 Poster: A snowHead
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Do we still have to put the word 'France' in the topic titles this year?
Anyway. There was a lovely coating of snow overnight, and I'm off work, so I couldn't help but drive up a hill to have a nose about. Popped up to the mid-mountain carpark at the Cret Du Loup at La Clusaz, and noticed some interesting developments.
They seem to have completely decomissioned the old Cret Du Loup chairlift, and replaced the tired doddering old Mini Loup with a proper 4-seater (it used to be a 2-seater, and as slow as they come). I imagine what they've done is transfer the old Cret Du Loup machinery to where Mini Loup used to be.
Cret Du Loup itself is now somewhere else. It's being rebuilt where the Loup 1/Loup 2 draglifts used to be/still are. I assume at least one of them is still there to serve the terrain park.
If my observations are right, this could be a massive improvement. The beginners area under Mini Loup was superb, apart from the crap lift that served it. There's still no way down for nervous green run types apart from downloading on a chairlift (which is allowed), but still a big big improvement. The only thing they really need to do now is somehow cordon off or curb the speed of the non-beginners who race through getting from Loup/Dahu to the home Merle run. Which I've been guilty of myself once or twice.
Some piccies:
New 4-seater Mini Loup (assuming that's still what it's called) with decommissioned Cret Du Loup shed in the background.
Farewell, old Cret Du Loup...
...hello new Cret Du Loup, now apparently skiers right of the terrain park. Tons of snow at La Balme in the background!
Fig 4: Piehole Jr, standing in a puddle, in front of a digger.
Might not go up to the Aravis quite so much this year as we fancy a change in exchange for a slightly longer commute, but thought I'd get the thread started anyway!
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 31-12-12 17:18; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks - useful info.
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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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Anyone with any helpful info regarding experience of conditions in La Clusaz late December time? Reported snow depth history suggests the lower slopes could be touch and go 3 out of last 4 years. With resort at 1100m, I guess it is a potential gamble.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Last year was absolutely perfect, but maybe that was an exceptional year. We went basically every day from Christmas Eve until New Year, and it was full cover right down to the village square - including the La Noire black run which we never saw open ever again, presumably due to insufficient cover.
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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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Also, even if the runs back to the village are shut, there are downloading options - and also buses that run to the other limbs of the area. La Balme is the most reliable part snow-wise.
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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, we have been in the next village along (the other side of the Col des Aravis) for the last 3 years and it's always been possible to ski back to the village here (1200m) late December. La Clusaz has a lot more snow canons too that they are not shy about whacking on (though obviously their use is temperature dependent) as the ski area tries to open at weekends from early December.
Mr Piehole, that's weird about La Noire. I skied it the fist year I was here mid-season, when I'd thought there'd been less snowfall than last year. Although I suppose the frequency of the snowfall over the season, rather than large quantities in one go, might be the issue.
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Mr Piehole, thanks. Some of the other peaks are reasonably high, though I suppose during a peak week it could get fairly busy if the cover lower down is poor.
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miranda, thanks. Yes, the piste map I've been looking at suggests quite a lot of cannon coverage. Like the look of the resort and, if fully open, imagine there is a really good sense of travel and options to suit differing abilities.
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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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Chasseur,
The snow making down to the village is extensive. I have never know the final village run to be closed - although it can get quite icy on all that man made snow. Once you are past the mid station the choices are endless - the higher altitude La Balme off the the North, L'Etale and the tree runs of Beauregard to the South and l"Aiguille up above you. I have skiied Les Aravis for the last 10 Decembers over Xmas - and only one occasion was the snow poor.
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Sansnom, good intel and much appreciated 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Sansnom wrote: |
| I have skiied Les Aravis for the last 10 Decembers over Xmas - and only one occasion was the snow poor. |
not sure about that, its not that far from chamonix and it barely snowed at all in 2006, 2008 & 2009 during december over here.......
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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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More good lift news, if you're 4 years old. The ESF Piou Piou club seems to have installed a magic carpet, where previously there was just a black rubber mat that the kids had to walk up. This is down on the front de neige.
I'm 99% sure it will only be available for ESF kids though, not for the general public, which is a shame. Still, it's a nice improvement.
Currently an early-booking season pass deal on. 515 EUR for Clusaz+Manigod, 580 for Clusaz+Manigod+St-Jean+Grand-Bo.
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Will be there xmas week and then again at the end of January, fingers crossed for xmas snow
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You know it makes sense.
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Any news on how the snow situation is shaping...(good base forming ....or nothing at all?).....Am heading off to La Clusaz in mid-January !
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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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HTL, It has basically all perished in the recent mild weather, apart from on the really high bits. 3 weeks ago, we were sledging in the town square, now wherever you look it's back to sodden grass again.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
We are tempted to head to Grand Bornand for xmas (have a motorhome so would stay at the campsite there), we have 3 kids 12, 9 and 6, does the village have a Christmassy feel with stuff on for the kids? Am worried about the lack of snow at that time of year but we are mobile so could move if it wasnt great.
Thanks
Viks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My kids used to prefer to wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning, so one year we headed for Grand Bornand arriving on the 27th Another year we arrived there on Boxing day having left home mid afternoon Xmas Day. The two years could not have been more different.
The first year was wet, muddy and yukey around the site, and we had very few dry days, mostly drizzle. The skiing high up was OK when it wasn`t actually snowing (wet snow even fairly high) but not good conditions especially for children to ski in. We only had a couple of good ski days and drove round a lot looking for the best snow. One particular day I remember in beautiful sunshine was some where above La Clusaz. But it was a bad Xmas holidays for snow everywhere that year.
The later year we arrived on Boxing Day in a Blizzard and the site owners son came out in his 4x4 to escort us the last little way. The blizzard had stopped by the following morning an we were able to site the caravan and go on to have wonderful weeks skiing. Some fresh snowfall a couple nights but lovely sunny weather most days made it a great holiday.
Our kids liked the site particularly the second year when the new wif fi, free because they were in the process of testing it, meant they could keep in touch with their friends. The also liked the pool and on the 2nd visit the older two were able to use the free Navette to get to and fro the slopes as they chose.
I got the impression Xmas had been celebrated well both years. There were still menus up showing the Xmas Eve (Reveillion) special menus which looked good, and we thoroughly enjoyed the New Years Eve (St Sylvestere) food, fireworks and celebrations. I seem to remember there had been Santa and a sleigh, and vin chaud in the town on Xmas eve, posters about it were still up in the Tourist office.
The tourist office will probably be able to tell you by now what is planned this year.
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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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General opening day is 22nd, which is an age away. Keep praying to the snow gods, it usually works.
Yes, the town is a proper lived-in town, not some purpose built 'station', and is quite festive.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi Mr Piehole, would you have a link to Grand B Webcams, please,
Massive change, all green in La Clusaz yesterday
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| dublin2 wrote: |
Hi Mr Piehole, would you have a link to Grand B Webcams, please,
Massive change, all green in La Clusaz yesterday |
Um. Google 'grand bornand webcams'. Top result.
http://www.legrandbornand.com/webcams-meteo.html
On Saturday I went for a walk at La Balme. We walked up the piste which is now knee deep in snow 
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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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Does this look like the 'Les Saisies' thread? There are plenty of others to choose from.
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does this look like the 'Les Saisies' thread? There are plenty of others to choose from. |
You sound like someone who needs to get out more, Grow up
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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You sound like a broken trombone being played in a paddling pool full of dog dirt.
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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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You sound like a hundred gallons of porridge being sucked through a Morphy Richards vacuum cleaner.
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Am I winning the name calling game yet?
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You know it makes sense.
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You have far too much time on your hands
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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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You have loads of bits of old wormy turnips on your hands.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| You have loads of bits of old wormy turnips on your hands. |
Talk about the snow please. NOT turnips. Unless you're both turnipheads.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Administration, timely intervention 
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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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Lots more snow overnight from the look of it. The car tracks at the car park have all been filled in. Still a few twigs and turnip-tops and grass poking through the pistes, but more snow to come today.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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Excellent - heading out for the ski test weekend at LGB 7th December so this is very good news.
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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, so are you going to be in this neck of the woods soon?
loatie, yep, I'll be there too hopefully.
viks10, the weather's looking good for your Chrimbo trip now
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Keep it coming
I'm there at Xmas (campsite) then back again 19th Jan near the gondolas
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Christmas trip again for us too.
Good to see an early snowfall - now only 22 days of checking the webcams to go.... 
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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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Yes, looking gooooood!
Bloody hell its exciting thinking we may be in the snow at Xmas.
Viks
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Chasseur, so are you going to be in this neck of the woods soon? |
Nope. Arabba at Christmas and Saalbach in Feb plus likely EoSB. Not sure I can wangle any more.
Have to say though, having looked at all the info on La Clusaz, its high on the list.
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FAQ
