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just watched that Digby looks great! steep AF and nice for slashes!
nice article on my local place
‘Here in Jämtland, people will ski during their lunch break’
Off to Val D'Isere in the morning, wonder if I'll spot Jedi?
He'll be riding branches up in the trees
We skied in a time warp today, Hautacam. 100% button lifts which haven't changed since they opened the resort.
Shiny new kit though. Madame bought the 50:50 skis rated by Ski Chrono: Fisher Koa 84s. I played on them for a couple of descents: really pleasant little things for tight turns and low speed, can be carved as speed picks up but it all gets a bit Tokyo drift when air resistance becomes the main thing slowing you down. They clattered through the off-piste tracked up clag just fine.
Only 4.8kg the pair with Marker F10 Tour bindings, that's 2.2kg less than my slalom skis.
Just back from 4 days in chamonix. Not the best conditions to be fair with some quite manky slopes lower down in Le Tour and Grand Montets. Still love the town though and Chambre Neuf for a 'quiet drink with friends'...
Weather forecast for our destination just keeps getting better - checked the forecast over the weekend and snow-forecast.com (also known as snow-guess.com as their reliability is not massive) was saying 30cm or so on tuesday night
this morning, it's telling us around [b]60cm[/b] on tuesday, with another 60+cm through Friday and Saturday
fantastic
same here.
Forecast for over a metre accumulation between now and the weekend. Just hope the weather holds back from Sunday onwards for some blue sky and fresh snow days on empty mid-term pistes! Flying out to GVA on saturday pm.
Just waiting to be for my return transfer after a long weekend in Morzine.
Very poor snow conditions at most levels; compacted snow, ice, and slush all on the same slope sometimes. Avoid was much better so we went there on the full days but still not great. Luckily for the them it's due to snow quite a bit this week.
Still we skied everyday and the sun was out on 4 of them, and with the rugby on the apres ski was great.
80cms this week? Balls, Balls, Balls. Have fun! 🙂 👿
Just back from 5 Days in Le Fornet/ espace Killy with my wife, a uni friend I've spent a bout about an hour with in the last 18 years, her husband and 3 of her friends. Everyone was brilliant fun. Good gamble with people we didn't know.
Had a really good time, despite the below par snow. 2 days touring, found about 30 turns worth of fluff, but good to be away from the crowds and get some air in the lungs. Other than that, good food, nice wine, smashing about on the pistes chasing a guy who spent 6 years racing with the army. Pistes were in pretty good nick apart from a couple of icy patches in the usual sort of spots.
Still really want to demo some more boards, the 5'5" D1 carves pretty nicely, but the taper and the deep sidecut aren't always helpful. Fun little board with a great compromise for pow and piste, but do I want a more piste oriented board?
Kessler the Ride, Amplid Creamer and UNW8, Korua Stealth would definitely be on the list. Anyone ever joined one of those industry demo things? Anyone know how you can get on them?
woo, and indeed, hoo!
Dès ce week-end, Météo France annonçait des chutes de neige à venir. Ce lundi, les prévisionnistes du centre départemental basé à Briançon confirment leurs analyses : la neige devrait son retour dans les Hautes-Alpes dans la nuit de lundi à mardi à partir de 1400 mètres d’altitude. Il pourrait neiger un peu plus bas dans le Briançonnais et dans le Queyras. Jusqu’à 20 cm sont ainsi attendus. Demain mardi, le temps devrait rester perturbé. « Avec des précipitations marquées » précise Météo France. La limite pluie-neige devrait s’étager de 1000 à 1600 mètres selon les massifs. Une couche de neige supplémentaire de 20 à 40 cm est envisagée.
Almost exactly a year ago, we struck gold (or blue and white if you prefer). Here's hoping we manage the same dumb luck this Sunday
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Lindaret - March 2016
Out in Denver. I can see snow in the foothills, but all work - no time to visit the slopes. 😥
Stoner - there's a good chance you will!! Looking very good for snow over the next few days so should give you plenty to play in. Very jealous, but it is very much needed.
Last run I did in PdS a few weeks ago was the big bowl in the top left of that pic - skinned up breaking trail the whole way but it was worth every step!! Just taken delivery of a small bundle of labrador so has put further ski plans on hold, but hoping for a last minute late season trip depending on the snow.
Looking very good for snow over the next few days
Over 2000m yes, lower down expect rain, sleet and snow. The first thing the resorts are going to get is rain which will hopefully turn to snow.
Already snowing >1200m in PdS. FL up and down a bit today, but dropping to 1000m later ahead of the main snow coming in later this afternoon / overnight. Biggest issue is going to be the wind - pretty much all of Avoriaz is shut today!
A 1200m iso level is more than acceptable for you lucky people hitting the slopes later this week. Gits. 😀
Over 2000m yes, lower down expect rain, sleet and snow.
Snowing heavily here on the Italian/French border ... down to 1200m 😆
#WhichWasNice 😀
@nedrapier korua stealth is seriously stiff, wasn't for me. amplid looks to be very pow leaning, but haven't tried it. you seem to like premium boards!
skeleton key, Jones hovercraft, Rome powder division Mt all rail groomers and are awesome in pow.
Snowed all day yesterday in the Grand Massif but high winds meant the resort was closed.
We went shopping down in the valley instead, on the way down the freezing level was 1500m but when we came back up is had dropped to about 1100m which was great. The drive was interesting and a big thank you to the man in white van who forced us into the gutter because he was driving down the middle of the road!
Still snowing now....should be good
you seem to like premium boards
Well that's the thing. I'd be quite happy to test a bunch and find I really got on with some mid-range, intermediate board!
I remember a blind test they did in a motorbike mag years ago where they blanked off the clocks, bodywork, all distinguishing features (bar engine note, obvs) on a range of bikes, hypersports to touring, big to small.
They got a similarly broad range of people to ride them round a track. Asked them how they felt, which felt quick, comfy, easy, difficult. With no preconceptions about the bike, which ones should be fast and which ones shouldn't be, and no speedo to give them clues, the "winner" in terms of lap times and easiness to get on with was something like a GSX750F, something most people would overlook as bland and ugly.
I suspect this sort of thing happens with all sorts of sporting equipment.
Edit: and spending mega bucks on something you could very well irreparably damage on the first go out seems to be a bit ridiculous. And it tends to follow that the more you spend, the lighter and more fragile a board you get. I'd only ever buy in an end of season sale.
OMG today's the day!! 😀
Flying out to a Turin this afternoon en route to Briancon where fresh powder awaits! 😀
probably all tracked out by now Rockape ! kidding have a good one!
spending mega bucks on something you could very well irreparably damage on the first go out seems to be a bit ridiculous
I've ridden my board down an icy road before.
I wouldn't be doing that with a shiny £500+ board! 😆
Early reports are mixed but looks like at least two people, possibly three, have died after avalanches in the Val Veny here in Courmayeur following recent heavy snowfall and rising temps ...
Be safe out there folks ...
@nedrapier...D1++ owner here, bought at an end of season in Whistler three years back. Best board I've ever ridden by far.Superquick on the piste and a blast in the pow. Seems to be holding out well in the face of loads of abuse. Would probably only replace it with a new one. Heading out to Whistler again on Wednesday so credit cards are coming with....just in case?
Forecast for PDS (Avoriaz) is more snow through the weekend and into early next week (+50cm) and staying below freezing above 1400m which is great. Flying out Saturday lunchtime.
Im strictly a piste-basher personally, maybe with a tiny teensy bit of slack within arms length of the piste markers. But whats the best advice* for those upcoming conditions in terms of avalanche risk even for those sticking to the pistes?
* and what in the forecast and conditions makes the risk?
But whats the best advice* for those upcoming conditions in terms of avalanche risk
Strictly sticking to the piste, you should have no cause for concern.
Before leaving the patrolled/controlled areas either hire a suitably qualified person or:
- Do an Avalance Awareness Course
- Read the local avalanche reports and be able to interpret the detail
- Carry beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them.
Initial reports are that other parties in the Val Veny area started searching for victims. You are not just carrying backcountry gear for yourself but for the people you are with etc ...
Initial risk flags are:
- Recent snowfall
- Rising Temps
- Wind
All three were prevalent today here in Courmayeur.
I'd assume / hope that they won't open pistes until they've controlled the surrounding terrain? I'm very much North American and so in that case you'd be good if you remain between the markers...
Having said that on powder days I do wear my beacon.
Otherwise as per Digby but I'd add....
Most avalanches occur in the 30-40Deg range (Red / Black) so blues probably lower risk.
Think consequence - smaller slopes generally lower consequence but also can you be carried into trees / over cliffs etc.
I'd assume / hope that they won't open pistes until they've controlled the surrounding terrain?
Absolutley. They're pretty meticulous about all that as youd expect.
As I said, I dont stray from the piste more than a few yards, but what I was trying to get at, is what is the mechanism that makes the current and forecast conditions ones to be exceptionally wary about.
I don't doubt an off piste avalanche course is one of those things "that's nice to know", but in reality, 90% of piste riders transfer that part of mountain awareness onto the resort operators.
Ah - well then I'd say as per Digby that any one of rising temps, recent snowfall or moderate wind speeds is an indicator of rising avalanche risk. It sounds like you've got all 3 😯 so extra caution.
Looking at the way the snowpack is now pre-fall, temp variations and wind blown snow which will have varying moisture levels. Who knows but that amount of fresh with fluctuating temps will create an interesting set of layers.
cheers Mark, useful
M
Heading out to Whistler again on Wednesday so credit cards are coming with....just in case?
You'll be pleased to know we're just heading into another storm cycle, with the FL near the valley floor. It had gotten a bit hard and icy recently but the last few days have freshened everything up nicely and it's to continue for the next week or so by the looks of it.
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Finally hit this line today. Wanted to do it for a while, but always looked a bit intimidating. Actually not too bad once you got through the rocks poking out at the top!
Actually hard and icy or just icy by Whistler standards 8)
I took a visiting Whistler local to the front side of Louise and he claimed the blue end of the mens DH was more terrifying for him than a double black in Whistler 😆
@whatnobeer...thanks for the update, that's good to know. Where is that line then?
Actually hard and icy or just icy by Whistler standardsI took a visiting Whistler local to the front side of Louise and he claimed the blue end of the mens DH was more terrifying for him than a double black in Whistler
Ha! Actually hard and icy. You might of been ok with some narrow skis with edges, but I was stuggling on my Q-labs. Higher up ok but down the lower half of Peak to Creek was like an ice rink. A lot of people going sideways and not many turns :p
@whatnobeer...thanks for the update, that's good to know. Where is that line then?
That's the high entrance to Sapphire bowl, skiers right from the top of Spankys Ladder.
Know where you are, thanks.
Stoner - how's your French? It's pretty easy to understand even with my sporadic French and highlights the main dangers: [url= http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-montagne/bulletin-avalanches/chablais/OPP01 ]French Avi Report - PDS[/url]
Here's the Swiss one - this one is available in English - if you click the right area it gives you a nice background on the snowpack and risks: [url= http://www.slf.ch/lawinenbulletin/lawinengefahr/index_EN ]Swiss Avi Report[/url]
And here's a really good avalanche basics guide: [url= https://www.ortovox.com/uk/safety-academy/training-tools/safety-academy-guide-book/winter/ ]Ortovox Avalanche Info[/url]
Stoner main advice I'd give you is get some off piste tuition ! Make the most of fresh snow to get some trunes in along side the Blues and flatter parts of the reds, need to work on your smooth linked carving turns on the piste too.
Avalanche danger in-bounds is pretty limited, the resorts do a good job of keeping it that way. If on the slack country just watch for steeper slopes (eg 30 degrees) either when you are on them or if they are up above you.
Conditions in Sainte Foy looked amazing this week for White Room's back-country / touring week
whats the closest/easist resort to get to from geneva for a day? public transport?
got a work trip that involves flying in/out of geneva and would be easy to tack a day or so on and get up on some snow?
chamonix? samoens/flaine area?
igm - Member
Out in Denver. I can see snow in the foothills, but all work - no time to visit the slopes.
Sorry to gloat, but in Heathrow waiting for my flight to Denver. Go me. Sorry.
[quote=jam bo ]whats the closest/easist resort to get to from geneva for a day? public transport?
got a work trip that involves flying in/out of geneva and would be easy to tack a day or so on and get up on some snow?
chamonix? samoens/flaine area?
the very closest is Crozet (the main base is Lélex), which is on the outskirts
https://goo.gl/maps/T1ySn7io3o92
or have a look here
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Airports/Ski_Resorts_Near_Geneva_Map.html
Old school - just came back in through Heathrow
Jam bo - closest is an hour, go where snow is best Les Gets/La Clusaz/Chamonix/Megeve/... Verbier is 1hr 40 mins and less to lift at Les Chables in the valley. TBH the pickup/car rental can take longer than the drive sometimes 😐
Just watched this Chatel Avalanche film, from 2015 not seen before. Worth the 12 mins imho. Will comment later.
http://freeskier.com/videos/watch-bone-chilling-avalanche-rescue-in-chatel-france
On-piste on Saturday !
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Nice! Looks deep!