 Poster: A snowHead
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@MajorMarmaduke, They invested €1.8m in new snow making at Cret Beni during the summer and yesterday there were heaps of artificial snow to navigate round, being churned out all day!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Chatel has been making snow all night and still pumping on all the busy areas. It was -12 Thea morning when we left the apartment.
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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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fun for the kid on top of this!
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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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The cannons have been working then!
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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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How far in advance should I book restaurants in Avoriaz? Can I just book a day or 2 in advance and get a table or will I need to plan further in advance?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@zaphod424, day or 2 was enough when we went last year. Rocking up on the night was VERY hit and miss!
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I see wepowder have got a bit giddy about the end of the month - can’t see any sign of it anywhere else though! This is their Avoriaz forecast.
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| I see wepowder have got a bit giddy about the end of the month - can’t see any sign of it anywhere else though! This is their Avoriaz forecast. |
Remember though even though they may claim to be the number one for snow forecasting they are still relying on the same computers and models as other websites use namely the GFS, ECMWF etc.
A few knocks on the door that precipitation could return back end of next week but it's jumping around from run to run at the moment and nothing is set in stone.
ECM showing huge band of precipitation pushing in from the NW/N next Thurs for example, but the latest GFS run is pretty dry almost throughout
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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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Another lovely day in Avoriaz. Sunny until after lunch, then a bit of cloud / light snow but didn't affect visibility or enjoyment 
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Started from PLJ. -10C and bluebird. Pretty chilly with a bit of wind.
Over to Lindarets and down to Ardent, then did a tour of Super Morzine to stay in the sun. Rest of Avoriaz in the shade so Swiss side next, all very nice then up the Swiss Wall (carnage amongst those coming down) and Changabang for burgers and beer.
Afternoon was the Stash, Plaine Dranse and home for tea and medals.
Sun all morning, cloud, snow and sunny intervals in the afternoon.
A
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Super day yesterday in Plaine Dranse. I'd echo DJL's comments. Lovely, crisp morning. With a little cloud later in the day and some light snow.
The stash was great. Went thru 3 times.
@polo on Thursday, went to LG and got to the chamonisse? Lift for close to opening. The red to the right was fantastic with mostly fresh powder. But we thought the snow lower down wasn't as good as over the Avoriaz direction. I suppose that's fair with the last few weeks.
They've done an incredible job opening as much as they have.
Half way thru our 2 week trip and it's been utterly fantastic so far. Morzine as a town is lovely, welcoming and friendly.
Went to La Flame restaurant last night 730pm which was very busy but we only booked a table for 4 earlier in the day without issue.
Nice food and would recommend.
I think we'll try head to chatel today and see what the situation is over there.
Open to suggestions...
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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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@andy from embsay, GFS also showing a few bumps in precipitation at the end of the month. Too far away to get excited about for the moment…
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@kitenski, yeah - there’s ample snow but as we’re out for a lads’ trip from next Friday a bit of fresh would be nice during the week.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz?
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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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Sunny cruising in Morzine today.
Quick question for Les Gets regulars - is the small car park at the bottom of the Mont Chéry gondola free? Thinking about starting there tomorrow.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
I’d be ringing to book something in the transfer bus on the drive up. Chances of finding a random taxi in prodains are slim.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Dashed wrote: |
| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
I’d be ringing to book something in the transfer bus on the drive up. Chances of finding a random taxi in prodains are slim. |
Thanks for the reply, I will.
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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 was today?
Planning a day trip out of Geneva tomorrow, wondering where might be a good start to avoid the crowds. Ardent for parking and then ski mostly where?
Curious also if it was windy in PdS today, since it got quite so here by the lake.
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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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| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
If Alpybus don't wait, see if they have a later transfer. If not call Skiidy Gonzales. If they've got nothing it's approaching drivers in arrivals, or airport hotel. The last lift from Prodains is midnight. If you're not in Morzine centre by 11.40 you won't make it, so get dropped at the bus station/taxi rank. There's a board with taxi numbers. If not try Last Van Standing. If not start trying hotels, it's low season so you should get in somewhere.
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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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| shep wrote: |
| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
If Alpybus don't wait, see if they have a later transfer. If not call Skiidy Gonzales. If they've got nothing it's approaching drivers in arrivals, or airport hotel. The last lift from Prodains is midnight. If you're not in Morzine centre by 11.40 you won't make it, so get dropped at the bus station/taxi rank. There's a board with taxi numbers. If not try Last Van Standing. If not start trying hotels, it's low season so you should get in somewhere. |
Thanks for that, Shep, I'll keep an eye on the time.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| denfinella wrote: |
Sunny cruising in Morzine today.
Quick question for Les Gets regulars - is the small car park at the bottom of the Mont Chéry gondola free? Thinking about starting there tomorrow. |
Yes it's free - but it's small! You need to be early. There's on-street parking also around there. Or depending on where you're staying there's free parking at Chéry Nord. Mont Chéry rocks!
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| shep wrote: |
| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
If Alpybus don't wait, see if they have a later transfer. If not call Skiidy Gonzales. If they've got nothing it's approaching drivers in arrivals, or airport hotel. The last lift from Prodains is midnight. If you're not in Morzine centre by 11.40 you won't make it, so get dropped at the bus station/taxi rank. There's a board with taxi numbers. If not try Last Van Standing. If not start trying hotels, it's low season so you should get in somewhere. |
Has anyone ever got a taxi from ringing the numbers on that board? I tried them all when my mate missed the bus up at Erigne after doing the vallee de la manche and nobody answered any of them. I’d have thought Getaway Vans or Last Van Standing might be your best bet.
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| klanfa wrote: |
How was today?
Planning a day trip out of Geneva tomorrow, wondering where might be a good start to avoid the crowds. Ardent for parking and then ski mostly where?
Curious also if it was windy in PdS today, since it got quite so here by the lake. |
Top of Mossettes was proper brass monkeys, especially once the cloud came over around 3-ish, with a wicked wind on the chairlift from the French side. Not enough to stop the lift, although I heard that the Linga chairlift was closed earlier due to high winds.
Morgins round to Crozets was not windy at all, and skiing back later from Mossettes was lovely although with flat light that some found challenging.
I did make it down to Ardent bottom, which didn't seem particularly busy, but this was late in the day so no idea what it would have been like to start from in the morning, but from the skiing perspective all the pistes around Lindarets were excellent, so yeah, not a bad choice for that.
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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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@shep, cheers. It had spaces when we drive past this morning at 8.45am, so I'm guessing it will be similar tomorrow. If not, we'll just carry on to Les Perrières. Chéry Nord is not so good as I'm not sure which part of the ski area we'll be in later in the day.
@klanfa, generally light winds in Morzine / Les Gets. A bit of a breeze at the top of the highest lifts, but nowhere near strong enough to affect operation or enjoyment. I think winds are forecast to be a bit lighter tomorrow anyway.
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There was the well-known "bise" blowing today, a cold NE wind that often accompanies good weather and high pressure.
Some parts of the pds are sheltered from the N/NE. I tried to avoid today's crowds and skied around petit Châtel, Torgon and la chapelle, but it was mostly exposed to the bise and wind blown hard packed.
Sunny though, but brutally cold.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| shep wrote: |
| Ukformula wrote: |
Hi, quick question, is anybody can help.
My flight into Geneva is showing a 1 hour delay.
My AlpyBus transfer is for Prodains but we're staying up in Avoriaz.
If we get to Prodains after the cable car stops running, how easy would it be to get a taxi from Prodains up to Avoriaz? |
If Alpybus don't wait, see if they have a later transfer. If not call Skiidy Gonzales. If they've got nothing it's approaching drivers in arrivals, or airport hotel. The last lift from Prodains is midnight. If you're not in Morzine centre by 11.40 you won't make it, so get dropped at the bus station/taxi rank. There's a board with taxi numbers. If not try Last Van Standing. If not start trying hotels, it's low season so you should get in somewhere. |
Has anyone ever got a taxi from ringing the numbers on that board? I tried them all when my mate missed the bus up at Erigne after doing the vallee de la manche and nobody answered any of them. I’d have thought Getaway Vans or Last Van Standing might be your best bet. |
AlpyBus overbooked the coach and asked us if we'd mind getting off and waiting an hour and a half for a later minibus...which is currently driving us up to Avoriaz for no extra cost, result!
Thanks for your help, guys, see you on the slopes tomorrow... actually it's today, now, isn't it!
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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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Weather is rather grey today but it is snowing lightly in Châtel village this morning. We’re had excellent conditions last couple of days buts it’s been incredibly cold - probably the coldest I’ve ever been on the mountain in dry weather. The car was showing -15c on our drive in on Thursday night and it’s been -12c in the mornings + wind on the mountain. Upside of the cold is off-piste, which is almost now fully cut-up, is holding up well and skiable.
and managed to find a few pockets of fresh tracks on the Swiss side.
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Anyone know why the top half of plaine dranse is showing as closed on the (cr)app?
Edit:now open.
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You know it makes sense.
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Sounds great @Ozboy - hoping the vague signs of a few extra cm around 30/1 materialise, but it sounds like the cold weather will mean there’ll be plenty to go at when we arrive at the weekend.
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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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@Ozboy, Exactly one week ago nothing was open in Super Chatel, Torgon or La Chapelle D'Abondance and it was peeing down with rain!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I see that the Torgon area is now open, linking down to Chapelle. First time this season, AFAIAA.
Sadly I've redamaged my knee, which has been getting worse for a year or three now, with effectively bone-bone contact and resulting osteoarthritis, despite surgical attempts to minimise the pressure on that part of the joint and to encourage cartilage regrowth. I didn't actually notice anything when I was out teaching yesterday, just a slight twinge when standing at a bus stop on the way home, but later in the evening I noticed all the leg muscles aching and more twinges from the joint itself, and this morning it was clear there was no way I was skiing on it today, not even my beginner's lesson  My wife took it instead, so no problem there, but I'm sitting here wondering if it will improve enough over the next days to delay more surgery until after the season or if I'm gonna be sidelined for a while now.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Matt1959 wrote: |
| @Ozboy, Exactly one week ago nothing was open in Super Chatel, Torgon or La Chapelle D'Abondance and it was peeing down with rain! |
Ive experienced the warmest and coldest January in the space of 2 weeks. Good to see everything is back to normal. Swiss side was great and even skiied all the way to Morgins village from Chalet Neuf. Now say in Escale at Super Châtel trying to get warm.
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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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Sorry to hear that @Chaletbeauroc - hope it improves with a bit of rest.
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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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@Ozboy, +14c at Plaine Dranse 30th Dec, -15.5c this week in Abondance.
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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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This evening’s flight home cancelled due to fog at LHR and we’ve been rebooked on the 7am tomorrow morning. Apparently many flights into London are impacted which will probably lead to chaos at GVA.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Up until a few days ago there was tentative signs of some good snowfall around Thurs-Fri but unfortunately this has disappeared from most of the models now. But still half a chance of spotty showers.
Extremely early to say for definite but looking good next Sun/Mon for some large falls of snow widely across the region. Showing up across various models somewhat consistently (especially considering its a long way off) - we'll wait and see.
Hopefully arriving in decent time for my visit 4th-7th Feb - booked without knowledge that it's the local holidays!
Still also looking very cold throughout for the most part - although tomorrow/Wednesday may see the freezing line flirt with the 1000m-ish contour.
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| Ozboy wrote: |
| This evening’s flight home cancelled due to fog at LHR and we’ve been rebooked on the 7am tomorrow morning. Apparently many flights into London are impacted which will probably lead to chaos at GVA. |
Planes, trains and automobiles... well not a plane in sight!! our 7am flight was also cancelled!!! As we were already at the Ibis at Geneva we managed to get on a TGV from Geneva to Paris at 6:30 this morning and we are now defrosting on a Eurostar arriving in London at 12:30pm. The last minute train fare is quite expensive but we need to get home to collect kids from school as weekend childcare no longer available. BA refunded us the cost of our [cheap] air fare and will now have to sort it out with travel insurance (I hope).
I must say getting the train is relaxing and fast form London which we will consider in the future for a long weekend if we can secure cheap fares in advance. Works for me as I can work from the train Thursday afternoon and Monday morning. Also recommended as an alternative to the car or flying to the PDS at half term if you don't need a car in-resort.
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| StretfordEnd1996 wrote: |
Hopefully arriving in decent time for my visit 4th-7th Feb - booked without knowledge that it's the local holidays!
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We have done this too - I looked at next years dates like an idiot! We arrive on the 5th - very different trip for us this year, as our 5 year old will be skiing on the mountain proper for the first time, so hoping it's not too busy for her. She has been having lessons on dry slope since she was 3, but we don't want to overdo it with too many crowded slopes 
Also, just to say thanks to everyone for all the weather updates. I lurk more than I post, but the updates etc. are very much appreciated!
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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: |
I must say getting the train is relaxing and fast form London which we will consider in the future for a long weekend if we can secure cheap fares in advance. Works for me as I can work from the train Thursday afternoon and Monday morning. Also recommended as an alternative to the car or flying to the PDS at half term if you don't need a car in-resort.
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I recall getting some sleeper train from Paris about 15 years ago, not much sleeping went on as you'd expect with a train full of people going skiing. Think it went to Albertville from memory? Would prefer trains over planes any day.
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FAQ
