 Poster: A snowHead
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I always used to think the numbers were 100m markers and in some resorts this seems about right (many pistes in Tignes, for example).
A couple of weeks ago in PDS we came across a piste that had numbers every 30m at one point. It seemed almost a joke.
Are they meant to be at 100m intervals?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm not aware that there is any rule about it, but a few years ago in January we got caught in a white-out (dense cloud and falling snow) on an unfamiliar piste in Les Crosets and it was only the piste markers that enabled us to find our way down. If they had been 100m apart there is no way we would have been able to see the next one. So perhaps they are closer on pistes that are susceptible to white out?
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 11-02-14 15:38; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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There is no rule to the distance between signs. It's just so that you can tell ski patrol "I'm at marker number 9" if you break yourself.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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its pretty much only a french thing too
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
its pretty much only a french thing too
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yes - I didn't realise this. Started down a piste in Italy at no 62 last week, thought "this is going to be a long one" then realised they all said 62 - that was the name of the piste.
I do think numbered markers are quite useful, actually, not only for the good reason stevomcd gives but also it's a rough gauge of how long the piste is, and how far down you are. I've sometimes been unable to see from one piste marker to the next even with the poles quite close together. Frequent markers, and numbers, are invaluable in very poor conditions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Also in France the piste markers on the right-hand side of the piste (Skier's POV) have orange tops - also a useful reference in a true whiteout!
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Austrian/Italian ones have longer orange bars on left, short on right, for whiteout orientation.
Except in Arabba, where the snow was so deep the poles were submerged enough that it was not possible to distinguish (at least on the black run). 
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They number pistes in Austria and Germany too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| biddpyat wrote: |
| They number pistes in Austria and Germany too. |
Yes, but the poles at the side all have the piste number on them (if they have anything). There are no markings to indicate how far down the piste you are.
The OP was talking about the system in French resorts where the poles have consecutive numbers (numbered up from the bottom I believe).
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Right I get you, I seldom notice what is marked on them anyway, Lol,
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The numbers are so can can tell the emergency people where a incident has occured on piste ... I thought so they can get there as fast as poss
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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i thought they put them in strategic points to point out corners , turns etc etc tho I'm probably overthinking it
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The ones in Germany are at strategic points, the colour of the piste, the number of the piste and then a small number underneath. So on that point I thought that it was like you so that piste patrol could get to a point fairly fast. I never thought it was marking the distance because sometimes they can be higgledy piggledy.
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You know it makes sense.
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As a newbie to France I liked this feature on the pistes. I had guessed it would be in case of emergencies etc
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