J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by snowcrazy2005

What a crazy day. I went out for a walk to the shops. Checked what the weather was doing up on the mountain and gave up the idea of going out for the day.

I just spoke to one of my friends that did go out ( I am very impressed, a real mountain man) and this is his report.

'The lower chair lifts were open at the start of the day. It snowed lightly at first and then heavily and is still doing so ...now. The wind increased in speed as the day ...progressed and after lunch the Grizzly was closed. The pistes were like off piste and there were very few people about. The vis was very poor and the light was flat. But it was a challenge to go out in these conditions and the powder everywhere was great, well above your knees in many places.' Thanks for the report P.

With the high winds, the snow is being moved around and it will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings once the conditions have calmed down. It has not yet started to rain, but the temp is now around zero degrees at 800m and the snow is very wet.

More to follow tomorrow morning.

I have just added the pics of the last few days to my facebook page. Take a look if you are interested.

We even managed a bit of off piste night skiing today on the way home. The conditions are amazing right now!!

Today I made it a late start as the lifts did not open until after 10am. The snow was ok at first, but started to go off by the afternoon. The vis came and went all day and did not improve much. The snow falling started to turn to rain at 1800m by around 3.30pm, but has now changed back to light snow higher up I have just been told.

The top of the forest area was ok off piste, but with a level 5 ...warning you had to be really careful and on the shallower slopes the snow became heavy and wet going into the stations.

They are hoping to open more of the higher lifts tomorrow. We shall just have to wait and see what the weather does!

Bourg St Maurice was a carpet of white snow today with cars sliding around everywhere. If the snow on the roads freezes tonight you will have to take real care driving anywhere. The route between Aime and Bourg was closed due to an avalanche today, but is reopen now. My friends took between 2 and 4 hours to get from Moutiers today, but I think the traffic is moving a little better now.

Hope you all have a good NEW Year's Eve tonight and best wishes for the coming Year!!

What an amazing day!!

Having looked out the window this morning and saw all the fresh snow, we managed to get out and up on the mountain quite quickly, spending the whole day around the Arc 1600 forests before skiing down to Bourg.

First only the Cachette Chair was open, but that still gave access to loads of off piste. It was level 4 today and all higher lifts remained closed. The tree runs on the left and right were great. Vis at the top was poor, but once in the trees the only problem was the powder going up into your face!! And trying not to hit a tree!! Ouch!

By mid morning the new Mont Blanc Chair also opened and we then switched between the two trying different routes until well into the afternoon. It was almost like a race, seeing who could be first to put new lines down the deep powder runs hidden in the forest.

You could go anywhere, but watch out for the large cliffs in the forest.

By late afternoon, we headed down to Bourg off piste from the top of the new Mont Blanc chair almost the whole way, even being able to ski over the roads. The only problem being the barbwire fences hidden under the snow.

With tired legs, another great day came to an end. It has been a while since I skied powder up to my waist at times. Take a look at the photos in the picture section of my facebook page, link below!!

Hope everyone is enjoying all the great snow!!! More snow might be coming next week.

The forecast for tomorrow sounds so nice. 'Clear sky! Sunshine with a discreet veil of clouds at high altitude. And light winds of variable direction.'

With all the snow right now, it promises to be another good day. Enjoy!!

Today was one of those special days. MORE POWDER and a bit of Exploration!

After reaching the top of the Cachette, took a nice line down through the forest to Arc 1800 off pistes as the main runs were getting busy. Then up the Vagere and through the forest again to the Derby lift. From the top went far to the right and down through the Peisey Forest to the Vache restaurant and back up the chair and over to the VE.

Once on the other side, headed over to Champagny via some of my favourite gullies arriving in time for lunch.

After lunch back to the top of the Arpette chair in Plagne Bellecote, then it was time for an adventure. Down the off piste valley through the meadows and then the trees above Les Coches, but this time going further left than normal. Finally hitting one of the snowshoeing tracks that runs through the forest. Decision time, hike up to the right or continue left. Today we choose right and after a 30 plus minutes hike back up we reached the Red piste down into Les Coches. As you can guess, not everyone was happy, but that is what exploration is all about and some of the snow was amazing. If I do this route again I shall go left and take the lower route. Hopefully avoiding the hike back out.

Everywhere I went today, the snow was good, fresh powder and loads of untracked snow still around. Really fun. The only tough area was low down in the forest, but even the track out in places was still nice snow on the down hill sections.

Another day of adventure to come tomorrow I hope!

Caltonhat, I will ask around about Volkl skis and let you know. In the mean time have a look at the skiset website for Les Arcs, just google it. They might have some.

In answer to some questions I have been asked about what is down at the bottom of the Funicular in Bourg now.

First. If you are coming by train or are staying in Bourg (or even up the mountain) you can rent your ski and snowboard gear from Polaire Star Ski shop right by the Funicular bottom station.

If you rent your skis/snowboard from them you can leave your gear there at the end of the day. I...f you have your own gear, you can pay a small charge to do the same thing each day if you are staying down the valley and do not want to carry them back to your apartment.

On changeover days it is also possible to leave your luggage there from 8.30am until 6.30pm for 4 Euros a day.

I also checked out there new ski service equipment and it is amazing. If you need your gear serviced. It is done right on site with really high tech equipment. Makes your skis/snowboard look like new (well nearly) if yours are as old as mine!!

http://www.polairestar.com/

Second. There is a new 'Funi Snack' bar serving drinks, breakfast, snack etc everyday. This is a really good addition to the Lift Pass Office at the bottom.

Third. They have a new entrance area which is covered and seems to be much better for entering the Funi. Not had to queue once yet.

Forth. On changeover days they have a free shuttle from the railway/bus station direct to the Funi to save walking around. Very nice.

Fifth. Finally for now. Parking at the bottom of the Funi is free and with the present conditions may be a much better option than trying to drive up to resort stations if you do not have too much luggage. You must buy a ticket for the Funi or get your ski pass at the bottom so that the ride up and down is included. The shuttle buses at the top are free and run as long as the Funi is open everyday.

Hope this answers all the questions I have been asked recently.

If you have any other questions about Les Arcs, please get in contact and I will try and help. Have a good holiday!!

WHAT A FUN TIME WAS HAD TODAY!!

Despite the 'Level 5' avalanche warning they did manage to open the Funi and the beginners lift in Arc 1600 plus the Transarc 1 and Chantel chair in Arc 1800.

This meant we could get up from the valley and head straight to Arc 1800 (I was very pleased I drove down yesterday, the road looked even worse this morning).

On our way to Arc 1800 by bus, as we went round a corner in Arc 1800 another 4x4 skidded in the snow and hit the side of the bus. Nobody hurt and after a few words by the bus driver (not his fault), the bus moved off so we did not waste any ski time. Crazy drivers going to fast.

Up the Transarc 1 and straight into the powder in the trees and over to the Vallandry chair. Up top and back down under the chair almost the whole way in more powder to the Vallandry chair again. Then up and over to the Peisey side of the forest and down through the forest until I hit the new Combe Ecureuils piste. Interesting that the top half was great powder and the bottom section coming onto the new piste had started to go 'off'.

Then down to the VE and over to Montchavin for lunch. There were suppose to be musicians and Vin Chaud at the VE, but it did not happen when we passed through in both directions. On the way down to Montchavin the snow higher up was good but as you approached the village it had become very crusty off piste and hard packed on piste.

After lunch over on the Montchavin/Les Coches side we headed up as high as possible and found some nice untracked powder through the meadows back down towards Les Coches and then on down back to the VE at the sides of the pistes.

Finally heading back through the trees of Peisey Vallandry to the Derby chair and back to the Chantel Chair, then across to Arc 1600 along the Gollet forest piste. Loads off snow everywhere and looking up from the Gollet piste the snow looked great, just waiting to be skied.

Just for a change we headed down the Granges red to the lower Funi station. We had considered going all the way to Bourg, but even before La Grange despite there being loads of snow, the top surface had gone off and turned to breakable crust so we jumped on the Funi and home.

Despite the very high avalanche risk, if you go where there is NO risk of anything moving, you can have real fun off piste. Now let us hope they can get it safe enough to go higher tomorrow before the next snow arrives in a few days.

Just for you Iceman,but I think I should not keep posting the links now they are at the bottom.
http://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter and Twitter https://twitter.com/snowcrazychris