 Poster: A snowHead
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We are here quiet season and its
great!! We are literally walking into lifts. There are always empty. I am sure at busier times it would be even better as the worst lift queues are the odd bottleneck at prime times. Still would say 2-3 mins saving a time when there’s a queue
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| johnE wrote: |
| I’ve just noticed that lifts with priority lanes are marked on the piste map with a little +. Just shows how bad I am at studying the map. |
Being the anorak that I am, I looked at the piste map to confirm this, does Derby no longer have a priority lane this season as it's not marked with a + on the interactive piste map?
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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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| stevew wrote: |
| johnE wrote: |
| I’ve just noticed that lifts with priority lanes are marked on the piste map with a little +. Just shows how bad I am at studying the map. |
Being the anorak that I am, I looked at the piste map to confirm this, does Derby no longer have a priority lane this season as it's not marked with a + on the interactive piste map? |
No priority lane on Derby.
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@stevew, you are correct, there is no priority lane at derby. The lane used to be in the middle so was often blocked by skiers either side. The barriers were also pushed over regularly
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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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@stevew, you are correct, there is no priority lane at derby. The lane used to be in the middle so was often blocked by skiers either side. The barriers were also pushed over regularly
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@sugarmoma666, @johnE, thanks for the confirmation. It was a pain at times being in the middle but did kinda work. I wonder why they just haven't put it at one side this year, and yes I know you can approach the lift from both directions.
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I’m not sure it could be on one side. Derby is a very unusual lift in that it can be approached from two sides. I suppose that is why arcabulle also doesn’t have a priority lane.
Some priority lanes seem to work well others less so. At varet and combourcier they were saving 3-5 minutes each time whereas at bois de l’ours the priority lanes seem to be blocked completely.
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I don’t think the priority lanes work during very busy times as there are so many people who have the relevant lift pass. Last winter in late Feb it was definitely quicker to use the regular line on plenty of occasions regardless of what pass you had. Today, generally pretty quiet around the resort, the Express lane for the TransArc was great, saved 5 minutes or more. I really appreciate the Express lane if there’s fresh snow and I’m trying to be on the first lift.
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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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Oh, so actually u have an unlimited amount of priority lane usage?
I thought it was only 13 times, but now i understand the 13 is referring to the amount of lifts with a priority lane, LOL
I highly advise it btw, has been a great help last days, especially for the Varet lift going to the base of the Aiguille Rouge cable car.
Also the Transarc on sunday had quite a long queue at noon.
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I am staying at Arc 1600 and struggling to decide if going over to la plagne is actually worth it?
Seems like a lot of lifts and not sure if les coches area is anything good?
Is it realistic to reach plagne bellecote and return? Advanced skier, but dont want to Travel all day
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Kouemaha, After a late set out one day before Christmas we went over to La Plagne from 1600. IIRC up Cachette, then Arpette and all the way over to the Vanoise express. It didn't take too long. Normally we choose the Inversens chairlift to the Roche de Mio but this time took the Telecabine from Belleplagne and hence to the Bellecote. We still had plenty of time for a leisurely return.
In the past we have gone to Champagny for lunch. The skiing above Champagny is IMHO the best in La Plagne. You get plenty of time in La Plagne but watch out for the big queues at the Arpette lift on your return.
Having said that most times we head off to La Plagne we get seduced by the slopes in Vallandry and don't bother going over. I think we have only been to La Plange a couple times in the last 50 or so days skiing in Les Arcs.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
@Kouemaha, After a late set out one day before Christmas we went over to La Plagne from 1600. IIRC up Cachette, then Arpette and all the way over to the Vanoise express. It didn't take too long. Normally we choose the Inversens chairlift to the Roche de Mio but this time took the Telecabine from Belleplagne and hence to the Bellecote. We still had plenty of time for a leisurely return.
In the past we have gone to Champagny for lunch. The skiing above Champagny is IMHO the best in La Plagne. You get plenty of time in La Plagne but watch out for the big queues at the Arpette lift on your return.
Having said that most times we head off to La Plagne we get seduced by the slopes in Vallandry and don't bother going over. I think we have only been to La Plange a couple times in the last 50 or so days skiing in Les Arcs. |
sounds great, is there a way of reaching the Vanoise express straight from the top or Roche de Mio? It looks like a black piste is the only way down?
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| Quote: |
I highly advise it btw, has been a great help last days, especially for the Varet lift going to the base of the Aiguille Rouge cable car.
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Ditto.. we saved a TON of time lapping the red under Varet thanks to this.
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You know it makes sense.
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We went over to LP yesterday and were thoroughly unimpressed with the boiler plate hard pack/sheet ice in the Montchavin and Les Coches sector. Right now it’s either drive round and do it properly or hold off for some snow.
Alternatively, if you’ve the skill and enthusiasm it’s subtly different and a ‘cool story brah’ to go across.
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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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| Quote: |
I am staying at Arc 1600 and struggling to decide if going over to la plagne is actually worth it?
Seems like a lot of lifts and not sure if les coches area is anything good?
Is it realistic to reach plagne bellecote and return? Advanced skier, but dont want to Travel all day
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We're staying in Arc 1800, so a *bit* closer to La Plagne than you, I guess, but we were super glad we went. It has a very different feel - and the way the mountains open up at the top of (I think) the Crozats lift is spectacular. We had no trouble getting all the way across to Plagne Centre and back one day we went, or to ski some of the Champagny side on another. Can't say I particularly liked the runs down to the main villages - as scraped as you might expect - but we loved the Inversens red and would probably go back just to do that and the area around it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Wi11iam wrote: |
We went over to LP yesterday and were thoroughly unimpressed with the boiler plate hard pack/sheet ice in the Montchavin and Les Coches sector. Right now it’s either drive round and do it properly or hold off for some snow.
Alternatively, if you’ve the skill and enthusiasm it’s subtly different and a ‘cool story brah’ to go across. |
yeah, i might actuallly postpone the trip to la plagne to thursday when snowfall is predicted
Icy pistes not great for skiing.
On the contrary i am very much impressed with the snow in les arcs. Its great, benifiting from its north orientation
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| gendal wrote: |
| Quote: |
I am staying at Arc 1600 and struggling to decide if going over to la plagne is actually worth it?
Seems like a lot of lifts and not sure if les coches area is anything good?
Is it realistic to reach plagne bellecote and return? Advanced skier, but dont want to Travel all day
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We're staying in Arc 1800, so a *bit* closer to La Plagne than you, I guess, but we were super glad we went. It has a very different feel - and the way the mountains open up at the top of (I think) the Crozats lift is spectacular. We had no trouble getting all the way across to Plagne Centre and back one day we went, or to ski some of the Champagny side on another. Can't say I particularly liked the runs down to the main villages - as scraped as you might expect - but we loved the Inversens red and would probably go back just to do that and the area around it. |
are the chairlifts in les coches area to get up to plagne bellecote fast enough or still old and slow? It doesnt look appealing on the map, the whole area, to be honest. Short runs, many lifts, only blue
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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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Is it just me or is La Plagne, particularly around Montchavin but also on nearly every run in parts, severely hard packed and in places downright icy?
I have been in Les Aec since Jan 1 and this is my second time over to La Plagne and its the same both times.
My confidence was SMASHED today, hitting hard pack/ice out of no where.
Ice reminds us recreational skiers that we’re sh*t
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
sounds great, is there a way of reaching the Vanoise express straight from the top or Roche de Mio? It looks like a black piste is the only way down?
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It is possible but the Route des Bauches is almost flat and requires at least a km of polling. I do not reccomend it.
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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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| Kouemaha wrote: |
| gendal wrote: |
| Quote: |
I am staying at Arc 1600 and struggling to decide if going over to la plagne is actually worth it?
Seems like a lot of lifts and not sure if les coches area is anything good?
Is it realistic to reach plagne bellecote and return? Advanced skier, but dont want to Travel all day
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We're staying in Arc 1800, so a *bit* closer to La Plagne than you, I guess, but we were super glad we went. It has a very different feel - and the way the mountains open up at the top of (I think) the Crozats lift is spectacular. We had no trouble getting all the way across to Plagne Centre and back one day we went, or to ski some of the Champagny side on another. Can't say I particularly liked the runs down to the main villages - as scraped as you might expect - but we loved the Inversens red and would probably go back just to do that and the area around it. |
are the chairlifts in les coches area to get up to plagne bellecote fast enough or still old and slow? It doesnt look appealing on the map, the whole area, to be honest. Short runs, many lifts, only blue |
Are you making your judgements on piste length from the ski map or a real map? If it's the former, I'd suggest having a look at something like https://openskimap.org to get a feel for their actual length.
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| Quote: |
are the chairlifts in les coches area to get up to plagne bellecote fast enough or still old and slow? It doesnt look appealing on the map, the whole area, to be honest. Short runs, many lifts, only blue
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The route up is Lac Noir telecabine, Bijolin chair and Crozats; all fairly quick lifts
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| Quote: |
The route up is Lac Noir telecabine, Bijolin chair and Crozats; all fairly quick lifts
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Lac Noir *feels* slow, perhaps because it looks old? But I agree it didn't feel like it too too long to get to the top using those three.
To @AlIre2024's point, I found the approach to each of Lac Noir and Bijolin quite dicey the first time we went over, and didn't like parts of Mont Blanc on the way back... none of them were icy but definitely very hard packed, and they all exposed my bad technique. We never ventured below the Vanoise Express.
Second time, we got to Lac Noir via the beginners' area (off to the right somewhere), which was much easier, and used part of the red(!) to get down to the Bijolin chair... for some reason the hard-packed route straight down the hill is blue, and the easier diversionary mountain path is red! The advice of others to take Pierres Blanche back for part of the way definitely helped.
In the end, however, the biggest impact was the lesson I took. I'd somehow just forgotten that quick turns were a 'thing' and had been trying to do wide, gentle turns across the piste, only to find my skis sliding out from under me, or accelerating me off the side of the piste. I'm still not there, but the 'top up' lessons helped a lot.
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| AlIre2024 wrote: |
Is it just me or is La Plagne, particularly around Montchavin but also on nearly every run in parts, severely hard packed and in places downright icy?
I have been in Les Aec since Jan 1 and this is my second time over to La Plagne and its the same both times.
My confidence was SMASHED today, hitting hard pack/ice out of no where.
Ice reminds us recreational skiers that we’re sh*t |
all south facing slopes, i guess thats why
Les arcs mainly north facing , hence less melting, less ice
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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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Has anyone made use of thr fast track for Aiguelle Rouge?
Looks tempting, but as i proceed booking it, it looks like you need to specify a 20 minute interval ? What if you arrive late ? Hard to estimate travel times
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I've stayed in Les Coches more than a dozen times (partly because of the ability to go to either domain of a morning). They are both great ski areas with plenty of slopes of all shapes, sizes, orientations.
Because of the apartment buildings we stay in it's natural for us to take Plan Bois rather than Lac Noir but regardless I would only take Lac Noir if it's snowing wet snow. It's just not a comfortable sit and it's easier if you don't have to take your skis off.
It's 3 modernish, decent lifts to get to the main area of La Plagne. Generally makes no sense to take Salla as it's a nice ski down to Crozat's and you end up with more options (left to Inversen and Roche de Mio) or right to Bellecote.
I actually love the skiing in the Les Coches area but it comes into it's own in bad weather and when it's snowing.
One downside is that you need Arpette to get back from Bellecote. As mentioned above Bauches is technically an option but it's one I've never taken. So Arpette does get snarled up. However, do bear in mind it's a face 8 man chair and if people fill them up the throughput can be very good. Also bear in mind from the top is an intimidating schuss and unless you get plenty of speed, can skate well, a rope tow assisted cross over to the top of Bijolin and route down to the VE.
If I could recommend one piste in La Plagne it would be Sources but there are plenty of others and some great accessible off piste.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| johnE wrote: |
| Quote: |
are the chairlifts in les coches area to get up to plagne bellecote fast enough or still old and slow? It doesnt look appealing on the map, the whole area, to be honest. Short runs, many lifts, only blue
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The route up is Lac Noir telecabine, Bijolin chair and Crozats; all fairly quick lifts |
It was shocking today. Long long queues, rock hard and icy pistes. We came from 1950 and it took no time at all to the gondola. But La Plagne side was horrible.
Nasty down to Les Cloches, nasty (and long queues) at lac Noir and Bijolin, Salla was shut, so double the queue at Crozats.
Colosses was also manic but made our way across to Montalbert via becoin.
Montalbert was pretty lovely and quiet. I do like it over there. And then we made our way back. Using the grande Rochette and Arpette. Horrid queues again.
It’s deffo doable to get all the way from 1950 to La plagne and even Montalbert. But the slopes were so nasty and the queues mad. I was happy to get back to Les arc.
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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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I was pleasantly surprised by how good conditions were in Les Arcs today. I've been back in the UK for a week and thought that things would be much more polished on my return, but the pistes were firm, fast and grippy, if you got an early edge angle. Even the usual busy sections weren't too bad, offering up plenty of grip. Couple that with blue sky and very pleasant temperatures and it was a very nice day.
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Can anyone shed light on the large group of (i think mainly UK) folks that get off a large coach and onto the Funicular in BSM at around 9:30 each morning?
They seem to be retirees and based on some conversations ive overheard, some stay for months at a time, and based on gear are serious skiers.
Does anyone know if this is a club?
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You know it makes sense.
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| AlIre2024 wrote: |
Can anyone shed light on the large group of (i think mainly UK) folks that get off a large coach and onto the Funicular in BSM at around 9:30 each morning?
They seem to be retirees and based on some conversations ive overheard, some stay for months at a time, and based on gear are serious skiers.
Does anyone know if this is a club? |
Not sure if it's the same bunch, but there are a few folk that live in the local villages (Seez, Landry) and catch the Navettes into the Funni every morning.
They normally meet for Apres in Charley's at the end of the day.
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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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Quick question. Is anyone around in 1950 who fancies a ski buddy for the day tomorrow? Easy blue runs (my husband has injured himself and can’t ski)
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm going to be in 1800 for the UK half term with my 7 year old son, he'd love to meet some children of a similar age to play with in the snow, if anyone else will be around with children and would like to meet up it would be nice to hear from 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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@Lucywuk, are you staying longer? We arrive tomorrow eve ( Dad and 23 yo daughter) and are always happy to meet new ski buddies. DM me if you are.
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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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| Arctic Roll wrote: |
| @Lucywuk, are you staying longer? We arrive tomorrow eve ( Dad and 23 yo daughter) and are always happy to meet new ski buddies. DM me if you are. |
Oh sorry we are off tomorrow morning. I would have deffo met up.
I skied nice and easy today then we went to the Igloo ice cave - worth €2 and you can have drinks in an igloo kids would love it.
Lunch at L’epicerie just above 2000. Really lovely highly recommended homemade veggie burger! One of the best I’ve ever had. Inside is super cute and cozy if the weather closes in
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I've screenshot that recommendation @Lucywuk, thanks! I'm a vegetarian, so that sounds great!
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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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| Owlette wrote: |
| I've screenshot that recommendation @Lucywuk, thanks! I'm a vegetarian, so that sounds great! |
If you are staying in 1950 we loved La leotine I think it was. Great fondue made at the table and such lovely service.
1950 is pricey but it was fabulous. Gonna be hard to go elsewhere!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| wills_h wrote: |
| I'm going to be in 1800 for the UK half term with my 7 year old son, he'd love to meet some children of a similar age to play with in the snow, if anyone else will be around with children and would like to meet up it would be nice to hear from you. |
I'm heading to BSM with my 9 year old daughter for the half term week (w/c 17th Feb) and we'll be en piste every day in Les Arcs if you fancied some mountain time. Will see if I can message you directly!
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For anyone heading out to Les Arcs is definitely worth visiting the light show at the top of the Varet gondola.
For lunches, we generally choose simple snack bars /self service and liked the following:
- Les 3 Saveurs - lovely terrace with a brilliant view - it's a short climb above the Peisey lift or you can drop down from the 2300 (slow) chair. The Sandwich American was massive!
- La Fragola di Névé - directly at the bottom of the Derby lift so an easy place for groups to meet, as it's accessible by blue runs with one lift from almost anywhere in resort. Great food and seems to have a linkup with a local boulangerie.
- The Altiport - just below the snowpark above 1600. a bit pricier than the previous 2 but more substantial food including pizzas, croziflette etc.
Another good find was a nice room in the Arpette restaurant with a self service coffee and hot chocolate machine. Go into the main building and turn immediately right before you get to the self service counters. Likewise, there is a hot drink machine and a water refill station in the picnic room at the top of the Vallandry gondola, below the animal museum. The toilets there are good (clean and no requirement to go up or down stairs  ) There's also an amusing vending machine:
Following on from the above, the toilets in the Transarc mid station are up to Austrian standards - clean, hot water and accessed by an escalator
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It was a very lovely day yesterday, with hazy sunshine and mild temperatures all day. Felt more like March than January, with pistes in excellent condition (at least above 1800m, where I skied).
Today looks like it will be an even nicer day. The first of this week's forecast snow arrived overnight, perhaps 15cm at 1800m, and the day has dawned with blue sky and a temperature drop from yesterday of about 13 degrees according to the local Meteo France weather station. Forecast is for clear sky this morning then gradually clouding over and an increase in temperature as the day continues, in advance of more snow Monday/Tuesday. I don't think heavy snow is forecast to fall this week, but hopefully some nice top-ups to already very good piste conditions. As seems too common, questions around where the snowline will fall will see whether the lower slopes get rain or snow.
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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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Tough out there today. Bit of a bone to pick with the piste maintenance. Why don’t they look at the forecast and piste bash after the snow? Today should be an all time classic day out there with fresh snow and blue skies, but it’s all to wall moguls already.
I don’t recall this issue at other French resorts.
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@AlIre2024, it sounds like a dream day to me. I love it when a few inches of snow fall on a bashed piste, so you get the off piste feeling without the hassle.
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FAQ
