 Poster: A snowHead
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Ciao Snowheads!
First time poster (thanks to @ElzP for the rec). I'm looking for fellow skiers / splitboarders to ride any of the classic off-piste lines at the Skyway on the Italian side, as I think it could be pretty decent after the recent storm. As well as recommendations for any guides around Aosta where I'm currently based, although unsure if I'm willing to pay for one on my own so even better if anyone is interested in splitting one.
A bit about me - From Colorado, USA and am most familiar with riding in the Rockies. I'm an advanced snowboarder / splitboarder with avalanche 1 and mountaineering training. I received my Italian citizenship last year and decided to try the Alps out for this season and have been hopping mainly around Valle D'Aosta and just over the border in Chamonix. Planning to spend lots of winters here in the future so hoping to find some other riders to connect with in these areas, even if its not for the off-piste steeps. Parlo italiano e hablo espanol tambien. Feel free to PM for any more deets. Cheers !
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome! Would love to join you - I ski in Les Contamines a lot and have been meaning to come through the tunnel to ski from the Skyway. I'm stuck in the UK at the moment but may be a future rendezvous
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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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Just popped in to say hello! And give this a bump. Hope you find someone to ride with! 
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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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@palazz56, Were you up on the Col Serena on Wednesday ? We may have met in the car park afterwards.
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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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@palazz56, It was good down the Italian side of the Vallee Blanche yesterday (Friday). Much more enjoyable than the French side (Petit Envers) the afternoon before. Hope it’s going well.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Im in Chamonix this Friday coming, 24th for one week. I would be interested in Valley Blanche with a guide if conditions allow, Im an intermediate skier, but had some off piste training and avalanche training days last few years and getting up to speed.
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I'll be in Chamonix from the afternoon of the 22nd until the 27th (leave the 28th). Wouldn't mind a run down the Valle Blanche either from the Aiguille du Midi or Helbronner. Hoping the weather supports. Slow but safe skier (over 40 years mostly backcountry).
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@palazz56,
Hello,
Saw your earlier post and wanted to reach out. I’m over from the States and based in Chamonix for the next couple weeks. Looking to ride(splitboard) some of the classics on the conservative side. Experience-wise: I’m an AMGA apprentice guide, first responder, and teach avy courses on the east coast and in Tahoe. Ive only ridden Pila on the Italian side before and would love to check out more of the area. Let me know if you’d like to line up a call or a meet up and find some good snow to shred.
Talk soon,
Max
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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 to see some action here. @AndAnotherThing.., no I haven't been in that area since December, but would be keen to go back and explore. I rode Pila Weds and it was freshies all day! Are you in Valle d'Aosta too? I'm currently posted up in Torgnon.
@HammondR, good to hear, I'm eyeing again for next week after this next storm. Did you start on the Italian or French side?
@chansangster, this could work for sometime next week as I'll be back from Rome next Monday. I'll send you a PM.
@Brian in SLC, this weekend would have been great but unfortunately I have to head to Rome. Let's try again when you're back, and let us know how it goes if you do please.
@MWhite, nice to meet you and that sounds great. I'm planning for Courmayeur tomorrow to scope out conditions on that side as well. I'll send you a PM.
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@palazz56, I was out for a week or so touring but back in the UK now. I bumped into another guy from the NW of the USA who's planning to settle in Aosta hence wondering if it were you. No contact details unfortunately.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@palazz56, Thursday from the Midi with mixed conditions which is very common on the French side in my experience. With longer sunnier days you have to move quickly after fresh snow before it spoils on much of the french routes. However it can then later produce nice spring snow.
Friday from Helbronner was much better. Generally holds cold snow better over there and the coffee at the top lift before departing is better than anything in France.
A few tips from my experience over there (others may differ)
Watch out for the winds. It can turn the Italian side quickly from smooth fresh snow to concrete sastrugi. One of my chums broke his shoulder on frozen car batteries down the Vierge last season.
Even after fresh snow don't bother with the Breche Puiseaux. Never found the ski down worth the effort up. And guides in front of you can result in epic delays at the breche while their clients abseil.
Generally good skiing down the Periades Glacier which holds cold snow the longest, but feels more serious due to the absence of tracks.
Immediately after fresh snow, or in spring conditions, the slopes down from the Col du Tacul area, can provide fantastic skiing. Miles more pleasurable for the effort than the Puiseaux.
If I can get off my sick bed (and the weather cooperates) I will give some feedback on the Telefre Basin in a few days.
I am Chamonix (Montroc) based and would offer to meet up to visit some old and new places but I am very old and very slow upwards. Like skiing with a grumpy grandparent.
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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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@AndAnotherThing.., oh random I very rarely meet other Americans on this side, unless I'm just over the border in Switzerland or France (maybe none in my 4ish months actually), will keep an eye out and would be great to tour together when you're back.
@HammondR, this is super informative and helpful, grazie tanto. Hope you have a nice tour at the Telefre Basin. I don't mind skiing with a grumpy grandparent, and would be happy to learn from your wealth of knowledge and experience in the area. And who knows maybe I'm not as fast uphill as you think ha. I'll PM you my number in case the opportunity or motivation arises to ride together.
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@palazz56, Hi! This is Marcos from Spain. I'm a snowboarder who loves mountaineering too. I have some experience in backcountry snowboarding in Pyrenees, Alps, Caucasus, Andes and Pamirs. I have a blog where I explain the summits I climbed, but I don't want to put it here because some chats and forums delete messages with URLs, I can send the address to you through a private message if you want. It's been great to read your post, I've been (unsuccessfully) trying to find someone to come to the Alps with me these days... I'm on holiday at the moment and could be in the Aosta area until 9th April. We can climb something together, let me know if you are available now. 
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You know it makes sense.
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@MarcosFernandez, nice to e-meet you. I just got back from La Grave  and am traveling a lot until late April, but let's see if we can make something happen this week. Sent you a PM.
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FAQ
