Looking for some accommodation advice from the PDS experts. Have been to the PDS regularly over the last few years at various time during the ski season. Spurred on by the recent dump of snow, I booked flights from 26th Feb to 1st Mar for a quick weekend with my OH and 2 of our eldest children. Trouble I'm having is that I cant find any accommodation for that time in Avoriaz or even Morzine. Any suggestions or help?
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?
@Roscoe, Your dates are in French school holidays.
Pistes all OK this morning. It was raining at 1300m in the night and no sign of fresh snow up top.
I haven't noticed any real difference from Tuesday (had to work yesterday )
I'm currently half way down the run to Prodains having a coffee at Les Côtes. Apparently Coupe du Monde (Jean Vuarand) is now a red run. Seems identical to when it was black to me!
Thanks.
CdM/jean Vuarnet never really qualified as a black, in my opinion. Great red though.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
rjs wrote:
@Roscoe, Your dates are in French school holidays.
I know, wasn't the best planning and very impromptued flight purchase. Might just have to take the hit and write the flights off!
Just wondering if anyone knew of any independent places that are not on the usual hotel websites.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hi all. Arriving for our annual visit next week and watching forecasts and webcams in anticipation. What are the snow conditions like currently and by next weekend are the psistes likely to become hard packed similar to the conditions seen over December?
One of the areas of confusion, still on that map, is at the top of the Champeys lift. It's missing an arrow, you cannot take piste 34 from there to the Piste 35 (Didier de Fago blue run). Not without trekking uphill against the flow of skiers or cutting across off piste, anyway.
Last edited by After all it is free on Thu 15-01-26 14:09; edited 1 time in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
silentice wrote:
Chaletbeauroc wrote:
The piste map for that area
Is there a closeup PDF piste map of the Swiss villages available? I could only find one that covers the Chatel area. I like to have them as a backup
I have this one bookmarked on my phone - it’s from 19/20 but not a lot has changed in this time. You can also pickup local paper maps from ticket offices in each main area.
@Ozboy, And here we have the definitive "wrong" map that has confused many people in the past, including myself when we first moved here. It fails to show that you can access Piste 34 back to Champoussin from the Champeys lift. Indeed, it also fails to show the blue part of Piste 35, Didier Defago. On that map it shows it only as a black run, the later map is much clearer in that respect.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
As a newbie to the area I did find the maps and signposting pretty lacking! The online map doesn’t show the same aspects as the printed one!
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.
@kitenski, my bugbear is the Châtel is squashed into a corner of the PDS map (to give Avoriaz centre stage) and makes it harder to appreciate the scale and connections.
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
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
polo wrote:
Took the camera out 10-11ish yesterday morning on Mont Chery. Wife picked a good day for her first slide of the season, but it's mostly the front of my board bouncing to house music, you know, powder day, when my closest friends are shrubbery
All still in good nick. Grand Paradis run to Champery was open, no tarmac and no poling needed.
Lower pistes have sugary snow but higher up it is really good.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Ozboy wrote:
@kitenski, my bugbear is the Châtel is squashed into a corner of the PDS map (to give Avoriaz centre stage) and makes it harder to appreciate the scale and connections.
The paper map we grabbed had a full width Chatel
map on one side which was very useful.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@DJL, That's just another link to the overall PdS interactive one. Yes, you can zoom, but you can't change its perspective.
@kitenski, my bugbear is the Châtel is squashed into a corner of the PDS map (to give Avoriaz centre stage) and makes it harder to appreciate the scale and connections.
This was actually a benefit for so many years when it kept Châtel a relative secret. It also makes chatel look like it's lower than Avoriaz, when the différence in the top lifts is only about 120m ( and the highest PDS lift is one of the mossettes, not really in Avoriaz ).
In other news, i see the braitaz sector of chapelle is finally open. It's my go to place on weekends and busy days. Anyone know how it's skiing ? Also the links back to barbossine if I ski rather than drive there?
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?
@snoozeboy, some quotes from the Chatel owners whatsapp group:
"Braitaz is a bit sketchy - blue from top of chair is shut so green is option, not sure about red yet but will you know once back. Piste down to torgon is great on top half, bit icy with some marbles of doom in places. Looks like going back will be on the chair from top to torgon but will confirm once done it!
Do need to do Tronchey back into torgon at the moment. The red has been pisted at some point but looks v sketchy - prob skiable if you fancy dodging ruts and patches of brown. We didn’t!"
Thanks @porkpiefox, @Chaletbeauroc, @DJL, @Ozboy, for sharing. Chaletbeauroc's PDF is the best match for my needs! I'm out in 2 weeks' time (Morzine based), can't wait!
Not just a PDS thing but would be helpful if the resorts could collate them all in one place; someone goes to the trouble of producing them and then they hide them on an (often) obscure regional website rather than the main one. Can be hard enough to find one at all, will all links going to an online interactive map.
Interactive maps have their place (much clearer to check for closures than an endless list of pistes that you then have to cross-ref) but are often even more unclear with all their overlays. I like to have offline copies saved on my phone and as discussed above, I've found the big whole-resort maps often don't best reflect the true situation on the ground. Hence also looking for village maps where they are available- although agree those aren't always clear either!
I suppose they are meant to give you a general idea but it doesn't help navigation if you head downhill expecting a left turn when in reality it was off the plateau and not well signposted, or the piste forks in an undocumented way and you end up way off target. Part of the fun maybe, or does this just happen to me!?
Paper maps are the ultimate offline backup/souvenir if I can get them but can be hard to track down before actually reaching the main kiosk of the area, which might require a download (not worth it) and sometimes find they are chargeable from the window (I'm too tight for that).
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Fri 16-01-26 12:30; edited 1 time in total
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@silentice, I've never been anywhere that they charge for a piste map.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Chaletbeauroc wrote:
@silentice, I've never been anywhere that they charge for a piste map.
Often hotels have them lying about, I've not travelled extensively but I've noticed this at Jura (I think), Grand Massiv, Alpe D'Huez. Hence I don't have maps in my drawer for those. Maybe they only do it towards the end of the season if running out or something, these have all been in March/April.
After all it is free
After all it is free
turms2 wrote:
@Chaletbeauroc, Flaine...
When? Never used to be the case, but it's been a while since I was a regular there.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Can confirm this was the case last year for Flaine ... it was a euro I think from the lift office
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Chaletbeauroc wrote:
turms2 wrote:
@Chaletbeauroc, Flaine...
When? Never used to be the case, but it's been a while since I was a regular there.
i think since 3-4 years you have to pay for the ski map.
"Think Zero Paper = Zero Waste!
As part of our commitment to preserving the mountain environment, the printed version of the piste map is now available for €1."
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Wow.
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.
silentice wrote:
Thanks @porkpiefox, @Chaletbeauroc, @DJL, @Ozboy, for sharing. Chaletbeauroc's PDF is the best match for my needs! I'm out in 2 weeks' time (Morzine based), can't wait!
Not just a PDS thing but would be helpful if the resorts could collate them all in one place; someone goes to the trouble of producing them and then they hide them on an (often) obscure regional website rather than the main one. Can be hard enough to find one at all, will all links going to an online interactive map.
Interactive maps have their place (much clearer to check for closures than an endless list of pistes that you then have to cross-ref) but are often even more unclear with all their overlays. I like to have offline copies saved on my phone and as discussed above, I've found the big whole-resort maps often don't best reflect the true situation on the ground. Hence also looking for village maps where they are available- although agree those aren't always clear either!
I suppose they are meant to give you a general idea but it doesn't help navigation if you head downhill expecting a left turn when in reality it was off the plateau and not well signposted, or the piste forks in an undocumented way and you end up way off target. Part of the fun maybe, or does this just happen to me!?
Paper maps are the ultimate offline backup/souvenir if I can get them but can be hard to track down before actually reaching the main kiosk of the area, which might require a download (not worth it) and sometimes find they are chargeable from the window (I'm too tight for that).
Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, I'm sure the PDS used to produce a sort of mini booklet type thing, which had the whole PDS on one page, but then the different areas in more detail on the other pages. I don't think they do it now, but I'm sure they used to do that.
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
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
@porkpiefox, I remember that mini booklet from years ago!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
kitenski wrote:
@porkpiefox, I remember that mini booklet from years ago!
I'm glad you said this, otherwise I might have been worried that I was dreaming about piste maps from years gone by
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
porkpiefox wrote:
silentice wrote:
Thanks @porkpiefox, @Chaletbeauroc, @DJL, @Ozboy, for sharing. Chaletbeauroc's PDF is the best match for my needs! I'm out in 2 weeks' time (Morzine based), can't wait!
Not just a PDS thing but would be helpful if the resorts could collate them all in one place; someone goes to the trouble of producing them and then they hide them on an (often) obscure regional website rather than the main one. Can be hard enough to find one at all, will all links going to an online interactive map.
Interactive maps have their place (much clearer to check for closures than an endless list of pistes that you then have to cross-ref) but are often even more unclear with all their overlays. I like to have offline copies saved on my phone and as discussed above, I've found the big whole-resort maps often don't best reflect the true situation on the ground. Hence also looking for village maps where they are available- although agree those aren't always clear either!
I suppose they are meant to give you a general idea but it doesn't help navigation if you head downhill expecting a left turn when in reality it was off the plateau and not well signposted, or the piste forks in an undocumented way and you end up way off target. Part of the fun maybe, or does this just happen to me!?
Paper maps are the ultimate offline backup/souvenir if I can get them but can be hard to track down before actually reaching the main kiosk of the area, which might require a download (not worth it) and sometimes find they are chargeable from the window (I'm too tight for that).
Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, I'm sure the PDS used to produce a sort of mini booklet type thing, which had the whole PDS on one page, but then the different areas in more detail on the other pages. I don't think they do it now, but I'm sure they used to do that.
I have one those up in my office. I'm staring at it now lol
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
turms2 wrote:
Chaletbeauroc wrote:
turms2 wrote:
@Chaletbeauroc, Flaine...
When? Never used to be the case, but it's been a while since I was a regular there.
i think since 3-4 years you have to pay for the ski map.
"Think Zero Paper = Zero Waste!
As part of our commitment to preserving the mountain environment, the printed version of the piste map is now available for €1."
The paper ski map is free on Châtel. They were stacked high by the ticket office.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Ozboy, Yes, can confirm that the individual area maps, each including the whole PdS on the other side, are free. But only available from lift/tourist offices in those sectors, which is really annoying. I've a feeling that some on the sector boundaries might have maps for two areas, like the Corbeau chair caisse having both the Morgins/Champery and the Chatel maps, but can't be sure.
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?
@Chaletbeauroc, The Châtel map has PDS on the other side. You can get a Châtel map from Pierre Longue ticket office next to lift and a Swiss map from Les Crosset office near the Mossettes lift. Avoriaz mao from the ticket office in the village. It’s easy to get hold of them without having to go out of one’s way.
@franga, I haven't been down there early this season, but I wouldn't get there later that 9.20 if I were you. The new road layout which seems to be all about keeping the "van life" away has reduced the capacity by about 20% ffs....
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
We went there New Year’s Day a couple of years ago about 10am expecting it to be rammed and loads of space and hardly anyone riding the lift. A great way up onto the slopes 5 min drive out of morzine.
After all it is free
After all it is free
shep wrote:
@franga, I haven't been down there early this season, but I wouldn't get there later that 9.20 if I were you. The new road layout which seems to be all about keeping the "van life" away has reduced the capacity by about 20% ffs....
Thanks - we tend to use it quite a bit as it means we can ski a large chunk of our favourite bits of Morzine before a late lunch at L’Passage. Might risk it tomorrow …
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.
By the way … Avoriaz (inc all the way down to Ardent) was superb yesterday. Snow (even after lunch) was wintry and grippy. We didn’t have to queue anywhere other than Tour (and even that was only for 5 mins). Let’s see what Chamossieres delivers today …
Ah great to see they do indeed, maybe I was too keen, I checked before Christmas so either it wasn't updated or didn't make it past the interactive map at the top. Had my rant for nothing! Merci!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
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