Ski Touring and Split Boarding chalky snow

Split boarding

We have been heading up the Aiguille du Midi and ski touring over to the Helbronner for coffee. The coffee is  great and inexpensive and we have been building up some fitness at the same time. The skiing down the Vallee Noir has also been in brilliant condition with chalky snow and no bumps. The 517 steps from the ice cave at Montenvers up to the gondola to reach the train have assisted with the fitness regime. Read on…

Rarely seen skiers in the Natural Environment

Last run of the day at Grands Montets

Normally skiers are confined by piste markers and restrained by barriers. We have been lucky enough to see and capture on camera some skiers playing in the wilderness of their natural habitat. When the weather is inclement they can usually be found in the trees where the visibility is better but when the sun comes out they can be seen in the open slopes of the mountain. One can occasionally hear the distinctive “Whoop whoop!” of a skier which is a sign of excitement. Read on…

Sunshine and powder skiing at St Gervais

Breezy skiing powder in the sun

After the overnight dump of snow Chamonix ski domains were all saying “More information at…” regarding opening. We opted for St Gervais. The sun shone and the powder was deep. What a fab day out of the valley. They say … Read on…

Fresh tracks at Domain de Balme

Mighty fine powder skiing

Yesterdays snowfall and that which fell overnight saw the avalanche risk settle at 4. Grands Montets had delayed opening and Brevent/Flegere had limited opening. We just managed to drive up to Le Tour without snowchains and (strangely) we were the only vehicle in the carpark (which was in the process of being dug out).

Some of the off piste was wind affected but there was plenty of scope for some fresh tracks. The weather came and went along with visibility and wind.  By midday the wind had picked up enough to make the back chair unpleasant signalling that a coffee was overdue. Still plenty of lines to go at! Read on…

Tour with the Pisteurs at Le Brevent

Piste Basher

At 13:30hrs we had a Tour booked with the Pisteurs at le Brevent. We found our guide, Matieu, at the top of the gondola easily and spent an hour and a half with him as he talked about the work they do and how they make the domain safe. It was fascinating as he talked through all the different systems and options they have for avalanche control. Breezy even got to play with some fuses for explosives. Read on…

The winter is under way in Chamonix

Rene Anouk Breezy and Al

This weekend has seen Grands Montets, Brevent, Flegere and Les Houches open with light powder yesterday on the lower slopes and slightly wind affected higher up. Here is a little montage of images for you. Read on…

The end of another winter season in Chamonix Mont Blanc

dome de gouter

It has been an exceptional winter season for snow but not for sunshine.  We have had more awesome powder days than we can remember but not always been able to see a lot.  Some days the camera has been safely … Read on…

Ski Touring Col du Passon down to Le Tour

Breezy skiing powder

We thought that the ski down from the top of Grands Montets was nice. That was nothing compared to ski from Col du Passon down to Le Tour. An awesome ski touring day with the luck of untracked powder for most of the descent. Read on…