Latest posts for the topic "Off Piste Freeriding Places"

Off Piste Freeriding Places

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:31:01 GMT

I started this thread on another forum and it has proved to be quite interesting with different routes being shared so I thought I would share it here as well.

As someone wrote 'You have an "encyclopedic" knowledge of the Paradiski area'. I thought, yeah why not share with everyone some of the places I like to freeride.

First I shall look at my back garden area then move onto such places as the 'Three Valleys' and 'Espace Killy'. Places I know equally as well. Many of you who have joined our little group will recognise some of these places.

So here goes, please feel free to add comments about any of the places I mention if you have skied or boarded them yourselves or even just dream of doing so. But always remember never go off piste without the full safety kit and if you do not know the area very well, take a guide. Stay safe out there.

To kick this off a little video from youtube made by some people I know. This is one of the routes we do quite often when there is fresh snow.

And I am not in any of the videos as they all come from youtube.

First Tracks on Aiguille Rouge after fresh snow fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csdU_sVUJMY&feature=related

It is all on either side of the piste at the top of AR, but with a number of variations. If you look carefully there are some steeper lines coming out of the cliffs from the top (part of the very old black there once) and at the bottom through the gully. All glacial areas underneath mind so great care needs to be taken. It ends up going out of sight down the Villaroger Black run.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:36:55 GMT

Here is one more before bed just to keep you all thinking of the nice powder that has started to fall in the Alps this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLU3F7c_fBk

How many people recognise any of the places where this video mix of some of the off piste in Les Arcs was made. Quite hard to identify all the routes they have put into this one short vid.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:01:05 GMT

Now that I have whetted your appetite for what is on offer, here are a few routes.

1) Col de la Chal (Nancroix/Pont Bodin).

This is an easy off piste route from either behind the Restaurant at the top of the Transarc, or by walking up to a few metres towards the Ag Grive to take a higher line or further down towards the middle which is the safest line.

Which ever line you take, you can have a great trip down to Nancroix in fresh powder on an easy gradient to the forest and then along the forest track to the valley. Keep in the centre of the valley the whole way down to the forest track going right (easy to see) if you want to avoid any avalanche areas.

Another nice route and quite easy.

2) Grizzly le foret de Notre Dame (Nancroix)

Go to the top of the Grizzly lift, go down the black at the top then cut left into the forest. Stay on the flatter area and slowly make your way through the forest until you reach the church. From the church, down the easy open meadows to end in the village by the same bus stop as the route above. Very little if any avalanche risk on this route.

In case you like skiing with the SCGB Leaders, these routes are no longer allowed to be skied by there leaders according to their new off piste policy in my opinion as a former rep(leader). A pity as many reps (leaders) use to do them.

If anyone is ever interested in meeting up to ski any of these routes, as long as you have the kit you are always welcome to join our group.

We do things of different standards everyday so there is normally always something on one of the days to suit your level. You can either go to my facebook group page to get in touch or meet us at George's Wine Bar in Arc 1950 after skiing most days for a drink and a chat about the next day/weeks plans.

Hope to see old friends and new skiers visiting this season. All are welcome. Oh yeah, ment to say we do this for free as well, just fun to meet others during the season for a good day out.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:02:50 GMT

I'm somewhat new to this forum. In Canada, you almost never here the word "piste" to describe a ski trail. So I'm somewhat unclear if that means "out of bounds" or "in bounds but not groomed",

Anyway, this video is our local hill. We have chair lifts and a Cat skiing operation that all operate within the area boundary of the resort.

What you see here are all "in-bounds marked runs" accessible by either the cat (or a 15 minute hike past the top of the lift). They are avalanche controlled, however because of the massive size of the area, not always patrolled.

The vertical drop is about 3000ft, You start in the Alpine @ 7500ft, through the sub-alpine, and exit in the montane @ about 4500ft.

To gain access (to the non lift accessible runs), you must have shovel, probes and transceiver. No one is allowed in alone.

One storm can provide fresh tracks for a week!!!

And like SnowCrazy2005 said, if you're EVER in our area, give me a shout, I'd love to take you for the ride of your life!

There are no friends on a Power day!

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:24:08 GMT

In my last post, make that
There are no friends on a Powder day!

I'm sure you got that.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:37:28 GMT

Skipatrollerdave, great video thanks. Would be good to get out there someday to ride some of that powder, looks fun.

In Europe we do not have 'out or in bounds'.

Instead we have:

1) On piste, groomed runs.
2) Off piste, not groomed and unprotected areas. (Like out of bounds back country but you are allowed to ski there.)
3) Piste nature which are not groomed but avalanche protected trails or areas. (Similar to in bounds but not groomed.)
4)In some countries there are also Itinerary runs which are not groomed and sometimes avalanche protected but not always.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:48:57 GMT

Thanks Snowcrazy2005, that really helps.

Our area would be 60% piste nature, and 40% piste. Also, the term "massive" is only relative to the resources we have to manage it. I'm sure you would call it, well, small. 1500 people in one day is our all time record. We have about 3500 skiable acres.

What's interesting is in the video, the chutes in 0:06 to 0:15 are lift accessible "piste nature" runs. At 0:08, the run is called Lone Star, it's Canada's highest and longest continual fall line. 1500 vertical feet, with an average pitch of 37 degrees. AT the top, where you enter it's about 55 degrees. Definitely some "pucker factor" getting in, the bottom is pretty tame.

Two years ago, I witnessed a class 4 avalanche (controlled) go the entire slope, and up the other side of the valley. VERY COOL!

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:52:03 GMT

AHHHH,, not 0:08, Lone Star is 0:13......

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:24:55 GMT

I love the clip in the first video at 1.09 of the guy skiing-very smooth, like the style (is he an ex racer?)

Ive been to La Plagne but didnt get over to Les Arcs to ski unfortunately but did various bits with our guide in la plagne with I loved -in April too, got some lovely quiet fresh snow!

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:23:10 GMT

Normally not keen on some of the ski vids posted on here but I quite enjoyed that one ....... :lol:

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:11:24 GMT

Today's route:

The Petit North Face of Aiguille Rouge and the Robert Blanc Couloir.

The first section, Petit North Face of Aiguille Rouge is hard. Starts skiers left at a rocky entrance, unless very good snow depth after skiing down the piste 100m from the top. If you do not know where I mean you need to have a guide.

After the entrance and a steep exposed 30+ degree rocky slope you get to a large powder field which is great and takes you back to the red road piste coming from the top.

Cross the road about 50m to the left and drop into the Robert Blanc Couloir. Much easier at 28 going down to 20 degrees or less and quite wide but once you are in you cannot get out and back to the piste until you are in the Arc 2000 bowl. A great route for those wanting a safer challenge but you need to be sure footed and have plenty of energy as it is a long way down. The good thing about this route is that it holds the snow well and if you do fall over you will just stop and not slide very far.

Remember if you do not know the area, take a guide and if you are skiing with a Ski Club GB leader these routes are not within there policy rules anymore according to what I have been told.

Re:Off Piste Freeriding Places

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:29:29 GMT

snowcrazy2005 wrote:
How many people recognise any of the places where this video mix of some of the off piste in Les Arcs was made. Quite hard to identify all the routes they have put into this one short vid.

OK - I'll take a punt. The first shots of climb and ski are off the back of the Arpette, the bowl above the Bois de l'ours lift??

have I got it ? :lol:

Haven't skied that area since 1987!! But I have fond memories of that climb and the bowl underneath, and making sure to find the exit down.