 Poster: A snowHead
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| johnE wrote: |
| @Roscoe, I leave home about 4 in the morning for an 8:30 crossing and get to Calais about 10:30 to 11. The shuttle never leaves on time. 10 hours later we are buying pizza in pizza Charlotte in arc 1600. |
Do you have your own place out there? So that the extra night accom isn't a problem? Or do you start your journey on the Saturday?
Our apartment booking is for a week starting Saturday (check in from 2pm) so doing it in one stint on the Friday isn't an option really.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you try going on the Saturday of half term and driving all in one go you will run into an absolute beast of a traffic jam, even on the Friday evening the road into the valley will be jammed.
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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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| wills_h wrote: |
| If you try going on the Saturday of half term and driving all in one go you will run into an absolute beast of a traffic jam, even on the Friday evening the road into the valley will be jammed. |
That's why I planned to stop on the Friday evening with an early start on Saturday to try and beat the rush into the valley and up the mountain.
If people are travelling outside of half term or midweek, then I'm sure doing it in one go will be more straightforward.
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I think a few people have their own place - which does make life easier and more possible to do the drive in one stint. Then you've got your hard core lot who will do the drive in one go (possibly overnight!).
Personally we've always stayed over one night each way to break the journey. Until this year, we've always gone in Feb half term or Easter school hols. This year it's mid March but we're still having an overnighter (we live in Rutland so just under 3 hours to tunnel - which does make a difference.....with a one hour check in, that's 4 hours gone).
However, when it came to Feb half term it'd be a 2-nighter down and 1-nighter back. We'd cross and drive 1 hour into France Thursday night (ringing the kids into school sick on the Friday), then drive most of the journey Friday to get well ahead of the crowds. Saturday would be a 7am latest start (hard) to get into resort by 10am. We'd then chill or get ski stuff/ski or have a nice look around/relaxed lunch and food shop until the accommodation was ready (usually getting in at least 30 mins before official arrival time). Less to day on leaving day but left after a nice lunch to try to avoid traffic and then stop about 3-4 hours from Calais.
I used to rent our ski gear a day earlier so that we could pick up at 10am on the day of arrival (when staff are sitting around bored) - makes such a difference! Going 3pm onwards in half term is a disaster and you won't get much time with staff who just want to crack through the crowds.
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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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| Quote: |
Do you have your own place out there? So that the extra night accom isn't a problem? Or do you start your journey on the Saturday?
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I do have my own place and now I have retired travel midweek to midweek. I only travel on Saturdays when I have rented the place out.
Before that we always drove overnight leaving home about 7 pm and getting to the resort about 10 or 11 in the morning and skiing that day. Similarly on the departing Saturday we'd leave after skiing and drive through the night. Before that it was the overnight snow train from Calais. I do miss the snow train.
Most Imobiliers now have out of hours key access; you go to a box on the wall tap in a key and collect your keys.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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A lot of this is down to personal choice, what you can tolerate and how much dough you have.
There isn't a right way or a wrong way.
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@Roscoe, if, as I think you said, you're going to stop Troyes area, I would recommend being on the road well before 7am at half-term. Personal view. We've left Macon at 8ish in half-term and got caught up
You'll be ok on the last bit up the valley, it was more around Lyon and particularly into Chambery
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There isn't a right way or a wrong way.
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Indeed - it what works for you
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+1
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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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| Boris wrote: |
@Roscoe, if, as I think you said, you're going to stop Troyes area, I would recommend being on the road well before 7am at half-term. Personal view. We've left Macon at 8ish in half-term and got caught up
You'll be ok on the last bit up the valley, it was more around Lyon and particularly into Chambery
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There isn't a right way or a wrong way.
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Indeed - it what works for you |
I saw a Hotel F1 just north of Dijon and thought that was a cheap option. They even do family rooms for 6 so it will be cost effective too.
Plan was then to be in the car by 6am to hopefully get to resort by 9/9.30ish.
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Haven't read all of this but we've driven to 1950 three times and wouldn't do anything else now. We love it.
Catch 6am Eurotunner and cruise down to Lyon to check into hotel and have a nice meal out. Early breakfast and into Bourg St Maurice for 10.30am or so for a 'fresh things' food shop then straight up to the underground car park in 1950.
We park up and head straight out for an afternoons skiing (lift pass is valid from midday of that first day) before coming back to check in and relax. This also allows us to ski the following Saturday essentially giving us 7 1/2 days skiing and no airport hassle (also means we miss all traffic in and out of Les Arc.......... HIGHLY recommend.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Roscoe, yes if you can get to Dijon area and away 6ish you'll miss the worst. We always aim to be in Aime (no pun intended) by 10ish to stop and do a shop in supermarket
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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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| Roscoe wrote: |
Sorry for spamming this thread recently, but once I've got something in my head I need all the info.
For those that driving to Les Arc or the wider Tarentaise valley, how far south to you drive from Calais for an overnight stop, if you do so? I'm thinking Troyes / Dijon will be a good overnight spot with a 6/7am leave time in the Saturday morning to try and get ahead of the half term traffic. |
We've driven twice before at Easter; first time to ADH we stayed in Troyes, which meant a pretty substantial second day to get to resort and we were pooped. Last year to L2A we stayed in Dole in an F1hotel, much closer to resort and meant we could amble a bit more.
This year we're doing La Plagne and staying in Bourg en Bresse (that's where we've booked at the moment), so we've got 3-4hrs travelling on a Saturday, meaning we can do a big shop and still get there for mid-afternoon. We don't intend on skiing the afternoon we arrive but it could be an option if we make it in time, but we rarely push ourselves to make it a 'must do'
This year we've booked IBIS hotels both ways and they do a 50% off family deal where you book room and get an identical second room for half price; £120 for the night for 4 of us is fine I think, although the F1hotel in dole last year did a similar deal and it was £70 for two rooms.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Wed 25-02-26 16:34; edited 1 time in total
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Just bear in mind F1 hotels are pretty basic, some might even use the term grim.
The free half day is a real boon for Paradiski.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Layne wrote: |
Just bear in mind F1 hotels are pretty basic, some might even use the term grim.
The free half day is a real boon for Paradiski. |
F1 would just be a place to get our heads down for the night and then back on the road very early next morning. With 4 kids, I'm not necessarily fussed about it being "decent", as long as its not a complete dump!
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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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We find the Holiday Inn family rooms good, clean, tidy and an excellent breakfast. Normally about £100........... again, normally do this on the outskirts of Lyon
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Roscoe, sure, it's just a heads up.
First time I used one it was a windy night and the pre fab building was rattling like buggery, so I got no sleep.
Last time I used one it was on an industrial estate and there were two drunks out front. Was worried about the car getting broken into.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Layne wrote: |
@Roscoe, sure, it's just a heads up.
First time I used one it was a windy night and the pre fab building was rattling like buggery, so I got no sleep.
Last time I used one it was on an industrial estate and there were two drunks out front. Was worried about the car getting broken into. |
Yeah that does sound grim!
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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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I've toyed with F1 but then read reviews on TripAdvisor about the actual hotel and got very put off....think sinks in bedrooms tinged with yellow - urgh. Obviously they're not all like that but I must advise you might want to read reviews before booking. We used to stop at the Novotel Macon Nord.....until the trip where one son was ill on top of the other during the night (from a height)....which mentally scarred all of us and was never stopped at again.
I favour B&B Hotels, Ace Hotels and currently into the Ibis Budget Nuits St George to break the trip down (winter and summer). Got a family room for 4 for 45 Euros.
I'm not an avid Airbnb fan but if there's 6 of you it might be cheaper than 2 hotel rooms? We stop on the way back just before Troyes at a charming 2 bed house in Bayel with parking for 58 Euros a night (tea/coffee/real milk thrown in). I think it only caters for 4 however.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Roscoe,
We stayed there on our very first Les Arcs trip. It is less than a 5 minute walk to the escalator that takes you up to Transarc. Book yourself in with Arc Aventures, not ESF. Their meeting point is literally at the top of the escalator (outside on the snowface) and their nursery garden is just up from there. There are toilets next to the pass office at the top of the escalator.
When we stayed there, the meet point was waaaaaay over the other side, which required an uphill walk. Its much better where it is now.
The boot room for Ruitor is right on the street level. What worked best for us as a family was parents walking up the the meet point in normal boots, and the kids going up in ski boots. By being in normal boots, and without my own kit, I could help carry their skis (and they kept their poles) and once on the snow, they could clip in and I could pull them along. Then once they were handed over, I'd head back to Ruitor and kit up. In normal shoes it's literally a two minute walk.
You're right that most lifts won't be running before drop off time, and by heading back to kit up after drop off, it meant the ski school lines had time to clear, so I was able to jump straight on.
If you do decide to book ESF, then all my above advice stands. Just pull your children up the hill and along the flat whilst in normal shoes. You'll be knackered, but they won't be, and that's what you're going for. But seriously, Arc Aventures is the one to book if you're on that side of town.
For evenings, you're a 2-3 minute walk from the bowling bar, which is excellent for families. If you're going in February half term, book a table as it gets busy.
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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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We've only driven once as we prefer to get the train down, but when we did it, we went slightly outside the Snowheads norm.
We are 3 hours from the Chunnel. We called the kids (and me!) in sick on the Friday and got a 1pm crossing. We looked at various routes and decided Auxerre was about halfway between Calais and Les Arcs. Wr booked a Hotel B&B family room for about £50 for the night. It was literally just off the motorway, so no trawling around a town looking for it. We discovered a bowling alley a five minute walk away, so headed there fir some beer, pizza, and bowling. Checkout wasn't until 11am and my husband was adamant that he wasn't leaving until then, so just let him sleep. Lad2 (then aged 9) and I headed over to the Lidl across the road in the morning to stock up on pastries, and then hung out having a Mario Kart tournament in the car, whilst Lad1 (11) and husband slept. I anxiously watched the other cars leaving early.
But dare I say, it worked so well because when we got in the car to leave at 11 (with husband now feeling refreshed following his 8 hour drive the day before), we saw the traffic around Chambéry and Albertville was showing as red on the sat nav. However, because we were several hours behind, by the time we got there, it was all completely clear. We got to Arc 1800 at 5pm, which was also the time of our accommodation check in. The hire shop (Precision Ski, opposite the accommodation office) also didn't close until 7pm, so we were able to get kitted up that night. We were in the bowling bar with a beer by 8pm.
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Oh! Unloading the car at Ruitors is a bit of a faff. You can park in the unloading bays right outside to do it, but entry to the apartments is through a gate, along a long gangway, and then a lift up or down to your apartment. So either pack everything into cases that can easily be wheeled, or if you've got lots of odd bits in the boot in bags for life etc, get one of those foldable pull along trolleys. Or make peace with doing a lot of shuttle runs.
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If I do stop overnight on the drive out I stop at the Premiere Classe in Chalon Sur Soane, which is maybe 5 minutes off the motorway and very easy to find, it has gated parking and I've found over the years that the Premiere Classe are a little nicer that the F1s.
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Amazing bakery in Chalon sur saone: franck lebret!
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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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We drive at half term, we have a small campervan and get to BSM on the Friday evening. Never had an issue with traffic on the Friday. We stay one night at the Huttopia site near the Super U, we do some shopping on the Saturday morning, drive up to 1800 then get our passes and take advantage of our free afternoon on the slopes. I do love a Saturday. Then on the last day we check out, put all our stuff in the van and ski for the day with the Samedi ju Skie pass, we leave about 5pm where we head for Troyes for an overnight. By doing this we miss all the traffic.
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| Owlette wrote: |
@Roscoe,
We stayed there on our very first Les Arcs trip. It is less than a 5 minute walk to the escalator that takes you up to Transarc. Book yourself in with Arc Aventures, not ESF. Their meeting point is literally at the top of the escalator (outside on the snowface) and their nursery garden is just up from there. There are toilets next to the pass office at the top of the escalator.
When we stayed there, the meet point was waaaaaay over the other side, which required an uphill walk. Its much better where it is now.
The boot room for Ruitor is right on the street level. What worked best for us as a family was parents walking up the the meet point in normal boots, and the kids going up in ski boots. By being in normal boots, and without my own kit, I could help carry their skis (and they kept their poles) and once on the snow, they could clip in and I could pull them along. Then once they were handed over, I'd head back to Ruitor and kit up. In normal shoes it's literally a two minute walk.
You're right that most lifts won't be running before drop off time, and by heading back to kit up after drop off, it meant the ski school lines had time to clear, so I was able to jump straight on.
If you do decide to book ESF, then all my above advice stands. Just pull your children up the hill and along the flat whilst in normal shoes. You'll be knackered, but they won't be, and that's what you're going for. But seriously, Arc Aventures is the one to book if you're on that side of town.
For evenings, you're a 2-3 minute walk from the bowling bar, which is excellent for families. If you're going in February half term, book a table as it gets busy. |
Thank so much for this! Its great to have the experience from someone that actually stayed in the same accommodation.
With Arc Adventures, do they have a lunch option or is it just pure lessons? The reason we've previous booked and stayed with ESF, is that they offer a lunch option with a pick up around 2.30pm (depending on resort). So that would give us enough time to ski right up until that point and then spend the rest of the day either sledging, swimming or taking them on a few green runs. But having those solid 5 hours felt like we were getting a good ski fix!
Did you ever use the swimming pool there?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've never seen the option for lunch club for the 1800 branch, though their sister school Evolution2 in 1950 offer this service. In which case, ESF may be more what you're looking for, so prepare for the schlep to the meet point.
The swimming pool in 1800. Yes, we used it once. Worth considering getting the Essentials lift pass as that includes one free swim at La Piscine (as well as giving access to the express lanes at the lifts that have them - in half term the extra lift pass cost is worth it for that alone). We paid €50 for two adults and 2 children to go in, but that did include spa access for the adults. The pool is okay, nothing majorly special, there's a couple of small slides, too. It won't wow any teens you might have, but it'll please younger ones just fine.
Next to the pool is the Luge, as well as the Mille8 green run, so it's a nice area to base yourself in the afternoons.
Do consider picking them up at lunchtime and heading over to Peisey-Vallandry, though. There's a longer 'fun slope' over there and some lovely skiing on very gentle blues all through the trees. It's generally the quietest part of the Les Arcs domain, as everyone flocks to the 2000 bowl. Skiing back from Peisey-Vallandry, you can ski right to the entrance of the escalator and then have a 2 minute clump back to Ruitor.
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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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@Kettonskimum1971,
Yea I get that people do want to get info on travel etc but this is a little too much travel and resort info, for which there is a different thread. To be honest I’ve gone back to using the SCGB for more up to date snow conditions 
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Sorry if I've derailed the thread from being a true 'Snow and Weather conditions/report'.
Though from the limited number of post actually regarding the above, is there a need to two separate threads any longer?
Imo, SH's seems to have taken a dip in activity over the last few years, so having multiple threads on one resorts, feels like the content, engagement and insight is all being spread too thin. When we have a question on something, we'll naturally come to the thread that seems to have the most content/activity regardless of the thread topic.
Sorry if I've annoyed anyone with improper use of this thread.
Conditions currently look great from the webcams and I'm sure the snow is still benefitting from the two big storms from a week ago.
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much  on Fri 27-02-26 12:40; edited 1 time in total
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You know it makes sense.
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The resort threads on this "weather" board have traditional been used as general info/ask anything threads. Aswell actual weather and snow conditions.
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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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Perhaps a simple subject area title such as “resort Q&A” would be more appropriate. After all snow reports are available from the resorts web sites.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| joshua wrote: |
@Kettonskimum1971,
Yea I get that people do want to get info on travel etc but this is a little too much travel and resort info, for which there is a different thread. To be honest I’ve gone back to using the SCGB for more up to date snow conditions |
Do you think people in resort are deciding not to post snow reports in this thread because other people are asking/answering questions about non-skiing issues?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@rob@rar,
I’ve been on this forum for a long time and after everyone came over from SCGB it was a very good source of info for ski conditions in resorts on the threads. However now in most of them people seem to forget the title of the thread is weather and snow conditions, not the best way to travel to the resort or where to get a pizza. On a couple of the other threads there are some who give very in depth snow reports along with info on restaurants local travel info etc. A better balance would be great It’s certainly possible people don’t post about conditions as there is virtually none on quite a few threads and most seems to be non skiing issues
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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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| joshua wrote: |
| It’s certainly possible people don’t post about conditions as there is virtually none on quite a few threads and most seems to be non skiing issues |
Why do you think that is?
Do you think questions and replies about the resort, such as travel, accommodation, shopping, apres-ski, etc, are of less value than observations about snow conditions. Personally, I think information about travel, accommodation, shopping, apres-ski, etc is actually more useful, as I can use that advice to take decisions related to holiday planning. Info about snow conditions might satisfy a bit of curiosity but it's not actually that useful in planning your holiday other than those minority of people who are deciding where to go with just two or three days notice. For everyone else, the snow conditions will be what they will be.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@joshua, Duly noted. Next season we'll start this thread in the 'Trip Reports' section. I've been a regular on the Les Arcs threads for the past few years and they're a space for general chatter about the resort. Same goes for other threads about other resorts. Somewhere for newbies to the resort to find a wealth of information and experienced folk.
The information about parking, apres, and accommodation is likely to be far more long lasting than snow conditions, which can change overnight.
Perhaps we could ask admin to move the thread? Or perhaps you could start a new one, making it clear in the title that you're asking about snow conditions only. But this is Snowheads, so it'll likely go off topic within 5 posts anyway.
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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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@Roscoe, You're all good. No worries. PM if you want to chat more about Ruitor!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Owlette wrote: |
| Perhaps we could ask admin to move the thread? Or perhaps you could start a new one, making it clear in the title that you're asking about snow conditions only. But this is Snowheads, so it'll likely go off topic within 5 posts anyway. |
I think this thread works just great as it is, as it does each winter. Pointless, IMO, to split information about the resort (of whatever kind) into different threads. Like all the other threads about specific resorts, this one has gown organically to encompass a variety of information about the resort, because that's how forum members contribute to the thread. Trying to operate different types of info in to multiple thread is much more likely to lead to people not bothering to contribute if the information about Les Arcs is spread across the forum.
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| Owlette wrote: |
| @Roscoe, You're all good. No worries. PM if you want to chat more about Ruitor! |
Thank you. Its almost feels like some people come on to these forums to help and be kind to others. Some others however......
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Fri 27-02-26 16:17; edited 1 time in total
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@rob@rar, FWIW, I agree with you about resort threads generally.
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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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| KSH wrote: |
| @rob@rar, FWIW, I agree with you about resort threads generally. |
I post comments about snow conditions from time to time as well as comments about life in the resort more generally, and I try to answer any specific questions if I can. Happy to do that as it's all in one place, but I'd be less inclined to post comments about snow conditions if there was a separate thread to keep track of, not least because I think those snow reports aren't especially helpful. What I might think is brilliant snow or brilliant weather could be very different from what somebody else thinks are brilliant conditions, and in any case such info can go out of date very quickly. On the other hand, advice about a hotel's location, such as we've seen in the last few posts, is specific, mostly factual and won't be out of date next week.
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@rob@rar, I’ll be there 5-weeks tomorrow, will the snow be ok 
Also think thread is fine as it is
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FAQ
