Les Arcs day today. Not as busy on the pistes as last week, but still some queues on the lifts. Went up Varet, but found a 15 min wait to go higher so went over to the Grand Col area and spent most of the morning practising off piste skills. Still good snow on piste as the warmer temperatures have softened the surface a little although you will still hit the hard compacted icy snow in places which are skied a great deal. The black run from the top of the Grand Col is full of moguls. The off piste was firm and grippy, but well tracked. Had the chance to practise some steep short couloirs as well which was fun.
Then headed back up to the top and over into the park for some quiet off piste skiing away from all the people. Although tracked on the easier route, still good snow and enjoyed by everyone. Had a nice lunch at the Solliet and then down the Droset off piste area and Malgovert off piste area before passing the snowpark and waterslide for a drink at the Altiport then home. Blue sky and good riding all day. If it is not going to snow, then let it stay sunny. More to come tomorrow.
Pics for today will be posted later in my Facebook group if you want to take a look.
Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)
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Started by Snowcrazy2005 in France 05-Nov-2010 - 280 Replies
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Little wind, blue sky, still powder to be skied, good company, nobody about where we skied most of the day, but to many people in the lift queues again. Guess you cannot have everything.
Right from the start, loads of people at the Cachette in Arc 1600. Then more at the Arpette. Even more at the Varet and a 20min line at the cablecar to the top of Aiguille Rouge. Oh well, this time we just had to take our turn.
Finally got over the back and had a great run down to Villaroger in good snow most of the way and even some untracked powder in places. The piste at the bottom is still ok although there are a few hard packed icy patches now.
Straight back up to the top of the Varet and some fun short couloirs and tricky drops to play in on the Robert Blanc face before going back over the top and down to Villaroger by another route. More good snow and even longer stretches of uncut powder to enjoy, but I fear if we do not get more fresh snow soon, it will not be possible to find these secret stashes much longer unless we start to hike.
Another very nice lunch at the Solliet and back through Arc 1950 for a change and down to Pre Esprit and up to Malgovert. Another line through the cliffs and finally off to the Altiport for a drink and a bit of free entertainment then home.
The pistes and lifts were busy everywhere we went today near the stations, but the off piste was quiet and lot's of fun. I do hope it snows again soon, but it does not look like there is much chance right now. Oh well, off to do the Bellecote on the snowboard tomorrow for a change. Guess I cannot really complain!
Pics from today will be posted tomorrow. Early night for once.
Right from the start, loads of people at the Cachette in Arc 1600. Then more at the Arpette. Even more at the Varet and a 20min line at the cablecar to the top of Aiguille Rouge. Oh well, this time we just had to take our turn.
Finally got over the back and had a great run down to Villaroger in good snow most of the way and even some untracked powder in places. The piste at the bottom is still ok although there are a few hard packed icy patches now.
Straight back up to the top of the Varet and some fun short couloirs and tricky drops to play in on the Robert Blanc face before going back over the top and down to Villaroger by another route. More good snow and even longer stretches of uncut powder to enjoy, but I fear if we do not get more fresh snow soon, it will not be possible to find these secret stashes much longer unless we start to hike.
Another very nice lunch at the Solliet and back through Arc 1950 for a change and down to Pre Esprit and up to Malgovert. Another line through the cliffs and finally off to the Altiport for a drink and a bit of free entertainment then home.
The pistes and lifts were busy everywhere we went today near the stations, but the off piste was quiet and lot's of fun. I do hope it snows again soon, but it does not look like there is much chance right now. Oh well, off to do the Bellecote on the snowboard tomorrow for a change. Guess I cannot really complain!
Pics from today will be posted tomorrow. Early night for once.
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Today we did not go to Tignes in the end so I had a lazy morning for a change and then went up and did a few little routes above Arc 2000 before meeting up with friends for a late lunch at the Mushroom in the Arc 2000 bowl.
After lunch, went up the Lanchettes Chair to avoid the queues and down the ridge by an alternate off piste route for a fun ski towards Villaroger away from all the crowds. Plenty of good snow, even the odd section untracked, to the bottom lifts. Although as the sun went down it did start to become a little crusty in places. (Pics from today coming later on my facebook group photo page, link below.Pics from the last few days already now up. Take a look! See what the conditions are really like.)
Back up to Arc 2000 and over to the waterslide near the snowpark above Arc 1600. Very busy, must have been 200 or 300 people around. Still the best free entertainment on the mountain.
The off piste around the resort is very tracked, but still in good condition if you hit it at the right time of day depending on it's aspect. If you are willing to hike, then there are still places to make fresh tracks. The pistes were very busy again today, but the queues seemed to be less than yesterday. The pistes are hard and compacted in most places, but the warmer temperatures are giving a softer surface later in the day, with slush down at the stations.
Overall the snow in resort is ok and you can get down to all stations without difficulty. The wateslide, snowpark, airbag, luge, boardercross, skicross and nature ride pistes (which are open) all have good snow. For those coming out this weekend you will have a great time.
If you want to keep up-to-date with the daily updates about conditions in Les Arcs, morning and evening plus pictures, visit my facebook group page 'Les Arcs Ski and Snowboard Info group'.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=134900026541300
After lunch, went up the Lanchettes Chair to avoid the queues and down the ridge by an alternate off piste route for a fun ski towards Villaroger away from all the crowds. Plenty of good snow, even the odd section untracked, to the bottom lifts. Although as the sun went down it did start to become a little crusty in places. (Pics from today coming later on my facebook group photo page, link below.Pics from the last few days already now up. Take a look! See what the conditions are really like.)
Back up to Arc 2000 and over to the waterslide near the snowpark above Arc 1600. Very busy, must have been 200 or 300 people around. Still the best free entertainment on the mountain.
The off piste around the resort is very tracked, but still in good condition if you hit it at the right time of day depending on it's aspect. If you are willing to hike, then there are still places to make fresh tracks. The pistes were very busy again today, but the queues seemed to be less than yesterday. The pistes are hard and compacted in most places, but the warmer temperatures are giving a softer surface later in the day, with slush down at the stations.
Overall the snow in resort is ok and you can get down to all stations without difficulty. The wateslide, snowpark, airbag, luge, boardercross, skicross and nature ride pistes (which are open) all have good snow. For those coming out this weekend you will have a great time.
If you want to keep up-to-date with the daily updates about conditions in Les Arcs, morning and evening plus pictures, visit my facebook group page 'Les Arcs Ski and Snowboard Info group'.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=134900026541300
Edited 1 time. Last update at 10-Mar-2011
TJ90
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Hello there snowcrazy, my girlfriend and I are both first time skiers and were flying out to les arcs on march 26th, we have ski lessons booked but can you recommend what's best for beginners and do you think there will be good snow then? Your blogs a great read by the way. Thanks in advance, Tom.
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Hi Tom, I just posted on your other thread. Pleased to hear you have lessons booked. As beginners I think group lessons are best as they keep you going all week and being with others pushes you more. Plus they are cheaper. Private lessons are ok, but cost a lot more.
As for the snow conditions, this winter it is hard to say from week to week what it will be like. Fingers crossed for fresh snow. Hope to see you in George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 one day after skiing.
Today many lifts were not running at the start of the day. As they opened the wind made the higher links very cold and it was flat light most of the day. Not very nice, but at least a little snow is falling. See what difference it makes tomorrow if it keeps going all night. Hope so.
As for the snow conditions, this winter it is hard to say from week to week what it will be like. Fingers crossed for fresh snow. Hope to see you in George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 one day after skiing.
Today many lifts were not running at the start of the day. As they opened the wind made the higher links very cold and it was flat light most of the day. Not very nice, but at least a little snow is falling. See what difference it makes tomorrow if it keeps going all night. Hope so.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 13-Mar-2011
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Another great day comes to an end. After making our way from 1600 over to the Varet just after the lifts opened, we were able to put first tracks down the off piste area near the Robert Blanc in quite flat light at times, but with a nice covering of fresh snow. We wondered, was this going to be just another day when the weather did not turn out to be good enough. I am pleased to say we were wrong.
By the time we reached the top again, the clouds had cleared, the sun came out and so it was time to go into the National Park for another days fun far away from all the crowds.
After descending a couloir with fresh snow and only very few tracks. We came out onto the plateau below and fresh snow and no tracks as far as the eye could see where we intended to go. Making our way carefully down and across below the glacier high above we put turn after turn together with a few stops for pictures for more than an hour.
If you know where to go in Les Arcs, there are some amazing routes to be found.
When we reached the forest far below we were still able to ski until we arrived at the exit of the park and from there is was a hike back to the Chair lift at Villaroger and lunch at La Ferme.
Back up through the lifts and crossing by the new 'Whistler gate' we made another good shorter route in more fresh snow before coming back up the lifts and down the off piste area of Droset to the Comborciere Chair before coming back down the Comborciere off piste valley and finally up to Arc 1950 and a well earned drink at George's Wine Bar.
I have just posted todays pics on my facebook group page of the fresh snow and our trip into the back country in Les Arcs. Not a great deal of fresh, but enough to give us a complete descent on untracked light spring powder. Well worth the walk out at the end. Take a look if you are interested. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&v=photos
By the time we reached the top again, the clouds had cleared, the sun came out and so it was time to go into the National Park for another days fun far away from all the crowds.
After descending a couloir with fresh snow and only very few tracks. We came out onto the plateau below and fresh snow and no tracks as far as the eye could see where we intended to go. Making our way carefully down and across below the glacier high above we put turn after turn together with a few stops for pictures for more than an hour.
If you know where to go in Les Arcs, there are some amazing routes to be found.
When we reached the forest far below we were still able to ski until we arrived at the exit of the park and from there is was a hike back to the Chair lift at Villaroger and lunch at La Ferme.
Back up through the lifts and crossing by the new 'Whistler gate' we made another good shorter route in more fresh snow before coming back up the lifts and down the off piste area of Droset to the Comborciere Chair before coming back down the Comborciere off piste valley and finally up to Arc 1950 and a well earned drink at George's Wine Bar.
I have just posted todays pics on my facebook group page of the fresh snow and our trip into the back country in Les Arcs. Not a great deal of fresh, but enough to give us a complete descent on untracked light spring powder. Well worth the walk out at the end. Take a look if you are interested. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&v=photos
Edited 1 time. Last update at 14-Mar-2011
TJ90
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Sounds like a beautiful day. I can't view your fb page as i use ky phone for internet at its not the best. Our instructor is called neilson I believe. Do you know him?
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Mar-2011
Hi TJ90, not sure if I have meet your instructor, but pleased to hear he is good.
Today was an even better day than yesterday. Started with thick clouds and did not look like the forecast was correct, but then the sun came out . By the time we arrived at the top of the Roche du Mio in La Plagne the sun was shinning and we new we were on for a very good day.
Went over the back in fresh snow and on up to the top of the Bellecote Bowl. Fresh tracks all the way back down to the Chalet de Bellecote chair so back up again to find more untracked powder. After a another little route it was time to head over the Petit North Face and more fresh powder all the way to the route out down through the remains of an avalanche. Took quite some time to get out with one small walk, but well worth the effort.
Finally back into Les Arcs and over to the waterslide for more fun and a drink before home. Another great day in the fresh powder comes to an end.
I will try to get the pics posted of the last few days tomorrow on my facebook group page.
For those coming out this weekend, the conditions are very variable.
The snow high up is in very good condition on and off piste. We have had about 10cm in total over the last few days above 2000m. Below this height the snow has become very soft and slushy with some areas becoming very worn. The pistes into Arc 2000 are the best, but even into Arc 1950, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 they are still ok although becoming quite soft and wet in the afternoons. More like late April then March. The snow park, bordercross, waterslide and those piste natures that remain open are all fun.
Going down into Peisey Vallandry, the pistes that had snow cannons running during the cold spell are holding up the best in the warm temperatures we now have and you can still reach the Vanoise Express to cross over to La Plagne without difficulty. Going down to Villaroger is becoming much harder with very slushy snow towards the bottom and many wet patches.
Overall, although the conditions are very mixed, you will all have a good weeks skiing and lots of fun on or off piste. Have a great holiday, the meteo does say it will get colder again now with more snow on the way. I hope so!!
If you are coming out and fancy meeting up for a beer or even a ski or snowboard to find those quiet places. Send me a PM or come over to the waterslide most days before 5.15pm or in George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 from 5.15 - 6.30pm most days. Just ask at the bar and they will point me out if I am around. They are all very friendly.
Today was an even better day than yesterday. Started with thick clouds and did not look like the forecast was correct, but then the sun came out . By the time we arrived at the top of the Roche du Mio in La Plagne the sun was shinning and we new we were on for a very good day.
Went over the back in fresh snow and on up to the top of the Bellecote Bowl. Fresh tracks all the way back down to the Chalet de Bellecote chair so back up again to find more untracked powder. After a another little route it was time to head over the Petit North Face and more fresh powder all the way to the route out down through the remains of an avalanche. Took quite some time to get out with one small walk, but well worth the effort.
Finally back into Les Arcs and over to the waterslide for more fun and a drink before home. Another great day in the fresh powder comes to an end.
I will try to get the pics posted of the last few days tomorrow on my facebook group page.
For those coming out this weekend, the conditions are very variable.
The snow high up is in very good condition on and off piste. We have had about 10cm in total over the last few days above 2000m. Below this height the snow has become very soft and slushy with some areas becoming very worn. The pistes into Arc 2000 are the best, but even into Arc 1950, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 they are still ok although becoming quite soft and wet in the afternoons. More like late April then March. The snow park, bordercross, waterslide and those piste natures that remain open are all fun.
Going down into Peisey Vallandry, the pistes that had snow cannons running during the cold spell are holding up the best in the warm temperatures we now have and you can still reach the Vanoise Express to cross over to La Plagne without difficulty. Going down to Villaroger is becoming much harder with very slushy snow towards the bottom and many wet patches.
Overall, although the conditions are very mixed, you will all have a good weeks skiing and lots of fun on or off piste. Have a great holiday, the meteo does say it will get colder again now with more snow on the way. I hope so!!
If you are coming out and fancy meeting up for a beer or even a ski or snowboard to find those quiet places. Send me a PM or come over to the waterslide most days before 5.15pm or in George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 from 5.15 - 6.30pm most days. Just ask at the bar and they will point me out if I am around. They are all very friendly.
Topic last updated on 18-September-2012 at 08:33