J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

We usually like to report the snow conditions, but a (thankfully) minor incident threw up a few timely reminders we thought we'd share...

Up quite early yesterday to explore the overnight snow, mini-me (age 9 and not much) and I were enjoying a creamy smooth surface down toward the Arpette chair. We found the limit of the new snow and the piste hardened up - I glanced over my shoulder to see him on the ground. A quick side-step back up and the words you just don't want to hear; "Daddy I banged my head and I feel dizzy".

Ok, double-check I've got the resort's emergency number in my phone (I do) but he seems ok after a minute to catch his breath, and his helmet shows no visible signs of damage, so we make our way carefully back over to 1950. He's skiing slowly and still feels dizzy so straight to the medical centre in the village.

He was promptly triaged by a nurse with a quick memory and vision test, and we were asked to wait 5 minutes while they attended a "trauma" case who was being prepared to be helicoptered.

And 5 minutes later he was seen by a very friendly and thorough doctor who checked everything from BP to hearing, reflexes and eyesight. Nothing to worry about, but rest for the day and early to bed... I'm €50 lighter but that was good value. I know others on the forum have had less positive experiences of French medical support, but this was spot on.

The helmet got scrapped, and swapped for a new one.

This morning we'll be sticking to Blues and taking it easy, but mini-me seems 100% normal and keen to ski.

So, remember folks, play it safe and remember :-

- Really, helmets are a good idea.
- ALWAYS have the resort's emergency number in your phone.
- Don't take chances with a bang on the head, get it checked.
- Scrap your helmet if you do take a knock.
- And enjoy your skiing!

But one final word - DO YOUR HELMET STRAPS UP PROPERLY - we've seen a few skiers today, mostly teenagers, zooming around with their helmet straps undone and flapping in the breeze. FFS - there's absolutely no point wearing a lid if it's not securely attached!

SwingBeep wrote:significant step-like decrease in snow days at the end of the 1980's with no clear trend since then.

Interesting about the "step change"; I've seen similar changes referenced in other climate-related studies - will dig them out when I have time but from what I recall they lend more support to the various "cycle" based climate theories.

A very brief summary of conditions yesterday...



A light overnight snowfall had freshened things up; around 10cm at the top of the Arc2000 bowl, with lesser quantities lower down made for great piste skiing (and a little dabbling besides) all day long.

The light rain below the snow line (which was around 2000m) doesn't appear to have massively impacted the snow lower down, although there are notably more pebbles (and a few nasty rocks) working their way to the surface below around 1900m (and on some steeper slopes higher up).

Very quiet pistes yesterday; presumably some "long weekenders" had shipped out and possibly folk opting for a "down day" following the unusual appearance of... some clouds! By 3pm there were probably not many more than 20 skiers across the upper runs of the entire bowl. And the snow was good... lovely!

DougR wrote:Is this the worst start to the season ever?

In short, no. I've been skiing for ~30 years (obviously I started very young, and not in my mid-twenties... obviously... I wish) and two seasons stand out as the worst; 1988/89 and 1989/90 (I think - may be a year out). The latter (IIRC) saw virtually no snow fall in the French Alps until February and I remember walking across dry ground between patches of snow - on a "piste" - in Wengen in January.

The "ski season" used to start in January for many Alpine areas, until the tour operators saw the opportunity to start selling "winter wonderland Xmas ski holidays" (late '70s?).

Conditions in the French Alps are better than this time last year. For the lowest areas they may be just as challenging but there are currently good conditions at altitude (see my reports from Les Arcs this week) that are way better than last year.

DougR wrote:no real snow forecast until well into January and the above average temperatures show no signs of abating.

Whilst this is true, you are also correct to note that long-range forecasts are not reliable. Also remember that "above average" temperatures in December can still be cold!

DougR wrote:I have only been skiing for about 7yrs up to now and this year and last year seem to stand out for lack of snow.

Taking the past 7 years, you'd be correct - but the first 4 of those years were among the best European seasons in my skiing experience. 2012/13 (I think - may be a year out) broke all-time snowfall records across Switzerland and 2011/12 famously saw snow depth gauges 6 metre "deep" being buried in December (St.Anton).

DougR wrote:So, over to you long time skiers, is this a normal sort of pattern

Yep. There are good seasons, bad seasons, early ones, late ones and the odd few that never really get going. This year obviously won't be an early one but it still might be any of the others! 8)

DougR wrote:are we really in the grip of global warming?

Nope (unless it started 2 years ago...). 8)

Well we've had some precipitation overnight; some "interestingly" glazed pavements in 1950 this morning and a few cm of wet snow hanging around on cold surfaces. Looks like the snow line was around 1900-2000m... guess we'd better head up and see what's up top...

AllyG wrote:And haven't you got anything better to do, now you're on a ski holiday?

I've especially interrupted my holiday to moan a bit... :lol:

Conditions on the pistes in the 1950/2000 bowl are still good; nightly grooming and top-ups from the snow cannons is keeping them in good order. On the 1600/1800 side of the ridge, and up toward Peisey, the snow is notably thinner below about 1800 metres; particularly on slopes that get a lot of sun.

We did encounter the first "boiler plate" of the week; a nasty patch near the TransArc mid-station. Around this level, and below, there are a few rocks lurking on the pistes and care is needed due to thinning snow in places.

A few pictures below, selected as they're fairly representative of the surface conditions.

This week I have been mainly followed by an assistant Ninja snow tester...

On the ridge at the top of the Bois de l'Ours and Arpette chairs.


On the Plan Vert, with a familiar mountain in the background.


The Grand Renard on the 1800 side is hard-packed in the shade of the ridge, but better lower down.


There's that mountain again... with a little cloud building this afternoon...

We continue to hope for a little snow tonight but no sign of it so far...

bald-eagleman wrote:One de-merit for Ally!!

:lol: ...make that two... I didn't make it onto the list before making it onto the mountains... 8)