 Poster: A snowHead
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its up the road yet i've never been and to be honest i am a little nervous about it.
one of my friends here lost his then girlfriend there and i know there have been many deaths.
still i would like to do it.
i'm sure many of you have already done it so your thoughts please.
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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snowangel.,
Probably a lot of people here know it better than me, but I would say that it is not that much more dangerous than many other places if you are sensible.
The glacier is heavily crevassed and there are a few cliffs and things so a guide is essential for doing anything other than the bog standard routes.
Some boarders find it quite tiring as there is essentially only one lift with a few stops and a couple of T Bars at the top so there is often a lotof traversing to get back to the lifts.
From Serre Che most of the ski schools run trips, I have been with the ESF based in Monetier and have always had small groups and a proper UIAGM guide who knows the place well. The other people on the trip may well all be non English speakers but I assume that this is not important to you as you live 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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It's absolutely brilliant if you are a skier and have a guide. Although it is unpisted unless there has been a recent snowfall there are a couple of consequence free ways down. With a guide you will have an excellent day. With a guide, a rope, some guts and a climbing harness you can have one of the best days of your life.
Harder for snowboarders, as quoted above, the lift access pretty much involves two unavoidable traverses, one from each side down to P1. Some of the routes can require rope access or are steep and/or narrow. The run down to St Cristophe (actually below LDA) was one of the best couloirs I have ever done even though it would kill a snowboarder with I believe a 6km traverse out.
Doug Coombs died there recently, not a place to be taken lightly, but it can yield some almost (but not completely) unbeatable terrain.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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What parlor says..!!
I'll be there later this season with a few other from here
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| parlor wrote: |
I'm thinking of going back for the Derby...
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I am seriously thinking of the Derby as well, one thing missing from my experiences. Best ski buddy has done it twice, keep me informed!
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parlor, Isn't that at Epsom 
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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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See Derby de La Meige
(But with a good guide La Grave isn't dangerous, unless you want it to be. Just remember if you ever ski without one - that nice powder slope may lead to a cliff)
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Great article snowball.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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we drove through la grave on the way back from our honeymoon for the last derby!
The other half is well up for it, i'm just a little bit nervous aobut it all.
would only ever do it with a guide or someone who knows it very very well.
thanks for your msg's
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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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parlor, flicksta, Good luck !
snowangel., Agree with all the comments above. Hire a guide and experience the best sliding terrain (I'm a skier btw) the world ...
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snowangel., Just try the "standard" routes the first time and then have a looksee to decide what to do after that. That wouldn't be scary but will give you the flavour. You say you're a big mountain boarder - that's it! Vallons de la Meije in good conditions can ski down to the town and avoid P1. REcommend you avoid middle station on a board (very long tranverse that's a pain on skis!)
Most boarders do complain about the traversing - prove us (skiers) wrong!!! 
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You know it makes sense.
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easiski, yeh thats what i reckon i'll do, while i love riding big moutnain i have a major problem with hights!!! who the two go together 'm still not to sure but i get better each season!
i wont try and prove you wrong, pea probably wont mind it, but i know i'll moan!!!
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FAQ
I'll see if I can get some time off this year...
