 Poster: A snowHead
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@thefatcontroller, just reporting what I saw. It just happened to be boarders in both cases. I'm not trying to bash boarders here! The original point of my post was that the lower section of L is prone to people hooning and I wasn't surprised to hear of a serious incident. It turns out not to have been a collision after all.
Apologies @Steve Angus, you can have your thread back 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Steve Angus,
Good afternoon. I don’t suppose you have an updated version of the monthly snow depth (historical) that you posted a couple of months ago, or could share the link? It was very interesting then, and perhaps even more so now.
Many thanks
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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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Not saying it is only boarders (I definitely saw a few out of control skiers while I was out there last week), BUT had a boarder about two foot away from absolutely nailing me when he jumped back onto the piste out of the trees without even checking who was there. Also watched as another boarder rode straight into my GF from uphill when she was carefully traversing a very busy mogul field
Maybe they just have a lower level of piste awareness 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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Slightly nerdy, but interesting to see that VDI choose Italian Leitner Prinroth machines from the other end of the alps rather than Kassboher. A good choice
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@Peter S, That's pretty nerdy 
@Steve Angus, great photos - is that last one Rhone Alpes? The penultimate one looks like Madeleine.
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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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Peter S - good spotting !
moosepig - correct and correct but what about the 4th from bottom?
FFS
The morning was a more relaxed one than normal as I was meeting at 0930 at the top of Tuffs as opposed to in town which meant I could cut the corner off and not go into town but divert my energies to heading there instead! So I met a new client - a nice family from Ireland and avid reader of this blog and we were off.
Being new to the EK it was a mixture of technique, showing them around, getting them warmed up for this trip but having some fun too. It was a good session and I must say that that with about 2/3 weeks of experience each they are doing so very well. By the end of the session we were pretty comfortably coming down the OK Orange amongst other reds so good progress. More of the same tomorrow.
My periscope from today:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1lDxLaNmPbMKm
I had to shoot back to town very quickly at the end as I was going to have to get off piste kit and eat my lunch all within 30 mins so it was a rush but we got there.
So this afternoon I had an interesting 'intro to off piste' session as it was 3 guys (1 on a board to make decision making more challenging) and they all had different attitudes, needs desires and skill levels as to what they needed / wanted out of the session - eek. Cutting a long story short despite finding some nice powder I think the reality of learning how to ski powder and the challenges to learning that coupled with basic errors that needed fixing in their skiing hit home. Cutting a long story short we changed plan and had a really fun descent down the guts of the Cugnai which they loved!
After skiing I had a really quick change and cuppa before heading down the hill. First up was to stop to collect a new hoover in Bourg as our hoover in the place we let out has broken down.... however nightmare struck as I managed to reverse our car a tiny bit too far and dented the boot but in doing so the rear windscreen managed to shatter..... bug!
So I was not in the best mood. After collecting a large food shop from Super U on click and collect it was off to a colleagues house for the annual TDC curry night. Yummy curries all round and nice to have a social catch up with everyone. I only stayed an hour as needed to get back up the hill with the food shop anyway!
So that pretty much brings you up to date.
Clares mum arrives tomorrow for a weeks stay with us acting as baby sitter mainly so that Clare and I can both go to work.... either way it will be nice to see her. She arrives at 7am tomorrow so that will be the alarm clock!
The first full day of the BMW Winter Gold Cup is on in town at the moment and the Europe Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn is here!
This is a photo from yesterday - me with my friend Jo when we descended the Col Pers - I liked the photo so thought id share it today!
TTFN
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4th from bottom = Arcelle.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Steve Angus, I reckon the 3rd picture is Arcelle.
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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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That’s Thomas Bjorn, Ryder Cup captain.
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You know it makes sense.
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Is that golf photo taken from the top of the Bellevarde Express near Peau de Vache ?
Nowhere near the golf !
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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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@muppet, Radio Val was saying one morning (Friday I think) that Bjorn was going to be at the top of the Bellevarde. I guess he was up there for the photo shoot!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Just returned from another great week in Val. The snow conditions and weather was awesome.
@Steve Angus, thanks for more great lessons. As always, great to catch up and have you try and improve my ski technique. Not always an easy task but you always deliver 
If anyone is thinking of lessons, I highly recommend Steve and his colleagues at TDC. Another member of our party also took part in one of their coaching clinics and really enjoyed it. I can certainly notice the improvement to our techniques.
On a side note, I also recommend that people get Carre Neige with their lift passes. For only a few Euros a day, it is worth every penny if you need assistance on the mountain. One of our party badly broke their leg in a fall but the initial recovery off the mountain and transfer down to Bourg hospital was so easy with it. The Ski Patrol in Val were great responding and getting them down.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Amazing weather Just a quick photo to show the valley as the sun begins to set
Can you see the Solais lift going up the hill?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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endoman - yup
muppet - again 'yup'
sno trax - thank you.... cheques in the post! On the Carte Neige point - yea totally worth it. Last thing you want in the event of emergency is mucking around with paperwork... if you dont have Carte Neige then you MUST carry your insurance paperwork around with you - a very large pain in the backside if you dont have it and you need to be rescued!
alr1970 - get excited - conditions are wonderful
bar shaker - nice.... yes I can see the lift going up.... not dis-similar to my view.
Where was everyone?
It was an interesting start to the day with the clocks changing and Sunday lies in from everyone else but I got myself suited and booted and headed into town as I needed to drop my boarding stuff off before heading to Tignes to meet the team! On the first Olympique lift up I managed to get my periscope done showing deserted slopes.
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1rmxPmbLNzDKN
Meeting the team we decided that a little bit of work on moguls coupled with a trip to Tignes Les Brevieries would be the course of action to follow. So we had a nice trip 'around the world' and had some good technique development but where was everyone - it was mighty quiet up there! As the temps soared it was a warm day and the slopes were starting to soften up but crucially I noticed a guided group tackling the first Spring slopes of the year - yay it has arrived!
It was a good morning.
Lunch was a dashed affair back in our offices changing into my snowboarding gear and eating my sandwich. This afternoon was then spent with an old client of mine (teenager) that wanted to learn to snowboard this trip... since she already skis (well) introducing her 1-1 to boarding was simple and we spent most of the session on the magic carpet up top on the softening slopes - perfect! She did really well and by the end of the session was completing nice heel side turns and making an attempt on toe side turns - good on you!
There was an update today from the powers that be that show that the total amount of snowfall this season is now 7.80m. This would make it something like the most snowy Winters since records started over 30 years ago APART From the 12/13 and 94/95 seasons here in Val HOWEVER since we have well over another month of the season to go that figure should easily be passed I reckon!
Not much else to report from today although based on todays experience I dont think the pistes are going to be that busy this coming week - surprisingly!
Anyway TTFN
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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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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| why when the following two screenshots were taken within about 3 seconds of each other are they showing very different things? |
Those forecasts look pretty similar to me. Both are showing the current conditions as clear and -8C. The big visual difference is that the second forecast has a sunrise time, and realises that the current time is before that, so it shows "Clear" with a dark background instead of "Sunny" with a light background. Some of the temperatures have changed by a degree or two, that's likely because one of them is using data that was stored on your phone (probably from yesterday), but then it got an updated forecast with more accurate temperatures.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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thelem
Thanks for that. Puzzled still though. Currently one of forecasts says -4 and the other -3 and still forecast is different slightly and have restarted the phone. Why, when it's a forecast why would it use old and out of data from yesterday or even an hour ago when it should be getting the data by being pushed to the phone?
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@Steve Angus, I was about to say the same, either the data on the app hadn't refreshed, or the "source" data from the weather channel changed.
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As for not being so busy Steve - of all the families we ski with at Easter - spread around the country - our kids finish the earliest on Wednesday this week. Most finish Friday, so I expect next week will be busier.
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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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Gloom and low cloud everywhere... except Fornet.
Weird microclimate.
I expect Tignes is getting quite a bit of snow as it’s almost gone by the time it gets to Soleil.
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| sno trax wrote: |
If anyone is thinking of lessons, I highly recommend Steve and his colleagues at TDC. Another member of our party also took part in one of their coaching clinics and really enjoyed it. I can certainly notice the improvement to our techniques. |
Would definitely echo this sentiment. Had lessons with one of Steve’s colleagues, Lauder, earlier in Feb and made significant improvements on my skiing.
Made all the better as well with it being low season, our improver clinic ended up with only myself and one other. almost a private lesson!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Steve - please tell me which lift that is in Sunday's photo.
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We sat at Eidelweis and weather watched over some amazing onion soup.
The wind was coming over Sassierre and back down into the valley, creating a hole that stretched from Datcha to Fornet. The rest of the EK was thick cloud, as Steve had above us.
Yesterday evening we went out with my estate agent friend to the Cave for some wine and charcuterie. Both Cyril and Antoine (the owner) are serious tourers and have amazing knowledge of the back country around the Vanoise Park. Antoine is especially worth talking to if you fancy some back country.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Jehu, it's Tommeuses. Can't think of another 8-seater in the EK
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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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Jehu - yes as moosepig says - looking back just after leaving the base station of the Tommeuse lift.... it is the only 8 seater in the EK
bar shaker - yes it was 'interesting' weather yesterday and more so today.... more on that in a moment! Cyril (ChaletTime) lives just below me... lovely guy. And Antoine is such a lovely guy too isnt he! They are quite into their off piste for sure! The Cave has come on leaps and bounds the last few years and Antoine knows his wine doesn't he! If you dont know where the Cave is then think - next to the XV and Baraque bars / restaurant in near the main bust station in town!
Just as we thought it would
At breakfast time this morning it would looking 'OK' out there - not too bad in the weather department but again fairly warm temps (i.e. above zero). However when I did my broadcast....
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1jMKgqAdMRPJL
.... it was looking OK with some sunshine and clouds around but the forecast said that it would deteriorate - especially around about early afternoon... and that it would do.
My team were off buying their first set of skis therefore the meet time was pushed back to 10am.... in the end they were another 30 mins late so it was not until 10.30 that we got going. We headed up Bellevarde and little L was on form and had all the attention as his older brother was off skiing with some friends all day... so mum, dad and myself all headed off and we covered a lot of ground before (as the weather moved in) did one quick lap down to the La Daille before taking the gondola up and eating at the folie.... the food is reasonable in there if not a little expensive if you ask me but after several hours of skiing everyone was welcome of a long lunch break!
As soon as lunch was over we headed down to La Daille and by now the weather had really moved in and HUGE snowflakes were (and continue) falling.
Clare, her mum and Olivia (with Ben of course) were off at a school 'sing song' show thing... Olivia did very well - I won't upload the photo here but I was proud watching Olivia singing with her class mates!
So not too much else to report from today really.... apart from to say that the snow is scheduled to continue all night long and it now looks like we will not only have quite a descent amount of snow over the next few days - there really isnt much 'settled' weather in the forecast for the next week or so..... that will mean that we are HIGHLY likely to end this season with record amounts of snow.... for the first time IN TOWN we might record over 8m of snow to have fallen.... plenty of people may point to the fact that other resorts get that sort of amount of snow regularly BUT often other resorts take their measurements at the top of the mountain.... so 8m+ in town would be the greatest since consistent and regular records began over 30 years ago - WOW!
So I am posting early this evening as Clare and I are heading out for dinner - the first time the two of us have been out for a LONG TIME in the evening together! Granny is baby-sitting! We are going to a dinner party.... yippee. So in anticipation of a couple of glasses of vino I am posting early!
TTFN
The best weather we had all day.... it has to deteriorate seriously after that!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Steve, I can’t believe we missed you as we are in the Folie too. We stayed and danced in the snow and boy did it come down. It’s possibly even heavier now. Tomorrow could be very good.
They kept clearing the bar st the Folie but gave up in the end.
A good fun 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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Had a few bottles of this at the Cave. Nectar, if you are passing that way.
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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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@bar shaker, @Steve Angus, Cave has become a favourite of ours. With being in the wine trade Chris really enjoys it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I just booked a very late week in the Espace Killy, leaving on the 22nd April - looks like there is still going to be plenty of snow about then!
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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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@Johnnyseven, plenty of snow!!
Today was epic. Powder between boot and knee deep. We caught a couple of hours of first tracks under Cugnai before the clouds rolled in. Choccy at Datcha was followed by lunch at Madeline, with the weather app promising sun at 2pm. It arrived at 2.10.
Mariais and Arcelle sides were barely touched and still in perfect condition.
I’m sunburnt and knackered. Off for dinner at La Moura to celebrate.
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Johnnyseven - yes it will be fine then... even in a 'bad' year there would be plenty to keep you entertained for a week at that time of the year!
Oh yes the weather again!
Just when you think that either cloud or snow or sun would prevail you end up with one of those days where you are kept on your toes! We woke up to reasonable weather but it came and went all day long! Right now this evening it is actually raining in town - arghhhh!
Anyway we had a really nice evening last night with friends having a lovely meal and a couple of drinks! Not being vegetarian myself I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Anyway back to today...
It was a 0930 meet this morning and with about 10cm of fresh snow in town and about 20cm up top there was quite a lot of people eager to get up there especially as there were glimpses of sun around! We are very close now to getting to the 8m of snow in town and breaking all previous records - wow!
Anyway it looked nicer in the direction of Solaise and with the weather coming in from the east it was a case of running away from the weather... the problem with better weather and fresh snow is it gets bumped and cut up so quickly that means that it is not as nice for people to ski on.... OK its soft but that is about as far as it gets! Anyway we mainly pottered about on the Madelaine / Datcha and Glacier Express lifts... they were still doing lots of avalanche clearance work well into the middle of the morning which limited us somewhat but still we had fun! It was fun showing the family (from the safety of the Glacier Express lift) the PIDA work going on on the ridge above the Cugnai lift... one pisteur has the charge, the other the detonator and the third is the observer further down.... The up and over lift I think was also having technical problems so that wasnt running either which meant the slopes were quite busy up there!
There was some entertainment to see too.... the avalanche dogs training underneath the Datcha lift - it is going on for a few days so if you are up that way it is cool to see what goes on.
My periscope from this morning:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1zqKVrNXdbAKB
If you look closely behind the Datcha restaurant here you can see the dogs and pisteurs doing 'their thang!'
We ended up having another late lunch at the Tete du Solaise (good food in there me thinks!) and then when we came out (after a few hours of deteriorating weather) the weather was on the improvement.... we decided to take a trip over the up and over (which was open now) towards the Fornet glacier for a change of scenery and it was deserted up there. We literally were the last up the glacier and were pretty much followed all the way back to the Signal where we took the cable car back down... we ended up sharing the cable car with the bins etc from the Signal!
So it was a late return home and after the usual of kids bathtime etc I now need to head up to our parking space to fix our broken rear windscreen - arghhhh!
Tomorrow should see similar weather as today... as we edge ever closer to the 8m mark!
TTFN
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bar shaker - yes it looked pretty nice off piste today if a little heavy and wind compressed but I was well and truly on the pistes today... "Mariais" what do you mean by that!!!!
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@Steve Angus, sorry for my typos. I meant the area between Marais and Col de la Madeleine. I lapped it with the Datcha lift until it was tracked out. Great fun.
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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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@Steve Angus, Your photo from the bus stop?? Is that the army bootpacking up in the distance or a line of hopeful BASI candidates 
Or is it rather large group of beginners on the La Daille nursery slope?
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FAQ
