 Poster: A snowHead
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The usual early snowfall to coincide with the Toussaints Holiday. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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And yes, I know, it is early, and it might all disappear. This is the view of the Cucumelle.
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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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Hells Bells, keep it coming. I always like looking at the Serre Che posts here.
I'm currently trying to decide if our holiday this year will be Montgenevre, Villeneuve or somewhere in Italy. I think I know, but need to get the right deal.
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shoogly, there were some good deals last winter in Villeneuve at the Grand Aigle, and another SnowHead is staying at the Hotel du Bez.
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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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shoogly, i haven't been to the other two, so my opinion might not be the best, but when you visit a resort and you're still excited to read the snow reports two years after you've been I think it's a good sign. Definitely worth a look and on my list of "must get back there" resorts (list of three from 38 years of snow trips).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ah yes....the Summer was not a great one and now all thoughts are of the good winter to come - believe me, I heard it from a postman. They always know...
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Kevin Byrne, we just got back from a short trip and had more settled weather than we had in July. Not even windy. The snow will be fabulous this winter, did you see how many yellow gentians there were?
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Hells Bells, this is why I like your posts on this thread.
Flowers, the moon... so much more fun predicting the weather like that than by computer 
I see there's a new area opened up in Serre Chevalier this year - Cucumelle off the Vallons chair. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing in that it once needed a hike in to???
The area looks big and still lets me get a day at Montgenevre/Claviere to visit friends there.
Just need a good deal. Crystal seem to have some good prices this year.
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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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shoogly, it's made the piste a lot busier, but a lot of what is accessible was before, you just couldn't see it fromt he chairlift. You still need to hike up to the best bits (I'm told).
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shoogly, i took a hike up to the peak above the head of the Cucamelle run, upper arrow ,and dropped to the left of the ridge. It was a 25 minute hike, the snow at the top was sastrugi and quite unpleasant, but it gave way to some truly fine pow a bit lower down. it's quite easy to navigate back to the bottom of the (old) lift passing the little village/cluster of chalets on the way down. If i did it again i would only hike up about three quarters of the way to where there was an obvious traverse line, from there i reckon you'd get to the good stuff, but wouldn't have to bother with the moonscape at the top.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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shoogly, I can't take credit for the moon stuff though that was snowangel., but I am keeping a close eye on the weather around the new moons. 
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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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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| shoogly, I can't take credit for the moon stuff though that was snowangel., but I am keeping a close eye on the weather around the new moons. |
Ahhhh... so it was. me bad. you can do the flowers, and snowangel can do the moon.
Rogg, where you hiked up, is it skinnable, or more of a scamble?
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shoogly, it certailnly looked more of a scramble especially last winter, when the cover was not so good. Lots of rocks, scree etc.
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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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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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Weathercam, fingers crossed you might yet make it.
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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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Looks like a bit of a stormy day (see above) .
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If Snow Forecast is to be believed there will be 40cm of the pure stuff at the highest levels of the resort in the next 3 days. And hopefully it won't melt away...
Perfect dreaming for a Friday afternoon in the office...'another hard day 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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The Haute Alpes seem to have been battered by rain, flooding and a lot of snow in places. We should spare a thought for those most affected - including the 2 alpinists stranded on the Grandes Jorasses near Chamonix since last week. Mudslides and dangerously swollen rivers everywhere in the southern French alps...
According to the Pistehors website there has been 3 - 4 meters of snow of snow in the eastern Queyras. Avalanche risk at its highest.
Does anyone know yet what the situation is in Serre Che?
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Kevin Byrne, snow line ay about 2000m i think , but not heard of any flooding, etc.
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Pics from the Summit camera of the Bivouac de Casse restaurant and top of the Casse du Boeuf chairlift.
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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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Folks - sorry to hijack the thread. Never been to Serre C. What are the good and bad things about the resort? Thinking of giving it a whirl this season. I am very good on piste and not bad off
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Mark1863, the forum search function will provide a load of info on SC. There are quite a few "locals" and enthusiasts who have posted quite a bit of info over the last few years.
Generally, there is good skiing for all levels. Plenty of challenging on and off piste. The four major towns of SC are more traditional than many purpose built resorts, so have some charm and are not big party places, though there is life if you know where to look for it.
The last 7 years have seen some good infrastructure investment with new lifts replacing some old chairs and drags. The whole area is well connected and one gets a great sense of travel. In 5 trips, I've only ever once experienced less than good skiing down to the villages - generally a bad year everywhere though. There is good snow-making facilities covering the lower slopes to resort level.
May be easier to ask specifics - the above is very general.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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ThanksChasseur,
Not a big apres-ski man. Assume transport between main towns is by bus free with ski lift? Sounds right down my street
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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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Mark1863, yes, bus runs regularly until about 5.30, then hourly during the evening until midnight. I will put the bus timetable on the forum at some point when it is released. We used it a couple of times last year to meet up with other SnowHeads in other villages.
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OMG where's my skis????????
Pic of the Vallons de Cucumelle from the new webcam which will go online soon.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hells Bells, just came on to post that pic!!!
bigger here 
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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That DOES look nice. Must go to Serre Chevalier one day...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That's what? 2600m or so? The pic above of top of Casse de Boeuf (updated today) is 2100 IIRC - very nice indeed.
Pedantica, do...it's a terrific place
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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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Chasseur, top of the peak is about 2680ish, so top of lift must be a little lower. NO piste map to check
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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looking a lot better than chamonix (where i am going for my early-season action) right now
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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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Hells Bells, so that must be about 200m lower give or take? I can picture the ridge line from the top of the Cucumelle lift towards the peak....not walked up it ever though!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Chasseur, nor me.
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Hells Bells, and if I ever did, I have a feeling I'd probably be walking back down to.... 
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Now set as wallpaper on the lappy.  . off to the iphone next
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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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Once again the southern alps gets the best early snow
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According to my map of the valley col de cucumelle is 2510m and the peak is 2698m.
The hike up is not diffficult and the run down to Monetier is north facing and frequently has excellent snow I believe, though I've only done it once, itwas fairly straight forward though route finding lower down may be awkward.
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FAQ
