 Poster: A snowHead
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Apos if there's another one ... but can't find it.
Anyhoo, popped over Weds for a change of scene, and some fine food. Snow all very nice, sunny day. Very quiet and lovely for that. I think there's been aome widening of the "Goat Crux" but that may have been absence of self propelled but stationary obstacles.
Sapin great as usual, Belvedere now does pizzas.
I had some work o do first thing so we only went as far as the chair above Stafal.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 25-01-25 9:58; edited 1 time 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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I'm flying out to Gressoney tomorrow, will post snow update. 
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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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So today was a good ski day, albeit an overcast one with more or less constant light snow. Did a couple of laps of Punta Jolanda with fresh 5/6 inches creamy-ice-cream-snow on a very solid base. Empty pistes! Moos piste was a joy, slightly busier but lovely conditions on the top with fresh snow . Headed over to Champoluc where the wind was a factor, on Del Colle and Bettaforca lift, lower down into Frachey was very pleasant skiing but marred by poor visibility. Great skiing into Staffal especially Pistone Betta and Nera/Diretta. Up Gabiet lift and Passo dei Salati for more good ice-cream-snow on piste making for smooth and floaty skiddy turns. Plenty of snow in Gressoney/Staffal village elevations. Quiet pistes and ski-onto-the-lifts every where. Pity about the visibity!
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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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Great conditions with good fresh snow. Possibly the best snow I've skied in Monterosa, despite quite a blow at Passo dei Salati the runs into Alagna were lovely. Plenty of fun tree skiing on Jolanda, and easy access in and out of the trees.
All in all a great ski day.
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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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Blue skies, plenty of white snow, with a very nice bottle of Amarone
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Pics or it didn't happen 
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Not weather related and bit of a long shot, has anyone landed
My wife and I are getting the late flight from Stansted to Milan mid week in March and trying to work out the best way to transfer to Gressoney after landing at 23:30. Some private/shared transfer or just bite the bullet and rent a car..but then the question of whether the hire car places will stay open late enough to get the car.
Any suggestions or experience welcome!
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@eekaleek, stay in Milan if you arrive that late. Car rental prices are pretty good, and hotel prices not that bad. Overnight in Milan (plenty of hotels close to Linate), pick up a hire car first thing. Should take about 2 hours 15 mins to get to Gressoney.
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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 have landed late into milan a few years back (i think Easy jet had pre-cancelled our morning flight due to storm Derek or something and we'd hastily rebooked on Ali Italia in the evening when the winds had subsided) We were concerned about the car hire desk still being open as i think even that flight was delayed a bit, so we sent one person on ahead to sprint to the desks whilst we retrieved the hold bags. However the car hire desks were still open and had every intention of waiting for anyone on that flight to make their way to the desk. they have your flight numbers on the booking after all.
Driving late and finding codes for the air B&B in the dark wasn't fun, but it did mean we were in position for first lifts in the morning. Staying over in Milan means either a very early start or morning car collection and travel eating into your skiing day.
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Thanks both. Food for thought. I'll give the rental places an email to see what their stance if for people booking cars on that late flight. Getting their confirmation would at least give me a bit more confidence!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@eekaleek, try using holidayextras.com to check a comparison and to give details of office hours. Some car hire groups are open 24 hours. Some half decent hotels half a mile away. I'm staying at the Moxy hotel on my way back to Linate tomorrow, hopefully half decent. I used Booking.com to check availability.
Enjoy your trip to Gressoney, plenty of snow there now, and not as busy as other parts of Aosta Valley.
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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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Conditions across Monterosa are very good. I was there Jan 24-26 with 3 days of blue skies and two nice 15-20cm top ups that week on Tuesday before we arrived and on Saturday night that cleared by 6:00am Sunday morning. The piste bashers didnt have time to get back out Sunday morning so it was fresh powder on most of the runs. The Olen black run down was great fun in those conditions. Just read they have opened Indren from tomorrow, 31st.
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A quick question re Frachey:
Can I expect a long queue on the Frachey funicular first thing in the morning to access the ski area?
I’m planning a last minute trip (and first trip to Monterosa) for the first week in March and am considering staying in / near Franchey. However, I’d be reluctant to stay in a village that has a major queue to the start the day.
Are there other Monterosa villages that the experts here would recommend for painless access first thing in the day?
(And if its relevant - we are 2 advanced skiers with an off-piste preference when conditions allow).
Thank you
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You know it makes sense.
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| jenkins000 wrote: |
A quick question re Frachey:
Can I expect a long queue on the Frachey funicular first thing in the morning to access the ski area?
I’m planning a last minute trip (and first trip to Monterosa) for the first week in March and am considering staying in / near Franchey. However, I’d be reluctant to stay in a village that has a major queue to the start the day.
Are there other Monterosa villages that the experts here would recommend for painless access first thing in the day?
(And if its relevant - we are 2 advanced skiers with an off-piste preference when conditions allow).
Thank you |
In general, no. It is generally quiet. Bluebird days on a weekend (especially if around Italian holidays) can get busy. But I have never seen it crazy busy, and most of the time no queue.
There can be a bit of a pinch-point at the chairlift above the funicular, as skiers arrive from Champoluc and it is the only access to the other valleys. So aim to be on the funicular at 0940 at lastest to avoid that. Frachey is actually the best access in my view, but be aware that there is nothing at all to do there (all the action is in Champoluc). We stay in Champoluc and drive to Frachey most mornings (unless planning lunch in Champoluc sector).
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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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| zikomo wrote: |
| jenkins000 wrote: |
A quick question re Frachey:
Can I expect a long queue on the Frachey funicular first thing in the morning to access the ski area?
I’m planning a last minute trip (and first trip to Monterosa) for the first week in March and am considering staying in / near Franchey. However, I’d be reluctant to stay in a village that has a major queue to the start the day.
Are there other Monterosa villages that the experts here would recommend for painless access first thing in the day?
(And if its relevant - we are 2 advanced skiers with an off-piste preference when conditions allow).
Thank you |
In general, no. It is generally quiet. Bluebird days on a weekend (especially if around Italian holidays) can get busy. But I have never seen it crazy busy, and most of the time no queue.
There can be a bit of a pinch-point at the chairlift above the funicular, as skiers arrive from Champoluc and it is the only access to the other valleys. So aim to be on the funicular at 0940 at lastest to avoid that. Frachey is actually the best access in my view, but be aware that there is nothing at all to do there (all the action is in Champoluc). We stay in Champoluc and drive to Frachey most mornings (unless planning lunch in Champoluc sector). |
Thank you so much. That is very helpful info.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@jenkins000, Just to add it is not a massive ski area, and the lifts are lone and (mostly) fast. So you can get anywhere from anywhere pretty quickly if you ski at a good pace.
There are pros and cons to all the bases, but I don't think it really matters tbh. Alagna has quick access to some great off-piste routes, but these do not reliably have good snow and otherwise the bottom of the return slope is a path with often not good conditions (and you have to walk from the end of that to the lift/accomodation). Gressoney La Trinte is a tiny village but very pleasant, served by old and slow chairlifts but still quite quick to get to Alagna side or to Stafal. Stafal is the in the centre of the 3 valleys, a couple of hotels but that's it. All said and done Champoluc is the most lively with some good restaurants. And as I said, if you have a car drive to Frachey for quicker access to the network and to cut out any walking/buses. My wife has a bum knee ACL and other stuff), she has no problem skiing but it is uncomfortable walking in ski boots and a knee brace for her. At Frachey I can drop her and kids right at the lift, another advantage of starting 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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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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Hi, going to Monte Rosa for my first downhill ski trip (did a few days ski touring last year), based near Frachey (up the road at St Jacques). Any recommendations for the area? In particular good off piste areas? But anything else welcome: chairlifts to avoid, apps to get, particular skiing highlights. Any and all advice welcome.
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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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Will be in Champoluc solo 17-21 March, and hoping to do as much off piste as possible. If anyone wants to share a guide or is looking for company for an off-piste exploration or two pls let me know. I know the area reasonably well inc some of the off piste but would be keen not to do too much on my own for obvious reasons! I've done a good few weeks off-piste, ski at a decent level and will have skins and all the usual avi/backcountry kit. Cheers.
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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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Hi, anyone out in Monterosa at the moment? Looking at webcams, seems as though may have not caught the large expected snowfall that was due over last few days (possible more on way but as most are saying, forecasts are all over the place). How are the pistes holding up and is it possible to get to Alagna? Slope is open per website but just wondered what shape it was in. I am a fan of the Wittine bar, but not that much is piste is thin/icy etc.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Any update on current snow?
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Pistes are lovely up high. There has been 20 to 40cm in last few days. There's still some powder to be found, but it's starting to be tracked out.
Below 2000m the snow is freeze/thaw spring snow cycles, so a bit slushy in the afternoon. Up high pistes were fantastic through the day today. Hope that helps!
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| laraichean wrote: |
| Will be in Champoluc solo 17-21 March, and hoping to do as much off piste as possible. If anyone wants to share a guide or is looking for company for an off-piste exploration or two pls let me know. I know the area reasonably well inc some of the off piste but would be keen not to do too much on my own for obvious reasons! I've done a good few weeks off-piste, ski at a decent level and will have skins and all the usual avi/backcountry kit. Cheers. |
I might be able to get away for half a day of exploring later this week - tbc, will depend on whether my wife wants to take some lessons. I have skins and avalanche gear. No harness/glacier gear with me.
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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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Thanks. Debating whether to book for next week
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As per wimpytwo, great above 2000m, on Monday in sun, below pistes seriously cut up, but we did get all way down in Alagna and it was ok. Today was foggy, so spent day around jolanda but due to no sun and less traffic, pistes held up much better if a bit firm. Was really lucky at end of day, as betteforca had been closed all day, but by luck was there at around 15.00 when in opened, sun came out and it was complete fresh tracks and almost a private piste, on the 4 done runs, probably no more than a dozen people. Possible snow this weekend but unsure of snow line? If after loads of powder not sure, but if piste, dependent on snow line this weekend should be ok.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks. really helpful. Will decide Thursday but definitely piste skiers
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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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@wimpytwo, will try and drop you a message on here and see if you’re about thurs or fri. Am out with a guide today (Weds).
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Well it’s sunny and cold as forecast …
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You know it makes sense.
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Gorgeous powder this morning, lasted until about noon before it started transforming. My last offpiste run at 2pm was heavy and sticky. Still, a full morning of powder fun was great!
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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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Who needs visibility when it's power sure underfoot!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@wimpytwo, nice!
We had two fine days last week, Weds better than Thurs, pistes more or less impeccable.
And a lovely new restaurant Mosso (well, opened December) just below Passo del Salati on the Alagna side.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Can you ski to Alagna village? Or is the off-piste melted off, and one needs to traverse to Pianalunga?
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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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@chrisc, not sure what you mean? you can ski to the village (apparently). The bowl was off by the time we got there on Thursday. But loads of snow.
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FAQ
