 Poster: A snowHead
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I have been watching the webcam's and the snow forecast and its not looking great for the start of the season as far as I can see!
They had snow a few days ago and then turned on the snow guns, but now the snow at resort level looks like its melting again with very little snow forecast to come in before the 19th. The snow guns are now off again as temperatures are forecast to rise again.
We were meant to head there for a weekend of skiing on the 24th Nov, but it's not looking promising.
Anyone else watching what's going on around the Alps/Dolomites?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Back in the day, they used to open every year for "Carnaval" - Oct half-term... as well as summer ski-ing on both glaciers. Sadly, those days seem long gone...
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Yeah, we are there the 26th and 27th.
I think 2015 was delayed for 1 week... so that does bode well, especially as we are there for the second weekend!
yep, I will be praying! I have also turned in to a snow forecast/web cam obsessive!! 
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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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It is in the snow reports/weather domain.
I am also looking at webcams all day. It’s subzero in Val Thorens tonight so you would hope the cannons will be going on! Again, I am not qualified to comment on this… 
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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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| bensaunders1973 wrote: |
Yeah, we are there the 26th and 27th.
I think 2015 was delayed for 1 week... so that does bode well, especially as we are there for the second weekend!
yep, I will be praying! I have also turned in to a snow forecast/web cam obsessive!! |
Honestly you will be fine. If they have started spending money on blowing the snow cannons it means that they think they are going to be able to make a snowbase on the main runs. Not all of the runs will be open but you say you are a newish skier so that shouldn't matter too much. Some of the runs might be strips of white between bare mountain but you will still be able to ski on that.
Been there, done that with the compulsive webcam watching. You can't change the weather so I would just try not to worry and look forward to your holiday. Even with modern supercomputers it is still notoriously difficult to predict the weather more than 2-3 days out so things can still change. It only takes one semi-decent dump of snow to really transform things (although tbh you don't really want to be in VT in whiteout conditions, it can be pretty miserable).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@bensaunders1973, weirdly I looked at the VT webcams the other day and commented on how good it's looking for opening weekend, bearing in mind it's only the first week of Nov. They had a big dump last week, and are due another 12cm in a couple of days (according to Bergfex).
Essentially there's still 3 weeks to go, which is a lifetime at this stage of the season. It looks like temperatures are starting to drop which allows them to get the snow cannons going, but they'll just keep the it all piled up by the side of the piste. And then in the week before the bashers go crazy!
It'll all be fine, barring a heatwave, they'll ensure it's open and you have something to ski on.
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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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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
@bensaunders1973,
Essentially there's still 3 weeks to go, which is a lifetime at this stage of the season.
It'll all be fine, barring a heatwave, they'll ensure it's open and you have something to ski on. |
VT is actually planning to open on 19/11/22 - in 12 days time (not in 3 weeks...).
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Thanks @Bergmeister, misread the comment on the 24th! My bad!
Over the next week it looks like on the majority of days will be below zero at resort level - so the cannons will be blasting out, and they'll get some pistes open. I still wouldn't be too worried - as mentioned above, it's very rare for them to postpone opening weekend.
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You know it makes sense.
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Also when when it is too warm at resort level they can still make snow at the higher levels which keep the snow better and bash it down the pistes.
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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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All good info people! Thanks for the reassurance!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Yeah the webcam viewing can get a bit impulsive/frustrating. Am off to Tignes early December and naturally worry a little. Mind last three trips (excluding 2020 naturally) there was tons of snow, as was VT.
Luckily my wife has me on a Caribbean cruise for the fortnight before the ski trip and the wifi will be rubbish so I can stop looking at webcams and get an early season tan  . Actually a cruise is a great way to prep for a ski trip with daily gym sessions and loadsa protein filled steaks.
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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 think all will be well, heading there 7/12, it's very high.
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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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It may rain tomorrow to 2400 meters then we're set for a mini return to summer over the weekend, this "may" put back the opening a few days. The FL's are quite high at the moment for November.
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| davidof wrote: |
| It may rain tomorrow to 2400 meters then we're set for a mini return to summer over the weekend, this "may" put back the opening a few days. The FL's are quite high at the moment for November. |
Looking at the forecast, the 18th looks like the next big dump and then temps seem to fall too! Maybe they will delay a week like they did in 2015?
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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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| bensaunders1973 wrote: |
| Maybe they will delay a week like they did in 2015? |
that would seem possible at the moment
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| davidof wrote: |
| bensaunders1973 wrote: |
| Maybe they will delay a week like they did in 2015? |
that would seem possible at the moment |
Seems after the 18th the temps are much lower and more snow is coming too.
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We're down the valley in St Martin at the moment. It's set to rain tomorrow as you know. Mr P and I might head up to VT later in the week to see how it looks and to let the dog run around on what ever snow is there. Will keep you posted!
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You don't have to go much above Val Thorens resort level to find quite a good depth of snow. Around a meter at 3000 meters. If they get the cold it may be possible to open higher up with a piste to return to resort and the lifts there. The first week would be limited opening anyway.
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It's going to be tight, and it'll be down to how late they want to play it. After some rain, some snow is forecast tomorrow night at resort level. Then temps could drop significantly from Monday, with potential snow in the days following.
They might take a call that with the upper slopes looking okay, they can sort the resort level slopes in the last few days before opening, if they are confident that the temps will drop.
As @davidof says, they would have been expecting a limited opening anyway.
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A good amount of snow falling this evening in VT.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@bensaunders1973, good to get a top up, especially for the upper slopes as I don't think a massive amount fell in the resort.
Importantly temps drop from Sunday night so they'll get the cannons blasting next week - plus there's a chance of another 5-10cm at some point next week.
I think they'll open for the 19th - but to maintain it after that they need temps to stay low.
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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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So I keep watching the snow reports and it does look like the snow will start to come in after this weekend! Fingers crossed the temps stay low!!
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@bensaunders1973, VT have delayed the opening day till the 26th. Hopefully that doesn't mess up your plans too much.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20221114/frances-highest-ski-resort-val-thorens-delays-opening-over-lack-of-snow/
Last week it looked like this weeks forecast would be good enough to it open this weekend, but the freezing level has crept up a little which probably means it's too much of gamble for this weekend - and they had to give people a little notice at least.
The good news is that from Fri, temps look like they will drop quite a bit with a decent amount of snow potentially on the way.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
@bensaunders1973, VT have delayed the opening day till the 26th. Hopefully that doesn't mess up your plans too much.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20221114/frances-highest-ski-resort-val-thorens-delays-opening-over-lack-of-snow/
Last week it looked like this weeks forecast would be good enough to it open this weekend, but the freezing level has crept up a little which probably means it's too much of gamble for this weekend - and they had to give people a little notice at least.
The good news is that from Fri, temps look like they will drop quite a bit with a decent amount of snow potentially on the way. |
Yeah, I keep watching the forecast and the temps and it does look like its moving in the right direction. Various different forecasts show resort level snow for this week and next with hopefully some heavy snow before the 26th!
We should arrive in resort last on the 25th, so it could work out great.... unless they delay again!! 
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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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| bensaunders1973 wrote: |
We should arrive in resort last on the 25th, so it could work out great.... unless they delay again!! |
I think your timing could be perfect - nothing is guaranteed but I'd be pretty confident that they won't delay again.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| bensaunders1973 wrote: |
We should arrive in resort last on the 25th, so it could work out great.... unless they delay again!! |
I think your timing could be perfect - nothing is guaranteed but I'd be pretty confident that they won't delay again. |
It certainly looks more positive than it was when I was looking last week! Fingers are firmly crossed!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My first day of skiing will also now be the first day of the season in Val Thorens… all being well!
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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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@bensaunders1973, @Moorzee10.. don't forget to update on how it all goes! Always been tempted to do opening weekend so fascinated to know how conditions are.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Fingers crossed!!!
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Snow last night (just a little), snow guns on this morning and more snow forecast over the next 4-5 days. It is looking a bit more promising! 
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Lots of snow on the ground, snow guns on constantly and more snow this week. All looking super positive for the season opening on Saturday!!
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Piste bashers out today on the webcams!
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It snowed a fair bit last night in 3V, and it’s still coming down (albeit lightly) above ~1500m in Méribel… judging from the conditions in mottaret and a glance further up towards VT, I’m quietly confident for Saturday.
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According to a VT Facebook post from earlier today, they have 40cm of snow in resort and 80cm on the upper slopes. That should do nicely for opening weekend.
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