 Poster: A snowHead
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| chocksaway wrote: |
@ArseCaptain,
1. Bec Rouge very convenient for everything. Ski in and ski out, maybe not ski in for the smallest, it’s a proper blue run. Unloading is easy IF you have a blipper for the garage as you can unload at the base of the lift for your segment of the block. 1st number of the apt is the lift number (there are 7 or 8 ) second number is the floor and 3rd the apt number. To turn round go to the very top of the ‘Mad Max Set’ car park. Apts in there vary from original French 60’s (carpet on the wall and a bidet) to ultra modern.
2. Phoenix or Duc’s de Savoie. Convenient but not ski in out as you are on the road, but not far. Parking on the street is limited so unloading might be a bit problematic if you arrive at peak time. Street access for the Grandma easier than 1, but you didn’t giver her age, so I might be assuming here 
3. Looks like the Taos? Ski in and out, down to Lavachet, but lessons are normally in Lac, so a 120m walk to the snow front. As handy for everything else as 1&2. Unloading - spaces outside or in short term street parking across the road. The residents round there are a better class. . Potentially the best class of accommodation if it’s the Taos. If not let me know which building it is.
4. Can’t tell which block precisely. Can be ski in/out (ish) for good skiers but for everything else it’s a long schlep up or downhill. I foresee logistics problems with the little ones. Access should be OK in April. The side streets up there are a. ‘mare in mid winter.
Without seeing the Bec Rouge apt spec and assuming Taos and not knowing costs my rank would be 3,1,2 and a distant 4. |
Thank you for such a detailed reply, thats's really really helpful! 
The locations are approximate, and I think you mostly worked out where I was thinking in each case. I think option 1 is likely to be my choice as it's decent value and seems to meet our needs. I will find out about the possibility of car access first though, that would make things so much easier.
There are a few bigger hotels around 4; Montana and CGH, which have certain appeals but our previous experience was that it took a lot of energy to get little ones to and from snow, so we want to be as close to the action as possible this time.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ArseCaptain, The one time that I stayed in Bec Rouge the rental agency leant me an opener for the garage door to use while unloading.
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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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@ArseCaptain - I just spent 2 weeks in Tignes, and had a great time. One week was in Bec Rouge. They now have a code on the garage door as opposed to a garage door opener, but agency offered it to me. I didn't use it as roofbox on the car, meant it was not an option for me.
I would stay in Bec Rouge again. As Chocksaway noted, it's ski-in/ski-out so very convenient.
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@ArseCaptain - ive stayed in Montana in s/c in the main hotel building. lockable heated ski lockers are in basement. Walk out of entrance about 50m and you are on an easy piste ski down to Maison Tignes where ski lessons meeting point is. Its not 100% ski in/out but one of the best Ive had. Montana gets quite a slating on reviews - "in need of updating"- we must have been lucky as our apartment was ok. However CGH in Val Claret was much better- bigger, cleaner, brighter, 2 bathrooms and it really was ski in/out via the rear of the building via a nice easy run. All in all id really recommend CGH in VC
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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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Apologies if it's already been asked staying in Tignes - Val Claret later in March and wondered if there were any recommended Pools/Spas/Saunas (either open to the public or accessible to non-guests for a fee). I know there's the municipal pool with a spa - but any recommendations for hidden gems appreciated (we've had some great times with Scandi friends we've met on various trips booking a slots at saunas and places with outdoor pools etc..) but failing that the Lagon will be more than fine.
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@Bradlex - sorry dont know of any apart from the Lagon.
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Any Le Lac ski hire shops you prefer? Or all very much the same?
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ive always used Precision ski and had no problems
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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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Langley Hotel has a spa that appears to be open to public for a fee. I saw signs for it when i was in the bar/restaurant. I was never in the spa so no idea if any good...
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Heading out in a few weeks and I was wondering how the snow and pistes are holding up?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@winterstickboarder, I’ll let you know on Saturday afternoon!
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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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@winterstickboarder, As promised.
After an interesting journey down on Thu/Fri I am back. On Thursday morning I had to drive the wrong way up the A1 (directed by The Police) which was decidedly weird - there had been a HGV v Van 2 minutes in front of me. It was definitely spring like in Bourg and the roads were a dream on the way up.
Anyway - onto the skiing. I was surprised given the paucity of recent snow how good it is out there, the very cold nights have really helped. The snow depth is still excellent above 1800m (I didn't go any lower) with very few stones and few hard packed area. We skied down to Merles, stopped outside the Palet Resto to watch the freeriders throw themselves down Grande Balme as part of the Mountain Shaker event. Funny how they aim for the rocks - I tend to aim for the white bits! We then inspected the big air course as we rode Double M - there will be some big air! Off piste is pretty much like piste but not as flat. There is quite a lot of chalky stuff, some bits that look horrific and some that look quite nice. Genepy was lovely (Double M is very narrow due to Mountain Shaker and best avoided). We hopped up to the top of Bellevarde and down to La Daille as it was inevitably Quiche o'clock. A little bit soft on the sunny bits by 1230 but generally fine. Later in the afternoon we came down from the eye - again the southerly facing slopes were chopping up a bit but entirely manageable..
Now the weather - its an unusual weather system thats heading towards us as its coming from SW-NE from Portugal. The models are really struggling as there is not much history for systems like this. It also has to cross the Pyrenees yet, so it may well move again. So, unusually, I'm only offering a 2 day forecast as I'm not an astrologer. Tomorrow will start with a milky sky, but get out early as it will deteriorate through the afternoon and into the evening. There will be a gusty wind lower down - just keep an eye on the links. The precipitation will start somewhere between the end of a late lunch and before an early dinner - difficult to be precise. Any precipitation will be light, it may well be drizzle in Brev and sleet in Val Centre, the snowline will drop through the evening. We should get 5-10cm above the snowline up to breakfast on Monday. Monday - should see snow in the morning and sunny spells in the afternoon with maybe a light snow shower in the evening. Beyond that its unsettled but from Val villages and higher it should be snow. Fingers crossed.
For the travellers tomorrow - a slim chance of fog Newcastle and North - but nothing really to cause delays. Tickety boo over here.
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Thanks! Appreciate the insight and detail! Looking forward to getting out there next weekend 
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You know it makes sense.
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Flat light this am seems cold wind too still happy to skiing tho!!!
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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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Well it wasn't too bad this morning, but I was glad I donned an extra layer as the air temperature was above zero in the village but there was a stiff gusty wind, especially in exposed places. With the wind a few bits of gravel had blown onto the piste, especially at the top of Bellvarde where we spent most of the morning, the pistes softened quicker in the warmish wind. Coffee was taken at Empreinte Avalin at the bottom of the Grand Pre - its nice in there, a tad more expensive but very friendly. It was slopestyle day for Mountain Shaker so lots of people around Double M. Also lots of lights and TV paraphernalia appeared for the big air jump. Post midday the light started to deteriorate and the skies to te SW became very grey. Now, 1430, its completely overcasy and the precipitation is about 90 minutes away looking at the radar picture. Its about 5 degs on the balcony now so it might be a bit moist to start with at 2100m, the snowline will drop to Brev by midnight.
The models are still disagreeing about the passage of the weather system and its intensity, so really we will have to wait and see where the more intense precipitation is in the morning. so as to how much - its anybodies guess really. But it should have stopped by first light tomorrow leaving a day of sunny spells, probably. Towards the end of the afternoon the cloud will thicken and snow will start after dark for another light dusting. It might be a bit sleety below the Dam. Still far from sure whats happening on Tuesday - the best guess would be grey with light snow in the morning, sunny periods in the afternoon then more cloud and light precipitation in the evening. Confidence in Wednesdays forecast is about as high as a Man U supporter at the moment (sorry Tigski) but grey with light snow if I was forced to offer an opinion.
Right - off to watch the rugby.
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Poster: A snowHead
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That was quite a day. There were a few flocons in the air at bedtime, but I was woken by snowploughs at 6 at moved the curtain to find 6-8cm on the balcony, which was nice. As I was planning to go out with some folks who do a skin before breakfast (I don't - reminds me of working with the Army!) at 1030, I set off super early and got the first Palafour. So I had first dibs at the stade which was very flattering and then a couple more runs off piste on Palafour. In Tignes we had had about 10-15cm depending on altitude and over towards Fornet it was 25-40. The last weather system from Portugal kinda mimicked a retour d'est, but as it hadn't come back or hadn't come from the east it wasn't! So the skiing was good but there was quite a lt of bouncing off the bottom. I did Epilobe at 10 but it was already consolidating in the Sun - so harder work. Having teamed up we then launched down Familial - some nice turns in the shade. I then needed to rehydrate and do the dance of the 7 veils! By now it was definitely time for higher as the temp rose quickly. So we opted. for Telegraph which was really good and then home round the Palet Bowl. Tired legs!
The weather is still a conundrum - tomorrow's forecast has changed quite a lot since yesterday. After a cloudy night it looks like sunny periods in the morning, the cloud will thicken through the afternoon and late afternoon light snow should start, it might be a bit moist in Brev as it starts. Wednesday is probably going to be cloudy with light snow all day, again a bit damp below the Dam in the afternoon. That is an average of what the various models think is going to happen - so it may very well be different. On Thursday there will be a market in Tignes - thats about the only certainty  .
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It was a smashing morning - but the off piste had deteriorated in yesterday's heat so it was a piste day around to the Solaise. It was a day for lift failures (Lanches and Borsat were off for significant periods - so the odd bit of rethinking). The pistes are generally in good condition but with the warmth they do start chopping up from mid morning. We slalomed our way down Santons to find a big queue at the Solaise Bubble. It's my first go on that since I got back and STVI have introduced an airport like slalom of barriers. I watched and the 6 bubbles that I counted had a maximum of 6 people - thats only using 60% of the capacity - as people faff to put their skis in the racks there just isn't enough time to load - and they have taken away the singles line - madness.
The snow down Arcelle was mostly very good and after coffee in the Solaise Lounge we returned down Rhone Alpes which was really good. A return home was then on the cards to do some triv. The sky progressively clouded over from mid morning and we have just had a few flocons go past the window, but its quite bright again now.
The weather pattern continues to arrive from the south-west with a seeming plethora of fronts and troughs so the apps are going to fluctuate wildly. The trend till Friday is unsettled and cooling down. As to the actual passage of precipitation - its all a bit hit and miss. But here goes: tonight will be cloudy and there may be some light snow through the night but we'll be measuring in millimetres not centimetres. From breakfast time we should have sunny periods until after lunch when light snow should start again - a bit damp from the Dam downwards. This will turn to snow after dark and there might be a couple of hours of decent snow depending on the passage of the fronts. Light snow showers on Thursday morning should be followed by sunny periods in the afternoon, light snow will start after dark again. Friday is a long way off but cloudy with light snow looks favourite at the moment.
In other news we had a bit of a drama in Tignes late afternoon yesterday. The Suites de Montana in Les Almes had to be evacuated as a set of boot heaters had gone rogue and set fire to a mattress. The building was evacuated and in the end only that one bedroom was damaged.
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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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Seems that whilst we were away the authorities have created a new bit of piste down to the Aiguille Rouge as well as the one down from the junction. Seems sensible, although it does steal some of the off-piste. You can’t have everything.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Ski lots wrote: |
| Seems that whilst we were away the authorities have created a new bit of piste down to the Aiguille Rouge as well as the one down from the junction. Seems sensible, although it does steal some of the off-piste. You can’t have everything. |
I know what you mean, iirc there were a couple of big rocks down there.
Might have been nice if they just moved the rocks and left it as off.
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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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Quick Q for anyone in the know-why has Lanches had its pull down screens removed this season? I was skiing in Tignes in Easter and December 2024 and between those two visits, they had disappeared which was a bit disappointing. It's a key lift to altitude and it can be long and cold!
Thanks.
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@snowhound, Don't know specifically, but they did increase drag on the chairlift and reduced the max windspeed they could operate in.
Funny old day, sunny spells, hill fog and a few snowflakes, so it was a case of picking your moment. I had decided to have a quiet night last night and skin up Palafoulee this morning - the time has improved by 5 mins since January. I rewarded myself witha full fry for lunch.
After a cloudy night with a cm or two of snow tomorrow will be OK. Should be mainly sunny spells with perhaps a few flakes at altitude. Maybe a degree of two cooler than today. The south-westerly flow continues so a bit tricky to say what happens beyond that but a mini Genoa Low may form later on Friday, so snowfall maybe biased towards Fornet. Friday looks very grey with light snow all day, but it might add up to 3 or 4 cm across the day. Saturday will be very similar but the intensity of the snow will increase by late afternoon into the evening. It will be snow from a bit below Brev so we can expect a bit of malarkey on the roads. Sunday - a long shot but it looks quite snowy at the moment (ie more than a few cm).
I finally got round to read the latest 'Parish Magazine' this afternoon. There was an article on the removal of the Leisses chair. I know various things have been suggested (but not as vitriolic as some of the comments on the French Chairlift Spotters website!!). As ever it was not simple - there were 3 elements to the decision:
Firstly The Vanoise National Park Authority chose to terminate the derogation to allow piste bashers to traverse from much lower down Genepy to the bottom station to prepare the approaches which makes digging out and preparing the bottom station nigh on impossible.
Secondly, the retreat of the Glacier meant that the 'overflight height' between the last pylon and the arrival station exceeded the allowed limits (it was a long drop!!) and the age of the venerable lift meant an exemption was impossible to obtain. Thinking about it, I'm not sure I would want to be the rescue guy that slid down the wire to belay trapped punters down.
Thirdly, because of the lack of permission to take a piste basher/skidoo to the bottom, to rescue an injured person would take longer than 30 mins as, effectively the pisteurs would have to skin out with a blood wagon as it is effectively a dead end.
However, the discussions with the National Park Authority were held in good faith and they are now on board with proposed changes to the exploitation of the Glacier in the future.
As to whats happening in the future, The Mairie have been running a consultation over the last couple of years regarding the development of Tignes over the next 25 years. I have got a couple of documents to translate (which I will do in bits) and do a series of reports over the next few weeks - providing it's not all bluebird days .
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@chocksaway,
Has there ever been a time where there has not been an ongoing consultation over development? Is a link to Bonneval-sur-Arc still on the table - that must have been the start of 21st century when first mentioned, if I recall.
And a 25 year plan - long term for a ski resort! Tignes still had extensive non-winter glacier skiing (still 365 days/year?) 25 years ago & I bet no one in 2000 would have planned for what it is now!
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Was once stuck on the Leisses chairlift at the aforementioned point for longer than was comfortable and did wonder to myself how they were going to get us down.
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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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I thought 365 days/ year skiing in Tignes was over ? They still do some summer skiing high up on the Motte
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| Charlie333 wrote: |
| I thought 365 days/ year skiing in Tignes was over ? They still do some summer skiing high up on the Motte |
365 is well over. My point being, 25 years ago (the projected length of the 'new' consultation) it was either still going, or just finished - but if it was over there were still long summer & autumn (running into winter) seasons. Back in 2000 no one would have thought the glacier would be in the state it is. Who could guess what another 25 years will do to skiing?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Heading out next week with my 3 year old. Not sure how much skiing will actually be done, so does anyone know if you can hike up to Village Perdu in La Daille? Looked good last year and thought it would be a nice place to explore with the little one.
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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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Skiing in Europe in the next 25 years will see many changes due to GW. The traditional village resorts at low altitude are really going to suffer and a lot will simply close / need to diversify into summer activities. Its already happening. If we assume the same numbers wish to ski in fewer resorts the remaining higher altitude resorts will get busier, longer queues, be more expensive. Seasons will shorten. The whole ski industry in Europe will need to change to a shorter season and unfortunately skiing will be far more expensive. Skiing in May unlikely unless on the Motte. I dont think our micro changes to change to heat pumps / electric cars will have much impact while other countries still dont make any effort to change
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@Kenzie, No, No - the National Parc vetoed that and Yes a long term plan will change - but from what I have skim read so far a lot of thought has been put into making the most of Tignes advantages and how to make the place viable year round. Of course, when we get a new mayor with a new team they will probably change it. There's quite a bit of grumbling going on about taking the lift co back in house.
To today, lots of sunny spells this morning and we had agreed in the pub last night to skin up Mont Roup, so quite pleased to read Steve A's report when I got back in. Anyway the skin up was very pleasant and there was up to 6 inches of fresh up there. Typically, as we transitioned, the cloud filled in rapidly so it was quite tricky on the way down and much slower than we anticipated - but the snow was nice. There's still not a lot of snow in the bottom and the traverse out was more adventurous than most seasons - soo be needing wellies at the bottom of Charvet.
Its now quite grey and snowing lightly. The weather forecast has altered a bit - projections for a decent amount of snow on Sunday have faded a bit - hopefully, they will un fade again! There may be a few sunny spells in the morning and then it will cloud over and light snow will start - this will last through most of Saturday as well, with perhaps a few breaks depending on who you trust most on the weather front! Sunday now looks like a real mixed bag of sunny spells, overcast periods and snow showers. Look out of the window! Early next week now looks a bit more settled.
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You know it makes sense.
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@winterstickboarder, easiest route up to Village Perdue would be on diebold. A very short skin up but nothing suitable for a 3 year old.
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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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| Grinning wrote: |
| @winterstickboarder, easiest route up to Village Perdue would be on diebold. A very short skin up but nothing suitable for a 3 year old. |
Thanks! I was just going to hike up in normal walking boots and have her in a carry backpack. Sounds like it's doable though? Or do you mean there's nothing there suitable for a 3 year old?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Do any of the supermarkets in Lac sell Fevertree tonic? Flying g out tomorrow for first time since brexit and can't believe how cheep the duty free gin is at the airport! Would be a shame not to take advantage
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Purplecat, if flying ezy check to see if they're still doing 2for1 on select spirits on board. Flying back from geneva last December i got 2 litres bombay sapphire for £28 !!!
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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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@winterstickboarder, it’s not something I would recommend and fit adult to attempt, never mind a 3 year old.
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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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@winterstickboarder, it’s not something I would recommend and fit adult to attempt, never mind a 3 year old.
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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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@Purplecat, Not sure about the supermarkets up here as I shop in Bourg, but I have seen Schweppes. The posh Spar up towards the Montana Suites would be a good place to start a hunt, as they stock top end stuff.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Tignes - The Future Part 1.
Right as promised here is the first in an occasional series of how the local authority sees the development of Tignes over the next 25 years (yes it's Frantic Friday and the weather is not great).
The new team in the Mairie began deliberations in 2023 and in August the Local Council endorsed the transition strategy. As Tignes relies on tourism and the effects of climate change are going to have a significant effect on snowsports it was deemed that they need a strategy to formulate plans around. As a backstop they expect the Grande Motte Glacier to completely disappear by 2060 +/- 10 years. Tignes has already made a number of strides towards a more responsible form of tourism with such things as the new waste water plant in Brev which also has a heat recovery system and a hydro power plant as part of the system (yes every time you flush helps keeps the lights on!). Lots of other minor things have contributed - electric buses, piste bashers run on veg oil etc. Together all these improvements meant Tignes was awarded a Flocon Vert for its efforts.
The Transition strategy has been developed around 4 main pillars:
1. Provide a year round responsible tourism offer - not just summer and winter.
2. Ensure a year round sustainable lifestyle model - ie guaranteeing jobs year round and providing a good quality of life for those full time employees (education, lodging, medical services etc). Tignes has one of the highest birth rates in the Canton - so is flourishing - must be the montain air). To this end, initial plans have been published for a new Medical Centre on the site of the old garage in Lac, the refurb of a lot of seasonaires accomplishments and the building of lots of social housing. There will be also be a new navette storage garage just at the entrance of the main villages.
3. Preserve Tignes Natural Heritage - by balancing human activity and protecting the natural environment - we are situated in an acronym soup of various natural protection zones.
4. Reduce the carbon footprint - the major sources have been identified so that action can be taken - for instance only 3% of the total carbon footprint for Tignes comes from chairlifts, piste bashing and snowmaking. Not surprisingly, tourist travel, hotel and food series account for most of the footprint.
So what has been done so far:
A new maximum limit on the number of tourist beds.
A new programme for the exploitation of the Glacier.
A wetland restoration programme
Support for modernising leisure facilities plus a few other things.
So we have a plan - which is a good thing. More practically, what will happen will be in the next instalment - the exploitation of the Grand Motte Glacier.
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@chocksaway, Interesting.
A new maximum limit on the number of tourist beds... I would think in Tignes they must have reached a workable maximum now surely? The place is much busier now than it was say 10 years ago. Now it seems about as busy in January as it used to be in middle of Feb which is crazy.
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@NickH Not Ezy unfortunately but duty free at airport is £15.19 for 1L tannery so too much more.
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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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| chocksaway wrote: |
| @Purplecat, Not sure about the supermarkets up here as I shop in Bourg, but I have seen Schweppes. The posh Spar up towards the Montana Suites would be a good place to start a hunt, as they stock top end stuff. |
Ooh good to know, we are staying in the Montana apartments
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@gixxerniknik, Thanks and you are right. I think the new Club Med brought that home, that was under the tenure of the last Mayor. He's rarely, if at all, seen now. I guess what it will mean is the quality will go up as will the expense, which is sad in a way as a someone 20 years younger than me, on a similar career path wouldn't be able to do what I have done. Though I do acknowledge that I will benefit (as will the French and UK tax authorities) when I hang up my ski boots.
This morning was bright but mainly overcast after about 10, I had planned an admin and cleaning day - done. Its now very grey and snowing moderately at time - mainly light.
But last night I came up in the raffle (for apt owners) for a VIP ticket for the Mountain Shaker Big Air Finals. I suppose all the great and the good were in there with us but didn't recognise any of them! But it was nice to be wined and dined by the Commune (about the first time I've had anything back from the taxes!). The competition was impressive (and noisy - clearly there is a law that if a French bloke is given a microphone he has to scream into it rather than commentate). What also struck me was how the TV cameras make the slope look longer and steeper and small snowflakes become huge!
Mountain Shaker is now finished so just time to iron the Rainbow Flags for next week. There's always something to amuse us up here - one of the reasons I love it.
And now for the weekend weather. It depends on whose model you look at again (particularly in relation to the amount of snow - snow dancers go with the Swiss!). It will be grey with light snow through the night - but only light accumulations so I don't think there will be problems with the roads early doors - they are still wet up here. It will be mostly overcast tomorrow and there will be light snow on and off all day, there may be a sunny period or two in the morning and the roads will be damp to the Dam. It cools down a bit through the day and the snow may intensify into the evening which may cause some bother for late arrivals. Sunday will be book ended by snow showers, again light and then sunny periods and the odd snow shower in the day. High pressure then establishes itself for 2 or 3 days (we are on the edge of the high centred over the UK) - so it should be 3 days of blue skies and sunshine.
For the travellers, flying out of the UK will be easy, there may be the odd shower at any of the English Airports, Scotland fine. Over here, again showers. It will be fine for landing unless the forecast for Chambery deteriorates - at the moment the cloudbase is above the minimums. On the roads we are expecting 28k vehicles coming up to the Tarentaise and 29k goind down. So there will be queues late morning going down and mid-late afternoon coming up, but not too bad. That assumes the Grenoble Underworld have finished settling their differences - this week an aging mafia boss was gunned down on the Motorway between Chambery and Grenoble which, understandably shut the road for quite a while  .
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