 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Guys,
I was looking at going to UCPA for a week on the 23rd April. What will the skiing conditions be like normally at this time of year? Will the resort be very quiet? I have skied twice before and can handle blue runs, wouldn't be that confident a skier though.
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Sonny11ie
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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sonny11ie I've been to Tignes/Val D'Isere on the May Day weekend for the past 4 or 5 years. There has always been at least 50% of the ski area open and it has always been possible to ski back to both resorts.
Lower down will be soft, turning mushy as the day progresses but higher up will be more wintry conditions. We've had powder at altitude on two of the trips. Having said that, take plenty of sun cream 'cos you can be burnt alive at that time of year.
This season has been horror tales of 'no snow' in France but the reports on here from Tignes seem to tell a different story. The webcams don't look too bad either: http://www.tignes.net/fr/ski-a-tignes/webcams-290.html
On piste it's usually very quiet - more like deserted. No lift queues and some whole runs to yourself! There's a good variety of blue runs at Espace Killy. Under full snow cover you can cover every sector of the area on blue runs, though that late in the season some will be closed. There should still be plenty for you to go at though. The Grand Motte glacier at Tignes and the one above Le Fornet at Val D'Isere both have some nice, not too steep, cruising runs, where the snow will be good.
Go on! GO FOR IT! You know it makes sense  !
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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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Was skiing in Tignes yesterday - lots of snow on most of the pistes (certainly better than paradiski where we are based).
Pattern seems to be established in present weather; ice and neve first thing, passing through softer as the sun gets going and becoming slush on the lower slopes later. Hardly any queues, very hot sun - need to factor 40 to not become a crispy-critter.
Am sure you'll have a great time.
Ian 
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sonny11ie, be careful - 30c in Moutiers today apparently, and tignes is not immune to an early summer. Skiing may be very limited by then..
Depending on your financial situation it might be better to wait until next year
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 12-04-11 7:56; edited 1 time in total
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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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Just back. Espace Killy has 300km of runs. I'd guess that 5% are currently closed. And fewer than 50% are slushy in the afternoon. So that only leaves you 150km. It sounds as though you're the sort of skier who would be happy with maybe 10km of skiing a day - or less. More snow and sensible temperatures forecast for this week. Go for it. My second-ever week was Tignes the end of November when only the glacier and Double M were open. Plenty of skiing at your level.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Dude
I'd avoid coming to be fair - been here (Val) since Feb, and conditions are, to be fair pretty darned dire in most of Espace Killy. My esteemed colleague to my left has said "It's a crock of poo-poo - you need to be done by 11AM".
Motte has been quite nice, but honestly a week of Motte wouldn't justify the expense and effort of coming.
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sonny11ie, I think people are being unrealistically optimistic, I'd wait til next year, most [locals] are saying worst season in years, and ain't likely to get much better 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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I've been saying for years that I must head out for the May Day b/h.....never got round to it though 
That said not sure I'd go for it this season for the first time!
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Crappy double dose of UK bank holiday misery or sunny slushy snow and a few beers in the alpaca
"which would you choose"
Obviously it's going to be a bit of a lottery sonny11ie, But go for it anythings better than a street party 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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sonny11ie, have you considered the eosb? similar kind of height, lessons and guiding available and a ready made party atmosphere
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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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| fids wrote: |
Dude
I'd avoid coming to be fair - been here (Val) since Feb, and conditions are, to be fair pretty darned dire in most of Espace Killy. My esteemed colleague to my left has said "It's a crock of poo-poo - you need to be done by 11AM".
Motte has been quite nice, but honestly a week of Motte wouldn't justify the expense and effort of coming. |
What a load of rubbish.
OP is a near-beginner. A week of Grand Motte would be well worth his while if he wants to go skiing at this stage of the season. (I should add I spent my second-ever week on the GM in November.) And if he manages to ski the first couple of hours of the day (i.e. by the 11am when you say it's all rubbish) then that opens up hundreds of additional miles of skiing for the first couple of hours of the day.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 12-04-11 12:01; edited 1 time in total
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sonny11ie, as you can see you've split SH community on this one! Don't know how late you can leave it but I personally wouldn't be booking anything unless there is a good final dump or the temps drop. Having looked at whats open it looks worth it today, but 2 weeks at this point in this season (a poor snow season) its a gamble.
If your not squeezing the bank account go for it (I've been on a couple of boarding holidays and got no slope time, its not so bad afterall its still a break from the norm), if its tight save and put the money away to ensure at least 2 trips nrxt year!
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