 Poster: A snowHead
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My apologies for being lazy with my questions, but I'm coming to France very last minute and need some advice as to the upcoming stretch of sunny weather. I haven't had time to make sense of the different ski areas' elevations relative to the freezing level.
Between 13 - 24 of January, the weather looks to be sunny, but will it be too warm in Las Clusaz, Evasion Mont Blanc, and Grand Massif? Or, should I pivot and go to higher altitude snow sure resorts? Would rather not ski in slushy wet snow.
Merci!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Take a look at the main French meteorological agency website or app MetéoFrance (personally, I find the app better) which as you imply, indicates relatively warm conditions of 11°C-14°C daytime and 2°C-4°C night time.
I’ll be going to the 4 Vallées in Switzerland during that time, where the daytime temperatures are forecast to be between -3°C to +5°C at its 1500m base (sub-0°C at night), and obviously lower in the area’s main 1800m-2500m zone. I suppose that this indicates that higher altitude is going to be useful next week.
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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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You could have anything. We're at 2,000m and yesterday was like April (wet slush, hoody weather). Tuesday was crisp, cold and fast running. Today we've had almost a foot of fresh snow that's fine right down the valley by the sounds of it (we stayed local because of visibility).
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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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Just arrived in Tignes where it is a whiteout. Next week up here is going to be cold at night and springlike by day. So will be following the sun but sharp edges early doors.
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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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Pivot & dont even get on the flight.
Pivot indeed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Conditions will be fantastic for the next week if you go high in NW France. 3V would be a good shout.
Espace San Bernardo, 4V, Paradiski, Les Arc, Plagne, all good shouts also.
Stay over 2000m.
Even to 18000 has seen a lot of snow the last 2 days and likely more tomorrow.
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Any forecast beyond 3 days is iffy.
When are you actually going?
Why did you choose Las Clusaz in the first place?
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| Layne wrote: |
Any forecast beyond 3 days is iffy.
When are you actually going?
Why did you choose Las Clusaz in the first place? |
Typically yes, but somewhat different when it’s anti cyclonic weather. We can be relatively confident it will be dry and sunny for at least a week.
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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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La Clusaz because I've not been there and would like to try a different region.
This trip was hastily thrown together yesterday and I depart west coast USA tomorrow and ski for two weeks starting the 13th.
Have been to Les Arcs, VdI, Paradiski, Chamonix and wanted to hit Evasion Mont Blanc if it wasn't too warm.
I think I'll start at San Bernardo and Sainte Foy, then head up to 3V.
Thanks for the feedback.
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| ZioRico wrote: |
La Clusaz because I've not been there and would like to try a different region.
This trip was hastily thrown together yesterday and I depart west coast USA tomorrow and ski for two weeks starting the 13th.
Have been to Les Arcs, VdI, Paradiski, Chamonix and wanted to hit Evasion Mont Blanc if it wasn't too warm.
I think I'll start at San Bernardo and Sainte Foy, then head up to 3V.
Thanks for the feedback. |
I am doing exactly this, La Rosiere (1850) Saturday then Courchevel and meribel week 2 and 3.
For your week 2, stick to the Courchevel side of 3V. I went there in the second week of basically identical conditions last year, the snow held up very well there versus Meribel for example.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
| For your week 2, stick to the Courchevel side of 3V. |
Given its altitude and the warm forecast, any reason for not suggesting Val Thorens @Astontech 
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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 think 3V is a good shout for most of your trip. The reality is that conditions will vary in each valley, depending on altitude, aspect, tree cover (though not much of that), cloud cover, etc.
If it does turn out quite warm then Courchevel, with mainly north facing slopes, tends to be good. Val Thorens also, with high altitude and more open varied aspects.
However, there'll be plenty other parts of the 3V where conditions will likely hold up well, eg La Masse, Mont Vallon, the higher parts of the Meribel valley and so on.
Personally I'd be making full use of the whole area pass.
The thread on here which gets regular posts should be a useful reference.
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=170159#5386760
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You know it makes sense.
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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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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| For your week 2, stick to the Courchevel side of 3V. |
Given its altitude and the warm forecast, any reason for not suggesting Val Thorens @Astontech |
Just personal experience. When it was identical conditions in the 3V last Jan, Courchevel seemed to have the best on-piste skiing by far. It was very icy around Meribel but admittedly I didn't visit VT that week. I am sure it would be a good shout still!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Astontech wrote: |
| Just personal experience. When it was identical conditions in the 3V last Jan, Courchevel seemed to have the best on-piste skiing by far. It was very icy around Meribel but admittedly I didn't visit VT that week. I am sure it would be a good shout still! |
If you didn't get over to VT then what's the logic for Courchevel being better I definitely prefer the runs in Courchevel, but if it's warm then it usually suffers much more than VT.
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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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@ZioRico You say you're 'coming over to France'? Where exactly are you flying into? I ask because if it's somewhere like Geneva, then be aware there are many high-altitude Swiss resorts just as accessible from there.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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