 Poster: A snowHead
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@DanB234, Who is it booked through? As Bob says tour ops will fiddle with the weeks as there are no flights or trains on Xmas day and few want to travel that day. The French do seem particularly hard wired to Sat to Sat, despite all the traffic snags it creates through both summer and winter hols. Don't expect a lot from a French letting agent till September!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for the info
Its the Alpapart Cap Neige. I have asked them but their response wasn't too clear.
"For the moment, we should keep our trip from Saturday to Saturday. If it’s changing, we’ll inform all our guests."
They did say they will be opening bookings from March for next season so hopefully I will know more then.
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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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STGM CDA just emailed saying they do not have a re-opening date so they’ll refund yet-unused season tickets and will look at refunding used tickets at the end of the season.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Both Lanches and Tichot appear to be operating this morning
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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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| Mark1863 wrote: |
| Both Lanches and Tichot appear to be operating this morning |
Instructor training etc using Tichot. A snow park has been built from the top of Lanches for some teams that are here/coming to train.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Has a section of the tunnel on the magic carpet in Le Lac collapsed? Looks a bit like it on the webcam. May be an optical delusion. Looks like a very larger snowfall going on.
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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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@Mark1863, can't see it now, it's covered in snow. Lots of wet snow, roads out closed all night and 5/5 risk 
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@chocksaway, My mate who lives down from Ste Foy sent a video of a huge avalanche just across from where they had been skinning up.
Entire area now closed for safety til Monday at least.
Think you mentioned Tignes was 5/5..................quite glad we have not travelled, this is our usual week !!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@GreenDay, I have a set of usuals for this week too. Locked in and no haggis at QDC would be too much!!
Road to Bourg still shut.
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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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Looking fierce out there
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They have just cancelled the escorted convoy to Bourg this afternoon. So Tignes is stranded as the road is shut. It would appear there are worries about avalanches from Col De La Davie, where the mud that stopped Le Tour came from!
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You know it makes sense.
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Did I hear that a skier, who had skinned up the mountain, was caught in an avalanche - and only got rescued because the head of the Ski Patrol in Tignes happened to go up at midnight to check out the risk for the following day? While up the mountain, he heard groaning - and found the skier trapped, with just his head sticking out of the snow.
What a lucky escape.
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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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yes I saw that too.......only injury was frostbite to the ear apparently......
very lucky escape....as may not have survived the night had they not been found
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Old Fartbag, very lucky, still not sure what happened. It may have been PIDA, it may have been after dark, he may have been out after curfew. My sources (  ) are unsure.
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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 was hoping that someone could help with a query in regards Tignes Le Lac and the Bec Rouge building.
How easily accessible is it during Winter? Looking at GoogleMaps Streetview, I can see a path from Rue La Poste up to the apartment building, but I am more thinking of how do you lug bags to that building on arriving and departing? Is the Bec Rouge carpark connected?
If anyone has stayed there or has an apartment there I'd appreciate some advice.
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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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We stay in Bec Rouge every winter Fred (well, apart from this winter). Access is ski in, ski out along the path in front of the building. For parking if your apartment comes with a parking slot you can park underneath the building but even if not you can drive to the base of your lift and just unpack the car and then go and park in the town parking. If your car is over 2m then there’s an access lane to the car park which you can unpack in and then carry it through the car park but even that is only 100m or so.
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Thanks RobH2017. We will probably be getting a transfer from Geneva so I suspect it will be a minivan. Provided we are not lugging suitcases up an open hill I think my other half can survive. 100m through a car park to the lifts is fine.
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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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@FrediKanoute, What Rob says + don't forget to get the fob from the agent to open the garage door at the top of the slope. If it's very snowy the turn into the access tunnel is very slick and it's a turn through 120 degs. There are single parking bays which are fine and double ones which were suitable for 2 x 2CVs but not a modern SUV. I am still emotionally disturbed after watching @tigski climb out of his Espace backwards through the tailgate some years ago! If they want extra money for parking i would be tempted to use Lac 3.
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| chocksaway wrote: |
| @FrediKanoute, What Rob says + don't forget to get the fob from the agent to open the garage door at the top of the slope. If it's very snowy the turn into the access tunnel is very slick and it's a turn through 120 degs. There are single parking bays which are fine and double ones which were suitable for 2 x 2CVs but not a modern SUV. I am still emotionally disturbed after watching @tigski climb out of his Espace backwards through the tailgate some years ago! If they want extra money for parking i would be tempted to use Lac 3. |
+1 on all of this, every time I walk past this carpark and someone is driving in I stop to have a rubberneck............its sometimes a real "eeeek" moment.
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Stayed in the Bec every winter For about 10 years for 2 or 3 weeks. The spaces are very small and even though we had one chose to park our vw transporter in lac 3. I didn’t even try getting in the garage or spaces 
I still think it’s one of the best spots in Tignes to stay but do miss the double drag that used to open so you cou ski back in after après in town.
If I ever win the lottery I’d buy there in a heartbeat
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Thanks everyone you have allayed my concerns.
I do have one further question, regarding where to leave luggage. We have a late flight out of Geneva and wanted to ski the last day of our stay and leave the resort around 3pm. The accommodation we are looking at have said no to leaving luggage, does anyone know if there are lockers or left luggage rooms at the Maison? If lockers how big are they?
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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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@FrediKanoute, There is left luggage at the Maison de Tignes.
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Just come across this epic from Ultimate Snowsports in Tignes from May 20.
https://vimeo.com/421213481?ref=em-share
Skinning up the Grand Motte is an achievement, but with a mountain bike on your back?!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Similar to @FrediKanoute, i'm also after some local knowledge.
We're currently booked in to an Airbnb in Meribel in January, but for a number of reasons, i'm going to cancel, and book one in Tignes instead.
Does anyone know much about the Les Neiges d 'Or building in Val Claret? Any particularly strong warning signs about it? I know some buildings in Val Claret are a bit of a no go due to noise from clubs etc.
Appreciate it might be different next year because of the Covid situation, but working on the basis of a regular season..
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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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@swskier, Its in the centre of VC on the snow front where the ski schools gather in the morning. The ground floor on the sunny side is made up of small bars, popular at apres time, and restos, the shady side gives you a view of a car park. It is away from the club's and the maon road but the noise does rattle around the concrete. There are a lot of studios, so depending on the time of season there could be lots of noisy neighbours. Its a classic 60/70s concrete French Ski block so noise insulation likely to be lacking.
It's very handy for ski in ski out and lots of bars close by, if you are after a restful break, probably not.
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@chocksaway, Is it also worth saying its a wee bit of an uphill and convoluted hoof to the centre of VC as well if the lift in the building nearby is goosed which has been known to <occasionally> happen.
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You know it makes sense.
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@GreenDay, Especially after the pubs shut
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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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@chocksaway, @GreenDay, thanks both. That's kind of what I expected. We'll only be 31 years old, so i'm sure we can cope with a bit of noise! I seem to remember the one time i've been to Tignes before I was in one of the Curling buildings, and that was a bit noisy at times, but nothing too horrendous.
The apartment we've seen looks really nice, and gives us more than what we will get in Meribel for virtually the same price. Plus, we're planning on a long weekend over Easter with the girlfriends sister and fella, and it'll be their first time skiing, so I want to do a bit of a reccy of the area, to make sure they're going to get on fine. The area up at the top served by the Borsat lift looks ideal for them, once they're off the magic carpets in town, so I think Val Claret will be the best bet for them in terms of access. Does that make sense to the more regulars? I haven't been since 2014, and didn't have beginners to consider at all, so have no memory of what it'll be like.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@swskier, All sounds like a sound plan to me. The green triangle around the top of Borsat is great, just watch the way home on the first time. Prariond back to VC can be a bit challenging for the first time out of the village. But you always have the option of down Verte to Tommeuses and piste Henri, or the Tov Gondola down. Clearly, you could stop at the Folie en route, or a beer on a terrace in Lac, before a bus home.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| chocksaway wrote: |
| @swskier, All sounds like a sound plan to me. The green triangle around the top of Borsat is great, just watch the way home on the first time. Prariond back to VC can be a bit challenging for the first time out of the village. But you always have the option of down Verte to Tommeuses and piste Henri, or the Tov Gondola down. Clearly, you could stop at the Folie en route, or a beer on a terrace in Lac, before a bus home. |
There’s also the option to download from top of Tov to Lac rather than ski (piste Henri). Then shuttle from Lac to VC.
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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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@swskier, VC and Lac are both good options. The shuttle between the two centres is frequent so it's easy to move between them anyway.
If you stay in Lac you can head up the Toviere gondola in the morning then take the short, fairly easy blues to the bottom of Marmottes. In VC it's Bollin then Fresse chairs, then a green will take you to your choice of Borsat or Marmottes. The pitch at the top of Borset is pretty steep for a green and gets bumpy, but if you head straight ahead as you come off the lift there's a little road that will take you past the worst of it. If they are nervous or tire quickly then head down Genepy to the Grand Pre lift. It has a short green that they can lap quickly, so they're back at the lift before they are tired. There's also a short blue once they are ready to progress.
As others have said the runs back to resort aren't great. To return to VC you need to head up Borsat and then take the long fresse and prariond pistes. They're not terrible, they are just a big long and narrow at the end of a long day. Much more relaxing to download to Lac and get the bus to VC. Be sure to check out the blues to the right of the villages too - off Tichot, Grattalu, Palafour etc. They are nicer than pranroid and Henri.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I received this email from the Val d’Isere lift pass company today.
Dear credit note holders,
We were so looking forward to welcoming you to the ski area, in the very best conditions: with plenty of snow, lots of sunshine and all of the Val d'Isère Téléphériques teams raring to go and committed to respecting the current health and safety measures.
Our teams continue to maintain the ski lifts and prepare the ski area to ensure you can make the most of our exceptional sun-drenched playground just as soon as we get the official go-ahead. However, if we are unable to open for the entire winter season, rest assured that you can still use your credit note.
If you have not used your credit note, the expiration date is carried over until May 30th 2022.
If you used your credit note to purchase your 2020-2021 skipass: at the end of the season you will be provided with another credit note, which you will be able to use next season.
Until we are able to meet again, we will stay in touch, keeping you updated on the situation and nurturing the special relationship that we have together. In the meantime, take care of yourself and your loved ones. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support, you are always in our thoughts.
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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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See the French government have slightly relaxed the travel restrictions to and from the UK. Need a negative test within 72 hours of travel to France. A compelling reason not required We still need our government to do the same.
Interestingly seems no mention of vaccine status.
The resorts then need to be allowed to open.
It’s like watching paint dry.
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A quick question for Tignard property owners / season lets...
I'm familiar with the early bird season-pass offers (many thanks to @chocksaway, for updating us on these each year) and indeed have taken advantage for a few winters now but wondered if:
a) Owners of property in Tignes (or Val d'Isere) get any additional or more generous discount
b) Ditto, anyone with a Contrat de Location for a season let
Have to confess, not come across anything like this for EK but with it having existed for Les Arcs, thought I'd double check.
And, naturally, aware that pricing overall for next season is in the hands of STGM, who may not be in a position to do the same as previously. All assuming we finally get to have a season!
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@bobski62, In Tignes a. Yes. You have to join the Property Owners scheme (€160pa ish) jump through some hoops and then there is a 40% discount on lift passes and season car park, and more benefits if you rent weeks out. Full details on Tignes.net. Barely worth it for one person, but more than one in the family - yes.
b. No. Only if you have a work contract.
Pricing is also influenced by the Mairie by the way. STGM do not own the lifts they have a long lease to operate them. The owners discounts come via Tignes Devellopment a quango of the mairie (in simple terms!).
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Thanks @chocksaway, as ever, for such a quick and comprehensive reply. As you can guess, trying to organise things for the 21/22 season along with a few friends with whom we may arrange some shared accommodation.
Yes, I'd come across the STGM relationship before. Leaves me puzzled over the funding of lift upgrades. By example, the Marais replacement. Apparently the current season was planned to be a 'live without it' season and the old one has been dismantled. New one was to be installed soon as the snows melt this year, but whether STGM fund that or not might have a bearing on whether it happens. Bit of a key lift for access and for safety so do hope it goes ahead.
The environmental impact study for the works is headlined STGM suggesting to me that they will be managing the project.
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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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@bobski62, AAIU, it's a labyrinth!, a percentage of each years take is reinvested as per the lease deal. As to what is replaced there is the 'Snow Committee' with reps from STGM, MAIRIE, Tignes Development, Ski Schools etc. But it seems to work. The last big change to STGMs plans was the Tov Gondola, STGM wanted a chair, Le Lac ski schools didn't.
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Wow, Toviere as a chair! Glad the ski schools insisted. The gondola's facility to down-load to get back direct to Lac seems like a popular option for many less confident skiers (who may not yet have developed the same skills as Johan Clarey to get home).
Will keep my ear to the ground on Marais, but I think 'spies on the ground' may be thinner in presence over this summer.
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FAQ
