J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by snowcrazy2005

STILL SNOWING IN LES ARCS tonight!

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 13 - 20 January 2014.

Here is the update for this week. Not a great change yet in the weather or snow depths since last time, but there is a little more snow on the way tonight and more is predicted for later in the week.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)
This week will see a mix of cloudy and sunny weather. The snowline over the next few days should fall to around 1200m for a short time. The temperatures are likely to remain below freezing and light winds slowly increasing. There might be further moderate snowfall later in the week. As the wind increases the wind chill is likely to make it feel colder.

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 53 cm 70 cm 115 cm 132 cm
Temperature -1.4 , -1.5 , -2.1, -3.8,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 2 Risk Limited.
Last Snowfall : 15 cm – Samedi. 05 Jan. 2014

It has been reported that despite the lack of fresh snow the pistes are still in a reasonable condition. The fresh snow over the next few days should help to cover the thinner patches. If it does not get to warm or windy the fresh snow should consolidate and bond quickly. More snow is forecast for later in the week. The off piste is still very mixed with fresh soft snow mixed in with heavier wet snow lower down and hard refrozen crud in many places. There is still wind slab around and great care should be taken on any steeper areas although in some places the snow is now starting to transform into a firm chalky layer on top. You should still be very aware of pockets of unstable snow off piste which are difficult to anticipate.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : CLAPET/CLOCHERET
SECTEUR 1800 : VAGERE
SECTEUR 2000 : GRAND-COL
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY: BLANCHOT

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : All Open except TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : All Open except MILLERETTE
SECTEUR 1800 : All Open.
SECTEUR 2000 : All Open except FLAMME OLYMPIQUE
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : All Open.

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Open
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

Here is a copy of the weekly update from my facebook page. I will be posting the photos from last week in the Jan 2014 Album for those looking for their pics over the next few days. Enjoy!

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 05 - 12 January 2014.

Sorry to those waiting for your photos. I will try and catch up over the next few days, but have been really busy and just did not have time to get online till today.

Here is the weekly update. The first for 2014. I will try and post this every Sunday. Hope this helps with your planning.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)
This week should see mainly sunny periods for the first few days, temperatures remaining just above freezing and light winds slowly increasing from the SW to SSE. There is expected to be a light snowfall mainly on Thursday night with sunny spells returning over next weekend. The freezing level is likely to be around 2000m until the end of the week. Temperatures expected, Min - 4 to Max + 2 during the week. The wind chill is likely to make it feel colder during the middle of the week,

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 56 cm 88 cm 117 cm 140 cm
Temperature -2.4 , -1.1 , -1.1, -2.5 ,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 3 Risk Considerable.
Last Snowfall : 15 cm – Sunday 05 Jan. 2014

The pistes are in a reasonable condition. The fresh snow has helped to cover the thinner patches and a good base has formed on the higher runs. If it does not get to warm the fresh snow should consolidate and bond well. More snow is forecast for later in the week. The off piste is still very mixed with fresh soft snow mixed in with heavier wet snow lower down and hard refrozen crud in many places. There is still wind slab around and great care should be taken on any steeper areas. Be very aware of pockets of unstable snow off piste which are difficult to anticipate.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : MONT BLANC
SECTEUR 1800 : GRANDS MELEZES
SECTEUR 2000 : VALLEE DE L'ARC
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : RENARD

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : All Open except TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : All Open except TK SNOWPARK / VEZAILLE / MILLERETTE / TOMMELET /
SECTEUR 1800 : All Open.
SECTEUR 2000 : All Open except FLAMME OLYMPIQUE
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : All Open.

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Ipen
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

Sorry to correct you, but this is not the opening championship in Les Houches. The first races of the Children's season is just finishing in Les Arcs today. Been a very good week, if a little cold. But the kids tell me they have all enjoyed the event a great deal. Well done BARCS for running this event. Let's try and keep the politics out of Children's Racing and allow them all to just have fun. For the record I have know connection with either event and just want the kids of family and friends that race to enjoy themselves.

After a cloudy start to the day yesterday, the sun came out again and we finished with another blue sky day. Managed to find some nice snow off the Col de Chal down to Nancoix in the morning although well tracked in most places with breakable crust still around in a few areas to catch people out if you were not careful.

After lunch the first Open GS race was cancelled due to conditions so we did more race training with the youngsters before the evening slalom under floodlights in Arc 1800. A long day, but the kids said it was still fun although quite cold.

Races over for us now and only prizes to collect later today. An interesting event under floodlights this week for the kids with the 'Kombi' (obstacle course) being a real challenge for all ages.

The pistes everywhere are hard and firm by the afternoons with a light chalky layer on top and many icy patches with a few stones coming through due to the high traffic in some places. The off pistes is very mixed.

It is cloudy again outside right now and there may be snow in the air for later. Time to go.

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 30 December 2013 - 06 January 2014

Here is this week's update. This will be updated when necessary, but gives you a good guide of current conditions. Hope this helps with your planning.

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 30 - 06 January 2014.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)

This week should see mainly sunny periods for the first few days, temperatures remaining below freezing and light winds slowly increasing from the SW to SSE. Becoming stronger by Thursday/Friday. There is expected to be a little snowfall (up to between 5cm possible) between Thursday evening and Saturday with sunny spells returning later in the weekend. The freezing level is likely to be around 1800m dropping to 1400m. The snowline may drop to 800m for a short time later in the week. Temperatures expected, Min - 15 to Max + 1 during the week. The wind chill is likely to make it feel colder during the later part of the week as the poor weather returns.

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 46 cm 69 cm 97 cm 105 cm
Temperature - 9.4 , -11 , -11, - 12 ,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 3 risque MARQUE (considerable)
Last Snowfall : 15 cm – Dimanche. 29 déc. 2013

The pistes are in a reasonable condition for this time of year. The fresh snow has helped to cover the thinner patches and a good base has formed on the higher runs, but a few stones are still coming through in the busy areas. If the temperatures stay cold the fresh snow should consolidate and slowly start to bond. However the off piste is likely to remain unstable for some time. The high winds of last week have created many weak points and large slabs could be triggered by single skiers on steeper slopes, take care. More snow is forecast for later in the week which should help improve the pistes everywhere.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : CLAPET
SECTEUR 1800 : VAGERE
SECTEUR 2000 : PLAN VERT
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : GRIVE

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : OUVERT sauf TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : OUVERT sauf VEZAILLE / MILLERETTE
SECTEUR 1800 : OUVERT
SECTEUR 2000 : OUVERT
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : OUVERT

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Open
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is also open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 22 -29 December 2013.

All photos of the opening week at Les Arcs and La Plagne are now posted in the Les Arcs Winter December 2013 Album. https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter/photos_albums

Take a look if you are interested.

Here is a copy of the new weekly update that is posted each Sunday on the Les Arcs Winter page. https://www.facebook.com/LesArcsWinter (I will also post a summary here once a week.)

Hope this helps with your planning.

2013 - 2014 SEASON Weekly UPDATE : 22 -29 December 2013.

WEATHER CONDITIONS : WHAT IT IS LIKE OUTSIDE : ( Meteo France, Bourg at 8am on Sunday.)
This week should see mainly sunny periods for the first few days, temperatures remaining around freezing and light winds slowly increasing from the SW to SSE. Becoming strong by Wednesday/Thursday. There is expected to be some snowfall (up to between 15cm - 20cm possible) between Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning with sunny spells returning over next weekend. The freezing level is likely to be around 1800m dropping to 1400m. The snowline may drop to 800m for a short time, Temperatures expected, Min - 9 to Max + 1 during the week. The wind chill is likely to make it feel colder during the middle of the week, with the wind dropping considerably by Friday.

SLOPE CONDITIONS: (Info ADS slope analysis at 8am on Sunday.)
Altitude 1620/1800 m 2040 m 2400 m 3000 m
Depth of snow: 20 cm 55 cm 70 cm 75 cm
Temperature -0.4 , -1.1 , -1.1, -2.5 ,
Avalanche Risk: (1 to 5): 1 limited risk
Last Snowfall : 13 cm - Thursday 19 December 2013

The pistes are in a reasonable condition for this time of year. The fresh snow has helped to cover the thinner patches and a good base has formed on the higher runs. If the temperatures stay cold the fresh snow should consolidate and bond well. More snow is forecast for later in the week which should help improve the pistes everywhere. The off piste is still very mixed with pockets of fresh soft snow mixed in with heavier wet snow lower down and hard refrozen crud in many places. There is still some wind slab around and great care should be taken on any steeper areas despite the current low avalanche risk level. Be very aware of pockets of unstable snow off piste which are difficult to anticipate.

RECOMMENDED Pistes: (Info Security de Piste at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check notices by lifts.)
SECTEUR 1600 : MONT BLANC
SECTEUR 1800 : GRANDS MELEZES
SECTEUR 2000 : VALLEE DE L'ARC
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : RENARD

LIFT OPENINGS this week: (Info ADS Lift Company at 8am on Sunday.This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
SECTEUR PEISEY-VALLANDRY : All Open except TK COMBE
SECTEUR 1600 : All Open except TK SNOWPARK / VEZAILLE / MILLERETTE / TOMMELET /
SECTEUR 1800 : All Open.
SECTEUR 2000 : All Open except FLAMME OLYMPIQUE
SECTEUR VILLAROGER : All Open.

LINKS this week: (Info ADS lift Company at 8am on Sunday. This changes daily, check with lifts depending on conditions.)
AIGUILLE ROUGE : Open
TRANSARC 1 : Open TRANSARC 2 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 1800 VERS ARCS 2000 : Open
LIAISON ARCS 2000/VILLAROGER : Open
VANOISE EXPRESS : Ipen
LIAISON MONTCHAVIN-LA PLAGNE : Open

NEWS for the week : (Info by ADS lift company at 8am on Sunday. )
The SNOWPARC in Les ARCS 1600 is now OPEN!
The Sledge track in ARC 2000 " RODEO PARK" is also open.
Whatever your level of skiing do not hesitate to climb in altitude and discover the sectors other than where you live . You will always find a blue piste down (except Grand col and L'Aiguille Rouge ) which will allow you to discover the diversity of the ski area.

COUNCIL SAFETY / SECURITY ADVICE : (Info Security de Piste.)
Observe all signs posted by the Security de Piste. A helmet is Strongly Recommended . Caution in all Circumstances, remain able to control your speed and stopping distance. Stay on the open pistes. FOLLOW THE SIGNS , RESPECT NATURE .

Have a good holiday!

http://www.polairestar.com/

A group of us went over the other side today (drove round and parked at the La Roche chair) to play on the Bellecote Glacier and in the bowl before it get's skied out now that the old itineraries are being reopened as 'Piste Natures' this season (if they ever open them).

The pistes on the way over to the Glacier and coming back to La Roche parking were all in reasonable condition. Hard packed with firm chalky snow on top helping you to grip, but also the odd patch of ice AND some small annoying stones (some not so small) that would dig into your ski bases. Be careful stopping and remain in control, the pistes are quite fast everywhere right now.

Once off pistes we found very mixed conditions. The glacier area had excellent snow cover and was fun to ski. The entrance to the Bellecote Bowl has been changed slightly and the old wooden barriers on the path are now gone. The snow changed rapidly from crust, to slab, to soft snow, to crud and everything in between. I really enjoyed the long steep chalky faces we skied. It made people concentrate on their turns. The bottle factor !! played it's part today! Then came the soft snow and the chance for nice easy turns. I would say we managed to find just about every variation of snow texture today. Excellent training even if some did find it a challenge. Remember if you do go off piste make sure you know where you are going, have all the safety gear and if you are not sure, take a guide. It is tricky out there now to find good snow amongst all the difficult stuff or stay on the 'Pistes Natures'. When open the 'Piste Natures' should be avalanche safe and still really challenging and fun to ski.

Overall there is about as much ski area and lifts open in La Plagne as in Les Arcs with the glacier area open in La Plagne today.

After a long morning we had a late lunch and then a few more piste runs and a photo stop at the top of the Funiplagne with mostly clear blue sky all day and not the winds that were predicted. One thing for the kids, it is worth coming over for the tunnel down to Plagne Bellecote from the Roche de Mio. Just as good as last year, maybe even better.

For those coming out to Les Arcs it is well worth buying the 'one day explorer ticket' for La Plagne with your weeks ski pass. There is loads to ski in La Plagne and it makes a nice change from Les Arcs, plus you get to ride on the Vanoise Express as it opens this Saturday.

Hope all those out for Christmas have a great holiday on both sides of the Vanoise Express. I still favour Les Arcs, but the La Plagne side comes a close second. Very Happy Very Happy

Photos will have to wait until tomorrow as I am off out now.

Blue Sky today and slowly became warmer as the day progressed.

We managed to ski the whole of the Les Arcs ski area that was open. Here is a general overview of piste conditions across the whole Les Arcs ski domain.

The pistes were a little busy in some places and we even had to wait two or three minutes at a few of the main lifts. Managed to get up the Aiguille Rouge and back down the black to Arc 2000. Very nice.

Looked over the back into the National Park. The snow covering is still OK, but it could do with a top up everywhere off piste with a lot of wind blown slabs and breakable crust about. Later in the day we did find some nice soft untracked snow which was fun to ski all the way down into the higher section of the forest.

The pistes that were open are in reasonable condition and some have a firm layer of snow that helps you hold your turns when carving, but many are also hard packed and in the more worn areas coming into stations and lifts it is starting to become a little icy in places.

They have had the snow cannons blasting on some pistes and you had to avoid some rather large snow hills on the pistes down into Peisey and Vallandry today. The lower half of the race piste in Arc 1800 is not presently possible to ski.

Overall the conditions in Les Arcs are reasonable for this time of year and with the amount of snow around. The resort should make it through the holiday period without to many problems. For all those coming out, you should have a great time. However more fresh snow would be nice and they are now talking about a little snowfall later in the week or next week. MAYBE!!

I will post some pictures from today later.