Questions on runs at Val D'isere

tspill wrote:I think the Sache would be beyony out ability! I understand it is probably the most difficult run in the Espace Killy region.

However, we do plan to ski down to Les Brevieres on the blues which I believe is a nice run and not too difficult. How long would it take to ski from the top of aiguille percee down to 1550 (going fairly easy)?

What was the snow like last week at 1550?

Hi tspill, I guess there are a lot of variations of "taking it easy", but personally, I would say about an hour for a gentle run down with frequent catchup stops, photo stops, and assuming the pistes are in good order. But don't rely on that as you may be slower, or you may have a blast :)

There is one narrow section, which if it has mogulled up may make a novice a bit nervous, just ski through it gently and it is all ok shortly after.

Hi Far Queue,

Did you use the chardons red run down (looks like it passes rocks on the left - or did you stick to the blue melezes? The reason I ask is I am wondering how difficult the chardons is. I watched someone on youtube running it and it seemed OK. But videos often give a poor perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XsddSciIF8

I've skied down both at various times.

Both runs depend on the snow conditions. In good snow, Chardons is not too bad, but if it gets slushy, icy or as often happens with bare patches (like La Sache) it can be a real pain for anyone less than an expert (and I'm one of those it causes a pain for :cry: ).

Equally though, in bad snow conditions even melezes can be a pig.

It should all be fine at the tail end of Feb, but the easiest thing to suggest if you have a mixed ability group, is for the better skiers to go down Chardons and see what it is like while the rest use melezes, and if you feel it is Ok, just get the lift back up from Les Boisses and all come down Chardons.

The best advice though for any run, is "if in doubt, leave it out" :twisted:

I just watched that vid, and yep, it is hard to place exactly where you are. However, the only tricky bit I seem to recognise on there, is at about 1:20 in where Chardons narrows up past the rocks to the left. This bit is what I mentioned in my first post, and can be hairy for novice skiers if the snow is bad.

If you are happy to side slip though, it is easy enough to pass if you don't want to ski direct through. It is not that steep. The only other part which can be funny, is when you then do a right turn and head down to Les Boisses. It can be either icy or mogully at times.

Still, it is usually a good blast down though.

tspill wrote:I think the Sache would be beyony out ability! I understand it is probably the most difficult run in the Espace Killy region.

It's nowhere near the most difficult, though it can get quite icy in freeze/thaw conditions.
The blue can get a bit busy and worn. The red is often in better condition.
Just bare in mind that they are low down so be ready for changing conditions.

Les Brevieres is a great place to head when the vis is less than perfect as the trees give you a bit on contrast.