 Poster: A snowHead
|
Thanks for all the reports people, even though it's not good news at present. Am not coming out until first week in march so hoping there'll be lots of snow before then. Snowed here in midlands, Ireland yesterday, we've about 4 cms this morning so seems crazy that it's raining in the alps. Someone needs to tell the weather it's taken a wrong turn somewhere. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Just back from 4 days in Samoens/Flaine. Temperatures 6-8 degrees. Positively spring like. Links to Flaine closed thu/fri due to high winds but open today. Snow not too bad at the top of Flaine actually...but turning to slush from the lower 1/3 down. Spent yesterday around morillon and Les Carroz - not too bad all things considering but slushville by the afternoon. Lots of brown patches everywhere...Samoens runs in particular very brown and cut up - mogul galore down the Marmotte and Dahu runs. All in all not very goods. Desperate for some snow!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
invest, Thanks for the update
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
looking at the forecast this morning, looks to be a good 20-40cms today
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
looks to be a good 20-40cms today
|
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... don't frighten the timid snow gods away
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
pam w, does that make you a snowtheist?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any update from anyone in the GM today???
Coming out on Thursday and hope that things are looking better than they did last week / end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About 8-12 inches overnht meant pretty good if a little heavy conditions high up.
Pistes lower down still mushy but acceptable. All in all we had a great first day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Been following this thread unregistered but finally took the plunge
We're heading to Morillon 1100 this Saturday and looking great now, after the face-tearing depression I got from reading this thread since last Thursday!
I'll try to report two or three times while I'm out there.
Does anyone know what sort of time of year the Gers bowl/Cascades usually opens? From scanning online it seems to usually be the end of Jan/early Feb. We did it in late March last year and they shut it for the season at the end of that week, so was hoping to get down there on its first week of opening this year to complete the stats, but doesn't look like they're gonna get it opened anytime soon 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
does that make you a snowtheist?
|
MoodyFFS, I've been trying to think of a clever reply to that all day - but failed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Am also hoping for good conditions (fingers crossed!) as I'll be heading to Flaine this Saturday in a large group - have been following this thread with interest 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snebbit, welcome to snowheads! Gers bowl was open the last week of last season. The long (sorry but rather dull in bits) cascades just depends on conditions, it tends to be rather icy / rocky at the bottom, sixt ski area usually closes end of march.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Hi all.
I've just had a call from my mate to say his place in Samoens is available for the week of the 22nd of January.
Do I go for a sneeky 3/4 day trip Saturday - Tuesday? I'm rather concerned about the conditions. The foreacasts don't look all that great - it seems to staying above freezing for a while.
Not asking anyone to be John Kettly but just wondered anyone's thoughts.
I've just had my boots retro-fitted by Colin at S4F and I wanna try them out 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| carroz wrote: |
| snebbit, welcome to snowheads! Gers bowl was open the last week of last season. The long (sorry but rather dull in bits) cascades just depends on conditions, it tends to be rather icy / rocky at the bottom, sixt ski area usually closes end of march. |
We did this last year, first part is a mixture of fantastic views and virgin snow with the odd up hill stretch. Last part was terrible and just a sheet of ice, was really glad to get to the bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Quote: |
first part is a mixture of fantastic views and virgin snow with the odd up hill stretch. Last part was terrible and just a sheet of ice, was really glad to get to the bottom.
|
But the middle bit is just great - if you catch it with nobody around it feels very special.
And welcome to scubadancer... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
Last part was terrible and just a sheet of ice, was really glad to get to the bottom.
|
Yup, been there
The last bit on ice just seemed never ending! Glad I did it though and I would certainly suggest people did it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Hi, we went to Flaine last year, 16-23rd Jan, and went down cascades. We must have been lucky, the snow was perfect all the way down. Even managed to time the bus right.....was sat there waiting, got on, and away it went.
If i am able, will post a pic of the 'camel humps', which was picture perfect!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| horsesforcourses wrote: |
Hi, we went to Flaine last year, 16-23rd Jan, and went down cascades. We must have been lucky, the snow was perfect all the way down. Even managed to time the bus right.....was sat there waiting, got on, and away it went.
If i am able, will post a pic of the 'camel humps', which was picture perfect! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Gosh....my first picture post.....it's only 11am, drat, too early for the glass of wine in celebration!!
Oh, forgot to say, we are off to Flaine on Saturday for a week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Cascades has always been open for some of the week I've been there (11 separate weeks over 10 years) but note it often only opens late morning so keep checking the piste info. It's often been cruddy / icy at the bottom so not for the nervous. We always do it - despite the uphill stretches it's nice to escape the crowds. I love that silence you get - that's part of skiing for me. Don't worry, conditions will improve, especially by mid-Feb 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I agree with billb, its so amazing to hear silence and see nobody for long periods - that the up hill bits are quickly forgotten!! All I would say that my boyfriend is a boarder and has refused to ever do it again!! Good job when we go next month we have a skiier coming with us to keep me company!! 5 weeks and 3 days ...
Love the pics!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
out there on the 29th for a week, watching this thread with interest!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
my boyfriend is a boarder and has refused to ever do it again
|
Ah, not a good run for those on the dark side. Perhaps he'll reform one day 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We did Cascades late on in the day and the Piste Bloke (?) came along on his skidoo and towed us along the flay/uphill bits - very cool
Anyone know the current conditions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
OK, just got back... here is my update FWIW.
Cascades... IMHO, no chance of it opening for a while unless there is lots of new snow and colder temps. It is very avalance and rock falling prone in places. The snowline at the moment is too high to be able to get to the bottom.
Samoens 1600 and above is fantastic as of yesterday, but I believe it has been very mild again today. The pistes are in great condition, and there is som (albeit now tracked ) off piste fun to be had... a little heavy in places.
Morillion, high up is OK, but not as good as you get lower. Still plenty of cover all the way to 1100, but a little mushy, we avoided after trying once as there was plenty more fun elsewhere.
Les Carroz, early in the day yesterday the pistes were some of the flattest, empty-est pistes I have ever skied, truly awesome. It was cutting up a little later on in the day, but still loads of fun to be had. People skiing the blacks and enjoying the fresh dumping of snow seemed to be having a blast too... my legs were too tired to attempt!
Flaine, again, stay high for the best conditions. Lower down Flaine is suffering more than the other GM resorts IMHO. I have skied plenty worse though.
All in all, the pistes were empty... literally, we didn't have to wait for a single lift all 3 days, skied straight on to every one (apart from the gondolas, where wearing skis is frowned upon!)
Hope the temps drop, and there is more snow though! Back again in Feb, though I suspect there may be the odd queue then!
Oh... and the "Coveys" re-fit in Samoens is nice too... as is the beer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
stevo_the_saddler, Thanks for the report - I'm there in Feb too. Let's hope for more snow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stevo_the_saddler,
Well Steve, I think this info has made my mind up for me - I think I'll go
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
We're there from Saturday this week. I hope the weather stays cold enough at night for them to fire the snow cannons
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
stevo_the_saddler, Yes, thanks for the report - really useful. As mentioned before, I'm off there tomorrow and looking forward to it. I've signed up to the sms snow report option, and will endeavour to post further updates to the site whilst I'm over there....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Don't use it all up, I'm going there in a fortnight...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
We are off on the 5th of Feb so had been keeping a slightly concerned eye on this thread but it seem things are not too bad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
stevo_the_saddler, Thanks for that, I have found that sometimes although the forecasts seem bleak and forum reports too it tends to be not so bad when you get there. Maybe its because I'm not brave enough (or skilled enough) to venture off piste. Anyhoo following thread with avid interest. One question... if conditions do get good enough to do cascades... is it worth it? or are uphill/flat areas too annoying? Not asking just for me but my 11 year old nephew who'd sooner do a black than have to pole along a flat spot and he's not crazy about the blacks?? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
snowmam, In my opinion, Cascades is worth doing once. The top bit is where the rollers/flat bits are, and you do begin to wonder why you have bothered. These can be avoided by doing the Gers bowl (if open), although that is an off-piste area and quite challenging. I have never personally tried to get from Gers to Cascades, but I believe it is possible.
Once further down Cascades, the scenery is beautiful, but the lower you get, the icier it gets (as the name suggests - it is a waterfall lower down). Some of the frozen parts of the "cascade" are gorgous and worth a photo opportunity. The last few hundred metres is a path basically, and if this is icy it can be tricky for less confident skiers.
In my 10-12 times skiing in the area, Cascades has been open less than half the times I have been there. If it is open, and especially if the Sixt ski area has snow, then I would try it... I would be sure to go for a quick blast on the reds/blacks over the road in Sixt - they are usually empty (even in Feb) and give an hour or twos fun in the trees.
Let us know what you think if you do go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
stevo_the_saddler, Totally agree with your comments. I believe you CAN get to Cascades from Gers btw but Gers is probably the most challenging part of the GM. My son does it but not myself (yet).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
stevo_the_saddler, thanks for that, might give it a go if possible. Will blame you if nephew not happy!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
billb, billb, Yes you can get to cascades from the bottom of gers and gers is not that difficult, just ask at the pisteurs hut on the way what the conditions are like as it can vary hugely. Its the drag back that is the "fun" bit!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well I've literally just booked a flight out to have a sneaky few days from the 22nd to the 25th Jan
Hope it's good!!! (or at least good enough).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
carroz, I'd assumed, from what my son told me, that Gers was harder than the Flaine Diamond Black ( which is a struggle for me at the top on the moguls i.e. I don't really ski it, just get down.....)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
any snow reports ? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
