 Poster: A snowHead
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Are their and circumstances under which they open Mont de la Guerre ?
There’s either not enough snow or too much snow. Not seen the Goldilocks zone for ages
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@eblunt, Don’t think I’ve ever seen it open in 15 years of going to La Plagne!
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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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| eblunt wrote: |
Are their and circumstances under which they open Mont de la Guerre ?
There’s either not enough snow or too much snow. Not seen the Goldilocks zone for ages |
I went down it in 2012. Having skied it once, I've no real desire to repeat the experience.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@chopkins13, at what time of year? Fully expecting Easter is total no-go
Looks nice and long and probably interesting
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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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@eblunt, It's open quite often  Just not when you need it to be! I have skied it when it was opened at 12.00 absolutely lovely and probably the best piste in LP but I've also skied it when the lower section was horrible and should never been opened!
I think the issue is they can only open the whole length of the piste as there is no way of only opening the top half. The bottom half is south facing and gets very icy and scraped.
In short, the conditions have to be just right top to bottom. Best advice is keep an eye on the electronic signage throughout the resort to see if its been opened during the day.
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@Specialman, Never been at Easter but have done everything from New Years through to late March over the years!
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@boredsurfin, was that today you skied it ?
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@boredsurfin, I'm guessing the Les Bois run to Champagny is another run that has to have ideal condition to be open, since it goes down quite low?
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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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Stayed in Champagny 25 years ago (in March) and skied Mont de la Guerre back down most of the week iirc. We had a dump on arrival which helped I guess. But I recall it got iffy as the week went on - we may even have downloaded at some point. Maybe my memories are over fond but I quite liked it.
Skied Les Bois with the family a few years back. Quite pleasant as I recall. Even had our picnic lunch two thirds of the way down.
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Quick Q for those with the knowledge; have heard of horrendous changeover day traffic in the Tarentaise Valley before, generally for the peak holiday times. We're arriving 28th March (so, the week before Easter) which I think is the quieter week, or that's what I've found on previous trips... is it likely we'll need to be in the valley and up to resort very early in the morning to avoid traffic?
Just trying to plot our route and stopover with hat in mind.
Obvs weather can have a massive impact so understand that it's a 'how long is a piece of string' type question
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Specialman wrote: |
| @boredsurfin, I'm guessing the Les Bois run to Champagny is another run that has to have ideal condition to be open, since it goes down quite low? |
Les Bois has snowmaking and is more sheltered than Mont de la Guerre.
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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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@Specialman, I'll be heading in on the morning of 28th (to Les Menuires) as I have done for several years.
Basically there is nothing to worry about and no special plans needed. It will be quiet.
Let me know if you have any more specific questions.
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| Specialman wrote: |
Quick Q for those with the knowledge; have heard of horrendous changeover day traffic in the Tarentaise Valley before, generally for the peak holiday times. We're arriving 28th March (so, the week before Easter) which I think is the quieter week, or that's what I've found on previous trips... is it likely we'll need to be in the valley and up to resort very early in the morning to avoid traffic?
Just trying to plot our route and stopover with hat in mind.
Obvs weather can have a massive impact so understand that it's a 'how long is a piece of string' type question |
Driven up twice in the last 3 years in the week before Easter, in good weather, arriving Saturday early-mid afternoon with clear roads and no holdups. I have been held up on the descent, when going through Aime to get on the Valley Road, but the worst I've seen that was about an hour (Feb half term). Maybe keep an eye on Google maps/traffic on a Saturday to get a feel for it
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You know it makes sense.
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@Layne, @Arpette appreciate the info.
So far at Easter we've never had issues but that's been in Oisans, which is maybe a bit quieter anyway.
Thinking Macon/Bourg en Bresse as our overnight then a shorter stint to resort, possibly via a lunch stop at Annecy. Was tempted to take advantage of the free half day skiing on the Paradiski pass (if we decide upgrade) but I think beer shopping in a hypermarket may be more important
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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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| Specialman wrote: |
| @boredsurfin, I'm guessing the Les Bois run to Champagny is another run that has to have ideal condition to be open, since it goes down quite low? |
Its sheltered with snowmaking in parts but gets icy due to water running down off the higher slopes - I think in summer there must be a
stream, alongside the Piste/road, thus it gets closed 'cos its too icy.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@eblunt, Nope sadly I'm in Hampshire...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Morning! Anyone got any suggestions for getting down from Aime 2000 to Plagne Centre at 4:30am on Saturday? Booked an early shared transfer from Centre not realising the buses and telemetro wouldn't be running that early 
Tried two taxi companies but (unsurprisingly) neither had availability. Don't fancy walking down with suitcases and ski bags in the dark if poss...
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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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@marmotte1994, You could make use of the new lockers in Plagne Centre and bring your big bags down the night before on telemetro then just a hike down with backpack in the small hours of Saturday morning. Details of lockers further up this thread.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@marmotte1994, walking down at that sort of time, in temperatures of around -10C and potentially a lot of ice, is not something to undertake lightly.
I guess you have already tried asking if the transfer can pick you up from Aime 2000 a bit earlier? Otherwise I think I might be looking to either see if a hotel in Plagne Centre has a free room Friday night, or moving to a late night bar in Centre (check Igloo or La Luna for opening times, perhaps until 2-3am) and then just waiting and sleeping on the transfer.
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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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I’m in La Plagne this week - lovely conditions, blue skies and sunshine - but am perplexed by hoards of skiers (French, I think) skiing with, what look like, warehousemen coats on over their ski gear. They’re painted or drawn on and are flapping about - any ideas what that’s all about? 
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| Montan wrote: |
| I’m in La Plagne this week - lovely conditions, blue skies and sunshine - but am perplexed by hoards of skiers (French, I think) skiing with, what look like, warehousemen coats on over their ski gear. They’re painted or drawn on and are flapping about - any ideas what that’s all about? |
Ski ponchos.
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@Montan, apparently a big student population in Bellecote this week.
Also here at the moment, think the flappy coats / armbands etc might be to show what uni pack you are roaming about with?
Brilliant week so far, very lucky with the weather. Champagny side is a dream in the sun
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@Biscuits9, ahh thanks - they seem to be all ages but that might be it. Yes, weather has been great, waking up to cloud today though
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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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Does anyone know if they do night skiing in La Plagne now? Have seen a few whiffs that the Verdons pistes are open until 8pm but not sure if that’s true, only for organised activities or just a load of fluff?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hi All
Old snow head here, but lost my account.
Off to Champagny en Vanoise
I've left the kids ski lessons for half term week 'off the to do list', and invariably everything is booked up now 
Does anyone know of a decent registered private instructor, with great English and good with kids of 8,9 and 11? Not complete beginers, but a bit rusty as last ski trip was 2023?
If so please do recommend... Want to book a couple of hours a day in the morning from 15th to 20th Feb. or at least some of those days...
Thanks
Dan
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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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thedannoz, have you tried phoning all the various ski schools direct and asking about Private Lessons?
You may get lucky.
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Hi JonPim
Yes I have and unfortunately they are all booked up that week.
So was looking for an independent perhaps. I dont know. Maybe we'll just have to try and train them ourselves. Never the best thing to do...bit like driving lessons. Sometimes it works. Most times you're best leaving it to the pros to take the emotions out of the equation....
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You know it makes sense.
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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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I did try Dani. She said everyone she knows is booked up.
Doesnt look good does it. Oh well.
Thanks for the replies
Dan
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Poster: A snowHead
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Q: Anyone used the Wocan ski hire delivery? Think they're based in Landry but deliver to all the LA Plagne resorts.
Guessing they bring up the gear based upon measurements you've given them but will have extras in the van to fine-tune if the boots need to be changed.
Seem to get glowing reviews, and the prices are very, very competitive
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Is the price that competitive? I was curious and I'm seeing something around 150€ for 6 days 'advanced', which is roughly the same as an advance reservation through Intersport and the like.
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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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@balso, there's £100+ difference between them and Oxygene or Intersport for example.
The family we're travelling with needs kit for 4x and £100+ is a fair chunk if you're beginners and not too fussed about getting specific types of skis.
It was more asking if it's a decent system, getting it delivered, or if we are better off walking to the likes of one of the local shops like Pierre Leroux Sport 2000
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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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Well, back in La Plagne after a week in Tignes.
Tignes obviously got more snow last week, but La Plagne is still looking better than when we left.
Sunny yesterday and there were hordes out in Bellecote and Crozats sectors, though much quieter above Montchavin.
Sunny again today and wonderfully quiet in Montalbert and Becoins areas. Pleased to see the Cretes drag running at last with Gavotte and Etroits open. Java and Grande Pente remain closed with signs stating "Avalanche Danger".
Therefore was a bit disconcerting to see a similar sign at the top of Gavotte, though the run was clearly open and stated so on the Blackboard at the bottom of Cretes drag.
The run down was challenging but great fun.
Forecasts suggesting snowing on Thursday and Friday, and then all next week, so could be good for early Half Termers.
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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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Pistes here in La Plagne and over in Les Arcs were getting rather hard and extra slippy yesterday, though the weather was lovely.
All change now.
Been snowing most of the night and still snowing now. Everything white. Snow clearers been working hard here in 1800 since before 6am.
Yuge got its usual nonsense: Cretes lift closed, but Gavotte and Etroits open. Without Cretes it is a long steep walk to the start of either of those runs.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Jonpim, Thanks for the update, good to see some fresh snow arriving. Radio Les Arcs reporting increasing congruence in weather models for potential major disturbance in weather from Wednesday onwards next week - if it plays out that way it should make for an interesting start for the UK half term holidaymakers (including myself).
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Pleasantly quiet Saturday with near perfect conditions both on and off piste.
We hoped to do Mont de la Guerre, listed as open this morning, but on arrival there was a barrier across and sign stating "Not Secured". Some were whizzing past but we decided to go elsewhere.
Crozats sector off piste/between piste was lovely.
In recent sunny cold weather we've found it easy to get a seat for lunch in doors because everyone seems to go for out doors. There in the cold where your food goes cold and your chips go manky. Never understood it.
Interestingly today at Le Carroley restaurant (Crozats sector) we noticed quite a few people abandoning outside and moving into the warm. Le Carroley is excellent value: nothing fancy (we had tartiflette), you can fill your pichet with wine for peanuts, and coffee is excellent.
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New to La Plagne but planning a trip early march. Any advice for which bit to stay in...? We are a fam of 3 but all adults, experienced off piste etc.. Is 1800 okay? Also will be looking to pick up skis there too so any recommends for Freeride ski hire would be appreciated.
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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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| chopkins13 wrote: |
| @marmotte1994, You could make use of the new lockers in Plagne Centre and bring your big bags down the night before on telemetro then just a hike down with backpack in the small hours of Saturday morning. Details of lockers further up this thread. |
| ecureuil wrote: |
@marmotte1994, walking down at that sort of time, in temperatures of around -10C and potentially a lot of ice, is not something to undertake lightly.
I guess you have already tried asking if the transfer can pick you up from Aime 2000 a bit earlier? Otherwise I think I might be looking to either see if a hotel in Plagne Centre has a free room Friday night, or moving to a late night bar in Centre (check Igloo or La Luna for opening times, perhaps until 2-3am) and then just waiting and sleeping on the transfer. |
Thanks for suggestions both! For anyone interested or in a similar position, we ended up taking the last Telemetro down just before 1am and waiting it out in the indoor seating area adjacent to the tourist information centre.
Luckily this stays open all night with heating and loo access. Lights are motion activated so not much chance of sleeping unless you're very still! Not an ideal solution but we really didn't fancy the walk down even without bags, and we were with one of the big transfer companies (Ben's buses) so figured they wouldn't be deviating from their route to pick us up at Aime!
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@marmotte1994, sounds like you made the right choice there then.
Weather models still showing significant activity from mid-week. Looks like high freezing limit could bring significant rain below about 1600m on Wednesday before a cool down and snow to lower levels across Thursday. Higher up should be excellent for half term week if this comes off as currently up to 1m of snow to be dumped in this weeks forecast. Keep the snow dances coming….
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FAQ
