J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

:?:

Where are you looking scousefly?

We're reporting 180cm/60cm, "Fresh Snow" and a last snow of 21st December here...

http://www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast/France/Meribel_snow_report.html

and

http://www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast/France/

If you're not seeing that, try clearing your browser cache and/or using an alternative browser and see what you get.

HTH

Iceman wrote:Adders looks like Chris Moyles :shock: ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

...how did you know? ...although I'm not actually in any of those pictures... 8)

Powder before Xmas in Europe? Oh yes.

What a trip that turned out to be... we'd watched the forecast piling snow upon snow for mid-December, and waited as all the models swung into alignment four days out. It was time to drop everything and go.

Easyjet turned up some decently priced flights (thanks no doubt to the stupid "no snow ever again" headlines in certain trashy media) and the ever-reliable Gravite in La Clusaz had a few beds spare so out came the credit card.

Conveniently, the weather paused as we arrived and the only delay on the drive up was the Friday evening traffic in Geneva.

Saturday dawned with the distant sound of dynamite and we headed for La Balme. Avalanche risk kept the top closed for the day but with powder everywhere it really didn't matter. Some wonderful repeats of the lower section of the Lachat red - unpisted, knee deep and virtually un-tracked when we got there - were a great way to start our season. The highlight of the day was being among the first dozen skiers down the Choucas black when they opened the Bergerie chair around mid-day; thigh-deep in places on the piste and amazing just off it. Just brilliant.

Sunday we skied Le Grand Bornand, above Chinaillon, where the powder was a little patchier (although still abundant) and underlain by a disconcerting crust a couple of feet down. We think this was probably caused by the heavy rain that fell on the Friday, up to about 1,600 metres, that had subsequently frozen. For anyone heading off-piste in the area for the next few weeks - this is worth noting as a weak and unstable layer likely to remain for some time. Top find was finding the Stade area un-marked, un-pisted and still un-tracked mid-afternoon.


Gravite Dave and Admin Jnr. scoping the next pitch.

On Monday the weather was forecast to clear a little so we started at Beauregard, then moved across to l'Etale and later into the trees below Fernuy... the day was incredible; on almost every run the powder was over our knees. The un-pisted Tetras run on L'Etale was steep'n'deep, the off-piste was epic.


Gravite Dave getting airborne.

We're now home again and resting shredded legs, but the memories will last a decade... 8)


Definitely a Proud Dad moment - Admin Jnr. shredding powder.

Thanks to Gravite for their usual excellence, and to the top team at Sport Boutique in La Clusaz for the Salomon BBRs - which were every bit as good as we'd hoped; our new favourite skis!

Dale - take a look at the various day and touring packs from Facewest (they have a good selection).

Probably something from Dakine's Heli range would suit you - I've just bought one of theirs and it seems well thought out and decent quality.

NOTE :- If you are travelling to The Alps this weekend, please read all this week's update!

For a change, there's not been much new snow (very litte in fact) in North America although snow depths remain impressive in the West. East Coast resorts have been adversely affected by milder conditions but many remain open.

In Europe, a succession of snowfalls have brought almost two metres of fresh to many Alpine ski areas; French and Swiss resorts have benefitted most, although many Austrian and Italian resorts have had significant falls at times. Many of the resorts that opened last weekend have been partially or fully closed this week in order to make the slopes safe - although powder skiing on empty slopes has been reported from those that did remain open.

Ski resorts to the far South and in the Pyrenees still badly need snow.

Northern Alps This Weekend

Snow, heavy in places, is falling in The Alps right now and this will continue through until Sunday right across the region. Snow is expected to fall as low as 1,000 metres in places today.

Temperatures will rise briefly tomorrow (Friday) taking the snow line back up to around 1,500 metres during the day, although this will drop quickly and probably well below 1,000 metres over Friday night. Precipitation will be increasingly heavy - with substantial snow falling above the snow line. Local accumulations may exceed One Metre of fresh snow over the next three days.

IMPORTANT :- Heavy snow will fall throughout Friday night and most of Saturday. This will affect all the major roads into the mountains. Local authorities are warning of likely road closures at times, particularly the approaches to resorts which may be affected by avalanche control activity.

If you are planning to travel this weekend, you should ensure you stay updated with the local conditions on your route and toward your destination. It would be wise to make contingency plans for possible lengthy delays.

If you were planning to drive all the way in on Saturday, it's definitely worth considering stopping overnight before the mountains and continuing your journey on Sunday.

SNOW CHAINS :- will be needed; even if you have winter tyres, the local police are likely to be checking that you have chains with you on the approaches to many resorts.

Please keep an eye on our Forum over the next 48 hours as we post updates on current conditions, and as the forecast evolves.

European Weather and Snow This Coming Week

Following the major snows at the weekend, we expect the weather to clear a little - late on Sunday or perhaps Monday - but more snows to follow as the week progresses. Temperatures are going to be cold (very cold at times) for at least the next week.

Current forecasts indicate that the snow should extend South through the week - fingers crossed.

Almost all Alpine resorts will be open this weekend, and snow conditions should be excellent throughout the holiday period. There are now some great deals to be had for Xmas week and New Year, on accommodation and the wide range of packages featured on J2Ski. Get in!

Avalanche Risk

The heavy snow expected over the weekend, combined with high winds in many parts, will mean extreme risk of avalanche.

Please take extra care and seek local advice before leaving pisted runs; do not enter closed areas or runs as many may be closed due to high risk. Enjoy the powder on the open pistes - there should be plenty!

randyrat wrote:If the cap does not leave your car without being asked by the police???

At a guess, they're telling you not to abandon your car unless told to do so.

I see the VT site is now explicitly stating "special equipments (snow chains, snow tyres) are mandatory"

Almost certainly there will be checkpoints in the valley before it gets too snowy - anyone without both winter tyres AND chains is likely to get turned around (I've seen this in the past).

Anyone driving out this weekend, to or through the Northern French and Swiss Alps at least, should seriously consider changing their plans to avoid travelling in the mountains late Friday and all day Saturday - this is going to be a major snowfall.

I'm just about to email that out with our weekly snow mail!

J2Ski's favourite downhill skier, Chemmy Alcott, has been announced as the Face of Skiset for the coming season



Skiset, the world's largest ski and snowboard rental network, has announced British skier Chemmy Alcott as the face of its 2011/12 winter campaign in the UK.

As Britain's Number 1 female downhill skier, ranked 8th in the world and three-time Olympian, Chemmy is the golden girl of British winter sports. Despite a potentially career-threatening fall in December 2010, Chemmy has beaten the odds and has now begun training in the hope of competing at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Philippe Koiransky, Managing Director of Skiset, says: "Chemmy was the perfect choice to be the face of our campaign in the UK. As the most successful female British skier of all time she shares our passion for winter sports and the fun and challenges that the mountain environment provides. Chemmy also appreciates how important having the right equipment is to make the most out of the mountains – something at the very heart of Skiset's service."

"I'm a recreational skier as well as being a competitive one", says Chemmy, "and when I rent my equipment on holiday I always choose Skiset as it is perfect for everyone - from beginner to advanced. It's also a cost effective way to hire some of the newest equipment, including Rocker skis this season. Plus, there are Skiset rental locations everywhere!"

Skiset are J2Ski's selected Ski Hire partner, and have provided great discounts for thousands of J2Skiers for 5 seasons.

For more information about Skiset and for discounts of up to 40% for rental equipment this season visit www.skiset.co.uk

verbier_ski_bum wrote:I just checked with Swiss, and Jan 23 one way is 430 pounds out of LHR whereas Jan 23-24 return would be 130 - both with insurance. Cheapest rates are hardly ever available with Swiss for one way only.

Ok, that's interesting - I had that wrong; that certainly applies to Swiss. Score 1 to EasyJet for that then (snowed in a few years ago and had to book a one-way to get home - 19 quid).

verbier_ski_bum wrote:20 pounds of possible savings

Flying Friday early afternoon and returning Tuesday evening - no silly o'clock starts - EasyJet were 150 notes cheaper per seat, booked 6 days in advance.

TBH, they're all pretty good nowadays but EJ's planes are orange ... 8)