 Poster: A snowHead
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Are there any good, easy to follow, off piste areas between pistes anywhere in paradiski area you'd recommend?
I've only started doing small amounts of off piste and therefore am looking for some which are safe and easy to access
short runs with no need for a guide or avalanche equipment.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are plenty of "just offpiste" places. Try alongside les Inversens red below Roche de Mio in La Plagne. Also the run back towards Champagny from Roche de Mio has some nice places, but there are many more in La Plagne.
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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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Above Plagne Centre:
If you don't mind falling over there's great fun to be had in 'Walace and Gromit Land' under the Colorado chair. We think it looks much like the moon in 'A grand day out'. Not really what I would call 'off-piste' but great fun none the less.
Above Aime La Plagne:
From the top of the Cretes drag continue forwards along the track past the Gasex equipment. When you can, drop left into the bowl and continue back into the system. Doesn't seem to get much traffic and there are a couple of avoidable baby couloirs for fun.
Also from the top of the Cretes drag: continue further along the track and then boot up the bank in front of you for a short distance. Continue into the bowl at the back then bear right arriving eventually at the bottom of the Coqs chair. This is much more remote so you'll need good visibility and stable snow.
In the Bellecote area:
Stop off at the mid point of the Bellecote gondola. Plenty of interesting options in and around the blues to the small Chalet de Bellecote chair. This also gets very little traffic and is North facing so the snow tends to remain friendly. Once you've done this a few times then continue on down the valley past the end of the chairlift. You eventually arrive at the Bauches chair. Although this route gets plenty of traffic, again, this is remote so treat with caution.
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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, just looked at these options on a piste map and all look good and easy to find
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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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Llew, please be aware that avalanches do occur 'just to the side of pistes' and you should still be cautious....observe local avalanche bulletins etc etc
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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kitenski, thanks,
yes totally agreed, I am aware that the weather conditions will vary the risk of avalanches and that they can occur anywhere.
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Llew, Please be aware that the area referred to below is prone to avalanche, a trip up the Coqs chair and looking to the right often as many as 6 or 7 avalanches can be seen.
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Also from the top of the Cretes drag: continue further along the track and then boot up the bank in front of you for a short distance. Continue into the bowl at the back then bear right arriving eventually at the bottom of the Coqs chair. This is much more remote so you'll need good visibility and stable snow
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chat to the Piste patrollers in their office (overlooking the area) at the top of the Becoin chair they will advise if it is safe to go there.
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Under inversens lift (la plagne side) seemed to be a total playground and easy to stay in sight of the piste. Check your route from the chair on the way up, enjoy on the way down.
It's really not hard at all to find offpiste in the area, we spent lots of time in easy off piste with and without an instructor on both sides of the vanoise without really making much effort at all. La Plagne side did seem to have more though. Do check your exits and keep together, a fair few bits looked like dead ends to me  and watch out for anything with no tracks on it, there is always ALWAYS a reason why (rocks, drops, holes, trees, avalanche prone) - until you get a lot more experienced, following the herd will be safer.
ESF in peisey is only E99 for the week and their level3 class we were in spent most of the time offpiste - worth a thought if you want a little advice/cheap guide for the first few days.
Have fun!
aj xx
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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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| a.j. wrote: |
Under inversens lift (la plagne side) seemed to be a total playground and easy to stay in sight of the piste. Check your route from the chair on the way up, enjoy on the way down.
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Yep that's one of my 'nicer spots' - just be careful not to head too far right....nor die of exposure on a slow chair... . Similar in Les arcs come down bellette and drop over the ridge line nearish the hut as the piste bends round to the right. Also other options under the derby chair either side... Off the sides of golf can be fun too - even golf itself after a dump... (the piste that is not the sport)
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In principle off piste is off piste, every year people die within site of the piste. At the minimum Beacon, Shovel, Probe and learn how to use them. If you have spent all that cash on a ski holiday pay a little more and get some off piste instruction. You will love it and get taken to areas a lot more exciting than the "edge of the piste" 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Head up Arpette lift from Bellecote and from the top you can ski off piste between the blues runs coming back down. Just be carefult not to faceplant under the lift though 
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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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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks to all for your suggestions.
I had a great time and managed to find some good knee depth powder under the Crozats lift, between Col I and Col II on the Glacier and between various traverse runs on the way down from the Glacier.
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