Slackcountry

I recently learned a great new phrase: "slackcountry". Slackcountry skiing is, as far as i can make out, lift-assisted backcountry skiing. Back-country skiing is skiing off-pistes where there are no chairlifts. So, for example, in the Portes du Soleil we have le Vallee de la Manche. This valley runs from the tops of the Fornet valley down to Morzine at the Nyon cable car. You can get a lift right to the top of Fornet and then climb over a little ridge and then get about 4km of unspoilt (i.e. no lift-pylons) off-piste skiing.

This run most definitely falls into the slackcountry category. I think other qualifying slackcountry skiing might be where you use a lift for a portion of the climb, and then skin up (walk up on skis) the rest of the way. And although it's not pure randonee, I think it's an excellent way for Alpine skiers to get into Randonee skiing by skiing close to the relative safety of the resort.

Having said that, all off-piste is dangerous and you should always hire a guide with transceivers. Especially down the Vallee de la Manche. This valley is notorious for avalanches and you should absolutely only ski it with a qualified guide. We skied it for the first (and so far only) time with a chalet "ski-host". He had no transceiver and was leading a group of poor skiers down it in unpleasant conditions. Not very smart but at the time we didn't know any better. Spend the money, get a guide.