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Original poster

Where is the flipping snow?!

65 replies

clam · 23/01/2011 21:57

We're going again to a resort we've been to 4 years running. There's a reasonable base layer (180cm at the top, 40cm at village level) but no fresh snow for what seems like weeks, and temperatures reached 7 or 8 degrees last week, so am guessing what snow is there must be in a ropey old state.
Anyone heard any encouraging forecasts for between now and half term? J2Ski not saying much useful so far...

OP posts:
Original poster
clam · 27/01/2011 12:44

Thanks for those tips. We may take a trip out for a day or so then. Assuming there's snow there!

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deste · 27/01/2011 20:43

If you look at the webcam for St Foy you will realise that that is not the case. We were there last week and the snow was fabulous. While there it snowed but they never recorded it on the site.

PatriciaHolm · 27/01/2011 21:48

Hm - I talked to the friend of ours who owns a chalet there and was there last weekend! Interesting. He does mostly offpiste though - maybe it was worse there. Bodes better though!

deste · 28/01/2011 16:18

There was plenty of snow off-piste as well but it was nor virgin snow and I think that is what they like.

tulpe · 31/01/2011 20:21

Arrived in Les arcs 2000 yesterday which has been snow starved since 13 Jan.

Could only be happier if we had massive snowfall overnight. I am a very cautious skier and had been seriously worried by reports of sheet ice over pistes in this area. We have skied every blue in this region today - by ourselves and with DCs (6 and 10). Yes are there are a few icy bits but I have certainly traversed worse and none of us have fallen.

The pistes are hard packed but by early afternoon with a few hours of sun they are fab to ski. TBH, even first thing they were fine. Believe me, I would be the first to hang up skis and sit in a cafe in they weren't. As it was, I was amazed when DH announced it was 1pm and we should eat quickly as we had to be back tom pick up DCs for 2pm (we had been out since 9)

For those of you who prefer reds and blacks - DH reports they are fine. Again, be aware of the potential for ice but otherwise relax and enjoy.

Original poster
clam · 01/02/2011 08:32

Thanks for this update, Tulpe.

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MmeLindt · 01/02/2011 22:07

I have a friend who was in Chamonix area on Sunday. There has been no new snow there, and the runs are icy. She said that it is fine for experienced skiers and in the morning - they have snow cannons running overnight.

Don't think Les Gets got a lot of snow, they might have had a flurry but from what I am hearing here, not much.

Original poster
clam · 02/02/2011 07:59

Seems like the USA is the place to be for snow at the moment!

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MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 04/02/2011 09:24

Now I'm starting to panic... Courchevel on the 13th - no snow since 21st and none predicted...Sad
Interestingly (well maybe only to me Grin) my boss is going to Megeve the same week, and is confident the snow will be fine there because he has been told so by the owners of the chalet he has hired Hmm. Will be highly displeased if he gets better snow than me Grin

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 16:10

I heard a rumour of snow in Megeve next Monday.

Have spoken to friends who were there last week and they said the skiing was good. Shame they have not had more snow cause the weather is stunning at the moment.

MiraNova · 08/02/2011 23:14

2cm of snow forecast for Courchevel on Monday 14th - not masses, but it could turn into more. www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast/France/Courchevel_snow.html Fingers crossed for you MrsGofG...

PatriciaHolm · 09/02/2011 14:46

Got back from Sainte Foy on Monday, and they really do need a good snowfall! The road down to the resort (a green) is closed, and I can see why having walked it - a lot of it is sheet ice. The bottom of the bottom red is the same. The snow cannons are working overtime and you can get down the mountain, and there are some bits of the offpiste still OK apparently, but I don't think I've ever seen it with so little snow and we've been going for 10 years!

Did mean it was very quiet though!

Original poster
clam · 09/02/2011 17:46

We (Les Orres) have 1cm (steady on!) forecast for next Tuesday. But I shan't get excited, as last time they predicted that, nothing happened.

Beginnning to get pouty about this!

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fedupwithdeployment · 10/02/2011 13:58

Clam - I still have my fingers crossed for you. My brother is stressing massively about it. Latest (daft) comment..."Not sure if I need to bother hiring skis..."

On the bright side, you'll get a good sun tan Smile

I haven't decided whether to go at Easter...

sonniebonnie · 10/02/2011 14:19

Anyone know what Austria (Obertauern) is like these days?

tammytoby · 10/02/2011 15:13

sonnie, found this on Austrian website:

?Schneehöhe am Berg: 185 cm Schnee
?Schneehöhe im Tal: 155 cm Schnee
?Schneezustand: griffig
?In Obertauern hat es zuletzt geschneit am: 2011-01-24

which says that it last snowed on the 24th January and there is 155cm snow in the valley and 185cm on the mountain. Not too bad Smile.

purpleturtle · 10/02/2011 15:18

It's so unfair! We're off to Ellmau this weekend - first time I've skied for 14 years. All 3DC ski-ing for first time. And the snow is not looking brilliant. I think it'll be ok, and there is a forecast of something over the weekend, but I'm concerned it might be rain. Ho hum.

tammytoby · 10/02/2011 15:22

It seems Austria has had more snow recently than the French Alps, purple. And hopefully the snow cannons will be making snow at night.

purpleturtle · 10/02/2011 15:29

The webcam shows snow - I'm sure we'll have fun anyway. Smile

Original poster
clam · 10/02/2011 17:37

Our webcams seem to have jammed a few days back. Am I being paranoid to wonder if that's deliberate so that we can't see the true conditions?

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Original poster
clam · 10/02/2011 17:38

Oh, and thanks paranoid

We have 105 snowcannons covering 60% of the slopes but it's not the same is it?
Least I won't need to stress about hiring snowchains...

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Original poster
clam · 10/02/2011 17:39

paranoid ??? Sorry, fedup

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rachel1970 · 10/02/2011 17:49

We're also off to Austria over half term and the forecast currently is for heavy snow pretty much the whole of next week - so there should be lots of snow! Lets hope the sun comes out a little too when we come Smile.

fedupwithdeployment · 10/02/2011 23:24

Hi Clam. Makes me laugh a bit...I remember New Year's Day in Les Orres about 3 years ago when it snowed heavily. Long story, but to cut it short, I had parked at the bottom on the road near turning to Champ Lacas. Went to fetch car with the aim of driving to Centre Station to fetch the others. Clearly this wasn't going to happen...so DH and children came down on the bus, while friends skied down that steep red run at the bottom with (empty) Phil and Teds. Ohhhhhhh the looks and the comments..."Jamais...Nooooonnnn! Il y a des enfants. etc etc" But anything to avoid the snow chains!! Grin

Not sure the webcam at the bottom is frozen. Very difficult to make out the times though.

greygirl · 11/02/2011 13:35

we came back from puy last week and the snow was absolutely terrific for skiing. not so great for boarders, and the odd icy patch come the afternoon, but it was mostly good, and a little slushy in the afternoon so generally it was terrific.
i did all sorts of things i've never attempted before!