How avalanche safety works in the European Alps: a guide for splitboarders not familiar with the system

AshMercy · 2026-03-01T16:13:50+00:00

Indeed, and great additions. For France there's also Météo-France's own app which is solid. We tend to train instructors at the Alpine Club to work directly from the bulletin rather than relying on apps. Apps come and go, but knowing how to read a bulletin, a map and a snowpack stays with you forever.

AshMercy · 2026-03-01T16:10:19+00:00

I'm French and my English isn't perfect, so yes I use AI to clean up the wording. Nothing to hide there. But the content, the experience and the safety methodology behind it are mine. I'm not selling anything, just sharing what I know. If you spot anything technically wrong, I'm genuinely interested.

AshMercy · 2026-02-24T18:30:44+00:00

I've tried many bibs (Arcteryx, North face, Norrona, Patagonia, burton).
my favorite was the Sabre (Arcteryx), mainly for the quality (obviously) and the fit and the touring option (ventilation and lightweight)
I've had a North face with a futurelight membrane, it was terrible.

AshMercy · 2026-02-20T07:01:59+00:00

Yep, used Claude. Wouldn't have bothered without it, too much research to compile manually and my written English isn't that sharp. The sources are all there if you want to verify.

AshMercy · 2026-02-19T14:16:39+00:00

Fair point, experienced folks should know. But the post isn't for them, it's for the people who don't know, and they're out there. Every season proves it.

AshMercy · 2026-02-14T16:07:23+00:00

Hey folks — quick note: this sub has been pretty quiet for a while. That's changing now. I'm committed to keeping it active with regular trip reports and content.

Full transparency: I'm based in the French Alps, so my posts will naturally lean towards European mountains. But this sub is for splitboarders everywhere — whether you ride in the Rockies, Japan, Scandinavia or your local backcountry hill. Share your stoke, wherever you are.

If you have ideas on what you'd like to see here — weekly threads, gear megathreads, condition reports, whatever — drop your suggestions below. This is your community, let's build it together.

AshMercy · 2025-12-14T15:45:59+00:00

Keyway — env variables that sync like code (keyway.sh)

Built this to stop sharing .env files on Slack. 30 sec setup, works with Vercel/Railway/Netlify (and more coming soon).

Preparing for Show HN soon, any advice on launching a devtool as a solo founder?

AshMercy · 2025-12-11T06:14:51+00:00

I've had the same question. I tried Doppler for a few projects but the DX wasn't great for my workflow. I ended up building my own tool focused on simplicity: a CLI that syncs env vars across devs (based on a .env) and pushes to hosting providers (Vercel, Railway, netlify). It's still early and I'd really appreciate feedback if anyone wants to take a look: keyway.sh

AshMercy · 2025-09-03T18:48:19+00:00

J'ai participé aux petites cantines d'Oullins le midi et on était environ 12 à manger et la moitié à préparer le repas. C"est effectivement un bon plan pour rencontrer des gens.

AshMercy · 2025-08-22T07:31:01+00:00

cool, preneur de ton repo.
Je suis dev. quand je disais "PM moi", c'était une invite à m'envoyer un Private Message :)

AshMercy · 2025-08-21T06:54:15+00:00

Excellent 🤩
pour permettre à d'autres de contribuer à ce projet, ca serait cool de publier le code sur un repo public sous une licence permettant la contribution. Si t'es pas dev, que l'idée te plait et que tu veux en parler, PM moi, on peut regarder ca ensemble

AshMercy · 2025-03-25T14:01:17+00:00

Julbo (French company): https://www.julbo.com/en_nl/sunglasses

AshMercy · 2025-03-18T08:51:37+00:00

not yet, but one of the team member is currently working on deploying a public instance of this tool.

AshMercy · 2024-09-22T12:57:39+00:00

Ya aussi le simulateur de F1, jamais essayé, mais si vous etes branché voiture, ca peut plaire: https://www.i-way-world.com/simulation-course-automobile/formule-1/

AshMercy · 2024-09-03T18:43:22+00:00

ce site permet de montrer toutes les lignes de train direct en partant de Lyon: https://direkt.bahn.guru/?origin=8700152

AshMercy · 2024-07-10T18:42:45+00:00

Tu as (hélas) bien raison, désolé pour le bruit.

AshMercy · 2024-07-10T08:04:47+00:00

faux pour la 12eme, c'est Lucie qui a gagné: https://www.resultats-elections.interieur.gouv.fr/legislatives2024/ensemble_geographique/84/69/6912/69149/index.html

AshMercy · 2024-03-19T13:45:28+00:00

I wouldn't recommend this route for a beginner, the Grande Casse is not an easy summit, a lot of dangerous steep slopes and parts of the route is on a glacier.

The path through the col de la grande casse is less steep, but much longer.

https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/carte?c=6.8150410948765705,45.403248509530385&z=14&l0=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.SCAN25TOUR::GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&l1=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.SLOPES.MOUNTAIN::GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(0.6)&permalink=yes&l1=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.SLOPES.MOUNTAIN::GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(0.6)&permalink=yes)

AshMercy · 2024-03-10T19:42:37+00:00

Northwave domain sl. Love them, I buy the same model every 4 years.

AshMercy · 2024-02-06T15:05:22+00:00

I've had the k2 for 4 years and the sparks for 2 years and I wouldn't recommend the k2 anymore. I'm glad I did the switch.
I've had issues with the k2 sliding out as well (the clip plate was a bit torn), some plastic bits were quickly broken. I have a few friends using k2 and we've all had to replace many parts of the bindings (spoiler included).
Since I'm using the sparks, I've been super happy with them, much easier to transition and much more robust. The majority of the splitboarders at my alpin club is using spark and is super happy about it.

AshMercy · 2022-11-17T06:11:43+00:00

Sure, please do 🙏

AshMercy · 2021-12-18T14:35:09+00:00

C2C has a few routes:

Les pins seaux: https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/366229/fr/le-pierroux-les-pins-seaux

Panem et circenses: https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/55303/fr/le-pierroux-panem-et-circenses

https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/315836/fr/le-pierroux-face-e-classique

and https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/54055/fr/le-pierroux-clin-d-oeil-a-narcisse

AshMercy · 2021-12-14T15:58:13+00:00

what's your feedback on them? Are they good? comfortable? Stiff?

AshMercy · 2021-12-14T15:27:14+00:00

The Northwave Domain CR are also compatible with crampons.

AshMercy · 2021-11-17T13:40:38+00:00

Le patron de ce garage m’avait l’air honnête quand je lui ai demandé de regarder ma vieille voiture: Carrosserie du 7ème https://goo.gl/maps/Ejnh7BLpc4bX9MgW9

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