J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by snowcrazy2005

Went up on the first lift out of Arc 1600 this morning and made it over to the Bellecote as planned via a less used route off the ridge of the Roche de Mio and the lower section of the Cable Couloir in soft snow.

Then had a run down very mixed snow in the Bellecote Bowl enjoying the spring conditions before heading over the back and down to the Chavel resturant by a different route on the North Face with some very challenging sections.

Finally after a good lunch we went back to Les Arcs and the Altiport for a little entertainment before arriving at George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 for a drink just as the lifts were closing. Another fun day in the backcountry. Pics will be posted in the March 2012 Album Two later.

For those coming out or just arrived. The pistes all the way across to the Bellecote first thing in the morning were quite firm and hard packed with a few re-frozen rutted patches where the sun had not yet softened the piste. Later in the morning the warming effect of the sun had produced nice spring conditions on and off piste. In the more sheltered areas the chalky snow has lasted well and it is still possible to find a few untracked places with nice spring snow. The exit out of the Bellecote North Face is also slowly starting to become thinner and you may be walking out here soon.

Had a very fun day over in the Bellecote Bowl doing various off piste routes today and then headed down to the Bauches chair off piste and through the waterfall gully before going back to Les Arcs.

Once in Les Arcs did some tree skiing down to the Derby lift and off piste to the Transarc then over to the Arc 2000 side. Finished with the Bordercross and then down to Arc 1950 for a well earned drink at George's Wine Bar before heading home.

The off piste is still really fun and we did not have to walk today!! The pistes we used were still in good condition and should hold up well during the coming days. If you follow the sun you can have some great skiing. Tomorrow we plan another trip down the North face of the Bellecote!!

I know I am quite behind with the pics, but I will try and catch up. Todays will be in the March 2012 Album Two of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page soon.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

Have fun and hope to see you at the Bar-King-Mad pub. One of the best places to hang out in Arc 1800. Take a look at the Les Arcs season thread if you want to see what the conditions are like each day. There are also links over on the Les Arcs Winter facebook page which may be of help plus loads of photos.

Spent the day in Les Arcs and managed to find some nice untracked spring powder over on the back of the Aiguille Rouge in the National Park. Went up early and warmed up in the Arc 2000 bowl before heading over the back.

The walk up was a pain as always, but it was worth the effort. Fresh tracks and soft snow or spring snow all the way to the forest path. Went all the way down to La Planay and then over to Villaroger with a bit more walking toward the exit of the park. Sorry to say, but for those coming out, the conditions low down are not likely to improve as it is quite warm lower down so you will be walking out from all the routes down into Villaroger for the rest of the season I would think.

After getting to the lift we headed back to Arc 2000 bowl and the Bulle via the Varet lift for a late lunch.

After lunch a bit of piste skiing around Arc 2000 area and then a couple of off piste runs down the middle shoulder before going to the waterslide and then home.

The pistes are still in good conditions, hard and firm in the mornings and soft spring slush on many lower pistes in the afternoon. The snowpark and Bordercross are still in good condition and the waterslide is fun as always. Pics from today will be in the March 2012 Album Two later. Enjoy!!

Our day in Val d'Isere!! Part One.

Today (21 March) we left early and went to Val d'Isere. The weather was good with the sun pushing through although at times the high clouds did make it feel a little cold with the wind blowing. The snow was holding up well in all the places we went. Either powder, soft snow, chalky snow or spring snow. Managed to be on almost the first cable car up when it opened from Fornet. What a great day.

Here are the seven routes we managed to complete. Quite a long day, but well worth the effort.

Route One, Col Pers. By taking a different route to those just setting off from the Col we managed to have first tracks the whole way down the Col Pers from the top of the Col to the river valley and then first through the river valley and back to the Fornet Cable car. Very nice!

Route Two, Cugnai. Although well tracked the snow was soft and fun to ski. We managed to find a little fresh snow under the cliffs and in the side valley.

Route Three. Les Marmottes. From the skiers left of the Solaise down through the cliffs and large snow fields and then into Val d'Isere. Spring snow conditions and not to soft yet. There were a number of large avalanche fields to avoid, but otherwise a very good ski.

Route Four, The Tour de Charvet. Always worth a ski. From the easy entrance at the top of the Grand Pre chair we went over the back and around some large avalanches on more spring snow to reach the river valley and then down the river and back to the Manchet Chair.

Route Five, Le Grand Vallon. Another route I enjoy. All the way from the top of the Signal tow down to the valley and across to the Fornet Cable car. Although well tracked the snow in the top half was soft and easy to ski. Lower down it became more spring like, but till good fun. The gullies are well worth the effort.

Route Six, The shoulder of the Petit Signal. From the top of the Signal tow again, this time going left and along the ridge and then down through the cliffs to return to the Pyramides chair. Good soft snow sometimes untracked at the top. Then spring snow as we went lower, but always good to ride.

Route Seven, Les Vallonnets. What a great way to finish a good day on the mountain. By getting the Signal tow again, we traversed to the east and then over the small cornice and through the various small depressions and snow fields to reach the bridge at the exit of the Col Pers route down in the valley floor and back to the Fornet cable car. Even quite late in the day the snow here was in good condition and it was possible to still find some untracked patches.

A long day, but great fun and next time we will try to complete as many routes as we can in a day on the Tignes side.

Pics of all the routes will be posted in the March 2012 Album Two of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page as soon as I have time. Enjoy!!

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter

Powder Day!! A group of us went over to the Bellecote today and what a great time we had. The sky was blue, but it was not to warm so we were able to make a route down the back of the Roche de Mio and then another in the Bellecote bowl putting fresh tracks everywhere we went while the snow stayed light and fluffy.

Then over the back of the Bellecote and down the classic route of the Petit North Face for almost 2000m vertical drop of fresh tracks from the entry point to the valley floor below.

Then a nice lunch and some more fun finding fresh tracks in the afternoon back in Les Arcs before finally heading home. What a great day and much more fresh snow than I had expected. Tomorrow should be more of the same!!! Pics to follow in my Les Arcs Winter facebook page, but I do have quite a few days still to catch up with.

I skied there once a while ago. The mounatins are amazing, but there are quite a few landmines to avoid.

Still, it is a very interesting place. Wish I was able to go back for this, but not possible. :(

Hi Meger, just saw your post, if you want to meet up send me a PM on here or over on my facebook page and we can arrange something. There are a few of us around next week.

http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter