 Poster: A snowHead
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I learnt to snowboard at 38, I'm now mid 50s. I can ride a bit of switch but don't like it, can flop over the smallest jumps and ride on boxes in the kids line of the snowpark, and I like to think I look steezy, but the rest of the planet disagrees.
I'm there 2nd week of March and have been watching too many videos to choose runs to do, I've already noped out on The Tunnel and Balcons, but might do the Saraenne, but fear the long flat section at the end. Apart from that I think there's enough blues and reds to keep me busy for the week, snow and light conditions allowing.
The forecast and webcams show it snowed today, yey! but then there's a bit of a dry spell coming up, I hope there'll be some snow left when I get there.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| IanW wrote: |
The forecast and webcams show it snowed today, yey! but then there's a bit of a dry spell coming up, I hope there'll be some snow left when I get there. |
I arrive Saturday for a fortnight, I'll post some condition updates during next week. 2 years ago at this time it was pretty brown and I still managed some fun skiing.
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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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The long flat section on the Sarenne is often the trickiest bit on a board. Unless it’s spring snow you will get along it but if it’s glassy it’s unpleasant. Definitely worth it though. Off the top I’d say Cassini is the trickiest depending on what’s been bashed.
The tunnel really isn’t that bad. The first few meters off the platform is intimidating but easier on a board, just heel edge it. There after it’s not too bad and there’s often good powder off to the left down towards the lake.
Also do Combe Charbonniere. It’s steep and not bashed but incredible scenery and always quiet. Get a photo in front of the massive rock! The tricky traverse in to it has been bashed this year which makes the start much easier on a board.
Oh and the Fare is probably my favourite run in resort.
I think I’m in Vaujany 8th for a week. (58 year old boarder)
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The flat at the end isn't so bad now, if you take the new chair lift up it cuts out a lot of the flat, last week we did it a couple times and the gradient to the chair was fine. Didn't stop at any point (well I did just to let SWMBO catch up but was able to just continue without issue. 
Main recommendation is to do it in the morning when it will typically be quieter and in better condition.
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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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What's it like for snow depth? Read a lot of stuff saying the sarrenne can get a bit stoney near the bottom and I've just bought my first board so I'm in the obsessive protective stage!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It was fine for coverage last week, it's hard packed but fine. There are areas where the coverage is getting ropey i.e. around Auris En Oisans its very thin around the town and was getting very slushy and dirty but all the open runs were fine for coverage.
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| Gow87 wrote: |
| What's it like for snow depth? Read a lot of stuff saying the sarrenne can get a bit stoney near the bottom and I've just bought my first board so I'm in the obsessive protective stage! |
if you want the best possible run down the Sarenne with the best groomed snow and don't mind an early start, then this is the one for you.
https://skipass.alpedhuez.com/hiver/en/sarenne-first-tracks-en/
I'm booked on for 11/3 
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| Gow87 wrote: |
| What's it like for snow depth? Read a lot of stuff saying the sarrenne can get a bit stoney near the bottom and I've just bought my first board so I'm in the obsessive protective stage! |
We did Sarenne top to bottom as a family last week as there was plenty of snow and they've had a 10cm top up since then (I believe). Very amenable as a black, more a red really. A couple of sections of bumps but nothing like Tunnel/Breche. Lovely run.
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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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Ah, in which case it might be ok, although I just checked the weather and it's looking a bit toasty. Fingers crossed the wind changes direction.
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Snow report...
Morning: Hard packed pistes, some ice.
Afternoon: lower slopes were begining to get soft, higher still hard pack.
Plenty of snow depth on the pistes.
This morning the lift queues were big... skied till 2pm before stopping for lunch, lovely 12-2! After lunch headed to Auris and played on Fontfroide to avoid lift queues. It definately woke the legs up! Was a tad icy with piles of scraped snow.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Another of similar conditions.
The queues were similar too...
However I did hit the sweet spot on Signal red just as it started to soften and the masses went to lunch! An excellent hour lapping that before a late lunch
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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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Excellent skiing today. Gorgeous weather, spring conditions. The runs above 2000m were really nice, below a little sticky. This afternoon La Fare was soft but great fun. A quiet week coming, Tuesday and Wednesday looking sunny after some fresh snow Sunday/Monday..
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I did an early run down sarenne today, it was absoultly excellent!
Really looking forward to Tuesday when i'm booked on the 07.50 departure for a fresh tracks run 
It was a bit slushy this afternoon... Looking forward to lower temps and fresh snow this week!
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You know it makes sense.
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How was that fresh tracks run? Worth it?
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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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We did the sarenne today while it was a bit slushy in the afternoon. Great for boarding and really enjoyed it! Though we did join it a little late after herpie and snuck off early back up to Alpe d'huez rather than following the run down to it's slushy bottom.
We also hit la fare at the end of the day with poor visibility and fresh snow coming down. It was incredible for us. Not sure the skiers felt the same but we enjoyed it! Maybe it was the rum and hot chocolate we used to weather the storm that helped?
Either way, great fun!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My search skills have failed to find the 25/26 version of this thread (does it exist yet?), so posting bad news received by email today from Alpe d'Huez here instead...
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Dear Ambassadors,
I wish to inform you of a technical incident that occurred on the Pic Blanc cable car, one of the iconic features of the Alpe d’Huez ski area.
During the night of October 22nd to 23rd, Storm Benjamin swept across much of France. Alpe d’Huez was particularly hard hit, and the Pic Blanc cable car sustained significant damage.
An exceptional ice formation developed on the cables. The sudden release of this ice, due to extreme temperature variations, caused a shock wave that resulted in significant damage to the upper station, located at an altitude of 3,300 meters.
Assessments carried out by our technical teams and our specialized partners have confirmed the need for extensive repairs to ensure a safe return to service. The safety of our customers and staff, as well as the continued operation of the ski area, remain our top priorities.
 Progress and Opening Outlook
At this stage, the reopening of the Pic Blanc cable car (from 2,700 m to 3,300 m) is not planned for December. However, high-altitude skiing up to 3,000 m will remain accessible, notably via the Marmotte 3 lift, which also provides access to the Sarenne slope.
⏰ Ski Area Organization for the Winter Season
To ensure smooth and comfortable access for our guests, the opening hours of the Marmotte lift system will be extended to provide access to the summit (3060m):
Opening 45 minutes earlier in the morning
Extended opening 15 minutes later in the late afternoon
Departures from the resorts of Auris, Villard-Reculas, Oz-en-Oisans, and Vaujany will also be brought forward by 15 minutes to facilitate connections and access to the Marmotte lift system.
Our teams are fully mobilized to restore the cable car system to full operation as quickly as possible.
A detailed schedule of the work and the steps involved in restoring service will be provided as soon as possible. This information will also be available online soon on the Alpe d'Huez ski area website.
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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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I've called it Espace Alpe d'Huez(the new name for the ski area)!
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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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Thanks @Alpinebear, I've put a copy of the post there too.
Hopefully people will follow up there (https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5487372), not here.
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