 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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("highest hotel in the world")
>>I'm just going on what their paperwork and marketing says so there must be some clever wording used somehow! Who knows!
Fair enough! (I think they called it a Spa Hotel)
Marketing should be taken with a pinch of salt. Remember that the Courchevels were all marketed up by tens of metres to get an edge on Val d'Isere.
(Le Croset in C"1850" stands at 1757m, the Gangettes TC in C"1550" at 1479m )
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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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Awesome day ... yet another !
Grand Valloon and col pers etc
End in petit Danois with Andreas playing.
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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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 Pays desert
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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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And a great night in Petit Danois with Andreas from alpine playing !
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Perfect tracks!
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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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whoops never actually click on 'POST' last night... so yesterdays blog has only just been posted - whoops sorry folks!
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A change
It was all change today - it seemed so much colder (mainly because I suspect there was pretty thick cloud) but lovely and quiet. It was change as the clients (the various sets of them) from the past couple of weeks had all left so it was a case of retuning in to someone new.
Clare and the kids were having a chilled morning at home before Clare was taking Olivia out skiing this afternoon so it was a simple start to the day for me in terms of getting up and out the house! However I still almost missed the start of the lesson time as the bus took absolutely ages to leave from down here in La Daille! Anyway it all worked out OK in the end!
The slopes continue to be nice and quiet up there and we made the most of the first hour or so. 'N' and I went for a warm up lap around the green triangle even though she is capable of skiing everything up to and including the Face it was a case of making the most of a warm up morning for her and tuning her back in. The first day of her holiday it was a sensible way to start out. Still breaking in some new boots of her and the cold weather meant that we needed a hot choc stop after an hour before continuing with our work of tuning back in lateral movements in her long radius turns... It was a chilled start to the holiday for her!
I got home for lunch and it was nice to warm up as I was freezing. Clare headed out for a slide with Olivia whilst I had a chilled afternoon as Ben slept watching some of the ski racing on tv (some recorded and some live). Val this evening is a buzz as we celebrate Frances first podium win in a long time in a World Cup slalom race AND Val's first since about the 1990's when the Goestchal sisters were topping the bill!
Anyway apart from that not much else to report from today. Olivia was SO tired that she was in bed about an hour earlier than normal and bed has not made a noice since going down either... lets hope it stays that way!
TTFN
https://www.facebook.com/steve.angus/videos/10161397983055416/
Olivia is learning some freestyle already! ha ha
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Steve Angus, pleasantly surprising to learn slopes fairly quiet on a Sunday. Traditionally Saturday quietest as main changeover day.
Maybe not so many French weekenders are coming? Or your local knowledge helps avoid the busy bits?
Also thanks for keeping your great posts coming when life is obviously so hectic! Lots of regular readers clearly enjoying 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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Just back from a perfect (almost) week long visit for my GF's birthday.
The pistes are in mint condition but Thurs snow gave some epic powder, all over the resort. I spent Friday on Arollay, Signal bowl, Pissailas and the Danaides, putting first tracks down in most places. I got five laps of one of my favourite routes on Pissailas, before I saw anyone else's tracks and that was between two pistes. Perfect snow and made even better as my GF had decided to leave me to it and go shopping.
Arollay, untracked...
We stayed mostly on piste (and I was back on skis) for the rest of the week and finally ventured over to the Tignes side on Saturday. Had a great trip down to Brev, with Chardons in very good condition for what is normally an 'icy wall of death'.
I've had to come back to the UK for a few days but can't wait to be back out.
Stand out meals this trip - Ouilette for lunch (several visits, their quiche is the best in EK), dinner at Casa Scara and at Vieille Maison. For lunch you also must try the Patate Burger at Gourmandine (on Rond Point), simply superb (although not cheap).
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PeakyB Yea thanks.... We dont get many weekend skiers up here - too far up the valley and away from the big smokes like Lyon etc to get people popping up here. Yea there are a lot of tour ops that use Sunday as a transfer day these days not just Saturdays!
bar shaker - such a good summary of where you went and what you did for the trip. Yea those dinner recommendations are all on my hit list too! Good work!
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You know it makes sense.
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Naturals
I was on duty for Olivia drop for the school bus followed by taking Ben to creche before getting to the meet point for 9am! It was all going swimmingly until our bus broke down as we left La Daille so thank goodness there was another bus about 2 seconds behind although I was worried my timings were going to get totally stuffed up by the problem! Alas not it all worked out OK.
I was snowboarding this morning and as it turned out the clients were a little late. Anyway it was nice couple from the Bournemouth area who had done themselves a favour by having their first few lessons on the dry slope to get the basics under their belts. So we started on the Village run and before long we were up the mountain on the magic carpet runs up Solaise and they were pretty natural riders it has to be said. So the progress made was fast and before long we were in a position to make a descent down the Madelaine... well done folks really good progress - more of the same tomorrow!
I spent the afternoon at home sorting a few things out before going to collect Ben, do some jobs at our apartment we rent out, collecting Olivia to take her to music and then getting everyone home again! I managed to tick everything off - yay... BUT unfortauntey I seem to have lost one of Bens shoes - it must have fallen off enroute coming home with him - whoops!
Anyway tomorrow it looks like I have a varied day of work and some time at home.
TTFN
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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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Found it
Last night when I got home with Ben from creche I discovered that one of his boots had fallen off - no wander he was not very happy and cold! Anyway after some detective work and the power of Facebook I discovered that it had been found on the bus and handed to the lost property department so ultimately I went there and collected his show - phew!
Anyway it was another sunny morning and I was in the very rare position of not having a booking this morning which is a rarity... so I tried to get plenty done at home... the problem is when its work, work, work over the Winter months and then you get a little time off you can't swap to 'domestic' mode very easily! Anyway I did get some things done - yay!
At lunchtime I was back into my snowboarding boots and off to work! I had the same couple from a couple of days back and after they had been away and practiced it was time to take them around the green triangle. It was a good trip and they really loved getting mileage under their board and going further afield than they had been before. We tweaked a few areas of their technique and then they absolutely loved having a go at doing flat land 360's which they totally nailed - well done!
I picked Ben up and came home and have done a fair few bits this evening but as always have not got as much done as I would have liked - arghhhhh always the way!
In other news the latest Michellin Restaurant guide has been released... as far as Val is concerned we have the restaurant at the the Balme d'lours (Table de l'Ours) with 1* and the Atelier d'Edmond 2* (In the Fornet)... also highly acclaimed but without a star there is La Table des Neiges, the Luge, Yvonne's Table and the Baraque.... so basically some top nosh to be eaten out there folks!
Also in local news (and I dont actually know why) but the Europa Cup next week has been cancelled. No idea why but thats a pity for Val!
Ps the Classical Val music event started yesterday too!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Boy was it cold!
Today was one of those days when the air temp was low and it was cold! There was cloud about it with a breeze at altitude it was one of those days that meant the breeze and lack of sunshine meant it felt WAY colder than it actually was!
I took Ben to creche as Olivia was going skiing with Clare for the day and then had to get up to Laisenant as the booking notes said I was meeting up there. Anyway all sorted and I got there on time... So I was skiing with a group of 4 (2 x couples) that I last skied with a few years back (I normally ski with their grown up kids these days) and so we headed up into the gloom and cold towards the Fornet. Its not all bad news though as at that time of the day (and this time of the year in general) there was no-one about up at the fornet.... so we pressed on up to the glacier and had the place to ourselves. With a little fresh snow (couple of cms up there) it was amazing conditions!
We worked on some fundamentals and rebuilt elements forgotten of their technique and had a jolly successful morning. The target was to ski down the Plan M red down into Val at the end of the session and there was some great snow down there. We had a really good ski but it was cold that is for sure!
I warmed up at lunchtime in the office before taking my seasonnaires out for their second session of their lesson program! So tactically I decided to head up the Solaise side once again and we did some technical work on the Madelaine followed by the Glacier run.... this was all building on what we worked on last week.
Finally we took a trip over the top to the fornet and then ultimately stopped at the Signal as they were REALLY cold. They then let slip (well a couple of them anyway) that they were actually hungover too! So we headed home.
I collected Ben and then had the usual evening for bath and bed time with the kids!
The snow moved in again this evening and we could get anything from a few cms overnight through to a reasonable amount - but lets see what happens... either way it should be sunny tomorrow - yay!
TTFN
P.S. The 3000 drag lift was open today BUT just for testing and once the safety review from today is worked out then we should get a date for when the lift will finally re-open! Yay!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi @Steve Angus, we’ve been watching them work on the 3000 drag the past week or so. Is it used just to access the off piste on that side of the valley opposite the top of Glacier?
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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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Now been back for almost a week and thought I'd take the opportunity to feedback. Snow was very good and we got 2-3 powder days with plenty of fresh tracks. The missus had lessons with @Steve Angus, and her words were 'the best lessons I have ever had' and she has had a few. We also had Steve to guide us off piste for two full days and I think my friend says it best when he said 'That man is worth his weight in gold'.
If you haven't already guessed, Steve gets the friends and family seal of approval and one should always try and book stuff with him. Unless we are using him that week, in which case, please find your own damn instructor!
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Steve Angus, 81 days of occupancy equating 60.2% indicates a season of only 134.5 days! 1st December to 30th April is 151 days outside a leap year, and Val D'Isere opens late November & shuts early May.
I'm guessing that the statisticians chose dates from mid-December to late-April (ie when lower resorts are also open) to compare 'like with like'. Lies, damn lies and statistics. 
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Rishie - thanks - the cheque is in the post!!! Ha ha! Glad everyone enjoyed themselves so much!
Peter S - Never seen that site - fascinating stuff. Brough back loads of memories of old lifts flicking through that page!
Kenzie - yea I thought the figures seemed 'interesting' but as you say stats are open to interpretation!
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Even colder
I know I have been talking about how cold it is of recent but seriously each day it is getting colder and colder at the moment. We always seem to get a week of baltic conditions each season and this week is it. I had my heated socks on the highest level but still my toes froze off! Even this evening I am only just getting feeling back in my toes - ouch!
Anyway this morning I had a lovely lady who had simply lost her bottle. She had skied loads and even done quite a fair amount of off piste and had skied things like the the Face previously but had not been to Val in a few years. Anyway on her return here she had found that she had lost her bottle. Explaining why she felt this way I couldnt help but agree with her in many ways... essentially she felt that there were a lot of inconsiderate people skiing the slopes here... there seemed to be a lot of bravado on the slopes, a lot of boy racers, a lot of people who thought they were way better than they probably were and all the time an air of supremacy for skiing harder and faster than anywhere else... it was a depressing picture she painted but I couldnt help but agree on many levels! Arghhh unfortunately the EK is becoming a 'chargers' resort which is never a good thing! Lets hope it has some checks in its ongoing future!
Alas she was ready to go back to the green and blue runs and having spent a week here she had not been up the Solaise yet this trip so we took the opportunity to get up there. After some foundation work on the Madelaine and Glacier Express she felt much more comfortable. As I explained to her if you tweak the technique and skills then the confidence follows on... this then make it more enjoyable and we feel more comfortable on the slopes and everyone wins!
I came home for lunch and spent the afternoon on some admin before Clare and I collected the kids and took them to Blue Note for some apres... not that we do it often as it is quite a lot of effort but nice non the less. Anyway an hour or so there before Ben in particular made it clear that he was ready to come home.
And that pretty much sums the day up!
Tomorrow we have a complete family day off altogether which will be nice - lets hope the kids dont wake too early and spoil the potential 'lie in' - ha ha fat chance!
TTFN
SOOOO cold (-22 on the Madelaine Express lift thermo!) out there and especially before the sun gets going!
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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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| PBJ wrote: |
Pays desert |
Been done a million times since skiing began, but still a great photo.
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"What 'D' (animal) did we see in Tignes today Olivia" (speaking to Clare when we got back)?......... Ans: Dinosaur
From the mouth of babes eh! It was obviously a dog but we were in hysterics at the time the dead pan answer she gave!
So Ben made an early morning chorus so it was defiantly my turn to have him so Clare could get a little extra rest. So I ended up attempting to get back to sleep with him on the sofa but that never really works unfortunately! Today was no exception. Anyway it only lasts a couple of hours and then everyone was back up again anyway!
Clare made yummy pancakes and then we geared up (Olivia and I) for a ski together. She has skied a fair few times since I saw her last and that also includes a week and more of lessons so I was really impressed to see the progress she has made. For the first time it really feels like we can start going places - yay!
So we headed up from down here in La Daille and over towards Tignes - it didnt help that her ski popped off as we got on the Tommeuse but I managed to grab it before it got 'left behind' and managed to pop the ski back on as we rode the lift! Anyway she skied all the way down to Val Claret without a fuss and we had a wonderful ski - taking in little jumps at the side of the piste etc, playing some games and generally having a lot of fun!
We arrived in Val Claret and thank goodness the temperatures seem to have risen since the last few days as it was very much warmer today and pleasant. Being a Saturday the pistes were empty and the snow was in perfect condition - yay!
We arrived in Val Claret and headed to The Corner and had a lovely cuppa of tea and hot chocolate for Olivia respectively! I also (naughty) had a 2nd breakfast (couldnt help myself) of a bacon and egg sarnie - YUMMMMM! Somehow I managed to smash a jar of brown sugar too - whoops sorry Lou.
Anyway it was a lovely break and Olivia was over the moon when someone who works in there who we know well brought her 1 yr old black lab in - Olivia was in her element!
So back to the skiing we headed back to Val and skied the snow park, petit x course as well as croc valley before finally getting home for some lunch. Olivia and Ben had a sleep with Clare and I caught up watching the skiing on tv.
The rest of the day was a lazy family day and we finished with a family lasagne yummy!
So it has been a nice rest day!
The big news is that snow is forecast - in fact there could be a large amount over the next week... starting tomorrow morning. We shall see as it could be an up and down week weather wise!
I am back working tomorrow morning and according to the our planner it is a couple of beginners - that could be interesting if the weather is horrendous but better than being up the mountain in really horrible weather if that is what happens!
TTFN
Is it really THAT far still to go!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.angus/videos/10161418404025416/
Nice work - the ski through the legs trick!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.angus/videos/10161418404285416/
Keen bean!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PS Congrats to Clement Noel from the Val CDS again for another World Cup win in Kitzbuhel today - awesome work! 2 in 2 weeks!
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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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Here it comes
When I opened the curtains this morning it was grey and overcast BUT not snowing yet a while! In fact it was later (yay) than normal looking out the window as both kids slept past 7am - double yay!
Anyway Clare was taking the kids off swimming whilst I headed out to work!
By the time I got out the front door the snow was starting to fall and little by little the intensity increased.... by the end of the day we had about 15-20cm of fresh snow down in town and about 30cm at altitude although I would say that the wind has really gotten up this evening after it started off negligible!
So I met my new arrivals a couple of young junior doctors in their mid 20's who were both respectively here with their boyfriends! Anyway they had done a 3 hr session on the artificial slopes back home but apart from that this was there first time skiing! Little by little we increased the difficulty and intensity of what we were doing and ultimately we headed for a run on the Madelaine so for their first proper day on the slopes they did very well. I just hope this afternoon they took my advice as to where to go and what to do - I think they were sensible enough so fingers crossed they have not been led astray by their boyfriends!
What was annoying today was the sheer numbers of friends trying to teach their friends how to ski / snowboard... it meant that the slope was awash with people who were WELL out of control / groups standing in totally inappropriate places and blocking the route etc - arghh drives me insane! Lethal idiots!
Anyway I headed home at lunchtime and with the kids having a sleep (well Ben anyway) it was a relaxing afternoon of film watching / drinking tea and generally chilling out! We had guests around for a cuppa and a slice later in the afternoon and then the usual bath and bed time routine!
So the snow continues to fall and tomorrow will be a complete contrast for me with the near beginners in the morning and then some American experienced off pisters in the afternoon... lets hope the wind does not wreck the snow and also lets hope we do not get a HUGE amount of snow tomorrow as the avalanche risk is already looking like a 4 tomorrow and possibly a generous 4 so it could be interesting to say the least!
TTFN
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Why do they have to be evacuated by chopper? Can’t they walk out? How tight is that gorge?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@kditrj2d, Its that or freeze to death. The gorge is incredibly narrow and deep with a raging torrent in the bottom. The summer path is hair raising to say the least (there is a wire rope to hang onto for some parts) and is well above the bottom and the other side to where they arrived from. It is also probably covered in ice snow. The gorge is generally only passable when avalanches from above fill it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Where is the gorge? Probably not very charitable of me but I did chuckle when I read 39!!! 
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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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If anyone spotted some muppet snow boarding down into La Daille Monday morning, with an inflated airbag... that was me 
A high speed stack in the (lovely, deep) powder under the Folie on my first run of the morning saw my bag go off. I hadn't taken the handle out of its pocket (an Ortovox Ascent 22) so not quite sure how it deployed. I was laying in the snow thinking WTF is that hissing sound and then I was suddenly popped up on a big orange Lilo. My mates found it very funny.
Big thanks to the guys in Mountain Pro for the exchange carbon canister (€25).
Incredible conditions for our long weekend. A few small slides on Monday (to be expected but nothing threatening) didn't stop some fantastic fun in all the obvious places. Definitely a day for being on a board.
The rest of the weekend, I have skied and it was on perfect piste snow. Soft and grippy from top to bottom, but it was seriously cold on Tuesday. We'd popped up to the top of Borsat for the 6km run to La Daille as our last blast, yesterday. The temp was showing -14degC at Marmottes so probably 2degC colder (or more) at the top of Borsat. The wind on the chair was biting.
Not back now until W3 in Feb (unless I change my mind). This is a great season for bluebird skiing... unless you are now suffering Storm Gabriel.
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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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Steve (and others with a clear understanding),
Ref. the heli out of Malpasset, and per the Pisteurs' comments on facebook, see below.
What is your understanding of them specifying gravity accessed?
Does this refer to Carre Neige?
Are they saying that Carre Neige won't cover you for rescue, if you have boot packed or skinned into somewhere e.g. Col Pers, Valon de Sachette, North Face Borsat, Chardonnet Bowl, Table d'orientation, Col des Fours, Mont Roup, etc. etc.?
"Selon la loi montagne du 9 janvier 1985, les secours sont payants sur le domaine skiable de la station. Ce qui comprends le hors piste accessible par gravité. Pour les secours en dehors du domaine skiable, une participation peut-être demandée à la personne secourue en fonction de la nature des secours.
De plus les assurances ne remboursent pas les secours si la personne est indemne."
Google Translate:
"According to the mountain law of January 9, 1985, help is paid on the ski area of the resort. This includes the off-piste accessible by gravity. For assistance outside the ski area, participation may be able to be requested from the rescued person, depending on the nature of the rescue.
In addition, the insurance does not reimburse the relief if the person is unscathed."
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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 think it is saying that if you access off-piste boot packing etc would be covered by Carre Neige. BUT the key for these guys is the last part - if you're not injured then insurance won't cover the rescue.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| nemesys wrote: |
| Where is the gorge? Probably not very charitable of me but I did chuckle when I read 39!!! |
Top of the Isere valley, upstream of Fornet & St Charles Bridge. I wouldn't want to do it with 38 other people even when it is passable. In my four seasons in EK I did the gorge once - the one short period it was passable during those four seasons.
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| Kenzie wrote: |
| nemesys wrote: |
| Where is the gorge? Probably not very charitable of me but I did chuckle when I read 39!!! |
Top of the Isere valley, upstream of Fornet & St Charles Bridge. I wouldn't want to do it with 38 other people even when it is passable. In my four seasons in EK I did the gorge once - the one short period it was passable during those four seasons. |
Thanks - I see it - off one of the Col Pers routes.
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| ajdetpwm wrote: |
Steve (and others with a clear understanding),
Ref. the heli out of Malpasset, and per the Pisteurs' comments on facebook, see below.
What is your understanding of them specifying gravity accessed?
Does this refer to Carre Neige?
Are they saying that Carre Neige won't cover you for rescue, if you have boot packed or skinned into somewhere e.g. Col Pers, Valon de Sachette, North Face Borsat, Chardonnet Bowl, Table d'orientation, Col des Fours, Mont Roup, etc. etc.?
"Selon la loi montagne du 9 janvier 1985, les secours sont payants sur le domaine skiable de la station. Ce qui comprends le hors piste accessible par gravité. Pour les secours en dehors du domaine skiable, une participation peut-être demandée à la personne secourue en fonction de la nature des secours.
De plus les assurances ne remboursent pas les secours si la personne est indemne."
Google Translate:
"According to the mountain law of January 9, 1985, help is paid on the ski area of the resort. This includes the off-piste accessible by gravity. For assistance outside the ski area, participation may be able to be requested from the rescued person, depending on the nature of the rescue.
In addition, the insurance does not reimburse the relief if the person is unscathed." |
The Col Pers is signposted as an unpatrolled area that you enter at your own risk. Manchet valley is similarly signed, from the top of Grand Pré. This is different to the Yellow triangles which say 'Hors Pistes' such from Plan into Danaides. The other difference here is that you are between pistes, with the Traversee du Laisinant at the bottom.
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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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@bar shaker, your airbag incident sounds like something that would happen to me, hence my user name
I've just started doing about 6 days on snow 10 days back in the UK so we must try and meet soon.
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FAQ
