Where to Ski and Snowboard Forums

Road closures due to snowfall

2012-01-06T15:09:22Z

Hi all

Just received this latest news from Austria, via one of our readers (Thanks Ted, and son Stephen)

It’s the latest on some of the travel chaos as a result of the heavy snowfalls - which have also now moved east towards Salzburg, as well as in the western corner of the country.

If anyone is off to the Alps this weekend, take care and do report back on the latest conditions / travel situation.

Cheers

Wendy

Storm Andrea: Traffic chaos

Up to 60 cm fresh snow fell in under an hour this morning and strong winds and acute avalanche danger have led to numerous road closures in western Austria. Many villages are not accessible by road. ÖAMTC have reported that among other routes closed due to extreme avalanche danger are:

B177 road between Scharnitz Seefeld and Mittenwald in Bavaria
Access to the Felbertauern tunnel between Mittersill in Salzburg and Matrei (alternatives are possible via a long route along the A10 Tauernautobahn and Autoschleusse rail travel by ÖBB between Mallnitz-Obervellach and Böckstein)
B165 Gerlosstraße between Wald im Pinzgau and the Gerlospass (The toll road is open)

Butchers in Les Arc

2012-01-04T15:42:55Z

Sadley the Spar in Arc 1600 has been taken over and it is now a Sherpa. As part of the changes, the lovely butchers counter has gone and is replaced by small selection of prepacked meats. On some days this was a very small selection of chicken fillets. I suppose this just increases the pressure to jump on the funicular and visit the Aldi in Bourg.

John

Just back from 10 days in Les Arc

2012-01-01T20:27:01Z

Just driven back from 10 days in Les Arc. Best skiing ever. 6 days straight bluebird sunshine! Last day I was enjoying knee deep powder on Chantel - awesome!

The valley road between Aime and Bourg was shut Saturday am for about two and a half hours due to an avalanche on the road .
We were stuck for about two and a half hours until the road opened.

People in the supermarket in Bourg were warning that they couldn’t get up the road to Les Arc with snow socks and were driving down to buy chains - upon police advice.

The queue into the valley seemed to stretch back almost to Moutiers on Saturday. People were stopping in the road to put chains on and holding everyone up - it was a zoo and I really pitied anyone driving in that day!

Happy holidays everyone

Cheers

Mike

best conditions to form a good base?

2011-12-31T15:03:13Z

I’ve been looking enviously at the web cams in the French Alps over the last few days and started thinking about which type of early snow conditions are best for forming a good base for the rest of the season (assuming there is a relationship, that is)? Does anyone know? For example, if there is lots of snow and cold temperatures early on, does that mean that the base can be compacted well so that it lasts better if there is a dry/ warm spell later or is it better to have more gradual snowfall over the first month or so?

Wanted! Snow bloggers ...

2009-12-02T18:42:02Z

Hi all

Anyone up for sending us snow reports?

We’ve noted a few threads from folks off on extended trips this winter and are looking for some willing volunteers to email us ‘reader snow snippets’ and maybe a pic or two of the day etc.

Ideally, you’d be in a resort for a season, or a few weeks at a time, but we’re happy to post updates from anyone out ion a trip.

Send them to me on a weekday, and I’ll pop them up on the same (or as soon as possible) day.

We’ve already got one volunteer for Chamonix ... anyone else?

Wendy

Weather Warning for the Western Alps for Fri 16th - Sun 18th Dec

2011-12-15T16:09:48Z

Just a quick post for anyone travelling to the Alps this weekend. Several resorts have started posting warnings re travel disruption on the approaches to resorts for Fri and all day Saturday. A storm of some significance is due to cross the whole of the Western Alps and heavy snow ( up to a metre locally in places) will fall throughout Friday and most of Saturday. Snow has started falling for the last 36 hours or so, this is heavy in some places and will affect all the major roads into the mountains. Local authorities are warning of likely road closures at times, particularly the approaches to resorts which may be affected by avalanche control activity. Avalanche triggering may also be in place so road closures are very likely. Police control points are likely to be in place to check you have chains with you, even for vehicles fitted with snow tyres and vehicles that don’t will probably be turned back. Overnight stop offs are being suggested near to the Alps with completion of journeys on Sunday morning rather than Sat evening. On a lighter note the conditions from Sunday should be amazing if not a little chilly next week.

Stay safe and have a great week

Adi

Its finally on the way!!

2011-12-03T14:26:51Z

It looks like the snow for the Alps is on the way, have been keeping my eyes on the Aosta valley in particular, we go out late Jan, but it seems much of the Alps will get 40cm plus during the coming days, hopefully those going out on early or Christmas breaks can breathe a sigh of relief, though much snow is needed in the coming weeks to build a decent base especially the lower resorts or those without comprehensive snowmaking.

ALDI Ski gear

2011-12-01T15:14:37Z

Aldi have their annual sale of ski wear from today, its not the best quality, but is adequate for most, if you are just starting out and not sure yet, or are on a very tight budget its certainly worth considering. Be quick though it tends to sell very quickly.

Don

Les Arc Lift Pass Options / Ski A La Carte

2011-11-14T11:08:52Z

We are family of 3, two adults one child (7) and are going to Les Arc 21 dec for 9 days (yipee).
We plan to head over to LA Plagne for a look see (never having been before).

We are not a family of four so don’t get the family discount :-(
The discover list pass option is only 6 or 8 days.

We are also considering a trip to Val/Tignes whilst we are there - planing to drive (is this madness?)

Has anyone tried the new Ski A LA CARTE pass thingy?

What are our best pass options?
MAny thanks for any recommendations

cheers

Mike

Why do boarders have to sit in the middle of the piste?

2010-03-25T13:17:56Z

Having just spent two glorious weeks in the Three Valleys, first with 10 other lads, and second with my wife, I was struck by two major departures from the Skier’s Code which I was taught when I started to ski over 30 years ago.

Firstly, the number of times that I came across a group of (Usually British) snowboarders sitting in the MIDDLE of a busy piste. Over the years since they first appeared on the pistes of the world, we have become accustomed to the group of boarders sitting, just over the edge of the ridge, and just out of view, and acknowledge the fact that they need to sit there, in order to make it easier to stand up. Sitting bang in the middle of the piste, is however another matter. There were 11 of us there for the first week, and we decided that action should be taken to combat these bad manners and the flagrant disregard of the Skiers Code. Therefore, on the occasions where it was safe to do so, (at least three times a day) those unfortunate boarders sitting in the middle of the piste, received 11 snow soakings. In the interests of eveness, the woman skier who was also standing in the middle of one of the reds into Les Minuers, on the phone, received the same treatment.

Secondly, why does nobody - particularly, but not exclusively, boarders - bother to look round before they move off!

I guess manners is a thing of the past - if you can’t beat the, join them!