The view from............ Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy

A snowHead

Oh my God, what an amazing week in Val d'Isere. Hot weather, lovely snow, great company and fantastic skiing. My new skis are brilliant, I've done my best skiing in years. Skied Le Face three times! (Well, two and a half, technically). The runs do get slushy in the afternoons but the snow is holding up very well, and the runs into La Daille stayed pretty nice all day. The Sache was gorgeous in the morning, but rocky and slushy into Le Brev later on. Shame I didn't get to meet up with you Steve but I will be back next year for sure.

The Grand Motte this week. Stunning!

Went to La Folie Douce every day except one. Kely Starlight was in fine form, and the place was jumping, as ever. It is so massively pretentious but I still LOVE it. You just can't beat standing in the sunshine on a terrace with a beer, bopping to thumping dance music. They've brought in even more stuff this year; dancers, fire eaters and more singers and musicians.

A snowHead

Piccadilly, it's great isn't it. Can't wait to go back Very Happy

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Piccadilly, crowds look to have been rather a problem judging by your picture

Best snow up on Solaise - hope you got up there a bit too, but Orange etc down in La Daille are really great runs.

I too am struggling to come to terms with an 8 month wait before another visit

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Mileage, mileage and more mileage today.

I took our chalet guests out for their Sunday slide... as they self drove and sorted out their own parking space we negotiated a complete free day. It was the two fathers, 2 teenage daughters and 11 year old Reece. Only one of the fathers had been to Val before (and that was years ago) so it was case of showing them around. The slopes were pretty quiet and the weather (as always) glorious.

We headed Tignes way and went past the Aiguille Percee...

...then we were down to Les Brevieries and stopped for a really nice lunch at Le Armailly which is my favourite place in resort to stop for lunch as it is not only pretty down there, but the food is good and it feels like you have travelled a long way when you finally get there (you have) - so a nice lunch is well deserved.

We sat outside and enjoyed our various dishes (thanks guys for the yummy pizza).

The snow was starting to get soft as we headed back to Le Lac, then onto Val Claret... so we went high to the Grand Motte and the view from the top was very similar to that which Piccadilly snapped above.

Anyway by 4pm and after many many miles of skiing we were all tired and ready to head home... Reece especially as he had not eaten or drunk nearly enough all day.

So tomorrow being a school holidays week is the start of a week with kids and nothing but kids... and I love it that way as it has been a while since I taught little ones. Twin 5 1/2 year old little boys and then some regular kids I often teach for the afternoons.... so it should be a fun week.

Clare is catering in our chalet this week therefore I was spoilt with some lovely roast pork and all the trimmings (as an extra portion she made)... when she got home this evening... YUMMMY but I must be careful I don't gorge too much this week.

Finally a couple of months ago I was out (you probably don't remember it but it was on the 8th February) with someone called Guy Allen. Anyway he has finally edited his headcam footage together from the day we spent together off piste and you can see it below. For those that are interested we did The Familial, The Vallee Perdue and Le Spatule (well at least that was what he got on video before the battery died!). No sound but it is fun viewing.

http://youtube.com/v/6UbnDTmbw-w

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

shoogly, it's AWESOME!

red 27, yes, terrible hehe

Steve, that off-piste looked fun!! However, you wouldn't get me crawling through that hole.

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Was the Vallee Perdu ever called the Piste Perdu. I seem to recall going down a run when i was about 12 (30 or so years ago) over towards La Daile - I recall a big open funnel shaped depression in the ground leading to a dry river bed/melt water run off that got quite deep, through a hole then some mad mogulled tree strewn run out - is it that one?

I did want to find it when i went back last time (a couple of years back), that and 'The Wall' off the Grande Motte, which i was told has gone Sad

After all it is free

rogg, the "wall" was still there last time i looked

carbon_copy, I was told it was a tongue off the glacier that disappeared in the nineties sometime. I was told you could still go there, but it's not what it was. Then again the fella might have been talking cr@p

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rogg, Can't say how it compares to the nineties , but skied it a few times last year ! It was fab in the late spring snow snowHead

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carbon_copy, the group I'm going with on 14th were all ski reps in the 80s and 90s so I'm sure I'll have a very good idea of what it was like then by the end of the week! Maybe I'll post a few of the choicer memories for your amusement when I'm back Smile

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rogg yea the Vallee Perdu is / was the Piste Perdu. Not a 'piste' as you'd no it now though and very much 'off piste.' To find it just drop off the slope by the bottom of the Tommeuse chairlift and follow gravity and you'll end up in there.

That hole Piccadilly was on the Vallee Perdu and in all fairness it is not usually like that when we have lesser amounts of snow (often you have to rope your way down through the rocks instead!).

The wall IS still there but has certainly receded over the years.

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Not as busy as i'd feared.

Even though it is the start of the school holidays today things were certainly not as busy as I thought they may have been.

First thing in the morning groups of ski school kids were seen grouping up all over the place... but even then it did not seen that busy.

I took the twin 5 (nearly 6) years olds out and it turned out that this will be their 3rd week of skiing... the first couple of weeks when they were younger they were with another ski school here in Val and the instructors there did all the ground work getting them (almost) to the snowploughing point. Anyway they did well after a shakey start, a few falls off the poma lift and after getting to grips with longer skis (being a year older) AND the firm snow first thing in the morning.

Anyway by break time at 11am the kids were non-the-less very thirsty...

... a lot of Sprite was consumed.

They did very well and im looking to get them up onto the tops of the mountain by the end of the week.

The afternoon it was back to Molly and Flossy who I taught at New Year... we had a fun afternoon and they LOVED twirly birds (where you join poles together and spin around in circles) - more of those tomorrow I suspect.

Weatherwise it started to cloud over this evening and the forecast snow looks like it is definitely happening now... so hopefully when we wake up tomorrow there will be a little on the ground.... and more to come...

Scampi Dellahanti, I'll look forward to that, and revisiting the wall at the end of April snowHead

You know it makes sense.

Steve: would love to see a video of the twirly birds; I'm not sure I quite understand what you're describing, but it sounds like fun.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

Steve Angus, just to say your update are great and really show you're love of this sport, do you use the twirly birds for a technique or purely fun???

A snowHead

Oh and do you do double pole our single?? Wondering about getting my 9 &12 year old t
rying them out.....

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Steve Angus, sorry I didnt get the chance to meet up for a drink when i was over for the last two weeks but I didnt realise how little spare time I would have on my level 2. Smile

For anyone going out there is still plenty of snow just make sure you hit the right slope at the right time, I would also add depending on how strong a skier you are or how tired you are you need to decide whether its worth the risk of skiing the heavy stuff into val or la daile, no harm in taking the lift Smile

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Likewise Steve, time just seems to run away with you when you're in Val D'Izzle! Maybe when I'm there for Big Ade's 80s/90s reunion week from 14th? In fact, we need a ringer for the ski race if you're not booked for the afternoon on Weds 18th - it is the Old Guard (ski reps from the 80s /90s) vs the Young Pretenders on the stage de slalom on Belvarde.... go on, you know you want to!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Hi All,

How are the conditions out there? worth booking a last minute trip for this weekend?

Thanks
Mr Ted

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mr ted, I left on Saturday and would say go for it Smile

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After all it is free

Steve Angus, no, not a SCGB rep - just an old tour co rep from the 80s - there seems to be quite a crowd of them coming out and quite a bit going on - although more on the apres and nightlife scene, it has to be said!

Steve Angus, passed im pleased to say Smile

need lots of practice teaching before I decide whether its worth doing my ISIA.

I improved no end over the two weeks especially as I couldn't carve correctly when i arrived. All signs of rotation have now gone lol - it was more to do with widening my stance which was the deal breaker.

Still enjoyed skiing the old way in the bumps tho - shhhhhhhhhhh dont tell anyone tho , it looked like I had a mono ski Embarassed

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I wish the weather would make its mind up one way or another...

Still no fresh this morning...

As I waited for my kids this morning I was looking at this chalet...

... and thought that it must be worth an absolute fortune... AMAZING location, lovely looking, ski in, ski out etc. About 10 million I would guess at for that plot of land and chalet!

Had a lovely morning with the kids and they were on fine form... they MADE it onto the chairlift and took it all in their stride... their new favourite game is Simon says. In fact by the end of the lesson we made it up the mountain to meet mum and dad for lunch... the weather was pretty awful by lunchtime and it was snowing a little at the top of the Solaise.

The afternoon was fun once again with Molly and Flossy and we tried to go into the park to do some jumps but they had closed it as the vis was awful and the snow too soft... ohhhh well. We looped around on the Acti-cross course (amongst other things) and had a fairly relaxing time.

Molly had become dehydrated the other day and had a bad headache and felt ill all evening... so since then she has been told (and obliged) that she needs to drink a lot more water... she has taken it to heart with the downside being we seem to be stopping for the loo every hour....

... the Marmottes restaurant on a gloomy April afternoon (just like a mid-winters day in the UK perhaps) as I waited for toilet stop number x of the day to be completed.

Had a quiet evening doing some admin. Full day with Molly and Flossy and their parents tomorrow - should be fun... Tignes Les Brevieries and back!

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Steve Angus, I don;t believe that is a chalet as such. Is that not one of the oldest buildings in the village and used for civic functions, wedding receptions etc with it being such an easy stroll from the church? If it is the one I think it is, I've seen some very swanky wedding receptions being held there in the past.

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plunge taken, room cancelled in morzine and new room booked in Tignes. Heres hoping for some fresh snow!

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Steve Angus, Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone stayed in that Chalet. See Absolutely Fabulous in this UTube from 5m09s onwards:
Absolutely Fabulous-The Last Shout Part 3

You know it makes sense.

Today we went up to Val d'Isere and after getting our ski passes sorted out headed straight up to the top of the Grand Pre Chair and over the back into the off piste Tour du Charvet route. Reasonable spring snow the whole way down and the river bed route was fun as long as you avoided the waterfall. Very Happy

Then up and over to the Fornet Glacier area, but decided the conditions were not great for the Col Pers off piste route (poor vis), so headed to the Signal and down the gully to the bottom of the cablecar and a nice lunch. Again good spring snow and plenty of cover although you had to take care not to ski into any of the holes that are starting to open. Smile

After lunch across to the new 'obstacle area' beside the 'Verte' piste which the kids had a race down, then into the Piste Perdu and through the mouse hole. Despite a few sections which had to be climbed down or walked across, we made it to the bottom and onto the last 100m of the OK piste to the cablecar. Very Happy

Back up again for a drink at La Folie Douce and all the way down the 'OK' piste back to the car. A fun day and well worth the effort of the drive up the valley to use the free ski pass you get with the Paradiski Area Pass. Tomorrow weather permitting we are off to the Three Valleys. Toofy Grin

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

snowcrazy, sounds fabulous! I'd really love an off-piste day in Val one day.

I miss Val D Crying or Very sad

A snowHead

Heavyish snow due next week.

A snowHead

Scampi Dellahanti and Adrian... well I never. I was not aware it was anything other than a 'normal' chalet and I certainly did not know that Ab Fab was filmed there / here.... how funny.... hee hee.

mr ted - you'll enjoy it Im sure.

snowcrazy - wow sounds like quite a day... glad you enjoyed.

Piccadilly... an off-piste day in Val... next time as they say.

Talking of 'heavyish snow' Whitegold we had FRESH today... up on the glacier.

I was with the kids and mum and dad all day and we went for a real adventure. First thing in the morning it looked grim up there... it looked like there was going to be a very thick bank of cloud everywhere over the resort and it could be tough going (the snow had not frozen overnight therefore it was likely to be slushy first thing). Unless we stayed low then it was likely to be zero vis route-finding.

Anyway we went high as they wanted to head towards Tignes... and it was fairy tough seeing anything but we battled on anyway. As the morning went on (partially helped by smatterings of fresh cover everywhere) things improved slightly.

We headed up the Grand Motte and BLIMEY there was loads of fresh snow up there - about a foot in places it was amazing.

... AND the sun was starting to come out.

We had a great ski down to Val Claret and then had the LARGEST mid-morning hot chocolate you have ever seen before heading to Tignes Les Brevieres for lunch at the Armailly... it was VERY VERY slushy down there but that was to be expected really.

Could almost have been mid-Winter up there this morning.

We had a late lunch and then headed back towards Val and it was very hard going indeed - it was so slushy. Ohhh well we made it back in one piece.

TFIF its Friday tomorrow as im feeling shattered battling through this soft snow at the moment.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

A great Friday.

Had a fun Friday morning with the twins first up... a big physical effort but they made it around the 'green triangle' in the three hours with a hot chocolate stop halfway around at the Marmottes restaurant. Bearing in mind it was the end of the their first week I thought they did mighty well - even if Daniel did need a second toilet stop half way round on the side of the piste (I did tell him to go to the toilet in the Marmottes restaurant several times before we left). Anyway the snow had frozen solid overnight so the Verte was a little too hard and tough going for little legs at the end of the week so we were the first at 9.45am to the Marmottes... but by the time we finished the green triangle off things had softened up perfectly.

A little 'treat' from the easter bunny (Cadburys mini eggs) brought the mornings proceedings to a close.... thanks to their mum and dad for my present too!

After lunch (I was starving therefore ate more than I should have) it was the final session with Molly and Flossy...

Solaise Express cruising with Molly.

We went up to the glacier and had a great ski up there on FANTASTIC snow... managed to sink up to my waist in soft snow when leaving the afternoon snack stop which caused the girls much amusement. We did the up and over twice as well as the t-bar (they both rode it themselves) to the top of the glacier AND also the new little piste (well I have never skied it before) that goes around the back of hill from the top of the Vallon gondola on the way up to the Val glacier (never even noticed it before!). To finish of we headed down the Rhone Alpes and the Combe Martin black runs from the top of the Solaise... they were both in tough condition but the girls skied them really really well - well done.... Le Face next year girls.

The final few Cadburys mini eggs as a final treat wrapped proceedings up nicely for the girls (and again thanks to Lucy and Tim for my little end of week pressie (I know you will be reading) - much appreciated).

By the time I got home (and then went back to the Christiana hotel again as I had accidentally walked home with Molly's sunglasses in my pocket) I was shattered.... therefore it was an early night.

I had to be up very early this morning to collect our new guests (last guests of the season) who came in on the 0642 eurostar... anyway todays report to follow later on.

Have a GREAT EASTER weekend everyone.

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One heck of a lazy day...

But hey its been a long week.

After the early start getting to Bourg and back with our new guests I have not done a lot apart from watch sport on TV..... oh and watch it snow / sleet / rain depending on the time of the day.

...having a few beers and waiting for friends to come around (one is driving over from Verbier where she has been skiing the last couple of days).

Our new guests despite taking the train down decided not to ski today (what a waste IMO). It was lucky that our outgoing guests left early so Clare was able to changeover quickly and let them in for about midday.

I treated myself to the most amazing bacon baguette as there were some rashers left over from last week - that was a nice Saturday brunch I can tell you.

It was pretty overcast all day and about half an hour ago we had really heavy snow but it looks like it has eased up somewhat. Im thinking that heading to the glacier nice and early tomorrow and you will be getting some GREAT powder... lower down will still be good but mighty heavy snow!

So firstly it was the cricket (well done England for holding your nerve), then the boat race (drama and more drama eh), then the football, now the IPL and then later on the golf - sports fest to the max today.

Back teaching again tomorrow after a cheeky day off - hoping I can get in some pow turns at some stage.

Once again HAPPY EASTER everyone.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Happy Easter to you too, Steve Angus.

I am SO going to miss this thread when the season ends. Sad

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Happy Easter etc.

Was very slushy today at top, mid and bottom.

Should be some flakes up top for early risers.

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the more I read this thread the more I think I should take lessons!

I've been down Rhone Alpes....its worse than Face IMHO. It had blue ice on it......mind you it was just after the world championships when it was the womens downhill. I ended up with a torn gastrocnemius (sp?) (calf muscle).

Got spun backwards in a reverse snowplough and it just snapped. Skied rest of way on one leg. wheelchaired through Geneva airport, 3 weeks on elbow crutches and mighty painful visits to sports injury physio (I'm convinced they get pleasure seeing our pain rolling eyes

). Mind you I no longer get the sharp knee pain I used to get before the injury!

I went back the following year. Skied it and will never do it again.......thats unless I get lessons from Steve.......see you next year Steve Very Happy

After all it is free

Rhone alps along with the face are great runs. Infact I prefer Rhone alps as a way back into val than the lower part of plan m. Less idiots out of control Happy

The worst black I have found on the val side is epale du poo-poo as I like to call it. (the unpisted black opposite santons) every time I have skied it it has been in a right mess. Huge slushy mogules, grass patches every where and even the odd tree stumps here and there. Proper leg killer at the end of the day

I really don't think Le Face is that bad. If it's not too bumpy it's more like a red run. I'm not sure I've skied Rhone Alps, but next time I will. Épaule du Charvet looks a bit daunting, not sure I'd fancy that.

Pedantica, I agree, I will miss this thread too! My favourite thread on Snowheads.

Happy Easter Steve!

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Rhone Alps, which run is that?

Help!!

The view from............ Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy

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