 Poster: A snowHead
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Carled, it was -21c on the valley floor last night!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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-21c!!!?? Jeepers... that's chilly...
Quick question for you snow boffins... when the sleety/wet snow falls and it's all a bit sludgy and/or windcrusted, can low temps (particularly low temps like -21c!) do anything to improve the state of the snow, or does it just freeze it solid? I'm sure I've seen or heard people wishing for low temps to improve the quality of the (already fallen) snow - or am I imagining it?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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carled, I'm no expert on this, but I think the temperatures will change the crystal structure. You can see this happening when it warms up and melts, so I assume something will happen as the temperatures fall.
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Next Sunday for me. The current forecast is for freezing level just above the village for this week, some snow on Thursday and Sunday/Monday.
Looks perfect.
Staying at Villeneuve. Any cheap/happy hour drinking to be had immediately after slope time. Any mountain restaurants recommeded for a final vino before descending to the village?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Cymru am Byth, Grotte du Yeti in the village, and the Frog. if you're coming down to Villeneuve, Bivouac de Casse before you come down. You can finish your skiing anywhere along the valley though as the skibus runs regularly until around 6pm.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cymru, the Grott Yeti have a happy hour apres ski bottom of the Martaeu. Can't help you with wine as I can't stand the stuff!
Cloudless sky this morning and the wind has dropped temp now +3c.
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First slush of the season encountered today. Only a very small amount at the bottom of Frejus. The rest of the valley is covered in excellant quality snow. Rumour has it that the skiing is going to be extended 2 extra weeks untill the end of April.
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We'll be there until 20th i think
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The small top-up last night (5-10cm) was welcombe. All the pistes are in tip top condition this morning.
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Skiing in porridge yesterday afternoon in Monetier with temperature +12c. This morning heavy snow at village level with more forcast all day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Blimey - topsy-turvy weather or what!?
More than happy to see the snow come down again and keep the levels topped up - noticed it had started to drop a bit (although still 4 to 5 times more than last year!
Temps are due to rocket again by the weekend, aren't they?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Heavy snowfalls during the night and this morning at 1400 and above. Sharp contrast to yesterday's hot sun (+16c). I've never known avalanche control explosions set off in the evening but we had four after 6pm.
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Helen - better get doing the snowdance! I'm relying on your connections with the local weather deities, you know!
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You know it makes sense.
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carled, I won't need the snowdance. There 'll be plenty of snow.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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carled, Helen Beaumont,
I'm off tomorrow but without internet access probably cannot post a report, according to the website all the x country is open so I'm hoping the rain has not washed too much away and the snow base is stable, enjoy your trips 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Helen Beaumont, I don't want all this worn-out crud, you know - you promised fresh snow! 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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T Bar, I can see the x country run from my place and it looks good. 1st thing in the morning is best. If you want to meet up to discuss how sad it is that I've supported Man U for 45 years I will be more than happy.
Carled, Helen is right you've got nothing to worry about as there was a heavy fall last night and the conditions are great although temperatures have risen this week and the lower slopes get slushy after midday.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Sorry Helen, I'm just not a "decent" man!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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chris,
Tried the email facility and it didn't work I think so have PM'd you.
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Chris - any idea why they seem to be shutting down so may lifts? Down to 48 of 68 now (still 110 of 115 runs open though...)
Looking at the list they appear to be in the main drag lifts (a good thing!) but I'm surprised at where the lifts are that they're shutting, for example the twin drags combes 1 & 2 at Grand Alpe, along with the Grand Alpe drag itself... is this because the same area is well served by the new Grand Serre 6-seater?
More worryingly (unless it's a short-term tech problem) they've shut down the telecabines Grande alpe 1&2 out of Chantemerle that go up to the Grand Alpe area! Weird... can't be snow conditions as that was open last year with 40cm top and 10cm bottom.
They also seem to have shut down the Clot Gauthier lifts - shame that as there are some nice runs down from that peak... again, can't see that this can be snow conditions given the depths... dammit - just seen they've shut down the bois red run down to Frejus as well! That's not on, I like that run! Get it open for next week pisteurs!
Weather forecast looks good for snow in a couple of days... should be cold enough to fall in resort too. Helen - looks like your magic may work again...
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carled, it could be simply because the resort in now much quieter, and they do not need the lift capacity. I suspect they may open more over Easter again.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Helen Beaumont, good point... didn't really think about that!
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Perhaps the bubble to Grand-Alpe is closed for technical reasons. It usually runs to the eend of the season.
#
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Don't panic, I went up this and yesterday mornings and the conditions were the best of the season. Most lifts were open (sunday) as it was quite busy but today it was a ghost resort, so there was no need for the telecabons as that area is served by the new (last year) 6 man and a quiet Pylons 4 man chair. Carled, you are right about the drag lifts at the Grand Alpe. No need for them when its quiet.
The pistes were not worth using after 3.30 pm, due to slush.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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chris, "quiet Pylons"?? 
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chris, this line "pistes were not worth using after 3.30 pm, due to slush" is pretty much what we faced all day last year! Trust me - if it's like it looks on the webcams, we're going to be happy, happy bunnies next week!
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You know it makes sense.
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Helen,
I see the Prorel part of the ski domain will no longer have a lift operator in two weeks and is threatened with closure.
David
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Permanently? Some of the best snow is found there late season.
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Poster: A snowHead
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if it isn't permanently , this is probably due to the recent decision to extend the season, as the Briancon sector always closes just after Easter.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Helen Beaumont wrote: |
| Permanently? Some of the best snow is found there late season. |
apparently so, my guess is the CdA is hoping to take over but on very favourable terms... but that is nothing more than a wild guess based on no facts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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carled, when do you arrive?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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chris, all being well, around 5:30 to 6pm tomorrow! I intend to finish the day in Monetier one day to meet up with Mel and Helen (if she's about) in the bar L'Alpen one happy hour... Possibly Tuesday or Wednesday... depends on how things are going with the group. Will have (hopefully) internet access to will be able to coordinate through that!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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carled, still fantastic snow. We go from the bubble lift over the Grott yeti most mornings at 9.30am. Hope to see you while you're here.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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carled, chris, we'll be about from Monday evening, so will definitely try to meet up while we're there. Carled, I don't have my phone line set up yet, but if you email me through SnowHeads I can pick it up from the Alpen.
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Last weeks snow was superb, so with this latest dump it looks like you are all in for a great time this week.
Chris it was great meeting Lyn and yourself last week, hope we make it to Serre Che again next year, certainly planing it at the moment.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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T Bar, likewise with yourself and family and I hope your girls have some success taming the birds in your garden.
More snow last night and this morning but no chance to test it as I had to try out my new chainsaw. Its very cold tonight so the pistes should be in good condition for the mornong. Maybe I'll bump into Carled and Helen B.
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Hello all... very quick message as it's all a bit hectic getting the kids to ski school at the moment. Snow glorious on Monday high up - had a foot or so of fresh powder to play in. Visibility awful on Monday but good on Tuesday. Very windy yesterday but looks nice today. May attempt to get over to Monetier in pm to meet up with Mel and Helen at l'alpen if they're around. See how things go as the day progresses. Will also try and organise meeting up with Chris if possible... all very busy, but the resort is in fantastic condition high up.
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