 Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks all that’s some great beta , think mt chery sat pm is a great call , then drive to ardent first thing Sunday to get ahead , loads to go at From there , would love to have a go at the circuit but will see how it goes , also plan on a bit of time in the park at avoriaz
Hopefully a small freshen up of snow before next weekend 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ozboy, I have done the Col Du PdS on a board a few times, without unclipping.
The top is the road that goes above LC, then it becomes a piste for a short bit and you turn left through the Col rather than carrying on straight towards Champoussin and the Defago. After a few turns you go past the bar / resto and it becomes a track again. The Defago feeds in from the RHS after a few hundred meters, and you just follow the gentle track down to Morgins.
Abricotine on a board is fine too, but it's easiest to break left and go up Brochaux before it flattens out, then take Combe a Florets down to Ardent as this misses out the Lindarets plateau. There's a walking trail above Morgins / Champery called the Contrabandiers (Smugglers) I have never done it, but have seen skiers heading towards it from the Pt De L'Au.
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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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@WindOfChange, do you know if the runs to Grand Paradis have any snowmaking (I suspect not as they're itineraries)? We'll be there in a couple of weeks and just wondering what's the likelihood that they might open then if there's not a natural snowfall before then.
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No the runs to Grand Paradis don't have snow making. They require good snow levels to be open and remain closed for a lot of the season.
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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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@doddsie, Never been out towards Planachaux and Grand Paradis. Is it worth the trip when there is show and am I right to think that it can be reached directly from the bottom of the Swiss Wall without having to take any more lifts (piste map not too clear)?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Look forward to trying out the new bit off Abricotine! We always park in Ardent and usually finish a visit with a non-stop run from Pointe Des Mosettes down to the car park.
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@Ozboy, You just go up the lift which has a T bar next to a button by the side of the Swiss wall (Ripaille). There's a couple of quaint bar / restos on the first pitch, and generally the snow is good up there as its high. You cross the valley and then continue all the way down to the bottom. You have to pole the last couple of KM so I stay away on my board. You can also get to it by taking the 8X magic carpet chair, going across towards Planachaux chair and just carrying on down (or like you ask by carrying on from the foot of the wall), but for me the best bit is on the Ripaille section.
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@pdsguy, At the moment the new bit is a bit bumpy in places, and even though you are a couple of years younger than me you won't be shussing it like Abricotine 
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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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Some(all?)of the above mentioned runs are long but largely flat. As Shep said, with a max altitude of 2200m at the highest lift you are struggling for “denivelation”, perhaps 1000m at best. That’s just how it is.
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@WindOfChange, got it thanks.. looking at the map the Ripaille run is shown as a dotted red line - any idea what is meant by the dots?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Ozboy wrote: |
| @WindOfChange, got it thanks.. looking at the map the Ripaille run is shown as a dotted red line - any idea what is meant by the dots? |
It's the other side of the hill.
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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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Skied around Chatel today, pistes surprisingly good, off chalky, unless south facing then refrozen and downright nasty.
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| Idris wrote: |
| Ozboy wrote: |
| @WindOfChange, got it thanks.. looking at the map the Ripaille run is shown as a dotted red line - any idea what is meant by the dots? |
It's the other side of the hill. |
Ah! I see it now - there are only so many ways a piste map artist can distort the true terrain to show every run.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ozboy - After the drag lift the first bit is a lot of fun and passes two nice restaurants, one of which will tow you back up by ski-doo if there's no snow lower down. The rest is a long slow path winding through the forest. Worth doing once, just to take a look, but choose a day when the pistes are icy and fast, so you don't have to do any poling.
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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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@Ozboy, If you tuck low enough on Abricotine you can just about avoid poling.
The run Col PDS to Morgins starts well but does have some very flat bits.
As @doddsie mentions top or Hauts Forts to Prodains fits the bill, either Coupe du Monde (is this now called Jean Vuarnet) , Arete des Intrets, the itineraire or combinations of bits. Non stop it will certainly make your legs ache.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@DJL, will try adopting the alternate tuck position of sitting on the tails of the skis, preferred by teenagers, but afraid I may not be able to get up again.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ozboy, the biggest difference in wind resistance is in your arms, so hold your hands behind your back and half tuck a la cross country racers. 2/3s effect for 1/4 effort.
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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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| DJL wrote: |
@Ozboy, If you tuck low enough on Abricotine you can just about avoid poling.
The run Col PDS to Morgins starts well but does have some very flat bits.
As @doddsie mentions top or Hauts Forts to Prodains fits the bill, either Coupe du Monde (is this now called Jean Vuarnet) , Arete des Intrets, the itineraire or combinations of bits. Non stop it will certainly make your legs ache. |
Sounds good , will have to avoid the flatter long runs as my boy in his board will not be pleased
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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are the snowcross crozats / itineraries at all skiable atm ???
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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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| doddsie wrote: |
| Ozboy - After the drag lift the first bit is a lot of fun and passes two nice restaurants, one of which will tow you back up by ski-doo if there's no snow lower down. The rest is a long slow path winding through the forest. Worth doing once, just to take a look, but choose a day when the pistes are icy and fast, so you don't have to do any poling. |
Incidentally, does anyone know the names and/or opening periods of these two restaurant/cafes down the Ripaille red run (scenic route)?
As for ideal snow conditions for this, I think a good dump is best - and a powder board.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@crosbie, one of them is called Lapisa. Not sure about the other
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@DJL, I recognise the Alpage Lapisa from its photos. I've had a coffee there. Not eaten tho. From research perhaps the lower place is called 'Restaurant Buvette des Clavets'? If so, it's the one that I've wondered about (that was closed last two times I popped by). Perhaps it's a summer only place?
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Thu 9-01-20 8:45; edited 1 time in total
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@crosbie, the one where the narrow track starts? Certainly been open in winter when I’ve done the run.
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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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| Dabber wrote: |
| are the snowcross crozats / itineraries at all skiable atm ??? |
Yes
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Looks like a good dump of snow is forecast for a few days from Friday 17th, according to the Jet2ski's forecast.
Are these reliable? Anyone use a better forecast site? I understand the weather can change in a heartbeat and no forecast is ever greatly accurate.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Thu 9-01-20 9:28; edited 2 times in total
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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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@Roscoe, no forecast is really reliable until a few days out...there are hints of something around that timescale but it could as easily be nothing if the high remains.
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@Roscoe, best local forecast IMV is Chamonix Meteo.
I also like meteoblue for trend tracking.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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@Ozboy, is the Chatel one good then? Nothing like (skilled) human intervention plus local experience (hence Chamonix Meteo’s advantages, admittedly diluted the more valleys over you are )
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Poster: A snowHead
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@under a new name, Yes I think it’s excellent as it’s run by a weather man. There are updates throughout the day especially during a snow event. All done on a shoe string and they accept small donations in order to maintain the site. Supporters get access to Whatsapp group where there are weather updates, photos and general PDS info sharing and banter by members.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I know it's not scientific but it's my birthday on Jan 18th and it nearly always shows around that date, seriously..
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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've found Chas' snow forecasts (follow the "snow forecast" link from https://www.chatelsnowreport.com/) pretty accurate but mountains so anything can happen.
The thing that is really useful is the snow report. He is out round the area pretty much every day, either on his snowboard or trail running and the snow reports are absolutely accurate and honest. Extra advantage for me is that his usual trail run comes right past our apartment and up above Petit Chatel.
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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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@Idris, Hi Idris. Was your comment on south facing slopes being nasty about off piste or pistes? Thanks.
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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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If anyone fancies a days introduction to touring, there's a chap (Dave) organising one from SnowPros skis school on the 21st of Jan in Morgins (La Foilleuse side).
Its 80 Chf and they have a deal with a local sports shop to hire kit for the day 50-70 Chf.
I am thinking of hiring a split board and giving it a go if it snows between now and then.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@zzz, happy birthday in a few days then. David’s is 1st February and generally quite a white birthday too. Particularly so five years ago, quite a big birthday, huge snowfalls arrived for the weekend along with all our grown up kids totally unexpected to him. Fingers crossed the same for you and him this year.
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@WindOfChange, sadly am not around otherwise would have done it. Morgins has caught onto the increased interest and publish a dedicated map of touring routes graded blue to black.
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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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| Quote: |
@pdsguy, At the moment the new bit is a bit bumpy in places, and even though you are a couple of years younger than me you won't be shussing it like Abricotine
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@WindOfChange I'll do my best! Quick question - have you been out at Praz de lys in the last couple of years? What's it like? Tempted to go and have a look when we are out at the end of next week
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@zzz, happy birthday , and I can confirm it will coincide with a massive snow fall down to road levels as im driving in that day and it always snows on my route so looks like things are going be ok
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