Les Arcs Season 2014 - 2015, New Thread for this season starts on page 29.

So, same as everywhere... :( :(

AllyG wrote:Thanks very much Snowcrazy, that's a big help :D

DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF THERES GOING TO BE SNOW IN LAS ARCS IM GOING WITH MY FAMILY ON THE 21ST DEC FOR 7 NIGFHTS BUT ITS NOT LOOKING GOOD

Busy time for updates. You can tell they are a little worried about the conditions. Here is the latest news from Les Arcs.

Les Arcs has now confirmed some of the details I posted earlier:

I received this a few hours ago.

"Les Arcs: we confirm the opening of the ski resort Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry this Saturday, December 13, 2014.
Skiing in the Arc 2000 Valley is already guaranteed.

In the event that some sites cannot be connected for skiing, we will strengthen the shuttle service from Arc 1600 and from Peisey-Vallandry.

The connection for Arc 1800 - Arc 2000 will be provided by the Transarc gondola. We will provide a more accurate opening plan on Friday, December 12th."

There is also a meeting tomorrow evening in Les Arcs 1800 for anyone that can get there.

They stated; "If you want to know what you'll find this winter season? There will be a meeting tomorrow (10/12/2014) at 19h in the Bernard Taillefer Centre."

This is a general update of the work that has been finished in the resort since last winter and opening details of things like the Millie 8 and other events this winter.

More to follow later in the week.

For anyone coming out with the train or passing through Bourg on the way up the mountain. Polaire Star Ski and Snowboard rental shop by the bottom of the Funicular has some great equipment to rent this season and will be open for business from Saturday 13 December when the lifts open.

You can also arrange to leave your equipmnt at the shop when not skiing or Boarding to save carrying it home if you are staying in the valley. Hope this helps with your planning.

http://www.polairestar.com/

The La Plagne side of the Paradiski have also posted an update. More details, but as the Vanoise is not running until the 20th December I will post the details in another message.

Here are the LA PLAGNE details from their facebook page.

➽ OPENING FORECAST D-4

"Despite some difficult conditions, the skia area opening date is maintained for Saturday, December 13th, 2014.
The ski area would open partially, depending on the weather conditions, with a 25€/day rate (skipass delivered daily only).

This will make possible to connect the sites of Plagne Aime 2000, Plagne Centre, Plagne-Bellecôte and Belle-Plagne with 9 open pistes and 7 ski lifts.

Ski lifts: TSD Bergerie, TS Mélèzes, TS Boulevard, TS Bécoin, TS Golf, TC Belle-Plagne, TSD Colosses.

Pistes: Boulevard, Bridge, Ecartée, Trieuse Haut, Trieuse bas, Belle Plagne, le Golf, Pavane, Sardane.

For safety reasons, it is recommended to ski only on the open marked pistes.

With the lack of snow, the recent episodes of wind and warming of the temperatures, the glacier of Bellecôte should not be open under sufficient security conditions.

Our teams count on the return of the cold weather to work on a quality snowmaking. 115,000 cubic meters of snow could be produced the last weekend. And they currently continue as you can see on this live picture.

A forthcoming meeting is planned this Friday to refine these forecasts and to evaluate the possibility of additional openings."

I hope this helps for anyone thinking of driving over that side from the valley.

Ok folks. Photos for today are now posted. There is one that is a test for all you clever people. Can you answer the question. It does not look great, but at least we can ride somewhere tomorrow. La Rosiere is now staying closed until 20 December. I can see why.

Here is the link to the photos, go to the last photos added for today.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.750205721722563.1073741841.195692797173861&type=3

Finally, ff you are passing through Bourg or arriving on the train. Polaire Star Ski and Snowboard rental shop will be open from the first day of the season. Check it out as they have some great gear for hire this winter.

http://www.polairestar.com/

Hope that all helps with your planning. Have a fun week and see you at some of the events I hope!

Just got home, thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishes today. Much appreciated. Thanks to those I skied with today, it was a fun day and some nice beers to finish. Pleased I came home now rather than not be able to ski tomorrow. I know, what a wimp!! Guess I am getting old!!

Our day on the snow:
Despite the conditions, a group of us met up and had a good ski using the Arcabille and Marmotte lifts until the higher one closed due to high winds. The slopes were not to busy and we even managed some nice side routes away from the pistes without hitting any rocks.

The piste was very quiet first thing in the morning and quite hard packed. But as it warmed up the surface layer started to change and became very skiable. On piste I did not hit any stones all day which was quite a surprise as I had expected the worst. They had done a very good job of compacting the snow. Overall, although only the main blue piste down from the top of the Arcabulle was open, it did not get that busy and the lift queue back up was never more than a few minutes.

For me the best skiing of the day was when we went down the central ridge of the bowl and dropped into what is the race course area when pisted and further to the left where they build the sledge run. The snow was light and chalky, fun to ski once the harder top layer had softened up. After three runs, the whole area was well tacked so we switched to the central area and found more nice snow considering the conditions.

Finding soft snow and avoiding hitting the rocks was also a real surprise and showed that although not that great, you could still have some fun. Basically the whole of the main central area of the Arc 2000 bowl was skiable from the top of the Transarc down to the bottom of the Marmottes Chair.

It was a pity the higher lift had to close due to high winds, but then maybe for a first day that was enough.

I have now posted the photos for the first day of the season over on my facebook page. take a look what the snow look's like today and follow the December 2014 Album as some fresh snow arrives later in the coming week.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.763987427011059.1073741842.195692797173861&type=3

The snow was not as bad as it sounds when reading the reports.

Tomorrow looks Ok so anyone wanting to join us, we will be leaving from the top of the Transarc/Arcabulle at 10.30 am. We will be standing somewhere in front of the Pisteur Hut, but please do not be late as we will head off at 10.30am. Anyone is welcome as we will not be doing anything very hard.

Hope to see some of you for a ski tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!

Hope you are all having a great day! Sorry I have not been posting updates for the last few days, but have been at the BARSC races in Tignes with the Kids. Some great results for our local based group including 3 Gold medals and 3 Silver medals. Well done to all those that took part. Photos to come later today!

In Tignes the sun has been shinning and the wind had dropped today making it warmer and a nice way to finish the races. The pistes in Tignes Val Claret were busy and had lift queues most of the week, sometimes quite big. But the pistes have held up well if you stay high. There are rocks lower down and the off piste is limited.

TOMORROW! Back in Les Arcs!
For anyone interested in joining some of us for a social ski (snowboarders also welcome), we are leaving from the Vaonise Express at 10am, then heading over towards Mont Albert on the La Plagne side for lunch. Should be a nice day and a good way to finish your holiday with a tasty lunch! All are welcome! Hope to see many of you! Just turn up by the entrance of the VE ready to leave with a ski pass giving access to La Plagne.

Hi SC, how are things looking after the rain last night? Arriving in just under 4 weeks so hopefully time for a top up before then. Staying in 1600, can you give me an update next time you're down that way? Thanks :)