 Poster: A snowHead
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| Ozboy wrote: |
| polo wrote: |
@IanTr, Tortin in Verbier is a piece of cake compared to Swiss wall......or was it Tartin 
And it’s avoriaz as opposed to morzine |
Geographically it’s in Champery Les Crossets and not sure if the lift back up is included in the Avoriaz area ski pass? |
Definitely not on the Avoriaz ticket, the run is as per the name in Switzerland.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes technically....the top of the ridge is the border between France and Swiss, I normally arrive from avoriaz centre, and obviously all lifts are covered by PdS pass
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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In the 3 times i have been i have skied it once and that was enough. To many who just don't have the ability to ski it making it dangerous and it just isn't enjoyable for me. My legs were knackered after it. Chair down for me and will be again in March
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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: |
Geographically it’s in Champery Les Crossets and not sure if the lift back up is included in the Avoriaz area ski pass?
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I'm 99% certain it isn't (included, that is)
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 7-01-20 17:16; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@mikeelsa, when I used to guide clients around the PdS in the early 90s I would actively discourage them from the wall, unless I was confident they'd all enjoy it. We'd usually ski Machon or head to Linga and the bumps run above Renard.
On the lovely vid above, I was in Park City once, and fancying myself as being reasonably competent in the bumps, I tried the Olympic bumps course. Never again. It wasn't even icy. But very, very steep and the bumps were huge. There were teams training on it later that day.
Given that that is routine training for those folks, the wall would be the sort of thing they'd do on one ski and blindfolded, for giggles.
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Lovely video of Ben Cavet.
I like bumps but that kind of thing is a good reminder that there is a world of difference being pretty decent for a holiday skier and actually good at skiing!
Is he wearing Full Tilts? Nice to see that flexons are still boot of choice for some bump skiers after all these years...
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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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| jedster wrote: |
Lovely video of Ben Cavet.
I like bumps but that kind of thing is a good reminder that there is a world of difference being pretty decent for a holiday skier and actually good at skiing!
Is he wearing Full Tilts? Nice to see that flexons are still boot of choice for some bump skiers after all these years... |
Yes he wears Full Tilts, as do all the US/Canadian teams. It's pretty much accepted as the boot of choice for mogul skiers now, along with IDone skis. Although Ben uses the Rossi's that heaven't changed in 10+ years accept for the colour.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Yes he wears Full Tilts, as do all the US/Canadian teams. It's pretty much accepted as the boot of choice for mogul skiers now, along with IDone skis. Although Ben uses the Rossi's that heaven't changed in 10+ years accept for the colour.
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It is pretty amazing that a boot design that has hardly changed since the late 70s is still so competitive. What an awesome piece of industrial design.
(disclosure I started skiing in FT's a couple of years ago out of curiosity having skiied Flexons in the 90s. Love them)
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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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@jedster, Never tried them. What’s the USP?
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You know it makes sense.
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@BobinCH, very progressive flex. Popular on the DH circuit in the 70s and 80s as well - so additional absorption and forgiveness. As well as those very funny exposed Marker bindings 
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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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I remember lusting after a yellow and black pair in the 80’s. Alas was just a poor student and ended up in some 2nd hand Nordicas...
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks. Good read!
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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 became an even poorer student by buying some black and pink / purple ones  Loved them, my lad now skis in Full Tilts, as do many park rats.
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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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Have skied The Wall several times, never with style. First couple of times it was pure survival but the last few times I felt like I was skiing it ok but in short bursts. Actually having to stop now and again to wait for the carnage below to clear does let you get your breath back 
Yes it is a bit easier down skiers left.
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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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You need a swiss-side pass or PdS pass. Interestingly (but perhaps only to me  ), when the PdS was being linked-up in the 60's, the chair had to be ratified by the French parliament, since the bottom station is in Switzerland and the top station in France.
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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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| IanTr wrote: |
How do SHers think the Swiss Wall compares to the Tortin at Verbier? Or the Piste du Chamois at Zinal?
For the sake of discussion let’s say each with decent conditions underfoot and overhead. |
Swiss Wall - steeper and more intimidating at the top - but gets easier pretty quickly. As others have noted there are options for wide traverses.
Tortin - not as scary at the start but a much longer slog. So more physically demanding.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We tend to use the Swiss wall as a quick and easy way to get to Champery, especially in the holidays when there is big lift queues for the Tour lift.
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Swiss Wall tips, from a my most recent run on Sunday.
- a pair of 153cm Atomic S9s makes the whole thing much, much easier.
- being fat, unfit and a tired/sleep-deprived new (relatively) father does not.
Happy skiing, SHers!
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@Harry Flashman, i’d counter the last point, in my mind I’d be thinking ‘ it -if I crash and burn I’ll get a nice rest in hospital’
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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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@frejul, +1
I have skied the wall many times, but never boarded it - I can do moguls on a board, but they're not a load of fun.
I have boarded Tortin, though probably wouldn't do it again.
I was lulled in as it did not look super gnarly at the top, but by half way my legs were knackered.
It was a sunny day so I sat at the side for a bit to enjoy the views, before doing the second half.
With the wall though - like Harry says conditions are everything.
In the 80s there was a race called the Derby de Chavanette. The winner got a 13" portable telly
It was revived a few years back, and there's some interesting vids around on youtube.
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Agree with these comments.
Pretty much any run is doable in the right conditions, in powder on a snowboard no problem.
However, windswept, icy, hard pack totally different prospect and agree dangerous.
Been down in twice in succession in powder picking turns easily around moguls had an absolute ball and thought I was the boss.
Went down in poor conditions and scared myself to death must have slid on my back bottom after falling most of it. Limped off to lick my wounds in a bar.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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A good few years ago, on my old straight skis, I was pretty confident on moguls and would always have a go.
That was before a 10 year break. Since I got back to skiing 6 years ago, on new skis, my technique for moguls has gone awol, so I think that I would opt for discretion. 
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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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There is a really very comfortable chairlift with some fine views that delivers you from the top of the wall to a point half way to Les Crosets. Highly recommended unless you want that tick in the box.
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FAQ
