Les Arcs Season 2014 - 2015, New Thread for this season starts on page 29.

Hi all, anyone in Les Coches, Plagne, Arc for the week 19-26 Jan? i'm just about to book up hopefully today and travelling alone so would love to meet someone/group for a few hours skiing during the week. i'm sure the chalet will be full of lovely people but it'd be great to meet a fellow J2skier :-)

Here is a copy of the weekly update from my facebook page. I will be posting the photos from last week in the Jan 2014 Album for those looking for their pics over the next few days. Enjoy!

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 05 - 12 January 2014.

Sorry to those waiting for your photos. I will try and catch up over the next few days, but have been really busy and just did not have time to get online till today.

Here is the weekly update. The first for 2014. I will try and post this every Sunday. Hope this helps with your planning.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)
This week should see mainly sunny periods for the first few days, temperatures remaining just above freezing and light winds slowly increasing from the SW to SSE. There is expected to be a light snowfall mainly on Thursday night with sunny spells returning over next weekend. The freezing level is likely to be around 2000m until the end of the week. Temperatures expected, Min - 4 to Max + 2 during the week. The wind chill is likely to make it feel colder during the middle of the week,

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 56 cm 88 cm 117 cm 140 cm
Temperature -2.4 , -1.1 , -1.1, -2.5 ,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 3 Risk Considerable.
Last Snowfall : 15 cm – Sunday 05 Jan. 2014

The pistes are in a reasonable condition. The fresh snow has helped to cover the thinner patches and a good base has formed on the higher runs. If it does not get to warm the fresh snow should consolidate and bond well. More snow is forecast for later in the week. The off piste is still very mixed with fresh soft snow mixed in with heavier wet snow lower down and hard refrozen crud in many places. There is still wind slab around and great care should be taken on any steeper areas. Be very aware of pockets of unstable snow off piste which are difficult to anticipate.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : MONT BLANC
SECTEUR 1800 : GRANDS MELEZES
SECTEUR 2000 : VALLEE DE L'ARC
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : RENARD

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : All Open except TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : All Open except TK SNOWPARK / VEZAILLE / MILLERETTE / TOMMELET /
SECTEUR 1800 : All Open.
SECTEUR 2000 : All Open except FLAMME OLYMPIQUE
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : All Open.

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Ipen
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

STILL SNOWING IN LES ARCS tonight!

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 13 - 20 January 2014.

Here is the update for this week. Not a great change yet in the weather or snow depths since last time, but there is a little more snow on the way tonight and more is predicted for later in the week.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)
This week will see a mix of cloudy and sunny weather. The snowline over the next few days should fall to around 1200m for a short time. The temperatures are likely to remain below freezing and light winds slowly increasing. There might be further moderate snowfall later in the week. As the wind increases the wind chill is likely to make it feel colder.

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 53 cm 70 cm 115 cm 132 cm
Temperature -1.4 , -1.5 , -2.1, -3.8,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 2 Risk Limited.
Last Snowfall : 15 cm – Samedi. 05 Jan. 2014

It has been reported that despite the lack of fresh snow the pistes are still in a reasonable condition. The fresh snow over the next few days should help to cover the thinner patches. If it does not get to warm or windy the fresh snow should consolidate and bond quickly. More snow is forecast for later in the week. The off piste is still very mixed with fresh soft snow mixed in with heavier wet snow lower down and hard refrozen crud in many places. There is still wind slab around and great care should be taken on any steeper areas although in some places the snow is now starting to transform into a firm chalky layer on top. You should still be very aware of pockets of unstable snow off piste which are difficult to anticipate.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : CLAPET/CLOCHERET
SECTEUR 1800 : VAGERE
SECTEUR 2000 : GRAND-COL
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY: BLANCHOT

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : All Open except TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : All Open except MILLERETTE
SECTEUR 1800 : All Open.
SECTEUR 2000 : All Open except FLAMME OLYMPIQUE
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : All Open.

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Open
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

Snow Conditions update from the piste 15 March 2014:

Blue Sky and plenty of snow!! Have just spent the last few days catching up on some of my favorite routes 'on and off' piste. Skied all over Les Arcs area including down to Villaroger and Piesey Vallandry.

All the pistes are still well covered in most places and you can get down to all stations without any problem. Typical spring conditions with hard packed snow on pistes in the morning lower down, becoming soft in the afternoons with higher pistes fun to ski most of the day.

The off piste is very cruddy and hard to ski where the sun has caused it to melt and re - freeze, but in the shady areas there is great chalky snow and even some very nice spring conditions if you catch it at the right time. The back of Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger was excellent for this time of year and the Canadian Couloir on the Bellecote North Face was really nice right to the restaurant at the bottom.

The Snowpark above Arc 1800/1600 is really fun this season and the Waterslide by the Altiport restaurant is still the best free entertainment on the mountain.

Great to be out having a play again and look forward to seeing people in the next few weeks.

For those coming out, you are in for a good time with loads going on. Today we are off to the La Plagne side so another update to follow later with photos if i get home early enough.

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

Not enough minutes in a day to get everything done and still spend 12 hours up the mountain. But this sure beats being at work!!!

Since getting back I have been out everyday and the snow has been great. First, firm chalky snow in the couloirs and for the last few days untracked powder up to your knees and sometimes even deeper.

The second storm seems to have missed us and blue sky with a few clouds is now forecast for the next few days.

I have been riding all over the Paradiski ski area 'on and off' piste and the conditions are still great. Typical for this time of year with soft snow on a firm base off piste in the morning turning to slush later in the day where the sun has been shining before becoming re -frozen crude then melting again the next day. For the last few days there has been great powder as well.

The pistes are in great condition in most places with a firm base and plenty of depth. The 'piste natures' have been freshened up well with the recent snowfall. Best of all it is not to busy so you do not need to queue at most lifts.

Everyone coming out in the next few weeks should have a great time. I hope to meet up with some of you for a drink at George's Wine bar in Arc 1950 or over at the Altiport watching the free entertainment at the waterslide!!

For those passing through Bourg or arriving by train. Remember you can stop over at Polairestar Ski and Snowboard rental shop at the bottom of the funicular for goggles, sun glasses etc plus renting your skis or snowboards from their wide selection in store. Visit their webpage for more details.

http://www.polairestar.com/

Just started to upload the photos from the days in March over on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page. More to come tomorrow. I will try and catch up over the next few days.

Also the April photos have now begun from today! Enjoy!!

Check out the March 2014 and April 2014 Albums. https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_albums

There is still plenty of good snow about if you know where to look!! I will try and start to post more regular updates again now.

Have fun all those coming out for the holidays!!

Bad weather today in Les Arcs so took the day off. Check out all the new photos I have posted in the March and April 2014 Albums.

https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_albums

Tomorrow they are saying the sun will return. Hope so!

Conditions are still ok with plenty of snow higher up. You can still get down to all stations although Villaroger is a little muddy.

Yesterday we went to Montalbert? for lunch across the other side of La Plagne and back. Not a problem.

Tomorrow is the Slope style competition in Arc 1800 weather permitting. Should be a good show! Top riders from all over the world are expected.

For all those just arriving, you are in for a good holiday with pistes holding up well and even the off piste not bad if you like the chalky snow. Remember it is spring time so follow the sun and enjoy the best of the days skiing. (Hope it shines again tomorrow!!)

See some of you on the pistes or by the Waterslide near the snow park on sunny days and at George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 for a bit of apree ski!

For those passing through Bourg or arriving by train. Remember you can stop over at Polairestar Ski and Snowboard rental shop at the bottom of the funicular for goggles, sun glasses etc plus renting your skis or snowboards from their wide selection in store. Visit their webpage for more details.

http://www.polairestar.com/

Just posted the last few photos from our day in Tignes and Val d'Isere. A long day with very mixed snow, but worth the effort of the drive up. Snow conditions in Espace Killy much the same as in Les Arcs.

https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_albums

Today was another Bellecote day. Managed to get the last ride up the Traverse chair when it closed. Went down the Canadian Couloir one last time with a 500m walk out across the meadows at the bottom. One poor chap, looked like an ESF Instructor from another group appeared to have fallen into the river and was air lifted to hospital. Not very nice. Finished at the waterslide again and still dry. They were having a competition for the best trick. Lot's of fun!

The snow conditions on piste across Les Arcs and La Plagne where we skied today were ok and you could still get to all the lifts we needed without difficulty although some of the alternative routes lower down are now closed. The off piste was frozen higher on the mountain today and only thawed slowly making some places quite tricky in the couloir.

Overall conditions are holding up well for this time in the season and with the possibility of a little more snow IF it get's colder later this weekend we could have a few more good days before the lifts close at the end of next week.

Tomorrow we are off to Val Thorens.