6th Month of the 2008 season.
Heading to the Grands Montets today after another snowfall on tuesday and wednesday, I thought it might be ok end of season conditions but not one of the best powder days of the season.
Riding with some of the local chamonix crew the session was on from the first run down Lavanche bowl where a line of 3 hips was found and everyone was getting some good air time.
After a few laps down in Lavanche it was time to head up top to see how much better the snow could be up there at 3300m.......wow check out some of the pics here. Tomorrow its back to Flegere for a freestyle session in the natural park.
Season keeps on going
The winter season here in Chamonix just keeps on going with another amazing couple of powder days bagged earlier this week. Tuesday was a session on Grands Montets top lift where the snow was thigh deep and the roosters where flying.
Wednesday saw a freestyle session at the natural park of Flegere where all the jumps where going off. From the secret spot hips to the cat track drops everyone was throwing down the moves. The local seasonnaire crew where going for it with all sorts of spins and inverts into the very powdery landings.......one of the best days of the season.
This weekend a kicker building session is planned so looking forward to that and maybe I'll get the pictures sorted out that you all are waiting for. Later Keith
New for winter 2008 here at Alpinelines we’re offering you the chance to go Heliboarding for free when you book our 5 day freeride session. Click here for details.
Just got back from a 2 week spell in Laax, switzerland where I was coaching the McNab junior team through the British championships. Wow what a trip it was starting off with over a meter of fresh snow which for some of the kids was up to almost their necks. Assistant coach Dave Seeley and myself got the kids fired up with some powder and backcountry kicker sessions early in the first week and then hitting up the Laax park end of the first week.
The week of the Brits was another great success for the McNab junior team riding off with a total of 14 medals and numerous national snowboard titles covering all disciplines. Big well done to all the team !!
Back here in Chamonix the snow is still dumping down to the valley level and after a couple of days rest I'm now ready to get back on the hill to hike for some powder and to have a few park sessions with the local crew.
All those waiting for some photos and video of your trips with Alpinelines I'll be getting on it as soon as possible.......just a little more riding to be done. Later Keith.
Well here in Chamonix there hasn't been any fresh snow in almost 3 weeks but thanks to all the early season dumps the pistes are holding up very well.
This past week was the first of the new Heli freeride sessions and although there hadn't been any fresh snow in ages we still managed to find some powder. The week finished off with the heli drop up onto the Trient plateau in amazing blue sky and we found some of the best snow around in a north facing coulior. Got a bit tricky for me though after snapping my board 10 minutes into the descent and having to ride the rest of the way down without use of the tail section.......very tricky in powder !!
Some video of this past week to go online in the coming week, watch this space.
Well the pictures from the past weeks sessions are now online and for anyone who would like a look then check them out here
Here at Alpinelines we would like to wish everyone a very merry christmas.
Over the last week the weather has been great and the riding has been excellent too. The beginner sessions with the South African crew was really good fun seeing everyone progressing from never being on a snowboard before to being very competent riders so well done you lot. Pictures of the sessions to be uploaded at the weekend.
The last few days have been spent with groups of intermediates, Alex and Cindy from Australia, Patsy and Rich from bonny Scotland and big Pete and Steve from South Africa. All ripping up the slopes of the Grand Montets and Le tour with great improvements in technique shown from all, some pics from those sessions going online at the weekend too.
The snow is staying cold and the conditions on the pistes are great, lets hope it stays like this and we get some more snow soon. later Keith.
New video and more snow
A new video is now online with some footage of what to expect on the Heli freeride sessions. check it out here.
The snow just keeps falling here in Chamonix with another 40cm falling over friday night and saturday. With another 40-60cm's due in the next 2 days this truly is the most amazing start to the season in over 5 years. The high mountains and glaciers will be filling in quickly which means the off piste and backcountry riding will be in full flow shortly.
The heli freeride sessions are filling up quickly with only a few places left on the first 3 weeks so anyone tempted by a week of technique,powder and a helidrop should get in touch as soon as possible.
Lets hope this snow keeps coming, its going to be an epic season. Later Keith.
Here in Chamonix the resorts are gearing up to open and with another 40-70cm being forecast for the next 24 hours the weekend could be pretty good. Off to zermatt for the weekend so will post some news of snow conditions for Chamonix on Monday. Later Keith.
SNOW !!!!
The skies have cleared after 36 hours of snow and there is now a substantial base of snow in the valley. I took the new Alpinelines 4x4 to le tour resort car park late yesterday to have some fun in the fluffy stuff.
The resorts here in chamonix are saying they are going to be open early if the snow conditions allow. Looking at the amount of snow in just the car park the lifts will surely be open soon.
We are now taking bookings for sessions to take place in mid december so anyone looking for a pre season MOT on their riding should get in touch
Later Keith.
SNOW !!!!
Here in Chamonix winter has most definitely arrived with the first snow cover of the whole valley. As I write this news its dumping outside and the snow is lying and building up at town level. The forecast is for continued snow over the weekend and then another disturbance coming in on wednesday.
With the signs of winter arriving a bit earlier this year we are already filling up the snowboard sessions with only a few slots left over christmas / new year so anyone thinking of booking some lessons will have to be quick. Later Keith
Road Trip:
Leaving tonight for a road trip down to Finale on the Italian coast where I'll be checking out what mountain biking there is on offer. Its a 2 day trip with photography millionaire Dan Milner who is shooting a story for one of the mountain bike mags so watch out for that in the new year.
Chamonix:
Here in the valley the weather has turned considerably colder with the snowfall continuing in the mid - high mountains. This is proving to be a very good build up to the coming winter and we are now taking bookings for our snowboarding technique sessions.
Its off to the London ski show next week so if anyone is there come and say hello, I'll be there with McNab and will be doing a technique presentation so any questions you might have about your riding then come along and ask. Later Keith.
3 Country Hotspots -
Last week was a 3 country hotspots week which saw myself and the group riding here in Chamonix, Morzine, Verbier and a fantastic day in Pila, Italy to finnish the week. The visit to Pila was a first time ride for us here at Alpinelines but certainly wont be the last.
The afternoon saw us riding a 1700m single track descent that had everything from technical sections to fast smooth forest sections covered in pine needles. During the end section we rode around 5-600 meters down a very narrow trail which ran parallel to a small gorge, was like something from the Lord of the Ring's. A fantastic day to finnish the week and a spot we will definitely be mountain biking in again.
It's a Chamonix trails week now and the valley is now quieter with most of the holiday period over. The weather is good for next day or so then possibly some storms to test out the wet weather riding skills. Later Keith
Just back from 3 weeks of summer freestyle riding on Les Deux Alpes glacier and it was great fun. Riding the park all morning, sessioning all kinds of great stuff like hips, rails, kickers and of course the pipes. Then in the afternoon's it was back up the lifts for some mountain biking. Whilst there discovered a new 1400m of single track descent that had the crew whooping on the way down.
Back here in Chamonix the weather has been hot making the uphill's very thirsty work. Over the weekend there was some reconnaissance of some new trails here in the valley but also over in the Les Contamines area where some very good technical single track was ridden for the first time. Some really nice descents with some very tricky sections but all rideable.
A planned mid week trip over to Courmayeur to check out some trails there, will be sure to take the camera and get some pics for the Flickr page....Later Keith.
Tour du Mont Blanc
Well managed to get back to chamonix in one piece after a week of riding the TMB. The week went really well with a mix of very strange weather for late June including some thunder storms that put down fresh snow over some of the Cols.
The pictures are now online at the Alpinelines flickr page
No time to rest its off to Les Deux Alpes this weekend for the summer snowboard freestyle sessions with the Kommunity camps. Snowboarding in the mornings and blasting down the hills in the afternoons on the bike......how much more fun can you have !! cheers Keith.
The weather here in Chamonix has been very mixed lately with quite a few big thunderstorms. Hasn't stopped the riding though as a lot of the lifts have now opened for summer. The past weekend was a descent from Le Brevent which surprisingly still had a little snow on the trail, all the way to Argentiere.
As I write this news I'm packing up some kit for a Tour du Mont Blanc setting off on sunday. A small group of pretty fit riders so should make for some quick ascent and descents over the 6 days of the tour. I'll be putting the new camera to good use so watch this space in the next 2 weeks or so for some awesome footage of the endless single track we will get to ride on this classic mountain bike tour. Later Keith.
After a 2 week spell back in the UK its back to the chamonix valley. I have managed to get myself a new bike in the form of a Trek EX9 which I rode for the first time on Sunday. This bike is a very nice full suspension machine and a considerable step up from my old trusted Gt i-drive.
The ride on Sunday was fantastic with the weather clearing to very warm sunshine, it made for the perfect day for trying out the new bike.
A 650m single track descent ridden for the first time by me but previously checked out by a few of the chamonix XC diehards.
Words wouldn't do this trail justice, it had everything in there from full on techy sections, switchbacks and fast flowing stages through some tightly packed bushes. Just thinking about it makes me want to go do it again......maybe some video with the new bullet cam of this trail next time its ridden. Later Keith.
Single track heaven.
The last few days have seen a mixture of weather here in chamonix but that didn't stop the riding. In between the storms there was some nice weather which was just perfect for getting out on the trails. The weekend featured two very nice descents around Le Tour but there was climbs of around 900 meters to do first as all the lifts have now stopped for a few weeks.
This time of year is great for riding here in chamonix as the high mountains are still covered in snow but the lower trails are now clear and with nobody around its perfect. A few pics from the weekend here.
Mountain bike season starts
The mountain bike season has kicked off here in chamonix. After bringing the bike out from its winter home in the garage and giving it a good clean and service I've been out riding the trails here in Chamonix. The past week has seen me make a descent from the Flegere cable car where the first 100 meters or so was over the last remaining signs of snow on the south facing side of the valley. The ride was a favourite of mine taking in some very nice single track and also some pretty technical sections..... a great start to the season.
My second ride was a descent of the whole valley on the balcon sud beginning up at Le Tour, along on this ride was Tom Broadbent, one of the UK's top triathletes. Tom was training for forthcoming
competitions and a return to chamonix for a Tour Du Mont Blanc in June. Also along was chamonix local Dan Milner who had been riding his bike for the past 4 or 5 weeks which showed in the uphill's. Great time of year to be riding the trails here as its gone very quiet before the summer rush kicks off in July. Dates are now online for this summer's trips but be quick as places are booking up. Cheers keith.
Snowblind.
During last season and again this past winter I have been teaching Adil Latif to snowboard in preparation for him to reach a good enough level to do a heli drop to raise money for charity.
The impressive thing about Adi's mission to learn to snowboard is that he is blind. Well I'm delighted to say that this past weekend we took a heli to the high mountains around the Trient Plateau where Adi successfully did a descent on the glacier.
A short film has been edited from the weekend and can be viewed here.
Please visit his website and make a donation, even the smallest amount will make a difference.
Well its been a while since I last updated with any news and the end of the winter season is just around the corner. The month of march saw me traveling around a bit with a week in Laax,Switzerland coaching the McNab/Helly Hansen junior snowboard team at the British championships. Another 8 medals taken by the team including 4 British titles. A couple of technique weeks in Chamonix then it was off to Avoriaz for a freestyle week which went well in the scorching easter sunshine.
The weather here has been very sunny for a while now and I took full advantage whilst riding with some of Britain's young pro riders who were out in Chamonix for a backcountry safety week to be featured in snowboard UK next season. The guys were up for a few hikes but the best powder snow we found was on a heli day on the Trient plateau where we rode a north facing 40 degree coulior which had kept knee deep snow waiting for our group to carve up, plenty of whooping and hollering on that descent.
The resorts here in Chamonix are starting to wind down now with only Grand Montets and Flegere left open, I'm still hoping for a late snowfall and some final powder turns before the snowboard is packed away until the summer freestyle sessions.
I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone who came out for some snowboarding here in Chamonix with Alpinelines and will hopefully see you all next year. take it easy, Keith
Well the so called bad start to the snowboarding season here in chamonix is a long and distant memory due to the current snow conditions. In the last 4 or 5 days there has been over a meter of fresh snow and another meter forecast over the next few days. Next week is going to POW POW POW all the way, watch this space for the photos. Keith
Last week was a week of tricky conditions due to the fact it was an off piste technique group. The conditions off-piste were not at their best but we were not deterred and managed to get in some enjoyable snowboarding. On Friday even found some not bad powder. As I write this update though it has been snowing most of yesterday and even now there are big flakes falling which will improve the conditions. Its set to keep snowing on and off over the next 4 days so expect some nice powder photos with the next update. Keith
This past week has seen the conditions again improved by the snowfall in the middle of the week. Around 30-40cm of fresh snow meant some great riding here in Chamonix. Just some of the photos of the snow conditions that we have been riding here and here. Its become really cold too so the good snow is still around and this coming week I'll be working on an Off-piste technique course. Hopefully some more powder to be had !!!
FEEDBACK -
Alpine Lines provides simply the best technical instruction around.
They really know their stuff, they know Chamonix and they are just so
great at explaining the principles of snowboarding to new riders and
those looking to improve, in clear and plain language which you can then
put into your riding. They help riders to visualize how their technique
can be improved before even taking them onto the mountain and then putting
theory into practice.
For me personally, it was a great experience. I started the week
knowing how to get from the top of the mountain to the bottom, linking
my turns, but never really feeling confident about tackling steep slopes
or feeling 100% in control. On day 1, I knew this was going to be a
good experience. Before we did anything my instructor Keith got me off
the board, totally changed my binding set up and weight distribution and
got me set up correctly to suit my riding style. By the end of the
week, I was riding down the Kandahar, in full control, in style! Keith
was brilliant. He had a really relaxed way about him and was so
positive about my riding. He gave me an insight into the physics of
snowboarding - he talked about opposing pressure so much that it just
became second nature - and I really began to understand how to get my
board to do the work for me, rather than the other way around. After 3
sessions he had me riding switch, hitting kickers and powering carved
turns on black runs. When I moved on to riding powder, I found that his
instruction really came into its own and I was able to shred it! It
really was the best investment I've made in ages. So, if you're happy
with riding the way you've always done it, then fine. But if you really
want to discover how to ride properly, to use the snowboard the way it
was designed to be ridden, to get the most from your time on the
mountain and to have a lot of fun in the process, then get some lessons
with Alpine Lines and enjoy!
Best wishes
Mark Watson (Intermediate Freeride Sessions)
Well it has been dumping again here in chamonix with over 50cm of fresh snow in the last 48 hours. Last night and today it has rained pretty high up turning a lot of that good snow into very heavy soup. The good news though is that the freezing level has to plummet early next week so this should hopefully consolidate the heavy snow. The forecast is also saying more snow early next week but this time down as far as 600m so conditions will be very good this coming week. This past week has been an advanced level freeride group with everyone making great improvements in their riding level. Hope everyone enjoyed the week. Keith.
POWDER AND FREESTYLE- Happy New Year to all. This past week here in chamonix has seen the conditions greatly improved and now with all the resort area's open there is plenty of riding to be had. The middle of last week saw the first blue sky day after the big snowfall and everyone was up early and out on the mountain. We headed to Le tour equipped with all our avalanche kit,there was a good 30cm of powder underfoot and we were soon whooping our way in amongst it. After a few runs we decided to have a look into the Vormaine couliors to see how risky it looked. We had 3 great descents here keeping the best run till last with full on powder rooster's exploding 6 feet into the air. Yesterday saw a return to Le tour where the whole mountain was now opened and there was still some powder turns to be had. The Posettes lift opened late morning and so we headed up there and out left into the last remaining untouched powder field for a few fantastic runs. The rest of the afternoon was spent jumping and dropping from the now many freestyle hits sculpted around the front of the resort. With the afternoon sun now making the snow nice and soft the spins and backflips were being pulled out the bag. The natural Le Tour mini pipe under the front chair was in great condition and being sessioned by many groups of riders. The conditions here in chamonix are now fully back on track and with a little more snow due over the next few days its only going to get better. Later Keith.
The past week here at Alpinelines has been a busy one. The start of the week here in Chamonix was beginner snowboard technique sessions with Ben and Andrea. Well done to Andrea who after 3 beginner sessions is now linking turns, able to ride the lifts on her own and firmly on her way to becoming a good rider.
The second half of this week was an advanced freeride group (Tom,Michelle,Grant and Cooper) all improving greatly in their technique. With just 2 of chamonix's area's open we traveled to some of the other nearby resorts including Avoriaz and Verbier where we were lucky enough to even get to ride some powder!! Tomorrow sees the opening of some more resorts in chamonix. A merry christmas to all from us here at Alpinelines and hopefully more snow will arrive soon.
Over the weekend there has been a pretty big snowfall and people are now hiking up a little into the resort area's on boards, skis and sledges to enjoy the freshies. We have some spaces left on the beginner and intermediate sessions over christmas and new year so if you are in chamonix and want to improve snowboarding then get in touch.
Back home in chamonix after a 4 day mountain safety course in zermatt. Its been snowing here and there is another 20cm forecast over the weekend, been a little bit of a late start but the snow seems to coming now. Lets hope it keeps dumping.
The snowboarding season is well under way with a weeks freeride technique in zermatt. The weather has been sunny and the snow up on the glacier piste's has been very good. Next week its an off piste mountain safety course and there is snow forecast.
The winter season is just around the corner, more snowfall arrived here in chamonix over the weekend and the piste's are starting to fill in. The new snowpark is well under way and some pics of the rails/boxes can be seen here Its looking good for the freestyle lessons we will be running here in chamonix over this coming winter. There is still some availability left but spaces are running out fast.
The first snowfall of the winter has fallen here in chamonix. Over the weekend it has snowed down to around 1500m and the high mountains are now glistening white. The forecast for the next few days is for a slight rise in temps so still need some more heavy snowfalls to get things on track. The resorts all have the snow cannon's going so hopefully only a few weeks until the lifts start running.
Just got back from my first snowboarding week of the new season in Les Deux Alpes where I was teaching the McNab/Helly Hansen junior squad. The park in L2A was in great shape but unfortunately the 2nd half of the week was bitterly cold, although this didn't stop us having a great last afternoon on the friday. Lots of tricks being thrown down including some nice switch backside 3's and 5's from Laura Berry who had ridden well all week despite the less than perfect conditions. A few weeks off now then its over to Zermatt for some technique sessions.
Here in Chamonix the weather has taken a turn for the better and the trails are now very quiet. A ride on Sunday from Flegere was one of the rides to remember this summer, taking in the descent almost all the way to Argentiere but staying high and exiting at Trelechamp. Then it was a quick blast down to Vallorcine followed by a climb up the back of Le Tour with the Helter Shelter technical descent back down to Le Buet.........what a day !!
Just a little sneak preview of the McNab junior snowboard team movie For PC click here and for MAC users click here which I’ve been editing. It’s not too far off being finished and can be seen in full at the Metro ski show, London.
The last few days of the freestyle sessions in L2A were some of the best all summer with all the junior team riders throwing down their new moves. Many new tricks learned and a lot of effort put in by all the team riders so thanks for that. Its now time to begin editing the heaps of snowboard footage captured over the summer freestyle sessions, watch this space for some movie teasers.
The snowboarding level this week from the junior team has been awesome, the youngsters have been pushing the limits of freestyle riding in both the halfpipe and kickers. About 6 new riders coming on the junior freestyle camps for the first time and all showing a great improvement by the end of the weeks lessons. One more week to go and it’s a week of photos and filming from the team for the new McNab junior promo dvd.
It’s now been 3 weeks of giving freeride and freestyle lessons here on the Kommunity summer camps and it’s still great fun. There have been many a rail and box session and the standard of improvement is always wicked to watch. Its going to be a messy night tonight as it’s the last night of the adult freestyle camps for 2006, so that means a lot of partying will be going on till the early hours. Need to take it easy though as I’ve got another 2 weeks here in L2A with the McNab Junior snowboard squad arriving tomorrow for their summer training sessions.
WOW!! The first day on the les Deux Alpes glacier and its in the best condition in a few years with the “Signal” run open down to the left of the Glacier 3200 station. The park is again even better than last year with the 2 halfpipe's now back to back. There is the usual kicker and rail park with something for everyone and every ability to ride.
Just been in Tignes for the week on a coaching course, and was surprised at how well the glacier looked on arrival. The first days lessons were really good fun checking out the snowpark and conditions on the upper mountain but afraid the good snow didn't’t last. By the end of the week the glacier was looking pretty dirty and the halfpipe had completely lost its shape due to a very high freezing level all week. Anyway on to Les deux alpes where fingers crossed the higher altitude will mean better snow.
It’s the start of the summer snowboard season beginning with a week in Tignes. Will post report on the glacier and park conditions shortly.
Here in Chamonix it’s been hot hot hot making the mountain biking very thirsty work. The trails are still pretty quiet and with all the lifts open now the riding has been great, except for the shoulder injury I got falling off on the Balcon Sud.