J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dorset Boy

Hard packed snow is regularly mistaken for ice. Genuine ice is actually quite rare!
Go glacier skiing in August and you'll discover the difference!

Was in Flaine last week. A few closed runs, but you could ski on good snow down to Morrillon 1100, but couldn't get down to Les Carroz. It was very cold and the snow canons were on overtime.

Looks like a warmish week ahead which will be very bad news as bare patches were appearing at the top of the Grand Vans link on our last day.

Keep doing the snow dance!

218 canon is the official figure. Do you need to get your eyes tested Mr W? :shock:
If you stayed above mid station then you won't have spotted any, and might skied down next to the Balacha drags to get the liason back, which isn't covered.

You shouldn't have skied so fast then! :D
Flaine has it's fair share of snow canons.

We're in Flaine at present. Snow is desperately needed but that said there is still some excellent skiing to be had. It remains very cold: -13 at 9am in resort, and the snow canons are doing a great job. (It was still -15 at the bottom of the Les Molliets chair at 10.40).
Decent snow still above Les Carroz and the Stade above Morillon was superb this morning, and completely empty.
A few runs are shut, but some of those seem to be shut to preserve snow for the busier weeks in February.

Ah the Caserole in 1650! Regular Sunday lunch stop for the Silver Skiers.........

If conditions are good, you hire a guide and don't mind a hike, the route down the Gebroulaz glacier from VT to Meribel is superb. It is the head of the Meribel valley (accessed from VT's summer ski area) and takes you around the back of Mont Vallon. Not a ski lift in sight, and lots of mountain wildlife. However DO NOT GO WITHOUT A GUIDE AND FULL EQUIPMENT!

There used to be an itinerary route off the top that headed back towards VT. Nothing too difficult or too step, but probably not a good idea if snow cover is poor.

I have a (now old) book published by Vamos which is a guide to the off piste routes in the 3V, and they published similar for other resorts. Might be worth trying to get hold of a (more up to date) copy?