Wayne's Daily Diary

Jean's photos of the day

Wayne's monthly photos

7 February 2012
A real thigh-burner!

It was -20C again this morning and my plan was to ‘skin’ to the Col des Fours but with it forecast to warm up towards the end of the week I thought the Col could wait a couple of days and we headed towards the sunshine in Tignes instead. We left some lovely tracks in the Borsat before heading upstairs in the Funicular and we exited out the top doors to have a look at our options. Gill said, “Did you notice the cable-car was open”? I hadn’t because rumour has it that it’s closed for the season, so we were surprised to see it running and we rode the cable-car for the first time this season. That gave us access to the Rosolin where we skied an excellent 152-thigh-buring-turns to the bottom before ‘skinning’ out. I thought of climbing up towards the Dome de Pramecou but once up close it had taken the wind and wasn’t as good as I’d been hoping so we skied off a nice shoulder then down over the ‘Wall’, which I haven’t done for quite some time. After the ‘Wall’ we squeezed out a nice line in the Familial then ‘skinned’ for another 5-minutes to get the lovely slopes under the cliffs and power-line. It turned out to be a bit of a funky morning with good skiing and ambience, and we managed to stay in the sun as the resort clouded over from the Fornet quicker than expected and by one o’clock the light was pretty flat everywhere.

Chris equipped his team with ‘skins’ and they headed towards the Crete du Genepy, which remains very good indeed, Thomas skied in the same area while Andreas and Henry took their teams up to the Cold des Fours. They watched the clouds coming up from behind but managed great skiing in the sun until the refuge before the clouds overtook them leaving them in flat light for the exit out. Well done boys! Andreas leaves tomorrow for a week of touring with Olivier in the Pyrenees so we wish him a happy holiday!

The wind started blowing from the south-east and east this afternoon and it was fairly strong on the top of Bellevarde. Hopefully it won’t damage too much snow and will perhaps move some snow about and improve other areas. Might as well be positive! I’ll let you know tomorrow.

6 February 2012
A wonderful 'double-skin' on the Crete.

The cold snap continues but everyone has themselves more organised clothing-wise, we’re also skiing in the sun as much as possible and we’re coping quite well. I took my team of Richard, James, Stephen, Kaye, Jean, Dave and Gill for a ‘double-skin’ on the Crete du Genepy and we had superb snow top-to-bottom. We climbed up the first time for an excellent steep pitch of 55-turns before ‘skinning’ back up to go skiers-right towards the bottom of Mont Roup. It really was good and the team didn‘t miss a beat and laid perfect tracks all morning long. (I’ll post some extra photos on my link as it was Jean’s last morning for awhile and I’ll be taking over the photos-of-the-day)

Meanwhile Chris was skiing with Malcolm, Will, Noll, and Ralph and they skied off the Borsat traverse followed by the Tour du Charvet and I’m not sure after that. Thomas and Andreas headed for the Glacier Suspendu where it was slightly winded up top but excellent on the slopes back into the Sache. They then had an adventurous time exiting through the waterfall at the bottom and Thomas chuckled as he said he’d be taking the classic exit next time through.

The sun is forecast to shine until the end of the week and perhaps then we’ll get some snow. The resort is tracked out but we’re skiing in some of the best quality snow of the season but walking is a must to find it. I guess it’s a good thing you all love to walk! Stay tuned for more news tomorrow.

Sports Report- Commiserations to Michael R as his team lost a thrilling Super Bowl 21-17 to the NY Giants.

PS I had a good initiation afternoon with Jay, Andy and Cormack, all pals of Richard and James. Well done boys! (extra photos now up on my link)

5 February 2012
That was a rather funky morning!

It was Dave’s first-ever visit to Val d’Isere as he read my book several years ago and thought it was time to come and ski with us. Being Dave’s first morning and after yesterday’s double ‘skin’ I thought I’d give Penny and Jean an easier day, but our opening run turned out to be quite funky. We started out in the Kern but continued on in search of fresh snow and ended up skiing the Super Spatule, where we found some great snow and great ambience. From there we headed into Tignes and skied a very good Super Cocaine Sud out on the shoulder and then down across the meadows. From there we skied off the Aiguille Rouge in some fantastic snow before ‘skinning’ back up for ten-minutes to the chairlift and we finished off with a pleasant Familial. Dave did really well and slotted in nicely with the tracks and he’s probably the only person I know who’s first run in Val d’Isere was the Super Spatule. Bienvenue Dave! (I was the only one skiing again this morning and I’m sure the rest of the boys will be raring to go tomorrow)

Gill and I are waiting for the girls to return home from Dom and Sarah’s where they’ve had lunch after a morning of swimming with Stephen, Kaye, Christian, Dom, Millie and Harry. Thanks Dom for taking them swimming and for lunch while Gill skied with your lovely wife.

Radio Val announced -21C again this morning but as we stayed in the sun it never felt that cold. Once you get your routine together it’s actually very pleasant and the clarity of the sky is wonderful. We should have another similar day again tomorrow.

PS Sports Report- Wow! What a match between Chelsea and United. I can just picture Eric H, Johnny ‘Alpine’, the Dunn brothers and Chris and Matt E amongst others, jumping up and down after coming back from 3 goals down to equalize. Even non-United fans must be impressed with that! Chapeau! And what a good rugby match as well.

4 February 2012
Jolly chilly but more than bearable in the sun!

Radio Val announced -21C this morning at 8AM and it was a chilly start to say the least. Chris called in with a sore throat so his team of Jean and Kit joined Jean R, Penny, Catherine and Sophie (secretary Sophie) and we all bundled up and went off to face the morning. We headed to the sun and ‘skinned’ up to the Crete du Genepy and it was warm enough for everyone to shed a layer, and we started off skiers-left for two excellent pitches before ‘skinning’ back up again. On the second climb I took off two layers, my neck fleece and my head-band, and it was extremely warm. This time we skied out to the right down the more classic route and again the snow was superb top-to-bottom. We skied a lovely steep pitch above the pond and Jean skied extremely well as the team laid a perfect set of tracks. The instant we arrived at the bottom and into the shade the temperature dropped immediately and we realized how cold it really was. Every layer that was shed went straight back on and it took an effort to push out as our skis weren’t gliding at all. It was a great morning and well done to everyone for showing up with such enthusiasm! (I’m looking forward to Jean’s photos)

Gill, Kiera, and Doctor Laura took Millie, Katie and Anna for a ski this morning and it was the coldest day any of the children have ever skied in. They hung in there from 10:15 until 12:45 but they were all extremely happy to return home, and Katie even gobbled up her hot homemade soup for a change!

Sports Report- It’s all happening at Upton Park. The Hammers went down to ten-men after just eight minutes but managed to score just before the half-time whistle. I just checked the score and groaned as Millwall equalised in the 65-minute, but the next time I checked minutes later the Hammer had score again. Come on boys as three-points playing with ten men would be a fantastic result! (There’s 15-minutes to go) And Michael R and Marty will be glued to their TV’s tomorrow for the Super Bowl, which should be a good one.

PS. Andreas and Chris were off ill while Thomas and Henry were both relaxing with their families.

PSS Bravo West Ham! You’d be happy with a draw going down to ten-men after eight minutes but to come away with a victory is a massive result. Now I can calm down and watch some rugby!

3 February 2012
Cold weather but great skiing!

It was even colder this morning and I wanted to show Christian, Giles, Nick and Doug some different scenery as it was their last day, so the Fornet was immediately ruled out as a non-starter and we headed to the Sachette. We started off in some lovely snow in the Borsat and the Sachette itself was wonderful. Chris and I then ‘skinned’ up for ten-minutes or so towards the Glacier Suspendu to access a great 72-turn pitch back down to the meadows. The boys had a brilliant week as we skied some big slopes and the snow quality has been as good as we’ve had all winter.

Andreas had some fantastic skiing on the Crete du Genepy and stayed in the sun while Thomas was planning on a trip through the Tour du Balme, which we haven’t done for quite some time, and I imagine that it was jolly good. (Bravo Andreas for working today as he wasn’t at all well.)

Chris had some lovely new clients who did extremly well this week. Well done to Arlene, Paul and Lucy!

The cold weather is set continue but as long as the sun shines and the wind doesn’t blow it’s bearable. It’s snowing lightly at the moment, but I do mean lightly, and I’m not really expecting fresh snow for the morning. It would be nice to be wrong however!

And Millie did very well in her race this afternoon and I think she really enjoyed the training, although she won’t admit it!

2 February 2012
Mont Roup at its best!

After a slightly hazy start the skies cleared leaving us with a cold but stunning day. We had a team ski on Mont Roup as Chris, Andreas and I all headed that way via the Borsat. The traverse was slow due to the cold snow but it was worth it as the ski down through the meadows was wonderful. The ‘skin’ up Mont Roup is now in sunlight as the sun is that little bit higher in the sky and although it was -16C this morning we were stripping off neck fleeces, hats and taking off a layer for the climb. The ski down was magnificent as the snow quality was fantastic and between us we had quite a few who were making their first trip to Mont Roup, all of whom were well impressed. In fact Christian stated, “That was a privilege”! and the regulars to Mont Roup knew the snow was particularly good this time around. It was great to have Gill along as she’s missed out of late for various reasons and she loved it. (Pat Z was in the same neighbourhood again today, good ‘sniffing’ Pat!)

Henry was skiing this morning and I think he headed Lavachet/Sache way and I’m sure he had a great morning as well and Thomas had the day off.

I had a nice afternoon skiing with Sharon and her friend Rosemary and we mixed some intro to off-piste with some technique. It’s a pleasure teaching when the sun is out and the ladies did very well. Millie and I crossed paths at the bus stop as she was going out with her school class skiing for the afternoon. Apparently for someone who hates racing her teacher seems to think she’s quite fast so hopefully she’ll do well in her race tomorrow. (She’s been dreading it!)

Hopefully Andreas will be feeling better tomorrow as he was heading home to take himself to bed this afternoon. I must say he didn’t sound very well on the radio and we’ve both been fighting off colds for the past two weeks, but his seems to have taken a turn for the worse.

The cold weather is set to continue but the sun is also forecast to shine, which makes the cold much more manageable. Stay tuned for more news tomorrow.

1 February 2012
A morning of 'classics'!

Although it was -19C in the village this morning the wind had dropped and by staying in the sun it was much, much warmer than yesterday. Chris and I decided on the ‘classic’ Val d’Isere spring slopes to remain warm and we had a cracking good ski. We started with a good Kern to warm-up and then we were the first onto the Face du Charvet, which was wonderful and always a treat. Pat Zimmer came in after us with three of his most faithful clients and it was good to see him out there. Next up was the Tour du Charvet and for the most part it was excellent and then my team finished with a really good run down from the Manchet through the Marmottons/Marmottes to the bottom while Chris continued and went back up for a Super L as he can ski home from there. Jean stopped at 11 o’clock after the Face saying he’d had a perfect morning and was going home to take his wife down to Bourg. It was nice to show Giles (taught for four seasons in Verbier) and his mates Christian, Nick and Douglas some of the big slopes and they really appreciated the skiing and ambience of today’s ‘classics’.

Thomas and Andreas had a great ski as well as they both headed Tignes-way and skied a good Borsat before skiing an excellent Chardonnet followed by an equally good Sachette. Henry was skiing as well with his wife Ginnie and some old friends from years ago, Anthony and Kim. (And these guys do go way back as I remember them for 25-years or more ago.) I’m not too sure what they got up to but I’m sure it was interesting.

Katie and I went out for a little ski together this afternoon and we spent some time leaving lovely powder tracks just off the pistes. When it’s too deep for her she follows right in my track, otherwise she likes to leave her own signature. That’s my girl!

Sports Report- Not too much to say about a 5-1 defeat. Dreadful!

1 February 2012
Today's skiing news to follow!

Stay tuned for the skiing news for February 1st.