Boxing Day: noooo snooooowwwwww....

Hmmmm.... well, I did warn you that I'd update this as soon as fresh snow fell, but that aint happened yet, so I'm telling that we're still alive up here and the snow conditions are still okish. The snow cannons are responsible for keeping us in the game, but the increased traffic we're seeing up here over the holiday period is beginning to take it's toll.
Keep everything crossed, but this euro high that's sat over us and giving us endless bluebird days is not looking like going anywhere for a while.
Merry Christmas, happy Boxing Day, and a fabulous start to 2007 to everyone.

19th December: Bluebird!

The cloud and fog of the last couple of days has gone to be replaced with blue skies and low temperatures. The photo is of Chardonnay Bowl, taken from Le Brasero in Lavachet (where I'm sat writing this). Conditions are good in some places thanks to a few snow showers over the last few days, and some massive grooming efforts by the snowcats. Legendary work has kept the Palafour in great nick, although the run under Caudannes is hideous. Brev still isn't open (unsurprisingly). Snow is forecast for this week though, but reports of how much and when are varying widely.
OK, in a bit of a rush today, but I'll update as soon as the snow starts falling....

17th December: Fresh snow, but not great

OK, so we've been having some high temperatures during the day for the last few days, but because of the low sun angle and the orientation of the resort and our stupidly high altitude it hasn't done much damage.

More lifts are now open, including the new high-speed Palafour which has revolusionised that sector. The Palafour run is in good shape, as is Tichot and Grattalu (always the best on the hill), but the run under Chaudannes is icy and rocky. Trolles (the black into the centre of Le Lac under the aeroski) is NASTY - best avoided to be honest. If you're coming back from Val D'Isere, it's defintely best to "download" on the aeroski and miss Trolles altogether.

We had 4cm fresh snow last night, but it really wasn't enough. Boisse and Brev are still unreachable, and all runs into the main of Val D'Isere are either closed or hideous.

COME ON SNOW!

More flurries forecast for the next few days, but nothing substantial. Will keep ya all posted.

14th December: Spring Conditions!

It's been a bizarre day! Very warm conditions, but fortunately because it's so early in the season and our super-high alititude, it hasn't done much damage to the snow pack. Pebbles on piste down to La Dialle, and beginning to get icy down there, but otherwise quite acceptable everywhere. Rumour has it that the new warp-speed Palafour lift opens tomorrow - can't wait, so I'm going to bed now (ish) in prep for a full day of ripping....

13th December: Solid Piste Conditions

OK, so after the sadness of the last few days we're back in Tignes, albeit sans-photos 'coz my camera has gone flat. So it's been bluebird conditions, and I've been up on the pistes. We actually dared venture down as far as La Daille, and were quite surprised to see that the pistes are hard, but not icy, and have some snow movement on the top of them. There are a few rocks on piste, especially down towards La Daille, but if you're prepared to take it easy (or ollie at warp speed) then you'll be fine.
Trolles (the Black into Le Lac) is closed, but Piste H, Double M and the Grattalu area are really quite good for mid-December.
Temperatures are due to rise on Thursday, but hopefully not for long. The Cannons are working all day and all night at the moment to sort out the lower areas, and they're laying down solid amounts of snow. Looks like a nice base for this early in the season. Another dump and we should be all good.

Apparently we have 30cm of snow at 2100m and 80cm at 3000m, for those of you who care...

11th December: Mark Rogers

Hi folks, sorry for the lack of detail over the last few days.

I've had to return to the UK for the funeral of an amazing man and a great friend, Mark Rogers. He died aged 27 in a tragic accident. He lived every day as if it was his last. He never sweated the small stuff. He always had your back. Rest In Peace, bro', the world is a poorer place without you.

10th December: BLUEBIRD POWDER!!!!

'Nuff said. First day on the hill of the season, and this is what we get. A foot of fresh over a base. This is Bungee ripping...
And despite the massive dump, the Cannons were firing all day. People have claimed that Tignes doesn't do enough snow making... well have a look in the background of this picture, and then tell me that. Massive artifical efforts all over the hill...

Bungee dominating another field of pow...

...and doing a great scarecrow impression....

8th December: It's SNOWING!!!!

OK, so I've been driving all day so all you're getting tonight is a night-time shot. This is taken from the Lavachet Lounge (free internet access - visit www.tcsbar.com). It's been snowing (medium fall - now light, not heavy) all day today, and when I came up the hill the snow-rain interface was about 1900m this afternoon.


It's supposed to keep doing this for the next two days - keep it coming. I should be able to give you some technical stats (depth of snow / lifts open / etc) tomorrow as I'm about to get my pass and actually get onto the hill...

And to finish off, this girl in town has an amazing pair of puppies - they're so soft and perfect... ;o)




www.RideTignes.comTransfers from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery to Tignes, Val D'Isere, Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Three Valleys

7th December SNOW ALERT!

Those kind kiddies at Snow Forecast have a free day today - and what they're telling us is that we're expecting a foot of fresh at 2500m over the next 48-72 hours!!!!

Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Tignes.0to3mid.shtml

7th December: It's really white

More snow fell yesterday - about another 10cm with the snow-rain interface down to 1300m-ish, so it's all quite dry by comparison to the previous snow fall. Snow is still shallow, but it's definitely going the right direction. Snow cannons working double time, and temperatures low. Blue bird day today, so life is gooooooooood.....

In addition, the Loop opened last night, and after that kicked out we went to Jacks - which, amazingly is playing great music this season. Brilliant night in there, but seriously jaded today as a result. More inspiring blogs coming.....

www.RideTignes.comTransfers from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery to Tignes, Val D'Isere, Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Three Valleys

5th December: It's WHITE!!!

A good snow fall yesterday has turned the valley white - not much happening today, but due for some serious stuff tomorrow - just in time for the first transfer of the season. Thank Mitsubishi for 4WD....

Edit: Rumour has it that above 3000m the snow is in good nick, but beneath it's all Cannon Fodder (artifical snow) and there's a few rocks around. Not a day for that new board you've just bought....

4th Dec: It's Snowing!!!

It's snowing!!!

So we arrived up here late on Saturday night, and Sunday morning (3rd December) was a bit scary - there was grass everywhere, the lake wasn't frozen and it was warm...

However, in true Tignes fashion, the weather has given itself a stern talking-to. It's given itself a few thought-provoking slaps and now it's vomiting copious amounts of fresh, deep, peaceful and beautful snow all over the valley. We've had about 10cm so far (it's now 13:00 Monday 4th December) and it's not going to stop any time soon - bring it on!

Most of the valley is closed at the moment, but everything above Val Claret up to the Grande Motte is open apart from the top cable car (the James Bondola) because it's a bit breezy up there. I've not been up, but apparently the runs are looking really nice!

www.RideTignes.com
Transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery to Tignes, Val D'Isere, Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Three Valleys