OK I'll do it then! Wishing everyone a great winter, lots of snow & sunshine, and heaps of fun in the wonderful PdS!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Ta! I'll be at our place in early November, just in time for the normal 'Oooh, it's started to snow, maybe we can open the lifts earlier' announcements'. (They never can!)
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?
Hmmm, November not likely, but the impromptu weekend openings early December should happen if there's snow. Snow not followed by rain obviously...
Surely has to be better. I didn’t manage a single turn in 2020 (last trip was Christmas 2019) and none so far in 2021. I’ll be forgetting which way round the skis fit if it goes on much longer!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Matt1959, problem being, as I understand it, is a combination of programmed* startup testing/etc. and defined seasonal contracts. Leaving little to no flexibility to open earlier (or later) than planned.
25 Nov for me for a couple of days. If there’s any touring to be done, jolly good, if not I’ll find some DIY to do.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
BBC seems to be suggesting some snow/sleet is on the way at the weekend.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@under a new name, IMHO (and maybe cynical opinion) it's just a bit of marketing hype pre season. Mind you, I've seen them open lifts when there is no snow so they can say 'lifts in all sector opened on X December.....'
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Matt1959, I don't think I understand your comment?
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@under a new name, First bit or the second bit? I think that the 'we can maybe open the lifts early' is just something to generate some excitement, but as you say - it's not something that they can realistically do due to their other constraints.
The opening lifts without snow comes into play in subsequent seasons, as I've seen statements like 'In 20xx lifts in all sectors opened on xxth December.' But we know that there were no pistes open in some sectors.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
We are just trying to remember which year it was, I think 14 years ago, that David happened to be nearby, well in Luxembourg for a meeting, and popped into our chalet in Les Gets for the weekend. It was around 15th November. It snowed and he took some fabulous photos on the Friday and then the lifts opened on the Saturday. Well it was probably just the Chavannes Express, and maybe La Croix. No doubt also opened on the Sunday, but he drove back to the UK.
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.
Went up for a little hike today, looks like all the snow cannons are in place and the pistes have been mowed.
Tried out my new ski touring equipment below....good tracking capabilities, and recall functioned well despite blatant distraction attempts by squirrel and fox.
FATMAP in 3D can take up hours of fun zooming in and figuring out what each peak is called and how the whole area is linked. It's like flying a drone around with easy mouse control etc.....great tool for planning hikes and learning about the terrain layout, connecting areas and so on.
Overview of Plan Dranse - Chatel below, looking north towards Lac Leman
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Fri 22-10-21 19:44; edited 1 time in total
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@polo, sweet. Staffy?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@under a new name, yep, previously had an Am-Staff (brutally taken out by reckless driver off road / forest track a few years ago).....this one is 5 months now, and is easier to handle, they don't need special training or license, ie not Category 1 or 2.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Fri 22-10-21 16:22; edited 1 time in total
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Any sign of any sner yet?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@andy from embsay, no, there was a layer of dust last night, still visible to 1800m early this morning, now long gone. We're below average temps this weekend but the precipitation passed to the north....so another missed opportunity given favourable background (NW air flow).
November always delivers. Apart from last November, so this one should be lay up
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Anyone got a decent village map of Les Gets that they can post?
Think it'll be our venue for the family trip and I don't want to be too far away from the village amenities if me or the wife end up with child care duties!
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?
@northantsred, google maps best for street names, fatmap below pointing north. Which area are you looking at......most accomodation is very central, short walk to lift / town, also local bus/minibus options
@under a new name, important to match dog tone with the upholstery, especially as this breed spends most of the day re-arranging it
Anyway, models looking good for early Nov....another NW blast appearing
Let’s hope so!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
If we do get some snow during November, where would you lads recommend for a steady away skin up/slide down early in the season if the cover’s pretty thin? I’m out for a couple of days at the end of November and would quite like to do a wee bit - I guess somewhere over on the Les Gets side as it’s less rocky? Happy to just do a short bit of up and down for a couple of hours so don’t need a “tour” as such - but have some new skis so would like to give them a quick try out before the season starts.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I'll be in Morzine for a long weekend in the middle of March. Looking forward to getting back again, will be my 4th trip to the area now. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!
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.
@andy from embsay, hard to go wrong with Chavannes area imv for early touring, if you have transport drive up and park at 1500m and head up towards Tetes des Cretes....or start near the lake/school and try the bowl (longer walk in). This area definitely seems to do relatively well for snow at only 1400-1800m....largely north facing. Also a relatively safe area in my view with few hazards.
Different advantages / plenty of choices for meadow sliding. Mont Chery is a different level, relentless pitch on the up and then of course the descent is quick. I did a few pre-opening write ups and videos in previous threads, but happy to meet up or answer any questions as usual. If there is fresh snow odds are good I'll be up and at it early.
Will you have touring skiis? or plan to carry them up? Pistes might not be bashed yet at that stage too
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Thanks @polo, was looking at a few of your photos/vids from last year so that’s what got me thinking. Do they keep the road up to Chavannes clear?
And yes - have touring skis/skins etc - in fact have a new set with some ATK bindings that I want to have a bash on asap!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@andy from embsay, great.....yeah that road is always clear, bus goes up all season, either to Foilets de golf for a link to Pleney, but also goes to the top at Les Chavannes 1500m.
Having said that, as it would be November the road is only used by the terrain prep / maintenance teams, so I usually wait to see a few snowploughs go past before getting in the car....would be exceptional though to have any issues with good tires.
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.
Nice one @polo, - may well see you up there last weekend in Nov. I’ll be the one trying to work out how my new bindings work (have Shifts on my current skis…).
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Well I can't help you there, never had any binding issues on my split plank....believe BobinCH and others here are experts in the ski tour binding universe. Hundreds of pages.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@polo, thanks.
Not sure yet as it depends whether or not our 4&5 year olds come along. If they do then we need to be adjacent to the nursery slopes for ease of access to their slopes and convenience.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Two little hikes up from 1500m to 1700m, easily 25cm light cold snow
Morning coffee full of anticipation for first day on the snow
Towards Nyon / Chammossiere
Dont recommend coming down skiers left (below) of Chavannes unless there's a pisted track to regain speed as it's too flat in the middle, skiers right is much better in these conditions.
Similar angle photo to the mowed lawn version a few posts above.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Thank you Polo for the comparable photos. Putting the snow cannons out has really worked!
Just ordered replacement snowchains and fingers crossed for 18th December.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@banksi, they work miracles with those machines......I don't know if they'll be turned on this weekend though, despite staying below freezing for next few days it's looking mild and dry out to mid november right now.....so hopefully that changes soon
Anyone interested in an easy short tour the vid below from this morning (featuring new pup) is skiers right. Park near the button lift, march straight up, slide straight down....about 20mins up and 2mins down (with stops for pups / sliders out of shape).
plenty of time, some good reasons to be optimistic:
- it's pretty standard here to have about 3 weeks between snowfalls
- it should be getting cold enough by end of Nov to run canons
- some longer term weather charts are moving in the right direction
I think you got the same roll over pds super discount pass as me, so there's always the free Verbier/ Cham trips?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@polo, Nice!
I really like that area, some nice pistes to have some fun on
plenty of time, some good reasons to be optimistic:
- it's pretty standard here to have about 3 weeks between snowfalls
- it should be getting cold enough by end of Nov to run canons
- some longer term weather charts are moving in the right direction
I think you got the same roll over pds super discount pass as me, so there's always the free Verbier/ Cham trips?
Indeed - my mate has an immensely wealthy bunch of relatives who all own property in Verbs, so a few trips over there on the cards!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@andy from embsay, please never say Verbs again.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Nadenoodlee, is that not a done thing?
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.
@Nadenoodlee,
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Am looking to go to Morzine arriving late Sunday , I think it will be a push to get my daughter into ski school for the Monday morning .Is it possible that she can start ski school either the Monday afternoon or Tuesday - Fri or Sat ? Many thanks
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
