Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)

Powder again!! What a winter this is turning out to be!! Jan 20

Today I woke up to rain falling in the valley and snow from about 1000m. All the links to Arc 2000 bowl were closed and although they said the links to La Plagne were open we decided not to take the risk as the forecast was for the weather to worsen as the day progressed.

Having made it up to the Cachette chair (the Mont Blanc was shut due to high winds again) we headed over to Peisey-Vallandry in very poor vis via Arc 1800 and a nice little off piste route down towards the Vagere Chair.

Once on the far side of Peisey we played around in the forest for all the morning until we headed to the Mont Blanc Bar for some lunch.

After lunch we played around in Vallandry and Arc 1800 forest areas in powder that made every run fresh tracks until the legs started to get tired. Finally we headed back toward Arc 1600 for a quick drink at the Altiport and a few runs down through the Mont Blanc forest and then home.

Although the vis was bad all day, the powder was great and the snow just kept on falling. By the end of the day the pistes had become off piste and when this storm has passed the conditions should be excellent again everywhere.

Right now it is snowing down to the valley floor and you will need chains/winter tyres to drive up to resort tomorrow if these conditions continue. But the skiing in the coming days is going to be excellent again.

Check out the pictures for today in the photo section of the Les Arcs Winter page. Here are just a few to keep you all happy


(It's another POWDER day. Playing in the trees above Peisey! Jan 20)


(The light is really going, but the powder is getting deeper! Jan 20)


(Coming down to Arc 1800! Jan 20)

Vadmolotov, what has that video got to do with Les Arcs or the Paradiski. NOTHING!!! But I do like the music. However!!!!!! no more spam please!

Here are a few pics from the last couple of days. More from today when I have got them from the camera. Enjoy!

Time for a few jumps!!! and some very deep powder!!!


Jump Number One! Landed it very well. Warming up!!! Jan 21


Jump Number Two. Taking a bit more air. He landed this one as well!!!


Jump Number Threee! Great air! At least 3m high! Jan 21


Ouch! Now that must hurt. Did not quite get the landing right on this one. But he did walk away, just a little sore! Jan 21


Canadian powder in Les Arcs!!!!! Jan 21


Taking some air! Jan 22


Now for the big one!!!

As you can see from the photos, the conditions have been amazing during the last few days. Even though the snow is now a few days old, we were still able to find plenty of pockets of untracked powder today. However the wind and sun has done there worst. But the pistes are in excellent condition in most places although on the main runs into statons it is quite hard packed today and a little icy in places. Overall the conditions today were still very good on piste and off piste if you worked out the sun/wind angles then you could still have lots of fun.

I will post todays pics later.

Another fun day in the powder comes to an end!!

Although the vis today was good and bad (mostly bad ) we still managed to find some good powder and take a few photos.

The gap in the trees under the new Mont Blanc lift is always a sure bet in bad weather and the snow was not disappointing. Then over to the Bois de l'ours and a break in the clouds for a fun ride down the shoulder, making some turns and measuring the size of the cornice!! At least twice the height of my friend. Not a place to stand to long!! Made him very nervous, haha!!

Then up to the top of the Aiguille Rouge in a 'white out' and all the way down to Villaroger, but not by the normal route.

Had the chance to take some more pics throughout the day. The powder in the trees and even on the more exposed places was still in good condition. The pistes everywhere we skied were good and with the fresh snow from the last few days, are likely to stay good for the remainder of the week.

Tomorrow they say it will be sunny so should be yet another great powder day! What a season we are having so far. The 'weather gods' are making up for last year very quickly! If you have the chance, get out here as soon as you can.

A few photos from today!!


Just as a warm up, a little jump! Jan 25


Ever wondered how they keep the web cams clean. Just so that he can clean the web cam! Jan 25


Now that is a big Cornice!! Jan 25


Into the secret forest! Jan 25

Hope you like them. More on my Les Arcs Winter page.

Today was a Blue Sky Powder Day!!!!!

After getting to the top of the Arpette Chair in Les Arcs we found our first untracked powder field almost at once. What a way to warm up.

Then we headed over to La Plagne and spent the day finding various routes down couloirs and open faces with more fresh snow. Finally finishing with a run down the shoulder of the Canadian Couloir and the Petit North Face of the Bellecote in yet more fresh snow.

Then back to Les Arcs and a few more little stashes of powder before finishing with a final run down beside the waterfall into Arc 1950.

Quite a day. I will try to post a few pics now and more tomorrow on my Les Arcs Winter page, link below.

For those coming out this weekend, more snow is forecast and the conditions on and off piste are great so you should have loads of fun!!

Today the weather proved it is the boss yet again. But despite the overcast sky and poor vis most of the day we were still able to find some good powder and some very challenging skiing.

After a quick warm up on the way over to the Arc 2000 bowl, we headed into the back country and found some good powder. After some interesting lines including some very wind and sun affected snow which was quite challenging we made it to the restaurant for lunch.

After lunch we headed to the Col de la Chal and still managed to get some good powder in the less effected areas on the way down to Nancroix. After a quick stop at the Riders Chalet we made our way to the Altiport for a final drink before heading home.

The snow conditions today were very mixed. The off piste was sometimes soft light powder, other times hard cooked snow turning to breakable crust. Plus everything in between. A challenging day, but good fun.

The pistes are still in very good condition right across the Les Arcs domain and should remain so during the coming days with the little top up predicted tonight and tomorrow. For those coming out this weekend you should have a fun week.

I shall try and post a few pics from today later in the Jan 2012 Album Two on the Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter?sk=photos

For those that have just arrived or who are arriving today. Here is a summary from this morning taken from my Les Arcs Winter page. If you want to read the full version with lift details etc. visit the link below. You do not need to sign into facebook to read this page.

WHAT IT LOOK'S LIKE OUTSIDE: (From ME!)
Looking outside this morning, the cloud and mist are still hanging around the valley and I cannot see the mountain tops. The road outside has a light covering of a few cm's of snow, maybe 5 cm at most. It looks like it may snow again. It is very cold. Higher up the mounatin you can see the peaks between the different layers of cloud, but it is flat light. The main roads in the valley are ok, but the side roads are not so good. The roads up to resort stations are open, but you should take care.

TIPS OF THE DAY: (Pisteurs)
Welcome to ski paradise!
With a cloudy sky and the return of wind from the South East, winter (very cold)has arrived again!! We recommend skiing in forest edges for better visibility and protection from cold and wind. Cover up well, and consider making regular breaks to hydrate yourself with hot drinks. Moderate your speed and the sensation of the cold conditions will be reduced.

100% of the ski area (200 km of marked pistes) is open with "good" conditions everywhere: soft, velvety snow on groomed pistes and the few inches of fresh snow yesterday to freshen up other areas. Ski the blue runs in all these areas and at high altitude to start your stay by warming up carefully.

SKIING IN THE FOREST
If you are bothered by the lack of visibility and prefer tree skiing. Arc 1600: very beautiful red Arolles or blue Mont Blanc pistes. The area of Peisey-Vallandry offers a wide selection of pistes in the forest. Arc 2000 Villaroger section also has a number of pistes passing through the forests. For holders of the package PARADISKI opportunity to ski in the forest of Montchavin / les Coches.

SECURITEE TIP: Be aware of fluorescent banners planted on the slopes, they will
cite passages, gradients, intersections and are there to make you slow down. Please be prudent at all times. Control your speed and remain able to stop a safe distance from others. Always the respect nature!!

Have a nice day

Went up a little late today, just as the sun was starting to break through. And I was on the snowboard!!!

First time boarding this season and I quickly realised how much I have missed it. Started off easy on my own on the Mont Blanc blue and a little off piste down the side, then over to the Cachette and the same again. Finally up the Clocheret Chair and down the blue and across the off piste to ...join some friends in the Snow Park. The park is still being added too. The mega jumps are just being finished. The wall, rails, red and green jumps and one black are all finished and there is an easy boardercross course as well. Plus the air bag of course (when it is open)!

The pistes were in great condition after the freshen up from last nights snowfall and the off piste was light powder sometimes untracked yet again.

After a few jumps in the park (my friends, not me. My knees cannot take that anymore. Doctors orders!!) we headed off piste for the rest of the day. Did some fun routes from above the Clocheret Chair off the Comborciere ridge, over in the national park off Lanchettes, down through the secret forest and finally back to the Funi via the Malgovert forest.

The off piste was in great condition again today and we were able to find plenty of places to make fresh tracks. More snow is forecast for tomorrow. This winter is just getting better and better!!! Hurry up and get out here.

If anyone needs a place to stay I know a few people that are willing to rent there places out. Sizes from 2 person studio to sleeping 12 and one that can take 24 I think. Send me a PM if you need to know more. But be quick as they are filling up fast. Hope that helps!