Latest posts for the topic "Val d'isere"

Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:04:44 GMT

All

I'm looking at going to Val d'isere in early to mid January but i'm getting nervous that le face de bellevarde will be fenced off in advance/preparations for the World Champs. I'd be a bit gutted if i went to Val and wasn't able to attempt this run.

Has anyone heard anything on when they will be closing the run off?

Thanks

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:07:13 GMT

I'm going to Val the 3 week of Jan, that hadn't even crossed my mind. Have you tried contacting the tourist office? They will probably tell you.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:07:36 GMT

Welcome to the J2ski madhouse :D

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:15:23 GMT

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?

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:18:18 GMT

I've been in Val D'Isere in the week running up to the Mens Downhill 3 or 4 times. Also last year to the Mens Super G on Le Face, which was used as a dress rehersal for the World Championships. On all occations the runs were only closed for 4 or 5 days before the race, so I would be very surprised if they were closed when you are there.

Certainly a must do run for anyone who's happy on a black. I skied it the day after the race last year, 2 feet of fresh snow on top of a race prepared run is interesting to say the least!

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:20:54 GMT

Thanks Andy, that has put my mind at rest somewhat!

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:21:58 GMT

I definately want to give it a go, i've seen a video on youtube and it looks pretty good.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:22:39 GMT

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:

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:46:52 GMT

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.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:35:17 GMT

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.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:11:14 GMT

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

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:19:59 GMT

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.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:57:50 GMT

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.

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:54:20 GMT

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....

Re:Val d'isere

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:56:54 GMT

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

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:05:27 GMT

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.

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:57:26 GMT

Skiing ice is one of the most difficult skills to get good at, as you have to go against what comes naturally. You're natural reaction to danger is to freeze, it tense up, that is the worst thing to do on ice. Teaching yourself to relax and apply your edges smoothly takes a lot of practise.
Ice will find out the faults in your skiing, if your posture is wrong you'll struggle.
I don't like skiing on ice but it doesn't worry me either, I know I can cope with it so I don't tense up any more, suddenly my edges work because I'm relaxed over the skis and applying the edges smoothly.
If the conditions are icy make sure your edges are sharp, blunt edges and ice don't mix well!

I don't remember route 17, looking at the piste map it's blue (17a is red) and goes down into Zurs. Is that the one? I do remember one piste going down to Zurs which was suddenly got icy, could be the one.
I hate pistes being numbered and not named, I find it really difficult to remember which is which.

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:01:32 GMT

It was red 14 from Schindler Spitze that turns into blue 17 and runs down to Alpe Rauz to the Valfagehr chair.

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:22:30 GMT

I know where you mean now, it's the route down to Stuben. My advise would be to take itinerary 18 down instead.

But enough of St Anton, this is a Val D'Isere thread after all!

A few other challenging runs to tackle in Val are:
The itinerary 'Piste S' below the Solaise
Off piste under the lift on the Fornet glacier - great fun, good introduction to those that haven't ventured off piste before.
Off piste route Pays Desert (make sure Pays Desert drag is running) - Feels miles from anywhere.
Off piste under the Tommuses lift.

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:28:01 GMT

Itinery route 18 was well used by our group, trust me, but it was nice to blast down the blue especially in the mornings.

Val d'Isere does appear to have some excellent and challenging skiing....

Re:Val d'isere

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:30:39 GMT

I've been into the Pays Desert area, it was lovely, one or two steep drops to look out for, but mostly rolling terrain, which is quite peaceful. Good for spring picnics :D