 Poster: A snowHead
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There have been too many dear diary posts about people's disappointing holidays so, rather than moaning about it even more, here are some pics from my last ski trip of the season. it was end feb/early march - the humanity!!
Pics are by me, Paul and offpisteskiing
Participants were GrahamN, me and Paul, ably led by Offpisteskiing
We all travelled down by Eurostar to Paris then the sleeper to BSM. This was OK although I got fleas on the way home  It did allow us 8 days' skiing for only 6 nights accommodation.
First couple of days we rode the endless lift up from Brides les Bains and skied around the 3Vs. Hadn't been too much snow but we managed to tick off something of the back of Mont Vallon and a Lac du Lou itinerary. It actually snowed on the second day 
Day 1 proper of the trip - 3 Valleys
I thought it was going to be dust on crust but it turned out to be a foot or so of cold fresh pow and you didn't bottom out too much. Simon took us to all sorts of place round the 3 Vs, the names of which I can't remember but here are some pics:
GrahamN
Paul
Me
For the last run we did something off the Mont du Vallon which took you down under the Aid du Fruit. Here's one of me with the Aid du Fruit in the background
It was a bit of a bushwhack in places. Here is me demonstrating that DPS W112s are highly adept at kickturns
Paul is happy with the first day
Day 2 - N Face of Bellecote (Steep Vanoise would not be complete without it...)
We opened the Canadiens Coulour. Again, it wasn't perfect pow all the way but it was pretty dam good...
GrahamN and Offpisteskiing scope the Cairn Couloir
Acting like a dick prepares me mentally for this sort of thing
| StraightChuter wrote: |
| In the right conditions, one of the coolest things about steep skiing is that it can almost be effortless as you hardly need to unweight at all to send yourself flying into space on a 50-degree slope. Once you unweight, there is a brief moment when you are suspended above the snow, facing straight down the hill and completely airborne. This is the stuff that causes people to become terminal ski bums. |
steep pow 
GrahamN contemplated another several 100ms of goodness
Offpisteskiing looks on
From whence we came
Sadly, things went downhill from here. Last time I did this run, the infamous avalanche debris funnel was free of debris. We weren't so lucky this time and had a good old bushwhack to get to the bottom
The only downside to the Bellecote is that you have to ride a lot of lifts to get there and out again. However, our day was not done and we managed to squeeze in a couloir which Simon had spotted from a lift numerous times but never skied. We called it... Couloir Mythique
Cool views getting over to it
In it - snow was a bit sun affected but still pretty good
Making turns is terribly selfish and WASTES POWDER!!!
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 21-04-11 0:18; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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| Quote: |
GrahamN contemplated another several 100ms of goodness
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Ooooohh that looks like fun!!
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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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Arno, great pics, and cheers for the good ski vibe 
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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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Fantastic fun and reporting! You certainly made excellent use of some good conditions...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the pics 
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Excellent stoke, thanks!
So.... did Graham have you on a leash for the entire trip then (second pic, day 2)? 
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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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Great report. Looks like a great week!
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Excellent report - looks like you had a Wailer of a time!
Just shows how , when everyone else is crying about the poor snow, offpisteskiing can find all the nooks and crannies with loads of the stuff.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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This is unpossible. Everyone knows it didn't snow in Europe this year FACT! Nice photoshop skills.
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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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Thanks for putting that lot up, it makes for a great read.
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You know it makes sense.
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Acting like a dick prepares me mentally for this sort of thing
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 excellent
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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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nice trip Arno, the Saulire couloirs bring back happy memories...
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Poster: A snowHead
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nicr TR, so the 'nanas were ok in steep tight stuff??
Did Paul get new skis???
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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kitenski, the nanas were very good for that - they are so easy to turn. i wondered whether the relatively short sidecut might put me into carves when i didn't want to but that didn't turn out to be a problem. not sure whether my technique can take credit for that or whether the rocker helped
Paul finally got some Scott Powdairs and for some reason mounted Dukes on them. Light ski + heavy binding doesn't make much sense to me but if anyone can break dynafits, Paul would be that person
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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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Like it. Thanks for posting.
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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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Arno, great pics, good to St Foy on the list
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Arno, fantastic TR. Is Paul the guy with the classic brown denim ski pants?
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BobinCH, yup that's him, and fetching leather lady killer jacket for evening wear 
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kitenski, Wasn't he going ski touring in Greenland? Why On earth did he stick Dukes on Powdairs?
Ps glad to see you got some fresh in St Anton!
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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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BobinCH, yep - he's off there about now. he got a pair of proper goretex shells so he won't be touring in greenland in jeans
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FAQ
