others had been working on the Face since crap of dawn
that's what I think of dawn, too. Not keen.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Some prefer the crack of Dawn.
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?
MORNING UPDATE
Well it started snowing again last night about 9pm and looks like it has continued (softly) all night long... perhaps another 10cm on the ground overnight - can't quite tell yet. It is still snowing lightly and there is a breeze out there too.
It really was not supposed to be as windy and bad as it was today was it... surely not!
I met up with a very pleasant group of people from the Ski Club of Manchester down in La Daille for the first of our five days together.
When we got to the top of the Funi - it was MAD up there.... even pointing the skis straight down the steep part of Diebold we were hardly making headway and across the flat under Marmottes was like a cross country ski!
Anyway we all battled the elements for the three hours and they got some good stuff out of it I think. Looking at themselves on the video I think they got some good ideas of what they need to work on.
This afternoon and evening has been totally hectic..... I have been running around..... getting a bed in our chalet fixed, installing the new Sky box in there, getting my boot fitter lined up to have my boots foamed on Wednesday with nice new feet warmers (yippee - missed them last year). Called Clare to check in on how her training is going (conditions were obviously much better there in Alpe D'Huez than here).... she has been drawn on Tuesday for ADH but has the Eurotest in St Christoph, Austria on Sunday too.... so 2 go's in a week!
Also made a few telephone calls and have just had some dinner - wow quite busy afternoon.
Tomorrow is more of the same..... but I have a full day of teaching.
The weather should be better for the next few days before another front moves in.
This car is not going anywhere in the near future!
The view from town today..... cold and mighty windy up there BUT it snowed all day!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
WIND and more SNOW
It really was not supposed to be as windy and bad as it was today was it... surely not!
I met up with a very pleasant group of people from the Ski Club of Manchester down in La Daille for the first of our five days together.
When we got to the top of the Funi - it was MAD up there.... even pointing the skis straight down the steep part of Diebold we were hardly making headway and across the flat under Marmottes was like a cross country ski!
Anyway we all battled the elements for the three hours and they got some good stuff out of it I think. Looking at themselves on the video I think they got some good ideas of what they need to work on.
This afternoon and evening has been totally hectic..... I have been running around..... getting a bed in our chalet fixed, installing the new Sky box in there, getting my boot fitter lined up to have my boots foamed on Wednesday with nice new feet warmers (yippee - missed them last year). Called Clare to check in on how her training is going (conditions were obviously much better there in Alpe D'Huez than here).... she has been drawn on Tuesday for ADH but has the Eurotest in St Christoph, Austria on Sunday too.... so 2 go's in a week!
Also made a few telephone calls and have just had some dinner - wow quite busy afternoon.
Tomorrow is more of the same..... but I have a full day of teaching.
The weather should be better for the next few days before another front moves in.
This car is not going anywhere in the near future!
The view from town today..... cold and mighty windy up there BUT it snowed all day!
So good you posted it twice! Looking good out there.
Steve Angus, you got any room 15-20th January?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Ricklovesthepowder Sorry no can do - fully booked that week.
We still have Feb HT available though!!!!
Anyway todays report.
Well it was not sunny after all..... in was a sort of weird combination of snow and cloud all day..... this afternoon it was especially cold!
Anyway the wind was certainly not as strong which is good news.
The weather forecast for the remainder of this week holds some promise of even more snow - we shall wait and see. However I should think that the World Cup races will go ahead as planned.
The group this morning was one down, and then one up..... one down from the point that one of our number had fallen and gashed himself to the bone and one up as someone in another group wanted an easier day today due to illness! We lapped around on the Stade which was in PERFECT condition as we worked on short turns.... well done everyone - onto carving tomorrow!
I warmed up at Gourmandine at lunchtime and caught up with some familiar old faces such as Lee Townend from Snowworks amongst others.
The afternoon was spent with our very on SH kitenski and we were working on his carving towards his BASI L2..... some GREAT improvements.... consistency and it will hopefully be a favourable outcome on Friday.
After skiing up until now I have had a very busy few hours..... back in our chalet working on the new satellite dish that is going on, catching up on emails etc....
I have been quite cold the last couple of days therefore have been naughty and not got the camera out on the pistes (hopefully my new boot heaters will go in tomorrow - we shall see) but got the following night-time picture instead.
Not much else to report today.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Meteo France are forecasting rain for Val D'Isere (and loads of lower places, obviously) on Friday.
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.
...hope not with a freezing level as SF.com reckon of circa 1200m plus... we shall see
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Please no, I arrive saturday evening
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
NO RAIN ALLOWED
However, even if it does, snow is forecast too.
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.
Ricklovesthepowder, try Kim at http://www.simplyvaldisere.com - she lives in resort and often gets some good deals in some top notch chalets.
Steve Angus, how did Claire get on yesterday?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
COLD
... that is definitely the way to sum up today... It was -23 when I left the house this morning (although the sun made it feel much warmer than that which was a relief).
What is it? I knew it was there but I had forgotten - but what is it and whereabouts in town is it (you are looking right at centre of the picture!)
Anyway it was carving day with the Ski Club of Manchester group this morning.... after a quick top to bottom of the Funi we jumped on the bus and headed up the Solaise. The Galcier Express was perfect for looping around and working on stuff.... some good work today guys!
It was also good to see the training runs for the ladies downhill taking place down into La Daille today. Well done to Chemmy Alcott for posting the fastest split for the last part of the race today as well as coming in the top 20... more of the same for Fridays race please!
Whilst I was up the top of the Funi we saw the new replacement motor being placed into the top station of the Fontaine Froide (photo below was taken by Radio Val - but you get an idea of what we saw (and the size of the thing!). Hopefully they will get the lift running again soon.
After lunch I took 5 really nice VIP (Chalet company - if you didn't know) chalet girls on their first season out for a complementary lesson (TDC give as many of the seasonal staff comp lessons each season as a PR exercise). They were very excitable as it was only their second day on the hill since they arrived a few weeks ago, the sun was shining and it was all of theirs first season! Anyway we had some fun... they learnt some tricks and are all keen now to sign up for more TDC lessons (well done me, although I say so myself).
Yes thanks for asking Scampi Dellahanti but Clares' test is actually on Sunday (if the weather is OK) in St Christophe in Austria followed by a WEEEK TODAY (not Tuesday as we thought) in Alpe d'Huez.... she was the fastest Brit in training today in ADH and 6 out of 18 overall so fingers crossed!
There was another slide over in Tignes today as you may have read elsewhere. Someone was under for about 30 mins (Brit man in his 40's - think it was). He is serious but not critical after having a cardiac arrest and is now in Grenoble hospital!
So the weather forecast for the next few days is for a massive series of fronts to roll in day after day starting tomorrow afternoon - we could be on for a LOT more snow potentially - WOW.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
yay
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Can anyone tell me if K2 Snowboarding gear is well stocked in Val d'Isere? I'm in need of a new board and have left it too late to order online.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Cubanpete wrote:
Can anyone tell me if K2 Snowboarding gear is well stocked in Val d'Isere? I'm in need of a new board and have left it too late to order online.
When you going? No chance of getting something sent on a super-fast delivery?
Previous experience of French resorts tells me that there will be a fair bit of Burton, Rossignol and probably some 'alternative' brands like Arbour, Bataleon or Yes. You should find K2/Ride stuff but TBH, buying in resort usually ends up being more expensive than buying in the UK....
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Cubanpete .... sorry no idea I am afraid.
Well a rather 'educational' morning in the end.
At breakfast time it was nice and clear but by 9am it was starting to cloud over. I lugged four complete sets of off piste gear down to La Daille as it was off piste day today for my group...... as it turned out a couple decided not to come (grr had to stow the other packs in either my pack or in the remaining clients packs) as they were knackered from yesterdays skiing. Anyway by the time time we got going the cloud was high but the light was fading a little.
My group had tried to persuade me to wear a pink flashing 'thing' (see picture) as they thought it would be easier to see me in the worsening light..... I agreed only to wear it right at the bottom of the hill and NOT when skiing.... I want some credibility!
I give Debra a 'gentle' throttle around the neck to show my appreciation for the gift - ha ha!
We ventured into the Jardins du Borsat area and no sooner had we dropped a couple of hundred metres off the side of the piste but the light went VERY flat..... AND it then turned out that my reliable little stash of snow was not as reliable as I had thought..... it let me down for once and we had pretty awful snow it must be said. Oh well the guests learnt a few things.......
Over the rest of the morning we popped on and off the piste and worked on technique until it got to the point that the flat light and general tiredness got the better of the group (a few splats in powder and its saps your energy getting back up again). So we instead spent the last hour working on moguls technique.
Tomorrow we are aiming to go to Tignes and back (if the weather allows!).
I worked through some admin this afternoon and watched some of the ladies downhill training runs.
After Chemmy got the fastest split in the bottom section of the DH in training yesterday she had another good innings coming 20th in practice today in flat light - well done her!
In fact it was rather a lot of star spotting today - Chemmy was on form and in good form (she loves coming to Val with all the Brits and general support she gets here anyway but since she is racing well she was especially perky!) and then I was in the funiculaire back up again next to Maria Resch (however you spell her surname - never get it right (or double barrelled as it should be either!).
So the weather forecast (at the most extreme) could see us getting a half metre of snow from anytime now, over the next few days..... further south in the alps it could be as much as a metre. In fact it is looking so serious the amount of snow they are to receive that Clares Eurotest in St Christophe for Sunday has been cancelled (2nd time (and for the same reason) in as many years). As you can imagine she is less than pleased.... however it all means that next Wednesday in Alpe d'Huez is the main focus now!
Not much else to report this evening.
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?
Steve Angus, love the hat! Do keep us updated on the snow conditions...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Sorry yesterday was hectic
The last 24 hours have be hectic with one thing or another.
Finished of my Ski Club of Manchester week yesterday with a tour around Tignes and a recap on some of the other stuff we worked on during the week.... it was warm due to the Foehn wind coming up from the south!
Got the last couple of racers at the bottom of La Daille.... Chemmy did OK but not as well as she had hoped coming in 30th in the DH.............. and of course the SG this morning (Saturday) has been cancelled as we had 30cm of snow in the early hours of this morning - seems to have stopped now!
So the afternoon was spent a) avalanche transceiver practising b) re-arranging some cables bringing the satellite tv signal into the chalet c) picking up the clean linen for the chalet and then before I knew it is was time to head to an end of weeks drinks party at Barry and Jonquils house with the Ski Club of Manchester!
So frantically trying to catch up with everything this morning.
Not snowing at the moment but more snow forecast.
This weeks guests are self-driving so no Geneva run today which means Clare and I are having a nice lazy day!
Anyway folks more later on and lets hope it starts snowing again soon.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I see they've put 'AVALANCHE RISK HIGH!' in caps on the weather page on the Val D website today...
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:
Not snowing at the moment
is that a positive way of saying it's raining?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Just back from 2 weeks in Tignes... in between the cairngorm-esque weather, there was some awesome skiing to be had.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Quote:
cairngorm-esque weather
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.
pam w No no rain at all.... just a few flakes of snow falling.
http://youtube.com/v/DIEx6Tyn8GE
A good video showing more behind the scenes but this time GB orientated and also Val orientated..... im missing out on the World Cup work this year.... maybe next year ill be back on it!
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Nice to meet you steve and a great lesson, have a great season.
Greg
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Great vid Steve, she seems like such a nice girl. Time for me to go and pack!!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Anybody else think Chemmy's developing a Scottish accent? Too much time with Dougie!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
A little bit of snow, a little bit of cloud, a little bit of everything today!
Well it's not often that both Clare and I have a full day off together. Clare has enjoyed watching crappy daytime tv and I have enjoyed catching up on a few jobs... we had a little issue with the bedding for our chalet as the launderette managed to get our sheets muddles up with everyone elses so it took a while at lunchtime today to work out who's was who's etc but we got there in the end.
It was a pity that the Super G was cancelled as I was hoping I could go and watch that - but it wasn't to be.
To be honest I am quite glad that I have had to spend most of the day indoors as I slept awkwardly on my neck last night and have hardly been able to turn my neck to the left today.... its lucky that Clare is a qualified masseuse and aromatherapist as she has been giving me due attention today and I am feeling more human now!
So the updates for the next couple of days are not going to be too exciting as I am not skiing too much (unless it snows) and it should suit quit well as one of the two really busy times of the season are almost upon us and three weeks flat out over Xmas and NY does takes it toll so a lull before it kicks off is always welcome!
I should have been taking the guys from Concensio chalets out (http://www.consensioholidays.co.uk/) for a promo lesson this afternoon but they had to cancel at the last minute which was a shame. Check out their website.... the pricing page is not for the faint hearted, but when you take guests that stay with these guys out for a lesson you certainly feel under extra pressure to perform! I should take the guys out later in the week; will be nice to meet their Val d'Isere team!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
^ WOW, one of them is £74k for a week in Feb!!
How the other half live...
Well I'm pretty much packed now and looking forward to a great week.
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?
A snowy morning again.
Looks like a consistent light snowfall overnight.... not sure about the amount of wind up higher though but looks promising for a good day on the hill for those heading up.... this latest dusting will be very welcome as a top up to the base as we move into the Xmas period. Safe travels if you are coming today..... and 'welcome' if you have just arrived!
A fairly miserable day in Val d'Isere with a mixture of wind, snow verging on slushy rain at times and no sign of sun.... definitely a day for staying indoors and catching up on Christmas shopping and watching skiing on tv.
Went to get my seasons supply of beroca (French version of) as I will start taking that tomorrow to keep myself as fit as possible through the busy times of the next few weeks and all the influx of visitors with their various illnesses that arrive at about this time!
They put the av risk back up to four today as they are definitely airing on the side of caution at the moment.
Spent ages looking online for a replacement bed for the one that was broken in our chalet last week.... thank goodness have a few weeks until it is needed next!
Received through some great promo vouchers as well for us to give away to our guests for use at the Fruitiere and Folie Douce....... still not a super bargain or anything but €12 for lunch and a drink is better than it could be!
Not much else to report today.... the weather is supposed to carry on being fairly unsettled for the next few days until Wednesday (which also coincides nicely with Clares Eurotest day!).... so who knows what happens next!
Should be fairly busy teaching from tomorrow onwards so I have enjoyed this little bit of downtime...... who knows what tomorrow will bring.... we shall see!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
My colleague just put this together.... filmed last weekend..... I just made the cut - in the format of a couple of pictures at the end...... I was not around much for it so quite happy to make the photo cut at all!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Lots more snow this morning....... full report later on!
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.
Steve Angus wrote:
Spent ages looking online for a replacement bed for the one that was broken in our chalet last week
I daren't ask !
Did the occupants own up to it or did you just discover after they'd gone ?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
dsoutar - yes I daren't ask either!!!!!
Anyway it was pow time again today.
The weather certainly was doing exactly as it had forecast to be doing this morning when we woke up.... it was snowing - again!
The vis varied quite a lot today from OK to non-existant to pretty good a couple of times. There must have been about 30cm in places that had fallen and it was surprisingly light I have to say!
I had a lovely couple from Manchester and they wanted to work on powder technique - PERFECT day for it!
We got some great stuff in on the pistes down to La Daille but the Raye was by far and away in the best condition....
....we even got some face shots in on here!
After lunch I headed home to dig the path out yet again and then the main job this afternoon was to go to see Greg in Mattis sport to have my boots foamed.....
..... for those who have never had their boots foamed then (as today once again reminded me) it is one of the most unpleasant experiences I think in the world of skiing.... I HATE having it done ever other year!. Basically in a nutshell you have large foam pads placed around your foot... whack your ski sock over the top, foot in the boot and then through a chemical reaction very warm foam forces its way around ever nook and cranny in your boot liner..... the foam expands and presses to fill all the nooks and crannies and to be honest the heat and pressure is not very pleasant for 30 mins or so..... and then it is all over and finally you can remove your foot from the padlocks.
Anyway I have been spending 30 mins in the boots at a time this evening getting used to the new tight fit again and finally it is starting to feel more normal. Greg did a great job and I really would recommend Mattis sport where he works for all your boot fitting requirements as he is excellent and REALLY knows his stuff. Gerome in Killy Sport (where I went last week) is definitely the place to get your footbeds done as he is very used to working with SIDAS footbeds and seems to have an in built ability to get the mould just right first time!
I even managed to get a free pair of socks out of the work today as Greg forced me to wear a pair of really thin socks (my attempts to get away with a think pair (on purpose) was foiled by Greg) that he took off the shelf.
So a nice crate of beer each now sits on the staff shelf of both Killy and Mattis as they both gave me their time for free.
This evening Clare and I waited around whilst this weeks guests arrived in town and then I took them to get their ski hire and also to put their car in the parking lot down in La Daille..... they had never been to Val before and the keen looks on their faces when they saw a) all the snow continuing to fall and b) the high street all lit up real pretty was pretty special to see....... they are so excited to be in Val that I think they will quite literally be on the VERY first chair tomorrow no matter what the weather!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
