Heli session video

Here it is a short edit of some of the video footage from the heli session just over a week ago.

Bottomless powder

What can I say, the heli freeride session from a week ago was absolutely amazing snow conditions. The week started with a clear sunny day and we took advantage and did a little short hike to find some good snow at the back of Brevent.

Middle of the week saw a big storm bring a lot of snow to the valley and it looked like the heli might not be possible as the storm was still dumping snow through Friday (our proposed heli day) but with a few changes to flights and sorting out a guide for the Saturday we were on to fly Saturday morning.

The flight up to the drop zone was great with clear skies all around and when we reached the spot to start riding we couldn't believe our eyes.

In front of us was an untracked decent of the whole glacier with around 50-60cm's of fresh snow. Within minutes we were hollering like kids as the rooster's were flying 15 feet into the air, all being captured on camera by our accompanying photographer Jez Wilson. This is one of the shots Jez captured and I'm also in the middle of editing the video footage I shot on the day and that should be online tomorrow.

Only a few weeks to the next heli freeride session which now only has 2 places left on it so if any of you out there want to sample some of the best riding of your life get in touch quick.

Later Keith

Some Off Piste Action

Here in the Chamonix valley the snow has been staying cold and in very good condition. Late last week I managed to get in some off piste descents, scoring some great powder snow.

The snow on north facing slopes has stayed in very good condition since the last snowfall and it was here that some of last weeks best turns were made.

I managed to capture a few lines on the video camera so check them out below. Things are shaping up really well for the upcoming heli freeride weeks so if you are thinking of taking your riding to the next level and want to ride some great powder and also try a heli drop then get in touch.

The Origins of Snowboarding

Snowboarding is supposed to be still a relatively young sport and the debate has raged for a while as to who started the ball rolling, Jake Burton or Tom Sims.

World renowned freerider Jeremey Jones has uncovered some interesting facts on the history of where snowboarding might have began.

Check out what Mr Jones found out here.

More massive snow falls

Here in Chamonix we are in the middle of another massive snow fall. Yesterday the storm rolled into the valley and its been snowing consistently since then. Today was great on the Grands Montets with some very nice snow to be found, but over the next few days its going to get pretty deep on the mountain as the forecast is predicting another 40-55cm in just the next 24 hours.

I'm working with an off piste group this week who are loving the conditions, we just need a little lull in the storm so we can get out of bounds to some of the great off piste spots Chamonix is famous for.

At the moment we are running through some technique for riding powder and also concentrating on avalanche awareness and transceiver training.

We have been getting some good reviews from the people who have been out on lessons over the last few weeks, you can check them out here.

Happy New Year

Happy new year to everyone out there in blog land. Here in Chamonix the last couple of weeks have seen a lot of people out enjoying the sunny weather and great snow conditions.

The week leading up to new year was a very busy one here in the valley with people hearing how good the conditions have been and wanting some riding. Here at Alpinelines we have been very busy teaching all levels from absolute beginners right through to trainee snowboard instructors.

The progression's made were very good and hopefully everyone enjoyed their lessons and learnt a little bit about the fundamentals of good snowboarding technique.

The next few days are quiet so time to go and hit up the snowpark before the next round of would be shredders arrive for next weeks sessions. The next few weeks I'm teaching technique for McNab snowboarding so anyone wanting some of the best snowboard tuition going get in touch with those guys to book onto a course.

Well that's it for now maybe the next few days I'll get some photos or video online of the park sessions.

Later Keith

Blue sky, empty pistes and more powder

Here in Chamonix the snow conditions continue to be very good. We had some more snow middle of last week which was still fresh at some of the resorts as they opened for the first time at the weekend.

This weekend saw the opening of Brevent and Flegere. The new access lift at Brevent now more than doubles the upload capacity hopefully meaning the queues for getting up to this part of the valley are a thing of the past.
The conditions at Brevent are very good with perfect pistes and on Saturday there was also plenty of good riding off piste.

Over in Flegere there is great conditions at the moment and again with this area opening for the first time this season on Saturday there was some great riding to be had.

Flegere is known in the Chamonix valley as the natural snowpark with windlips, cat tracks and loads of natural features to test the freestyle skills. The Flegere area was very quiet with most of the pistes virtually deserted but those who were riding there were riding mostly off piste.

I took my first visit this season to the top end of the Chamonix valley to the resort of Le Tour where the wind had done its best to ruin the snow. The pistes were in great condition and there was also some great powder to be found just a little of the beaten track. There was a few more people out on the mountain today but by no means busy.

The Tete de Balme chairlift from the back side of the resort only opened yesterday so this was were our little crew headed first thing this morning. There was some really good snow to be found over on this side and also from the Posettes poma which is a great big open face that gets sunshine all day.

Here is a few video clips of the crew riding at Le Tour today.

Snorkels required !!

That's right if you are coming to the alps anytime soon bring your snorkel because the snow is unbelievable right now. I've just spent the weekend riding some of the best snow conditions I can remember for a long time.

With over 50cm of fresh snow during Thursday and Friday the conditions for the weekend were amazing.




The snow continued to fall all through Saturday which meant the tracks being laid were getting filled in again straight after.
There is whispers in the valley that the remaining lifts will be opening this weekend which will mean the whole valley is up and running.

The forecast is for another 30cm during Wednesday and some more for late in the week so it just keeps getting better.
The heli freeride week in early April looks like its about to fill up with only one place remaining on that week, for anyone wishing to come out to do some technique and learn some off piste safety then check out the website here

Best start to winter in over 5 years !!

That's right here in Chamonix the winter is off to one of the best starts in over 5 years with a base of over 100cm on the mountain and another dump on the way.

The forecast over the coming weekend is for another 30-60cm of snow and that's at only 1500m altitude so could be even more slightly higher up the mountain.

Trying not to get over excited but things filling in this early could mean a big winter in Chamonix with off piste descents being ready to ride much sooner. Here at Alpinelines our freeride sessions are booking up so anyone wanting to take advantage of amazing winter conditions should get in touch.......right I'm off to get the board waxed up !!

Chamonix lifts are open !!

The Grands Montets area in Chamonix opened for the new season this weekend and the conditions were fantastic for this early in the season. The Bochard lift was running taking you to an altitude of 2765m where the snow base is already 100cm and at the Lognan restaurant level of 1965m the snow base is 75cm.




The locals were out and everyone was enjoying the great conditions. The snow over last weekend and earlier this week has remained very good due to the below freezing temperatures all week. There was over 1500m of verticle descent to be ridden which my legs are feeling after a few of those runs. The Pierre a Ric piste from the mid station to village level in Argentiere has complete cover and is one of the local favourites to end the day, with plenty of banks bumps and rollers this uses up those last ounces of energy.

The complete area of the Grands Montets will be available from next weekend when all the lifts will be running and with some more snow forecast over tonight and tomorrow the great early seaon conditions here in Chamonix look set to continue.