 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Greg, at the moment it does seem that the sunnier/windier sides have a much stronger/firmer/thicker crust underneath the fresh snow.. down under 2200m this is the case more generally, so in my opinion (and based on a few pits over the last 7 days) I have been happy to ski these sides - while still avoiding anything steep or threatened... For the north facing stuff it is quite likely these hoar layers will be there for quite some time (possibly even the whole winter), which is definitely a problem - its the same set-up that led to a really bad year for avalanche incidents 3 (?) years back - shallow snow pack early season + cold cold temps setting up big hoar layers, followed by big dumps of snow...
But hey, its all going to change in the next 48 hours!!!  rain to 2200m apparently, so all the nice fluffiness of today will be gone..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Quite a bit of fresh snow today, visibility limited but actually not too bad if you chose your spots. Pistes seemed a lot busier (for the short time we were on them..), but good conditions first thing.
Some good off-piste to be found with a bit of nosing around and careful route choice - we managed to sneak in first tracks down Les Avals (definitely worth avoiding the Pyramides entry and going for the longer traverse/flat entry from Roc Merlet), the Petite Rosiere (some awesome skiing high up, and the lower section still in good shape considering lack of snow) and a great run at the end of the day down to Le Raffort from Olympique (again worth staying left of the Roc de Fer on the approach to avoid loaded slopes).
But as mentioned above, rain due to 2200m tomorrow so who knows what will happen next!!!
Petite Rosiere:
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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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This rain thing is depressing. I'm headed to Courchevel on Jan 7th. If you believe the forecasts on J2Ski they're forecasting a dump on friday with cooling temperatures. Let's hope we get at leaat cooling temperatures and some snow
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| Quote: |
they're forecasting a dump on friday with cooling temperatures.
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Please let that be the case, and let it snow from Friday until around mid-day on 10 January. At that point, for the next week, sunshine during the day and nightly top-ups of snow, please. Thank you. 
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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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Bit damp down low today, but most definitely snowing above 2200m, and some clear patches in the sky made for good skiing up high. We found good powder today in a few places but much care is still needed with a very unstable snowpack. Pistes in pretty good condition generally considering, so roll on the drop in temperatures on Thursday/Friday..
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Great conditions around Mont du Vallon this morning but rain below 200m in the afternoon, snowing hard this evening in Val T. But wettish to begin with. Looking forward to cooler temps and some sun later in the 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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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anarchicsaltire, so pretty similar conditions to Hemel then?  I haven't read about your trip to VT - have you posted somewhere? Did mountaingoat enjoy his new skis? Off in 10 days' time to Courchevel - getting VERY excited now, but also a bit concerned about my fitness.......
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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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cathy, Just the same as Hemel, but quieter, though just as many bodies littering the slopes and more expensive drinks and food! M got on well with his planks, dissapeared through the powder, crud and bumps whilst I struggled due to lack of fitness and technique. The only time I could keep up with him or get past was on smooth icy pistes! Some of the lessons must have worked though, lost it on a bumpy steep red with 8" of soft snow on top managed to complete five turns bouncing from bump to bump with my body over the front,back up and down sides before I was under control again, promptly lost it a few turns later, probably 'cos I was laughing at myself so much. I am sure you will have a great time!
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Heavy rain at 1400m this morning has turned to heavy snow this afternoon, and it's still snowing now
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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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Hey Guys, First post here just found this place, what a gem! Heading out to Meribel on 09/01/2010 so keep the updated resort snow info coming.  . Who else is out there that week, has anybody been to any good live gigs this year? I have friend out there playing a few spots, has anybody got any recommendations?
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Poster: A snowHead
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rhodesm, welcome to Snowheads. Was still snowing in Meribel until about an hour ago, and more forecast.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Awesome! I am so glad a forum like this is running with people who are actually out there. So for those who have been through a few seasons in the 3 valleys, what are your favourite runs/routes? Where are the secret cracking off piste bits? And where are your favorites for a cheeky Beer?
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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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Mixed bag today, heavy on runs below about 2300m, fantastic snow above that. Saulire couloirs, and pistes in wonderful condition, but avalanche risk still high
rhodesm, what sort of runs are you looking for? Some of the best reds are Jerusalem (to St Martin), Combe Vallon, and Combe Saulire has been in excellent condition for the past few days. For off piste, possibilities are endless.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Will be in Brides le Bain from 09/01. First time there so looking forward to it........
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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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iiyama, I expect you know it is qite a trek up the bubble to Meribel. Once you get there, you are in the middle of what many believe to be the best piste skiing in Europe. Buy the whole area pass if you are intermediate standard. The lifts link so well you can get around very quickly.
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Hey guys, first post I'm off to VT in the morning with 5 mates for 2 weeks.
Snows lookimng good will post details:P
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Snow looking good at 3 valleys... a few more days of dumping before we arrive on 3rd and start skiing on 4th! I've not been to 3 valleys before... we're based in Meribel, can someone give me a heads up as to a great place to start... which lift? which runs? Have a couple of places available in a fantastic chalet if anyone is interested?
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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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It's been snowing pretty steadily since yesterday morning. Today, up to 3 inches of fresh snow on most pistes, and very, very quiet. However, visibility above about 2200m very bad. Snowline last night at about 1100m.
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Patch, keep it coming - I'm there in two weeks exactly
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Getting so excited, this time next week I'll be at the Rond Point with a nice beverage. Quick question for the seasoned Meribelers and in particular those who stay in Motterat. Where is best to park free/cheapest etc?
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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rhodesm, If you go right to the top of Mottaret you can usually park for free outside the Hameau. Beware, though. It is at about 1800m and i have seen cars fill up with snow and freeze solid. You can also get into the underground car at the same place, if weather is very cold and snowy and you think that might be a threat to you. Go right up to the top and go into the car park on the right after the wooden bridge across the road that carries the Chalets lift. There is also plebty of free parking at various places on the way up the hill.
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Thanks Man, I think Ill try at the top first is the free parking on the way up obvious?
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You know it makes sense.
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rhodesm, Yes. From Meribel you go through a tunnel to get to Mottaret and about 10 minutes up the road. As you come into Mottaret itself, there is a little roundabout at which you turn right to go up the hill. There is free parking at various places up that hill. If you go right to the top you have certain advantages like access to a lift pass office in the Hameau and the chance to ski down into the lifts. The first one you come to offers a quick link to Val T if that is where you are going. No finer place for piste skiing in my mind.
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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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| Chris Bish wrote: |
iiyama, I expect you know it is qite a trek up the bubble to Meribel. Once you get there, you are in the middle of what many believe to be the best piste skiing in Europe. Buy the whole area pass if you are intermediate standard. The lifts link so well you can get around very quickly.
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Never been there Chris so I didnt know, only ever been to Austria before. Two of us going but havent been on ski's for 2 years so although we were of intermediate standard, thnat standard has probably slipped a bit!
We have got whole area pass' so gotta say that I am really looking forward to it! T-5 days and counting!
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Poster: A snowHead
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rhodesm, looking at the temperatures coming up money spent on covered parking could be good value - we had several towed away from here, at just 1550m, over the very cold period before Christmas. And one of our neighbours, who runs the restaurant, so is used to the cold, spent quite a while one morning thawing out his car enough to open the doors. I was very thankful we had a covered parking space, even if it did cost 13,000 euros.  Saved me using the little bottle of diesel additive I've had for the last five years!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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iiyama, If the snow is down as far as the 2nd Gondola station you can ski back to it to catch the gondola going down rather than getting it from Meribel. Raffort is an fairly easy pisted run or you can do a gentle off piste ride through the trees till you get to the road that runs past the station. You can rent boot and ski lockers at the Brides station from the shop inside, saves you carting your kit up the hill every day, get there quickly though as they are limited. Lots of great runs but avoid Ours unless you have a high boredom factor, are a freeheeler or want to do combe du vallon!
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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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pam w, Thanks for the advice, what are the parking charges like for a week in the underground car park?
Its snowing like mad in the UK, as it looks like tempos are dropping over there, hows the weather and snow conditions?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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rhodesm, personally i wouldnt bother with underground in mottaret as once you park the car for the week thats it, no need for car transport in resort IMO. plenty of free parking in the le chatelet car park on a flat surface
i have a few downloads on my site for runs, beers,etc.
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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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Snow is forcast down to 600m by next Saturday, so how does that figure for the 2nd gondola station?
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iiyama, While 600m is well below le Raffort and Les allues gondola stations, they will need a lot of snow before its really skiable to those villages. Problem is, there is no base at all at the moment, and while snow has been on the ground at that altitude several times over the last few weeks, it hasn't stayed long, since the freezing level has been up and down like a NAAFI girl's knickers, and any snow has been washed away a day or two later. My advice is stay high - the pistes have been in fantastic shape up on the Saulire.
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Thanks bud, just showing my ignorance of the area!! 
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4-6 inches of fresh at 850m this morning - time for some more powder I feel...
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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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There was abaout a foot in 1650 village this morning and more up the hill. Avalanche cannons used overnight and high avalanche risk posted but most pistes open and lots of soft stuff on them
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Woohooo! That'll do very nicely...... perhaps just a little more during the week to top things up and keep it fresh
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