3 Valleys Off Piste coaching - Feb 19

2 weeks into an a March heatwave it seems like a long time ago we were skiing cold powder in a storm, but it was only 2 weeks... I had a great week coaching and guiding a group from the Eagle Ski Club. Based in Bozel, we skied mostly in the 3 Valleys, with conditions going from one extreme to the other- -10C and hiding in the trees from the storm on Monday to +10C and afternoon slush by the Friday!

2 weeks later and there is still cold snow to be found on shady slopes, with good spring snow on sunnier aspects if you can get away from old ski tracks and get the timing just right!

Courchevel snow report 22 Feb 2018

A few photos to sum up current conditions in Courchevel...

Despite rain to 2200m at the back end of last week the skiing has been fantastic this week:

offpisteskiing jr under the cables of the Saulire:

Courchevel - it's not all about Russians and money:

Last day tomorrow with Nick, Rhian, Mike, Monica, Ben and James - the weather looks set to stay cold so the snow should be great!

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...

Petit Mont Blanc (Vanoise)

Yesterday I was out and about in Les Avals for the first time this year. Some soft snow still to be found even on the sunny aspects, but the thin snowpack still needs care as there are plenty of buried (and not buried) rocks, along with pockets of windslab over facetted snow. Fortunately on the Petit Mont Blanc it is possible to stay on sub-30º slopes pretty much the whole way and it was worth the walk for a silky smooth ski down. Only a handful of other folks out yesterday, and very few skin tracks heading off elsewhere (not surprisingly). Hopefully the snow due this weekend will open up a few more options.

Petit Mont Blanc - 8 Jan 2015 from Simon Christy on Vimeo.