The boyz go out........

So like last year the boys were planning a weekend for some skiing...and just like last year be didn't decide where until the last minute. After some calls and email we found out one of our only options was Chamonix...so Cham it was.

Paul, Rob, Michel, (Pedro was sick)and I arrived after work in Cham to find our great hotel...more like a dorm room.

Small but function and a great view in the AM:

After sorting the room out we toured the town and had a few cocktails as boys do ;-) and some Raclette:

...it ended up like this:

The next morning was very difficult but we rallied and headed to Grand Montets. The skiing was not that great but we had a great day. Michel checking the Couloir Poubelle:

...a little icey this am:

The boys:



G:

Great views:

After a nice day of riding we headed down and Michel and Rob were off. It was going to be just P and I, but Pedro called and was on his way. That night was much mellower and we had a great night just talking and chilling.
The next AM we decided we would head to Les Houches and see the World Cup Super Combined. The day was again sunny and warm:


The WC course:


After about 7 laps we decided we would head to go see the final runs of the WC......but OOHHHHNOOOOOOO Pedro is down! The first words....Yo G I think I am hurt!

I ran up to P and saw his arm was not good. Patrol was on the scene within 5 minutes and did a great job...and always I was there to document our times...OUCH!

p getting ready for his sled ride;


Ready to rock!

Ciao!

As P left it looked like a dislocated elbow, but nothing broken so that was cool. The patrol was great and the hospital was too. Overall from injury to out the door took 2 hours....and we were right only a bum elbow. 2 weeks in a sling and some PT after. P was happy!

After the hospital visit we grabbed a budger and headed back to CH...but not with a good bye from Cham!

Overall a cool weekend and P is getting on very well. Looks like he will be back at it very soon. More to come this weekend as K and I head to A-Matt!

PS: Here are a few extras from the photo gallery. X-Mas gifts hung!

Pedro and I at a party...don't ask!

Another year comes and goes in CH for GG

So yes I am now 33 (eternally 23) and have had one of the best years of my young life. As many days before here in CH I decided it was time to do a little more exploring and enjoying life. After a very hectic crazyt week it was off into the Vallis for a few days of skiing and relaxing. After getting out of work on Friday KK and I headed up to Sion to start our adventure. We rolled into town around 9 and wanted some chow. So we asked a local guy and were pointed to a nice little bistro that had good Asian/Fusion food. After a nice dinner we went to the very posh Ibis hotel ;-), 99 CHF, and caught up on some rest.

The next day we woke to some new snow on the car and a nice sunny day. We were either planning on skiing St. Luc or Zinal, but decided to try St Luc because both of us had never been there and it came reccomended. From the hotel:

After a quick ride up the col and a nice b-fast on Anniviers we arrived at St Luc. This place is crazy. Big, high (3000+M), and no one there (Note: This place is the home of the 4KM drag lift)! WOOOHOOOO! KK and I had the place to ourselves and enjoyed!
Fist lift (actually a Funicular):

KK enjoying CH:

One of the infamous drags:

Great views!

KK read to rock!



Rocking!

KK showing her 'steeze':


..and how to straightline:

...and how to enjoy a real CH ski day!

Yeah we skied around that slope:

..and enjoyed the day too!

After a long day of skiing we needed to decide where to say, so we thought that Zinal had a few cute places (per previous posts) so we headed up the road. Upon arrival there were a few hotels that we scoped out last time, so I picked one and we stayed at the La Poste. The lady was very nice upon check-in and the price was right so we decided to stay.....but after getting to the very spacious room we doubted the decision ;-)

I think my cube is bigger, but that was cool. It was clean and chill. After a beer at the local pub we sorted out dinner at Le Besso (very good) and chilled.

The next day we got up to this (one postive about the room):

...and more of this at St Luc!
KK:





GG:



Skiing again was great and we headed down the valley to Lavey to top off the day. On the way we had some good views too;

After getting home, opening some gifts (thanks parents for the cool bike gear) we headed to dinner with some friends and then called it a good b-day. Sunday was very chill and KK and I just enjoyed a down day.

As another year of my short life passes I continue to be postive, happy, and thankful. Much love to my family and friends. I heard 33 is a good year (KK ;-) so I know there are great things to come. -GG

The snow continues in 08!

So after a very dry season last year the snow continues to pile up here in CH. (Ullr thanks!) This past weekend started with Martina arriving on Friday from Prague. She was vistiting CH for a conference and was staying with us until Sunday. Friday was here B-day so we went out to a nice dinner (Martina loves Escargot..she had 18) and then a few cocktails. After a nice nights rest we got up and headed to a very snowy Grand Massif for a little ski...arriving:

It was scrapping so the conditions were a mixed bag of no vis and great snow. KK was stoked:

Vis was marginal:

...but we had a great day and especially lunch!


By the end of the day the sky started to clear and we enjoyed a great day in France!




After an epic sunset on the ride home the crew took a nap and we had a nice fondue dinner at home. Sunday the plan was for me to head out with Jay, Tom, and Al to Zinal..so I was on dawn patrol and off to get Jay around 6ish. After getting Al at the Aigle train station we were on a mission for the pow. There was a reported 40+cm on the ground and the sky was BLUEBIRD!!!


After arriving to small crowd we were able to get the 4th tram:


On arrival at the crest of the resort it was on!!!! We first traversed over to the great open pitchs of Zinal!




...and then it was on!
Al:



Tom:

Jay:


Me:


The lines:

Checking my line:

Sequence:

Ripping it!


After skiing non-stop from 9 to 4 we were done and it was time for a beer....

To end the day off right we needed something crazy to happen...so a para-skier decided he need to land on the car...thanks ;-)

After a day like this I continue to understand why I work 60 hour weeks....CH ROCKS!
As always thanks to my family for the support and love....and I guarantee more to come this weekend!