Last week of the season and it's dumping - 23/4/2012 10:50

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on life in Les Arcs, April 23, 2012.

Saturday April 21 saw the closure of the Vanoise Express cable-car, the .Peisey Vallandry ski area and the start of the last week of the season for the rest of Les Arcs... and it was dumping.

First thing on Sunday much of the Arc 2000 area was closed for avalanche blasting. Late morning I started my ski day with the button lift just outside my apartment block. Imagine a run about the length of the Tamworth snowdome... but untouched powder. Well worth a few laps!

I don't want to rub it in but the rest of the day was rather good...

There aren't many people left in resort and not all of the lifts are open. I ran into a lot of friends and met some new ones who've been here all season too.

This crazy shot of 45 degree icicles was taken at the top of the Comborciere chair from where we descended into a wonderland of powdery wind lips through the trees.

All that remains to show just how exceptional this end of season is proving is a reminder of the same time last year in Paradiski. The following shot was taken of the ski-in ski-out access at Belle Plagne.

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

Winter is back in Les Arcs - 11/4/2012 21:03

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on life in Les Arcs, April 11, 2012.

Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall overnight took us back to winter conditions in Les Arcs. The day started off with some snow showers and fog, but by mid-morning there were breaks in the clouds. We were shortly behind the first few people up the Varet gondala and were very pleased to find the usually massive moguls all but gone under a blanket of around 40cm! We were surrounded by grinning ski instructors on their lunch breaks for a number of laps of the sector. Epic!

This unexpected privelege reminded me just how lucky we've been this season. There is more snow due on and off over the next few days, so definitely some great skiing in store. Maybe I should take these skis out for a test run...

If you want to see the owner of these skis showing how they should be ridden, check this out.

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

So, you think you're fast? On yer bike! - 5/4/2012 12:40

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on life in Les Arcs, April 5, 2012.

If you've been in Les Arcs recently, you might have wondered why that piste-basher has been relentlessly going up and down what appears to be an off-piste section above Arc 2000. It was on this special track that speed skiing was highlighted as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Since then this special zone has witnessed various feats of superhuman insanity.

The Flying K

There is a name for this kind of madness: 'The Flying Kilometre'. A somewhat irrelevant title, seeing as it is all about maximum velocity rather than distance travelled. Speeds over 250 kph have been reached in this discipline, despite FIS regulations limiting competitions to 200kph (for safety reasons!).

There are no special qualifications required, just a willingness to don a skin-tight suit and silly-looking helmet and point 2.5 metres of ski downhill. All that remains is to tuck into a position like you're sitting on a toilet and retain it...whilst avoiding what normally occurs when you assume such a position!

But skiing is not the reason they are preparing the piste this time. It has been deemed sensible that an attempt to break the world speed record should take place... on a bicycle. The man for the job is current record holder, Eric Barone (222.22 kph). The attempt will take place above Arc 2000 between 7am and 9am on a suitable day around the April 11, 2012.

To see a video showing what this man is capable of (in French) click here. If you prefer an American commentary click here. All that remains for you to decide is whether it was the bike or the rider that had a screw loose!

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

Go High, Go North - 15/3/2012 08:43

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on life in Les Arcs, March 15, 2012.

It's getting mightily warm in the French Alps but there is still some excellent snow to be had. Looking at the slushy pistes you'd be forgiven for thinking it would be impossible to find any powder. Of course you'd be wrong.

High up on north-facing slopes there is white gold for those willing to search. Since the last snowfall I have been scouting a couloir which is visible from most of the Les Arcs domain looking towards La Plagne. It has been taunting me every time I see it with: "Ski me... ski me!"

The Moulin Couloir as seen from Les Arcs.

The Moulin couloir is no ordinary off-piste itinerary though. It is an avalanche corridor through dense forest with no escape route. Most seasons it doesn't have enough snow in it to be skiable. This winter, however, is exceptional.

Asking around, it took a while to find anyone who'd even heard of it, let alone skied it. Many instructors and ski patrollers have been around these parts for years and don't even know how to get to it. So it was only after careful research that my friend and I set off to find it.

From the Bellecote Glacier sector of La Plagne we hiked the Friolin ridge, passed some other rarely-skied entrance points and then traversed into new territory. Some steep skiing on soft shady snow awaited us before another traverse and some stepping up to get back on the ridge. After a false summit we reached the Croix Bozon at around 2300m.

Croix Bozon.

The entrance to the couloir is magnificent. A steep-sided bowl, which plunges through a narrow chute underneath impressive rocky outcrops. It looks like no man's land because once you're in it you know there's no turning back. The descent finishes at the village of Moulin, which can be seen in the distance below at 1300m so we're talking about 1km of vertical drop.

The entrance to no man's land.

The first turns were somewhat tentative, knowing that an avalanche here would take you a very long way down. Once it opened up a bit and the steepness eased, I could breath deeper and appreciate the ambience of such a wild place. Lower down there were a couple of spring avalanches, which had deposited boulders of icy snow in our path to remind us that nature is boss. The last quarter looked much less fun to ski, so we took the easy option and followed a hiking trail through the woods to a river for a picnic.

The last part of the challenge was to ski to the bus stop which did involve some unusually extreme terrain (for experienced freeriders only).

Road crossing with style.

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

What's the most important thing on a ski holiday? - 27/2/2012 11:10

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on life in Les Arcs, February 27, 2012.

Arc 1950 - and there's still snow.

What's the most important thing on a ski holiday? I think the answer is information...and here's why. Think of all the planning you put into your skiing trip (not to mention money) and then imagine the following scenario. You get to the top of the mountain on a glorious blue sky day. You're scoping out the fresh powder off the backside of the mountain. What could be better?

Now imagine that it's -25C and the only thing on your mind is getting back inside and warming up your frozen fingers. If only you'd known how cold it was, you could have layered up in anticipation. This is just one example of how a small piece of information could improve your holiday.

It is with this in mind that the resort of Les Arcs are doing everything they can to put such information at your fingertips. They have developed a free smartphone application that will not only tell you the temperatures around the ski area, but also a whole wealth of other useful stuff.

Real time.

You can do the obvious things like view the piste map, but also a few funky extras like keeping track of your maximum speed and distance travelled. You can even hold the phone up and it will tell you the names of the mountain peaks you are looking at. Lots of other useful information is available, like what's going on that week, weather forecasts and bus timetables etc.

Icons - also available in English.

You can even see what lifts and what pistes are open in real time. This information is also available at Skiplan.com where you can select from various resorts. I gave this web address to lots of clients early in the season when heavy snowfall and high winds meant some of the ski area was closed due to avalanche danger. As a resort manager in Les Arcs, it's part of my job to make sure my clients are well informed and the site has been particularly useful.

Les Arcs piste map.

We've had some quite warm temperatures over the last few days, which have changed the skiing conditions somewhat. There's still plenty of the white stuff on the mountain though. Just look at this photo of the walkway to the Cabriolet gondola taken recently in Arc 1950 (seen at the top of this blog).

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

Brrrr.... it's chilly out there! - 5/2/2012 19:10

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on snow conditions in Les Arcs, February 5, 2012.

The last few days have been extremely cold in Les Arcs. At 2000m yesterday it was -25 degrees C and overnight it's dropped below -30. A ski instructor told me this morning that at the top of the Aiguille Rouge it had been -40!

Low altitude snow clouds as seen from the top of the Transarc.

Friday saw some interesting views with a sea of cloud in the valley. If you descended into the cloud it was actually snowing and the low temperatures made for a biting cold on any unprotected skin.

The temperatures are still very cold today, but are due to slowly creep up to something more normal later in the week. If you are skiing, think about lots of layers and if you really need to warm up, don't forget to head into one of the many mountain restaurants for a hot chocolate or a vin chaud.

Mont Blanc through the sea of cloud.

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

Sylvain the Snow Clearer - 25/1/2012 21:34

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on snow conditions in Les Arcs, January 25, 2012.

Where we have Bob the Builder, the children of the French Alps grow up aspiring to become "Sylvain the snow clearer" or "Damien le deneigeur!"

"Mummy... when I grow up, can I be a REAL snow clearer?"

Like these guys who were about to head onto the roof of one of the apartment buildings in Arc 2000...

Or the guy who drives this monster.... there's a road under there somewhere!

Or the guy whose job it is to poke encrusted snow off the Aiguille Rouge cable-car...

This season there is plenty to keep them busy with all the snow we've had. If you're paid by the hour it's probably a good job to be doing this winter. If you're on a salary and clearing snow is just an extra duty, you might hate the sight of the white stuff before the end of this epic season!

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

The first Les Arcs blog - 16/1/2012 17:54

by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson of Erna Low reports on snow conditions in Les Arcs, January 16, 2012.

After all the snow we've had in Les Arcs, a week of sunshine was just what the doctor ordered. On Sunday January 8 the clouds started to clear, leaving a blanket of deep white as far as the eye could see

The North Face of Bellecote as seen from the top of the Varet bubble

There was still a lot of work to be done before the Aiguille Rouge sector could be safely opened. Avalanche control and preparing the pistes, as well as replacing some of the signs that blew away in the last storm. Not to mention the cable-car itself which needed some TLC before being put into operation.

Aiguille Rouge cable-car after the storm.

In some areas the accumulation of snow is impressive to say the least. I may only be five foot seven but the snowpack here is easily double my height!

Massive amounts of snow.

Those lucky enough to be here this week have been able to make the most of some exceptionally good conditions. The temperatures have been mild and the sun has been out every day. What more could you ask for?

The first half of the coming week is set fair as well but it's looking like it may change on Thursday when a top-up of snow could be on the cards.

Click on the link for our Les Arcs resort report.

Right on cue - a decent dump of snow! - 1/4/2010 13:14

by Caroline Heyes

Actually, it's not Caroline Heyes reporting from Selva Gardena today - but Sam Goodman, who also works for Esprit Holidays. And he's got some good news...April 1, 2010.

Selva Gardena, April 1 - check out the contrast between this picture and the one taken on March 30...

For the first time in around six weeks, the weather arriving in Val Gardena has matched the forecast. Officially, we've just had 40cm of snow, but it feels like 60!

There's deep, fresh snow all over the resort, crying out to be tracked by skis or a snowboard! What's more, the forecast is saying we can expect another dose. Looks as though we're in for a memorable Easter.

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Aim high, if you can - 30/3/2010 10:01

by Caroline Heyes

Our snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - March 30, 2010

Selva Gardena, March 30

My advice: get out early - and aim high!

Of course, you need the right kind of weather to do that, but whenver the sun shines we get reports from our guests of great conditions up on the Marmolada at 3250m, or over in Arabba, where a lot of the runs are sheltered from the sun.

Fortunately, the temperatures have dropped over the past few days, which is preserving the much-needed five inches of snow that arrived last Friday/Saturday. Better still, the forecast is for more snow tonight!

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Warming up... - 23/3/2010 17:27

by Caroline Heyes

Our snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - March 23, 2010

Selva Gardena, March 23

The cool winds of last week have left us and now all you need for skiing is a jacket and a single layer underneath.

The trick at the moment is to go as high as you can get on the lift system - and stay there. That's where the best conditions are. It's a question of heading up to the top of Marmolada or maybe over to Val di Fassa with their challenging runs.

In Selva itself and the Val Gardena, it's getting sticky in places. There's still plenty of good skiing about, but you need to watch where you're going!

There's the chance of some snow showers on Thursday night and Friday. Fingers crossed!

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Fifth bluebird day in Selva Gardena - 16/3/2010 11:01

by Caroline Heyes

Our new snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - March 16, 2010

Selva Gardena, March 16

There are beautiful blue skies over Selva this morning (Tuesday), for the fifth day running.

What's more, the pistes are still in good shape, thanks to meticulous overnight grooming, and the sun is softening the icy patches as the day progresses.

I'm not hearing many complaints about the lack of fresh snow. And no wonder: skiing amidst some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world, with the spring sun beating down - who in their right minds would have a problem with that?

The only slight problem we've faced lately is a cold breeze blowing down the Val Gardena. Wearing a scarf you can pull up over your face is good idea at the moment!

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - 12/3/2010 09:15

by Caroline Heyes

Our new snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - March 12, 2010

The snow reaches a depth of 221cm at the top of the Marmolada whilst on the local Selva slopes of the Sella Ronda the depth is 70cm.

The weather this week has been a little chilly on the Dantercepies side of town, heading around the Ronda and further afield. In fact, staying in the local area has proven to be the best idea! The runs here are in good condition and quiet too.

Temperatures will remain cold in the immediate future, staying well below freezing. The wind will be generally light but a new dusting of snow should be on its way.

Click on the link to read our detailed Selva Gardena resort report.

More snow in Selva - 26/2/2010 12:47

by Caroline Heyes

Our new snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - February 26, 2010

Selva Gardena, February 26

Today has seen some heavy snow. 5cm has already fallen and it's not even 10am! This certainly is a change from the "light snow" originally forecast.

At village level the snow is tad wet and sticky, but looks as though lots of people are staying indoors - so the pistes should at least be quiet. There shouldn't be any problems with ice either - the pistes were well-bashed mid-week, and the icy patches that appeared after the thaw have now gone.

However, there was an avalanche in the valley last Saturday. No-one was injured, thankfully, but all the same everyone I know is avoiding the off-piste at the moment. I'm not even going to ski as I fell on my shoulder on Tuesday, and I'm nursing an injury...

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Near-perfect conditions - 23/2/2010 11:14

by Caroline Heyes

Our new snow blogger in Selva, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on snow conditions in the Val Gardena - February 23, 2010

Looking towards Ciampinoi this morning, February 23. Picture: Tom Chadd

You couldn't ask for better conditions. It seems that last week's snow storms have now moved on, leaving behind some beautiful powder, and sunshine for added visibility! In my 'umble opinion, these are the best conditions we've had all season.

Temperatures in resort at the moment are hovering between -2C and -5C, so it's not too chilly. In fact, when the sun is high at midday, it can get pretty warm out there. Which is great for sunbathing on the deck of a mountain restaurant! [Ed: and maybe not so good for the quality of the snow on the lower pistes...]

Some of the best skiing is currently to be found on the Dantercepies - both heading down into Selva, and over towards Colfosco and Corvara. On the famous Ciampinoi, a few moguls had formed over the course of yesterday - and are likely to do so again today, so ski it early if you want to avoid them!

Selva at the end of Saturday's snowstorm. Picture: Tom Chadd

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Fresh snow in Selva! - 19/2/2010 12:52

by Caroline Heyes

Our new snow blogger in Selva Gardena, Caroline Heyes of Esprit Holidays, reports on fresh snow this morning in the Italian Dolomites - February 19, 2010

It's snowing!!! After a brief but actually quite heavy fall yesterday morning the snow is back with a vengeance. The gondolas were put to bed last night, in fear of a huge storm today - and whilst they are mostly up and running again there's no doubting it's a murky day out there. The forecast is for more snow tonight, and temperatures are set to be below freezing. The wind is forecast to pick up on Sunday.

This snow should create really tip-top conditions in the Val Gardena. Already, after yesterday's snow, reports came back that the Saslong runs, both A and B, were in excellent shape - providing two exciting routes down into St Cristina. Skiing them would make for a perfect start to a trip to the Alpe de Suisi/Seiser Alm. If it clears up I might over to the Alpe de Suisi myself. It's not as challenging as some of the other areas in the valley, but it's home to some lovely, confidence boosting pistes.

Meanwhile with Fasching (Carnival) now over, town is noticeably quieter. However, tomorrow evening a torchlight descent by local children is planned, followed by a ski show on Monday evening. Whether or not they can top the Pirate-themed one from last week is unlikely, though. It took two days to get the Pirates of the Caribbean theme tune out of my head...

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.

Eye-watering images from the Val Gardena - 22/1/2010 10:26

by Andreas Mussner

Andreas Mussner of the Goalie's Pub reports on snow conditions in Selva Gardena.

My name is Andreas and I'm your new the snow-blogger for Val Gardena. If you are in Val Gardena come by and see me at The Goalie's Pub in Selva!

At the moment it's heaven-on-earth for the skiers in town: wonderful weather, not so many people - and the slopes are in good condition. They look like big white carpets every morning!

The scenery is - as you can see from the pictures - fantastic too. Even non-skiers will enjoy it if they take one of the lifts up to a mountain hut for lunch.

The weather forecast suggests that the dry sunny weather will last for at least 10 days, with the temperatures remaining quite low (between -10°C and -3°C).

Click here for our Selva Gardena resort report.