 Poster: A snowHead
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That Vanoise Security enabled radio sounds a great idea but hope you never have to use it, apart from test drills.
YSE only a handful of guests in that chalet in a peak February week? I find that, to say the least, very surprising, given how they operate their well located chalets. I can only think high pricing is deterring clients but what do you think?
Chapeau to the Vonnster. Superhuman.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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PeakyB - yes exactly hope never use it. It could be useful trying to help with rescues etc too. There is a private line on the radio too for just TDC coaches too which can be useful for relaying info on conditions off piste between us too. And course the relay system means can always contact PGHM etc for help even if out of phone reception! Re YSE... its because the resort for Brits is quiet this week and YSE dont target the French market. The French are very savvy and price sensitive so if YSE dropped their prices then they would be flooded with French BUT they would have to spend to attract them! The whole resort is only really semi busy and thats with the frew'ish French there are here and Scandis etc - not too many Brits etc! Yes and also well done to Van Allen today - 3 events so far and 3 golds! A VERY rare thing to have that at one Olympics - although Jean Claude Killy is about the only other (almost) in Olympic history for Golds at one Olympics!
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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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Blimey - deep
Im going to get an early one tonight as last night I just woke too early so didnt feel rested from the start of the day! It was a lovely night last night with great company and wonderful food... cant remember if said what we had but it was yummy - Falafels, pork belly and then a chocolate fondant thing with salted caramel sauce - washed down with some nice wine etc - perfect!
Anyway yea wasnt the best sleep ever.
This morning everyone was on a 0930 start but I was heading to the meet point for 0900 so it was a bit of a rush for me first thing over the others. The weather was looking surprisingly OK out there - the road looked OK, the wind was low, the vis not too bad really - game on.
So I got to the meet point and despite a short delay the clients rocked up. It was a 12 year old girl (her twin was ill so could not come) and she had never really experienced such powder snow. The dad (an ex American Nor-Am racer and now Nascar driver (I think)) basically said shes not used to these conditions so go and get her in this stuff! Anyway a really nice young lady we set off up Solaise - the weather looked marginally better up there.
So we started with the Glacier and moved onto some of the harder blues off Datcha before doing (as it got more bumpy) the Madeleine! I really did not want to be down low... although the vis would be better the snow would be a lot heavier etc. With the snow getting lumpier up high we did finally retreat to the lower slopes and even down there there was some serious amounts of snow - quite incredible really.
Lunch hour was busy busy as needed to get into town to collect packs from the office for the afternoon! So that was tricky in the snow and carrying multiple packs about.... probably my least favourite part of the job lugging all the gear about!
So I just about had 20 mins to sit down and eat and use the facilities etc before meeting the afternoon lot which was the seasonnaires. 3rd session with them and their first off piste part of their program.
Like the morning it was a little bit of a toss up which would be better but I decided Solaise would give more options and of course the option of dropping down into trees if needs be. Off we went and right from the start it was tricky seeing but what we could see meant that right next to the pistes would be fine... getting the right gradient would be crucial - mainly for ability to handle it but also speed considerations too. Consideration really needed to be given to terrain above in terms of avalanche danger.
So we found some lovely snow up there but it was SERIOUSLY deep in many places now!
To finish as the weather closed in even more we went lower in the trees down towards Mattis and the bus stop - just stunning amounts of snow out there. At altitude some wind coming in though unfortunately.
After dropping the packs back I headed home! What a day. Tomorrow I am supposed to be doing a 4 hour off piste session in the morning and then 3 hours intro to off piste in the afternoon (with my other seasonnaires group). Conditions and opening etc are going to be tricky tomorrow as this storm should continue to rage all night and all day tomorrow but time will tell what is and isnt possible! The avalanche risk is raising to 5/5 tomorrow too. Now some people would say that that means you can't under any circumstances go off piste but in reality taking careful note of what is above and below where you stand AND making sure the gradient is always flat should mean that risk is all but zero... in fact the biggest risk is knee twisting etc. Of course the observation of slopes that are and aren't open is vital too.
I think I could be (assuming things are open) in the trees at La Daille tomorrow.
This evening Ben has been at a friends house (he is not skiing tomorrow) and Olivia has been with a friend too (at home) so it has been rather quiet at home.
Tomorrow (hopefully she will get here) Clares mum is arriving for 10 days. So that will be nice.
In other news there was a really bad accident on the S piste this morning apparently. Vague variations of the story as to what happened but pieceing it together it seems as if someone fell forwards and somehow crushed some bones in their chest... the person (given the weather) was taken to the bottom of the Solaise where he went into cardiac arrest. They took the person into the area by the public loos under the Sun Bar (where I normally have my lunch!) and carried out CPR whilst they waited for the ambulance to arrive. The person apparently died at the scene! Maybe Ill find out more tomorrow - ouch!
The one photo below pretty much sums the day up. It was warm, snowy, soggy and tricky to see much and at times quite windy.
TTFN
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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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Good luck tomorrow... avi 5/5 for me is definitely an "off piste" day, preferably bunkered down in a nice bar that does good beer and tartiflette 
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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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With that snow dump tomorrow, maybe a bit more over the weekend and sub zero temperatures to follow, half term week is shaping up to be interesting.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I was just about to buy 7 day lift passes, but spoke to a mate who is buying daily on the app as if the resort shuts again next week for 2 days, for example, it would be cheaper. Look like another wave comes in Sunday evening and doesn't stop till Thursday! Feb 99 we had 5 whole days at AV5 and everyone had to stay inside in La Plagne.. I was a rep and getting huge abuse from our clients that the resort was shut 
Anyway, super excited there is so much snow, even if my teens girls will be complaining about no sun.. lol can't win..
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| Alex A wrote: |
I was just about to buy 7 day lift passes, but spoke to a mate who is buying daily on the app as if the resort shuts again next week for 2 days, for example, it would be cheaper. Look like another wave comes in Sunday evening and doesn't stop till Thursday! Feb 99 we had 5 whole days at AV5 and everyone had to stay inside in La Plagne.. I was a rep and getting huge abuse from our clients that the resort was shut
Anyway, super excited there is so much snow, even if my teens girls will be complaining about no sun.. lol can't win.. |
Val D'Isere are very good at refunding if their is a significant closure, we got a day back a few years ago on a 6 day pass without too much issue. Funi and bottom of Fornet was open, I seem to remember was snow and high winds closing up high. Filled in their form online with the pass details and receipt and got the money back in a week or so. Was pretty straight forward.
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It was a lovely night last night with great company and wonderful food... cant remember if said what we had but it was yummy - Falafels, pork belly and then a chocolate fondant thing with salted caramel sauce - washed down with some nice wine etc - perfect!
Very envious of you enjoying YSE's hospitality. In my opinion they cannot be beaten. Was a regular late April guest at les Chardons - so many single rooms with no single supplement - until two knee replacements. Hope to be back next year.
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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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@Alex A, Take a look at ski à la carte lift pass system … I’ve just signed up as you only pay for days you ski and it works out cheaper than a 6 day pass
I’m skiing à week in March and a week in April and have saved E150 for 12 days skiing
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Is there anywhere in Val d'Isere that rents avalanche kit, beacons etc?
My wife and i have kit, she's becoming more protective of our two laissez faire friends and wants to rent them the basics. A
s she right said they wouldn't be able to find us and we wouldn't be able to find them.
We don't stray far from the piste, but still, risk mitigating is a good idea wherever you are in the resort.
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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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It's also worth bearing in mind you need to know how to use the beacon, switch mode, do a coarse/fine search and then probe and extricate.
You need an instructor to teach you that. So whilst it sounds like you and your wife could rescue your beacon equipped friends, I doubt they could return the favour! Not without doing an off piste course.
The first time I did the course I found it very rewarding and interesting.
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Thanks for the message, we've all had the training and quite likely we will book another day to do some deeper off-piste and get a refresher.
I 100% agree with you, it was pretty cool learning to use them are there people doing courses?
We're out on the 7th of March, seeing the weather this last few days its prudent to be sensible and also make sure we're equipped if the worst does happen.
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You know it makes sense.
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A six day pass is the same price as 6 x 1 day passes in VDI
We used to top our passes up each morning on the app.
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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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Thanks and here is the equivalent for Tignes - https://www.ticketoski.fr/en/tignes
Looking at the piste map today, Tignes had very little open. Val certainly looked better if you could get there!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Frosty the Snowman, My reading is that if you do this through the a la carte system you get 10% discount on the daily price and your 9th day is free.
Card subscription is E29 per annum but can get cheap annual Carre Neige too.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@drewclarke, Jean Sports will sort you out … look at Alpine Experience too for guided mornings
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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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| PBJ wrote: |
| @drewclarke, Jean Sports will sort you out … look at Alpine Experience too for guided mornings |
Thank you!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@drewclarke,
Talk to Steve Angus of this ilk.
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
@drewclarke,
Talk to Steve Angus of this ilk. |
We're on one plank, so not sure if Steve caters for us lot. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@drewclarke, Steve covers both light and dark sides 
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@drewclarke, Steve swings both ways 
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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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moosepig - fair enough. And yes im both sides!
PeakyB - it sure is!
Alex A - good hunting there. Yea the balance between powder and sun - someone is always moaning eh!
therock - good to hear
fvlover - yes they are very good aren't they... my mate Murray is the head chef and runs a tight ship!
PBJ - yes that is a good set up for some people you are right
chocksaway - thank you. Swinging both ways - guess you could say that!
drewclarke - Mountain Pro / Jean Sports rent the gear out yes.... and others have said I / we do off pisting stuff.. personally I was teaching a boarder 'off piste' today. So yea drop me a line if you like.
NoMapNoCompass - very good point!
Frosty the Snowman - you know the system well!
FrediKanoute - thank you
PBJ - there are some devil in the details sometimes eh! And thanks for the Jean Sports recommendation! But yes we do the off piste stuff too!
Kenzie - thank you sir
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Snow looks amazing. I see Tignes was shut yesterday - was all of Val too ? Im jealous but im happy to avoid Feb half term. Easter is much quieter for those who have to go in school hols and id recommend
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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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@Steve Angus, Why can't the staff have a drink (I assume they're paying customers) after their shift? No different to the countless instructors and pisteurs in the bars at 5pm?
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Just out of interest what if the problem with the piste basher team having a drink in the bar - assuming they’ve brought the wine there and not brought their own in. I’d hate for Val D’Isere to become like those resorts where the bars are reserved for wealthy tourists and the workers are bussed in from outside
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You know it makes sense.
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I think I'd rather have a drink with the piste basher drivers than some of the other visitors to Val as well.
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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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Just seen a report in The Telegraph about avalanche and two Brits killed - sad news - you ok Steve ?
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Poster: A snowHead
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The reports seem to be of a local guide and two British clients!
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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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@Steve Angus, are you and your TDC/instructor pals going to give up your seats in the Sun Bar or Roses Blanches for me and my pals (full price season pass paying customers) when we've all paid the same for our food and drink?
And I assume you have their permission to take their photo and post it on a public forum? Otherwise it's illegal in France. Just saying.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Dr John wrote: |
And I assume you have their permission to take their photo and post it on a public forum? Otherwise it's illegal in France. Just saying. |
Some things are maybe better dealt with by PM if you're concerned.
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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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@davidar, I believe the reason you can't DM will be that you're down a crevasse. If you follow the linked instructions you should hopefully be able to climb out of there or call for rescue if not 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Please avoid ruining this remarkable chat on its 272th page with unnecessary comments..
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At the moment I think it’s best to mourn the loss of two Brits and the people they have left behind in this tragic accident  than making sarcastic comments about a jovial picture. Imagine the pain their families are going through and potentially kids / friends in report.
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I have to say...WTF??
WTF was an instructor doing taking clients off piste today with the Avi warning as it was?
Please don't tell me he was qualified to do so, that isn't the point at all.
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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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In the Manchet valley by all accounts - what the hell?!
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Charlie333 - not all of Val was shut yesterday no. Yea Easter is more peaceful thats for sure!
timlongs - they can - but the point was that most of them werent actually - just taking up tables etc and stopping paying customers from sitting down! Didnt make that clear! You cant see the extent of how many were there not 'paying' etc!
TommyJ - reply as above
endoman - nice
phillip33 - yup thanks
On the rocks - yup although the wording 'guide' and 'instructor' seems to be interchanged so not sure exactly who it was involved.
Dr John - alright calm down! See my comments above - they werent (many of them anyway) paying and sitting - just sitting meaning anyone else who had bought couldnt sit! Didnt explain that!
T Bar - thanks!
Rob54 - thank you. Passive agressive per se!
Alex A - agree totally!
rungsp - what I would say (ill be posting in a second about taking people off piste) is that there is a difference in going places that 'could' slide today i.e. are steep enough or have slopes above / below that are steep enough to slide and just going off piste. That location on a day like today - no way for me. But I have no idea of the circumstances so other than that cant comment.
NoMapNoCompass - Marmottons couloirs area it happened in so yes Manchet valley
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FAQ
