Updated 19 January 2012
Here's what happened:
And there's another video via Atomic Skis here.
Updated 12 January 2012
January sees a serious off-piste/backcountry ski competition come to Les Arcs. "The best free-skiers" in the word on the Fond Blanc slopes", proclaims the Dauphiné.
The "stade" is off-piste - at the Cirque du Fond Blanc, on the Arc 2000 side of the mountain. You get there by climbing the improvised steps from the top of the Clocheret lift. But this is not particularly encouraged; pictures will be beamed back to Place Miravidi in Arc 1800, for example.
Previous "host resorts" have included Vars and La Clusaz.
The official opening is today, with the competition proper starting on Monday.
Armchair off-piste skiers like me enjoy looking at the various options in Didier Givois' Les Clés du Paradiski, available in resort.
Le Dauphiné's preview also covered a "bluffer's guide" to the various words used in "freeski" circles, given that they all have English origins:
Rider: a name given to both skiers and snowboarders. Only skiers are participating in the Linecatcher.
Le Freeride: The practice of ski or snowboard on a virgin (off-piste) slope.
Le Freestyle: Also for skiers and snowboarders - involves acrobatic displays of various types. Style counts for everything.
Le Backcountry: A hybrid of freeride and freestyle, taking place on virgin slopers. This is the discipline of the Red Bull Linecatcher.
Glad we've got that sorted!
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