 Poster: A snowHead
|
@DomEvans8,
That’s great news and thanks for the update. I was in the area the same week and thought of you and your exploits in such challenging conditions in the early part of last week when the storm hit.
Glad you enjoyed your first week skiing And glad the holiday was a success.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| denfinella wrote: |
Interesting hearing all the talk of high winds in various parts of the Portes du Soleil. It was nearly windless in Avoriaz (Thu / Fri), Les Gets / Morzine (Sat / Sun) and Roc d'Enfer (today) - the only noticeable breeze was on Saturday at the tops of two or three exposed lifts - but even then, nowhere near strong enough to shut anything.
Someone said earlier that this type of "bise" wind is very localised, and that certainly seems to be the case. |
I skied around super Châtel to la chapelle on Saturday along the ridge that is quite exposed to the bise. The bise on Saturday was never past moderate, but it was bloody cold. A cold wind on cold temps felt... refreshingly cold. And on top of that the odd cold, cannon snow shower coming back to super Châtel. Brrr
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Apologies for the non- weather question, but we arrive in Morzine Thursday, hopefully not long after midday. Our apartment host is being particularly vague about whether we can get in early, and would love to get a few hours skiing in that afternoon. Is there anywhere near the pleney where we might be able to hire a ski locker or something similar if we can’t dump our stuff?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@SkiG, the Rhodos hotel used to do left luggage, probably still do. There are ski lockers to hire at pleney, but I’m not sure how big they are for putting luggage etc in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@SkiG, Ski lockers in the Pleney lift ticket office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@andy from embsay, thanks- a ski locker would probably work, we are on a boys trip and think the two of us arriving then are both just bringing a packed ski bag and a rucksack, could squeeze them in to one (or two) lockers I would have thought
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| @247snowman wrote: |
@DomEvans8,
That’s great news and thanks for the update. I was in the area the same week and thought of you and your exploits in such challenging conditions in the early part of last week when the storm hit.
Glad you enjoyed your first week skiing And glad the holiday was a success. |
Was pretty brutal but I didn't know any different so took it on the chin! I think if it wasn't my first time I may have had a few days inside  Spent 5 of the 6 days in Avoriaz, plenty of pit stops at the bars/cafés kept us warm enough whilst the worst of it blew over
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question for Polo or any ofthe other Les Gets locals or experts.
@polo,
Bus & Beer question. Boys trip planned in March and gonna Ski the lads from Morzine over to skiing Les Gets in March (Mont Chery which I know well) but maybe get the bus back after a few beers in Les gets
Is Bar Bush closed or is there anywhere else that anone can recommend that offers chilled out beers for 15 x middle aged blokes between 3:30 and 5pm in Les Gets?
Is The Place du Pressenage bus stop the one next to the public toilets and small car park oppositee Mont Chery?
I see return bus from Les Gets to Morzine on the time table at 17:04 hrs but want to make sure I have the correct bus stop as thats the last bus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@@247snowman, Not a big drinker but did see Bar Bush name had disappeared. Renamed Becanerie which has taken over the old K2 snackbar next door.
You are correct about location of bus stop and time of 17.04. Also an 18.04 from same place. Can be a bit confusing with two lines and two directions on the timetables. Both lines do always go les gets - Morzine.
I will copy link of full timetable that also has navettes for both villages. Navettes are free but Balad'aulps bus is 1.50 euros per trip flat rate.
https://lesgets.com/medias/documents/baladAulps_bus_hiver.pdf
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@@247snowman, Pressensge is immediately opposite MC caisse. And I see the Y91 last bus is 1850 if that’s better, different bus stops though.
Bar Bush changed management, now called Le Bec, good range of IPA’s. There is another bigger bar close to Pressenage, can’t remember name as also under new mgt, but might be open earlier than Le Bec.
Also that end of town you have Alpin Sports (pool, darts etc).
Lots of choice other end of town but further from bus…..Barbylone, black bear etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@polo, what’s your thoughts on possible precipitation at the end of the month? GFS average line seems to be showing something happening around 31st/1st. Still a way out but anything showing in the pressure charts?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@polo, @pateman99,
Thanks. Great info.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@@247snowman, Just be aware that Y91 is weekdays only at 18.50. Bus stop is Gare Routiere which looks nothing like a bus station. From Mt Chery walk on main road opposite direction to Morzine. Go over small roundabout and after another 50 yds you are there. Old shop front / office which is never open. In Morzine it again stops at Gare Routiere. Next to Bar Bush for you drinkers ! Certain drivers ( Y91 ) can be a bit sniffy about skis and ski boots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
I guys, with a nervous but competent skiier. What is the easiest blue from the top of Avoriaz to Lindarets? Is it Covagnes? Thanks in advance
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Amazing. I didn't think they'd even try to get it going again this season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Chaletbeauroc, Probably all about the marketing value of preserving the bus-less circuit. We skied all the way down to Morgins from Chalet Neuf on Saturday. The run down from top or Corbeau was closed but groomed and perfectly skiable. Looks like they preserving for the holidays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Rebelbrowser wrote: |
| I guys, with a nervous but competent skiier. What is the easiest blue from the top of Avoriaz to Lindarets? Is it Covagnes? |
Trying to work out where exactly you mean by "the top of Avoriaz", I've been searching for "Covagnes" in the hope of a clue, but alas there doesn't seem to be a piste with that name. There's one in Flaine/GM called that, IIRC, but none in the PdS that I can find. (TBF I don't often use piste names, so it wouldn't have surprised me if I'd forgotten it).
Realistically, the only 'top' part where you have a choice of routes straight into Lindarets is from the ridge between Avoriaz village and Lindarets, so if that's what you mean then usually the Prolays piste would probably be the easiest overall.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 24-01-23 11:12; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Ozboy wrote: |
| The run down from top or Corbeau was closed but groomed and perfectly skiable. Looks like they preserving for the holidays. |
Odd. Was showing as open on the maps yesterday, and again today, but a quick glance out of the window seems to support it not actually being open as yet, with no piste marker poles visible, and no-one skiing down it either, although that wouldn't necessarily mean it was officially open anyway, IYSWIM.
But it's been well groomed for a few days now, so yeah, I guess they're hoping that with the sun on it but heavy freezing overnight it should consolidate nicely to bear the weight of the holiday traffic on the next few weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@andy from embsay, it's a proper knife edge set up again, mixed output even less than a week out. For a while now the flow has been leaning too far east but still a chance we get a top up here. Sometimes though the snow can stop at the Jura / main northern ridge, so really need a little correction west in the pattern.
Of the 3 mean charts on 30th, GFS is best with the high west of france, GEM worst with the high over us, and ECM in the middle.
  
The various Op runs don't help, ICON, GEM, JMA either miss us completely or take longer (1-2nd). Thankfully the UKMO is more reliable than those 3 and has the flow backing far enough west on 30-31st.
So as long as ECM and UKMO don't shift east from here we'll get something. Should get resolved soon but it's not ideal. GFS 06z just out has predictably shifted east with less of a northerly here, and less snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Covagnes is only marked on the newest piste maps AFAIK as my old Chez Flo one doesn’t have it on. I am pretty sure it’s ok, Combe a Floret is also ok through the trees with a long flat bit at the end that can be a bit tedious.
There was a relatively new skier on another thread complaining the other day that he found Covagnes so hard at new year he walked down, but suspect that’s more conditions than anything else.
I see now that Covagnes used to be called Prolays…
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 24-01-23 19:34; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Rebelbrowser wrote: |
| I guys, with a nervous but competent skiier. What is the easiest blue from the top of Avoriaz to Lindarets? Is it Covagnes? Thanks in advance |
Depends where you mean by "top of Avoriaz" but you can get Cubore lift over from Fornet bowl and ski Cubore Montriond - marked as red on piste map but they've put in a blue out to the side which brings you down to Abricotine. Then Abricotine all the way down to Lindarets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Rebelbrowser,
From the Top of Tour Chair or Proclu Chair its Crete onto Covagnes. Covagnes is probaly know as 'Prolays' by most seaonsaires as it has lots of 'side hits' and jumps onto the piste. (Watch out for that as some idiot seasonaires and silly punters often dont look when taking the side hits and jumping back onto the piste).
I've heard of Seaonaires laping 'prolays for days' and just playing on the side hits on it and also 'the stash' park in teh woods which is close by.
The Covagnes piste is wide but gets lots of traffic on it so gets chopped up later in the day or if there has been lots of overnight snow.
Cruisy piste are Proclu and Tetras. and most of 'Zore' piste but cut skiers right before the steep section at the bottom of Zore and join Tetras bottom section. Blu de Lac off the top of the Arare is ok but has a short steep section but not crazy steep. Sking the bottom section past the igloo is the easiest way back down to Avoriaz from Blu du lac.
Top tip is get your nervous skier on the montain early. If its frozen hard overnight take it very easy and maybe chill out/hot choc for the piste to soften up then ski lots.
Then once its gets choppy and/or your nervous skier gets tired quit.
Or wrap it up before they spooked by busy pistes and other skiers/boarders.
Up and out before the crowds is the best sking.
Blues to Avoid are Crot (its the home run down to prodains) Parchets (the home run blue down to Ardent) and Grand plan (under Chaux Fleurie chair, it has a couple of nasty sections which are narrow and very bumpy with tight corners).
Once they have confidence and some miles under their belt then Abricotine can be tackled if the vizability is good but try and get it done before Noon as in the afternoon there is anarrow section that turns really really choppy and can be carnage. Get onto Abricotine by using Lechere then Cases chairs
P.S. Avoriaz Alpine Ski school runs some great small group lessons and are fab. Request for George or Mark to be the group instructor if you book with them.
https://www.avoriazalpineskischool.com/adult-groups
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Tue 24-01-23 11:47; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cubore Montriond, not my proudest dad moment. Last day's skiing. Then 12 yr old youngest wanted to do his first red. It was horribly windswept and icy and he had a big slide. Thankfully a lovely young british woman, stopped him and stayed with him until I arrived. No injuries apart from the mental scarring. The seasonaire and I had a good fun flirty chat for a bit, so potential disaster had turned into a nice holiday moment. Lad was committed to silence on the episode as far as mum was concerned (on both fronts  ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Finally found it, searching for a 2023 Avoriaz piste map. Yes, Covagnes is apparently the new name for Prolays. Why do they do things like that?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the answers guys, and sorry for confusion caused by new piste name. Yes it was from top of Proclou to Les Lindarets I had in mind. We did the piste I suggested, and she was well able but hated it. In general, I'm finding Avoriaz fantastic, but only complaint is that save for the really kiddie friendly skiing in the town itself most of the blues around are fast and tricky for my wife and youngest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@Rebelbrowser,
Blu du lac in the morning, ski past the Igloo Bar and not into Formet Bowl followed by jumping on Tour Chair then find Combe a floret (with the entrance to teh stash on your right hand side) follow Combe a floret all the eay to linderets but dont turn left on the really flat section down in to parchets that takes you down to Ardent parking. Then jump on Linderets chair (not Prolays) and ski to the bottom of Proclu piste and Serasaux chair and give Tetras and Zore a try. Stay on tetras the whole way if you can find it. Give that a try.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
There was a relatively new skier on another thread complaining the other day that he found Covagnes so hard at new year he walked down, but suspect that’s more conditions than anything else.
|
That was me. It was so busy with so many bumps. Was genuinely a horrific experience. Had finally put it to the back of my mind.....until I read this. Will need another session with the therapist now 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@gavman99,
If at all possible, choose a quiet week next time. 3rd or 4th week in January or even better the 1st, 2nd or 3rd week in March for longer sunny days (Checking the french School holidays). New Year in Avoriaz was sooooooo busy this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Agree with @@247snowman, re. the steepest Avoriaz blues. I think by far the worst are Crot (to Les Prodains), Sapinette, Stade François Dides (under Prolays) and Grand Plan (from the Chaux Fleurie chair).
I think the easiest options to get from Avoriaz to Les Lindarets are:
1. Combe à Floret, keeping right at the fork near the bottom (N.B. it is the right fork that is flat, not the left one)
2. Crête, then Covagnes, but keeping as high as possible to briefly join Blue Velvet, then sharp left to rejoin Covagnes. This avoids one of the steeper sections of Covagnes
Once you are there, Abricotine / Lécherette is even easier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Oh dear, I remember lapping Prolays, actually I remember lapping Lindarets before Prolays was installed ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Anyone know if the Echo Alpin chair at Chatel was open today, after its closures over the past few days? Still showing as closed on the daily bulletin and on the interactive piste map.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Again, thanks all re Avoriaz blues, you lot are truly a font of knowledge!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| denfinella wrote: |
| Anyone know if the Echo Alpin chair at Chatel was open today, after its closures over the past few days? Still showing as closed on the daily bulletin and on the interactive piste map. |
Someone said high winds the other day but assume if it’s still shut there must be another problem?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| denfinella wrote: |
| Anyone know if the Echo Alpin chair at Chatel was open today, after its closures over the past few days? Still showing as closed on the daily bulletin and on the interactive piste map. |
Are you checking for the purpose or doing a loop or heading to Super Châtel? If so you will be able to ski to the bottom of Linga for the bus to SC or TS PDS. You can get the bus back from Châtel village or TS PDS to Pre La Joux for return journey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| denfinella wrote: |
| Anyone know if the Echo Alpin chair at Chatel was open today, after its closures over the past few days? Still showing as closed on the daily bulletin and on the interactive piste map. |
Someone said high winds the other day but assume if it’s still shut there must be another problem? |
I really think it was mechanical as the adjacent lifts above 2000m were not affected by the winds which did not seem strong enough to pause a lift.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@andy from embsay, yes, that's what I was thinking too.
@Ozboy, it's for the purpose of heading to Super Chatel (from Ardent). Am aware of the bus options but it just feels a bit more risky (buses to Pre la Joux are less frequent, plus could be busy if everyone is having to do the same). Also, if Echo Alpin is shut, might they shut the run underneath it too? Hopefully not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Ozboy, that was my assumption as Combes and Cornebois both seem at least as exposed as Echo Alpin
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Yes mechanical, it was closed today
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| denfinella wrote: |
@andy from embsay, yes, that's what I was thinking too.
@Ozboy, it's for the purpose of heading to Super Chatel (from Ardent). Am aware of the bus options but it just feels a bit more risky (buses to Pre la Joux are less frequent, plus could be busy if everyone is having to do the same). Also, if Echo Alpin is shut, might they shut the run underneath it too? Hopefully not. |
Don’t think you need to worry as there is a good flow of busses between Chatel to PLJ via Linga and also from TS PDS and to Linga (for broken Gabalou). The schedule between village and PLJ is every 15 mins but they are more frequent in the afternoon going to PLJ to ferry people back to the village. Just allow time to get the last Pierre Longue and Rosachons combo to get back to Linderets. The run to the bottom of Linga will be open - it was even open, albeit soiled, when we arrived on 5 January.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
all been there! Your next trip will be better! 
