 Poster: A snowHead
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Well it’s the first of September so time to get this party started. Awaiting Polo’s first slides of the season down the meadows of Les Gets with interest.
We’re heading out late November to get our fingerprints taken at Geneva and maybe a short skin up slide down if there’s any usable snow, then out again for the start of the season proper on 12 December. Avoriaz is slated to open on 13/12, but if there’s any early weekend opening I might pop out for that.
And in answer to the inevitable question - yes, there will be snow on 19 Feb 2025, with a rain/snow limit of 1400m.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not sure I’ll make it before January but as I’ve bought a season pass for the first time the plan is to head out by car for first week in Jan, park up at GVA and fly back to do a few days in the office w/c 13 Jan then back out for the following week. Might also see if I can swing “working from (second) home” 13-17 Jan.
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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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@DJL, is parking at Geneva reasonably cheap for a week?
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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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Looks like about CHF100 for five days.
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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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@andy from embsay, parking-valet.ch are cheaper ... and pretty easy
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@under a new name, nice tip. Saves about CHF30 for my dates. Would save more for a longer stay as it is CHF 19.90 one time plus (from!) CHF8 per day.
Have you found them reliable and quick, both hand over and navette transfer?
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@DJL, we've used them twice I think, s-i-l twice too and they've been very good.
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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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@BobinCH, is it me or are there a few more snow patches hanging about on the Dents Blanches than is normal in September? I seem to recall them being pretty much bare by midsummer.
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@andy from embsay, I’m a rare visitor so don’t have a point of comparison but the glacier looked pretty healthy
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @BobinCH, is it me or are there a few more snow patches hanging about on the Dents Blanches than is normal in September? I seem to recall them being pretty much bare by midsummer. |
Was wondering that myself a few days ago, when it was 30+ degrees down in the valley, but looking up all the snow patches were catching the sun.
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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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@Chaletbeauroc, It definitely felt chilly in the evening when we were in Morzine last week, so you’d imagine anything that’s survived til now will make it to the winter.
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@andy from embsay, It's been up and down the last week or so (like a lot of the summer, TBH) but still largely staying above 15C overnight here at 1350m, but yeah, give the North-facing aspect and the shortening days I would tend to agree.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Not a weather question, but does anyone know if the Plateau lift is being upgraded in Avoriaz this summer? It was scheduled to be done, but I haven't seen anything to say it's actually going ahead?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Haven’t been up there this summer @porkpiefox so couldn’t tell you. I know there’s been talk of a replacement and extending it up to the ridge. This webcam shot suggests not.
@ozboy is often a good source of lift development info.
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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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Oooh a 10person gondola too! That’ll be a big job, but will take the pressure off Tour.
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| Oooh a 10person gondola too! That’ll be a big job, but will take the pressure off Tour. |
That's exactly why I was keen to see when it would be done, as I agree I think it will make a big difference. The new Lac Intrets lift last year helped in that area too, so they're good upgrades in busy locations.
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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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We tend not to use Lac des Intrets much as we either use Stade to get to Choucas/Fornet etc or Grandes Combes to get up to the top, so that didn’t make much difference to us - but an alternative to Tour that doesn’t involve a massive detour would be awesome.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Plateau and then skate across the beginners area to the snowpark drag works to avoid Tour but it is painfully slow going up the current Plateau chair. Replacement would be a big plus. I see the current one is of 1982 vintage!
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| We tend not to use Lac des Intrets much as we either use Stade to get to Choucas/Fornet etc or Grandes Combes to get up to the top, so that didn’t make much difference to us - but an alternative to Tour that doesn’t involve a massive detour would be awesome. |
Yes we do too sometimes, but the increase in Intrets capacity has helped those lifts too, so it all helps a bit.
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@DJL, we tend to go up and over Cubore then up Brochaux to avoid Tour, which is a heck of a long way round! I remember a mythical way up underground escalators that used to be talked of, but have never found it!
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| @DJL, we tend to go up and over Cubore then up Brochaux to avoid Tour, which is a heck of a long way round! I remember a mythical way up underground escalators that used to be talked of, but have never found it! |
Well you're out for a day's skiing so a long way round involving a few lifts and some runs is all good. Standing in a queue at Tour for 30 minutes not so much!
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I find fastest way is to either single out and keep right in Tour queue which moves quickly as people are keen to stay in groups and dawdle leaving gaps to full. The main issue are seats going up empty - it’s an easy fix to marshall skiiers into the gates to fill them but lifties don’t seem to care.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Ozboy wrote: |
| I find fastest way is to either single out and keep right in Tour queue which moves quickly as people are keen to stay in groups and dawdle leaving gaps to full. The main issue are seats going up empty - it’s an easy fix to marshall skiiers into the gates to fill them but lifties don’t seem to care. |
Agree with this and it's the tactic we use for Tour, head as far right in the queue as possible and filter round.
Not filling up lift seats is a real bugbear of mine, when queues are big. My kids have all been taught to just get on the lift and we'll meet up at the top, but the amount of people who seem incapable of doing this annoys me. I've not got an issue if there is only a small queue, obviously, but at busy lifts it shouldn't be happening. I'm not very subtle in my conversations out loud with the kids, as I make sure people can clearly hear what I think 
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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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| shep wrote: |
| I could describe the escalator (actually ascenseur publique) route but it's not really a viable option. |
Oh I don't know, the twin Dormonts drag in the middle of Avoriaz is actually quicker than the Plateau chair and if Tour's really bad can also get quite a queue - so Stade chair/ski to lift next doot to Changabang/walk up around the corner to the drags/drag to the plateau can be 'free-er' if not quicker.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Mjit, Four ascenseurs and a short yomp got you from the bottom of Tour to the Linderets valley without using any ski-lifts  . I think that's what Andy was referring to...
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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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Intrigued how you'd do that now...? 
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Poster: A snowHead
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| shep wrote: |
| @Mjit, Four ascenseurs and a short yomp got you from the bottom of Tour to the Linderets valley without using any ski-lifts . I think that's what Andy was referring to... |
Indeed it was…
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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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Looks there could be a dusting down to maybe 1900m next Friday - still a long way off obviously but the first sign of whiteness is always welcome.
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| Looks there could be a dusting down to maybe 1900m next Friday - still a long way off obviously but the first sign of whiteness is always welcome. |
Nice prep for 19th Feb 2025!
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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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| Ozboy wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
| Looks there could be a dusting down to maybe 1900m next Friday - still a long way off obviously but the first sign of whiteness is always welcome. |
Nice prep for 19th Feb 2025! |
19 Feb always better with a solid September base…
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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A dusting in Avoriaz this morning. All be gone by next week but nice to see the first white of winter.
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Snow line just below the Linga TC top station at c. 1700m.
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We're just looking for a short trip (4 nights) before xmas for our family of four. Tossing up either a tiny expensive apartment in Avoriaz, or a cheaper, larger place in Les Gets. Because the family love Les Gets, skiing when its good, atmosphere, shops and bars etc it's winning, but will there be any snow.... thinking of getting a hire car so at least we can drive up to Ardent/Prodains if we need to chase the snow.
I've got my regular friends trip to Kitzbuhel in Jan so I'm happy to treat this as a pre Xmas mini break. But looking out a steamy window at torrential rain is not that relaxing when you've had enough fondue and tartiflette, and not enough exercise, having also paid for ski hire and passes and teenagers need entertaining!
Decisions, decisions.... is it worth taking a look at Flaine for A December trip (I'm a "short transfer from Geneva" kinda guy).
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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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As you know, pre-xmas in Les Gets can be brilliant (mid-December’s been awesome the last couple of years, just before the torrential rain hit) but if it’s not then you’re out on a limb and have to get round to Ardent/Prodains (and there was no sign of a bus service beyond the normal service buses last year - cue lots of bewildered looking folks wandering round Morzine looking for a bus back to Les Gets)..
Is there nothing larger/cheaper/family-friendly in Morzine as a compromise? Easier to jump on a bus to Prodains, or up Super M and if conditions are good you’ve got the Les Gets side as well.
When in December are you looking at going? I think official opening is 13/12 for Avoriaz/Chatel and 21/12 for Morzine, though they’re allowing for early weekend opening a week before if conditions permit.
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Oh yes, I've been to Les Gets early season a few times over the last decade and managed to always get some good skiing. But I fear our luck may run out at some point! A couple of seasons ago it was close, we got 3 days of lovely crisp skiing in before the monsoon washed the snow away but still managed 6 days on the slopes. The resort was closing as we left, sadly just in time for those arriving for Christmas.
Morzine is certainly an option, and I'm considering a couple of places I've seen through Booking.com & Airbnb that could give us options to access both ski areas depending on conditions.
Unfortunately, the way Christmas day and end of term dates fall this year (and our ability get cheaper flights), we're trying to squeeze in a 4 night trip between got Friday 20 Dec to Tuesday 24 (last Easyjet out of Geneva on Christmas Eve - what could go wrong?!).
This is awkward for accommodation that understandably, many places are only booking full weeks starting and finishing on the Saturday or Sunday. So there isn't a lot of availability now for a short trip, without spending £££££.
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FAQ
. So desperately wishing everyone monster dumps, a snowline under 1000m, and a return of the PdS mojo! 
. Best just to chill 
"
