 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there, I have just booked a trip to Verbier for next season(feb) and just researching runs etc...I am a 30 week level 7/8 skiier and wondering if i should attempt the famous black run from the Mont Fort Cable car. I like a challenge but do not want a' If you fall you die'! type run.I certainly dont want to be someone who should not be there!! Any ideas or direct experience...Thanks. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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No worries for someone with your experience. Skier's right is the more demanding descent, but still shouldn't worry you. The IYFYD bits are on the back side and you wouldn't want to attempt those for a first time without a guide. For someone like you it may be worth getting a guide for a day to get the most out of the awesome terrain there.
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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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You have to remember that steep black runs can vary enormously depending on the conditions. With good snow if you have the ability level you say you have, you will be quite safe.
On the other hand if the slope is warn and icy it should still be within your capabilities however, one of the best bits of advice I believe that was ever given to me was "If you are considering a slope like this (we were looking at the possibilities of another particularly steep run at the time) think what the consequences might be if you fall". That is the question I suggest you ask yourself when you take a look at the conditions when you get there.
It's a long time since I was in Verbier so I do not remember the orientation of the Mont Fort slope, but at this time of year you want to be aware if it's a slope where the sun melts it in the afternoon and then it freezes overnight, making it treachorous first thing the next morning. Time of day can be important as well if you decide you want to ski it.
So my advice is not to commit yourself until you have had a look at it.
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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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Thanks a lot guys....got plenty of time to think about it!!
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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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I'm a competant novice, and I skied it with no style and no falls. Would love to go back. I'd say if you fell you wouldn't slide far as you'd bump into the moguls. Same with Tortin, though that is a bit hairy at the top.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I skied it (the marked run) many years ago when I was probably a low intermediate. I can't pretend to have done it with any panache, but I didn't fall, and never felt as if I would. I recall it being steep and bumpy. There was plenty of fresh snow on it, which I imagine was critical to it being fairly straightforward.
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A friend tells me he saw someone go all the way down ....I'll say no more...but I did it with no more than 7 weeks and its one to tick off at that stage. I haven't been back since but IIRC looking down, the left side is less steep and expect the top to be the hardest..might even have to side slip a few mtrs. You probably will not ski it with your best turns but it is just another steep black. Have a look at it from the cablecar and if you really don't fancy it, you can take the car back down again. It will be your call and your call only.
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And just to say, as with all these things..and they are relative.... you'll do it only if you fancy it.
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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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I did it in my second week. I fell once when I hit a band of ice. Didn't fall far before I hit a bump. Most difficult thing was trying to get back up the six feet or so to my ski as it was so icy in that spot. Did the rest of it (relatively) okay though. I remember a very narrow and tricky run in to the start. Cannot remember how steep it is compared to other runs but I would say the main problem was the many icy areas. I guess like any run it can change so much.
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I also once watched someone bounce most of the way down it. Didn't seem any worse for the experience other than that he left his skis at the top! The left side (as you look down) is definitely easier than the right.
If the snow is good (i.e soft) then you shouldn't have any problems, but I would reconsider if it's icy.
Do they still charge extra for the Mont Fort part of the resort? I always thought that was a bit outrageous.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PantherX50, go up on the cable car, and if you don't like what you see, come down on the cable car.
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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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Mike Lawrie, when I was there a couple of years ago, we didn't have to pay extra. Now, I would reconsider if it was icy. Ice is just not fun.
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Mike Lawrie, Mont Fort is not in the Verbier sector, so you have to upgrade if you only have a Verbier pass.
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You know it makes sense.
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Tim Brown, I must have had a 4 valleys pass then.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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conor, yep.
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Poster: A snowHead
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30 weeks experience!!!!!!!!! You should easily be able to get down anything. If the worst comes to the worst just slide down on your edges. I've 10 weeks experience and never come across anything overly challenging. Was with a mate in Zermatt in february and he had one weeks experience. He could get down all the blacks they had to offer, without any problems. Maybe not in a totally "stylish way" but more than capable.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Tim Brown, it's a while ago now, so not sure, but we definitely skied the whole of the four valleys and had to pay extra to do Mont Fort. Maybe things have changed.
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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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Mike Lawrie, if you have the four valley's lift pass then you do not have to pay a supplement for Mt Fort. If you have the Verbier lift pass you do have to pay a supplement, not just for the Mt Fort Cable car but also for the cable cars from La Chaux to Col de Gentianes and Tortin to Col de Gentianes which you go up to get to the bottom of the Mt Fort cable car. As well as other lifts further away in the four valleys. Full details are available on www.televerbier.ch
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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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Skied it twice 6 years ago. The first time fell on my second turn and slid on my back for what seem like a couple of hundred feet (I remember laughing as I was sliding and even had the presence of mind to call to a mate that I would "see you at the bottom Dave"). Of course had to go up and try again and I managed it without falling but probably didn't look to stylish. Great fun but very dififcult (for me) however the view from the top of the cable car is pretty spectacular.
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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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halfhand, I agree about the view. One of the best I've seen I think.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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PantherX50, see for youself:
Not too difficult, personally speaking, but I believe someone broke their neck there the week before we arrived - bounced all the way down
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Try Tortin and Gentianes first - although they're itineries they're not as steep - just much longer. If you can manage them fine Mont Fort is prob only a small step up.
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Kit Wong, Fabulous picture, I'd almost forgotten how beautiful it looks. 
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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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xyzpaul,
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steep black runs can vary enormously depending on the conditions
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I skied (!) it just the once, wiht blue ice on the downslope of every mogul. It wsas the most frightneing thing I have ever done. 2 people died on it on the week we were there. It gets narrower towards the bottom as I remember, and steeper, so once you start falling stopping is difficult and avoiding the rocks paramount.
Never again
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Martin Nicholas, I don't remember it being that bad. Main thing I remember was the ice.
Kit Wong, love the picture. Makes the run look really steep. The track leading to it doesn'ty look as difficult as I remember though; I remember it consisting of large 'steps' to ski down.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I skied it on my 5th week on skis. Looking at that pictire I think how. I remember the lip being the worst part. from memory stick left. In fact when I was there i think the left hand side was graded red possibly the most misleading run grade ever
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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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fantastic picture! I want to go there now....
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 So many answers....think it looks good...thanks for all of the replies!!(Depending on the conditions of course!)
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You know it makes sense.
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Years and years since I went there but seem to remember the Tortin Bumps were good too.
Meg
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