 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm off on a week's family ski-holiday on Saturday to Tignes Val Claret ....... unfortunately I won't be risking skiing due to an underlying knee injury.
However functionally the knee is fine for hiking etc., I could even give cross-country ski-ing a go, I've even seen you can go ice-diving which might make for an interesting morning.
I think there is a lot of snow forecast soon, so may need snow shoes for hiking, which I have used once before and is pretty straightforward and assume easy to rent, although would be good, for safety/sociabilty/best routes to go in a group, especially if there has been a lot for fresh snow and/or it will be snowing. Not sure lessons as such are necessary though, happy to pay for a guided group.
Any advice appreciated, especially on logistics from Val Claret 
Advice on what to take too, walking poles with snow-baskets etc. ... if I were to end up giving cross-country a go, I'm guessing full salopettes etc. may be too hot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You don't need anything other than stout walking boots for snowshoes. Long poles help. And if you're in "untracked" deep snow, gaiters. Avalanches don't spare snowshoers, so a group is a good idea, apart from the sociability. For cross country skiing I'd strongly recommend lessons. They'll tell you what you need. "Classic" not "skating" - the latter likely to be at least as hard on your knees as downhill.
You WILL fall over. Backwards if you aren't trying properly, forwards if you are. And if you just shuffle round a flat track it's fairly pointless.
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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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Thanks! What do you mean by the final comment, is this what the xc lessons will entail?
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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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What I mean is, that if you try to do xc right, you will fall over. The first time I fell over forwards the instructor was delighted. 
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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 would check out activities organised by Evo 2.....IIRC including diving below the ice in the Lake at Lac; being pulled round the lake on skis by a pony (if not too risky) and a ride in sledge pulled by Huskies.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
diving below the ice in the Lake at Lac
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Irresistible
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meant shuffle on a flat track
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The Bureau Des Guides in VC organise snow shoe walks - from what I see directly from their office and take folk off in mini buses. Shoe spikes for around town might be useful.
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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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why? I remember seeing a flat track in Tignes - I don't know the resort well but it was on the left, driving up towards Val Claret. Looked pretty boring. A walk up in the mountains, on snowshoes, with a group, would be a lot more enjoyable.
But if you want to shuffle round a flat track, you can rent skis, poles and boots quite cheaply. You might well still fall over though, because the skis are very narrow, and have no edges and you have free heels. If you are a lazy downhill skier (like me) you'll be accustomed to leaning on your equipment. XC skis require much better balance.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
diving below the ice in the Lake at Lac
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Irresistible |
You never do know. It could be a case of, "That'll do Nicely".
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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oh I see, you did mean that, maybe stick to hiking
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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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| Ski lots wrote: |
| The Bureau Des Guides in VC organise snow shoe walks - from what I see directly from their office and take folk off in mini buses. Shoe spikes for around town might be useful. |
great, thanks 
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I’m here now, VC. Bureau des Guides do afternoon hikes, I’d rather mornings or full day. Evolution 2 do mornings so had a nice little hike with them today, up the hillside from the dam. Booked again tomorrow and for a full day hike on Friday, would like more full days as there is nothing you can do in your own here but can’t find anything. ESF sometimes have guided snowshoeing but not this week at least.
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You know it makes sense.
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Person at tourist info (Maison de Tignes) reckons you can hike all the way from La Daille to Le Fornet and beyond, but she didn’t sound too confident. Any insight appreciated
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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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You can certainly do it in the summer. However, a bit dodgy in the winter, not least as the avalanche risk is set to be 4 tomorrow. One summer route takes you via the altiport, another via the south side of the lake. I guess you could walk via the road, but a hell of a walk and again not immune to avalanche risk.
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