 Poster: A snowHead
|
The bus was running. Headed out after lunch, got off at Club Med. It was like a different climate.
Long wait for Cachette, Transarc and Charmettoger.
Headed back to 1600 around 16:30. No buses as avalanche on the road up. Finally a bus left at 18:30ish - no chance of getting on that with the “queueing etiquette”. Got on the next one 19:45ish.
Frustrating that there were countless empty buses heading to 1800 when there was a bus stop full of people trying to get back to 1950/2000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| ChiefChunks wrote: |
The bus was running. Headed out after lunch, got off at Club Med. It was like a different climate.
Long wait for Cachette, Transarc and Charmettoger.
Headed back to 1600 around 16:30. No buses as avalanche on the road up. Finally a bus left at 18:30ish - no chance of getting on that with the “queueing etiquette”. Got on the next one 19:45ish.
Frustrating that there were countless empty buses heading to 1800 when there was a bus stop full of people trying to get back to 1950/2000 |
Oh, gosh - we did exactly the same, but a bit earlier in the day. 45 min wait at Cachette, but Transarc and Vallandry were much shorter queues. We got the bus back to 1950 at 15:50 so feel like we had a super lucky escape there! Might not do that again tomorrow if it’s a similar situation. Keeping fingers crossed that at least a couple of the lower lifts open in 1950/2000 tomorrow…
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Anyone know how often days like today and last Thursday happen at Les Arcs? Just terrible luck on my part to pick that 5 day window ending today?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@pfreet, TLDR, yes it's luck.
Long answer:
I am not a seasonaire or resident but have skied a couple of weeks a year for 30+ years - lots in the Tarentaise.
Snow days are pretty consistent through the season at 3-4 days per month on average:
https://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Les-Arcs/history
But that is an average (earlier this season for example there was effectively a 4-5 week drought). And with climate change things are getting a bit more exentuated. More events, more often, more extreme. And it's hard to predict, even a few days out. If a weather front shifts a smidge a region can get hit or missed.
Bear in mind also it might not just be snow. Wind can cause issues too.
Mitigation: One of the reasons I love Les Coches is because there is a good amount of tree skiing above it and across the VE above Vallandry. The VE stays open even in bad weather. Couple of years back it snowed for 2.5 days but we had a great time skiing mostly below the tree line.
Despite the above stats it is generally less of a problem towards the end of the season. There is a difference between a full on snow day and a light or showery snow day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| pfreet wrote: |
| Anyone know how often days like today and last Thursday happen at Les Arcs? Just terrible luck on my part to pick that 5 day window ending today? |
Obviously that's entirely in the hands of the Snow Gods, so impossible to say for any particular timeframe when you are in resort. I typically spend 10-12 weeks in Les Arcs each winter, and as a guesstimate I'd say 4-6 days, some seasons more, when there is very restricted lift opening wouldn't be untypical. This is more likely in the Winter months than in the Spring months, but can happen at any time of the season.
If it's a big snowstorm, especially with lots of wind, I would normally expect just about all of the Arc 2000 bowl to be closed for a day, maybe with a phased opening the following day. Two consecutive days of near shutdown would be very unusual. On those days I'd expect more to be open on the Arc 1600/1800/Vallandry side of the domain, especially in Vallandry which is absolutely the best place to be in a storm (or across to the Les Coches side of La Plagne). If you are staying in 1950/2000 this can be a real frustration as either you're not going to ski or you have to schlep around the resort on over-crowded shuttle buses to get to lifts which are open. Some of my most enjoyable days in Les Arcs have been during big snowstorms when I've been skiing plenty of powder on piste and little bits of deep off-piste through the trees above Vallandry, when friends in 1950/2000 have spent a frustrating day hoping forlornly that lifts in the 2000 bowl open up. Mostly I don't think it matters which of the Les Arcs villages you stay in. Everywhere is pretty easy to get to and offers a reasonable choice of ski and non-ski opportunities. But on days with a big snowstorm, and the immediate aftermath, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 will have more problems with lift closures than 1600/1800/Vallandry.
@pfreet, for your trip I think you've been unfortunate. The last week has seen some exceptional weather in the Haute Tarentaise. Two big snowstorms, interspersed with gentler episodes of snow, frequent high winds (177kph recorded overnight at the top end of Val d'sere), all on top of a season-defining persistent weak layer in the snowpack. For Les Arcs, and the other high altitude resorts in the region, that's meant much more restricted lift opening over that 7-10 days than would typically be the case. I think generally we should welcome fresh snow, especially as the last two or three Februarys have not been blessed with the best piste and off-piste conditions. But I understand the frustration for those who might have their time in resort offer less skiing than they would like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Merci beaucoup @layne and @rob@rar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I definitely share the frustration, as we lost 2 days Xmas 24 while in AdH
On the other hand, bodes well for there being a good base still come Easter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Boris wrote: |
| On the other hand, bodes well for there being a good base still come Easter |
Indeed! Forecast is for more snow later this week, and then the first stirrings of something which might appear next week are beginning to come in to focus, perhaps for around the 25th. Can't wait to get back out there on the 28th 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
We lost a day last year due to high winds. The lift company even offered compensation, but I wasn't entirely sure how they were going to compenste season pass holders so I never bothered applying.
Due to the potential for avalanches the 2000 bowl and all lifts that lead to the ridge dividing it from the rest of the resort, seem to be closed quite frequently (or so it seems to me). It takes exceptional conditions to close the runs into the 1600 - Vallandry side but it does sometimes happen.
I have known short shut downs during thunder storms in Andorra and during the summer but TBH I was glad to be out of the rain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Boris wrote: |
I definitely share the frustration, as we lost 2 days Xmas 24 while in AdH
On the other hand, bodes well for there being a good base still come Easter |
We lost half a day in Cervina Christmas 24, but timed our arrival well as folk who had been there for 3 days before us had lost all of those, too.
I've had the same thoughts about Easter skiing in Les Arcs myself. Can't wait!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Today at 1950/2000 it’s the Pre St Esprit and Marmottes.
Bois de L’Ours is running but not open. Frustrating when Carreley is open, so you can get to the ridge from 1800, but we can’t.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| pfreet wrote: |
| Anyone know how often days like today and last Thursday happen at Les Arcs? Just terrible luck on my part to pick that 5 day window ending today? |
I've skied in Les Arcs every year for 12 years. Only once had a day affected for safety. I stay in 1800 for that very reason. 1950/2000 you are at the mercy of the weather. 1800 much less likely to be closed and you have easy access to the peisey trees from there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ChiefChunks wrote: |
| Bois de L’Ours is running but not open. Frustrating when Carreley is open, so you can get to the ridge from 1800, but we can’t. |
The Carreley top station is just a little bit lower than Bois de l'Ours (and Arpette), and doesn't allow direct access to the terrain above the Edelweiss blue piste, which is avalanche prone. I'd guess they've not yet had the time to secure the slope above Edelweiss, so they are trying to keep skiers off that terrain until it's been made safe, hence the continued closure of Bois de l'Ours and Arpette chairlifts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@Scamper, Just a thought - would Jardin Alpin and Charmetodger have had less queues? I hazard a guess that Rouelle would have been excellent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@Scamper, tomorrow looks promising from an opening up pov (should be little snow but not bluebird).
Thursday however....
Freezing level forecast to shoot up to 3000m+ on Sunday!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@johnE, Possibly, but we didn't want to risk another big queue to get back to 1600 if we had headed over that way. Vagere had been broken all day and Transarc 1 showed 3 red people every time I looked at the Yuge app.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
Transarc 1 showed 3 red people every time I looked at the Yuge app.
|
For some reason people seem to forget about Charmatodger. In the past there would be a huge queue for the Transarc and almost non for Charmagoger. I miss the old grand renard lift as I could get over to Arc 2000 without using the Transarc. Anyway, I think you can get across to Vallandry using the Jardin Alpin lift and as the only real access to it is from the navette it may not have much of a queue. From the top of Derby there is one long piste back to Arc 1600
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Scamper wrote: |
| You could hear all the bombing in the 2000 bowl from the top of Cachette. |
Went back out for the afternoon with my daughter. Massive amount of bombing from all angles - really expected to see something.
Pre St Esprit was busy. Accepted the day for what it was. Did the Marmottes circuit repeatedly - eventually had the chair and run pretty much to ourselves and didn’t head in til 6pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@johnE, Thanks, that's useful info. They are here till Saturday so really hoping they can see a bit more than just 1600.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
The Vagere chairlift in Arc 1800 continues to be closed because of a technical fault. Apparently a part in the base station failed 3 days ago and it’s not held in stock for immediate replacement. They are manufacturing a replacement part in Switzerland and hope to reopen the lift on Sunday, but this is to be confirmed.
Not ideal in the middle of the half-term holidays, especially with weather closures for some other lifts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
The Vagere chairlift in Arc 1800 continues to be closed because of a technical fault.
…
Not ideal in the middle of the half-term holidays, especially with weather closures for some other lifts. |
Would help a lot. Transarc was heaving lunch time. Opted for Villards (to get Carreley) and it was equally as bad. Avoided both after that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyone done the Luge 2000?
I’m going to put it on the list of “Ways to die under the guise of entertainment activities”.
Is it the weather/snow, or is that normal?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Never done it, but find watching people wipeout on it hugely entertaining as I go over on a chair. Don't think I've every seen anyone do it without crashing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ChiefChunks wrote: |
| Is it the weather/snow, or is that normal? |
Normal.
I did it a few years ago. Quite terrifying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| ChiefChunks wrote: |
Anyone done the Luge 2000?
I’m going to put it on the list of “Ways to die under the guise of entertainment activities”.
Is it the weather/snow, or is that normal? |
My son puts this down as one of the worst things he’s ever done. On the first corner he got crashed into by a rather large person who hit him in the thigh with their ski boots and all the way down if you don’t hold your legs up you get sprayed in the face with snow. We had essential pass so at least it was free or reduced 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@ChiefChunks, I've done it a couple times and thought it was fun. You need a bit of practice with the fiddle brakes to get the turns right eg release them as soon as the yaw of the sled is complete. Leave a big gap from the person in front so you don't run into them when they wipe out. Go as fast as possible at the end unless you want to walk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I forgot to add that if the track is icy you will end up with a sore arze and if it is soft you will be very slow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| CH1975 wrote: |
| My son puts this down as one of the worst things he’s ever done. |
My daughter was the same, knocking the attempted drowning from the drop slide at Universal’s Volcano Bay into second place!
The Trip Advisor reviews seem to tell a similar story.
She wore an Insta360 on a chest mount, so looking forward to that when it finishes syncing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
Video from the Les Arcs Pisteurs showing the aftermath of an avalanche that engulfed a piste, took out snow cannons, knocked down trees. I’m not quite sure where this is, maybe heading down towards Villaroger? Anyone have an idea where?
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HDqCqkfLp/?mibextid=wwXIfr |
We passed this yesterday, on Les Lys skiing down into Villaroger. There was an immense smell of pine! We spotted the snow cannon that had been knocked down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
1950/2000 quiet this morning. Only Pre St Esprit, Marmottes and Jacques open, but pretty much walk on.
Snowing hard, windy, and limited visibility!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
| The Vagere chairlift in Arc 1800 continues to be closed because of a technical fault. Apparently a part in the base station failed 3 days ago and it’s not held in stock for immediate replacement. They are manufacturing a replacement part in Switzerland and hope to reopen the lift on Sunday, but this is to be confirmed. |
The lift company now hope to open the Vagere chairlift at some point tomorrow, Saturday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
After a poor outlook on the YUGE app first thing, the Bois de l’Ours opened at 11:30ish, giving 1950/2000 a well needed break.
A bit of a last day boost for those on half term.
Ironically, we went straight back into the 2000 bowl and Arcabulle as the sun came out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Anyone skied the new Ninja piste off Grand col lift yet?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@Ageski, yes. It is a road cut across to the valley d’arc piste that has been used in the past when the snow down the back and red is very poor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes it works OK. It means there is a Blue all the way down from the top of the Grand Col.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm looking forward to heading up there at Easter. Mr. O is a strict blue man, but Grand Col might be one of my favourite runs ever, so I'm looking forward to introducing him to the slowest chair known to man, and then waving goodbye to him at the top. Might do Ninja just once to see what it's like. Nice that there's now access to that side of the mountain for more conservative skiers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
So I’m thinking narrow and a bit like Vallee de L’Arc 4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Owlette wrote: |
| I'm looking forward to introducing him to the slowest chair known to man |
Have you been on Clocheret? I got on it three weeks ago and haven't reached the top yet.
Grand Renard (RIP) was also never in a hurry but was a useful way back over to 1950/2000. Usually take Carreley now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
