J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bedrock barney

Eyeball update from Flaine. Started snowing around noon yesterday. Still snowing now (9am Thursday). Will check depths later but must have had quite a few cms.

Bailed out early with snow now coming down quite hard and flat light. Would rather save energy for last two sunny days. Pistes much quieter this afternoon.

The snow should freshen things up nicely.

The Vernant chair was shut today - it stopped a couple of times yesterday so clearly some mechanical problem. Not great for those in the lower resorts wanting to get into the Flaine sector. We saw a sign saying there was a shuttle bus so presumably some kind of access was available.

Had another poor lunch today with yet another terrible coffee! Probably the most disappointing aspect of the trip so far.

Mephisto supérieure now open. Came down it for the first time this morning with a decent amount of speed. Some nice crests including one that I overcooked to the amusement of Mrs BB who was following behind.

Lucifer run not yet open but maybe will be after this current snow.

Adders - thanks for the restaurant tips. We'll look them out, but only if the Vernant chair is fixed in time.

Hi Jimbobilini. Wasn't aware that you were in Flaine this week!

We've got to day 4 and having a slow start this morning. Day 4 is peak tired muscles for us. Had a super day yesterday. Wall to wall sunshine, no breeze, no lift queues (other than a short wait for the Grand Platieres in the morning). Pistes are generally quiet other than the main runs back down to the resort such as Tourmaline. Nearly everything is open. Fred (red run) was shut at the beginning of the week but opened yesterday. A couple of high black runs are shut. We've skied probably 2/3rds of the pistes in Flaine and will try to pick up the rest today. Having observed Diamond Noir from the chair, we will definitely not be skiing that one! Looks like a proper black with a narrow steep mogulled section at the top.

Not sure we are loving the architecture and the town is lacking any kind of atmosphere. Prices in the mountain restaurants are very high (and we're used to Zermatt and Val d'Isere pricing!). Food quality/choice not great as well and we had an awful cup of coffee yesterday (which is criminal). Bit of a shame really. Will hunt out the Almandine restaurant today.

No new snow although some is forecast later today. Pistes are holding up well.

Thanks Jimbob! Will check out the restaurant. The cascades run definitely on our list.

Hi Dobby. We've skied Espace Killy a few times now, although usually staying in Val d'Isere. It's a great ski domain and will keep you very busy for the whole week. Not sure there are any easy blacks, they all have their challenges. I've done a couple of trip reports which you should be able to track down on the site. The Olympique black in Val d'sere is a classic run. Narrow at the top (more red than black) then a sweaty moment as you look down the main run fully on view to all around. It is reasonably wide but does have a couple of steep sections. First thing in the morning it's good fun. Last run and carved up and it's change your trousers time! (I've done both).

The red down from the Tignes glacier (Double M) is rewarding. For nice cruising there are some nice blues above Solaise in VDI. Also 3J, Diebold, Borsat, Fresse.

The piste gradings are a little optimistic at times, particularly in Val d'Isere so be ready for that. Watch out for Santons in Val d'Isere for example!

PM me if you want any more info. Have a great trip. We're off to Flaine 19th Jan. Snow arriving this week and next so conditions should be good.

Hi j2ski peeps. Haven't posted for a while. We've just booked a trip to Flaine (19th to 26th Jan). Never been before. Any tips? We're staying a chalet in Hameau so we know this is slightly off patch (but hopefully quiet). Cheers!

Ok, fair enough. We now have proper winter weather! Just had a 4 hour power cut here in Lincolnshire. Trees down (including one in our garden!). Snow is drifting across roads and quite a few are shut.

I have to say that this 21st C UK approach to SNOW is laughable. I remember trudging through thick snow to school on a regular basis as a youngster in the 1970's. Temperatures down to -15. Everything seemed to pretty much carry out as per normal.

In terms of skiing, the lowest I've experienced is -25 in Norway one year. Add the windchill on top of this and it was a fairly miserable experience. The skiing just about ok but sitting on exposed unheated chairlifts more or less unbearable.