After 6 seasons in Crans Montana, this season saw a big change moving across the valley to the world famous resort of Verbier. Pre-seasonThe winter actually kicked off in November on the Glacier in Saas Fee with a week of race training with JJC Training (www.jjc-training.co.uk). I was fortunate enough to spend the week skiing with Tom Waddington, director of New Generation Verbier. Bad weather kept us off the mountain on some days, but we made up for it with committed gym sessions ran by Tom and BASI trainer James Bennet. The days on the hill were nothing short of spectacular with perfect conditions. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the winter. First days in VerbierThen it was back to Verbier to enjoy the early season skiing. Despite not having a glacier, Verbier is fortunate enough to open (albeit partially) from the second weekend in November. We were able to enjoy some early season training before the season really kicked off. Les Diablerets - Sécurité et SauvétageBefore the busy period of Christmas and New Year, it was time for another trip away, this time to the resort of Les Diablerets, to undertake the Swisssnowsports Sécurité et Sauvétage course, a module for the Swiss Patente. We were blessed with fine weather to carry out our training, with full Swiss mountain guides, concerning all things off piste, from leading groups in the back country, to avalanche search and recovery drills. It was a great chance to meet some new faces going through the Swiss Patente as well as enjoy the skiing that Les Diablerets has to offer. Escaping the crowds - Ski de NuitAs the busy coaching period got underway and the resort filled up, a spot of night skiing allowed us to find some space to enjoy some turns under the stars. I was privileged to take a number of people up onto the slopes above Verbier in complete darkness for their first time. It will never get old for me, and if it's something you are yet to try, then make the 2015/6 winter your season to take the plunge! Off the beaten track...Finally after some decent snowfalls, it was time to explore the off piste Vebrier has to offer with locals, Simon, Jim and Charlie. I was not disappointed! Check out the video below for some of the highlights! Each year as spring approaches, the snowpack settles, the glaciers close up, and its time to dust off the harness, ice axe and crampons and set off for some slightly more technical objectives. Verbier is fortunate enough to have the infamous Haute Route on its backdoor step, a high altitude ski touring route from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland. A number of days we headed up to the summit of the Rosablanche (3336m), less concerned with finding deep and steep powder, but more with exploring the real backcountry, and earning each and every turn with a good physical effort. See below a video from one such day... The Swiss Patente - Priority #1Back in August of last year, I made up my mind, 2015 would be the year I would attempt to finish the Cours Instructeur more commonly referred to as the Patente, the highest technical and teaching level in the Swiss Snowports system. It requires each candidate to undertake 15 exams, 3 orientated towards teaching ability, and 12 purely technical exams. I arrived in Zermatt at the end of the season a little nervous and apprehensive, but in the end it was job done with one of the highest marks in the teaching exams. Furthermore I was one of only two french speakers to pass, not bad for an englishman!!
With the Patente in the bag, 2015/6 will see more time spent skiing with my clients, more ski touring, and more telemark! I can't wait, until then it's time to do some sailing :) Olly
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