 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I am being a bit pessimistic here looking at the GFS forecast for Les Arcs.
http://91.121.93.17/wz/pics/MS_746_ens.png
Heading out on 4th April and it looks to me like there is going to be some sustained warmer trends between now and then (As far as the GFS forecast goes). I have always been fortunate in getting a good dump before I go, and cold temps while I am out there. Last year we were out for the Easter week, and the skiing was fantastic but I recon that my luck has run out this year!!!
Any tips for skiing spring snow? Is it fun or should I just being the mountain bike with me / or not bother going at all?
Cheer me up! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ringingmaster,
Predicting temps in April now is a guessing game.
Personally I cannot remember many winters when there has not been a warm or even almost hot spell sometime in Feb/March. I would not stress about Easter conditions yet.
Doubt you will get much mountain biking at Easter unless you go really low with current snow depths and Yes Spring skiing is fun. 
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you're driving take your mountain bike, it would be a right laugh for an afternoon as its certainly doable in the snow and you could go from the top lift on the glacier down the pistes onto the downhill track that takes you to the bottom of the funiculair which would be a drop of about 2400m I think and would be absolutley amazing. They will probably let you on the cable cars with a bike. Take a look here for some snow inspired riding http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2985183/
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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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Take your golf clubs and leave your ski gear at home. I promise this will deliver the goods.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| ringingmaster wrote: |
Hi,
I am being a bit pessimistic here looking at the GFS forecast for Les Arcs.
http://91.121.93.17/wz/pics/MS_746_ens.png
Heading out on 4th April and it looks to me like there is going to be some sustained warmer trends between now and then (As far as the GFS forecast goes). |
Huh?
There is so much variation in that diagram once you get beyond 16th March that there is no point in trying to guess what it might actually be even during the 2nd week of that plot, never mind two weeks later.
There is over 20 degrees difference between the top & bottom predictions for most of the 2nd week of the plot.
The middle line of the ensemble (grey) goes high for a couple of days to start with, but then stays below the 30 year average for the rest of the plot, as does the tick green (operational) line. But you really are guessing when the variation is so wide.
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ringingmaster,
1. Get up early
2. Huge euro-brekky
3. On first lift
4. Ski your socks off until it gets too slushy
5. Mega lunch
6. Nap
7. Nice quite dinner ready for
1. repeat as necessary
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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 everyone - Feeling better already. (And the 12Z lines look better) 
I know I really should just ignore these lines
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| Quote: |
I recon that my luck has run out this year!!!
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 Well if you'd looked at the very poor conditions towards the end of February last year you'd probably have topped yourself. For goodness' sake! Cheer up. We could have loads of grass and slush in early April. Or super conditions. Lap of the Gods. Right now it's looking fantastic, but more snow coming in this afternoon and evening, so I'm off out to get on the first lift and enjoy the large amounts of snow which fell yesterday - far more than anyone was forecasting even 12 hours ahead.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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The grass is definitely showing through a bit!!
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ringingmaster, just a bit. That was taken in Val Thorens at the end of April a couple of years ago. The snow was pretty good, but some ridges which got the full blast of the midday sun has started to lose their snow cover. That was a short section that we needed to cross to get to another pitch of nice snow, but it just wasn't worth taking skis off. It did present a good photo opportunity.
BTW, it's snowing heavily in Les Arcs at the moment 
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You know it makes sense.
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rob@rar, Ironically, the only time I have seen that much grass on a ski run was in the fabulous conditions last Easter in Les Arcs on the blue off the bottom of the Combe chair lift. It is more or less south facing, and was obliterated. Had a nice hike into Plan Piesey!
Have now started watching the web cams, and the vis has looked poor the last couple of days, but snow looks excellent
24 days and counting
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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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ringingmaster, aspect makes a big difference at that time of year. North facing holds its snow much, much better.
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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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FFS
Of course it's warmer now. That's why it's called Spring.
= spring snow, long late lunches, bigger panda eyes, all the things we wait all winter for.
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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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From my experience April can be one of the best months to ski Zermatt - we have done this regularly since 2000 - start a little later to avoid the ice and have a late lunch to enjoy the spring snow at it's best. Get back down to the village around 4 ish to enjoy a couple of beers in the warm spring sunshine -perfect recipe 
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I'm out in Serre for five weeks doing a fair bit of stuff - touring conditions are superb............... see daily blog for what spring skiing is really about www.gavinbaylis.com/ski
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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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Love that spring skiing it's been nothing but fresh snow, today was creamy fresh with sunshine and more snow forecast overnight.
We did have beautiful sunny skies in Jan so we'll take snow now.
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i think the phrase is 'hero snow'
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FAQ
reminds me of a late march break in Alpe d'Huez one year, Auris looked like that, just more mud