J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by snowcrazy2005

For those interested. I have posted the remaining pictures of the Avalanche information boards on display in Tignes, which are now permanent and considered by some Insurance companies as 'local authority advice'. Take a look, well worth a read and they can be enlarged to make it easier to read or download. You will find them all on my facebook group page. Link below. Happy and safe riding everyone

Here is the reply in full that I have received from Russell Dadson, Director, Snowcard Insurance. I hope you all find his reply as helpful as I have. Basically, if you are insured by them, the notices in Tignes/Val 'd'Isere are considered local authority advice and therefore should be followed.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your email and sorry for the delay, I've been away skiing this past week!

No off piste unfortunately – just sheet ice and no powder in sight in the Trois Vallees!

We do ask clients to follow piste authority advice – in the case of your quote below it would appear to constitute advice which would have to be followed.

Level 2 warnings are a moderate warning – having said this, the way different slopes or snow conditions may affect the local piste authorities view on safety will vary from region to region. If Espace Killy post a warning like that they must have good reason, either that or they have had enough of rescuing ill equipped or inexperienced skiers and are trying to enforce a greater sense of responsibility for off piste activity.

In connection with Henry's Avalanche Talk (an off piste forum) we have tried to clarify what following safety advice means in practice. I think what you have below is a clear example of the sort of advice that shouldn't be ignored. If they recommend transceiver, probe and shovel then they should be carried.

I have heard that Espace Killy operate a list of insurers they will not bill directly and will ask for payment at the time of rescue. Snowcard is not on that list and as far as I understand, it is the budget insurers who exclude off piste cover without guides that have caused the problem. Espace Killy must have reason to behave in they way they are, I am not aware that other ski areas are acting in this way but this season it does seem that the whole issue of off piste safety is being debated a lot more. I know there is a lot of concern that ill equipped and inexperienced skiers and boarders are causing problems not only for rescue authorities but also insurers.

Having insurance for off piste activity is not something that skiers and boarders should take lightly – if they want the cover they must use common sense and have the skill levels and equipment to do it safely. If they don't, I can see many insurers withdrawing from the market and the likes of Snowcard will have to either tighten our rules or charge more. It is a fine balancing act and a topic I keep a close eye on.

Our info page is:

http://www.snowcard.co.uk/activities-ski-board.php

I hope this helps.

Kind regards

Russell Dadson, Director, Snowcard Insurance

Also, Mondial Assistance in a statement provided some time ago to another person and posted on my facebook group confirmed that they would expect skiers to comply with local authority advice (see my facebook group discussions page for the full details).

In brief they wrote: Mondial Assistance: The following applies to all travel Insurance policies that Mondial underwrite in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

General off piste guidance (which we would expect insurance customer to observe) are as follows:

· Do not ski/board alone
· Always ski with a guide/instructor unless you are very familiar with the resort/area
· As a minimum, a shovel, probe and transceiver should be carried
· Check local weather forecasts and avalanche warnings every day
. Do not ignore any warning signs or local advice
· Do not ski if the avalanche warning is 4 or 5

So the recommendations seem to be quite clear. At least from one Underwriter and one Insurance Company. It would be interesting to know how others interpret these replies.

Today we were over in La Plagne on the Bellecote. Managed to get on first lifts out of Les Arcs so were at the top of Roche de Mio by 10.45am. Although hard packed, the pistes on the way to the VE on the Les Arcs side were good. Firm and fast with not really icy until almost at the VE going down the Ours piste.

On the La Plagne side, after a fast blast down a firm Les Laines blue to Belle Plagne, it was up to the Roche and the start of our off piste day. Going over the back and down to the Chalet de Bellecote chair gave us better snow than we expected, soft in places with a firm chalky surface in the couloir. From the top of the Glacier we then headed into the large off piste area making two descents by different routes, both fun before finishing with a trip down the Friloin Bowl and back to the VE.

Another quick blast over to the Mushroom (Bulle) cafe in the Arc 2000 bowl for drinks and pizza then down to George's for a bit of apree after another fun day. The off piste all over the Paradiski area is holding up really well and giving us lots of fun. Tomorrow we are off to Espace Killy so it will be interesting to compare conditions there.

ANOTHER DAY ON THE SNOW IS OVER!!!! Such a hard life I know. Seriously though, it is good to read in private messages and in posts here that many of those who were here last week had enjoyed themselves and that those who have just arrived do not think the conditions are that bad.

Personally, for me and the group I was skiing with today that have just arrived plus a few other folk that I chatted to on the lifts. Nobody felt that conditions were that bad either. Certainly the two beginners I was chatting with thought it was great to be out in a resort with blue sky and plenty of snow all around even if it is a bit hard when you fall over. Quote, "we are still going to have loads of fun, this is our first ski trip."

As for those that were with me, our day was divided into two parts. After a warm up on the pistes in the morning around the Arc 2000 Bowl, we headed up to the top of the Aiguille Rouge at noon and then off piste down the skiers left of the 'real glacier ice' on a very good firm chalky surface (Warning this is not the piste, if you try it take care!) and then all the way down to the lift just above Villaroger via an off piste route that still had soft snow, good snow cover all the way down and in some steeper sections, a firm chalky base that was good to ski as long as you can keep a firm edge whilst turning. It will hurt if you go over and slide!!

After a lovely lunch at the Soillet Chalet we went back up the top and then down the off piste near to Droset, then onto a favourite route for many of us, the hard way into Malgovert and down to Deux Tetes tow. Ops!!

Finally a ski down to the Arpette Chair and back towards Arc 1950 with a little diversion to do one of the hidden valley routes on the way back. Finally into George's for a few well earned drinks. Roll on tomorrow.

All the pistes we crossed today were firm with a compacted hard surface, but I did not see any blue ice on the pistes we skied today, although on the steeper pistes it was very slippy and you did have to hold your edge well or use a bit of side slip when making your turns quite often. The biggest surprise for me was that they have put a snowmaking machine on the piste down to Villaroger so that right now, you can ski the whole way down on the Blue piste without any trouble although it is artificial snow so quite slippy in places. The slightly warmer temps today, warmer than they predicted has started to make a difference to the snow surface and skiing into Arc 1950 at 5pm, it even seemed quite sticky on my skis.

For those coming to Les Arcs, you can read the daily weather and snow update each morning at about 8.30am in English direct from the mountain on my facebook group page, link below. As long as I get up in time to translate it and add what I can see out of my window of course.

As I have some time, here is what I have posted direct from my facebook group page daily update. All these weather details, snow condition reports, temps etc are all provided by the SMA, Pisteurs and local French meteo office direct from the mountain each morning to me and translated into English. I also add what I can see when looking out of my window before going on the snow.

A Lunch time weather and snow report update today.

WEATHER FORECASTS & DAY: Today is mostly sunny, but with thinly veiled sunshine at times. Ridges near the border are under the clouds sometimes. It will again be very cold with the presence of Foehn and Lombardy winds gusting strongly.

As feared, the strong winds have blown the top layer of snow created by the snow canons away in many places leaving a very hard packed and often icy (blue ice) base to ski on in some pisted areas. The SMA have tried hard to move snow onto the pistes to reduce this impact, but with further strong winds and cold temperatures predicted, the more exposed areas on the Les Arcs ski domain are likely to become 'icy crud' and quite hard to ski for everyone.

For the best skiing this afternoon.

It will be better to stay high and ski in sheltered off piste areas if you wish to find the best snow taking great care regarding any wind loaded faces.

For piste skiing, whether on higher or lower pistes, look out for icy areas (real ice) and try to use those pistes that have snow canons or are sheltered from the winds and softened by the sun. I hope your afternoon was better than my morning.

ALL DETAILS BELOW ARE PROVIDED BY THE Pisteurs and SMA.

LA BONNE PISTE: (provided by the pisteurs/SMA)
SECTEUR 1600 : AROLLES
SECTEUR 1800 : GRAND RENARD
SECTEUR 2000 : AIGUILLE ROUGE
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY :RENARD

TODAY'S SNOW DEPTHS and TEMPERATURES: (at 8am each morning)
Altitude, 1620/1800m: 55cm, -6; 2040m: 83cm, -11.6; 2400m: 132, -12.2;
3000m: 150cm, -15

Risque d'avalanche (1 à 5) : 1 Dernière chute de neige: Jeu. 13 janv. 2011 05 cm

REMONTEES FERMEES
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : TK Combe,
SECTEUR 1600 : TK Vezaille, TK Pierre Blanche, TK Millerette
SECTEUR 1800 : TSD Villards , TS Renard
SECTEUR 2000 : Flamme Olympique, RODEO PARC,TSD Plagnettes
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : TK Rhonaz

TIPS OF THE DAY
Significant work has taken place in recent days on the Villaroger sector (production of artificial snow and grooming) to enjoy a great descent from the summit of the Aiguille Rouge (3226 m) to Villaroger (1200 m) . These 2000 meters in altitude between the cooler mountain summit, forest area and pastures can now be fully explored showing the areas many facets.

CAUTION: Some tracks have areas of hard snow or icy patches, so caution, slow down at the sight of orange banners that indicate a danger and make sure you prepare your skis (edge grinding).

As you can see from the details above, each day on my facebook group page: Les Arcs Ski and Snowboard Info Group (link below), there is comprehensive description normally posted at 8.30am. This page is public access so you do not need to be a facebook member to view these updates. It is provided to give anyone in resort the most up-to-date info on ski/snowboard conditions each day in English.

Each evening whenever possible I then post what the conditions were actually like whilst out during the day taking into account the opinions of those with me that day so that you can read a balanced view of the current situation.

If people coming to Les Arcs want this update sent automatically to them, they need to join facebook and add an app to there iphone, I think that is correct.

A Grand Tour of the Tarentaise Ski areas. '22 - 28 Jan 2011'

6 resorts in three days plus another 6 in the next 4 days. Seemed like an interesting challenge as most of the skiing was to be off piste completing some of the better known tours of each area. With over 2000km of possible piste and an unknown amount of off piste distance available this promised to be an interesting trip.

On Saturday 22 Jan we arrived in Espace Killy (Tignes/Val d'Isere) at 9am ready for the lifts to open with the 'Ski a la Carte' card ready for use.

Starting from Tignes Les Brevieres we went up the gondola and then the Aiguille Rouge Chair before descending into Tignes Le Lac via the far left side of the Palafour off piste area. This proved to be bone shaking hard so early in the morning and not a great deal of fun, but we persevered and only rejoined the piste near the bottom.

Crossing in front of the main Tigne Lac tourist office we went up the Aeroski bubble and then descended the off piste area ending at the Val 'd'Isere snowpark and then the Marmottes Chair. This route proved to be better snow and although well tracked, more enjoyable to ski. Then up to the start of the Orange world cup piste.

From this point, we traversed right and descended the off piste area to the bottom of the Grand Pre chair. Again we found some soft snow amongst the crud which was to prove the norm for most of the day.

At the top of the chair, we crossed behind the barrier and entered the first of the classic tours of the Espace Killy. 'The Tour de Charvet'. Descending into the valley, there were patches of quite skiable snow amongst a mixture of crud, breakable crust and smooth chalky snow. The whole descent including the river bed at the bottom which was just passable without taking your skis off in one place was interesting and in the sheltered side of the valley, quite good to ski in soft but tracked surface.

On arrival at the Manchet chair we skied from the top of this chair down the central off piste area to the bottom of the Glacier Express Chair and then the Leissieres Chair (up and over chair). This central off piste north facing area proved to have some good snow although again well tracked.

From the end of the Leissieres Chair we skied quickly to the Col tow and then onto the Val d'Isere Glacier area and up the Cascade Express chair before entering the great expanse of the another classic area, the 'Glacier du Pissaillas' area pays desert.

At last we had found some untracked and in places good chalky and often sugar powder snow which was fun to ski. Taking a very safe line, whilst passing through the steeper section we arrived at the Pays Desert Tow and then back up the Cema Chair and down to the 'Up and Over' chair again.

A quick blast down the Plan Millet area and once more up the Glacier Express Chair, we skied over to the Cugnai Chair. Then up and over the back into the third classic area, the 'Cugnai Valley'. Although tracked out in the centre, skiers far left proved to have good soft snow and in places short stretches of still untracked sugar powder. Towards the bottom of the valley we needed a quick stop by the still closed refuge that opens later in the season for drinks and chocolate before skiing back to the bottom of the Manchet chair and up to the top of the Solaise.

After a quick foray into the well tracked area of Les Marmottes off piste face we arrived at the Olympique Gondola. From the top of the Gondola we crossed under the Marmottes Chair and down La Spatule off piste area which, although well tracked had good snow and with care was safe to descend even on the steeper slopes.

From La Spatule area we continued on our journey back up the mountain and after a few quick short blasts down sections of piste arrived at the top of Toviere.

Traversing across to the Campanules off piste area we descended in very mixed snow to Val Claret and a quick late lunch snack stop. About 1.45pm.

After a quick snack, we went to the Grand Motte Glacier area and across and down the 'Tour de La Grande Balme' to the Grattula Chair. This area whilst high and quite remote was also well tracked in places, but produced some good snow in the sheltered areas descending towards the Spot protected off piste zone allowing use to ski a few untracked sections. Crossing high to avoid the valley, we dropped onto the nature area and arrived at the chair.

From the top of the chair we skied quickly into the 'Chardonnet Bowl' using the nearest entrance off the ridge to the chair which was well tracked and had chalky snow higher up with softer snow as we entered the wider slope rather than climbing up to descend the true Chardonnet Couloir.

As time was running short we then crossed the pistes and lifts rapidly to reach the Aiguille Percee Chair at two minutes past four to find that it had just closed. A rather disappointing result considering the distance we had already covered that day and our plan to finish with the descent of the 'Tour Le Vallon de la Sache'. Oh well, next time we will just have to ski more quickly!!

After this disappointment we headed down to Tignes Lac through the skiers right side of the Palafour area which had greatly improved in condition since the morning when we skied the far right hand side. Then finally up the Chaudannes Chair.

As the sun had now dropped below the ridge, the off piste areas down towards Tignes Les Brevieres to the skiers left of the Aiguille Rouge, Marais Chairs and lower down towards the bottom of the Boisses Gondola had started to become very crusty and so our final descent from Tignes Les Boisses was an easy ski down the blue piste and back to the car.

A very long and hard day, but fun all the same covering a great deal of distance both on and off piste in all types of conditions. The first day of our trip had certainly matched up to the challenge that lay ahead. I hope you enjoyed reading this first part of our trip. The next days will follow shortly when I have time to write more.

Please leave some feedback after you have read this report as I normally do not write stuff like this and positive comments may inspire me to write more if people think it is worth my trouble.

I will add a few pictures of the trip to the photo section of my facebook group page.

I am very pleased to see that posting this info and asking these questions have stimulated some very interesting responses. The fact that the French authorities are now looking into the whole issue of safe off piste riding means we all need to take great care out there to look out for each other. If I come across anything else like this that might be of interest I will post it as well. Fun and Safe Riding everyone

For an up-to-date report of conditions in La Plagne as well as Les Arcs take a look in the Les Arcs thread or on my facebook group page. Link above.