Today was a bit of a none event for me. Got up late after a fun evening the night before. Went up with my board. Had a few short rides (nothing special) and it was so cold!!!!! Time to go home.
Although it was sunny above the clouds that covered the valley all day, when it is that cold, well it is hard to push yourself! Maybe tomorrow!
The pistes and off piste are in great condition. There is loads of snow everywhere. You can easily ride down to Bourg or any other places in the valley. But I do wish it would get a little warmer now.
I did not fancy doing anything hard, it is the weekend and England were playing rugby later. No pics today. I was not taking off my gloves when it is -26 for anyone!! I shall see what tomorrow brings!
Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)
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Started by Snowcrazy2005 in France 05-Nov-2010 - 280 Replies
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Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Good to be back in Les Arcs today and doing some of my favourite routes. Despite the strong winds of the last few days we still managed to find some good snow and even a little powder in sheltered areas. :D
Only went up late so headed straight over to the Arc 2000 bowl via a little warm up couloir. Steep but fun!! My boarder friend today thought, hmmm!! And this is just the warm up!!! :twisted:
Then up the Varet for a little more training before heading over to the National Park above Villaroger for something a little more challenging. By not stopping we managed to fit in a days riding in an afternoon with two trips down through the park and another side route from the top of Malgovert back to Arc 1600 and a nice hot chocolate rum at the Beguin Bar before heading home.
We did not do many pistes today, but what we did do were in good condition, firm and packed, but not icy. The off piste was a real mix. Sometimes light powdery snow. At other times, wind blown crud and finally firm grippy chalky snow which I do quite enjoy. :lol:
Overall the snow is holding up well although now we are spoilt and want more fresh powder. They say it will snow again over the coming days so we should be in for more powder riding before the end of next week!! I HOPE!!
It was not very cold at first whilst in the sun today, but by late afternoon it had become quite chilly again in the shaded areas. My new heated socks are great!! The forecast is for stronger winds at first tomorrow so we shall just have to wait and see! 8-)
Photos of today will be posted in the Feb 2012 Album of my 'Les Arcs Winter'page shortly.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.250192315057242.58184.195692797173861&type=3
Only went up late so headed straight over to the Arc 2000 bowl via a little warm up couloir. Steep but fun!! My boarder friend today thought, hmmm!! And this is just the warm up!!! :twisted:
Then up the Varet for a little more training before heading over to the National Park above Villaroger for something a little more challenging. By not stopping we managed to fit in a days riding in an afternoon with two trips down through the park and another side route from the top of Malgovert back to Arc 1600 and a nice hot chocolate rum at the Beguin Bar before heading home.
We did not do many pistes today, but what we did do were in good condition, firm and packed, but not icy. The off piste was a real mix. Sometimes light powdery snow. At other times, wind blown crud and finally firm grippy chalky snow which I do quite enjoy. :lol:
Overall the snow is holding up well although now we are spoilt and want more fresh powder. They say it will snow again over the coming days so we should be in for more powder riding before the end of next week!! I HOPE!!
It was not very cold at first whilst in the sun today, but by late afternoon it had become quite chilly again in the shaded areas. My new heated socks are great!! The forecast is for stronger winds at first tomorrow so we shall just have to wait and see! 8-)
Photos of today will be posted in the Feb 2012 Album of my 'Les Arcs Winter'page shortly.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.250192315057242.58184.195692797173861&type=3
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Today was a POWDER day again. Yes, despite the fact that it has not really snowed much since 5 Feb we found fresh, untracked powder from almost the top of a mountain to the forest below. :o
After the small pockets we found yesterday, it gave use the motivation to go to one of the less known areas in the hope of good snow. It took some effort, but the rewards were worth it. :twisted:
Take a look at the photos. Although I did not take many today, just to cold (the sign said -20 at 3000m) I think they tell the story. But I did take the camera out lower down where it was a little warmer, only maybe -12. It was a very good day. We might even go back again tomorrow. :D
For those coming out, the pistes are in excellent condition in most places with a firm base and not much sign of ice, although they are hard packed coming into some stations and lifts. the off piste at the sides of the pistes are well tracked but still fun to ski as are the piste natures and you can find some great snow further away in the back country so it is worth taking a guide. If anyone wants to be in any of the pics I take, send me a PM and we might be able to arrange something. :)
The pics for today are posted in the Feb 2012 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page. Here is one just to show you what it was like. Enjoy! :-D
After the small pockets we found yesterday, it gave use the motivation to go to one of the less known areas in the hope of good snow. It took some effort, but the rewards were worth it. :twisted:
Take a look at the photos. Although I did not take many today, just to cold (the sign said -20 at 3000m) I think they tell the story. But I did take the camera out lower down where it was a little warmer, only maybe -12. It was a very good day. We might even go back again tomorrow. :D
For those coming out, the pistes are in excellent condition in most places with a firm base and not much sign of ice, although they are hard packed coming into some stations and lifts. the off piste at the sides of the pistes are well tracked but still fun to ski as are the piste natures and you can find some great snow further away in the back country so it is worth taking a guide. If anyone wants to be in any of the pics I take, send me a PM and we might be able to arrange something. :)
The pics for today are posted in the Feb 2012 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page. Here is one just to show you what it was like. Enjoy! :-D
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Another amazing day comes to an end!! :D
We decided to do something special today. The crowds are starting to arrive and the lifts and pistes are getting busy. Not to bad yet, but it was only Sunday and many people are still to arrive. The joys of school holidays!! :evil:
Time for a backcountry trip. After a ski across to La Plagne we headed up to the Bellecote via the couloirs of the Roche de Mio through the cliffs. Then it was time for a ski and a hike to the top of the Pointe du Friolin and then down the steep face and all the way to the valley far below and the village of Moulin, a descent from 3150m to 1260m. :)
A real treat. We had a bit of everything. Steep cliffs, powder fields, couloirs, steep powder tree skiing, a little bit of forest track and we even spotted a deer!! Take a look at the photos to see what the journey was like. :D
Tomorrow will be something completely different again, more of a piste/play day with friends and family. Might even hit the snow park and border cross courses. A full resort update of conditions will follow. I just hope it will be a little warmer than today. It was very cold!! :cry:
Pics from today are in the Feb 2012 Album. Enjoy!! :-D
We decided to do something special today. The crowds are starting to arrive and the lifts and pistes are getting busy. Not to bad yet, but it was only Sunday and many people are still to arrive. The joys of school holidays!! :evil:
Time for a backcountry trip. After a ski across to La Plagne we headed up to the Bellecote via the couloirs of the Roche de Mio through the cliffs. Then it was time for a ski and a hike to the top of the Pointe du Friolin and then down the steep face and all the way to the valley far below and the village of Moulin, a descent from 3150m to 1260m. :)
A real treat. We had a bit of everything. Steep cliffs, powder fields, couloirs, steep powder tree skiing, a little bit of forest track and we even spotted a deer!! Take a look at the photos to see what the journey was like. :D
Tomorrow will be something completely different again, more of a piste/play day with friends and family. Might even hit the snow park and border cross courses. A full resort update of conditions will follow. I just hope it will be a little warmer than today. It was very cold!! :cry:
Pics from today are in the Feb 2012 Album. Enjoy!! :-D
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Blue sky and plenty of snow covering all the pistes.
The Snow Park was a big hit today as was the easy border cross beside the snowpark and the Malgovert piste nature plus plenty of places between the pistes and in the trees where you can find jumps and other fun things to ski between, under or over!!
... We managed to ski most of Arc 1600, 1800 and some of the Arc 2000 bowl today. All the pistes were in very good condition with firm grippy snow throughout most of the day. Towards the end the Cachette piste and the race course did become rather slippy, but still good fun to carve down. Off piste in most places the snow was firm and chalky, great for learning how to hold their turns, but we did find some crud, broken crust and even a bit of softer snow in places.
The forest trails must have all been made by marmote size kids as I had to duck all the time or loose my head. Some of the gaps we skied were rather small as well, but except for when someone skied into another person on a blind corner or crashing on jumps in the snow park, everyone had a great time.
Tomorrow should be another fun day. I just hope it gets a bit warmer soon. My feet are great now, but it was to cold for taking pics. Maybe tomorrow the camera will come out!
I hope everyone else out on holiday is having as much fun as we are with all this snow about!!
The Snow Park was a big hit today as was the easy border cross beside the snowpark and the Malgovert piste nature plus plenty of places between the pistes and in the trees where you can find jumps and other fun things to ski between, under or over!!
... We managed to ski most of Arc 1600, 1800 and some of the Arc 2000 bowl today. All the pistes were in very good condition with firm grippy snow throughout most of the day. Towards the end the Cachette piste and the race course did become rather slippy, but still good fun to carve down. Off piste in most places the snow was firm and chalky, great for learning how to hold their turns, but we did find some crud, broken crust and even a bit of softer snow in places.
The forest trails must have all been made by marmote size kids as I had to duck all the time or loose my head. Some of the gaps we skied were rather small as well, but except for when someone skied into another person on a blind corner or crashing on jumps in the snow park, everyone had a great time.
Tomorrow should be another fun day. I just hope it gets a bit warmer soon. My feet are great now, but it was to cold for taking pics. Maybe tomorrow the camera will come out!
I hope everyone else out on holiday is having as much fun as we are with all this snow about!!
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Blue sky, good snow and loads of jumps!!
After arriving at Arc 1600 we headed to the snowpark for a quick few warm up jumps (the kids, not me) then headed over to Peisey Vallandry area and more jumps off the side of the pistes and in the trees. Finally after a couple of laps of the Derby chair we had lunch at the snack bar above the Peisey chair, outside in the sun with the Bellecote behind us. What a great setting and the food was good as well.
After lunch, up the 2300 chair and down the border cross course, through the trees and all the way to the Charmettoger chair to avoid the queues at the Derby. Then up the Transarc gondola to the Arc 2000 bowl and the Border cross course. Another little race down and some off piste to the bottom of the Marmottes chair. Then back up for another run of the border cross course and some more off piste down to the Bois de l'ours chair. A little play on the Clair blanc red (?). quote! 'that is never a red!' then onto the snowpark for a few more photos and finally back to the Beguin hotel bar above Arc 1600 for a nice hot chocolate and home.
All the pistes today had a good covering of snow, but with the heavy use this week, hard packed firm chalky snow is starting to form in many areas and it can be tricky keeping your edge coming into lifts and resort stations. Take care and give yourself plenty of room to slow down. The off piste was in good condition as well and had plenty of safe jumps to keep the kids happy all day, plus some challenging slopes to improve their technique.
Oh yes, and before anyone else posts this, I fell over on a blue piste again!!
Tomorrow the weather may start to change, will just have to wait and see, but it should be another fun day. Pics from today following shortly in the Feb 2012 album of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page. Enjoy!
After arriving at Arc 1600 we headed to the snowpark for a quick few warm up jumps (the kids, not me) then headed over to Peisey Vallandry area and more jumps off the side of the pistes and in the trees. Finally after a couple of laps of the Derby chair we had lunch at the snack bar above the Peisey chair, outside in the sun with the Bellecote behind us. What a great setting and the food was good as well.
After lunch, up the 2300 chair and down the border cross course, through the trees and all the way to the Charmettoger chair to avoid the queues at the Derby. Then up the Transarc gondola to the Arc 2000 bowl and the Border cross course. Another little race down and some off piste to the bottom of the Marmottes chair. Then back up for another run of the border cross course and some more off piste down to the Bois de l'ours chair. A little play on the Clair blanc red (?). quote! 'that is never a red!' then onto the snowpark for a few more photos and finally back to the Beguin hotel bar above Arc 1600 for a nice hot chocolate and home.
All the pistes today had a good covering of snow, but with the heavy use this week, hard packed firm chalky snow is starting to form in many areas and it can be tricky keeping your edge coming into lifts and resort stations. Take care and give yourself plenty of room to slow down. The off piste was in good condition as well and had plenty of safe jumps to keep the kids happy all day, plus some challenging slopes to improve their technique.
Oh yes, and before anyone else posts this, I fell over on a blue piste again!!
Tomorrow the weather may start to change, will just have to wait and see, but it should be another fun day. Pics from today following shortly in the Feb 2012 album of my Les Arcs Winter facebook page. Enjoy!
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Snowing lightly all day and poor vis. But that did not stop the kids from racing!!
Despite the poor weather when I looked out the window this morning, we made it up by 9.30am and I met up with a friend to say goodbye before he leaves in a few days time. Then headed back to the GMX course and the skiercross competition.
The heats were going well and the kids told me that despite the poor light they were still having fun which was great. The course was quite fast in places and they certainly took some air off the jumps. After a good morning of racing. They had managed to do well against local kids that spend a great deal more time on skis.
Now it was playtime!! Headed off to the trees in various areas and then up and down a few more jumps (they never seem to get tired of them) in the snowpark before heading home.
The 5cm (or so) of fresh snow has freshened up the slopes nicely and except for coming into the stations or main lifts, the pistes were in very good condition. The bad weather did wonders for the lift queues (there were none) and we managed to ski all over the Arc 1600, 1800 and Peisey Vallandry area. The wind was strong up top so did not go over to Arc 2000 bowl today.
Tomorrow promises to be a good day with better weather coming in by lunch time the meteo forecasts and good powder to ski on we hope. The plan is for some of us to head over to La Plagne in the morning. We shall see?
Pics from todays racing will be posted shortly in the Feb 2012 Album on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.
Despite the poor weather when I looked out the window this morning, we made it up by 9.30am and I met up with a friend to say goodbye before he leaves in a few days time. Then headed back to the GMX course and the skiercross competition.
The heats were going well and the kids told me that despite the poor light they were still having fun which was great. The course was quite fast in places and they certainly took some air off the jumps. After a good morning of racing. They had managed to do well against local kids that spend a great deal more time on skis.
Now it was playtime!! Headed off to the trees in various areas and then up and down a few more jumps (they never seem to get tired of them) in the snowpark before heading home.
The 5cm (or so) of fresh snow has freshened up the slopes nicely and except for coming into the stations or main lifts, the pistes were in very good condition. The bad weather did wonders for the lift queues (there were none) and we managed to ski all over the Arc 1600, 1800 and Peisey Vallandry area. The wind was strong up top so did not go over to Arc 2000 bowl today.
Tomorrow promises to be a good day with better weather coming in by lunch time the meteo forecasts and good powder to ski on we hope. The plan is for some of us to head over to La Plagne in the morning. We shall see?
Pics from todays racing will be posted shortly in the Feb 2012 Album on my Les Arcs Winter facebook page.
Snowcrazy2005
reply to 'Les Arcs Season Thread. (Where you can ask questions on Les Arcs , La Plagne or chat)' posted Feb-2012
Thursday 16 Feb. The weather today did not turn out as well as they had forecast, but it did not stop us from having another fun day now that the races are over. We always like to ski the full paradiski area at least once during a week so it was time to head over to La Plagne. We skied a few gullies, hit the powder fields after the fresh snow yesterday, found some trees to dodge and generally messed around with loads of jumps all day before heading home via the Les Arcs Snowpark (which is a must everyday! :twisted: ) and yet another hot chocolate at the Beguin hotel bar. :D
The pistes on both sides of the Vanoise Express were in good condition today after the freshening up they received with yesterdays snowfall. On the way over in the morning they were firm and grippy with a nice covering of fresh snow. On the return journey from Plagne Centre all the pistes we skied were still firm and grippy, but also quite slippy in places where they had been packed hard by many people passing in the main areas. :-D
The kids said the off piste routes we took were really fun as there was plenty of fresh powder and some untracked areas :D . The vis was not that great some of the time so we had to be very selective as to where we took them to avoid any problems 8-) . The jumps and gullies we skied were in good condition and proved challenging with quite a few falls although nobody seemed to mind. Quote, 'falling over today does not hurt' and then he took another jump and sat down laughing. Oh well!! to be young and bounce!! :roll:
Tomorrow we hope the sun comes out and we will then head out a little further afield. Will just have to wait and see.
Pics of todays exploits will be posted shortly in the Feb 2012 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy!
The pistes on both sides of the Vanoise Express were in good condition today after the freshening up they received with yesterdays snowfall. On the way over in the morning they were firm and grippy with a nice covering of fresh snow. On the return journey from Plagne Centre all the pistes we skied were still firm and grippy, but also quite slippy in places where they had been packed hard by many people passing in the main areas. :-D
The kids said the off piste routes we took were really fun as there was plenty of fresh powder and some untracked areas :D . The vis was not that great some of the time so we had to be very selective as to where we took them to avoid any problems 8-) . The jumps and gullies we skied were in good condition and proved challenging with quite a few falls although nobody seemed to mind. Quote, 'falling over today does not hurt' and then he took another jump and sat down laughing. Oh well!! to be young and bounce!! :roll:
Tomorrow we hope the sun comes out and we will then head out a little further afield. Will just have to wait and see.
Pics of todays exploits will be posted shortly in the Feb 2012 Album of my Les Arcs Winter page. Enjoy!
Topic last updated on 18-September-2012 at 08:33