Latest posts for the topic "Questions on runs at Val D'isere"

Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:10:06 GMT

Folks,

I have a couple of questions on the slopes/lifts at VDI.

1. Is the Leissieres Express lift two directional - ie. can you get from the Solaise valley to the Fornet side and back on this lift?
2. How do you get to the Leissieres Express from the Fornet side - is this on the pont abbate blue run?
3. How difficult is the tunnel black run - I quite like the idea of skiing through the tunnel through the mointain.
4. On the Piste map, some of the LIFTS ate marked with a black triangle containing a yellow up side down triangle. This is supposed to mean DANGER. How does this apply to a lift? These can be gound on the "3000" lift; the lift yp to the "signal" red run; the Chardonnay lift at Tignes.
5. What are your favorite runs (Blues and Reds) at VDI/Tignes?
6. Where exactly do you go to see the big rock with the hole through it on the L'Aiguille Percee at Tignes?

Four weeks to go :)

Thanks!

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:28:43 GMT

The chair lift to Fornet is definitely 2 way, though the "going over the top" bit is quite interesting :mrgreen:

AFAIR the 3000 lift is a drag lift serving a short bump run. Worth avoiding, if you need to ask about easy runs. You can always have a look. I think it's a self service lift.

The Aguille Percee is on the route between Val Claret and the start of the descent to Tignes Le Breviere AIR.
It's ages since I went to Espace Killy, hopefully others will fill in the gaps for you.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:13:27 GMT

OK, just got out my piste map from two seasons ago to check.

1. Yes goes both ways.
2. Yep, but if my memory is correct, you need to make sure you get some speed from somewhere as it is uphill to the chair.
3. Sorry not done it, no comment.
4. AFAIK it is because these are difficult drag lifts. 3000 is pretty dang steep, and Chardonnet goes on for ages with some steepish climbs in them. The map states "Teleski Difficile" for that symbol.
5. Tough one, there are loads. I do like doing a big circuit if the sun is out, start from VDI ski down into Tignes Val Claret, get up to the Grande Motte, but try to do it on lifts, not the funicular. Ski back down through Val Claret, keep up the speed and get over to the Tichot lift, ski across the back side of Tignes (it is from one of these you get to see the hole in the Aiguille Percee) and have a lunch stop at the top of Chaudannes. Head on down to Les Breviieres via Les Boises (assuming you want to skip La Sache), lift back up ski down into Le Lac and get the gondola back up to the central Toviere area, ski around Toviere subject to time then finish up with a blast down to La Daille and have a beer at the bar at the bottom. Usually by then you are happy to hop on the bus back up the road to VDI.
6. Pretty sure it is seen from the following runs, Corniche and Cyclamen, plus the two chairs which go to the start of those runs. I seem to recall Corniche is the best view, but may be wrong.

Finally, there is a small restaurant under the bar at the foot of La Daille. "If" it is open (seems to be whenever they feel like it), the food is excellent for a lunch stop.

Hope my memory is good and the above info is accurate. :D

You WILL enjoy it.

Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:21:53 GMT

tspill wrote:
6. Where exactly do you go to see the big rock with the hole through it on the L'Aiguille Percee at Tignes?

L'Aiguille Percee is the big rock with the hole through it, that's what it means. You can walk along to it from the lift that goes up either side and pose for photo's etc, you can ski down through it as well although it's obviously not a marked run.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:40:13 GMT

The name of the rock "L'Aiguille Percee" translates broadly as Pierced Spire.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:23:58 GMT

going up the aiguille percee chair gives good views of the hole, and if you like a nice black run the sache all the way down to 1550 from there is good, if enough snow. we did it last week, we were snow boarding so not ideal for us, but nice views accross lake and dam etc.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:35:05 GMT

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?

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:48:59 GMT

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess as to how long it would take you, we were nipping off into trees and so on, getting back up took longer, the marais chair lift goes on forever... snow was perfection all week. Snowed for few days before we got there then had a weather pattern of 2 days sun, day and night of snow repeating all week with the temperature never getting above freezing so always good snow to be had. there was snow down past bourg, 1550 had plenty.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:03 GMT

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.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:39:10 GMT

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

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:50:59 GMT

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:

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:00:04 GMT

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.

Re:Questions on runs at Val D'isere

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:44:30 GMT

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.