Great how a world class skier like Bell does it in 3 minutes. Took me 20 mins generally. It was the last run I did before I hung up my boots. That afternoon I went from very top of Le Fornet to valley, then to top of Solaise to valley then up Bellevarde and down La Face. What a glorious end to my 40 years of skiing, I'll never forget that last day!
I recall around 10 years ago having done this as first skier of the day from the higher station where they had this train running around 10 minutes before La Face condola opens there were total of four persons in the train. It was probably one of the fastest run I've ever made as I didn't have to think what was around the corner... I did most of the corners with just one turn and my feet were aching of pain when I reached the lower station of the condola... I succeeded in getting the second condola cabin going up and got practically a second similiar round to go, which was just pure joy (and pain). Some of the best memories of my life...
I used to work in Val d'Isere and I can relate to your story. I recall being up early and making sure I was at the lift before it opened to ensure I would be first on and out, all but guaranteeing a clear run back down. Think I must have had my fastest and best technically runs down there on those early mornings.
Last year (late jan 2019) I had similar snow conditions but you should be among the first skiers before it's getting bumpy. This year (mid march 2020) high temperatures + unprepared run some mornings, even good skiers would struggle...
He makes this run look so easy... the video does no justice to truly show how steep this run actually is!! I did it twice over New Year, once at 3pm (I do not recommend) and at 9am first thing in the morning, conditions are so much better then.
Totally agree. I've done it in about five minutes going pretty quickly on morning snow. But it's really really steep and you need razor sharp edges. Icy conditions make it no fun at all. Graham bell makes it look ridiculously easy but of course the rest of us only get 13 days a year on the slopes!
Where he says the jump is, more often than not is a line of people sitting crapping themselves 😂😂😂😂 then questioning if they'll drop to their death or commit to a ride down hell. Love this run ❤️
@@mikeespain day before changeover when everybody thinks "I'll do it once" - it's the busiest run in Val d'Isere ;-) I thought my 6 minutes was ok until I saw this ;)
Did this a few times last week on a snowboard and some of the off piste to the right of the steeps. Great run, kills the legs and I've got to agree the run is wayyy steeper than it appears on film haha. Awesome run Graham.
I did that run on my first week learning to ski at the urging of my so called "mates" as in "Go on, you're a natural!" Talk about turning a black into a green run! Took me over an hour to get down.
Unbelievably fun run to do first thing in the morning and hit some unreal speed and jumps off those lips. It also happened to be the run I'd have to come down to finish the day at 4pm in late April with moguls the size of golf carts. Killer
Rarely ski in France but watching this reminds me of the fun times I’ve skied the Kitzbuheler Streif here in Austria (fortunately there are several route alternatives!)
Great video. Of course he makes it look easy, this is a guy who was a pro downhill skier and who has skied straight down the Hahnenkamm with a video cam for tv. But a joy to watch. Bravo Mr Bell.
I used to work in Val d'Isere as a ski host. Used to love a first thing Face run on our day off. If we had any arrogant and cocky skiers in our group who thought they were the next Marcel Hirscher we would take them down the Face as the last run of the day, was a great cure for hubris haha.
now thats insane. im looking for a home in one of the EU alps to ski all season for next few yrs. this amazingly fun looking black run may have sealed the deal for me. its exactly what i want. steep black but groomed. amazing thank you very much for posting !
Skied this in 1990/91 just before the Albertville games, once it was known what all the courses were. True leg burner. The English & Welsh Universities Ski Council (EWUSC) would hold its championships around here - Tignes, Les Meniures, Les Arc - around then.
Last time i saw you Graham, you and your Brother had climbed and were hanging from the Fibreglass Flagpoles, some 40 Feet up at Lac at about 3AM one night in 1991 or 1992. 😂😂 .
Don’t be fooled though, it can be a tough run when well used, with icy patches and large moguls, consequently I have skied it like Mr Bell, but also like Horace goes skiing, with one massive side slip down the last steep bit with very little control. Great 👍 run. I only hope to be back many times.
Did it un-pisted, powder snow, Moglies when i was 15 that was shit scary didnt know when to turn burning thighs. Did it again 2 years later. Pisted and smooth that was brilliant amazing run
FIVE!! I'd be broken after two!! First thing in the morning too!! Impressive with cold legs!! Won't be cold by the bottom. Snow was in fab condition too!
Wow, I did well when I was there 24.5 years ago then. My last 5 runs were down le face, in March, heavyish snow, and the bottom half was all moguls from that tight left hand turn where graham said there is the jump. I definitely earns the 5 serieux I had that night - and the nice late breakfast ‘ early lunch me and the guys had the next day before going home.
Very impressed with the microphone minimizing wind noise! We all have our preferences of runs and a wide open cruiser does little for me personally *unless* I get to tuck it and it has rollers to prejump. So, yes that would be only the very first run. Thankfully I got to have this kind of fun before the lifts opened in the morning "working" as a ski patroller in the west.
Some advice to anyone whose not yet done it: edge your skis beforehand. Chances are when you do it, the bottom section will be a lot icier than this video makes out
I'm a 67 year old early intermediate, and probably will never do it, as thoughts of losing control, falling and injury would stop me. But maybe when or if I get to advanced skiing skills I *might* try it, just to say I did ski it.
It's not fun, but a test of skill, tenacity, endurance and strength. I've done it three times. Once with my son who is a very good skier. I came a cropper two thirds of the way down when I caught and edge. Went down very hard on my right thigh. Skidded down quite away before coming at last to a stop eventually. Took a while to recover myself before setting off again with fellow skiers recovering my poles /skis. Made it to the bottom unscathed. My son asked where the F*ck I had been. I must have skidded down almost a hundred yards on my back like a snow flake before I came to a stop. That night in the shower I had a massive bump like a side plate come up on my thigh. Went every colour of the rainbow. Think I was lucky not to snap my thigh. Fond memories.😅😀😃
Did it las year, not a Black Run by Alaskan standards but still a fun run if you like skiing on piste. Like he says is best to hit it early when is nicely groomed.
Quite steep and a little icy when I did it but miles better than the awful crowded blue run that takes you down into Val d'Isere if you're coming from Tignes
Done this run many times, but the best time was after it dumped hard the night before and I got first lifts up, fresh pow all the way down before the moguls appeared.
Don't be fooled by the camera - it doesn't really show how steep it is, especially at the top. And it's not always groomed. I was there last week, it was a full mogul run (and deep ones at that!). I spent way more than two minutes to get to the bottom!
I've got a question for Graham and the question I've skied with Bartelski at Meribel and I'm feeling suicidal I've got an Intermediate silver badge I think mediocre pass and I don't give a fuck about Covid or ever did and I don't give a fuck about about anybody in the resort nor anyone else, please can I ski the Kitsbuhel Dowhill from the top to wherever no training, you first and I'll follow.
What a huge disappointment - my Brother and I did this in the 80's and there was a virtually vertical horrendous mogul field at the end - the rest was much as shows now (though less groomed) - hence I always assumed that was why it was called 'Le Face' - as very steep 'face' last bit. How things change.
I was on this run today. Dont think its been groomed in weeks or over a month. Fully mogulled and icy so this video makes it look like a dream!
Why hadn't it been groomed? End of the season?
@audas I went in Mid March but seemed like they chose to not groom this run a lot for that season (2023/24)
@@ml-ds9xv Maybe trying to slow people down. Thanks.
keeps the punters off
So long without being groomed 🤦🏻♂️
That’s why I choose Tirol, Austria over France.
Great how a world class skier like Bell does it in 3 minutes. Took me 20 mins generally.
It was the last run I did before I hung up my boots. That afternoon I went from very top of Le Fornet to valley, then to top of Solaise to valley then up Bellevarde and down La Face. What a glorious end to my 40 years of skiing, I'll never forget that last day!
Don't stop skiing!
I recall around 10 years ago having done this as first skier of the day from the higher station where they had this train running around 10 minutes before La Face condola opens there were total of four persons in the train. It was probably one of the fastest run I've ever made as I didn't have to think what was around the corner... I did most of the corners with just one turn and my feet were aching of pain when I reached the lower station of the condola... I succeeded in getting the second condola cabin going up and got practically a second similiar round to go, which was just pure joy (and pain). Some of the best memories of my life...
I used to work in Val d'Isere and I can relate to your story. I recall being up early and making sure I was at the lift before it opened to ensure I would be first on and out, all but guaranteeing a clear run back down. Think I must have had my fastest and best technically runs down there on those early mornings.
Great run. The snow conditions that day were clearly very easy. That slope is usually iced up. Thats how most skiers know La Face.
skimckay I skied La Face for the first time when I was 10 years old
CountDooku1024 🏅
Last year (late jan 2019) I had similar snow conditions but you should be among the first skiers before it's getting bumpy. This year (mid march 2020) high temperatures + unprepared run some mornings, even good skiers would struggle...
@@amarparis17 interesting. so how often do they groom it. is it a daily occurrence. and i assume by midday onwards its mogully ?
He makes this run look so easy... the video does no justice to truly show how steep this run actually is!!
I did it twice over New Year, once at 3pm (I do not recommend) and at 9am first thing in the morning, conditions are so much better then.
Totally agree. I've done it in about five minutes going pretty quickly on morning snow. But it's really really steep and you need razor sharp edges. Icy conditions make it no fun at all. Graham bell makes it look ridiculously easy but of course the rest of us only get 13 days a year on the slopes!
Where he says the jump is, more often than not is a line of people sitting crapping themselves 😂😂😂😂 then questioning if they'll drop to their death or commit to a ride down hell. Love this run ❤️
@@mikeespain day before changeover when everybody thinks "I'll do it once" - it's the busiest run in Val d'Isere ;-) I thought my 6 minutes was ok until I saw this ;)
In the evening this track os icy as fuck
Used to take this run back to the village at the end of the day and i can say that on a snowboard when it is sheer ice, it is not nice!
Did this a few times last week on a snowboard and some of the off piste to the right of the steeps. Great run, kills the legs and I've got to agree the run is wayyy steeper than it appears on film haha. Awesome run Graham.
Great run, shoossed the last bit all the way down, eyes were watering even through goggles went back up and did it again
I did that run on my first week learning to ski at the urging of my so called "mates" as in "Go on, you're a natural!" Talk about turning a black into a green run! Took me over an hour to get down.
Haha definitely some quite evil mates you've got there lol
That was made to look so easy! Amazing run! I've gone it once before and I had to stop at least 5 times
Best run and course conditions I have seen you film.
Unbelievably fun run to do first thing in the morning and hit some unreal speed and jumps off those lips. It also happened to be the run I'd have to come down to finish the day at 4pm in late April with moguls the size of golf carts. Killer
Awesome! My group is going to be there in Feb '23 for 6 days. Hope to give it a shot!
Rarely ski in France but watching this reminds me of the fun times I’ve skied the Kitzbuheler Streif here in Austria (fortunately there are several route alternatives!)
Did this run last week - fantastic black, agree with the recommendation to do it first thing!
Great video. Of course he makes it look easy, this is a guy who was a pro downhill skier and who has skied straight down the Hahnenkamm with a video cam for tv. But a joy to watch. Bravo Mr Bell.
I used to work in Val d'Isere as a ski host. Used to love a first thing Face run on our day off.
If we had any arrogant and cocky skiers in our group who thought they were the next Marcel Hirscher we would take them down the Face as the last run of the day, was a great cure for hubris haha.
Really nice skiing there, Mr. Bell, a pleasure to watch. Seems like that was an average speed of at least 60km/h and that is really getting it on.
now thats insane. im looking for a home in one of the EU alps to ski all season for next few yrs. this amazingly fun looking black run may have sealed the deal for me. its exactly what i want. steep black but groomed. amazing thank you very much for posting !
Skied this in 1990/91 just before the Albertville games, once it was known what all the courses were. True leg burner.
The English & Welsh Universities Ski Council (EWUSC) would hold its championships around here - Tignes, Les Meniures, Les Arc - around then.
Hello, ich war 36 mal in Val d`Isere ,
Es waren meine schönsten Schi Erlebnisse im Tiefschnee !!
Best black run in the world for me. Did it for 15 years and still enjoy it.
A fantastic run. Perfect start to your day.
Last time i saw you Graham, you and your Brother had climbed and were hanging from the Fibreglass Flagpoles, some 40 Feet up at Lac at about 3AM one night in 1991 or 1992. 😂😂 .
Don’t be fooled though, it can be a tough run when well used, with icy patches and large moguls, consequently I have skied it like Mr Bell, but also like Horace goes skiing, with one massive side slip down the last steep bit with very little control. Great 👍 run. I only hope to be back many times.
Did it un-pisted, powder snow, Moglies when i was 15 that was shit scary didnt know when to turn burning thighs. Did it again 2 years later. Pisted and smooth that was brilliant amazing run
Super Dupes. Wish I was that good. The adrenalin rush must be macrotic!
Love this. I felt lt was me skiing right there.! ⛷️😊
FIVE!! I'd be broken after two!! First thing in the morning too!! Impressive with cold legs!! Won't be cold by the bottom. Snow was in fab condition too!
I will have a go at the 5 run leg burner. Maybe not at the level you did it in. 🤙🏼🤙🏼
Wow, I did well when I was there 24.5 years ago then. My last 5 runs were down le face, in March, heavyish snow, and the bottom half was all moguls from that tight left hand turn where graham said there is the jump. I definitely earns the 5 serieux I had that night - and the nice late breakfast ‘ early lunch me and the guys had the next day before going home.
The way he’s shouting to the camera between breaths so casually 😂😂😂
Incredible skier , so fast !
Very impressed with the microphone minimizing wind noise! We all have our preferences of runs and a wide open cruiser does little for me personally *unless* I get to tuck it and it has rollers to prejump. So, yes that would be only the very first run. Thankfully I got to have this kind of fun before the lifts opened in the morning "working" as a ski patroller in the west.
If the mic is properly protected it can work in surprisingly high winds. Sadly most TH-camrs don't seem to appreciate the importance of good sound.
Skied La Face a few weeks ago, bloody hell the bottom end is icy!
We love it then your sharing all the best secrets one of my favourites
He actually smashed that slope. Fair play!
Some advice to anyone whose not yet done it: edge your skis beforehand. Chances are when you do it, the bottom section will be a lot icier than this video makes out
Five! I did 2 runs top to bottom without stopping and i was finished!
🤣 🤣 It’s always my last run of the day before beer o’clock...and it looks and feels very different then!
Beautiful run
I'm a 67 year old early intermediate, and probably will never do it, as thoughts of losing control, falling and injury would stop me. But maybe when or if I get to advanced skiing skills I *might* try it, just to say I did ski it.
Wow I was There on vacation 2 weeks ago on that run
Man, great job (Luck?) at avoiding those other skiers especially below the jump bumps!
Um --- Hello try finishing your turns
he saw them long before they went over the bump and anticipated - easy carved around. this is what I would do - but that is an Ex-Downhill-Pro
Sick skiing.
My stomach just turned coming over a couple of those crests.
It's not fun, but a test of skill, tenacity, endurance and strength. I've done it three times. Once with my son who is a very good skier. I came a cropper two thirds of the way down when I caught and edge. Went down very hard on my right thigh. Skidded down quite away before coming at last to a stop eventually. Took a while to recover myself before setting off again with fellow skiers recovering my poles /skis. Made it to the bottom unscathed. My son asked where the F*ck I had been. I must have skidded down almost a hundred yards on my back like a snow flake before I came to a stop. That night in the shower I had a massive bump like a side plate come up on my thigh. Went every colour of the rainbow. Think I was lucky not to snap my thigh. Fond memories.😅😀😃
Excellent
Wish I could ski like that
God it's weird recognising a ski slope from TH-cam
Why oh why oh why did I do it every evening last week at 5pm? Because it's the quickest way back down to apres ski. Bit of an ice rink though. 😎
Did it las year, not a Black Run by Alaskan standards but still a fun run if you like skiing on piste. Like he says is best to hit it early when is nicely groomed.
Wow that scared me .... I can't ski at half that speed!!!
That means you are a good skier. You obviously finish your turns.
This video does not do the steepness justice. It is quite honestly like skiing down a cliff face.
agreed. so icy too.
Dang your a good skier
Quite steep and a little icy when I did it but miles better than the awful crowded blue run that takes you down into Val d'Isere if you're coming from Tignes
Been on this run today and hit some ice and lost it! Graham makes it look far to easy aha
I love how he says dares any to do it five times first thing in the morning, once would be amazing! oh, and every run I do is a leg burner! :)
You try doing this at 4pm last run, it’s a very different beast to conquer.
My daughter skied it yesterday she said it's a real leg burner .
Would love to get my dad out on this... maybe one day.
I remember doing this run at like 3pm, the moguls on the steepest part at 1:28 were hectic
Love it!!!!
Exhilarating!
ayyy we stan la face :)
Those skiers who just stop in a narrow section, what are they like?
Lol. Try this at 4.30 in the afternoon.
Done this run many times, but the best time was after it dumped hard the night before and I got first lifts up, fresh pow all the way down before the moguls appeared.
haha... i loved that. up and early, no one on the run to worry about.... noisy noisy crispy snow. faster faster!
Rocking it.👍
Raide impressionnante mais large , ça passe tout seul !
bien plus facile que l épaule du charvet juste a coté ou la foret sur la même station !
That was as easy as the Face ever gets. 20 years ago it was a beast covered in car sized moguls. 😀 that was far more of a challenge.
Looks quite easy but i guess it is much steeper than the video shows
Why the dislikes??
When you realise it wasn't a helmet cam 😧
What about l'Ancolie ?
this is why i feel sorry for snowboarders. faster, harder, faster, harder, better :) love you xo
I could do this all day.
I once skied this drunk with a helmet tucked under my jacket. Graham was more graceful. 😅
Did this about 10 times when I was there with a 50% success rate.
I did a ski competition on this slope
Nice! ... 👍
Hi Mr. Bell. End of the run is near.
Traduire svp ! Merci
Pepette Bakou Learn a language - how about english??
Just don’t do this as your first early run at Feb half term unless you want to join a ridiculous queue to get back up!
What a handsome bloke
I did it like around 3:30 so many ice patches
Beautiful. Weird Europeans call that a black though.
Don't be fooled by the camera - it doesn't really show how steep it is, especially at the top. And it's not always groomed. I was there last week, it was a full mogul run (and deep ones at that!). I spent way more than two minutes to get to the bottom!
I've got a question for Graham and the question I've skied with Bartelski at Meribel and I'm feeling suicidal I've got an Intermediate silver badge I think mediocre pass and I don't give a fuck about Covid or ever did and I don't give a fuck about about anybody in the resort nor anyone else, please can I ski the Kitsbuhel Dowhill from the top to wherever no training, you first and I'll follow.
It used to be my breakfast
When he says this guy is using all of the slope...Yeah, no shit Sherlock because its a steep as fuck on the approach.
You know how to ski
Challenge accepted.
What a huge disappointment - my Brother and I did this in the 80's and there was a virtually vertical horrendous mogul field at the end - the rest was much as shows now (though less groomed) - hence I always assumed that was why it was called 'Le Face' - as very steep 'face' last bit. How things change.
👍
Icy? Laughs in east coast
Narrow? More laughter in East Coast
Nice vid! #PlanksJapan=PJ
He said he dares anyone to do more than 5.... I'm out here now and I'll top your 5 with a 6.
hahaha 5 times down with what a helicopter ?
Thanks, Graham. I'll give that one a miss!
Skied it