European Snowsport

Outstanding, independent ski schools in Verbier, Zermatt, Nendaz, St Moritz and Chamonix

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    The ES party

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    The biggest irony of training at the start of the season is that the week is punctuated by social events that have “”an inhibitive impact” on the training itself.

    Still, despite the risk to our own personal performances, we still managed to sneak down to the T-Bar to say hi to everyone, and meet up with Verbier’s staff, both old and new (and, after consulting Dr Chris, indulge in a few medicinal shandies).

    So thanks to everyone who joined us, and especially to Louis, who turns out to be something of a musical talent, as well as looking a bit like a roadie out of Spinal Tap…


    …Louis belts out a few tunes.


    …proof that boarders always wear hats.


    …the Swedes getting patriotic.


    …Sandy amazingly failed to fall over.


    …and Toby was – once again – the model of professionalism, if not sobriety…

    Evidence at last

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    Jules, we don’t want to question your fashion sense, but somehow Bella made that hat work:

    And we’ve also just found a pair of shoes that we thought belonged to Gus, but, after checking the size, we realised they were far too big.

    Sunny weekdays

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    After a busy holiday weekend the slopes are now much quieter and there is plenty of room for everyone despite the limited open runs. All the ski schools are out on the snow doing their training in anticipation of the Christmas rush.

    The start of the week was definitely a bit chilly which has kept the snow dry and powdery. The snow cannons have been working at full tilt to get down a good base and the slope down to Ruinettes is now open and well groomed.

    Tuesday morning saw a small amount of new snow although the weather since then has cleared up, visibility has improved and we have seen bright and sunny afternoons. Thoughts are varied on when the next big fall will be but the consensus seems to be after this weekend

    Yesterday saw the opening of the La Chaux area. Conditions here were mixed with generally good coverage but care needing to be taken over bare patches below some of the blind ridges. Looking up towards Mont Fort tracks could be seen coming down the main face – perhaps the pisteurs been getting in a sneaky run?? Either that or some very dedicated tourers as nothing is operational near this level yet.

    At Lac des Vaux some strange sights – is this the return of “The Balloon Dance”?????????
    Getting a bit peckish or just need a quick chocolate break?

    On-mountain restaurants open are the café at the top of the Funispace and at Ruinettes the main café and the outside Kiosk – definitely worth a stop for the deckchairs and awesome view. The Chalet Carlsberg halfway up Attelas also appears to be in action for snacks and drinks.

    Down at Medran the Offshore Coffee Bar is serving their famous chicken sandwiches amongst other tasty things – although today’s soup offering must take some beating!! (see picture).

    The forecast is for sunny days to the weekend temperatures on mountain around 6°C. Over the weekend clouds will be more evident and the temperature will be dropping. The next new snowfall is promised for Tuesday 19th ……… hang on in there!!!!

    Surviving training…

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    Since the last (fantastic) dump of snow the whole school has been getting put through our collective paces in training.

    Now we’re all massively excited to be back on the snow, but at the start of the week we were all, naturally, rather concerned at being thrown back into instructor training. Especially with the zebedeee-like Michel introducing lots of obscure Swiss techniques that look rather clever and stylish when performed correctly, but largely results in us tripping ourselves up and looking slightly uncomfortable.

    But, if nothing else, it gives us the chance to bond through mutual humiliation…

    Suffice to say, there has been a bar full of very smiley if exhausted instructors at the end of each day.

    And the intensive training was taken in a new direction with the arrival of the equally zebedee-like Sean Langmuir. Sean is a highly respected BASI trainer who the boss brought in to help the development of our instructors planning on taking further exams this season.

    Sean, and his unique hybrid Canadian/Highland accent, was a brilliant addition to the training team, and his input was a resounding success wit everyone, although Claire G advised us – in her customary Northern tones – “Stay clear of Sean – he’s a right sadist”. She does, however, share similar views on Michel, and most people that she secretly likes.

    I know that in the last bog I might have gloated about Sandy taking a tumble, so it’s only fair that I admit I might have also “lost my footing” today. In my defence the ski just popped off. No warning. I did nothing wrong. Well, nothing I can remember, but it was all a bit of a blur.

    On the plus side, Sandy also fell over again. Which leaves me leading 2 – 1 in the not-falling-over stakes.

    We’re all off to the Pub Mont Fort for “nibbles and a drink” – I’ll let you know what colour Kato’s looking tomorrow.

    (Sadly, there aren’t any new pics for you at the moment, although I have been made aware of Jules getting snapped in Bella’s rather fetching pink beanie at lunchtime in l’Olympique, as soon as it’s been located, it’ll be here…)