 Poster: A snowHead
|
Has anyone heard of or used JAMtransfers?
A friend with his family of 5 are trying to get transfers to Tignes from Geneva. They are going for the busiest week in Feb because they have children still at school.
They have tried Snowdrone who I recommended to them.
If they have to hire a car will they be able to find car park in or near Tignes Lac?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@welshflyer, Never heard of them or seen them. The website looks like it is an agency. It has no company number shown which is a worry, the T&Cs look open to cancellation which could leave you in the lurch.
If they hire a car now, they should be able to book a parking slot in Lac 3, but book as soon as possible
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@welshflyer, Not a familiar transfer company
They could also try Whiterides or The Mountain Rescue
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Had a quick gander at the webcams this morning. Lots of snow cannons running, including around the top of Chaudannes. And good to see Tommeuses running.
With some more snow in the forecast as we head towards the weekend, it's looking good for opening up more terrain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Yes, JAMtransfers appears to be a "broker" or "booking agent" based in Croatia????
After a long delay Snowdrone have just contacted my friend and they have now sorted out their transfers. I hope they don't get the long traffic delays often encountered between Tignes & Geneva during the UK school holidays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@welshflyer, I have just got in touch with a mate who did at least 5 Geneva’s a week last season and he’s never heard of them. The lack of a French Siret number is a big worry.
Snowdrone are fab, but sadly they don’t have wings to escape the traffic, but they have taken me on routes I didn’t know about!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@chocksaway,
I agree with you, when I looked at the JAMtransfers website it looked suspicious. They have a UK telephone number and claim to arrange transfers anywhere in the World.
When did you give up your wings? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@chocksaway,
| Quote: |
but they have taken me on routes I didn’t know about!!
|
Off piste through the farmyards to avoid the La Plagne/Les Arcs jams on the Aime/Moutiers stretch?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@welshflyer, Full time 20 years ago!
@GeorgeVII, A very impressive gorge, t’other side of Lake Annecy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@chocksaway, An impressive gorge near Annecy? I'm pretty sure I've also been taken on that little detour. It took me a while to figure out where we had rejoined the road towards GVA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
It's terrible that I've already brought up the subject of the traffic jams during the UK half term holidays.
I first visited Tignes/Val in 1986 before the new autoroutes and fast roads were built for the 1992 Olympics. In those days the number of beds in all of the ski resorts and therefore the quantity of traffic was a lot less.
The gorge between Annecy & Geneva has a lovely old suspension bridge (with castlelated towers) crossing the gorge. It is next to the "old" road.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@welshflyer, I remember that landmark well from the days when we used to do T/O packages with coach transfers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@GeorgeVII, The bungee jumping bridge!
Right the weather - very unsettled and its a highly complex and dynamic situation - so I'll only go as far as Monday and there are lots of disagreeing models before we get that far. So highly unsettled, there will be snow, it might be rain in Val Centre for a bit and it will be windy - an avalanche forecasters nightmare. As for how much snow I am seeing estimates from 30 to 70cm over the next 4 days - so pick a number folks!
There will also be concern over the travel, I will look at the airports after lunch tomorrow when their forecasts for Saturday come out. The wind is going to be strong over the UK and the all important direction will change rapidly as the centre of the low passes through the centre of the UK. So it will be a bit of a lottery. Also as Friday night is going to be very windy it will depend on where the aircraft and crews finish up. To misquote Tammy Wynette "Stand by your App"! One thing is for sure - for the 3000 Varsity students, many of whom come by Bus it's going to be a rough crossing on Fri night (unless they take Le Shuttle) and the buses will need chains on Sat afternoon - Mmmmm I smell a spot of bother.
Right, it will cloud over tonight and then start snowing in the early hours of Friday and this will be light to moderate and will continue till mid afternoon, it will be a bit windy aloft and the sun may pop out as you are returning the skis to the hire shop. The snowline should be just above Brev in the morning, dropping a bit later. Friday 8-20cm. Saturday will be cloudy and windy - expect the top lifts to be shut. The snow will start in the morning and will be light at first - intensifying later. Initially the snowline will be around the Dam, it will drop through the afternoon, by dark it snowing in Brev. Saturday 10-20cm. So for those escaping home the roads should be OK, chains (or suitably equipped vehicles) may be required early on if the roads are white. For those arriving chains or snow tyres will be required. Sunday will be cloudy and windy - some forecasts are for light snow, some for heavy- so it will probably be moderate so 10-15cm maybe but it will be cooler so snowing to well below Brev. Monday is likely to be sunny periods with, maybe, some light snow showers. It will be seasonally cool. So something to look forward to even if the transfers are a bit tricky!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
As promised here is a view on the travel weather for tomorrow. Basically, the message is stay alert for changes and cancellations. There are a number of factors which make this worse:
The wind tonight, some aircraft may not make it back to their intended destination tonight - particularly Bristol and Manchester.
The deep low is crossing the country Liverpool to Hull so there will be massive changes in the direction of the winds. So there may be windows when the wind is strong but down the runway, it then may become a crosswind out of limits.
The headwinds may result in a reduced flow rate for landings at busy airports, as the aircraft have a lower speed across the ground - May be a player at LHR and LGW tomorrow. The first flights to get axed will be the UK ones, eg BA from Scotland and MAN. This may happen tonight.
It’s going to be showery and the wind speeds increase around the showers, this is when they are looking out of limits. Again this turns into a lottery as to whether you arrive or not.
The wind speeds in the south west may exceed ground handling limits for stuff like air stairs and baggage containers.
As it affects the whole of the UK, there may be a limit on diversion airfield availability so again an overall reduction in flights maybe imposed by National Air Traffic Services
The forecast are only in force till 1200 for most airports, I’ll do an update later.
So by major airport:
LHR - Crosswinds may exceed limits in the morning, a big headwind in the afternoon may result in a reduced flow rate.
LGW - Significant periods where crosswind will be close to or over the limits.
LTN - looking OKish.
STN - very gusty in the afternoon- potential for issues.
BHX - crosswind issues later in the PM.
MAN - May be closed tonight and crosswind issues all day in showers
LBA - looks OK at the moment!!
NCL - crosswind issues during showers.
BRS - may be shut tonight and unlikely to be open tomorrow morning with gusts to 70mph
EDI - should be OK
GLA - should be OK.
There will be lots of heavy showers so the runways will be wet compounding the problem expect some deliberately firm landings.
And when the cabin crew say fasten your seatbelts tightly - they mean it!!
Good Luck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
PS THE ferries will be delayed and the airports on the Alpine side will be fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| chocksaway wrote: |
| PS THE ferries will be delayed and the airports on the Alpine side will be fine. |
The ferries full of puking students - no change there, then. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Kenzie, I had a look at their website, more seem to be flying as coaches are now expensive. But yes it will be vile! Do they allow coaches on Le Shuttle?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| qwerty360 wrote: |
http://youtube.com/v/aTFOAUBHLi8?si=K-XvB0LIyyH0HkDP
Floss's snow report for the week (with regular interruption by snowheads on PSB!) |
Subscribe to get Floss’ regular update on conditions and ski tips.
@FreeFloFloss 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
The road between Boisses and Lac is getting tricky according to the App the navettes are delayed. If you haven’t got winter tyres you’ll need chains!
EDIT The chaining area at Raie between St F and the Brev turn off has been activated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now getting checked at Viclaire for winter equipment.
We’ve had 16cm of snow in the past 3hrs in Val d’Isere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@muppet, good. Need to do it much more often so the message gets through that you can't just cruise up the hill in your Renault 5, packed to the gunwales with kids and kit, with no experience of driving in snow and not expect the worst to happen. They should also be heavily fined if/when they do spin out and cause misery for everyone else properly equipped.
*and breath...*
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Bet the garage at Viclaire are really happy, great trade is snowchains (but guessing many have no idea how to put them on )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Big queues up the hill to the Dam. On the webcams it looked like they were holding traffic at the roundabout in Boisses to clear the road. It’s now running ok Boisses to Lac.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Does anyone have an idea about how much more of the Tignes/Val D'Isere area is likely to open up over the next week?
Looks like plenty of snow has fallen this afternoon based upon the webcams!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Looks like Tignes-Val D’Isere link and quite a few runs are closed today; any chance they’ll open up later?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tignes App indicates late start. Bombing in last hour. Snow continuing at heavier rate than forecast. Probable progressive opening day
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| HenryZ wrote: |
| Looks like Tignes-Val D’Isere link and quite a few runs are closed today; any chance they’ll open up later? |
Tignes App suggests most eventually will open
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Chaudannes open for the first time making the Taos ski out!
The remaining lifts due to open today will open when they dig them out as the winds are light.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Is the Val link generally open now? Heading out Friday for a week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
In general @dan100, yes. In fact they plan to open the second link on Monday but I'd not be surprised if that slips a few days owing to the recent snowfall and the work that incurs. But once it is open you will have three ways to get to Val (Toviere, Tufs, Fresse) and two ways back (Tommeuses, Borsat).
Forgive the lack of posts and updates from me btw. It's been a tricky start to the season: no heating for a week, washing machine kaput, and now the lively Spanish guests upstairs have smashed the chalet's big picture window. Hey ho.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@fro5tie, Welcome to Snowheads! There will be a lot more lifts and pistes open by next week. There was just less than a foot of snow at 2100m yesterday so expect things like Aiguille Rouge and Aiguille Percee to open. I think it will be a while before the runs to Brev will open as there was little cover down there. That said the Brev bubble is programmed to open next Saturday (according to a recently published bus timetable).
As to what will open in the Fornet sector of Val I don’t know, as the new Vallon Gondola is not due to open until just before Christmas.
As a complete aside it appears they are going to run a shuttle bus from Brev to 1800 on an evening. The pubs down there will lose their captive market!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@bobski62, That’s an expensive window! I guess you haven’t missed much good skiing whilst you have worn your handyman’s chapeau!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Looks like another Tignes character has bitten the dust. Tried to go to "Rendez Vous" for our traditional first night Pizza and Vaquras last night, but it's closed with a "For Sale" sign up outside. Slight possibility that it's always up for sale anyway, and they've just not opened for the winter yet, but it has got the air of the end of an era. Used to enjoy the 'service' in there with the mad waitress/bar maid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@Judwin, Ask Delphine in the Jam Bar - Mao (the mad owner) used to go into the Jam Bar every morning for coffee. She must be about (French) retirement age.
When Alain was the chef a few years ago anything could happen. Escargots on a pizza anybody?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any recommend ski schools in La Lac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Dutch Carl, check the front page links. Unless you have something very specific they’ll do the job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@Dutch Carl, yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@chocksaway cheers for that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
ended up a fair way above the lake on goat tracks and made our flight with not too much time to spare... 
