 Poster: A snowHead
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Not seen a L2A 24/25 post yet so starting one up.
Resort opening tomorrow but will be limited opening due to patchy snow conditions.
Obvious Links and places to look for current forecast and conditions:
https://www.les2alpes.com/winter/live-info/
https://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Les-Deux-Alpes/6day/mid
https://wepowder.com/en/villages/les-deux-alpes#dome-de-la-lauze
We are heading to Les Deux Alpes for New Year 28th Dec 2024 to 4th Jan 2025 and I have been keeping a close eye on forcasts and snow conditions.
L2A like many West - NW areas received a decent fall on 25th Nov. It has been warm and dry since.
Exciting news is the new Jandri 3S lift opens on 30th November, this will open up in stages.
1. Between 30th Nov and 6th Dec the old Jandri will go to the mid station at 2600 m. The new Jandri will take over up to 3200 m.
2. From the 6th Dec the new list should be fully open from resort to 3200m although you may have to get off and back on again?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 29-11-24 23:14; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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2023/24 has been and gone. Just sayin’ 
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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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Conditions until the 2nd Dec will be warm and dry. Expect the limited snow cover to retreat to over 2000m.
From the 3rd Dec there will be a drop in temps which should allow the cannons to fire. Potential light falls until the 8th Dec but not much to get excited about
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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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@Red Leon, Doh - thanks for the heads up. Another year older!
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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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For anyone driving to L2A this year - there's been a massive change in the parking situation. There is a reduction to the amount of parking (parking now parallel to the road not perpendicular if you follow me) and there will be a charge to park anywhere in town. They intend to build a big new carpark at the entry to the town and expect people to park there for the week and then use shuttles/walk. This has been imposed by the local authorities with quite a iugh handed approach with little notice and there is much local protest - including a legal challenge pending in court. Guidance is, at best, unclear right now. As a local owner (UK based) I have chipped in to the group organising the response saying that this will impact the resort's appeal for UK skiers and boarders (as we still make up a large portion of the revenue for the town in season). Driving for 12 hours without a guarantee of parking and an additional bill that we'll have to navigate paying.. doesn't appeal.
If anyone here has further updates please post and I'll try and do the same as we find out things.. it's all very obscure at the moment.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@snowhouse, Yes I did read the changes.
Here is the information: https://www.mairie2alpes.fr/page-stationnement
Appears to be 100 euros for a week in the central zone and 80 euros a week for Peripheral zone.
Its 150 euros a week for a coverd spot in Venosc!
I'm glad the chalet we've booked comes with parking.
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Can anyone confirm if the replacement for the Jandri express is fully open from top to bottom. Some of the press releases about it imply not all of the sections will be open this season. I assumed they’d removed the old one completely now so to have a mixed half old half new wouldn’t be possible. 
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Both sections were operational last weekend. People still need to change gondolas at the mid-station though.
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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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| snowhouse wrote: |
For anyone driving to L2A this year - there's been a massive change in the parking situation. There is a reduction to the amount of parking (parking now parallel to the road not perpendicular if you follow me) and there will be a charge to park anywhere in town. They intend to build a big new carpark at the entry to the town and expect people to park there for the week and then use shuttles/walk. This has been imposed by the local authorities with quite a iugh handed approach with little notice and there is much local protest - including a legal challenge pending in court. Guidance is, at best, unclear right now. As a local owner (UK based) I have chipped in to the group organising the response saying that this will impact the resort's appeal for UK skiers and boarders (as we still make up a large portion of the revenue for the town in season). Driving for 12 hours without a guarantee of parking and an additional bill that we'll have to navigate paying.. doesn't appeal.
If anyone here has further updates please post and I'll try and do the same as we find out things.. it's all very obscure at the moment. |
I agree that this is done in a very bad way but I don't think it is necessarily a bad idea.
Anyway, I was at police last weekend to register myself as an owner. They told me it was impossible to register and that parking was still free despite the markings on the spots. When I asked when will I be able to register, the answer was - soon. I also read somewhere that they confirmed to someone that parking would be payable starting Christmas week but that sounds too soon considering my experience and what you wrote.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We are heading out to L2D over Christmas and when last at the resort a few years back the Pierre Grosse gondola had only recently been completed and was not operational die to teething problems. The current updates don't seem to show its status. I was aware it was quite badly affected by the winds getting up to the glacier, but I am assuming it does actually remain functional. It's just strange that it is neither shown as open or closed on the lift status page. (Unless of course it is called something else!)
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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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| basanix wrote: |
| Both sections were operational last weekend. People still need to change gondolas at the mid-station though. |
Thanks for that 
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| Richie456 wrote: |
| We are heading out to L2D over Christmas and when last at the resort a few years back the Pierre Grosse gondola had only recently been completed and was not operational die to teething problems. The current updates don't seem to show its status. I was aware it was quite badly affected by the winds getting up to the glacier, but I am assuming it does actually remain functional. It's just strange that it is neither shown as open or closed on the lift status page. (Unless of course it is called something else!) |
LDA don’t show lift status of sectors not currently open (see Vallee Blanche sector) on their live updates map. I’m guessing it’ll be open once there’s enough snow to cover the runs down from Toura.
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You know it makes sense.
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| bigtuboflard wrote: |
| Richie456 wrote: |
| We are heading out to L2D over Christmas and when last at the resort a few years back the Pierre Grosse gondola had only recently been completed and was not operational die to teething problems. The current updates don't seem to show its status. I was aware it was quite badly affected by the winds getting up to the glacier, but I am assuming it does actually remain functional. It's just strange that it is neither shown as open or closed on the lift status page. (Unless of course it is called something else!) |
LDA don’t show lift status of sectors not currently open (see Vallee Blanche sector) on their live updates map. I’m guessing it’ll be open once there’s enough snow to cover the runs down from Toura. |
Thanks
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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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@basanix, Thanks - just tried registering and it doesn't recognise my UK postcode. Sigh, usual hoops you need to go through to get anything done.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Or my address in 2 alpes! I've emailed the address they supplied. I think it will be a bit of a nightmare if not done well in advance of travel, luckily I'm not planning anthing this isde of the new year.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm putting in my French address to all French forms. Nothing else is recognised on French online forms. It did recognise my address in L2A.
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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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Resort cams looking good today with light snow coming down.
Will be a warm few days coming up but a least it will be dry and light winds so minimum melt.
Next week and Christmas week should be colder with snow. Shaping up well for the Christmas and new year weeks
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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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Anyone heading out to L2A Christmas week? Should be good conditions. Most of the lifts and slopes are already open. Only 10 days until we travel
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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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OK - information from the coalface about parking etc.
Firstly for @bigtubeoflard- Pierre Grosse has been running since the first winter and is quite well used. there's a new route from Puy Salie to the junction for Pierre Grosse and Signal chairs which is quite good, but you still arrive below the restaurant area.
For others, the 3S is running both sections and is super.
Parking... a real can of worms! No-one really minds the idea of paying for parking in the town, as most other major resorts do this. Unfortunately the whole implementation of it is badly thought out (if at all), and rushed in. The passes are FOR THE CAR - so if you come by air and rent multiple times per year this will be an issue for you. The big new car park at Glaciers is open and the buses run from there. You can park 30 mins for free (1hour on Saturdays) so you do have time to unload etc.
My pals in Diamante tried to register on 1st Dec, to be told the site wasn't ready; so they tried again on 16th as advised. The big issue (apart from needing to use your French address) is that the site is not automatic. There is one woman in the office trying to deal with all the demands. I really feel for her! Clearly, for those with apartments coming at christmas and/or New Year it will be dodgy to get the pass in time: You register, she replies to verify your information; you verify that and after that she sends you a link to pay. Once you've paid you can (IIUIC) download the pass.
Clearly this is the most ridiculous situation ever!! Local discontent is massive of course, and residents and business owners have to pay the same as tourists.
Obvously as I live in Venosc, I shall move heaven and earth to not have to go to LDA by car for any reason!!
No-one is clear about the parking in Cote Brun either, but that's a good spot if allowed. The parking at Les Perrons has not yet been tarmaced, and doesn't have a bus closer than the Diable, so they've missed that one.
Sorry for all the bad news - it will resolve itself before next season, and quite possibly before next summer, and most of us don't have an issue with the IDEA of paying to park, but a huge issue with the Mairie.
One handy hint - get a blue badge with the times on it, like the disabled badges, available online for about 2-4€ - then, if using the free time you can be clear when you arrived.
I would say, don't panic, but try to arrive earlyish to reduce stress.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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PS: a couple of warmer days this week have affected the nursery slopes, but it's been tipping it down all day and set to continue until tomorrow midday. Conditions are good throughout, but Mont de Lans is not skiable.
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@EasiskiLDA, thanks for the update. Hopefully a few cold days between now and Christmas will let them get the cannons running to repair the nursery slopes.
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| Boarderfarce wrote: |
| Anyone heading out to L2A Christmas week? Should be good conditions. Most of the lifts and slopes are already open. Only 10 days until we travel |
I will be heading out on Saturday. Not skied L2A before so going to be bumbling about. I know forecast more than a few days ahead is not overly reliable, but interested to see what Sunday is like
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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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@SnoodyMcFlude, it's going to snow Sunday. All models agree. From Monday it will clear up. Will be the perfect week for you
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The only thing models don't agree is amount of snow. It goes from 45 to 102 cm of snow in higher regions. In any case Chalance should be very good on Tuesday/Wednesday when snow settles.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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To be honest I'm mostly just looking forward to getting back on snow. If there happens to be some fluffy stuff to play about with and the vis is okay then it's a double win.
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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 hope someone might be able to help with local knowledge.
Looking for a good boot fitter as my local shop in UK did not have my size in the right boot stock.
Looking for a shop / tech to remount my son’s bindings as he has changed to new nordica boots with a shorter sole length!
Finally, somewhere that does overnight servicing / waxes.
Ideally one place for all of the above!!!
Thank you.
Rich
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Hi - I'm hearing that there are issues with the road to Venosc if anyone were planning to stay (or Park) there. I think there was a landslide that involved one fatality and several injuries, which is awful, but the practical impact is that Vensoc is ,as at yesterday, isolated by road. The lift company has agreed to allow the use of the Vensoc lift for free until further notice. If you are planning to use Venosc - please check in advance to see how the road clearing is going.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Richie456, jacques sports are very good near the diable lift.
@snowhouse, terrible to hear.
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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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| Boarderfarce wrote: |
@Richie456, jacques sports are very good near the diable lift.
@snowhouse, terrible to hear. |
Thank you
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Poster: A snowHead
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@snowhouse, it was a car carrying three ESF instructors which was caught by a rock fall. The car was pushed over the edge and unfortunately the passenger died, the driver had broken bones and the rear passenger was also injured but not as bad as the driver.
I think they are allowing cars under escort during very limited periods. Not sure though.
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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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I think I spotted that the other day, next to Signal I think it was.
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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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Your memory won’t serve you here, @afterski! It appeared like this earlier this year. It runs vertically with the fall line rather than being a detachment as the lower bit breaks away. It looks like it’s been eroded by meltwater underneath, but I’m absolutely no expert. It turned up a couple of summers ago, but the pisteurs managed to recover it during the autumn and winter. I don’t know if they’ll try again, but will find out. Similarly, there was a putative attempt at snowmaking on the glacier, using a reservoir of meltwater at the foot of the glacier by the restaurant, but it broke the dam (made of ice) and drained off down the mountain in a few minutes, I was told.
It’s at the foot of the Échine de chèvre (I think that’s what it’s called!) in the middle of what until last year was the blue Signal piste. It was quite a shock to see it. The piste has been diverted around, and it’s really sad to see what used to be seemingly permanent and massive wounded like this. In the 20 years I’ve known it, the échine has gone from being a huge glaciated snowfield with a couple of small scabs of mountain poking through to almost the opposite. The army held their races on it until about 5 years ago, but so much has been lost even since then.
The tower at the top of the glacier - the exit station for the funicular - used to have a metal gangway to the glacier from its top doors. They look very high up… You can see just how much has disappeared at the bottom, too, inasmuch as one used to be able to ski down the glacier and with a good head of steam you could glide almost up to the restaurant. This is a 20 year time span, and I remember someone telling me years ago that when the resto was built the glacier was right in front of 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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First day on the slopes yesterday. Very warm Easter like skiing. Pistes are mostly fine but thin snow cover in places especially low down. The red Diable piste is closed so the only way down is the Jandri blue or Diable black.
Yesterday I sent the kids down the Diable lift to download and I headed down black run. Very patchy snow with tufts of grass showing and big moguls.
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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 lot of snow is expected this and upcoming week.
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Anybody got some tips on how to get from either Grenoble centre or Bourg D’Oisans to Les 2 Alps by public transport ? Guess a bus ?
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| alti - dude wrote: |
| Anybody got some tips on how to get from either Grenoble centre or Bourg D’Oisans to Les 2 Alps by public transport ? Guess a bus ? |
Regular TransIsere buses, and easy to look up on the website. It is actually remarkably comfortable, leaving from Grenoble main station!
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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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| JamesHJ wrote: |
| alti - dude wrote: |
| Anybody got some tips on how to get from either Grenoble centre or Bourg D’Oisans to Les 2 Alps by public transport ? Guess a bus ? |
Regular TransIsere buses, and easy to look up on the website. It is actually remarkably comfortable, leaving from Grenoble main station! |
when they are not full
As for parking, I wouldn't bother skiing in les Deux Alpes now. The skiing isn't great that they need to put another stick in the spokes of visitors. The day tripper market is maybe no loss to them anyway but there are better and more welcoming places to ski.
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| davidof wrote: |
| JamesHJ wrote: |
| alti - dude wrote: |
| Anybody got some tips on how to get from either Grenoble centre or Bourg D’Oisans to Les 2 Alps by public transport ? Guess a bus ? |
Regular TransIsere buses, and easy to look up on the website. It is actually remarkably comfortable, leaving from Grenoble main station! |
when they are not full
As for parking, I wouldn't bother skiing in les Deux Alpes now. The skiing isn't great that they need to put another stick in the spokes of visitors. The day tripper market is maybe no loss to them anyway but there are better and more welcoming places to ski. |
True- worst in the evening when you are supposed to be cycling back into e.g. the Vercors after work, and instead had a skin full with colleagues. Best to get to the main station early, or risk leaving the bike behind!
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FAQ
