First time skiing in FR....Chamrousse

On a last minute decision I decided to head into France for my first day of holiday. I had been speaking with a small ski company in Chamrousse called Axunn (www.axunn.com) and have been trying to get out to their offices for the past two weeks. When the snow never came and the skiing in CH didn't look like anything special I headed down to Chamrousse. Chamrousse is about 2 hours from Geneva just south of Grenoble.
On the way I noticed a town that looked very familiar to my last name...mom and dad you sure we're not French! ;-)

The valley was dry and on the way up I was doubting this place was open but as I got higher in the pass the snow started to show:

I was going to meet the guys at Axunn in the afternoon so I put on the boards and made some turns. As the rest of the Alps snow was marginal and pretty much like EC early season with mostly man-mad snow......but with a great view!


After about 10 short laps I gave the Axunn a call. I found out I was at Chamrousse 1750 and not 1650...luckily it was the same resort just a little down the road. I drove up to find there office in a sick location right on the slopes and looking into this!

Axunn started last year and have been trying to get traction in the Euro ski industry. I met the owners Gunther and Daniel and talked shop. After a little the guys reccomended that I give a few skis a run...so I did. I took 7 laps on their two BC skis. Both were good, but I decided that one was a little more versitale and worked better in my quiver. So I hooked up with a pair right out of the back room! I picked an artwork that only 5 were ever made and are pretty cool. A friend of Axunn's took some erotic pics of his girlfriend and they put them on the skis...a litte riske, but very unique and cool (sorry mom, but you should see some of the French ads in the magazines ;-)Happy customer!

After a little more chat chat it was time to go, but not until I snapped a few more shots:


The new skis at home:

Overall another unique and cool day. I am going to stay in touch with the Axunn crew and meet up later this winter.... off to somewhere tomorrow! -G

Area #3 in CH...Verbier....

Another weekend rolled around and it was off to Verbier.On Saturday I rolled up with J into the Valais. On the way we stopped in Montreax to see the X-mas mart and get some chow. This place was pretty cool with a ton of little stand sellin everything from cheese to pottery.


After a little walk around Montreax we stopped up at Lavey Les Bain and chilled in the hotsprings and moved onto Verbier. Below is the view from the hotel La Rotonde

After a little sleep and food it was time to hit the slopes. We caught the early ride on the Funispace:

At the top we were luck again to have a sick bluebird day. At the top of the Funi:

The pics below are all from the Mont Fort area. This is just killer. The pics of the cross are from a little walk way that you had to climb up to an area that was 3 feet wide on top of a 3500M mtn! A little scary, but worth the view!






By the end of the day the clouds rolled in but not until we hit the Fort and some good spots of pow. The snow overall was thin, but I can't wait to come back in season

Another killer weekend! I am off on Friday...so hoepfully more, more, ski, ski, to come!!!

First Pow Pow of the year...wooooohooooooo!

So after a few weeks of waiting and some snow dancing (Thanks Al and Jay) it finally came in CH....and when I said came...it really went off! SNOW SNOW SNOW!!

I awoke Saturday after a going away party for a friend and started out of Geneva with J again. In Geneva it was a wonderful 7c, rainy day. On that, you would never think the rain and gloom could turn into the pics below. After a little Swiss hang-over cure, cheese and bread, we headed towards Les Diablerets (www.diablerets.ch) and the SNOW! We hit Montreaux and the temp started to dip to 3c. A few KM later it was 2c and by Aigle it was 0c and starting to "puke" After a quick stop at the local ski shop we headed up the pass. Up to Les Diablerete is was wet snow, but at around 1800M it started to get fluffy, fluffy, love. After traveling a little more we were at G3 (Col du Pillon Cable Car www.monsterpark.ch) We decided that it was to late to ski, so we headed down the back side to Gsteig and Gstaad. After realizing I had no gas it was time to stop at one of the great unattended gas stations....it was still puking!

In Gstaad we walked around as saw a few sheep in the streets...they were liking the snow too!

After a little walking we decided that the little village of Gsteig was more "us" and we headed back up the pass. When we arrived the snow was building and it looked like my prediction of 3ft was coming true! When driving into the village we were advised that there was a Christmas Market...so this was a bonus.. gluehwine and Raclette! We stayed at the Hotel Baren where we met Marcel the manager/chef/owner. He was very chill and gave us a perfect ski bum room. Good duve, warm shower, and 4KM from the G3....woohooo!

After a quick check-in we headed to the Christmas Market and some Swiss cocktails. We proceeded to walk into a postcard. Kids running around, handmade crafts, food, guys with cool hat, mustaches, and SNOW! We chilled there for a little while and hung with the locals. This is what the Germans call a "Swedish Oven". It is a log split and a fire started in the middle. After our pre-cocktails we took a nap and headed off to a great dinner in the basement of the hotel. This was also postcard with people coming in wearing there town colors and sitting together (locals at the Stammtisch) eating fondue...classic! If you asked me what the "real" Switzerland is....I would say this!

After a great nights sleep we awoke early and had a nice Swiss breakfast that came with the price of the room and said goodbye to Marcel. After a little wait at the Col Du Pillon, we caught the second "bucket" and we arrived to this.....and it was on!


This was out first time at G3, so we followed a few people and found the goods!


A little hike off piste we noticed this was just ridiculous....it was at least knee to waist deep in places....it was time to ski and we did.....

Look Mom...watch me shred the fresh!

After many, many, fresh tracks we were tired and headed back to the parking lot. I think the smile on my face says it all.

Overall another great weekend. I really am speechless at times when I look back and review what I experienced. I want to thank J for the company and motivation to "feel" CH. This is another one for the records! -G
PS: Visit the Hotel Baren and ask for Marcel and a few local Kirsh Wassers!

Sunday drive in France...La Crusaz...

This weekend was another fun one! Friday night I went out with some friends and got a X-tree (see below). Saturday I just chilled in Carouge and then Paul and I had dinner at the crib and went to see Borat. I awoke on Sunday after a nice restful night and decided that a drive was in order. As usually I had no idea where I was heading but I decided to go into France and check out La Crusaz. In Carouge it was pretty sunny and around 16c (it really needs to start getting cold here!!) so I jumped in the car and made my way to France. On my drive there I decided that I would go a little farther towards Cham and then back track. On my way I notices a pass and decided to drive up.
Entering the "col":

In the valley on the way up...this is La Reposior:

More skiing sheep:

At the top of the "col":

Into the valley from the top:

Charlie Brown and I are friends:

A left over from last weekend. This is from Cran-Montana:

Overall another great weekend in CH. This week it look like the snow will move in a I will be heading to the area with the most "dumpage". -GG