mega snow in La Rosiere!

Weds 3^rd Feb

It’s snowing! The forecast and much anticipated snow started falling about 8am and has been falling heavily all day. The temperature has dropped to a much more normal for Feb – 3 deg C. After a leisurely breakfast we kitted up and walked up through the winter wonderland to the ski station above us. After a quick internet session in the Tourist Office we bought cakes and found a café to have a coffee with them. This is normal in France and causes no problems – try that in the UK!

It was a total whiteout so the streets were quite busy, as most people were not skiing. We browsed in a few shops before walking back down to the campsite. The fresh snow was now 20cm deep around the van. A good excuse to use my snow shovel.  I also got our folding plastic step out and retracted the electric step as they can get frozen solid when it snows then freezes.

Tonight is curry night – we have brought a take away with us, frozen of course. Boy are we looking forward to it.

Thurs 4^th Feb

It obviously had continued to snow through the night as when I looked out first thing all our footprints and the road in front were all hidden under a fresh layer of lovely powder snow. We were up early as we had to catch the 8.45am free ski bus, so quick cup of tea and I was outside clearing the snow from around the van and knocking off some of the amazing icicles hanging from everywhere. The trees looked lovely in their fresh coating. Then a monster snow plough arrived to clear all the roads and spaces, I again cleared the bank of snow it shoved in front of the van.

We gingerly walked down the freshly snow ploughed road, but Tina had her first slow speed fall of the day as she slipped onto her bottom! The bus was waiting for us, so skis into the carrier on the rear and we were soon outside the maison de ski. The weather wasn’t great so we opted for a 4 hour pass – a good decision as the visibility was very poor for most of the day. We had some bright spells when we could see the piste clearly but mostly we fumbled our way down in very flat light. Not good, but we still enjoyed ourselves finding some really good fresh snow to lay down our tracks in.

Once back at the campsite I got my telescopic ladder out and cleared 25cm of snow from the van roof. We also fitted the snow chains in preparation for getting out of the site tomorrow morning as there is yet more snow forecast for this evening. J

breakfast view from the van

so happy it is sunny today

fresh tracks by Tina

what is in your rucksack?

last run about to happen :-(

Ste Foy, then up to La Rosiere

Tuesday 2^nd Feb

I was up at 7.30am to make tea as we were moving today, first to Ste Foy to ski with our friend Sue, then onto La Foret campsite just below la Rosiere. Busy day ahead. We met up with Sue at the bottom of the Ste Foy ski station road where we could easily park the van. Skis into her 4x4, we were soon parked up beneath some of the chalets her company manages. We skied for a bit on mainly deserted pistes before meeting up with her family for lunch in the sunshine. Very pleasant and nice to meet up with them all again.

After a post lunch ski Sue deposited us back by the van. Quick change of footwear and we were driving back down the mountain to Seez where we turned right and headed back up towards la Rosiere. The van is just too big to use the shorter road which cuts across between the two . We were given a very warm, friendly reception at La Foret when we arrived at 5.30pm. This definitely was caravaneige – camping in the snow. Lots of snow piled up and some caravans still semi buried! We pitched up, managing to get the van reasonably level on our snow covered emplacement before the light faded too much. No sat signal so we enjoyed a DVD before retiring to bed – pooped again after such a busy day.

Weds 3^rd Feb

It’s snowing! The forecast and much anticipated snow started falling about 8am and has been falling heavily all day. The temperature has dropped to a much more normal for Feb – 3 deg C. After a leisurely breakfast we kitted up and walked up through the winter wonderland to the ski station above us. After a quick internet session in the Tourist Office we bought cakes and found a café to have a coffee with them. This is normal in France and causes no problems – try that in the UK!

walk in the snow - lovely

it's getting deeper - better get the shovel out

It was a total whiteout so the streets were quite busy, as most people were not skiing. We browsed in a few shops before walking back down to the campsite. The fresh snow was now 20cm deep around the van. A good excuse to use my snow shovel.  I also got our folding plastic step out and retracted the electric step as they can get frozen solid when it snows then freezes.

Tonight is curry night – we have brought a take away with us, frozen of course. Boy are we looking forward to it.

Rain, rain then some sun! - Les Arcs

Sun 31^st

Unfortunately the forecast rain below 1200m and wet snow above this materialised. It rained all day and through the night with only one period of respite when I topped up our water tank and emptied the waste etc… We did don our waterproofs and go for a walk over to Intermarche to buy a sticky cake. Yum.

We watched a bit of tv in the evening before retiring to bed exhausted from so much enforced relaxation J

Mon 1^st Feb

No rain! So ski kit on we headed up on the funiculaire above the valley cloud into some welcome sunshine. Although it was unseasonably warm the snow was much improved. We avoided the crowds and had a great playday in the snow above Arc 1800. The snow was very soft low down but very skiable with our nice new skis! Tina looked very stylish and comfortable on hers putting in lots of very controlled, neat turns.

2 pints of hot choc!

thoughtful pose

We returned to the van tired but very content with our day’s fun. We were both pooped, so lights out at 10pm. Mountain air + sunshine + snow = tiredness.

Les Arcs - sunshine and new skis

Sat 30th

Play day!  After the usual faffing about from Tina before her first day on skis we were on the Mont Blanc lift whizzing up in the fresh cold morning air. We both were on our new Scott skis, appropriate choice of brand don't you think?

new skis

The snow was a bit hard packed but still good to ski on, we did the Mont Blanc run twice to let Tina get her ski legs and get a feel for her new skis - " really nice and easy to turn". We moved over to the Arc 2000 area but it was a bit busier, after the obligatory hot chocolate stop so we continued over to the Derby lift above Arc 1800. The pistes were much quieter and we enjoyed an hour playing on some good snow. Next was a picnic lunch stop. great views and not too cold sitting in the by now fading sun.

picnic table with a view

says it all

We did about another hour before the sun faded completely and the light was very flat which made it really hard to see the slopes - like skiing blindfolded. We took an easy run back down to the resort. Tina was very tired by now but had enjoyed her first day back on skis.

In the evening the forecast rain in Bourg appeared - snowing above 1500m, so we had to don our waterproofs to walk into town to Le Chalet for dinner. This is run by Nadine who we have known for over 20 years as she used to run the Savoyard hotel where we have stayed many times. After a great meal we staggered back in the rain to our nice warm welcoming van. Another great day.

Bourg St Maurice - Tina's arriving tonight!

Thurs 28th

Earlyish start, left site after 9am and enjoyed the drive back down the Maurienne Valley in the sunshine. I arrived in Bourg about 1pm and did some food shopping after filling the van with cheap diesel at Super U.

I got a text from Andy to say that our new skis we had ordered through him had arrived - yippee. I collected them from the auberge and continued up to Tignes Le Brev for another free night's parking.

Friday 29th

Busy day ahead! After a nice breakfast watching the pistes & lifts come alive I headed back down the road to Bourg to have the bindings fitted to our new skis. Once they were checked in it was round the corner to Intermarche and the laundry machines. These are outside, so once parked up and the machine loaded it was time to brush and hoover the van carpets. Did I mention Tina was arriving tonight? Better make sure that van was clean!

laundry finished, back to Intersport to collect our skis. Very friendly and efficient service. Next across the road to Le Versoyen campsite where we were staying for the next 3 nights. Reception was closed so I selected a pitch and got the van level. Clothes dryer out, pants on the wiper blades as you do..........

It was very warm, tee shirt weather in January? Once reception was open I went and told them my pitch number - I was told that it was already block booked - I asked when they were arriving? The answer was " it is kept clear incase we have a booking on the internet".  My response was - "ok which website can I reserve it on please?" This really confused them and very quickly I was told it was ok to stay there. No harm in asking was there?

taking the dog for a walk?

After a light dinner I walked round to the station to meet Tina off the 9.00pm train. It arrived 5 mins early. Great to see her and catch up on the news from back home. 

Bonneval Sur Arc - the end of the road...........

Weds 27th

Crikey, I had to set the alarm for this morning as the plan was to get the 9.01am bus up the valley to Bonneval Sur Arc to try the skiing there. I was up at 7.40am and after a quick breakfast I got my packed lunch made, then washed and shaved and got all my ski kit sorted. Phew, tired already.

I walked to the bus stop and there were a few folk already there, a real mixed bunch of walkers, ski de fond (cross country) and downhill skiers like me. The bus arrived a few  minutes late and we all squeezed on, with ski boots on and a pair of skis & sticks this was no mean feat!

Bonneval is as far as you can go in winter as the Col D'Iseran which connects it to Val D'Isere is most definitely under snow. I have ridden my motorbike over this a few times and it is wonderful. Once above Lanslevillard the road is not gritted or salted, today sections were still snow covered but the bus didn't hesitate at all - hang on!

It was a 10 min walk uphill to the bottom lift,  pass bought up I went. It was very, very quiet with hardly anybody on the lifts or pistes - brilliant. The snow was hardpacked but very skiable and very good in places. The views were breathtaking.

empty piste

another great view

downhill hairpin - great fun!

There are 8 lifts, 5 of them are draglifts with 3 of them "tres difficile" as sections of them are 60%. Certainly gives the old gluts a work out. :-)

beginners slope by bus stop

The bus back was packed and very hot. We passed a Brit motorhome on the road, he was taking it very slowly - wonder if he had winter tyres? As we approached Bessans on both sides of the road were numerous cross country ski trails with lots of people out on them in the sunshine. They were mostly of the "older generation" which was great to see. There is also a biathlon stadium, I would love to see one live. The final descent back to  Lanlesvillard involved some hairpins, the bus driver obviously relished them as he didn't really slow down, bit of a hang on tight job.

A great day out on mainly deserted pistes, bit of a difference from the bigger resorts during the school holidays.

Les Arcs, then onto Lanlesvillard, Val Cenis

Sat 23rd

Having moved down the mountain to Le Versoyen campsite in Bourg St Maurice I took advantage of the "Je Ski Samedi" promotion. You register online and get a reduced day pass for €30 instead of €47 - bargain.  The snow was good and after moving away from the usual busy pistes in Arc 2000 I enjoyed  a good day's skiing. After returning to the site I drove the van across to Super U to fill up with lpg  - it wouldn't work!  I could only get 2 lt in. Problem to solve.

Sun 24th

I had a brainwave (?) and tried pouring hot water over the lpg filler point and pipe - instant sound of gas in the pipe - had it frozen? The van has been in  minus temps since entering France, but i thought lpg didn't have any freezing problems?

I had planned to move to the Maurienne Valley and the Val Cenis ski area, so enroute I found a Total station with lpg. Fingers crossed - success! Fully gassed up I headed up the valley in glorious warm sunshine.

lunch stop - drying external screen

I arrived at the site about 2pm but had to wait until it opened at 4pm. Seems the owner had decided to go skiing............  only in France.  The site was covered in snow and very icy in parts but I managed to get a level pitch. Lanlesvillard is a lovely low key town with a nice atmosphere. The piste side bars were busy as it was the weekend. And it was sunny and warm.

Mon 25th

after a leisurely start I donned my ski kit and walked across to the lift station. Pass bought off I went for another fun day on skis. It was sunny and the snow wasn't bad up top, lower down it was very hard packed and icy in places. I stayed on the upper slopes all day. I had my lunch overlooking the Mont Cenis dam and reservoir - spectacular with Italy beyond.

Mont Cenis dam

post sking - drying boots & skis

Jan 26th

Another warm and sunny day was forecast, so after another leisurely breakfast I clomped over to the lift and was soon whizzing up. The snow was softer today and easier to ski on - no sudden hard, icy patches to catch you out. :-) I skied all over the area and found some pistes in good condition, shame the visibility was poor at first until the sun popped up over the mountain tops. Much better.

sunshine!

today's picnic stop

I finished the day off having a play on the beginners slope at the bottom as the snow had softened and the tracks over and around the huge mounds of snow-canon generated snow was fun!