 brian
brian
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As in, "Bah, it hasn't snowed".
Oh well, still having fun out here ...
On piste conditions are very good, loads of snow. A few hard packed areas, especially lower down, but mostly pretty nice to ski.
Off piste is a bit more variable. Over in St Luc it's like Scotland  , very wind blown and a hefty old crust pretty much everywhere, almost unskiable, certainly unpleasant.
Grimentz is much better, there are some powdery bits that have kept out of the wind but of course all the reachable stuff is tracked. I skinned up for some nice turns above the top lifts though. I also found some really nice bits of semi-transformed soft stuff that had been sitting out in the sun. I was expecting it to be sun crusted but I guess it's been cold enough to keep it ok and actually there were some really nice to ski bits. Again, there's plenty of snowcover, good base for the most part although, of course, I'm finding rocks with my usual alacrity.
It's unbelievably quiet. I thought it was quiet at the weekend but it's deserted now.
Headed round to Zinal today and took the camera. Conditions here are same as for G.
Nice bit of powdery-esque stuff on this slope, but some crunchy old rocks at the top !
Nice view (never tire of that view) on the way back round.
It's the Matterhorn, gotta snap it. 
View from the top (didn't mean to pano these but gives you a good idea of the layout).
Treated myself to a wee couloir on the way home, nice snow in here, looking down.
... and back up from the bottom (steeper than it looks, natch  ).
Oh ... and Stormriders rock. 
Last edited by brian on Thu 15-01-09 16:41; 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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Have you skied down the dam and across Brian??
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brian
brian
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No, I looked at it today but wasn't convinced about the snow whereas I was pretty sure the Chamois couloirs would be nice.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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No freshies, but better than my office.
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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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brian, It's all well and good you sending us pictures of the fun you're having in the snow and sun, but can we have a bit of attention to the weather please. I'd just like to know quite how much snow I'm going to get in Verbier on Sunday.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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brian
brian
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brian
brian
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JT, doubt even NF stuff in Chandolin will be any good. I skied a bit of the off piste cutting off left from the run back from St Luc, pretty dreadful. It's much, much better over this side of the valley.
Avvy risk is negligible atm, so that's not too much of a worry (you can tell the snowpack is bombproof, the Zinal freeride area has actually been declared open ). I know the lie of the land above the dam fairly well having walked up there in summer. Might give it a go but am wary that west facing may be the most crusty.
Dukes: I don't think I could tell they're not a regular alpine binding. Pretty happy with that.
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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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Better a bah day in the Valais than an "awesome" day in the office.
Did you have to leave the country in shame following Hib's cup result?
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brian
brian
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fatbob, luckily, I was already out here. Not looking forward to the "banter" with my Jambo neighbours. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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brian, I arrive on Saturday, please take care of the snow base and don't wear it out, thanks 
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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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where's that cat track in the pics? Is that part of the official route to Grimentz from Zinal??
cheers,
greg
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You know it makes sense.
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kitenski, No, that track is the one you walked/skated back round to the drag from the Chamois variant
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brian
brian
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Poster: A snowHead
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brian, so...ignore Abondance by going straight over the top of Roc d'Orzival and looking down to Vercorin...and then dive right to hook up somehow with St Jean...???
that sort of thing..?
I had heard the snow is down to St Jean so that looks like our route..?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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looks pretty busy
Was it spring snow ?
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brian
brian
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JT, yep, straight on from the top of the poma.
kitenski, yes. Really, really nice.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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brian, nice pics. I was there over New year, the snow was pretty good then, but it was very busy by Grimentz standards, up to 5 minutes wait for the Grands plans chairlift
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brian
brian
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brian
brian
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Fab stuff Brian, hadn't see this report before - Looks like your own private resort 
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welcome back - great weather and pics - time to plan the next trip now
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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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nice, spring snow one day, powder the next!
is that off the far right hand poma Orzival down to St Jean??? The same area you got the spring snow, or a different area from St Jean??
Chers,
Greg
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FAQ
Chamois variant which tracks round to the drag..and the steep gully down Chamois on your way home.
s getting maximal freshness in the next week or 2.
