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 #121 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 22/03/2010 @ 13:39 |
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on-piste avalanche yesterday - source - stay safe kids! |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #122 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 22/03/2010 @ 20:17 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 22/03/2010 @ 20:29) |
| In reply to post #121
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Today was another mixed day, morning started very well and the snow high up even later during lunch time was very good. The off piste on Grand col was great and seems very stable, near to the piste where we stayed at least. The snow at the top of AR on the glacier was great. The off piste area is safe from avalanche if you choose a good route, so nice and safe to play in.
Later in the day we went down for the water slide again, might as well do it when you are skiing in the rain anyway. Tick number two and still dry Others chickened out again, very sad. And to much speed can be as bad as to little. A quick turn to reduce the splash before dropping in always helps.
Yesterday there was an avalanche which crossed the piste where edelweiss and Lac meet. The papers say 5 were buried, but a witness tells me it was only two and they were not really buried only a little covered. The others barely got there skis covered, but I guess that still counts. Nobody really knows how it started but I also note they say a boarder might have started it. Those I spoke with seem to think it was most likely natural due to the rain.
Today there were a few small ones crossing the piste on the way down to lac but they were watched carefully by the pisteurs. All pistes down from Arpette to Arc 2000 were closed by about 4.30pm ish due to the risk of more slides. There was a second slide on Bois de l'ours later this afternoon under the avalanche barriers. Due to the angle of this slope, the direction it faces and the rain we have been getting, it is easily overloaded and slips so best to keep away.
Despite these worries conditions are still pity good with regards to snow depth and the way most pistes are standing up to the wet conditions. With colder temps forecast in a couple of days and even a bit of snow maybe later in the week. Those coming out for Easter have plenty to enjoy and for the younger people, the snow park is great still with lots of jumps to throw yourself off.
So let's be positive and think on the bright side, as one of those with me today said, it is still better than being in the office.
For those that are interested, photos from our Off piste paradiski trip are now up on my facebook page. Just sign in to view them, anyone interested in joining in the next time send me a PM.
http://www.facebook.com/snowcrazy.chris?ref=profile |
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| #123 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 29/03/2010 @ 21:54 |
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| In reply to post #122
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After all the chat about slushy wet snow, what a great surprise this morning was. Started overcast but quickly brightened up and with all the top lifts open it was straight to the Varet for a warm up on the Robert Blanc face Natur ride area. Waiting for the AR lift to open.
Then up the AR cable-car and down the coulior to the right and all the way down through the soft fluffy snow (not quite powder) to the Blue piste far below and a quick rest at the Mushroom piste Bar.
Off again, this time down the Petit Nord Face and then the Robert Blanc Coulior to the varet again. Over to the Grand Col for more soft untracked snow on the sheltered side away from the piste, although by 2pm it was starting to get heavy again coming onto the piste. Kept going until about 3pm and finished at the water-slide by the Altiport (still dry), then to George's Wine Bar for a cool beer.
I will try to load the pics later of these routes. Great snow for this time of year, but you do need to finish your best skiing by 2pm if you want to save your knees. The snow was very heavy by the time I finished. Now waiting for the next dump they say is on it's way. |
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| #124 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 04/04/2010 @ 22:29 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 04/04/2010 @ 22:39) |
| In reply to post #123
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Happy Easter everyone
The vis today started very poorly but with the fresh powder (15cm +) it made for great riding in the trees around Arc 1600 and across in Peisey Vallandry. As the day went on the clouds started to lift and there were brighter spells where you could see the open powder fields. By lunch time it was even ok enough to venture higher and we ended up on pistes with a good covering of fresh snow going down to the Altiport for a snack.
After lunch the clouds lifted for a while (even a quick moment of blue sky, but very short) and there was a chance for everyone to really enjoy our Easter Sunday together across the whole 1600, 1800 and Peisey Vallandry area on and off piste. Good snow although getting soft and slushy down to the Peisey chair lift and lots of jumps on the way back to Arc 1800.
Finally a visit to the waterslide at the altiport (did it twice today, still dry) and then we all went our different ways. I stopped at goerge's to meet others that have just arrived. And then it started snowing again. Overcast outside right now and a little fresh snow on the roads but not much. Tomorrow should be another great day. |
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| #125 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 06/04/2010 @ 22:13 |
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good sh*t. i love spring riding. So much so that i am going on thurs. yass. |
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| #126 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 06/04/2010 @ 22:36 |
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| In reply to post #125
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If you fancy going riding send me a PM so we can meet up. It is great out here for the end of the season. |
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| #127 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 07/04/2010 @ 00:12 |
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| In reply to post #126
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Blue sky this morning so the Bellecote NF Canadian couloir was on the agenda. Got to the top for Roche du mio and did a warm up down through the cliffs in good snow, soft and fluffy but well tracked to the chair and then up the top of bellecote. Even by 11.30am it was starting to get wet as the freezing level was over 3000m today.
Headed down the back and found great snow in the sheltered couloir all the way to the bottom. It had snowed a lot in the last few days so it was good to see other groups showing some discipline and not crowding each other, keeping it safe on a day like today was top priority.
Coming out the bottom and onto the open area the snow became heavier but still good to ski even giving the chance to make fresh tracks. Finally finishing with the river route out, more like a skicross course now. A nice drink at the bottom and back to Les Arcs.
Over in Les Arcs headed high and found more good snow even after lunch on the grand col and Petit North Face of AR. Everywhere is well tracked in les arcs on the resort side of the mountains, but still great to ski. Lower down towards Arc 1800 and 1600 it became very soft and slushy. But still another great day in the sun and snow. |
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| #128 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 07/04/2010 @ 09:54 |
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| In reply to post #126
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mucho gracias for the invite SC but im over in cham. |
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| #129 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 07/04/2010 @ 20:48 |
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very jealous of you guys being out there at the moment. I got to enjoy great conditions at Cairngorm mountain in Scotland last weekend, mid station depth was 210cm, and the sun was out most of the day....would love one last trip out to the ALps though!!! |
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| #130 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 12/04/2010 @ 21:43 |
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| In reply to post #129
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Weather permitting some of us are off to Tignes / Val d'Isere tomorrow so if anyone else wants to post tomorrows conditions in Les Arcs please do. I thought today was great with fresh snow covering all the cruddy stuff and plenty of room to make fresh tracks around the Grand col area. To finish we went up to the top of AR and then down the off piste on the left of the glacier and finally down the Robert Blanc couloir. Both had good powder covering the hard crud. Another dump to top it up is just what is needed. Dropping through onto the hard snow underneath certainly tests the knees. |
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| #131 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 18/04/2010 @ 21:43 |
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| In reply to post #130
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Busy last week. Spent a few days in 'Three valleys' doing some of my favorite off piste then up in Val d'Isere and Tignes for a few more days of fun off piste again. Then a tour of the Paradiski and a trip down the North Face of Bellecote, this time by a mix of the petit face and canadian couloir. Some real spring skiing conditions. Blue sky, clouds and very light snow falling at times. Spring snow lower down the face and a ski cross course in the river bed before a little walk out .
The gullies are still fun and the pistes are in great condition higher up, but getting slushy and soft lower down in the afternoons. Poor vis and a little stormy after lunch today so no waterslide for me. Hope to do it one more time before I leave .
The trouble with the airlines seems to have had an effect as the pistes are empty so far this week . Only a few more days to go so must enjoy it while it lasts. Eveything closes this coming weekend. Hope you enjoyed the new pics I have just posted for April. A mix of Les Arcs and Val d'Isere, go to my facebook page if you want to have a look.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/snowcrazy.chris?ref=profile |
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| #132 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 21/04/2010 @ 20:36 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 21/04/2010 @ 20:36) |
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Today was my last day of the season. Sitting here listening to the birds singing and looking out towards Roche de Mio across green meadows, hard to think there is still loads of snow on the mountains and even according to my friends sitting here with me, powder!!!!! on the back of Belverdere in La Thuile. Maybe we should all go there instead of to the Bellecote.
For my final day I joined some friends out till the end of the season for a trip around our favourite spots in Les Arcs in the morning and finished with a trip off piste down the Petit North Face of AR all the way into Arc 2000 bowl. Very good snow at the top but rapidly going off as we got lower, but still good spring snow to finish.
The pistes all over the area even right down to Valllandry were in great condition, nice for high speed carving and plenty of jumps off the side to play on. Stopped for lunch at East in Arc 1950, full of kids, seems a very popular place for groups. Then a quick trip to the Altiport as I just could not resist one last waterslide, sorry folks, managed to stay dry all season this year. Finally up to the top of Clocheret which also closes today (along with Comborciere and a few other lifts) and off piste all the way back to Arc 1600 and home. A great way to finish a very good winter.
Packing up now and driving home later tonight. It has been a great season for all kinds of reasons but mostly as I have managed to finish for the first time for two years without being injured
Just want to say bye and thanks for the great company to all those on here that I have ridden with this year and to all those that have joined in the chat, it has been fun. Now I must get back to the real world, but should any info re Les Arcs come my way I will post here to keep everyone updated.
If I am correct, next season starts 11th December 2010 so see you or chat with you all again then. Oh yes and for those that like the alps in the summer, lifts are open again in July and August for hiking and biking. Have fun .
If you want to see pics of this season or get in touch about next season please go to my facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/snowcrazy.chris?ref=profile |
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| #133 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 23/04/2010 @ 22:14 |
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nice one dude. Happy summer. |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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| #134 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 24/04/2010 @ 09:48 |
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| In reply to post #132
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thanks for the reports Chris  |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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Western Sahara |
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| #135 Re: Les Arcs 2009/2010 Posted 29/06/2010 @ 16:26 |
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| In reply to post #132
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hey snowcrazy.....can I ask you, with your new found extensive knowledge of Arc, which bit is best to look at for a weeks holiday with respect to easy slope access and nightlife?
I have been looking at 2000 staying at chalet l'ours....do you know it?? |
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