Round up of the snow, road chaos, where we are & BYS NYE

In the blog entry last week we wrote:

“Not quite the Perfect Storm but the “wigglies” GFS forecast models don’t often look better than this…. it could be a difficult transfer day on one of the busiest of the season.”

Maybe it was the Perfect Storm after all and the timing was so perfect to cause maximum disruption on a Saturday. The roads gridlocked with minor accidents, vehicles stuck and people fitting chains meant snow plough clearance work couldn’t operate as efficiently as it should. Freeezing rain (not hail, but rain freezing on ground contact) caused the main dual carriageways from Albertville to Moutiers to become an ice rink and it had to be closed. Then it snowed some more…

Tails of transfer journeys of 24 hours or more were coming in and emergency accommodation in town halls and sports centres in several towns was set up. Good stories too of people helping each other, putting people up for the night, the great work by transfer drivers and reps, Eurostar supplying blankets and finally somehow getting everyone to La Taia where at least the skiing was going to be so much better than the Christmas Week.

Some of the twitter feed from last Saturday…

@davidzof: French media says worse transfer day chaos in living memory, blames chaotic snow clearance on autoroutes.

@davidzof: Emergency phone number: 08 11 00 06 73, the French will tell you where to go. #snowmageddon

@davidzof: French interior minster says 29,000 cars stuck on the roads of the Savoie tonight.

@benclatworthy: STRANDED SKIERS IN MOUTIERS: @Eurostar have confirmed overnight train to London is running and has seats available.

@benclatworthy: Roads are gridlocked. N90 Albertville is closed. Some have been stuck for 8hrs. Beds being set up in St Martin de Belleville. #Alps #Snow

We hear some transfers that left at 11am are still at Moutiers. Everyone trying their best but looking like the snow has won tonight with emergency accommodation being set up in many towns. Maybe it was the Perfect Storm after all…

The Skiing
Meanwhile on Saturday morning during the road chaos there was at last some fresh snow and great skiing as T Wall got out to do a snow report:

Some great snow pictures here

Folyeres opened down to resort for the first time on Saturday afternoon and although it took a while for the higher runs to be secured as off piste Avalanche Risk was raised to 4 out of 5 (HIGH RISK) much more of the mountain was opened up by the start of the week.

By Tuesday Murettes & Brigues/Amoureux down to Le Praz was open and the Lanches piste from Chenus opened. Dou des Lanches (the black) and Moretta Blanche remain officially closed for now but pisteurs working hard to open more runs. Val Thorens boasted 100% of lifts open on Tuesday although some runs still remain closed.

Outlook for the week is cold but largely sunny with possibility of snow forecast at the weekend / start of next week (poor transfer drivers). Nothing ike last weekend though…

The road chaos was reported in the UK as follows:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30613481

The Telegraph http://fw.to/EM9eZkF

And a good summary from Pistehors here

Here’s to a Snowy New Year and 2015 – It all kicks off with a Bring Your Sisters full line up at The Ski Lodge celebrating French and English New Year’s plus bacon sandwiches for breakfast at 4am! Cheers…

Rock n Roll – Bring Your Daughters…

All the snow pics of La Tania this morning

Lift openings delayed, off piste Avalanche Risk up to 3/5 Considerable Risk, roads difficult, ferries cancelled etc etc. SNOW!

FOLYERES RUN TO RESORT SKIABLE (unofficially)

The La Tania blue home run down to resort level has been getting the snow cannon treatment for the last 24 hours or so and the first people skied home on it today.

Although not officially open yet, it’s sure to be open tomorrow with the addition of new snow coming in on Saturday morning (depending on priorities in managing the new snow).

Well done to The Buckles and Giblings for being among the first down Folyeres this season – top work by the Pisteurs too.

By this time tomorrow we’ll hopefully be talking about snow because there’s loads of it rather than not much of it…. Compulsory Snow Chains and/or snow tyres / 4×4 tomorrow morning from Moutiers we hear.

Weekend Snow & First / Last Lift Times

[ Update 11:00 on 26 Dec 2014]
Folyeres #LaTania getting there with the cannons running through the day today…

Message below from S3V lift co & the HEAVY SNOW weather warning…

Good morning
The snow is back (see below the Météo France forecast) as well as low temperatures (for artificial snow production); we are expecting a return to normal soon on the ski area. Thank you for your support and encouragement from the beginning of the season. Our rates also return to normal on Saturday.
Best Regards, J-P Lalanne.
Directeur Commercial.

WARNING of HEAVY SNOWFALLS down to low valleys this weekend:

Saturday 27th:
Overcast since the end of the night until midday with snow falls, short bright periods in the afternoon with snow showers. Rain-snow limit between the plain and 500m. 5-10 cm expected in the night, then 10-30 cm in the morning, then 10-20 cm in the afternoon (30-60cm or more in 24h). Strong WNW wind on the high massifs with strong gusts down to the plain at times.

Thanks to Free Ride Republic for the Pic.

[Updated 25 Dec 2014]
Snow Cannons blowing hard down to La Tania resort level this morning as the cold weather arrives with temperatures plunging to -8°C overnight and set to get lower.

Snow Cannons on Folyeres this morning

Not quite the Perfect Storm but the “wigglies” GFS forecast models don’t often look better than this. Temperatures dropping right down and the bottom precipitation lines showing the storm coming in.

It’s now looking like the snow will come in from Saturday morning, maybe as early as 6am, so it could be a difficult transfer day on one of the busiest of the season.

Global Forecasting System centred near to La Tania

Henry’s Avalanche Talk has already warned of an unstable snowpack off piste when the new snow arrives due to the prolonged freeze / thaw cycles that have taken place. Of course coverage of rocks and tree stumps etc will not be complete either so take care and stay informed. Henry’s full report here

An expected 118 lifts and 169 runs open today but hopefully much more than that next week with the new snow.

Good news for La Tania First Lift regulars in a totally selfish manner – The new Foret lift from Le Praz takes only 5.5 minutes compared to the La Tania Gondola that takes 6.5 minutes. We expressed concern that Le Praz skiers would get first tracks on “our” side of the mountain before La Tania locals.

However the Foret lift is not scheduled to open until 9:05 rather than the 09:00 for the LT Gondola. In addition, on a powder day chairs take longer to open than gondolas as they have to be cleaned of snow, landing areas cleared etc. So first tracks remain with the La Tania first lift geeks – phew!

We also spoke to S3V and Meribel Alpina regarding if last lift times would change for Foret and the new Loze Express lift from Meribel as they are so much quicker – the Loze lift cutting journey times in under half from 11.5 minutes to 5.5 minutes.

The reason why the last lift times remain the same is that the higher capacity lifts can leave more people on the mountain at the end of the day nearer to closing time than before so much more resource in sweeping the mountain at the end of the day would be required.

Also, the Foret lift has hoods and these lifts take longer to close down at the end of the day.

Nice to get an explanation – thanks to the lift companies for taking the time out to let us know the reasons behind their decisions.

Snow – 3V Summary, Outlook and What’s Still Closed

Saulire bowl yesterday from Nick Ski

[Update 12:00 on 24 Dec]
Chanrossa lift now open for access to 1650 side (Chanrossa & Jean Pachod pistes not open yet). Signal lift in 1650 is also open and Mont Vallon gondola open with skiing on the Campagnol piste.

[Update 10:00 on 23 Dec]
Today’s lift and piste count stands at 163 open pistes and 114 open lifts across The 3 Valleys and at last it’s easier to say what is still closed than open. Considering the low snow depths some incredible work has been done by the lift companies plus instructors, local ski clubs and community volunteers in getting us this far.

High up there’s still decent skiing available although becoming hard packed in exposed and high traffic areas. Above Les Menuires and the top half of Saulire (including Creux Noirs) are good picks. In Val Thorens they’ve now got 31 out of 32 lifts running (only the new Plan de L’Eau at the bottom of their ski area is closed) but we do hear it’s extremely busy over there this week with some restrictions on lift pass day ticket purchases in place. The 3 Valleys has suspended reciprocal lift pass arrangements with other ski areas and ski clubs to focus on locally paying customers.

3 Valleys Lift and Piste Status 11:30 on Tue 23 December 2014 – A lot more green showing now! Full Size Image Here

The only 3 Valleys links that remain closed are the Meribel to St Martin ones of Roc de Fer and Cherferie (although the Cherferie drag is open) plus the Tougnete link to Les Menuires, however the other links to Les Menuires and Val Thorens are all open. The new Loze Express chair from Meribel is now open connecting over to Courchevel above La Tania.

In the Courchevel Valley the 2 new lifts of Foret (for access only) and Aiguille du Fruit to link in 1650 are both now running. The Chanrossa lift remains closed but access up the other side to Roc Merlet is available. Signal and Chapelets remain closed in 1650 with access to skiing via Ariondaz and the Gravelles piste with return from 1850 possible via Roc Mugnier.

Up and downloading remains in place for Courchevel 1550, Le Praz, Meribel Village and the Saulire side of Mottaret. In the Meribel Valley most main lifts are open but the Mont Vallon and Roc de Fer areas are closed.

The beginners area below the Altiport in 1850 is open and Biollay lift and piste finally opened up on Monday.

The La Tania Tourist Office offered free breakfast on Sunday morning at the Dou Des Lanches chairlift – good work! Up and downloading remains in place on the La Tania Gondola (6.5 minutes) and access to the Loze piste via Lanches chair. The Bouc Blanc Chair is running from today (23/12) after S3V put a lot of work in getting the top section of Folyeres down to there completed – so no need for the poll-ing / skating across the top of the Loze Est Piste now!

Top of Folyeres down to the Bouc Blanc chair this afternoon – Thanks to Nick Ski

Hopefully Folyeres will be completed at the weekend when new snow and colder weather for snow cannons is forecast so skiing down to La Tania will be available for New Year Week.

Weather / Snow Outlook

Each line is a separate forecasting model. Top lines are temperature and bottom precipitation. Red is the 30 year average temp.

With regular false dawns of snow forecast before Christmas week as weather fronts melted before out eyes before reaching The Alps, it is looking increasingly likely that significant snow will arrive from Saturday night, through Sunday and in to early Monday morning. Still a bit far out for certainty, but GFS forecasting models are in broad agreement now and definitely forecasting colder weather so at least the snow cannons and Pisteurs can build that Folyeres resort run.

More Sun today and tomorrow but looking like a cloudy day on Christmas Day with the odd snow flurry to count as a White Christmas but nothing significant unless the front holds up more than predicted.

Still plenty going on in La Tania – See the Tourist Office Guide and What’s On at Pub Le Ski Lodge & La Taiga. Don’t miss Santa in La Tania (he’s probably in The Ski Lodge around midnight on Christmas Eve too).

So the days are already getting longer – if you haven’t booked that ski holiday for this Winter don’t mess around as the fantastic New Year and January offers won’t be there long now this snow is due…

Merry Christmas Everyone,
Toffa – latania.co.uk

Over 100 lifts in 3V open this morning…

Over 100 lifts open across The 3 Valleys this morning and the temperature has dropped to below zero in La Tania for the first time in a week.

A first time beginners area is being created in La Tania by snow cannons but any skiing lower down than the Gondola will have to wait until a more prolonged cold spell.

The latania.co.uk weather station showing the temperatures dropping below zero at last.
More at:
www.latania.co.uk/weather/weather.htm

Temperatures are set to rise over the next few days so no chance of more snow cannon action lower down.

More positive is the outlook from Boxing Day for temperatures to turn colder and for unsettled weather and the chance of snow to return. Still a bit far out but GFS models at least agreeing on a change in the weather patterns.

3 Valleys Lifts & Pistes for w/b Sunday 21 December 2014

[Update 15:00 Sat 20 Dec 2014]

Sunday opening now includes the bottom of Creux and Roc Mugnier for access back to 1650 via Ariondaz Gondola.

Full Size Image Here

Provisional Openings for next week [Updated 11:00 Sat 20 Dec 2014]

La Masse area over in Les Menuires will open for skiing from Sunday and St Martin 1&2 will open for uploading and access to the rest of the ski area but return will be by shuttle bus from Les Menuires.

Provisional Openings for next week [Updated 11:00 Fri 19 Dec 2014]

Today sees 77 lifts and 112 pistes open across The 3 Valleys – the most skiing available in France (Tignes / Val d’Isere is next with 45 runs open). To date in the Savoie / Haute Savoie, only 6 resorts outside the 3 Valleys are open: La Plagne / Les Arcs / Tignes / Val d ‘ Isère / Valloire and Avoriaz.n

Provisional Openings for next week – Click here for the full size image

More is set to open next week including a link from 1650 via Ariondaz and the new Aiguille du Fruit to link to 1850 with Suisses chair also open to access Saulire summit and Meribel link. Return to 1650 will be via free shuttle bus. The Creux Noirs chair is planned to be open and it looks like access to Plantrey from Praz will be available.

Initially downloading (or return via skibus) will remain to Le Praz, 1550, and La Tania. Also, in Méribel Village the Golf chair will open to give access to the Meribel Altiport area although return will be via downloading or the Meribus shuttle. It doesn’t look like the Loze link to Meribel will open next week without new snow so access will be via Saulire.

Skiing down the Saulire side of Meribel will be possible via the Rhodos / Doron side although down to Mottaret on this side will be via the Pas du Lac 1 gondola. On the other (shaded) side the Tougnete lifts will give access to ski down to Mottaret and access the Les Menuires skiing via Granges chairlift.

Mottaret will have skiing via Plattierres lifts and Chatelet chair. Plan des Mains also open for return from Alouette piste. No skiing planned at this stage on Mont Vallon, Roc Merlet, La Masse or Roc de Fer / Cherferie area and down towards St Martin.

Val Thorens looks likely to be almost fully open with runs over to Orelle complete too – only their lowest lift, the new Plan de L’eau is planned to be closed at this stage although there’ll be some exposed, steeper and sun facing piste closures in place.

From Monday 22 December there will be Night Skiing every night on Verdons above Courchevel until 7pm while there is a partial opening of the ski area. Shared lift pass arrangements with local Tarantaise ski areas & ski clubs from other resorts will be suspended to focus on local customers.

3V passes stay at the normal rate (in part to discourage people being shipped in from other areas which could lead to overcrowding) but Courchevel will be €192 for 6 days and the day pass €39.30 instead of €49.

Note off piste skiing is strongly not advised and everyone needs to be aware of the conditions and adjust their speed accordingly so everyone can enjoy the mountains, the great air, the altitude and the bars & restaurants.

S3V stress that the situation can change very quickly if there is enough persistent cold weather to produce more snow lower down and any significant snow fall will lead to the opening of many more runs as soon as possible.

As can be seen from the photos below all teams are working flat out and massive efforts by S3V plus volunteers from the Club des Sports, ESF and the local communities have got us this far…

And if you’re into Piste Bashers…

Snow Report & La Tania Access Updated 11:00 Thu 18 Dec 2014

Around 15cm of fresh snow yesterday afternoon and overnight down to below St Bonn at 1100m has made things look a whole lot better this morning. Temperatures have risen though, maybe not as much as forecast but there is rain in resort this morning and temperatures remaining above freezing at resort level until Saturday – hopefully colder weather coming in and time for some consolidation of the groomed base up top and some more snowmaking can get going low down.

The Pralong chair to access Biollay-Verdons link and the new Foret lift from Le Praz opened for the first time today and there will be some more hard work for pisteurs in planning to get as much open as possible for next week. The main Biollay run and Suisses look complete for example but look like they are being saved for next week.

Access from La Tania is via the La Tania Gondola and the short path to the Lanches chairlift which leads to the Col de la Loze piste towards the top of Chenus – narrow at the start but ok for say a week 2 skier.

With Lac Bleu still closed a bit of skating and poling is required to get to the top of the Bouc Blanc chair (going left at the big rock on Loze Est) leading to the red Loze piste down to 1850 – note that the last section is a little steeper, so some skiers might prefer the short walk up to the Chenus Gondola to download to 1850 from the end of the Col de la Loze piste. Easy skiing is currently available on the Jardin Alpin / Bellecote piste and on Verdons.

The route back to La Tania is via Chenus or Plantrey lifts and the blue Arolles piste down to the La Tania gondola for downloading. Fairly good cover and almost full width down this run – our week 2 skiers managed this ok on Wednesday.

We’re hearing that if the forecasted 48 hours or so dip in temperatures from Saturday night goes as planned then La Tania and Le Praz may have priority on the snow making system to attempt to open up lower runs. More on this when it gets clarified over the next day or so.

Skiing down to Méribel on both sides of the valley is now possible but some narrow and sketchy spots low down as you approach La Chaudanne area. Top of Saulire down to the Folie Douce at the Saulire Express mid-station has good cover and not many people are on it this week at least. Remarkably even the green Truite run between Mottaret and Méribel at the bottom of the valley is now scheduled to open – again some great work by snow cannons and pisteurs here.

Finally, one of the best runs for snow we discovered this week was Grand Lac down below the Granges chairlift above Les Menuires – just great snow on a fast roller coaster blue run – so good that at the bottom everyone said – “let’s do that again”!

There could be some more snow due earlier on Saturday too but snow/rain level will still be critical. Off Piste Avalanche Risk is raised up to Considerable Risk 3/5 for the first time this morning although obviously this is not advised due to the overall snow depths.

So all in all things looking better and certainly we’re lucky compared to some resorts which may not even open at all this weekend. Suddenly that money spent on lift passes looks very good value when you consider the massive investment in infrastructure across The 3 Valleys…
 

Snow Report – The 3 Valleys has 69 lifts & 111 pistes open

Around 15cm of fresh snow yesterday afternoon and overnight down to below St Bonn at 1100m has made things look a whole lot better this morning. Temperatures have risen though, maybe not as much as forecast but there is rain in resort this morning and temperatures remaining above freezing at resort level until Saturday – hopefully colder weather coming in and time for some consolidation of the groomed base up top and some more snowmaking can get going low down.

Still plenty of fun to be had across The 3 Valleys right now

The Pralong chair to access Biollay-Verdons link and the new Foret lift from Le Praz opened for the first time today and there will be some more hard work for pisteurs in planning to get as much open as possible for next week. The main Biollay run and Suisses look complete for example but look like they are being saved for next week.

Access from La Tania is via the La Tania Gondola and the short path to the Lanches chairlift which leads to the Col de la Loze piste towards the top of Chenus – narrow at the start but ok for say a week 2 skier.

With Lac Bleu still closed a bit of skating and poling is required to get to the top of the Bouc Blanc chair (going left at the big rock on Loze Est) leading to the red Loze piste down to 1850 – note that the last section is a little steeper, so some skiers might prefer the short walk up to the Chenus Gondola to download to 1850 from the end of the Col de la Loze piste. Easy skiing is currently available on the Jardin Alpin / Bellecote piste and on Verdons.

The route back to La Tania is via Chenus or Plantrey lifts and the blue Arolles piste down to the La Tania gondola for downloading. Fairly good cover and almost full width down this run – our week 2 skiers managed this ok on Wednesday.

We’re hearing that if the forecasted 48 hours or so dip in temperatures from Saturday night goes as planned then La Tania and Le Praz may have priority on the snow making system to attempt to open up lower runs. More on this when it gets clarified over the next day or so.

Skiing down to Méribel on both sides of the valley is now possible but some narrow and sketchy spots low down as you approach La Chaudanne area. Top of Saulire down to the Folie Douce at the Saulire Express mid-station has good cover and not many people are on it this week at least. Remarkably even the green Truite run between Mottaret and Méribel at the bottom of the valley is now scheduled to open – again some great work by snow cannons and pisteurs here.

Finally, one of the best runs for snow we discovered this week was Grand Lac down below the Granges chairlift above Les Menuires – just great snow on a fast roller coaster blue run – so good that at the bottom everyone said – “let’s do that again”!

There could be some more snow due earlier on Saturday too but snow/rain level will still be critical. Off Piste Avalanche Risk is raised up to Considerable Risk 3/5 for the first time this morning although obviously this is not advised due to the overall snow depths.

So all in all things looking better and certainly we’re lucky compared to some resorts which may not even open at all this weekend. Suddenly that money spent on lift passes looks very good value when you consider the massive investment in infrastructure across The 3 Valleys…

Snowing down to resort and turning all white

Very giddy in resort as the snow continues to fall – hopefully temperature stay low and more can open next week.

Biollay and Suisse for example are being held back anyway for the much busier Christmas and New Year weeks coming up.

First lift of the season once again (even if it was going down)

FIRST LIFT OF THE SEASON! Those Les Deux Roux Boys 3 Seasons in a row… At 2pm Monday the LT Gondola opened for downloading and they got there first. Top effort…