 Poster: A snowHead
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Here at the moment - the piste skiing is pretty decent over 2000m. Had some lovely runs over to Monetier and the Villeneuve/Charlemerle areas. La Bez was in ok shape.
However some of the runs are bit hard packed - and a good few have stones so you’d have to be careful.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Agree with the above. The wind has picked up today making it feel a lot colder / and it was already cold.
Casse du boeuf piste still showing open in the app but closed in real life…!
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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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| Quote: |
Casse du boeuf piste still showing open in the app but closed in real life…!
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The website said "lower section only" the other day, assuming this is just the stretch below the Marteau. No idea whether this matches reality, as I'm not there yet.
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Ah, that could be it. Just back from driving to Briancon to take dogs to vets, the Luc Alphand run into Chantemerle looks much better and has been bashed, but still closed.
I wouldn’t have imagined spending 4 weeks here and not being able to ski either the cdb or the Luc… 2 days skiing left on this trip.
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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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| willh wrote: |
| ....I wouldn’t have imagined spending 4 weeks here and not being able to ski either the cdb or the Luc… 2 days skiing left on this trip.... |
I sympathise with you on that!
And yes, it's been snowing this morning, but as I type this, it's stopped, we're on for all of a couple of cms so far.
Webcam on the terrace up and running and updates as and when.
https://stylealtitude.com/serrechevalierweathercam.html
That said yesterday we had a "Carlsberg" moment, in that we decided to go for a run from Monetier to Le Casset with the dogs, and I was a tad skeptical about what the state of the walking trail would be like, and it was in the end, a "What if Carlsberg had to make a snow-hiking trail" as it was absolutely perfect, though crampons were a must!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
unfortunalty it doesnt look like the much needed substantial dump, though I almost think those days are no-more 
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I hope you're wrong in that instance and that this incoming storm is enough to get a base going
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Currently snowing at the top of the Pontillas lift! Conditions pretty good!
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Well I've just been out, cleaned the terrace before I left and was out for around 30 mins and it started snowing again and just cleared the terrace again.
Snow nice and light as temps -4 so could use a brush instead of a shovel. Roads very snowy and a few cars not at all confident.
Might go up the hill in around an hour to take a look, if that's at all possible 
@leggyblonde, when are you next out then?
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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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| leggyblonde wrote: |
| Quote: |
unfortunalty it doesnt look like the much needed substantial dump, though I almost think those days are no-more
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I hope you're wrong in that instance and that this incoming storm is enough to get a base going |
Given that I fly out on Saturday, I very much hope sp too!
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@Weathercam, Webcam is looking great!
Not until SOPiB so have a while for a few dumps to come in! The again over Easter
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Skied down to Monetier - slopes have improved a lot since Monday. Still snowing like mad!
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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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@Skigaillimh, that's what I like to hear. Working on the packing to arrive on Sunday at the moment.
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Snowing up at Montgenevre, and down the hill to Cesana on the Italian side, -7 at Monty. In Cesana 4-6 inches of snow on the parking spot I left at 8:45 when I returned around 14:00. Good snow but poor visibility on the hill. Certainly felt boot deep in places on piste. Very fun morning.
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You know it makes sense.
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Wow that was a fun day - complete contrast to earlier in the week. Snow quite a lot atm - the pistes are a lot. Better. However there are still hard packed parts where the fresh snow has been pushed off them. La Bez in much better condition and the Monetier runs are great
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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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Went up the hill circa 13:00 and had a good non-stop thrash for a couple of hours, did try some of our usual stashes but still need some more snow as I was going through to the ground and it was very bumpy, so stuck to fresh snow on the piste, as soon as it became a little steeper (Le Bez) then as has been mentioned a lot of the fresh had been pushed off leaving the boiler plate underneath.
It will be interesting to see what happens overnight, but so far, pleasantly pleased, and hopefully it will continue tomorrow, though temperatures are forecast to be less cold.
Fair number of holiday peeps still around here, which is the new appts and ODalys, demographic young Eastern European snowboarders, who obviously don't object to the lack of viz, and plenty of groups (snakes) of ski school groups of 12 snaking their way down the hill.
Might have to head elsewhere tomorrow and/or possibly go off-grid 
Shared a gondola with Will Bankes, who is now teaching and guiding, one of his specialities being Splitboard touring, though today he was teaching skiing to intermediates.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Great ski yesterday, plenty of good laps in Monetier whilst it was still snowing, it just got better and better.
Lapped the drag in Monetier various times and then sadly had to go back to the appartment for work calls.
Snowed all night and is snowing heavily again now, trying to get work tasks cleared up so I can get my last day skiing for this trip!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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It's been a while since we've actually had what I would actually term a "dump"
First photo was circa 07:30 this morning and the second when I returned just after Noon.
It measured 33cm and that was after the consolidation of yesterday, so I'd surmise in the valley we've had 35-40cms, though i suspect if you read Serre Che Tourist Office scial media they would claim 50cm +
We headed to Montier for first lifts, though avy control meant the uplift didn't start until 09:30 though my ski buddy decided he'd go back home to get his lift pass, which left me with Team Swede's, who take no prisoners when it comes to first lifts and first tracks, and at times it was quite insane
Eventually hooked up with my ski buddy, and we did a few more runs with Team Swede, who had slowed down a bit before heading off and doing some laps in the forest.
Snow was a little heavy in the forest, and after the last lap ended up in Peyra Juana for a well-earned coffee break.
Daughter and OH had a good morning skiing up and around Pointillas.
Right at the end we bumped into @willh, so that was good to have a nag.
Dodo time now 
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Didnt get up the hill today, but Serre Che was getting some snow as Weathercam says. Dumping in Montgenevre too, but waaaay less on the Italian side. I guess that’s the norm though, one side getting it, the other not so much.
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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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It was great skiing today - a proper powder day! Complete contrast to earlier in the week. All the pistes were firing today.
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bit late to the party today, good to bump into @Weathercam finally, viz wasn't great but son was skiing with some french friends and they wanted to head to Serre Ratier so we joined them for a blast over, lots of fun side of the piste. Snow falling most of the time we were up, although it's stopped now (in Monetier).
Had one great run under the Grand Serre lift, then I had to head back towards home, few laps of the drag but pretty skied out and getting heavy.
If/when the visibility clears up it could be really great, meanwhile I now have virtual meetings followed by digging out the car and loading it up with gear. Fingers crossed the Lauteret stays open...
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@willh, safe trip home. Heading off from here in the morning.
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@willh, great to meet you (again!), this time putting a name to a face, glad your trip here ended on a high
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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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@KenX, you too - hopefully catch you in March
@Hells Bells, safe trip out, you should have some good conditions 
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| @willh, safe trip home. Heading off from here in the morning. |
Safe travels! I'm about to depart for Grenoble myself.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Piste conditions are excellent today - however the wind is super strong. Cote Chevalier chair is shut now - hopefully will reopen. Was in Pi Mai for a beer earlier and half the chairs blow away!
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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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@KenX, and I made a sound call on the weather clearing mid-morning, and we were pretty well spot on.
Fair number of short untracked powder lines and then the OH & daughter appeared, so we sort of all skied the same line but at a different pace, so nigh two of our laps to one of theirs.
Then we hooked up for a little hike to the scene of where Loulou had an accident a few years ago and I had to dig a route out to get her back to the piste and then a blood wagon, though we have since found out that where she actually fell is classed as inbounds, evidently, and she was covered.
Anyway was like getting back on the horse for her, and she was well chuffed.
Getting to the playground.
Getting ready to drop in.
Maybe taking the tip of "speed is your friend" a little bit too literally, now just have to work on the turns a bit more
As had been mentioned, there were some insane gusts, but overall wind speeds were not too bad.
It also became quite busy, and I suspect tomorrow will be busier, and I'm not too sure what effect this wind will have, apart from obviously loading even more in some sectors where it would be unwise to ski.
I'm still contemplating a longish tour tomorrow, as still a lot of snow on the trees in that area, as it is more in the lee of the mountain, but it's a long approach, so it will probably be just me and Ullr.
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I’ll be in Serre chevalier from the 24th to the 31st of Jan, doesn’t anyone know if and when most of the red and black runs will be open? Also is the enough runs currently for a week of skiing or will I get a bit bored? Thanks in advance
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You know it makes sense.
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Looong day yesterday, the exit out over the Col and down to Grenoble was as bad as I can remember. From Monetier to Bourg d'Oisans the visibility was really poor, snowploughs out, and traffic just got busier (we left at 6:30am). Finally home just after midnight.
Then you see the webcams showing blue skies 
No doubt an amazing day for those who could get out in it
@Crids, have a look at the Serre Chevalier app for open runs. Looks like a lot more has opened up with the recent snow, although the Eychauda drag for the runs up there is closed (and doesn't run often!). There's plenty to keep you busy for a week
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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've been here (the UCPA Centre in Villeneuve) less then 24 hours, skied a day so far, and I can't think of many resorts that offer more. I can see why a lot of my friends who live in the Grésivaudan (about a third of way to Grenoble from Chambéry) regularly come in this direction for a week or two each year.
Now I'm not saying that I won't go anywhere else in France again, or that I'll come back here every year; but I'm not not saying either of those things, either.
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Poster: A snowHead
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After the very strong winds of the weekend, a lot of potential inviting off-piste (untracked) areas that might look inviting are now very wind-affected, and can be at best described "technical to ski".
That said, the pistes should be in glorious condition today with far fewer people around.
Now for us chasing untracked we have to think a little more outside the box, as well as a bit of luck.
Yesterday I opted for a big tour and found myself heading towards the Col du Granon as the Gardiole was being scoured by strong winds; as you can see, the forest was lush.
And then above the trees, it was very wind-affected depending on the aspect.
But that counts as my first Granon of the year
Circa 1,000m 4.5 hrs sortie.
Loads of army up there at the barracks with rattraccks and snowmobiles, came across one platoon practicisng digging them out, rather than tow with another 
Had to opt for the road down for a few km which was more like a piste after the rattracks.
Then, when it was less wind affected, I headed off back down the terraces heading towards La Salle, and it's very rare to be able to do that.
So then the OH came and collected me from just behind the Church in La Salle, as they too had toured up from Villard Late, but only as far as Les Tronchets, hence they had the van.
Trying to work on a cunning plan tomorrow, so watch this space
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Weathercam, Cheers, a fun morning and great to be out with the dogs again on skis. Hamish slept well !
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Report from the pistes. Great snow generally but lower down, it makes a big difference if they have been able to use cannons to lay down a base. For example Aya down to Monetier is in great shape whereas Corvaria was a bit patchier and I suspect a bit thin to bash.
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@Weathercam, training readiness 1 this morning after yesterday's combat skiing
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Great conditions reported from Famille Beaumont. Stayed on Monetier side today, and lunch at Peyra Juana. Not sure of tomorrow's plans as hubby is awaiting a delivery of a pair of piste skis. Will make last minute plans when delivery time is updated in the morning I suspect.
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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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@Weathercam, no, but I can guess who
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FAQ
