Steep and exposed in Verbier


48 degrees at age 13

Ella and Tamsin Hartley, 2 girls, aged 13 and 16 respectively, skied more of "my" classic lines this Easter. We dropped into the steep, South Face of the Mt.Fort, onto not-yet-thawed corn, sliding right into wild alpine terrain, soft 48 degree+ corn over cliff bands.

You may say crazy, but I would say safe. I saw Tamsin turn on a dime when I suggested her skis may like it better facing the other direction. That was on 45 before moving lower onto 50+ degrees through the exit chute. A first descent through these cliff bands I might add!!!

Quelle ambiance! After a short climb and much hunting for a fully functional lift, we dropped directly into Verbier for lunch, the diagonal line down the Petit Mount Lollitop, skiing steep and fine corn going south. Then, after lunch, we flew over the 2 lakes of Vaux and down into Vallon d'Arbi, descending finally to 1500 meters on a thin band of snow.

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Posted: Sun - April 22, 2007 at 08:01 AM        

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