 Poster: A snowHead
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@Alastair, I thought we had agreed never to mention one of those pistes, a favorite of mine, to keep the crowds away. There are a few others I would add to this list (most of the reds down to 1800/1600). If you like blue pistes then Barmont, particularly the lower section is very nice and uncrowded. Am I alone in finding blue pistes scary? The reds and blacks feel much safer to me.
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(although I still haven't done Malgovert after comments here).
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I was going to invite you over for an escorted visit at the end of January, but TBH it was not good. The soft snow had been formed in to big bumps then it had frozen rock hard. The bumps are very irregular and because it is not steep require careful skiing and lot of leg work. I thought you wouldn't enjoy it. We'll have another look in April.
I see that the sign pointing the way to the now defunct Violettes piste has now been removed 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Alastair, @johnE, we're around 28th Mar - 4th April
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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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| johnE wrote: |
| Am I alone in finding blue pistes scary? |
In what way?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Packed with skiers of different abilities doing unpredictable things, many of them skiing far too fast for their ability, kiddies falling all over the place. I've never had a collision or near miss on a red or black piste.
When was the last time you saw a blood wagon or pistuers carring for an injured skier on a red or black run. All the accidents seem to occur on blues.
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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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@johnE, you could be right. I wouldn't have used the word scary personally. I think there are some very peaceful blues and/or peaceful times. You just have to take it as it comes I guess. If the slope is busy I just concentrate a little more and be a bit more conservative. I guess the thing that scares me is my kids. They are pretty aware and stuff, I am just a bit "scared" for their 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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| Alastair wrote: |
To be honest there aren't that many runs in Les Arcs that I don't enjoy (although I still haven't done Malgovert after comments here).
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Actually, before I sound like a good skier (which I'm not), other pistes I tend to avoid are the steep mogulled pistes such as Clair Blanc (which looks terrifying)
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| Alastair wrote: |
| Alastair wrote: |
To be honest there aren't that many runs in Les Arcs that I don't enjoy (although I still haven't done Malgovert after comments here).
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Actually, before I sound like a good skier (which I'm not), other pistes I tend to avoid are the steep mogulled pistes such as Clair Blanc (which looks terrifying) |
....but you more than make up for it, with your effective Trafficator style signalling system. 
(and you are old enough to know about Trafficators)
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| johnE wrote: |
Packed with skiers of different abilities doing unpredictable things, many of them skiing far too fast for their ability, kiddies falling all over the place. I've never had a collision or near miss on a red or black piste.
When was the last time you saw a blood wagon or pistuers carring for an injured skier on a red or black run. All the accidents seem to occur on blues. |
Agree with all of this. Injuries on red and black tend to be of the soft tissue/joint related type whereas the collisions occur on the blues.
A quiet blue can be a joy - my favs are plan vert and clapet (and the lower part of Renard from the traverse line to the Derby - often busy but nice and wide with escapes to off piste if needed to get away from any lunatics). 
The nightmare blues - most of Arpete, especially at going home time, the bottom of Monte Blanc from the bridge to the base stations, parts of Foret where there is no off piste escape, the bad cross overs in 2000 - especially at Arcubulle base station and descending from Pre St Esporit to Plangettes. There are others but these are the ones I say a few prayers on.
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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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but you more than make up for it, with your effective Trafficator style signalling system
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Trafficators - bah to this new fangled stuff. I still use hand signals.
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| johnE wrote: |
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but you more than make up for it, with your effective Trafficator style signalling system
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Trafficators - bah to this new fangled stuff. I still use hand signals. |
The skill is making the hand signal look like the flipping up of a Trafficator......which requires the precision and crispness of a military salute.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| snowheid wrote: |
| johnE wrote: |
Packed with skiers of different abilities doing unpredictable things, many of them skiing far too fast for their ability, kiddies falling all over the place. I've never had a collision or near miss on a red or black piste.
When was the last time you saw a blood wagon or pistuers carring for an injured skier on a red or black run. All the accidents seem to occur on blues. |
Agree with all of this. Injuries on red and black tend to be of the soft tissue/joint related type whereas the collisions occur on the blues.
A quiet blue can be a joy - my favs are plan vert and clapet (and the lower part of Renard from the traverse line to the Derby - often busy but nice and wide with escapes to off piste if needed to get away from any lunatics).
The nightmare blues - most of Arpete, especially at going home time, the bottom of Monte Blanc from the bridge to the base stations, parts of Foret where there is no off piste escape, the bad cross overs in 2000 - especially at Arcubulle base station and descending from Pre St Esporit to Plangettes. There are others but these are the ones I say a few prayers on. |
My most significant injury (broken collar bone) was indeed on a blue when I collided with the piste. I wasn't paying attention properly.
The most scary slopes from an overcrowding point of view that I've experienced have been some of the easy blues in the Verdons area above Plagne Centre. Completely manic.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
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but you more than make up for it, with your effective Trafficator style signalling system
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Trafficators - bah to this new fangled stuff. I still use hand signals. |
I fear that the traditional circling right arm to indicate left might confuse.
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| Alastair wrote: |
| johnE wrote: |
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but you more than make up for it, with your effective Trafficator style signalling system
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Trafficators - bah to this new fangled stuff. I still use hand signals. |
I fear that the traditional circling right arm to indicate left might confuse. |
It almost certainly would.....but I'd still like to see it demonstrated. A treat for our next meeting, perhaps....
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You know it makes sense.
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I fear that the traditional circling right arm to indicate left might confuse.
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As a motorcyclist I have never used that signal (quite a lot of my bikes never had indicators and a couple had no lights at all, which I believe was/is completely legal)
Actually I did need it once. Bowling down the outside lane of M5 on my old Suzuki T10 when it seized locking the rear wheel. Two strokes used to do that. I instantly pulled the clutch in ready to pull over to the hard shoulder. However I couldn't use the left hand to signal cos that would involve letting go of the clutch and locking the rear wheel. I found neutral eventually and made it to safely.
Back to blues. The only time I have been blood wagonned off was when hit from behind on the Mont Blanc piste, a blue
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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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Slopes quiet yesterday and busier today, as you would expect. Snow cover on piste is excellent but turning slushy at lower levels as the day goes on. All good here!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Quick ski-pass question. My hotel are offering to prepare our ski passes for us prior to arriving, however just wondering whether its easy for us to get them on the day direct from the office in 1800. Then I don't have to cough up the best part of £1000 in advance. We're staying at the Mercure in 1800. Is it easy for me to ski down to the pass office directly from there?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@yllen, if you're staying at the Mercure then I suggest you may as well collect the passes from reception. If you would rather collect them locally, it's not a great distance to walk but I'm in a different part of 1800 and haven't timed it.
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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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@yllen, Hi Yllen, I'm in the Mercure next week, so if you see someone with snowhead stickers on his helmet, that will be me. I'm with my family, but have them in school in the afternoons if you want to meet up. I'm going to get the passes from the reception as we have enough to be doing that first morning as it is.
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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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@WD40, Sadly we do not arrive until 4-Mar (I am being a bit organised), so will probably miss you, unless you're staying for longer than a week? But appreciate the offer!
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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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@yllen, The hotel will be buying the passes a slight discount. Are they passing that discount on to you?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@johnE, actually good point. no they aren't. they're charging me the same as it would cost at the pass office. Hadn't thought of querying them on that!
How much should I be looking for?
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@yllen, sorry I cannot help with that.
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| yllen wrote: |
@johnE, actually good point. no they aren't. they're charging me the same as it would cost at the pass office. Hadn't thought of querying them on that!
How much should I be looking for? |
You're going skiing in France not Morocco.
Two choices
Get them yourself pay full fare
Buy from hotel pay full fare.
It's not that hard.
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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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@Mike Pow, yep. French negotiation strategy summed up perfectly
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@Mike Pow, Ouch. If someone suggests I might be able to make a small saving I'll jump on it. Thanks for being a supportive community member.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@yllen, it was a bit ouch, but that's how it works. The Hotel keeps the discount as their commission for providing the service.
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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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@yllen, you should expect them to give you the Duo (2 people), Tribu (3+) or Family discounts, if any of them they apply. I.e. you shouldn't expect it to be cheaper than you would pay at the lift pass office, but equally it shouldn't be more expensive either.
A good hotel might give the Tribu rate even for only 1 person (saving €15), if they pool the purchase with other guests.
(And if they offer to let you pay in £, check the exchange rate).
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@ecureuil, thanks - but we're only going for 5 days (long weekend), so don't think we'll qualify for those discounts (they're 6+ days I think?) I have my handy revolut card so am OK to pay in EUR.
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You know it makes sense.
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| yllen wrote: |
| @Mike Pow, Ouch. If someone suggests I might be able to make a small saving I'll jump on it. Thanks for being a supportive community member. |
Don't ask, don't get.
But don't be surprised if they tut and look down their noses at you for the duration of your visit.
As to the 'support' I could have said f all but hopefully I've saved you some embarrassment.
You're welcome.
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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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@yllen, not sure why Mike is being so grouchy, although yes he's correct, the Hotel are very unlikely to pass on any discount - and for the convenience I would take if from them. Years ago a TO, can't remember who, wanted to charge a fee to bring lift pass to the accommodation. We declined as it was perfectly convenient to fetch them ourselves. But I wouldn't mind them being given a small discount and keeping it as I wouldn't have been able to obtain the discount myself and it is a service of sorts.
And yes the pack prices are only 6+.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@yllen, it is still worth checking out the pack prices, as if your party fits the critieria a 6-day pass can work out cheaper.
If I read it right, 5 day (Classic) passes for 2 adults and 2 under-13s would cost 2x€252 + 2x€202 = €908.
But a 6-day family pass for the same people would be 2x€241 + 2x€187 = €856, saving €52. (As well as allowing an extra half day if you arrive early or leave late).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We are out here now
The middle option (classic???) Gives priority on a few critical lifts
Reckon it saved us about an hour today. That said it is Paris holidays!
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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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How busy is it out there this week? Specifically in Les Arcs, not La Plagne.
I've never been in Paradiski during school holidays but found some of the end of January queues in La Plagne (Arpette, I am talking about you - I have to rush to Vanoise Express) enough for me to simply avoid the resort in February.
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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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@patrick!, We were in Les Arcs during new year week, which according to the occupancy rates is the busiest week of the season and it was busy with some big lift queues (over 5 minutes). It is probably just as busy this week and for the rest of the mid winter holiday period. The last week of the winter holidays, the first week of March, is usually a bit quieter. A quick look at the livecams will give you a good impression of how busy it is at any particular moment https://en.lesarcs.com/livecams.html. If there is more than one person waiting for the combettes chair then it is very busy.
We were in Les Arcs at the end of January and the resort was quietish without being deserted. In fact the priority lanes were not needed and not in use. On the one day we went over to La Plagne we encountered few lift queues with the usual exceptions of the Bellcotte telecabine and of course the Arpette. The Arpette will always have big queues. It is more or less the only way back to Les Arcs and a large section of the La Plagne area. The single 8 seat lift barely copes at the best of times
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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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Currently in Les Arcs. Queues about 15 minutes for the big lifts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
Currently in Les Arcs. Queues about 15 minutes for the big lifts.
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That's terrible. I'm glad I am not there
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Thanks for the info guys.
I guess we'll bite the bullet and head to the funiculaire at opening time (we are BSM based this time). And suffer in the evening...
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I guess we'll bite the bullet and head to the funiculaire at opening time
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It opens at 7:30. What will you do until the cachette or mont blanc open. The cafe in the place of the dead tree is open for breakfast; from there it is a very short walk to the combettes lift.
@Gerard McNeely, which of the big lifts has big queues. My experience is that Arcabule, Varet, Transarc, Derby and Arpette are the worse offenders
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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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| johnE wrote: |
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I guess we'll bite the bullet and head to the funiculaire at opening time
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It opens at 7:30. What will you do until the cachette or mont blanc open. The cafe in the place of the dead tree is open for breakfast; from there it is a very short walk to the combettes lift.
@Gerard McNeely, which of the big lifts has big queues. My experience is that Arcabule, Varet, Transarc, Derby and Arpette are the worse offenders |
Yesterday, Pre st esprit over 20 minutes.
Also comborcier looked similar, but that had a fast track.
10 mins on grand col, 20 on vagere.
Club med in 1600 has also totally screwed mont blanc and cachette the mornings
All pretty awful.
Not sure what the answer is. Kids off to university in 3 years!!
Today was a write off - total whiteout and tipping with snow above about 2000m.
Tomorrow looking spectacular however so I anticipate spending about 5 hours in lift queues
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I wish they had points based passes...
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FAQ
