We're going to Courchevel in a couple of weeks and I was wanting to try a black run or two. I'm a so-so intermediate skier, fairly fit, OK on most red runs and a couple of easy blacks, with just over 3 weeks' experience in Switzerland and Italy. However, I heard that the run grading in France is a bit harsher, and I'm not at all confident trying moghuly pistes or very steep, narrow or icy bits (obv. iciness would depend on conditions).
In Verbier last year, I did the black run at Bruson and the little narrow one at Lac De Veux (with a bit of a tumble at the top).
I'd heard the Dou Des Lanches run might be an easier black? What about Jean Blanc and Jockeys? And are all the higher up ones pretty treacherous?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Oh - I should've pointed out we've got a 3V lift pass so could include any of the linked resorts also...
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?
suisse is an easy black, especially if it as just been pisted ( get the 3vs app it tells you which runs have been pisted),
We're going first week in feb. Father-in-law booked trip so not 100% sure but I think we're staying in 1850.
Do any of the piste maps in the resort etc tell you when runs have been pisted?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
most reds, most blues ad all greens should be pisted daily, there are a couple of online pages on the 3 valleys site that tell you what has been pisted but the app is best.
If you ask at La Croisette (where the Chenus, Verdons and Jardins Alpins telecabines go from) they should be able to tell you or it's posted up somewhere in this neck of the woods.
For a short black you could try taking the Creux Noir chair (from part way down the red run, "Creux") and then take the black variant of the piste "Roches Grises" (right-hand fork part way down). It's quite large and only a short section). Or try Combe Pylones from the top of the Vizelle.
(For info: spent 2 weeks working with the Courchevel ski patrol in the Saulire sector so go to know this sector pretty well!)
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Having recently returned from La Tania, I'd recommend Jockeys as a good 1st black. It's a lovely run, fairly wide, mostly down through the trees, so great even in low visibility. Dou des lanches is also good and has the advantage that you can check it out from the chair lift. Only the last bit is particularly steep, but it's nice and wide. Personally, I'd choose either of those over skiing down Combe Saulire in flat light.
After all it is free
After all it is free
in good conditions the tree line runs down to la praz are very pleasent. one is jockeys and the other i can't remember without looking at piste map. look for runs to enjoy, some great cruisy reds around 1650 and 1850. i still enjoy skiing straight down fro top of saluire to 1550 which is red,green and blue. trolles is a fairly easy black
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Jean Blanc and Jockeys are both flattering blacks when pisted and are bordered by trees. Jockeys is a lovely rolling run, short steeper sections followed by gentler bits. Jean Blanc has a longer steep section towards the top with a large (but easily avoidable) tree bang in the centre of the piste. You might find the red Brigues more challenging than Jean Blanc if it is icy as it gets lots of traffic. You can see the bottom of the Dou des Lanches black (another flattering run) which might be the steepest bit, from the lift with the same name.
Don't think the blacks round the top of Saulire like Suisses and M (Grand Couloire is the exception....) are any more challenging but you might feel more exposed and aware of the gradient. They are all fun wide runs though - you should have a great time.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Combe de Saulire can be a right bu99er at the top if its icy or bumpy, especially if you go in at the steep bit which in my view is mandatory
Dou des lanches is the other black of the top of the la tania side of the piste, though if you are lookng at it that way then you might say that Jean Blanc is also but thats near the cretes chair i think. Here is suisse with my daughter as teaser....
Well, Suisse looks like a tough red in that video, but I guess you can't always judge gradients and they always look less on camera. Still - looks very similar to Piste De L'Ours in Thyon. Guess I'll give it a go if the conditions are decent, along with Dou Des Lanches and Jockeys.
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.
Felonius_Monk, Since you have a 3V pass, I would try the runs in Val T. The La Masse area is great also Caron. Black going down into VT from Mottaret very doable. Don't miss Mont Valon en route
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Dont get obsessed by colour.
Do all 3 reds that lead to the Chapelets chair in 1650. They are all brill.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Start with Jockeys then get over to the Belleville and do La Masse and Le Cime de Caron.
Quote:
Dont get obsessed by colour.
Amen to that.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
ansta1 wrote:
suisse is an easy black, especially if it as just been pisted ( get the 3vs app it tells you which runs have been pisted),
when and where you going?
I agree that Swisse is an easy black when it has been pisted, but I have been down it when it it very very mogguled and the flat run off at the bottom was blue sheet ice. I would rather chew of my own legs that do it in that condition again
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Felonius_Monk, One other thought: Combe de Saulire can get very busy, but if you are on the first gondola of the morning after it's been pisted then it's a magic run.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Another vote for Combe Pylones and Jockeys but as others have said get over to La Masse too if you can. Frosty the Snowman, is spot on with not being obsessed with colour and so much can depend on the weather, time of the day, whether or not any particular piste has been bashed that day...
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Poster: A snowHead
