Deux Alpes to St Christophe

Yesterday we took the teams up to Venosc and in to the Deux Alpes ski area. The morning was spent in the Fee area with some coaching on steeper ground with variable snow.

Mark throwing some silhouette shapes:



Andy enjoying some better snow:



James in action:



In the afternoon we took both teams down the descent from Lac Noir to St Christophe - a classic line on an improbable mountainside - viewed from most angles a ski descent looks impossible but nowhere does the skiing get over 40º...



First turns:



Mark takes a rest after some good powder in the first bowl:



A bit of 'technical sideslipping' to rejoin the ridge:



The snow was a bit crusty low down, but still quite skiable:



Great scenery all the way:



Views into the Vallon de la Selle from the final shoulder above St Christophe:



Tania negotiates the 'St Christophe slalom':



A well-earned beer for the team in La Cordee:



Today was another La Grave day, and despite a pessimistic briefing from the lift operators in the morning there was actually loads of wind-buffed, smooth & supportive snow to ski - not powder, but very pleasant!

Off Piste Perfection coaching week

This week I am in the Oisans area running an Off Piste Perfection course alongside IFMGA Mountain Guide Jim Kerr.
A warm-up day in Alpe D'Huez gave surprisingly deep powder though with a few hidden rocks thrown in. We still managed to fit in some good laps in the couloirs off the Petite Rousses, and finish with a good run off the Pic Blanc in the Combe du Loup.

The last couple of days we have been in La Grave, with exceedingly cold temperatures (-23ºC this morning!) but great snow & visibility. Both days I have been coaching steep skiing technique, with runs down the Couloir Banane and Fréaux couloir yesterday, and today a joint team descent of the legendary Chirouze.

Andy in the Banane:



A short skin back to La Grave from the bottom of the Fréaux:



Getting a tow across to the top lift at La Grave:



Nathan in the Chirouze:



A happy team in the Chirouze exit couloir:



3 more days to go - fortunately the temperature is set to rise a bit, so the expedition duvet jacket may get left behind tomorrow...