other areas.
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@kitenski, even with kids it'll be perfectly possible for you ski pretty much everything. no particular recommended runs, all good.
If the kids are up to black runs, you'll be almost certainly able to do the "full circuit" - Champoluc-Gressoney-Pianalunga and back again in a day.
Be sensitive to wind warnings. They do their best to manage lift closures but if they start suggesting you get back to your "home" valley, then don't ignore them. A taxi from Alagna to Champoluc would be eye wateringly expensive.
Antagnod surprisingly good introduction to powder on a powder day and usually relatively unskied. A bit limited otherwise. Brusson?? Even my OH has never skied there I don't think.
Bucket lift went many years ago! Whole system above Alagna very different. You've got avvy kit, right as techincally it's required for any off piste in Piedmonte. I have seen varied levels of enforcement on the Punta Indren cablecar. "Black run" is pisted, one short steep pitch the rest is red. Unless you in off piste via the bowl.
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You know it makes sense.
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Having recommended the long run down to Alagna, I should also add that I don't actually do it that often. There's a bit of trudge through the village getting to the cable car back up, and I think the best stuff from the run down is actually above the half way station, so I tend to stop there and go back up when I ski the Alagna side.
I'd definitely second the warnings about wind, above. If it's a windy day, with the likelihood of increasing winds, I'd stay over on the Champoluc side, if I were you. You don't want to get stuck in the wrong valley.
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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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@J2R, thanks, I'm based in Champoluc but have a hire car.... I do recall days being called off due to the wind whilst I was doing guiding!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@under a new name, I have avi kit, but the kids don't so we will stick to the pistes I think! Can you not go up the Puntra Indren without avi kit as it appears to just be an itinery down?
Antagnod good then if it is snowing, does the lift pass cover it?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@kitenski, I don't think so. But I don't know how well it's policed, nor just how well controlled it is. We've been turned back with some friends on account that they had no backpacks but equally, we've been up with backpacks and no-one asked what was in them... 
Antagnod certainly on Monterosa pass.
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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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@kitenski, they do spot checks as you head to the Indren lift, so probably not worth the risk. I wouldn't want to head off into that area without avi kit anyway, even if they weren't checking. Anyway, there's loads of stuff off to the sides of the pistes, of varying levels of gnarliness, if the kids want to play around with a bit of off-piste. (Still need to be cautious, though, of course).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@kitenski,
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Lastly I will have a hire car, is it worth a day in Antagnod and/or Brusson?
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We did a morning in Antagnod (Brusson would be a real trek I would have thought) and we just took the ski bus. 20 mins there, 10 mins back as it is a circular route. It was quite nice, for a morning. Need to catch the bus from near the Chemists, north side of the car park otherwise you have to go to Frachey first. Route is Champoluc -> Frachey -> Antagnod -> Champoluc.
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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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@bruisedskier, if the bus link is that quick, it makes me consider giving it a go some time. I'd probably ski to Frachey and take the bus from there, then come back from Champoluc. I feel I should get to know the area, for completism's sake.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just come back from Champoluc on Saturday night. The week was sunny and warm the whole time but the pistes were in near perfect condition. I was amazed at just how good they managed to keep them given there had been no new snow for over two weeks. I think it snowed though yesterday? (Sunday). There really was next to no off piste skiing available though we did still do the Eagle Couloir. Two of our group went to Brussen to skin up but had to turn back as the snow cover was not good enough. The run down to Alagne is very steep but again, generally in very good shape.
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looks like a little more snow last night and more today from the webcams, with a fairly snowy outlook for half term!
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How good are they are keeping the roads clear up to Champoluc?? Hiring a car in Milan from Budget, will it be likely to have snow tyres? I have asked for chains!
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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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@kitenski, pretty good. Unlikely. Possibly not even winter diesel (buy treatment on the motorway). You might get chains, verify they fit the car before you depart (and are not broken).
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@under a new name, yes the hotel mentioned diesel treatment, cheers!! Not landing until 7:30pm so hopefully the road will not too bad. Would you try and fit chains in the airport carpark to be sure??
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@kitenski, Yes and I'd get one of the hire car people to do it too!
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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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@under a new name, good idea, cheers!
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@kitenski, you may encounter some resistance.
Friends coming to Chamonix arrived in Milan and the Italian lady in front of them in the queue stamped her foot and went purple until they agreed to accompany her to the car and check the chains.
Not only were they the wrong size, but broken as well...
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You know it makes sense.
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@under a new name,  could be fun!! What hire company was that?
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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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@kitenski, hertz I think. Not sure tho!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Tuesday update.. Hire car had 4wd and snow tyres which was very handy as snowy roads up the hill Sunday night.
Snow pretty good, some icy patches and the very odd worn bit (I'm talking one turn). I'd love to be off piste, the occasional forray has found light and fluffy snow but yesterday's sun has put a crust on lower down.
Skied Alagna and back from Champoluc yesterday, only one queue there and back at the chair above Frachey.
Snowing on and off today from light to heavy showers.,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| kitenski wrote: |
Tuesday update.. Hire car had 4wd and snow tyres which was very handy as snowy roads up the hill Sunday night.
Snow pretty good, some icy patches and the very odd worn bit (I'm talking one turn). I'd love to be off piste, the occasional forray has found light and fluffy snow but yesterday's sun has put a crust on lower down.
Skied Alagna and back from Champoluc yesterday, only one queue there and back at the chair above Frachey.
Snowing on and off today from light to heavy showers., |
Glad to hear that the conditions are good. Keep the weather reports coming - we're heading to Champoluc at Easter 
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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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been clouding over all day but sadly not snowing!!
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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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Per the site Monterosa use, forecast for Monday/Tuesday ....
That's probably no help
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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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The chair above frachey is a right pain as both directions Champoluc-Gressoney-Champoluc are forced to take it.
Very poor planning.
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| under a new name wrote: |
The chair above frachey is a right pain as both directions Champoluc-Gressoney-Champoluc are forced to take it.
Very poor planning. |
Yes that has been a constant source of queues this week. Max 5 mins, but most/all other lifts have been ski straight on!
Still cloudy without any snow!!
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All they need to do is put in a couple of little lifts and 'twould be sorted
The Belvedere 2 way lift is on its very last legs so hopefully ...
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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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| under a new name wrote: |
All they need to do is put in a couple of little lifts and 'twould be sorted
The Belvedere 2 way lift is on its very last legs so hopefully ... |
A single lift from the other side of the slope at the bottom of the Bettaforca chair, up to the top of the Mandria chair, would make a big difference and shouldn't pose huge technical problems, I wouldn't have thought. It would mean that those skiing down from Colle Bettaforca heading back to Champoluc could skip the Frachey bowl entirely, saving a lot of time and significantly reducing demand on the Mandria chair (which, to be fair, is the only lift in the area where I've ever really seen queues, and even then they've been pretty short).
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FAQ
