 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I'm considering heading out to Tignes 3-10th of March for some Off-Piste with Snoworks. Just looking at the temperatures in the long range forecast and it looks like it could be spring like conditions with not much snow forecast in the next 10 days. I've skied a fair bit in Tignes but never in spring snow. Any experience of how it bears up?
I'm keen to try the Snoworks course (along with my Son...first time OP for him), but I'm more interested in decent conditions....
jim
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to snowHeads @adaptedsilence
Steve Angus says "off piste options for those who want real snow off piste as opposed to just the experience of it are becoming thinner on the ground day by day!" He's based in Val D'Isere but very often skis Tignes also.
His blog is here
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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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Nothing to worry about spring skiing is great.
I have seen quite a few people skiing 0ff piste this morning.
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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 is two weeks away. Weather and forecast will probably change.
I have done an off-piste Snoworks course in Tignes end April - had a fab time!
There is more to off-piste than fresh snow and powder. You will love it!
They often do an all-terrain course at the same time.
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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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Spring snow is ace, but timing is everything. If you get a Snoworks local who knows the mountain well you will have a great time and learn a lot regarding off piste safety.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm in the same boat as you! Thinking about an off piste week at roughly the same time but been put off for now by the temps.
I did an off piste week in Tignes two seasons ago during the first week of March and it was really warm. From memory +6 at Val Claret at 9am most mornings. TBH I didn't really enjoy it. We spent all day hunting around for small patches of half decent snow. The mornings were just rubbish - bullet proof. Afternoons were ok at best. I understand it was March (early though) but it was really warm and the snow really suffered. As others above have commented - I'm sure it can be good and maybe I got a rubbish week.
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Go to Japan.
European offpiste is rarely good.
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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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@BMG, who was that with? Any decent guide should be able to find decent spring snow assuming the sun was out and it froze at night? If it hadn't transformed then it'd be very hard to find decent snow!
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@adaptedsilence, have done a few end of season off piste gigs with Snoworks , even into may !! spring snow rocks , Tignes is a fab resort and has many aspects allowing for good off piste days long after fresh snow , you'll have a great time and snow could defiantly still fall before you go out .
also if your sons first experience of off piste , its quite nice to have good viz and stable conditions 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@kitenski, It was with UCPA. I have had nothing but good experiences with them prior to that. I think one of the issues may have been that the group was quite varied in ability even though it was labelled as Expert Off Piste - there were people in the group with only 2 weeks Off Piste experience. I was pretty annoyed with that. There weren't any other Off Piste groups that week to shuffle people around either. The guide did say at the end of week "Imagine if it was just you and me all week".....what could have been! Asides that, I have never been a fan of slush and bullet proof, both of which you get in spring. Maybe I should give it another shot but surely Off Piste is going to be bullet proof until at least 11am, so two hours wasted already?!
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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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@BMG, You'd pick slopes that get early sun and they'd soften fairly quick under a strong sun....then follow the sun as it softens the slopes. Timing it spot on and it really is fantastic, you can really let the skis run!
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@kitenski, I wish it were that easy at the moment but the bigger picture is far more complex.....
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You know it makes sense.
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Well thanks for all the input folks. I’ve booked the trip so we’ll just have to see. I’ve had sensational off piste in The Espace Killy before and had amazing conditions in Serre Chevalier last year. It’s almost a completely different sport when you factor in conditions. Bit like surfing - never the same and always unpredictable. I guess that’s what makes the special moments so special. Will report back!!
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