Messages posted by : verbier_ski_bum
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This is really weird. I've just checked their website and it says that winter sports equipment travels free:
"Free transport on SWISS operated flights. Sports equipment Definition Ski equipment 1 pair of ski, 1 pair of poles, 1 pair of boots (even if in separate bag), 1 helmet Snowboard equipment 1 snowboard, 1 pair of boots (even if in separate bag, 1 helmet" There were some changes in rules regarding transporting of the sport equipment after June 1, 2012, but not for winter sports. You should definitely contact the airline and forward them this webpage http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/services/baggage/Pages/sporting_equipment.aspx#ski. |
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It will be snowing all December:)
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Tony, with most injuries not life/limb-threatening and which happen in the proximity of pistes and easily accessible from there you won't be helicoptered off but brought down on sledges by patrol. Helicopters are expensive and even if you are fully covered it doesn't make practical sense to fly them especially that there can be a more serious situation elsewhere. If something happens patrol is usually called. They will only call a helicopter if there are no other means to get to you and get you down. Just buy insurance in resort when you are buying a ski pass, it should have you covered (unless you duck the rope put by resort) and will supplement your travel insurance (which I heard could be tricky). I also buy a Rega insurance. I think for 30 CHF a year it's a fantastic deal. If you choose a country to ski any given year you can buy a local alternative. Carre Neige in France is very good. The lift company at your chosen resort should normally have information desk and if you are in doubt you can always ask them what you need to be covered. As for safety gear I haven't heard there is a requirement to have one for skiing between the pistes. Moreover when I only started venturing between pistes and began taking lessons, my instructor would be taking me everywhere between pistes and he said that I didn't need any special insurance, but once I advanced enough and wanted to ski harder and more remote stuff I had to start advanced lessons which specifically covered me for off-piste (apart from areas explicitly banned by a school) and I had to bring gear. But we were skiing further off-piste and even hiking up some mountains to ski down. If you are taking an off-piste course or a guided tour gear is required. |
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I am not sure, Tony, what exactly you like to know about itineraries, but at least in Verbier they are marked runs and not considered off-piste as such. However, they are not avalanche controlled. The access will be closed when considered too dangerous (risk level 4, sometimes 3) and skiing the closed run will invalidate your insurance should something happen. When they are officially open you still need to excersise caution as they don't get bombed or monitored and avalanches may happen at risk level 2 and 3 all the same. But you will be covered in this case. I don't know what the status of itineraries/routes in other resorts/countries. Also, if you book yourself off-piste lesson/clinic, it will normally include off-piste insurance for the duration of the course. You should also be covered when you book a guide. I would say it's better to do course/clinic first, work on some technique, otherwise you will be taken by a guide to shallow areas that you can ski on your own anyway. Though, still it's good to know such places and access points, so you will get a good value if you do it in resort you ski often. But for once only visits - do courses and then eventually get a guide proper to ski some gnarl:):) And avalanche safety training (not just how to use the equipment, which you can learn by reading manuals) is fascinating. Won't make you an expert, but there are things that are good to know. Awareness is so much better than fear or just taking risks blindly IMHO. And no, I don't think you need safety gear to ski between pistes. Also, if the slope angle is below 30 degrees, it's not considered generally to be avalanche risky. Get "Staying alive in avalanche terrain" from Amazon - very interesting read, or 'Snow Sense' which has pretty much the same content though more brief. Both are very good sources of information on avalanches. |
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Looks like the avalanche happened just next to ski route. Main access to Col des Mines itinerary is still closed and even if it's not a massive obstacle, it would have been a bit of hassle to ski around and side-step up. Crebelet access never closes as it's not an itinerary, just off-piste, and a stretch between Crebelet and Col des Mines is notorious for avalanches. It's quite silly to go there right after the storm, the snow there settles fairly quickly, but you need to give it time to do it and it will be good till the next storm. |
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5:)
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Locals say it will be snowing all December - and farmers are usually right. Those worried about snow conditions for Christmas can sleep well.
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You are near Brevent/Flegere then, which is a good area. And if you use the minibus you can go to Argentiere and your daughter with children continue to Le Tour which has some nice and easy cruisers.
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