zaterdag 4 december 2010

NOT TOO CROWDED


Not too many people to see in Thyon. At first glance, nice powder snow, sunshine, first of season... At second glance: see the wind blow around the corner of the mountain. Probably freezingly cold!

zondag 28 november 2010

LIFTS OPEN THIS WEEKEND

Although the last week we saw a few lost skiers on the slopes of Thyon, the real season hadn't started yet.


This weekend the lifts are open. So now the real thing started!!


To all the lucky ones in Quatre Vallees: enjoy!

maandag 22 november 2010

PISTE BULLY ON DUTY

Today the webcams showed cloudy skies, snow fall and nasty wheather. You could nearly feel the cold through the computer screen. Between 4 and 5 p.m. the piste bully made the first few rounds.
Nice pics!



Just a few more weeks before the season starts! I'll keep you posted. 

maandag 8 november 2010

FIRST SIGNS OF WINTER

Although the slopes have shown white spots a few times over the last weeks, it seems that the winter made a start.
Last Saturday the piste de l'Ours, near the Tipi, was a sunny place. Perfect for a good hike.


Today the slope showed a different face!
This is, or at least could be, a real start of the winter to come! Yoho! 



So this blog comes to life again as well. We'll keep you posted.

zaterdag 10 april 2010

TEMPERATURE RISES, AS DOES THE RISK OF AVALANCHES

The temperature rises. Great to feel the warm sun and still have snow left to ski.
But with the rise of temperature, the risk for avalanches rises as well. And rather quick!

See this stunning video of the security heli in the area "les Marecottes", just around the corner of Quatre Vallées, and the power of this controlled avalanche. (found on the Dutch site www.bergredding.nl).

zondag 21 maart 2010

VIN CHAUD

Last week the weather was great. Spring was in the air. Too hot actually for the snow conditions on the lower slopes, but great to sit outside with a beer. After a week full of sunshine, today started with clouds and cold wind. Just to remind us that it is still winter season.
A perfect day to make a bit of vin chaud, a spiced warm wine,  and to have it ready when the whole bunch comes back in the afternoon to the chalet for drinks!

source and © manuelafoodandtravel.com

The preparation is very easy. Make sure you make enough! 
Use 1 orange , 20 cloves, 1 bottle red wine, 3 cinnamon sticks, 100g (3 1/2 oz) sugar, 300ml (10 fl oz) cranberry juice, 300ml (10 fl oz) fresh orange juice

Stud the orange with cloves. Put it in a saucepan with the wine and the remaining ingredients and heat the liquid until nearly boiling, then remove it from the heat (be careful not to let it boil). Let the wine stand for 1 to 2 hours so the flavours develop. When you are ready to serve, reheat the wine without boiling it and strain it into a glass. Serves 4 - 6


The recipe comes from the very attractive food and travel book Winter in the Alps, by Manuela Darling-Gansser. The book is a combination of travel experience and recipes, combined with beautiful pictures in  an well thought design. A must read and also a must have. Available directly from Manuelafoodandtravel.com and in paperback format from Amazon.com ( Winter in the Alps: Food by the Fireside)

zondag 14 maart 2010

NENDAZ FREERIDE

This weekend the spectacular freeride competation takes place in Nendaz. Snow conditions are great, the weather is sunny and not too windy...
The best view is somewhere on the first part of the piste from Plan du Fou towards Siviez.
Enjoy the spectacular jumps, be happy you are still on your feet and pray a little prayer now and then.

© nendazfreeride.ch

Check http://www.nendazfreeride.ch

woensdag 3 maart 2010

SNOWPARK THYON

Last weekend the snowpark of Thyon 2000 was crowded with youngsters, low hanging pants, 'cool' jackets. They performed spectacular during the "GANGS OF THYON".
I quote their website:

"On February 27th and 28th 2010, CentralCamps and Télé-Thyon present the 5th edition of their main event at Central Park in the Thyon Region, THE GANGS OF THYON.

The Thyon Region has always been proud to support freestyle on the mountain.
True to themselves, CentralCamps with the help of Télé-Thyon has found a formula that brings smiles to the faces of riders. Entirely organized with their own time and care, this event will gather over sixty fully invited participants who will fight for the title « Gang of Thyon 10 » in snowboard and in freeski!"



It was really fun to see it all. The T-bar lift Theytaz runs just left of the snowpark. When one was alone on one side of the T, it could easily happen that a snowboarder just stepped alongside half way the lift, and off again just after snowpark.. Life is not that complicated, is it?

No updated video results yet, so enjoy last years video!


vrijdag 5 februari 2010

RIVELLA FAMILY CONTEST

This weekend Thyon 2000 will be the place for families!
Lots of activities like ski runs for the whole family, animations, music and lots and lots of fun!

Piste La Muraz - Sunday 7 February 2010

woensdag 27 januari 2010

HAVE A DRINK, GRAB A BITE

Unknown and not yet on the interactive ski map but too nice to ski by: the new 'restaurant' half way the piste the Novelli, between Siviez and Combatseline.



The owner transformed an old barn into a kitchen, placed a hughe tent in front of the barn (complete with glass doors and terrace heaters) and VOILA: a new restaurant was born: CHALET NOVELLY
(Nendaz-Mont Fort, reservation 027 288 20 11)



The interior is very well done:
Simple looking benches and tables, completed with animal skins and warm white blankets.
Soup is served in earthenware pots with a lid. The bread is fresh and crispy. And if you like you can order a fresh roasted chicken.

Sit outside and enjoy a glas of whine, or sit inside with a steamy hot chocolate.. Thirsty, anyone?

donderdag 7 januari 2010

FREERIDES AND AVALANCHES

The two weeks of Christmas holidays showed the whole spectrum of weather: we had freezing winds in the first days. Then temperature went up, which brought some rain (aarrggg) as well. And after that a few days sunshine in the morning and heaps of snow during the afternoon and the night.

We had a few days when the Etherolla chairlift was closed part of the day, due to the risk of avalanches. We saw the heli from the mountain patrol as they shot the avalanches. Spectacular to see: you see the heli hanging close to the mountain and sometimes see the great wave of snow even before you hear the dynamite, followed by the low roars of the falling snow. I'm always impressed by the power of nature.

I know, a bit off the beaten track is nice, now and then (and for some people more now than then).
But, if you're a lover of free rides and off-piste skiing or boarding... have a look: