Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Weather; Airport
Heavy snow had fallen at LFPG and after sorting through many issues we made our way to Runway 26R. Following a landing B777 we went into position to line-up and wait. The far end of 26R has a rise and the end is not visible from line-up position. After a long delay with a conversation in French between the Tower and the B777; an approaching aircraft was sent around and we waited several minutes more. The runway was called plowed and clear with less than 5mm of snow. To our eyes it appeared clear. We then were cleared for take-off. As we were breaking ground it became clear that the entire runway had not been cleared. Perhaps the last 1;500 feet had not been cleared at all and had 6 or more inches of snow on it. This lack of plowing began near the t-4 intersection. I am fairly sure that the 777 got into the snow and began to move very slowly causing the aircraft to be sent around. We assumed full length clear when it was not and we did not have the situational awareness of the Tower/777 conversation and were not advised by Tower of less than full length.
B767 Captain discovers at lift off that the last 1;800 feet of Runway 26R at LFPG are not plowed and may have six inches of snow on it. The runway was described as plowed and clear by the Tower.