S5E14
TME 13/03/10
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Editor’s letter
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Hello there for another week, at time of writing (Thursday) the X-games are in full swing but we have decided to bring you the full low-down next week and any photo’s anyone has of the event will be greatly received. I have to admit it’s not really my thing but seeing the guys hitting the pipe last night was seriously impressive and as for the slope style course, would it not make a good permanent feature. Surly it would make the ski area the freestyle capital of Europe in one swoop.
Next week though we have a far more important event, that being the Boss des Bosses where Val gets to put it bump skiers against the best from the likes of Cham and Verbier. Good luck team. It’s also Paddy’s day, which seems to be a big event this year. I can smell trouble and if you fancy a bit of old skool raving Vspot is your spot!
On a last note don’t even ask about the weather, we had typo’s on the temp’s but I was up there on Tuesday and ironically it can’t of been far off -29. Mid March what’s going on, bring on the sun and spring snow I say.
Oh and just as we like you all we’ve given you a free sticker, use wisely!
Enjoy MB
Managing risk
Saturday, March 13th, 2010This week I am goint to talk about how to manage risk when off piste. Last week we had a great day of “The Talk on the Snow” in Les Arcs with a group of enthusiastic seasonnaires from The Pink House in Bourg St Maurice yesterday
Why you still need to careful when it is avalanche risk level 2.
We were reminded of three ways to manage risk – even level 2 risk:
1. ski a similar slope aspect and altitide before heading off into the back country
2. Check out your ideas with the piste patrol
3. Do some simple tests with a small snowpit
The group from The Pink House had previously had a private talk and the opportunity to look at the online talk, the day out in glorious sunshine and moderate temperatures allowed us to go into much more depth on Avalanche awareness. We also managed to fit in some riding where the snow conditions allowed us.
The risk was only level 2 and the obvious off-piste looked pretty tracked out, so the general impression was that it was safe. However by following the HAT code of practice we were able to avoid going into difficult snow conditions whihc could have proved dangerous and we discovered that in the untracked areas there were still dangers and risks.
The group had two different ideas on where to go to find great snow. Go off the back of the Grand Col (was good there last week). Go down the Lanchettes where it is North Facing and the snow holds well. But to check this we did two things.
First we skied a slope that was the same aspect and altitude as the Grand Col and discoverd it was pretty cruddy!
Second we asked the piste patrol about the Lanchettes and they told us the wind last night had really blasted the slope and it would be no fun and not that safe.
Then we went on some NE facing untracked slopes (see www.getoffpiste.com ) but went very carefully since the risk is level 2 and that tells you that an increased load on a steep slope can trigger a release (especially NE to NW facing – see bulletin)
When we dug the snowpit we found that there was a top layer of 20cm that was prone to shearing off. (so we were right to go one at a time and use islands of safety.PS if you would like a private talk in your chalet plus a day out doing the “The Talk on the Snow” and beeper training. We have availability this season and can do the whole package for €575 for a group of 6.
This includes a COPE certificate
