 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@EvieTee,
Though, most webcams show snow above 1500m to be ok. High temps, but at least no more rain and sun low in the sky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Yes!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Flaine pistes now hard packed but in good condition, hopefully a small top up coming on Friday high up but lower areas will most likely get rain. Morillon 1100 is grass and mud and supposed to open for Christmas week on Saturday… everything crossed for New Year
https://www.haut-giffre.co.uk/webcam/morillon-1100m/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Faust1 wrote: |
Flaine pistes now hard packed but in good condition, hopefully a small top up coming on Friday high up but lower areas will most likely get rain. Morillon 1100 is grass and mud and supposed to open for Christmas week on Saturday… everything crossed for New Year
|
We're not out until Easter, but my friend and his family are off this weekend... webcams at the top look promising
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Was out on the slopes last Saturday until Tuesday. Was hard packed but was getting softer as the days went on. Still getting a frost overnight and slightly cooler today than it has been the last couple of days.
Looks like they have pushed some of the artificial mounds at Morillon 1100 to create a corridor down, though who knows how long that will last! I suppose if they need to, they will download via Sairon as they've done at times the last couple of years. Will report back when I get out again on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@plaff, Thanks for the updates. Look forward to hearing how things are tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surprisingly good piste conditions today. And looks like snow on Wednesday night!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Does anyone know if Morillon is downloading to 1100 via the Sairon chairlift at the end of the day?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They are nursing a thin ribbon of snow down to Esserts 1100 which is looking very sad. Sairon piste is open until 3pm using that ribbon. After 3pm the only option to return is by downloading.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@Faust1, Thanks for the update. Appreciate it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Today the thin ribbon of snow down to Esserts 1100, at the very bottom of the Sairon piste, was only open from 3pm which is most likely to preserve the snow but allow people staying in Morillon 1100 to ski home. Downloading on the Sairon lift can also be used all day. The top of the Sairon piste is in good condition and goes as far as the Bergin lift (as does Marvel) and is quiet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have to say that today in Flaine was an unpleasant experience. The pistes are just far too busy. That combined with smooth icy snow covered in mounds of artificial snow and it felt like a survival exercise. The queues for the yoghurt pots early afternoon were back to the magic carpet exit (an hours wait?) We’ve had a season pass in the GM for more than 10 years and I have never seen NY week like this. I’ll be hanging up my skis until Saturday.
My daughter was talking to a ski guide in Cham yesterday and he commented that the GM is known to be over crowded, so I wonder if the GM is suffering more than other resorts. Perhaps they should stop selling day tickets when it’s like this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Less snow at low levels = more skiers crowding up at mid and high levels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
I have never seen NY week like this.
|
Yep. Never seen it like this at this time of year. Rarely even at half term. I started queuing for Yoghurt pots at 2.30 and got on Grand Vans at 3.35. Awful.
fwiw one possibility is that most of French and Euro half terms all fall on same week this year and combined with early Dec snow more have decided to book this week as half term has been booked out for ages. Enquiries for booking our apartment have indicated this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
I am visiting with a good friend for 4 days in 3 weeks time, Samoëns as it happens. These reports of queues and lack of recent snow are denting my confidence a bit but I’m a spectacular optimist. I’ve never been to GM before but sold the concept of a short transfer and huge ski area to my friend which was accepted on trust. So what’s needed now is for a huge week-long dump over the next few days and for the youngsters to go back to school and become the bright new future which we know they will be. It will happen.
The alternative of bare crowded slopes may damage a long standing friendship and we can’t have that, can we.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
NY week 2022/2023 was in flaine and was also really bad.
I remember arriving to flaine everything was green from 1.700m and below
Many slopes were not open and everywhere overcrowded
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
New Year 1987 ( showing my age!) Flaine ski passes were sold as 2 hour slots so as to limit overcrowding.
There was buggerall snow beneath mid level.
A memorable few days...one of my mates wore his ski clothes continuously for 4 days, and I do mean continuously...no showering, wore them to sleep in, continuously!
The even stranger thing was that his girlfriend, who was with us, was absolutely gorgeous...we were all totally smitten with her....and he was her boyfriend?!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Blanch1962 wrote: |
I am visiting with a good friend for 4 days in 3 weeks time, Samoëns as it happens. These reports of queues and lack of recent snow are denting my confidence a bit but I’m a spectacular optimist. I’ve never been to GM before but sold the concept of a short transfer and huge ski area to my friend which was accepted on trust. So what’s needed now is for a huge week-long dump over the next few days and for the youngsters to go back to school and become the bright new future which we know they will be. It will happen.
The alternative of bare crowded slopes may damage a long standing friendship and we can’t have that, can we. |
Don’t worry, this is a festive holiday issue. Like you, I’m out again at the end of January and know from many trips at this time in the season, that the slopes will be wonderfully uncrowded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| turms2 wrote: |
NY week 2022/2023 was in flaine and was also really bad.
I remember arriving to flaine everything was green from 1.700m and below
Many slopes were not open and everywhere overcrowded |
Oh yes, I didn’t make it out that year due to illness, but my husband took the children pre Christmas week and came home early. Was that the year that the resorts had to close for a few weeks? The conditions are definitely better than then, but there are just too many people for the conditions to support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Fwiw (and appreciate not helpful for those there this week), we were there last week and had a great time. A few of the blues were crowded at times but don’t think we queued at all for lifts (other than the GP gondola but avoided that by taking the two chairlifts to the top).
Could definitely do with a snow top up though- hopefully will arrive soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyone got a more recent update?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pistes are holding up remarkably well considering the huge number of skiers this week, but there are icy patches and the whole area could do with more snow. Having said that, there still a lot that is skiable. When are you arriving? The season quite a down a lot in January, so even a small amount of snow will help
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Am booked for Feb half term and reading some previous comments am now a bit concerned about overcrowding (obvs we expected it to be v.busy but the comments about lift queues sound pretty awful.
It’s our first time to Flaine, we are intermediates with afternoon ski lessons booked. Appreciate any / all advice to help navigate what I’m sure will be a very busy week in the GM! Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| K8TE wrote: |
Am booked for Feb half term and reading some previous comments am now a bit concerned about overcrowding (obvs we expected it to be v.busy but the comments about lift queues sound pretty awful.
It’s our first time to Flaine, we are intermediates with afternoon ski lessons booked. Appreciate any / all advice to help navigate what I’m sure will be a very busy week in the GM! Thanks. |
You will be fine in Flaine Kate - especially with lessons as you can skip the queues with your instructor. The bottlenecks happen when skiers from the villages are heading over to Flaine or back and the beginnings and ends of the day. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Thanks so much, that’s really good to know!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@K8TE, it will be comparatively busy at H/T as will many ski resorts as UK, French and other schools are on holiday. As intermediates you'll probably want to ski from Flaine to the rest of the GM. There is only one link so the link runs and lifts will be quite busy. Timing is everything - get going early. You'd be returning early for pm lessons so that should be OK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks so much, really appreciate the advice! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Evening. I appreciate it’s not a weather post. I am looking at coming to flaine in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed for the foevadt snow in the meantime!) which will be a new ski area for us. We are looking at the Totem hotel and I wondered if anyone had any experiences / feedback on the hotel and if you’d recommend please? I have done a search and comments seem largely positive but thought worth asking the specific question, always good to have first hand comments.
Thank you
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Ive not stayed there, but been to the bar and spa, and its definitely somewhere I'd look to book in the future.
Other guests I've spoken to have only had good things to say, particularly if you get a deal on half board (that was a while back.. )
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Stayed there a few years ago & would go back in heartbeat - great location & lovely hotel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Thats great, thanks. We've booked to go on 17th, so only a short wait 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Saw a video of a fire on the piste on socials this morning, think it was one of the snowpark chalets? Hope everyone is ok
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Arrived this evening to Morillon for a week, to huge amounts of fresh snow in Les Esserts. Some forecasts said it would be rain, but was definitely snow, even down in the valley. The drive up was pretty dicey, lots of cars halfway up putting chains on. We managed to make it up safely without chains, but bunged the car in the big carpark on the way in rather than try to get up to outside our accommodation - definitely the safer and easier choice for us.
Buzzing to get onto the slopes tomorrow! Planning to have an easy day cruising the blues to get the ski legs back. Will report back on what the pistes are like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Enjoy! Look forward to reading the update tomorrow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking much better now. We've now booked for early Feb, just before French schools (Flaine).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snow conditions are really excellent throughout the villages (not been over to Flaine yet - two of our group headed over there then straight back this morning, some pro ski demo event so was super busy). Yesterday probably the best snow we’ve ever had skiing, and today things were still great, despite slightly higher temperatures. Of the three villages, we felt Morillon is pick of the bunch for the snow, I guess the north facing aspect keeps things in good condition for longer.
Seems like a big base now even at 1200m or so, as I found out when my ski pole sank about 50cm on the piste yesterday afternoon at the edge. Rest of season set up very well.
Avalanche risk was 4 yesterday, and supposedly (from a ski instructor) they almost put it to 5 and closed the whole place. Down to 3 today, lots of the obvious off piste areas well used.
Kedeuze gondola has also been broken for the last two days, so they’ve been bussing people from Les Carroz to Les Moillets. Very very glad we opted for Morillon now having seen that! Pisteur said it’ll maybe be back open Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Thanks for the comprehensive update, the conditions sound amazing - enjoy tomorrow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
Yesterday probably the best snow we’ve ever had skiing, and today things were still great, despite slightly higher temperatures. Of the three villages, we felt Morillon is pick of the bunch for the snow, I guess the north facing aspect keeps things in good condition for longer.
|
We came back yesterday having skiied Morillon and Samoens, and completely agree. The best piste conditions I can remember in the Grand Massif.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
