 Poster: A snowHead
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How does it rank against other pistes? I skied it this year with my daughter, and the 200m ish steep bit was challenging for me. I'd appreciate a self-affirming confirmation that only ski Gods can do it safely, making me a first year apprentice SG. Do others think it's challenging?
In case of doubt, yes I am having skiing cold turkey! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It can definitely be challenging at the end of the season. My husband and son skied it a couple of years ago in April and it did not appear to have been pisted and had massive moguls on. My husband recorded himself on his go pro saying "I can't do this" at the top of the steep section  but after that turn he was fine. As we took the chairlift back up we witnessed a child fall towards the top of the steep section and he/she was unable to stop and tumbled down the whole section. It was horrifying to watch but I think they were conscious at the end.
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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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My take on it is that it's not particularly steep or long, but its aspect (northwest facing if I recall correctly) can make it prone to hard snow or ice, particularly later in the season. I don't think it gets pisted either.
So if timed badly, you might find crusty old, icy moguls which can be a tricky combination, especially if there aren't many skiers on it churning the snow up.
Snow conditions are 100x more important than gradient.
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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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Quite steep and intimidating, but for a very short distance.
A good place to test yourself as screwing up is embarassing not very dangerous (unlike certain runs of similar difficulty in other resorts).
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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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A good challenge to set yourself, helps improve technique...
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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 recall several hundred metres of nothing very much, then the bit where there's ALWAYS, in all the vids, a group of people standing on the edge looking over. In my case, thinking, "Ooooh dear!" or similar! I went over only once, ending on my bum with one leg buried vertically to the knee. For a brief mo, it was, "I'm fine, no pain, but how on earth am I getting out of this hole". It was fine, and I skied off thinking I might do it again. Just not today!
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It certainly looks intimidating in that video but the snow conditions could be worse, I guess. I think I'd view it from the chair and give it a miss too - as I did the Swiss Wall, many years ago!
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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 was about to write that I don't think anything in Flaine is challenging but then I recalled Gers, and Fred. Both of which, when open, are splendid,
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Diamant noir is a boring piste as it’s difficult to get into a proper rhythm. The steep bit is short and then it’s pretty much a blue at best. For a proper challenge, intimidation and feeling of achievement- try Gers... or any of the blacks in Samoens.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@cheburator, blacks in Samoens? Ou?
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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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@under a new name, left and right off the chariande express chair
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Mostly it's not too challenging compared to many of the classic blacks in the France.
The hardest, steepest part is fairly short BUT it's also pretty narrow. This bit, when it's icy with big moguls, creates difficulties for people who like to weave their way down with big wide traverses.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Zorrac, ah, of course, yes, I still haven't ridden that.
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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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| under a new name wrote: |
| @Zorrac, ah, of course, yes, I still haven't ridden that. |
Long time since I have been there (early 90s maybe) but the y could be vicious little beasts when they were both icy and mogully. One felt one had earn one's lunch at the restaurant. Happy days.
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