Latest posts for the topic "Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys"

Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:20:10 GMT

Hi all,

Im returning to VT - 3 valleys on the 29th of Jan and im wanting to know if any of you have been upto the top of La Masse and then over the otherside into the powder bowl?

When i was there last yr i never went over as i was on my own but this yr there will be a group of us and i was wondering if we were to ski it where does it finish? What sort of run is it, i know its unpisted and i dont think its patrolled but could be wrong as i saw an instructor take a group over there last yr.

Anyway, if you have ski'd it, pls can you let me know what to expect.

Thanks

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:14:10 GMT

Hi, I was there over the New Year, I didn't notice a route over the back, but then again I wasn't particularly looking either!! I don't know if they've had much snow since New Year but it was getting really thin by the afternoons. If you're going up Masse, go in the mornings as the sun moves off in the afternoons and its pretty grim.

Good luck!!

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:13:28 GMT

Andy there is no offical route over the back, i think its an off piste bowl which just runs around the mountain valley down towards the bottom of VT im sure it meets up with the annoying flat blue run out of VT. This i cant be sure though which is why i wanted to know as i wouldnt make a trip in there if there isnt an obvious way out...

But like i say an instructor took a group down there so there has to be a route.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:48:24 GMT

Hi Crispy,
This looks like guide territory to me. I have a map with skiing itinerary routes of the 3V and there are 4 that go off the back of la Masse.
3 of these come back into the valley down towards St Martin De Belleville and one disapears of into the wide blue of the Maurienne valley.
The routes don't conveniently come back to marked pistes/ski lifts but end at roads and in villages. I haven't a clue what the terrain is like etc etc - not good enough at map reading for that.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:47:45 GMT

Definitely guide territory, but the rest of the La Masse, I think, is the best ski-ing in the Three Valleys when the snow is good.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:15:19 GMT

Crispyapplepie I may be completely out of order here so my apologies in advance, but my first thought is 'please be careful'. There have been too many accidents already this season. As a group would you consider hiring an instructor for half a day to take you down there? Depending how many of you there are the cost could be spread nicely. At the very least it could save you the hassle of finding yourself stuck away from the exit/s and having to hike. Sorry for being boring and paranoid.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:25:56 GMT

LOTA wrote:Definitely guide territory, but the rest of the La Masse, I think, is the best ski-ing in the Three Valleys when the snow is good.

Sussh, don't tell everybody. )

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:14:33 GMT

Sorry. I'm an enormous fan of the La Masse but it's not for everybody and the masses (groan!) should stay away.

Is that better?

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:53:02 GMT

There used to be an itinerary route off the top that headed back towards VT. Nothing too difficult or too step, but probably not a good idea if snow cover is poor.

I have a (now old) book published by Vamos which is a guide to the off piste routes in the 3V, and they published similar for other resorts. Might be worth trying to get hold of a (more up to date) copy?

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:41:57 GMT

If conditions are good, you hire a guide and don't mind a hike, the route down the Gebroulaz glacier from VT to Meribel is superb. It is the head of the Meribel valley (accessed from VT's summer ski area) and takes you around the back of Mont Vallon. Not a ski lift in sight, and lots of mountain wildlife. However DO NOT GO WITHOUT A GUIDE AND FULL EQUIPMENT!

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:18:05 GMT

Yep - agree Dorset Boy :D
I was lucky enough to ski (and walk, hike etc.) from the backside of VT back over into the Meribel Valley both sides of Mont Vallon - amazing stuff!
And even skied Mont Vallon before it had a lift :shock:
Once had to plod back all the way past Lac de Tueda which was hard work but othertimes a ratrack came and collected us - I was with locals (pisteurs and a restaurant owner) who had contacts and a walkie talkie to send for the taxi - very civilised.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:11:23 GMT

EmmaEvs wrote:Crispyapplepie I may be completely out of order here so my apologies in advance, but my first thought is 'please be careful'. There have been too many accidents already this season. As a group would you consider hiring an instructor for half a day to take you down there? Depending how many of you there are the cost could be spread nicely. At the very least it could save you the hassle of finding yourself stuck away from the exit/s and having to hike. Sorry for being boring and paranoid.

Not at all, I wouldnt dream of going into there without either knowing its ok to do so, or having the right gear/guide. There has been a crazy amount of accidents already this yr, OR is it just been reported on more? If the weather paterns continue i can only imagine that there will be alot more as well before the season is out.

I know my limits and certainly no freeride powder junkie. :cry: not at the min anyway :P

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:07:44 GMT

Crispyapplepie, if you are a good skier, have all the off piste gear and know the off piste area then it is a great place to ski, but if you are unsure then you should take a guide. There are many routes down this area, some safer than others. But it is also an avalanche area so take care. The run ends up in Val Thorens ski area by the lac and then you have to ski back down the road or get various other lifts. Hope that helps.

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:12:42 GMT

snowcrazy2005 wrote:Crispyapplepie, if you are a good skier, have all the off piste gear and know the off piste area then it is a great place to ski, but if you are unsure then you should take a guide. There are many routes down this area, some safer than others. But it is also an avalanche area so take care. The run ends up in Val Thorens ski area by the lac and then you have to ski back down the road or get various other lifts. Hope that helps.

From looking at the maps this is what i thought. TBH there is more than enough to explore in the 3 valleys without having to worry too much about going down this 1 unmarked route...

I probably underestimate my ability but i feel thats the best way. Im no expert (yet) so i think ill leave this run until i am :-)

Re:Over the back of La Masse - 3 valleys

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:23:22 GMT

The Les Menuires ESF do off piste groups that are open to anyone who can ski well enough. Just pay by the day. The website mentions Les Encombres which is the valley off the back of la Masse finishing near St Martin. They might do the Lac de Lou route towards VT one day as well.

Mark

http://www.esf-lesmenuires.com/ski-school-menuires/les-menuires/ski-aventure/ski-off-piste