J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by snowcrazy2005

For those that are interested in other resort news, I just posted some pics of the work that has been finished for the start of the season over in my facebook group for those that are interested.

The Snowpark T.Bar Tow is now up and running, that should be very interesting, one good thing, it makes it easy to get over to the Altiport when you feel lazy. So there is one plus at least.

The Rope tow in the Arc 2000 bowl works, but is very slow, my friend skates quicker than it takes on the tow, but still!!

The moving carpet going up to the flame is finished, but not working yet as is the moving carpet (with a tunnel) going up to the Arc 2000 Ice rink (well almost finished).

Other news:

The new terrace for the Arpette is now finished with a new outside (covered when needed) bar area. Very nice. They are also running the one above Peisey Vallandry now and the Altiport as they did last season. More about these places later.

The new Outdoor Bar/snacks cafe near the forest at the top of the Peisey lift is now open. More details to follow.

A number of other places have changed hands and i will update them in the coming days.

East's in Arc 1950 as reported earlier is no more. What is to follow, we are still waiting to see.

The snow park above Arc 1600 and 1800 is well on it's way and should be open very soon.

The boarder cross in the Arc 2000 bowl has not yet been started but they have put the first tracks down for the new luge (Rodeo Park) from the top of the Arcabulle to the bottom which I do not like as it goes through a great off pi...ste area, but I know many will enjoy it. They say this is progress, oh well!! But it is a fun ski route till it is finished so there is a small plus right now.

None of the race course stades are open for training yet, but some should be very soon I was told today.

The avalanche training park is now being prepared and I will be publishing details of planned training there for those that want it very soon.

They say Villaroger area may open tomorrow as with the remaining closed pistes and lifts within the next few days.

Snow levels are increasing nicely now, but it was avalanche risk 4 today so be careful out there. Next update tomorrow with more news of other developments in resort taking place right now.

People reading this stuff please give some feedback if you think these sort of resort details are of use or I shall leave you to go to my facebook group for fututre updates.Thanks

Today the update need really be only one word. POWDER!!!

Seriously though, what a great day. After loads of snow at the start of the month, then rain that washed a lot of it away, then freezing temperatures and now finally more snow and plenty of it. We really did need this top up and it has come just in time.

Yesterday while the storm was here, very little stayed open on the hill. Two lifts in Arc 2000 bowl and only a few more in the other areas.

Today, the sun came out, the main connecting lifts opened and everywhere there was powder and blue sky. Quite cold, but worth the effort to get out in the white stuff. Most of the pistes are now open and in very good condition, although there are some icy patches lower down. Off piste is excellent where it is safe to go, but at level 4 you have to take great care.

The roads tonight driving home were icy and even with winter tyres you need to go very slowly. Bring your chains if you are driving out or you may well not make it up to resort.

Tomorrow looks a little cloudier but still OK and then the snow will be back as the week progresses.

I will post the official snow depths etc provided by the pisteurs each day as well now starting from tomorrow

Been really busy skiing and just having fun, but here is the latest update. Oh and not a film star in sight for my guiding, but plenty of film producers and the like so still good.

The Sun was out for Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday which transformed the snow higher up in the Arc 2000 bowl into chalky spring like conditions mixed in with some very icy patches due to the very low temps and still the odd pocket of fun powder in short spurts. Overall very mixed conditions everywhere in the Arc 2000 bowl off piste which has become much safer as long as you are very careful where you ski.

The pistes in the Arc 2000 bowl are all in great condition and you can now ski down to Pre St Esprit. None of the links to Villaroger are open, but they say it should open by the weekend, although unless we get more snow you will have to down-lift to get to the cars. The Aiguille Rouge might open on Thursday or Friday depending on the weather which is changing fast.

You can ski down to the main Peisey and Vallandry lifts without any problem although it is artificial snow and can be quite icy in places.

Likewise getting down to Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 is OK although there to it is mainly artificial snow, but with plenty of real snow mixed in.

Overall I think the conditions are OK for this time of year and anyone heading out for Christmas should have a good time. It is snowing lightly outside as I type this and has been doing so all day with the odd blue patch of sky coming through.

More snow is forecast for the next for days so I will update again later in the week.

Here is an interesting point that has come up regarding Carte Neige season cover and repatriation.

Question: Will it cover you for repatriation if you are in a resort for more than 31 days?

OK, I have read through the document for this year. Rather hard to understand what they are saying.

Do they mean, those with you are not covered for more than 31 consecutive days at any one time or do they mean the person that is insured is not covered.

As they state earlier that the carte is valid for a whole season and it covers any unused part of a season pass if you have an accident. Then I think you are covered.

BUT, if you leave the resort for one day within 31 days and then go back, you would also still be covered as you have then not exceeded the 31 consecutive days clause in one resort. Legal wording. Any lawyers on here please help!

Here is the link so anyone else can read the whole policy in English for yourselves. This is a very interesting legal point I think.

http://www.ffs.fr/pdf/carteneige/FFScn-assurance-10-11-en.pdf

My advice to anyone reading this. Read the policy wording for yourself and then make your own mind up if this suits your needs. I use it as it suits me, but it might not suit anyone else.

It rained a lot last night and only snowed a very little , but today was goodish weather and managed to get a few turns in after hiking up the slope in La Rosiere for a change to get some pics of Les Arcs from the other side.

I will post the pics on my facebook group page.

Les Arcs Ski and Snowboard Info Group. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134900026541300&ref=ts

You cannot get down to Villaroger on the snow so I do not think that station will be opening this weekend.

The Arc 2000 bowl has a good covering now, but not that deep in places I have already found out the hard way.

Going down towards Arc 1600 seems OK and you can tell the bashers have been out working. But I shall wait till the lifts open to check it out on Saturday.

Arc 1800 has a shallow depth but you can get down so it should be open as long as there is no more rain.

I have been told that you can get down to Vallandry and Peisey just, but it is not pretty . Hope to try when the lifts open.

That's it until Saturday, off to Tignes tomorrow.

Today's update. Had a good look today, snow from above Arc 1600 to the top, but wet and quite thin in places. They have had the piste bashers out on some slopes higher up. Getting colder again with snow predicted for tonight down to about 1800 or even lower according to one local pisteur I was talking with in the bar. Even the guys that work up there do not agree about how much snow is coming. It is raining outside right now quite heavy. Let's hope it is snowing higher up now. I have had enough of all this rain.

Will have a little trip out tomorrow if the weather is not to bad. Getting quite into this skinning stuff now or maybe the snowshoes and ride back down on my board. Well, I do enjoy coming down on un-tracked snow all on my own! I know, very silly going out alone, but ha, life has to be fun!

Not sure if I posted this already. If you want to get your season Carte Neige Insurance in Les Arcs in person, you can only get it from the lift office in Arc 1600. The lift office is in the courtyard area by the shops. You can also buy it when you get your season pass on-line.

What a change in the conditions. After some amazing powder on Saturday and early Sunday the rain came. And it rained and rained. Now the freezing level is way up at 2000m but they say it will start to snow high up again tonight, maybe. Watch this space . I will update again tomorrow evening.

Right now it is snowing a great deal across the whole area near to Geneva so you should be ok next week in those areas that are open. The problem you have is most places are not planned to be open until the 11 Dec. But check the internet, with all this snow some places may open early. Good luck.