Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I hope all is well. As the title implies, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with snow conditions in Valloire in early April. My partner is a teacher, so for the last 3 years have been on trips in the dreaded February half term (including twice to Valloire, which we love). We're looking to early April to avoid at least French school holidays and take advantage of less busy slopes.
I know that it isn't the ideal resort at this time of the year, but I've picked up a good deal on a nice apartment for 6 people right at the base of Cret de La Brive - £55 each for 7 nights (v.hard for my Feb half term wired brain to process!). It's 100% cancelable and refundable up until late March, so we can keep options open depending on Covid and snow conditions and can change resorts if need be.
Checking out historical webcam images (which I realise isn't necessarily the best indicator), it seems higher up the mountain (top of Cret de La Brive and up) has been decent during the first 10 days of April over the past 3 or 4 years, but it would be great to hear from anyone who has actually been at this time.
Thanks!
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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 would guess the runs down and links to valmeiner would be a bit ropey.... ive been on almera in early jan which was icey and mid march being slushy....
Depending on covid, our group is thinking late march. We want a small quiet resort ourselves
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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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The ski area is quite high but also quite sunny. I'd therefore expect sufficient cover in a typical year, but a pronounced ice / slush cycle quite likely. (But I haven't been!)
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I've only been Jan and Feb but we arrived early Jan in poor conditions and the only run closed was the red below the Les Verneys lift, maybe the black over the other side of Setaz as well. Everything on Crey du Quart was open, though some of the long tracks were a bit thin and icy towards the end.
Nice town, lots going on.
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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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We went mid april a few years ago, some of the lower runs were closed but was still possible to ski back to town, higher runs were great , we had a good dump of fresh snow mid week and had great powder, of course one season is completely different to another
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We went to Valmeinier for the first week of Easter a few years ago, albeit arrived around 28th March ish so only just crept into April. Like @robs1 were blessed with about 40cm the night of our arrival and only noticed a bit of slushiness later in the week down to Valloire. We loved it but it was about 12-13 years ago and havent paid much attention to conditions at that time of year since.
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Should say... cracking burgers in the square behind the church
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How was it?!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Valmeinier at 1800 will be OK.
But knowing both areas, in early April, I would recommend Val Cenis.
1. Also in the Haute Maurienne, with all the advantages related to that area; easy access without the dreaded Saturday motorways queues of Tarentaise, much more affordable, less stressed locals.
2. In addition to this, VC slopes are oriented away from the sun, which is of paramount importance towards end of season.
3. Plus VC is a VERY nice village that is alive 365 days per year, not just the winter- and summerseason.
https://www.alpinforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66843
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