 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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Nice. The Grand Mont is probably my favourite ever off-piste run. Was lucky enough to do it in 2ft of untracked fresh a couple of years ago.
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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 like Areches-Beaufort. I'm not up to much of the off-piste stuff (which is evidently one of its strongest points) but it's fun for a day's piste skiing too.
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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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Yup, Areches must be one of the best (and most under-rated) off-piste areas in France. Pistes are pretty decent as well.
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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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stevomcd, Yup, can see how doing that in 2 ft of fresh might leave an impression!!
<hijack> how's the N Face of Foglietta looking? </hijack>
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oh and the crepes in the cafe opposite the lifts in Planay are to die for (and very cheap)...
Says alot about a place I think...
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Was up the top of Fogliettaz yesterday. Loads of snow on the north face, but wind affected in many places. Hardly any tracks. I reckon you could pick a line down and get some very nice turns in.
We rode back down the other face towards the resort (via the couloir next to the couloir Frank, above the top of the Marquise chair). On a board, it was great. Heavy, but soft, powder. The odd patch of crust, but not much. My mate on skis wasn't impressed though.
I actually got engaged below the Grand Mont! On the col de la Forclaz, with the sun going down on a blue-sky powder day... t'was nice... 
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How would Areches be for a long weekend Sat->Tues skiing?
Is a guide advisable or can you work out the lines yourself (safety obviously being considered...)
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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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kitenski, hmm, might feel a bit small after a couple of days. Plenty of options for lift-accessed off-piste, with quite a few variants to go at.. definitely worth having touring set-up + the IGN top 25 for the area (3532OT) if you're happy to explore.. As long as you have good vis you can pretty much figure out whats readily available..
Also just up the road from Areches is Hauteluce/Val Joly (ie link into Contamines) and also Les Saisies isn't that far...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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pam w, Yeah, was talking to some locals about that. Seems he was in a very silly place (known black-spot).
kitenski, Areches would be great (Sainte Foy would be better though!  ). Plenty of in-bounds stuff to hit (more on the Areches side than the Planay side IMO), plenty of side-country and plenty of backcountry touring! Pretty easy to find stuff (safety permitting, of course). My personal favourite for a low-effort trip is to climb above the Forclaz tow to the ridge-line, head left to the Col de la Forclaz proper, then drop over the far-side from there. Head round to the left and you can eventually come back to the Rognoux tow via some great little bowls and gullies. Very important to stay as high as possible once you "turn the corner". Get too low and it's either a miserable steep hike back or ride down and cross the Saint-Guerin dam. I've done that with the nice, safe, 3ft high handrails. And a 4ft deep snowpack. 30m drop to the lake on your right, 100m drop to the base of the dam on your left. Nice. Especially wearing snowshoes with a board strapped to your back.
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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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Inspired by this report, and by getting coupons for a lift pass for 13.50 on the back of a till receipt from Géant, we went to Areches-Beaufort today. Strictly on-piste though, and my illustration, less gnarly, is in the Arolles restaurant But I think it sums up the place pretty well Impressive new lifts on the Planay area. I was impressed too by their claim that all snow-making is done without electricity, using just water pressure (from the Roseland barrage). It was very cold - no wonder they have such a good snow record. Cosy in the restaurant, though. I saw more berets than helmets on the almost-deserted slopes. Dish of the day, green salad and desert less than 15 euros, and 75cl of house wine 9 euros. A stunning contrast to Meribel on Tuesday.
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