 Poster: A snowHead
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Was hoping to get some advice from someone more experienced than me....
Having read about the very icy and dangerous conditions, I'm wondering whether to buy a ski pass for next week for the family (low intermediates) or whether the conditions will be so bad we won't want to ski. T
The resort we are going to is Val Cenis. I haven't seen any updated information on the conditions, but I assume it must be very icy after this long period of hot weather, rain, etc. There is a forecast for about 8-10 cm of snow, and temperatures dropping below freezing, for the start of next week. Would that be enough to make any difference?
Thank you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@licoriceallsort1, the answer to that question is almost “how long is a piece of string”. I don’t know the resort, but the way this season has gone in Europe, it could be anything from fabulous to awful. Can you wait until you arrive before committing a ski pass?
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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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Combined with expert piste grooming, yes it will make a difference! If it's not too late, one way to allay your fears would be to sign up for ski school - instructors will know exactly where to find the best snow to suit your abilities.
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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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And you'll not queue so long for lifts....
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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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Thank you! We do have lessons booked but after reading about the icy and dangerous conditions in nearby French resorts I felt worried. I HATE skiing on ice. But reassured to hear that the piste groomers can do something even with a small amount of snow.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| licoriceallsort1 wrote: |
The resort we are going to is Val Cenis. I haven't seen any updated information on the conditions, but I assume it must be very icy after this long period of hot weather, rain, etc. There is a forecast for about 8-10 cm of snow, and temperatures dropping below freezing, for the start of next week. Would that be enough to make any difference?
Thank you! |
We will see you there!
However we have already bought our passes so don't now have a choice. I'm sure there will be skiing especially as it's forecast to snow (albeit lightly) for next 4 days and then remain sunny and cool for the rest of the week by the looks of it so hopefully won't be too bad. No lessons for me and the wife but kids who are on their 1st ski hols are booked into the absolute beginners (ourson level) kids class in Lanslevilard le Haut.
I'm sure you'll have a great holiday.
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I @licoriceallsort1, It is a while since I skied in Val Cenis but I would definitely get a lift pass. It has high runs up to 2800 and the part of the ski area over 2000 will not have suffered from the rain so is less likely to be icy. So I would aim for the high wide runs above 2100. Also follow the sun where possible but this isn't so easy in Val Cenis as it is all north facing.
The Arcelle red is on the steeper side of red and could be hard packed lower down if it hasn't snowed for a while. I would possibly avoid skiing down the traverse back from Termignon if conditions aren't that good lower down as you can easily download by lift instead.
There is snow forecast so hopefully you will have a great week.
As Val Cenis is slightly off the beaten track you will be less likely to encounter people skiing too fast for their ability which tends to be the greatest danger on the slopes in icy conditions.
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My forecast predicts lpn around 1800m, above will be awesome (got 30cm+ lined up!). Below not so much, the greens will suffer even more. There might be a chance for snowmaking at night and I'm pretty sure they'll grab it, if it appears. So, I'd stay positive. Might very well turn out as one of the best weeks this year.
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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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@licoriceallsort1, don't panic.
Forecast looks highly favourable for an improvement and as @snowymum says 2000m+ will be fine.
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@licoriceallsort1, It has been hard and icy for most of of the last two weeks on most of the pistes in La plagne but today has been lovely.
A bit of fresh snow last night and probably warmer overnight temperatures meant the snow was a lot softer today. For the last couple of weeks we had been starting skiing around 11.30 just as the snow was softening and skied right through to the end of the day
Today we set off around 10am and both piste and off piste were in good condition.
Looks like fresh snow is forecast early next week so you should be OK.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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In general, the day after a rain-freeze cycle will be the worst. Then, it should improve as the groomer breaks up the ice into something resembling snow.
If there’s natural snow, great. The groomer can mix it into the icicles to make some enjoyable surface to ski on.
Man made snow comes in handy when nature doesn’t oblige. But that requires below freezing temperature.
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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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Thank you SO much, everyone! I feel very reassured. Thank you for your knowledge and comforting, helpful advice, massively appreciated.
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@licoriceallsort1,
Decent tuition & it won't be long before you'll wonder why you were worried. Part of skiing is to learn to cope with all conditions, which is why doing a season improves the skiing/boarding of someone prepared to make the most of it - you end up faced with many different slope conditions.
And the kids will probably adapt much quicker than the adults.
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You know it makes sense.
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Very true! Thank you.
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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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It's worth looking in the future at places like Wyoming, US, or northern Japan, where the snow is much softer, drier, fluffier, and creamier than in Europe.
You will be astonished at the difference in quality.
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Poster: A snowHead
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As someone currently on bens bus to Grenoble airport to return home from a week in L2A with all kinds of weird weather last week, including 16degrees one afternoon . I’d say it’s probably not going to be as bad as you think.
Ice not a massive problem here last week. The insane number of people made the runs unpleasant in the afternoon, particularly the ones back to the village. My 6 year old son quite happy skiing slushy moguls now, not so good for my old knees! It has rained pretty much all night last night so depending on freezing levels I reckon the pistes up on the mountain will be in much better condition after this weekend. Needs to be colder in the village though for sure. I’m amazed how they kept open some of the interlinking runs at the bottom. Every afternoon we saw more and more brown patches!
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