Val d'isere

bandit wrote:I have seen plenty of people descending the slope, when I've been on the lift. Mostly they've been on their backs sliding, but at least they all end up back in the village.

Pick a day when the snow is firm and grippy and it will be fun. Pick a day when it's glazed, and you'll wish you'd rented something with sharper edges :mrgreen:

My first ski holiday was here. 5 days of training from the Army Instructor and I find my self peering down the gully at the start of la Face. A couple of the group head off first to set the example to us newbies!

They were on their 'Face' by the first turn due to the Icy conditions.

Thankfully I made it down without a hiccup. Granted their were a few close shaves as I transfered from snow to Ice and back across.

Looking back it wasn't the best of ideas, but I'm glad I had a pop. Really made that First Hoegaarden taste that much better.

bandit wrote:I have seen plenty of people descending the slope, when I've been on the lift. Mostly they've been on their backs sliding, but at least they all end up back in the village.

Pick a day when the snow is firm and grippy and it will be fun. Pick a day when it's glazed, and you'll wish you'd rented something with sharper edges :mrgreen:

Good advice for any particularly tricky or steep pistes when its not the best conditions, tbh.

ha ha, good advice! No doubt i'll get it wrong and be one of those on my back!

JamesC wrote:Cheers NellyPS. I haven't tried that yet, good idea though. Hopefully they'll speak english!

Have you skied le face de bellevarde before? Is it as daunting as some suggest? I've skied in St Anton, Soll and Alpe d'huez previously, does anything compare?

I haven't actually skied it (that I'm aware of), I'd rather belt down some cruisy blues/reds than have to change my trousers when I get to the bottom. I'm not a fan of icy blacks after a couple of unfortunate incidents in the past.

JamesC wrote:Have you skied le face de bellevarde before? Is it as daunting as some suggest? I've skied in St Anton, Soll and Alpe d'huez previously, does anything compare?

All depends on conditions, it's quite exposed to wind and sun so gets icy. Fabulous in good conditions though.

It's not particularly tricky (unless it's sheet), the Tunnel at ADH is more of a challenge imo. Ranks with some of the itinerary routes in St Anton.

andyhull wrote:

It's not particularly tricky (unless it's sheet), the Tunnel at ADH is more of a challenge imo. Ranks with some of the itinerary routes in St Anton.

Thats interesting to hear. I enjoyed those itinery routes, and will enjoy them more once I finally get my new skis sorted.

In my early ski days, I used to get hot and sweaty at the thought of a black, obviously before I was up to doing them. Now nothing phases me as you can always find a way down. I do however not get excited about sheet ice, irrespective of the colour of the run. Theres a lovely long red in St Anton that turns into blue at the bottom, 17 I think, and 3/4 of the way down its in a valley and fairly protected from wind. Its usually nicely groomed and grippy. However, 3/4 of the way down the valley opens up and the wind catches across it, and as you are hurtling down pulling massive carves or tucked up and flying you suddenly find yourself buffetted by the wind from one side and skiing on what I can only describe as very fine sandpaper with any snow thats left on it blowing sideways like icing sugar.
I dont think it matters too much what colour the piste is, if you hit ice like that its challenging to say the least!!!
I bet Andy knows which run I mean....

I know that run. It's blue and I fell on it. A long way.

When I first started skiing ice used to terrify me and Mrs W we would ski the long way round to avoid an icy piste but after a couple of years we were both taught how to handle icy conditions and with a bit of practice it no longer became a problem, if you watch a lot of people's skiing they place their weight on the up hill instead of down which makes skiing ice ice very difficult.