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. 

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.

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).

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!

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

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?

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:

FIRST LIFTS AND SLOPES OPENED

Every evening we look into the sky above and pray that the heavy rains in Holland transform to heavy snow and cover all mountains in Switzerland.
Well, at least one tiny snowflake fell, the last few days, and it's getting colder as well.
Yesterday, I saw the first skiers on the webcam. The Trabanta-lift is open, as well as the cable from Mayens de l"Ours. And probably you can have a nice 'vin chaud' afterwards in the Tipi?!

Have a look!