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36-397: The airport is considered dangerous, as it features a difficult approach, an upward-sloping runway and ski runs in the adjacent area. The History Channel program Most Extreme Airports ranks it as the seventh most extreme airport in the world. Courchevel Altiport was the brainchild of Michel Ziegler in the early 1960s. By 1961 plans were in place, and upon opening Courchevel Altiport was

72-433: A centrifugal force acting outward on the outer wheel. The smaller the radius of curvature , the greater the centrifugal force. Superelevation means that the outer edge of the track is raised relative to the inner edge. This results in a gravitational force acting in the opposite direction to the centrifugal force. This improves the distribution of the load across both rails, ensuring stability and safety for trains navigating

108-430: A railway track or camber of a road (also referred to as superelevation , cross slope or cross fall ) is the rate of change in elevation (height) between the two rails or edges of the road. This is normally greater where the railway or road is curved; raising the outer rail or the outer edge of the road creates a banked turn , thus allowing vehicles to travel round the curve at greater speeds than would be possible if

144-410: A balance between weight, centrifugal force, and normal force (the horizontal component of the tilted gravitational force). In the approximation it is assumed that the cant is small compared to the gauge of the track. It is often convenient to define the unbalanced cant E u {\displaystyle E_{u}} as the maximum allowed additional amount of cant that would be required by

180-679: A color-coded system. The actual color system differs in parts for each country, although in all countries blue (easy), red (intermediate) and black (expert) are used. Shapes are often not used, sometimes all ratings are circles as being defined in the basic rules of the German Skiing Association DSV. The three basic color codes of the DSV have been integrated into the national standards DIN 32912 in Germany and ÖNORM S 4610 f in Austria. In Scandinavia,

216-777: A possible easier way down than other options. Japan uses a color-coded system, but shapes do not usually accompany them. Some resorts, mainly those catering to foreigners, use the North American or European color-coding system, adding to the confusion. The usual ratings are: Japan has more than 1000 ski areas (115 in Nagano Prefecture alone), many of them small and family-oriented, so comparisons between slope classifications in Japan and "equivalent" slopes in Europe or North America can be misleading. Off-camber corner The cant of

252-408: A resort near Boise , Idaho , uses orange diamonds on trailhead signs considered to be more difficult than double black diamonds; however, those trails are indicated on the trail map as double black diamonds. Jiminy Peak , MA uses two variations of normal trail ratings; one is a blue square with a green circle inside of it used to represent an easy-intermediate trail. The other is a blue square with

288-579: A similar system is used with the addition of shapes, simplifying the identification of snow covered signs (see table below). Slopes marked green, blue or red are groomed in all countries; blacks are groomed in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavian resorts, while in France most black slopes are not groomed, but some are. All other classifications are generally not groomed. Sometimes slopes are marked on piste maps as dotted or as dashed lines, this also signifies that

324-463: A single black diamond in it, used to represent an intermediate-hard trail. Usually, the terrain park will carry its own trail rating, indicating the level of challenge. A terrain park with a Black Diamond or Double Black Diamond rating would contain greater and more challenging obstacles than a park with a Blue Square rating. Typically, a skier would be able to descend through a terrain park without necessarily negotiating any of its features, making this

360-550: A system is used with similar colours as elsewhere in Europe, but with shapes as well. In North America, Australia and New Zealand, a color–shape rating system is used to indicate the comparative difficulty of trails (otherwise known as slopes or pistes). The steepness of ski trails is usually measured by grade (as a percentage) instead of degree angle. In general, beginner slopes (green circle) are between 6% and 25%. Intermediate slopes (blue square) are between 25% and 40%. Difficult slopes (black diamond) are 40% and up. However, this

396-468: A train moving faster than the speed for which the cant was designed, setting the maximum allowed speed v m a x {\displaystyle v_{max}} . In a formula this becomes with d = 1 / r {\displaystyle d=1/r} the curvature of the track, which is also the turn in radians per unit length of track. In the United States, maximum speed

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432-1069: A training guide for prospective racers as "the hardest corners you will encounter" on the track. Many notable courses such as Riverside International Raceway combine off-camber corners with elevation and link corners for extra driver challenge. On the street, they are a feature of some of the world's most celebrated paved roads, such as The "Dragon" (US 129) through Deals Gap and the "Diamondback" (NC 226A) in North Carolina, Route 78 in Ohio, Route 125 in Pennsylvania, Route 33 in California, and Betws-y-Coed Triangle in Snowdonia National Park in Wales. To mountain bikers and motorcyclists on trails and dirt tracks, off-camber corners are also challenging, and can be either an engineered course feature, or

468-502: A turn than on the inside. Off-camber corners are both feared and celebrated by skilled drivers. Handling them is a major factor in skilled vehicle control, both single-track and automotive; both engine-powered and human-powered vehicles; both on and off closed courses; and both on and off paved surfaces. On race courses, they are one of a handful of engineering factors at the disposal of a course designer in order to challenge and test drivers' skills. Off-camber corners were described by

504-551: Is French ("trail", "track") and synonymous with 'trail', 'slope', or 'run' in North America. The word is pronounced using a long "e" sound so that it rhymes with "beast". North Americans employ its common European antonym, 'off piste', to describe backcountry skiing , especially when referring to skiing outside officially approved areas of a ski resort . Pistes are not naturally occurring features, and must be created through human means. This can be done by "clearing" (removing

540-511: Is determined by the following formula: with E a {\displaystyle E_{a}} and E u {\displaystyle E_{u}} in inches, d {\displaystyle d} the degree of curvature in degrees per 100 feet and v m a x {\displaystyle v_{max}} in miles per hour. In Australia, the Australian Rail Track Corporation

576-433: Is increasing speed around curves sharper than an 800-metre (2,625 ft) radius by replacing wooden sleepers with concrete ones so that the cant can be increased. The rails themselves are now usually canted inwards by about 5 to 10 percent. In 1925 about 15 of 36 major American railways had adopted this practice. In civil engineering , cant is often referred to as cross slope or camber. It helps rainwater drain from

612-411: Is just a general "rule of thumb". Although slope gradient is the primary consideration in assigning a trail difficulty rating, other factors come into play. A trail will be rated by its most difficult part, even if the rest of the trail is easy. Ski resorts assign ratings to their own trails, rating a trail compared only with other trails at that resort. The resort may take into consideration the width of

648-424: Is subject to specific rules. When filling in g = 32.17 f t / s 2 {\displaystyle g=32.17\,\mathrm {ft/s^{2}} } , w = 56.5 i n {\displaystyle w=56.5\,\mathrm {in} } and the conversion factors for US customary units, the maximum speed of a train on curved track for a given cant deficiency or unbalanced superelevation

684-450: The UK, this is indicated on warning signs as "adverse camber". On more severe bends, the outside edge of the curve is raised, or superelevated , to help vehicles around the curve. The amount of superelevation increases with its design speed and with curve sharpness. An off-camber corner is described as the opposite of a banked turn , or a negative-bank turn, which is lower on the outside of

720-448: The United States is restricted to 75 mm (3 in), though 102 mm (4.0 in) is permissible by waiver. The maximum value for European railways varies by country, some of which have curves with over 280 mm (11 in) of unbalanced superelevation to permit high-speed transportation. The highest values are only for tilting trains , because it would be too uncomfortable for passengers in conventional train cars. Ideally,

756-516: The aim is for trains to run without flange contact, which also depends on the tire profile of the wheels. Allowance has to be made for the different speeds of trains. Slower trains will tend to make flange contact with the inner rail on curves, while faster trains will tend to ride outwards and make contact with the outer rail. Either contact causes wear and tear and may lead to derailment . Many high-speed lines do not permit slower freight trains, particularly with heavier axle loads . In some cases,

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792-399: The airport. Since 2014, Alpine Airlines is currently the only company worldwide to offer commercial flights to Courchevel Altiport. As of 2024, the facilities at the altiport for aircraft include a 10 space hangar, a single fire truck, a tractor for aircraft towing and a refuelling station. Customers and pilots can make use of two small chalets by the runway. The altiport has been used as

828-442: The amount of cant E a {\displaystyle E_{a}} , given the speed v {\displaystyle v} of a train, the radius of curvature r {\displaystyle r} and the gauge w {\displaystyle w} of the track, the relation must be fulfilled, with g {\displaystyle g} the gravitational acceleration. This follows simply from

864-475: The curve and improving passenger comfort. This stability prevents the wheel flanges from touching the rails, minimizing friction, wear and rail squeal . The necessary cant in a curve depends on the expected speed of the trains and the radius of curvature : the higher the speed, the greater the centrifugal force. However, the curve may use a compromise value, for example if slow-moving trains may occasionally use tracks intended for high-speed trains . Generally

900-426: The finish line of Tour de France stages on numerous occasions, given its steep gradient and location close to the ski resort of Courchevel. This French airport-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ski run A piste ( / p iː s t / ) is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing , snowboarding , or other mountain sports . This European term

936-466: The first mountain airport of its type. Michel, along with his wife Martine, owned Les Pilatus - a restaurant next to the runway. This facility still exists today as a restaurant and accommodation for skiers in the region. In the early 1970s, Air Alpes operated scheduled flights between Paris Orly and Courchevel utilizing de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter STOL -capable turboprop aircraft during

972-436: The impact is reduced by the use of flange lubrication . Ideally, the track should have sleepers ( railroad ties ) at a closer spacing and a greater depth of ballast to accommodate the increased forces exerted in the curve. At the ends of a curve, where the rails straighten out, the amount of cant cannot change from zero to its maximum immediately. It must change ( ramp ) gradually in a track transition curve . The length of

1008-409: The road surface. Along straight or gently curved sections, the middle of the road is normally higher than the edges. This is called "normal crown" and helps shed rainwater off the sides of the road. During road works that involve lengths of temporary carriageway, the slope may be the opposite to normal – for example, with the outer edge higher – which causes vehicles to lean towards oncoming traffic. In

1044-456: The season or when the snowpack is low, and to ensure the snow lasts throughout the season. Typically, classification is done by the resort, and ratings are relative to other trails within that resort. As such, they are not classified to an independent standard; although they are likely to be roughly similar, skiers should be cautious about assuming that ratings in two different resorts are absolutely equivalent. In Europe, pistes are classified by

1080-623: The ski season. In case of bad weather, the aircraft landed in Chambery and the passengers were bused to Courchevel. Air Alpes had an office and desk in the Les Pilatus restaurant, which was later absorbed into the dining facility. In the 1980s, Tyrolean Airways served Courchevel with Dash-7 STOL -capable turboprop aircraft capable of carrying 54 passengers. More recently, other de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters and DHC-7 Dash 7 turboprops have served

1116-463: The slope is not groomed. Alpine slope classification in Europe is less rigidly tied to slope angle than in North America. A lower angle slope may be classified as more difficult than a steeper slope if it requires better skiing ability because, for example, it is narrower, requires carrying speed through flatter sections or controlling speed through sharp hairpin turns, or features off-camber slope angles or exposed rock. In Norway, Sweden and Finland,

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1152-447: The surface were level. In curved railway tracks, the outer rail is elevated, providing a banked turn. This allows trains to navigate curves at higher speeds and reduces the pressure of the wheel flanges against the rails, minimizing friction and wear. The difference in elevation between the outer and inner rails is referred to as cant in most countries. The main functions of cant are the following: On horizontal curves, curvature causes

1188-480: The track in degrees per 100 feet, and v m a x {\displaystyle v_{max}} the maximum speed in miles per hour. The maximum value of cant (the height of the outer rail above the inner rail) for a standard gauge railway is approximately 150 mm (6 in). For high-speed railways in Europe, maximum cant is 180 mm (7 in) when slow freight trains are not allowed. Track unbalanced superelevation ( cant deficiency ) in

1224-482: The trail, sharpest turns, terrain roughness, the direction of the fall line, and whether the trail is groomed regularly. Difficult This trail rating is fairly new; by the 1980s, technological improvements in trail construction and maintenance, coupled with intense marketing competition, led to the creation of a Double Black Diamond rating. These trails are among the rarest. Non-standard symbols for standard ratings may be encountered at some ski areas. Bogus Basin ,

1260-401: The transition depends on the maximum allowable speed; the higher the speed, the greater length is required. For the United States, with a standard maximum unbalanced superelevation of 75 mm (3 in), the formula is this: where E a {\displaystyle E_{a}} is the superelevation in inches, d {\displaystyle d} is the curvature of

1296-401: The trees only) or by "grading" (clearing followed by reshaping of the surface by machines like graders ). Pistes are usually maintained using tracked vehicles known as snowcats to compact or " groom " the snow to even out trail conditions, remove moguls , and redistribute snow to extend the ski season. Natural snow is often augmented with snow making machines and snow reserves, early in

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