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

Hi, both are ski in/ski out. But Arc 1950 has more space I think inside the apartments and slightly more direct access to the piste, right by your door. I think Arc 1950 is a little more in cost, but not sure. Facilities at both are good, but the Arc 1950 village is right by your door where as you must walk down the hill and back up from the main Arc 1800 village or catch a bus when it runs! Hope that helps. If you come to Arc 1950, see you at George's Wine Bar for a beer and a chat. Cheers.

Well folks, the pics for January are now uploaded on my facebook group page. Take a look. It was not really as bad as we all think. We certainly had fun in all kinds of snow conditions!!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&v=photos

Right now the sun has been shinning all day, the wind is very light, there are no clouds in the sky and it is warm, more like an early April day. But, hey there is still snow to be skied or boarded, most pistes are open and even yesterday we still found soft snow in the National Park so there are plenty of places to ride off piste away from all the crowds as they start to arrive. Right now it is still not that busy although there are more people around this week than last week.

The piste are now quite hard and compacted with patches of ice in the well used areas coming into lifts and on the runs into the main stations, but where there are snow canons on the lower slopes the snow is holding up well. On the higher slopes, the snow is a firm chalky surface which is quite grippy and fun to ski, but you do need to be careful not to fall over and slide a long way where it is steeper. If you follow the sun in the morning and head high you should find good snow, then later in the day go lower once the other areas have softened up a little.

The snow park is in good condition. The boarder cross is fun. The kids toboggan areas are good for a laugh, the luge is open; although I still do not like where they built it; and the inflatable jump zone in the snowpark is attracting quite a few people. Not for me! Ouch!!

Overall, it could be better, but as my pics show, there are plenty of places to go with 85% of pistes open including all the way down to Villaroger on one end and right over too Champigny or Mont Albert on the other side of the Paradiski. So all those heading out, you should have plenty of skiing or boarding. Enjoy.

I shall start adding the Feb pics slowly as I have time. Take a look and see how the conditions are holding up if you like. My facebook group is public access so no need to join. Daily weather and snow conditions are posted every morning about 8.30am direct from the piste giving suggestions of the best places to go recommended by the pisteurs to help you plan your day.

For those looking for other things to do while you are out!!! From my facebook group;

The Paradiski area offers each of you something to do even if you do not wish to always Alpine Ski or Snowboard.

Pedestrians:
1. Enjoy the top of the Aiguille Rouge by foot on a beautiful sunny day and the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. 'Le panorama 360° à 3226m d'altitude.'

2. From the bottom of the Transarc or Arcabulle go for a ride to the Col de la Chal and explore the ice cave, slide on the toboggan Park or take a hike on snow shoes or with hiking boots to the area over looking the Col de la Chal valley.

3. Hiking routes around Arc 1600, 1800 & 2000 and Peisey-Nancroix are also possible,

4. Sledge dog rides to the Soilet above Villaroger.

For those that wish to try another way of skiing:
Classic Nordic skiing and skating course of 29 km in Peisey-Nancroix. It is also possible to try this around the lake in Arc 2000 bowl and in other locations.

More ideas to follow later. Have a good holiday.

Conditions today, much the same still as the last few days with little change to most pistes although going down into Arc 1600 seemed less icy with the warmer temps in the afternoon. Now we will have to wait and see if the snow and change in weather comes at the end of the weekend as predicted?? Hope so. We did a few nice off piste runs again today in the national park and down the Robert Blanc Couloir, fun with firm chalky snow, but even I would like a bit of powder now. Another update tomorrow.

seems to be that were getting a big dump next week ... is that right and how much ?

I do not think it will be a big dump, more like 5cm, but lots more would be very welcome.

Another day of Blue sky and temperatures more like March comes to an end. The crowds have started to arrive, although not yet as bad as to come I fear. Very little queuing on any lifts today, even to get up the Aiguille Rouge which was a very pleasant surprise.

The piste conditions across Les Arcs have not changed much today. Still hard compacted snow in most areas which are well skied, but on higher pistes the snow was softer and good to carve your turns although it was really important to control your speed coming into lifts and at junctions with more people about. later in the afternoon some lower pistes were also better, but getting busy.

To get away from the busy pistes, the off piste where you can still find grippy chalky snow was the place to be. We spent most of the day in the National park. Some good runs and only a few people around. Very good fun, but you must take care not to loss your edge on the steeper areas or you will slide a long way. If you fancy trying any some of the off piste places you see in my pictures, take a guide whilst you are out on holiday or stop by George's Wine Bar after 5pm most days or at the Altiport from about 4.30pm for a chat.

After some nice routes today, it was time to head to the snowpark, the new skicross course and the waterslide all above Arc 1600 near the Altiport. The snowpark is fun, the air bag busy, the new skicross very easy and the waterslide is still the best free entertainment on the mountain. Check out the pictures in my facebook group which is now up-to-date.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&v=photos

Have a good holiday!

Weather update: Just got down and thought an update was needed. The sun is shinning, there are only a few high clouds, it is quite warm and there is no sign of snow or rain right now. Seems the forecast for this morning was rather off target. Looking across the mountains from my window, there are some clouds lower in the distance so maybe if the wind picks up things could change. We will all just have to wait and see and cross our fingers for snow.

The piste and snow conditions update: Conditions have not really changed since yesterday so I will not just repeat what I wrote then. Still, do not be down heartened, there is still plenty to ski or ride on. The air bag, waterslide, snowpark, skicross, boardercross and luge parks are still fun. Even the pistes are ok in most places and there is firm chalky snow off piste. So it is still better than being in the office! You can even go home with a suntan. Have a good holiday.

Remember to have a look at all the new photos on my facebook group page if you want to see what things look like right now.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&v=photos

Thanks for all your updates Snowcrazy- we know the area well so your news is very meaningful-we stay a bit futher along in Peisey and will be there again with a big family group soon.Shame about the lack of snowfall- a bit of powder would be good but we've always been able to ski most pistes in that are even up to early April. At least it won't be too cold for the water slide! A great entertainment spoy ! Bit concerned about the icy pistes for some beginner skiers coming with us, some young children too. Please can you check out if there is any snow at the Club Piou Piou (weird name) for the youngest skiers at the snow front in Vallandry and the beginner slopes near La Poudrese near Grive piste. Ta ! :-)