I'm off to Tignes Monday week and looking at the forecast, I'm not holding my breath for too much new snow. I'd like to know the difference between the 'Skiing Conditions' listed in the snow reports:
Hard Pack
Machine Groomed
Variable
Hard Packed Snow
Powder Snow
Wet Snow
Fresh Snow
While some initially seem self explanatory, what's the difference between 'Hard pack' and 'Hard Packed', or 'Powder Snow' and 'Fresh Snow'? Tignes is currently reporting Hard Packed, is this good or bad?
And in order of good to bad conditions, how would the above list look?
Skiing conditions.
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Started by Smokey Barr in France 23-Jan-2011 - 17 Replies
Smokey Barr posted Jan-2011
Edited 1 time. Last update at 23-Jan-2011
Smokey Barr
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
169 views and no one knows what these conditions mean?
Maybe the J2 people could add a key of some sort of their snow report??
Maybe the J2 people could add a key of some sort of their snow report??
OldAndy
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
Yep Smokey - and I was one of them :(
I know how I "name" the snow conditions but I have no idea (or pretence) that my way would be "accurate".
For example - xmas this year, big dump over 2 days, 18" maybe. The general word being used was powder, but it wasn't what I would call powder, even quite high up, as the snow was really dense and heavy, quite wet.
I suppose I would have called this fresh snow ....
I suppose for any useable snow type nomenclature there would need to be some sort of accepted standard?
I know how I "name" the snow conditions but I have no idea (or pretence) that my way would be "accurate".
For example - xmas this year, big dump over 2 days, 18" maybe. The general word being used was powder, but it wasn't what I would call powder, even quite high up, as the snow was really dense and heavy, quite wet.
I suppose I would have called this fresh snow ....
I suppose for any useable snow type nomenclature there would need to be some sort of accepted standard?
Smokey Barr
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
Cheers Andy, my second comment was by no means a dig. Reading it again it does sound a bit sarcy :| and using the title 'snow conditions' is going to attract a whole load of views...
I suppose it's difficult to accurately describe the conditions with just 2 or 3 word phrases. It's just the one's like Machine Groomed, or Variable seem some what vague...
At the end of the day the forecast and current conditions make sod all difference. I've booked the trip, and I'm going. If the conditions are good they're good, if not, what can you do about it…
I suppose it's difficult to accurately describe the conditions with just 2 or 3 word phrases. It's just the one's like Machine Groomed, or Variable seem some what vague...
At the end of the day the forecast and current conditions make sod all difference. I've booked the trip, and I'm going. If the conditions are good they're good, if not, what can you do about it…
Edited 2 times. Last update at 25-Jan-2011
Dids1
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
Just had a look at Tignes webcam
http://www.tignes.co.uk/webcam.htm
looks ok to me - whether it's hard pack, hard packed or machine groomed it's hard to tell!
http://www.tignes.co.uk/webcam.htm
looks ok to me - whether it's hard pack, hard packed or machine groomed it's hard to tell!
Smokey Barr
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
Yeah I've been keeping tabs on the webcams for a few days now. It doesn't seem too patchy, and from what I've read the resort is pretty high, so the snow hangs around for a while.
Tony_H
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
Hard packed means there is plenty of snow, but its all been pisted and there isnt any fresh on top. I would also imagine it means the off piste is all crud.
As long as it stays cold, it will be fine, but if it thaws and freezes, expect more unpleasant conditions. I would have though at that altitude, Tignes would be fine.
Enjoy your week.
As long as it stays cold, it will be fine, but if it thaws and freezes, expect more unpleasant conditions. I would have though at that altitude, Tignes would be fine.
Enjoy your week.
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OldAndy
reply to 'Skiing conditions.' posted Jan-2011
and as you are off to Tignes I thought this may be of interest - a ski/weather forecast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eO-X2VehDI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eO-X2VehDI0
Edited 1 time. Last update at 25-Jan-2011
Topic last updated on 27-January-2011 at 09:45