 Poster: A snowHead
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The last couple days have been very quiet on the slopes. Yesterday's snow fall clearly kept a lot of people away and today is transfer day with only the ski clubs contributing numbers.
I thought the 15 cm of snow yesterday would really freshen thinks up but I found myself side slipping everywhere today. It may have been my poor technique or my borrowing my son's skis where none of us can recall when they where last sharpened but I suspect the pistes are turning a bit icy. We returned to the vanoise express from la plagne using the scenic (ie lots of polling) route and I did notice a couple m of blue stuff on the way.
We have now skied here 7 days and this was the first time we had been over to la plagne.
Judging by the large number of cars jammed on the road outside our apartment either loading, unloading or trying to find somewhere to park next week is going to be very busy. Take care. Crowds and icy pistes don't mix.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@johnE, not a flake of snow forecast over the next week either. We arrive 5th and sadly looking skiing not boarding conditions.
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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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Thanks to the strikes an epic journey home is nearly done:
navette, funi, navette, TGV, walk across Paris, SNCF to Lille, and currently on the Eurostar to StP. Nice work by their customer service team, to get us onto a train after ours was cancelled.- and in Premier too! Then of course the home leg via TfL and GWR...long day but could have been so much worse.
We're with JohnE, things were decidedly more edgy lower down at the end of the week, and the edges were blunt. But the fluffy stuff up high on Friday was terrific.
Looks like blue skies for New Year, enjoy it everyone. Back in 9 weeks...
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15 cm of fresh snow on Friday was indeed lovely. Somewhere else on snowheads that was described as deep powder. We tried to get up to the grand col but the queue was horrendous. As is often the case we gave up with the 2000 valley and headed to the reds leading down to 1800.
@Arctic Roll, it sounds an epic journey but it appears that you will at least get home. Probably having read at least one novel from start to finish. We are driving home on Thursday. Leave here about lunchtime and get home about 2 am.
Wednesday night we will be having our traditional evening meal in the arpette with ski down in the dark. Anyone care to join us. For a change this trip we've ordered a fondue.
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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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15 cm of fresh snow on Friday was indeed lovely. Somewhere else on snowheads that was described as deep powder. We tried to get up to the grand col but the queue was horrendous. As is often the case we gave up with the 2000 valley and headed to the reds leading down to 1800.
@Arctic Roll, it sounds an epic journey but it appears that you will at least get home. Probably having read at least one novel from start to finish. We are driving home on Thursday. Leave here about lunchtime and get home about 2 am.
Wednesday night we will be having our traditional evening meal in the arpette with ski down in the dark. Anyone care to join us. For a change this trip we've ordered a fondue.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Albeit not great weather on a few days, we had a super week and skied on absolutely beautiful near-empty pistes morning in 1950 and 1800. Left 1950 about 1pm and currently tucked into an Ibis outside Troyes for the night, continuing our drive home to Bucks in the morning. Horrible traffic queues heading the opposite direction on the roads.
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Apparently there are 10,000 extra vehicles heading to the tarrentaise and maurine valleys today
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We had a great week and are currently laid up in Macon for the night. We usually stay in Arc 1950 but only decided to come away for Christmas a couple of months ago so ended up renting a mini chalet at the Huttopia site in BSM. It worked out really well and was only £650 for the week for 4 of us. Pity that rain fell on Tuesday. We didn’t get going particularly early today but the traffic wasn’t too bad and we made it out of the valley with enough time spare to visit Lyon for a few hours this afternoon, very nice it was too. We aren’t coming back to Les Arcs this coming half term as we have other plans. Maybe next season.
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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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Wow the resort is packed solid. You need reservations to get into restaurants in the evening, the navettes are full, and the queues in the supermarket immense. Watching drivers trying to find a car parking space and watching the police how away those that didn't provides some morning entertainment. It is actually very good to see the place doing so well. Customers are needed.
The slopes are holding up well all over les arcs. They are firm with small ridges and bumps. Just the sort of terrain that really hurts my knees. Really really hurts them.
The blue pistes are very busy and it feels much safer avoiding them. Oddly yesterday we didn't find much in the way of lift queues and those we did find, such as bois d' le ours we avoided by skiing down to combourcier and using our essentials lift pass to jump the queue. Judging by how few people use this queue it appears almost every one buys a classic pass.
For the first time this trip we did malgovert yesterday. The first time down since it became a black. Though covered in bigish firm irregular moguls it was actually a very pleasant ski and felt much safer than the blues in arc 2000. Afterwards I watched a border come down Mont blanc. His technique was to hurtle down at high speed try to turn, fall, tumble down the piste, get up and repeat. The piste was firm so I guess he got his fair share of bruises.
Anyway I must go out skiing now. The sun is suing and the snow awaits.
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@johnE, I know this has been asked many times before, but I think the answer keeps changing. Do you know what lifts have priority queues for those with the Essentials pass? I am wondering whether to got that or the classic for half term. Thx.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| aterlevich wrote: |
| @johnE, I know this has been asked many times before, but I think the answer keeps changing. Do you know what lifts have priority queues for those with the Essentials pass? I am wondering whether to got that or the classic for half term. Thx. |
We were out last week based in Les Coaches with a full Paradiski ski pass. We spent 3 days of the 7.5 we skied predominantly on the Les Arcs side. Two snowy days where we just skied in the trees above Vallandry and one sunny day where we travelled over to the 2000 bowl. The one's I remember/used: Derby, Combourcier, Varet, Peisey. TBH due to the nature of the weather (less people out on snowy days) and the timing of our hitting lifts it wasn't a big deal. We used it to jump the queue at Combourcier once. On the sunny day they opened Varet at 13:15 and it was very busy. We almost were going to use it there but decided to do something else. Peisey gets very busy with people coming over from La Plagne in the early morning. We used it once there but once that early rush dies down it's no biggy. I guess there is a late afternoon rush of people returning to Les Arcs from La Plagne.
Derby is usually a very busy lift and we have used it there on previous occasions. This time on the snowy days it was shut iirc and on the sunny day no queue at the time we hit it.
Half term I can imagine it having it's uses. It's a shame it doesn't cover Arcabulle, which is often busy. And once we hit a big queue at Vallandry and it doesn't cover that.
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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: |
| Wow the resort is packed solid. You need reservations to get into restaurants in the evening, the navettes are full, and the queues in the supermarket immense. Watching drivers trying to find a car parking space and watching the police how away those that didn't provides some morning entertainment. It is actually very good to see the place doing so well. Customers are needed. |
When we drove out on Saturday evening it was evident there was already a lot of people arrived in resort and then we saw some heavy traffic queues on the roads in also (about 5/5.30) so clearly it was going to be a bumper week for the resorts. Must admit I was glad I wasn't going to be in the area with it being so busy. Christmas week for me is tolerable but I reckon I would get very frustrated this week.
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@aterlevich, in addition to the lifts @Layne, mentioned carroley also has a priority queue. This is a handy lift to get over to the 2000 valley, but takes some thought how to get to it. For example use the villards lift. We skied down to it this morning and to my amusement the priority queue serving my wife and son was slower than the normal one serving me. I skied straight onto the lift.
I'm expecting the first 2 weeks of half term to be very busy. The next two less so. If you are coming then then much like Christmas week expect the priority queues to save about 2 mins. During the first two weeks expect a saving of about 5 minutes per lift.
To add to the confusion about beer prices at the follies douce we are having lunch here at the moment. A small beer cost 4 euros and was about 30cl.
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You know it makes sense.
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@johnE, Question about the Follie Douce, in the marketing blurb it mentioned having a designated kids area, is that actually the case?
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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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@wills_h, We haven't seen it, but then again we haven't looked for one.
We had lunch there today and thought the burger place was good value for money. 16 euro for burger, chips and coleslaw; just a bit more than the Rocky Mountain in Arc1600
It has taken some trade away from the the Arpette. Both play terrible music at high volume. The Follie Douce is cheeper. The Arpette has better views, particularly of sunset and is much more convenient to get home from.
Today we went up the Varet telecabine and though the black runs are marked as closed, the pistuers were putting up the piste markers. We cut across to the old flying course which of course is no longer a piste so we were not skiing down a closed piste. The snow was excellent all the way down. We all agreeed it was the best run of the holiday so far. Only two other people all the way down.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| wills_h wrote: |
| @johnE, Question about the Follie Douce, in the marketing blurb it mentioned having a designated kids area, is that actually the case? |
I would like to know that as well, especially if anything suitable for 2-3 yr olds...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Happy New Year all 
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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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Another beautiful day.
Happy New year everyone.
Today is our last day and we are not on a first to last lift effort. The whole family is feeling a bit under the weather and a bit tired these last few days. Me in particular. I suspect a minor stomach bug. I think I'll save myself for the night time descent from the arpette and go out after lunch
The last few days the pistes have held up very well considering the traffic. Ther3 is soft snow on the higher red and black pistes, but the "side piste" is largely tracked out.
Anyone coming out next week should have a good time; good pistes and no crowds.
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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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Some of the pistes are now becoming a bit dangerous, the snow is hard packed and the blue pistes in particular are very crowded. Fortunately I have seen few blood wagons so all those accidents aren't quite happening.
The numbers out side the arpette this afternoon are a bit less than usual but there are no student groups out so perhaps it not suprising. The follie douce hasn't completely killed the place.
It is a beautiful sunset to finish off a good 12 days skiing
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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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Hello all. Sorry to take the topic off the weather - but wondering whether anyone recommends a boot / ski shop for touring gear? Staying in 1800 but have a car and happy to travel. I’m looking to demo and probably buy some new touring skis and bindings, and also have new boots, bought last season elsewhere, which I think will need further adjusting.
Any pointers much appreciated - am not familiar with the Arcs. Thanks!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Are there any free surface lifts in Plan Peisey? Just want to have a few quick short runs the day before my lift pass kicks in, to help get the ski legs working!
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Personally I’d check out Labo in Bourg, it’s right by the McDonalds. They have a shop in 1800 as well but it’s much smaller and the range in the one in Bourg is great.
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@winterstickboarder, Sorry, I don’t believe there are
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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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| wills_h wrote: |
| @winterstickboarder, Sorry, I don’t believe there are |
ah okay. Thanks anyway 
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@winterstickboarder, if you have a 6+ day pass it is also valid for the previous afternoon. Pick it up as soon as you arrive and you can go where you like. (Not sure when "afternoon" starts.)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@ecureuil, The extra half day only comes with the essential pass not the classic pass that most people buy. Otherwise it is an extra 43 euros, which is a bit weird since an 6 day essentials pass only costs 31 euro more.
In fact the website is rather ambiquous about this https://en.lesarcs.com/the-passes.html
Has anyone actually tested this out?
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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: |
| Has anyone actually tested this out? |
Tested what out exactly?
We get our lift pass on the La Plagne side but get the 0.5 day. Used it since it was introduced. Starts at 12:30.
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@ecureuil, @winterstickboarder, I believe they stated that 'afternoon' starts at 12 noon for the free half day when we booked our passes. With the Classic pass, to ski over to La Plagne from Les Arcs, you have to pay an extra 20 euros per day. This is included in the Essentials pass, making it similar to the Local vs Area passes of other resorts. You also get to use to Priority queues in the Essential pass, but not the Classic pass. May or may not be useful depending on when you go.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Layne, I assume by your previous posts you had an essentials pass. I was wondering who had tried out the classic pass with half day extra.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
| @Layne, I assume by your previous posts you had an essentials pass. I was wondering who had tried out the classic pass with half day extra. |
Ah OK.
That concept doesn't exist on the La Plagne side. They just say:
FREE : extra ½ day with every Paradiski pass valid for 6 to 15 consecutive days
The day before the first day of skiing from 12:30 pm.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| ecureuil wrote: |
| @winterstickboarder, if you have a 6+ day pass it is also valid for the previous afternoon. Pick it up as soon as you arrive and you can go where you like. (Not sure when "afternoon" starts.) |
thanks. I will double check with the rep once I'm in resort but that could be handy.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| wills_h wrote: |
| Personally I’d check out Labo in Bourg, it’s right by the McDonalds. They have a shop in 1800 as well but it’s much smaller and the range in the one in Bourg is great. |
thanks!
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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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@winterstickboarder Having looked into it a bit further, I think johnE is correct. The free extra half day only comes with the Essential pass.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
| @Layne, I assume by your previous posts you had an essentials pass. I was wondering who had tried out the classic pass with half day extra. |
Yes, we had this when we were out Christmas week (Arc 1950). We arrived early Saturday morning and skied from 12:30 for the afternoon (included for ‘free’ on our 6 day pass). We also had free entry to the Igloo ice sculptures (v impressive!), fast passes for some lifts (not needed Christmas week). We felt it was worth the money.
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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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Arrived in 2000 last night. Haven’t had a chance to check conditions as housekeeping stuff to do in apartment but looks ok out there. Looks skiing conditions. More later.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@X5OT76, Did you have a classic or essential pass. Since you are taling about free entries and queue jumping facility I assume you had a essential pass, which definately has a free half day. It is the classic pass (the cheeper one) I am curious about.
@thefatcontroller, When I left on Thursday the piste were rock hard. It hasn't snowed since so I would suggest skiing or excessively padded shorts.
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Just had a wonderful couple of days with blue skies and pistes in good condition if a bit hard in places. Much quieter than Friday, which was a tad frantic in places. No queues anywhere I went. Cold enough for them to run the snow cannons this morning so a few mounds to avoid.
@johnE, sorry to miss you - hope to see you next time you're down!
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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: |
| What is being built beside Bois lift, |
Called Hameau des Oursons, it will be a 7 storey complex run by VIP-Ski of, I think, chalet-hotel type accommodation, with allegedly some seasonnaire accommodation. Right outside my balcony... but fortunately doesn't ruin our view of Mont Blanc. Running late, now due to open Dec. 2020 Part of the Arc 2000 commune (Despite Arc 1950 being in between...)
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