Who's going skiing and where? 23-24
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
Did it 2013-14, and again 2018-19. But have also spent a month in resort in Jan 2008, and again in 2020 - went home early as lockdown happened. We're here every year as lots of friends live here permanently.
On Changabang - definitely not me, as I haven't yet been there this year. I'm wearing either a grey camo shell, or an orange and black Planks hoodie, with tan combat style trousers. Either on a pair of olive green Lines, or Atomic S9 SL skis (as I was today, ill-advisedly). Also, I'm of Asian ethnicity, so very obvious in these parts! Skiing isn't a big part of Sri Lankan culture...
If seen with a child, it'll be our 5 year old. 3 year old isn't up on the mountain just yet.
Tonnes of snow this morning, but went home early as was soaking wet and cold. Wind at the top at the Swiis birder was insane - literally howling.
Sorry to miss you - hope the build goes well (been there!). Here for another 10 days - that said I may have to fly home for a few days as a work thing has come up. Lady F is not best pleased, right now.
Yeah, I gathered that you were Asian ethnicity; and so, weirdly, the few people I saw today with darker skin, I think "is that him?"On Changabang - definitely not me, as I haven't yet been there this year. I'm wearing either a grey camo shell, or an orange and black Planks hoodie, with tan combat style trousers. Either on a pair of olive green Lines, or Atomic S9 SL skis (as I was today, ill-advisedly). Also, I'm of Asian ethnicity, so very obvious in these parts! Skiing isn't a big part of Sri Lankan culture...
If seen with a child, it'll be our 5 year old. 3 year old isn't up on the mountain just yet.
Tonnes of snow this morning, but went home early as was soaking wet and cold. Wind at the top at the Swiis birder was insane - literally howling.
Sorry to miss you - hope the build goes well (been there!). Here for another 10 days - that said I may have to fly home for a few days as a work thing has come up. Lady F is not best pleased, right now.
My brother (#2) was seasonnaire(Le Nantegue) /bar keep (LeSherpa) /pro rider for Thirty Two/property manage/alcohol disposal unit/bum for ten years in MZN, I think 2005 to 2015, so I'll bet you share some friends. There was a year when both my brothers were out, Bro #1 overlapped a season with #2. Then my parents retired out here and ran a chalet for 2 years. , I was the only one of my family left in England!
Parents were here Jan-March 2020, and went to Les Contaminés for a few days, only to find the world locking down so frantically drove back to MZN, locked up our property and headed for Geneva, only to be turned back at the border and had to drive the other way (anticlockwise) around the lake to get to the airport. They were on the last of the flights back to the UK. I asked what the fallback plan was? My mother said "go back to Morzine and lockdown in the village! She seemed disappointed this didn't happen.
I managed the top of the Lac Intrets today, looking over to the Wall, but the wind was, as you say, bonkers.
We stayed up until 1630, the snow was easing. I'm on call Friday to Sunday, non-negotiable, so we go home.
A bientôt.
Another former seasonairre here. 06/07 winter and 07 summer. Been hitting up morzine for over 20 years and now bringing the kids 5 and 7. This week so far hasn’t been the normal Easter conditions with near on white ours the last 3 mornings. This mornings wind was a god send for a border as in the flats just stuck out my arms like wings and let the wind drag me across the flats! More akin to sailing than boarding.
Shame morzine links to les gets have been shut. Definitely my preferred area of the pds. 1st time I can recall them being shut.
Brighter days for the rest of the week though so looking forwards to sunny riding and pints on a deckchair whilst the kids torment others with snowballs.
Shame morzine links to les gets have been shut. Definitely my preferred area of the pds. 1st time I can recall them being shut.
Brighter days for the rest of the week though so looking forwards to sunny riding and pints on a deckchair whilst the kids torment others with snowballs.
Arrived in Heavenly last night - almost exactly 24 hours door-to-door from Edinburgh. With the time difference I woke up early - what else to go but get first in line for the Gondola opening? Only made 2nd line but still the first cabin 
Sadly the powder of the last few days was gone.- it’s so dry here light snow seems to just evaporate bypassing the water state. OK though but getting quite sticky by early afternoon as it was really warm.
Then a cold front pitched-up.
From this
To this
In about 20 minutes. And temp plummeted and lo and behold the snow became pretty decent. But I’d dressed for warm, and it was now bloody freezing. Hopefully this will result in some snow…but I fear if the wind picks up it might mess with the uplift tomorrow.
Anyway - not too bad for a pensioner on piste’s first day back here.
PS on just about every chair the ‘mercans were lowering the bar without being prompted. That’s a first.
Sadly the powder of the last few days was gone.- it’s so dry here light snow seems to just evaporate bypassing the water state. OK though but getting quite sticky by early afternoon as it was really warm.
Then a cold front pitched-up.
From this
To this
In about 20 minutes. And temp plummeted and lo and behold the snow became pretty decent. But I’d dressed for warm, and it was now bloody freezing. Hopefully this will result in some snow…but I fear if the wind picks up it might mess with the uplift tomorrow.
Anyway - not too bad for a pensioner on piste’s first day back here.
PS on just about every chair the ‘mercans were lowering the bar without being prompted. That’s a first.
Looks decent - you cover a lot of ground there, don’t think we got over 20-25 miles in one day.
You clearly ski a lot harder than us oldies…..we are much more the holidaymaker on the hills, with too much time spent in bars and resting by the slopes!
Warming up today and tomorrow here in Les Arcs.
I suspect we will only get out for a few hours in total….then we have to tidy the apartment and load the car for an early mountain exit on Saturday.
Luckily the car is right outside, after sitting cosily in the apartment garage up the hill for 4 weeks
You clearly ski a lot harder than us oldies…..we are much more the holidaymaker on the hills, with too much time spent in bars and resting by the slopes!
Warming up today and tomorrow here in Les Arcs.
I suspect we will only get out for a few hours in total….then we have to tidy the apartment and load the car for an early mountain exit on Saturday.
Luckily the car is right outside, after sitting cosily in the apartment garage up the hill for 4 weeks
mikeiow said:
Looks decent - you cover a lot of ground there, don’t think we got over 20-25 miles in one day.
You clearly ski a lot harder than us oldies…..we are much more the holidaymaker on the hills, with too much time spent in bars and resting by the slopes!
Warming up today and tomorrow here in Les Arcs.
I suspect we will only get out for a few hours in total….then we have to tidy the apartment and load the car for an early mountain exit on Saturday.
Luckily the car is right outside, after sitting cosily in the apartment garage up the hill for 4 weeks
I've been sat in the inversion all morning - I assume it's belting sun up there!You clearly ski a lot harder than us oldies…..we are much more the holidaymaker on the hills, with too much time spent in bars and resting by the slopes!
Warming up today and tomorrow here in Les Arcs.
I suspect we will only get out for a few hours in total….then we have to tidy the apartment and load the car for an early mountain exit on Saturday.
Luckily the car is right outside, after sitting cosily in the apartment garage up the hill for 4 weeks
The_Doc said:
Harry Flashman said:
Huge powder day, and looks like a bluebird afternoon. Best day skiing all season, been out since 0830. Been off in trees whem viz was poor, still finding untracked at 1pm. Avoriaz crowded, Chatel empty.
Very lucky and privileged to be out here. Hope the rest of you have a great day too!
.
I saw you today with your phat skiis. I shouted at you, but I was obscured by Jacinta and Ralph who were dealing with a crying child.Very lucky and privileged to be out here. Hope the rest of you have a great day too!
.
1) If your other half is with you he will offer to carry her skis, which whilst being a gentlemanly thing to do, undoes years of training her to carry her own kit.
2) Make sure you have the pisteurs number with you as he has a habit of pushing the boundaries of his remarkable skillset.
Saying that you'll have an absolute blast with him.
Edited by OscarIndia on Thursday 4th April 11:08
Heh. Wish I had skiied with you this season. Its been too long. Next year?
P.S. my days of carrying other adults' skis are over, as these day I am laden with childrens' baggage...
Also, I haven't hurt myself seriously in years, and I rather hope to keep it that way! That said, it's not my fault that modern skis allow you to do insanely fun stuff on and off-piste. You need to try my Lines (bindings are adjustable). At 185cm, even your lanky frame will be catered for!
Skiing slush today has been a blast. I really rate the DPS Phantom base treatment. We've just dropped Lady F skis in to have it done, after she got tired of her traditional wax treated bases getting stuck on spring porridge, as I glided around with minimal stress.
P.S. my days of carrying other adults' skis are over, as these day I am laden with childrens' baggage...
Also, I haven't hurt myself seriously in years, and I rather hope to keep it that way! That said, it's not my fault that modern skis allow you to do insanely fun stuff on and off-piste. You need to try my Lines (bindings are adjustable). At 185cm, even your lanky frame will be catered for!
Skiing slush today has been a blast. I really rate the DPS Phantom base treatment. We've just dropped Lady F skis in to have it done, after she got tired of her traditional wax treated bases getting stuck on spring porridge, as I glided around with minimal stress.
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Im guessing airbags or just lucky? How far did you slide and pictures?Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Harry Flashman said:
Heh. Wish I had skiied with you this season. Its been too long. Next year?
P.S. my days of carrying other adults' skis are over, as these day I am laden with childrens' baggage...
Also, I haven't hurt myself seriously in years, and I rather hope to keep it that way! That said, it's not my fault that modern skis allow you to do insanely fun stuff on and off-piste. You need to try my Lines (bindings are adjustable). At 185cm, even your lanky frame will be catered for!
Skiing slush today has been a blast. I really rate the DPS Phantom base treatment. We've just dropped Lady F skis in to have it done, after she got tired of her traditional wax treated bases getting stuck on spring porridge, as I glided around with minimal stress.
Itll be interesting to see how the Phantom copes with the magic carpet and other wax stripping goodies the bottom of ski lifts have or is it meant to stand up to that abuse as well?P.S. my days of carrying other adults' skis are over, as these day I am laden with childrens' baggage...
Also, I haven't hurt myself seriously in years, and I rather hope to keep it that way! That said, it's not my fault that modern skis allow you to do insanely fun stuff on and off-piste. You need to try my Lines (bindings are adjustable). At 185cm, even your lanky frame will be catered for!
Skiing slush today has been a blast. I really rate the DPS Phantom base treatment. We've just dropped Lady F skis in to have it done, after she got tired of her traditional wax treated bases getting stuck on spring porridge, as I glided around with minimal stress.
Not that anyone cares but think ill stick to something in a 95-100mm flavour to cope for the variable terrain/snow etc but also fast edge to edge for the groomers. So most likely going to end up with the Elan Ripsticks in Carbon flavour and then the DPS Koalas (111) should i go Cat Skiing next year.
Though Harry, im guessing that the code you used was a one-off/repeat customer code and not one for public use for your lines?
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Be interested to know where both events happened if you don't mind sharing? Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Glad to hear you are all ok!
Edited by timlongs on Thursday 4th April 21:11
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Saw our pals at happy hour this evening….they had an avalanche earlier today on Edelweis - yes, the blue run Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Were you above there causing trouble?!A nice day for us amateurs, but certainly very sticky porridge a bit today.
Looks like it’ll be warmer tomorrow….might only get out for a couple of hours, & that’ll be our month done. Lot of fun!
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Dear lord. Very glad you are all OK. I am paranoid about this sort of thing; now that I have kids, I don't really take any real off-piste risk at all anymore.Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Trash_panda said:
Itll be interesting to see how the Phantom copes with the magic carpet and other wax stripping goodies the bottom of ski lifts have or is it meant to stand up to that abuse as well?
Not that anyone cares but think ill stick to something in a 95-100mm flavour to cope for the variable terrain/snow etc but also fast edge to edge for the groomers. So most likely going to end up with the Elan Ripsticks in Carbon flavour and then the DPS Koalas (111) should i go Cat Skiing next year.
Though Harry, im guessing that the code you used was a one-off/repeat customer code and not one for public use for your lines?
No, it was a 10% off code that was still on the site recently. Took the skis down to around £300. As for edge to edge, they are remarkably good because of all of the metal in them. I've discovered their weakness - moguls. Too heavy and long (at least in 185cm). But on the other hand, the way they handle (damp, and with big tip rocker) you can just straightline spring bumps, getting airborne all the time. Or carve through them (seriously). It's hilarious. After today, these are now my favourite skis.Not that anyone cares but think ill stick to something in a 95-100mm flavour to cope for the variable terrain/snow etc but also fast edge to edge for the groomers. So most likely going to end up with the Elan Ripsticks in Carbon flavour and then the DPS Koalas (111) should i go Cat Skiing next year.
Though Harry, im guessing that the code you used was a one-off/repeat customer code and not one for public use for your lines?
I'm liking the Tyrolia Protector bindings too. Very solid feel to them, and the skis handle fine. I k ow everyone loves Look Pivots (and I have them on other skis), but these are great. I run a relatively low DIN at 7.5 on piste, and no issues with pre release despite doing tricks, riding at high speeds in choppy, sticky conditions.
The Phantom can take base grinding, apparently. Its an impregnation, rather than a surface treatment.
timlongs said:
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Be interested to know where both events happened if you don't mind sharing? Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Glad to hear you are all ok!
Edited by timlongs on Thursday 4th April 21:11
The walk out issue was off piste to the left of Grand Col and was entirely our own fault for not reading fatmaps properly and following tracks.
Trash_panda said:
cashmax said:
Well pretty epic powder day in Les Arcs today. A good 8-12 inches of the new white stuff in the last 24 hours and closed lifts and poor vis stopped much action yesterday.
Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
Im guessing airbags or just lucky? How far did you slide and pictures?Today had great conditions, although sadly, I experienced my first avalanche. 3 of us skied to a slab that was unstable, the edge fell off and we decided to go back. I had no choice but to turn, which unfortunately cut off the slab and the whole thing went. Upto my arms, stopped 5m short of a big drop off onto rocks. Nothing anyone above could do because they were still on what was left of it.
Took me 10 mins to dig myself out enough to move and then another 10 to slowly get across away from the drop off.
The experience will make me take more time to assess risk in the future and all in all was pretty scary.
All followed up by an all mighty screw up in the afternoon, which saw 3 of us having to walk out of a 1.2km vertical drop on fixed skis, no cell service and took us 5 hours of walking, with 3 of those hours having to make first tracks.
Having said that, even after a decade around Les Arcs, we are still finding new routes and some amazing terrain.
I was very lucky because there were perhaps 8-10 others above me, waiting to cross. I shouted to them that the snowpack was unstable, just as the slab gave way. They didn't move a muscle until I was clear, if they had, it would likely have released the rest that would have covered me and potentially put me over the edge.
Photo taken by one of the others waiting, as ever, doesn't really show the full picture, but gives an idea and you can see the chunked up slab bits.
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