Thanks to the gang for a great week! Next years dates are already in the diary...
Showing posts with label BASI Instructor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BASI Instructor. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 March 2017
Vanoise adventures
The Foehn wind is currently raging outside while I am having a well-timed day off after a busy week of steep ski coaching in the Vanoise for Jerry, Stuart, Jason and Roger. With an average age of 61.75 these boys can still rip and show there is no age limit for making changes in your skiing!
Thanks to the gang for a great week! Next years dates are already in the diary...
Thanks to the gang for a great week! Next years dates are already in the diary...
Saturday, 24 January 2015
Good news... bad news...
A spectacular day yesterday to end a week of good snow and sunshine for the Off Piste Improvers course in the Val D'Anniviers, overshadowed by the news on the way home that Brendan O'Sullivan and 'American Dave' Rosenberger had been killed in separate incidents in the Mont Blanc range.
I never met Brendan, but he was a regular partner of Ben Briggs' with a CV of steep and serious descents and an active figure in the current steep ski/board scene. I only skied in Dave's company once, on the West face of the Eiger, and he blew me away with the ease of his positive, solid skiing on funky snow. Some big big snowfalls are predicted for the end of this week - take it easy out there folks!
The 'Captain' taking off on 600m vertical of perfect powder straight from the lifts yesterday afternoon!
More photos to follow from last week...
I never met Brendan, but he was a regular partner of Ben Briggs' with a CV of steep and serious descents and an active figure in the current steep ski/board scene. I only skied in Dave's company once, on the West face of the Eiger, and he blew me away with the ease of his positive, solid skiing on funky snow. Some big big snowfalls are predicted for the end of this week - take it easy out there folks!
More photos to follow from last week...
Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Top 5 bits of kit for 14/15
This week the mist has been hanging over Bozel lake in the morning and the Grand Bec is sporting a dusting of snow up top which means only one thing - winter is on its way!
With this in mind here are my top 5 bits of kit for the coming winter:
1 Whitedot Skis Ranger Carbonlite
Super-light, wide enough for great float in all snow conditions, but stiff enough to maintain great grip when the going gets firm, these skis became my go-to weapon of choice last winter. Stable at speed yet surprisingly manoeuvrable at slow speeds and in tight spots, the torsional stiffness also made them very comfortable on the uphill, particularly skinning on refrozen spring snow when often a wider ski can feel like it is about to break out sideways on every step.
2 Dynafit Mercury boots
The touring boot market has really come on leaps and bounds since my first pair of touring boots (red Denalis... fortunately I missed out on the TR9s and other delights!) and Dynafit really hit the spot with the Mercury - beefy enough to drive big skis hard, but with great ankle freedom in walk mode and all at just 1.7Kg per foot. The 3rd buckle (the missing link on the TLT5) gives for great holding power, keeping the heel locked in the pocket, and the simplicity of the walk/ski lock mechanism is great, particularly on wild & windy changeovers when you want to minimise faffing!
3 Silva Expedition 4 compass
No batteries to run out when you most need them, a compass (and map) is your best friend if you do get caught out in poor visibility. Of course it helps if you know how to use it properly, but then, you did learn how to navigate using a map and compass before buying that GPS, didn't you? And no, a smartphone is no substitute for a dedicated navigation device...
4 Terra Nova bothy bag
Not the smallest item in my pack but now a regular feature after this incident 2 years ago... Looking after an injured skier in a Norwegian blizzard hammered home the benefits of having a proper, decent-sized shelter. If you need to cover a casualty lying down + one rescuer then a 4 person version is the minimum to get really good coverage without having to move them too much (they will thank you if they have a broken pelvis...).
5 Snow
OK so its not really a piece of 'kit', but here is hoping for some fantastic light fluffy (and relatively stable) snow for this coming winter!
On the subject of kit, I now have a pair of Tech 250 crampons in transit from the USA so will post up a review as soon as they arrive and I can get out to test them out...
***Edit on 16th October***
To add to the above list, all I want for Christmas is an LED lightsuit!:
With this in mind here are my top 5 bits of kit for the coming winter:
1 Whitedot Skis Ranger Carbonlite
Super-light, wide enough for great float in all snow conditions, but stiff enough to maintain great grip when the going gets firm, these skis became my go-to weapon of choice last winter. Stable at speed yet surprisingly manoeuvrable at slow speeds and in tight spots, the torsional stiffness also made them very comfortable on the uphill, particularly skinning on refrozen spring snow when often a wider ski can feel like it is about to break out sideways on every step.
2 Dynafit Mercury boots
The touring boot market has really come on leaps and bounds since my first pair of touring boots (red Denalis... fortunately I missed out on the TR9s and other delights!) and Dynafit really hit the spot with the Mercury - beefy enough to drive big skis hard, but with great ankle freedom in walk mode and all at just 1.7Kg per foot. The 3rd buckle (the missing link on the TLT5) gives for great holding power, keeping the heel locked in the pocket, and the simplicity of the walk/ski lock mechanism is great, particularly on wild & windy changeovers when you want to minimise faffing!
3 Silva Expedition 4 compass
No batteries to run out when you most need them, a compass (and map) is your best friend if you do get caught out in poor visibility. Of course it helps if you know how to use it properly, but then, you did learn how to navigate using a map and compass before buying that GPS, didn't you? And no, a smartphone is no substitute for a dedicated navigation device...
4 Terra Nova bothy bag
Not the smallest item in my pack but now a regular feature after this incident 2 years ago... Looking after an injured skier in a Norwegian blizzard hammered home the benefits of having a proper, decent-sized shelter. If you need to cover a casualty lying down + one rescuer then a 4 person version is the minimum to get really good coverage without having to move them too much (they will thank you if they have a broken pelvis...).
5 Snow
OK so its not really a piece of 'kit', but here is hoping for some fantastic light fluffy (and relatively stable) snow for this coming winter!
On the subject of kit, I now have a pair of Tech 250 crampons in transit from the USA so will post up a review as soon as they arrive and I can get out to test them out...
***Edit on 16th October***
To add to the above list, all I want for Christmas is an LED lightsuit!:
AFTERGLOW - Lightsuit Segment from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.
Sunday, 23 March 2014
Steep Vanoise 2014 last day
For the last day of this year's Steep Vanoise course it was time for a proper adventure.
The North couloir of the Grand Perron des Encombres has been on my list of things to do for a while, but lack of time, or a suitably fit, competent and motivated team, plus the need for a car shuttle to make life easy, have stopped me getting in there until now...
The Grand Perron seen from La Masse. The North couloir is just visible right of summit, disappearing behind the rocky ridge:
An icy ski down the Vanoise/Maurienne watershed ridge and a bit of traversing took us to the Col des Encombres, where we put skins on for the climb:
The Maurienne valley gradually comes into view:
An airy scramble to the summit:
Amanda, Vadim and Rod on the Grand Perron summit:
Looking down the North couloir from the summit:
Vadim finding powder high in the couloir:
Rod:
Amanda:
Team looking moody:
Looking back at the Grand Perron - the dogleg couloir obvious below the summit
A big thank you to Amanda, Rod and Vadim for being a great team - see you next year!
The North couloir of the Grand Perron des Encombres has been on my list of things to do for a while, but lack of time, or a suitably fit, competent and motivated team, plus the need for a car shuttle to make life easy, have stopped me getting in there until now...
The Grand Perron seen from La Masse. The North couloir is just visible right of summit, disappearing behind the rocky ridge:
An icy ski down the Vanoise/Maurienne watershed ridge and a bit of traversing took us to the Col des Encombres, where we put skins on for the climb:
The Maurienne valley gradually comes into view:
An airy scramble to the summit:
Amanda, Vadim and Rod on the Grand Perron summit:
Looking down the North couloir from the summit:
Vadim finding powder high in the couloir:
Rod:
Amanda:
Team looking moody:
Looking back at the Grand Perron - the dogleg couloir obvious below the summit
A big thank you to Amanda, Rod and Vadim for being a great team - see you next year!
Monday, 17 March 2014
Steep Vanoise day 1 - 3 Valleys (inc conditions report)
"Reports of winter's demise have been greatly exaggerated"
This misquote of a Mark Twain misquote pretty much sums up the current situation.
Despite what you may read elsewhere there is still plenty of snow on the hills (and right down to resort level), and actually some reasonable conditions to be found off piste, and with more snow due this weekend & early next week we should be well set for a little while longer...
Today was the first day of this year's Steep Vanoise week, and we headed up into the 3 Valleys for a 'warm-up' day.
High up in Mottaret true North and also North-East aspects still held some nice chalky snow along with some patches of soft old powder:
It was all going horribly wrong for a pilot in Val Thorens - missing the runway and clipping a load of marker poles before nearly going down a stream hole and finally coming to a stop!
Val Thorens and Orelle were quite wind-affected and it was harder to find good cold snow, but a few of the good old 'secret spots' still had some great spring snow.
Vadim & Rod in the Epaule Bouchet couloir:
Vadim opening up the gas on some good corn snow:
In general sunny aspects are well transformed, though the Sahara layer from a few weeks back is very obvious and seems to have affected the surface layer which is very featured (even where it hasn't been skied). Timing is everything for spring snow, and it is definitely worth putting in the effort to get away from tracked snow at the moment. High and North in Mottaret is currently very good. Pistes in general seem to be holding up well, and the run back into Mottaret was in good shape at 4pm today.
This misquote of a Mark Twain misquote pretty much sums up the current situation.
Despite what you may read elsewhere there is still plenty of snow on the hills (and right down to resort level), and actually some reasonable conditions to be found off piste, and with more snow due this weekend & early next week we should be well set for a little while longer...
Today was the first day of this year's Steep Vanoise week, and we headed up into the 3 Valleys for a 'warm-up' day.
High up in Mottaret true North and also North-East aspects still held some nice chalky snow along with some patches of soft old powder:
It was all going horribly wrong for a pilot in Val Thorens - missing the runway and clipping a load of marker poles before nearly going down a stream hole and finally coming to a stop!
Val Thorens and Orelle were quite wind-affected and it was harder to find good cold snow, but a few of the good old 'secret spots' still had some great spring snow.
Vadim & Rod in the Epaule Bouchet couloir:
Vadim opening up the gas on some good corn snow:
In general sunny aspects are well transformed, though the Sahara layer from a few weeks back is very obvious and seems to have affected the surface layer which is very featured (even where it hasn't been skied). Timing is everything for spring snow, and it is definitely worth putting in the effort to get away from tracked snow at the moment. High and North in Mottaret is currently very good. Pistes in general seem to be holding up well, and the run back into Mottaret was in good shape at 4pm today.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Courchevel off piste conditions
A quick update on off piste conditions in Courchevel.
In a nutshell - "good, but rapidly getting heavy"
Yesterday we had 30/40cm of light fresh powder all over, but even by lunchtime sunny slopes were feeling the heat of the sun.
Today the foehn wind has gradually been picking up, with 5ºC at 1800m at lunchtime. North facing slopes are still fantastic, but anything that has seen some sun is heavier, with some aspects developing a light crust. The humidification of the snowpack will doubtless continue through the afternoon as well...
The Equinox face was in great shape today (so good I skied it twice) and hardly a soul had been into Les Avals, though it is worth now finding the shady slopes for the best skiing.
Reports also in of the Breche Portetta being skied in good conditions yesterday, with both entries in good shape...
Half term mayhem in Courchevel? Not really...
In a nutshell - "good, but rapidly getting heavy"
Yesterday we had 30/40cm of light fresh powder all over, but even by lunchtime sunny slopes were feeling the heat of the sun.
Today the foehn wind has gradually been picking up, with 5ºC at 1800m at lunchtime. North facing slopes are still fantastic, but anything that has seen some sun is heavier, with some aspects developing a light crust. The humidification of the snowpack will doubtless continue through the afternoon as well...
The Equinox face was in great shape today (so good I skied it twice) and hardly a soul had been into Les Avals, though it is worth now finding the shady slopes for the best skiing.
Reports also in of the Breche Portetta being skied in good conditions yesterday, with both entries in good shape...
Half term mayhem in Courchevel? Not really...
Saturday, 11 January 2014
Kicking off 2014
The first Off Piste course of 2014 kicks off this evening here in the 3 Valleys, it will be interesting to see how the snow is after a week of warmer temperatures (I have been 'down-valley' doing some consultancy work for Petzl this week).
Last day off for a while for me so time to kick off the next generation - Offpisteskiing Junior took to skis for the first time today:
The forecast is for some light snowfall on Mon/Tues this week, so fingers are crossed it will put down a reasonable layer. 'Red(-ish) sky in the morning, shepherds warning':
Last day off for a while for me so time to kick off the next generation - Offpisteskiing Junior took to skis for the first time today:
The forecast is for some light snowfall on Mon/Tues this week, so fingers are crossed it will put down a reasonable layer. 'Red(-ish) sky in the morning, shepherds warning':
Monday, 11 November 2013
Slideshow 2012/13
...and finally... now that winter 2013/14 has kicked off... here is a selection of pictures from courses and days out with friends last winter:
offpisteskiing.com Winter 2012/13 Slideshow from Simon Christy on Vimeo.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Chamonix Freeride coaching week
Last week I was in Chamonix for 6 days of coaching on the www.offpisteskiing.com Freeride course, run alongside Jagged Globe.
With a Foehn system having blown through over the previous few days the Chamonix valley was not necessarily going to be in prime condition and this was proven true at the Grands Montets on the first day, with a thin layer of powder over big bumps everywhere apart from the very top lift.
Plan B was called for, and this appeared in the shape of Courmayeur, with 30cms of powder on a soft base almost everywhere!
The scenery matches the quality of the coffee & food!
With such good conditions it would have been rude not to spend a bit more time exploring the massive off piste potential of the area,
High entry to Dolonne in top form:
900m vertical of powder? Yes please...
Alex lower down:
The exit "combat ski" was actually in reasonable condition:
Arp Vieille shoulder couloir:
Alex:
Alice:
Audrey:
A happy team:
A day back at Le Tour midweek only confirmed how much better the Italian side was, though we found good conditions in the Combe des Jeurs and below the Arolette. Given the option though, everyone voted for Courmayeur again for our last days.
Looking into the Arp face:
Audrey in the couloir:
Amanda reaping the rewards:
Alex:
The team's handywork:
All in all a fantastic week! The team all made great progress with their skiing, and we ticked off an enviable number of classic lines in great snow - roll on next year!
With a Foehn system having blown through over the previous few days the Chamonix valley was not necessarily going to be in prime condition and this was proven true at the Grands Montets on the first day, with a thin layer of powder over big bumps everywhere apart from the very top lift.
Plan B was called for, and this appeared in the shape of Courmayeur, with 30cms of powder on a soft base almost everywhere!
The scenery matches the quality of the coffee & food!
With such good conditions it would have been rude not to spend a bit more time exploring the massive off piste potential of the area,
High entry to Dolonne in top form:
900m vertical of powder? Yes please...
Alex lower down:
The exit "combat ski" was actually in reasonable condition:
Arp Vieille shoulder couloir:
Alex:
Alice:
Audrey:
A happy team:
A day back at Le Tour midweek only confirmed how much better the Italian side was, though we found good conditions in the Combe des Jeurs and below the Arolette. Given the option though, everyone voted for Courmayeur again for our last days.
Looking into the Arp face:
Audrey in the couloir:
Amanda reaping the rewards:
Alex:
The team's handywork:
All in all a fantastic week! The team all made great progress with their skiing, and we ticked off an enviable number of classic lines in great snow - roll on next year!
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