Sleet or slush? Changable conditions greet our rep in La Plagne

Easter conditions report from Tim in La Plagne…

The weather in the Alps has been very changeable over the last few weeks with January style temperatures of -20 for a while and then a very warm period last week, with rain up to 2000m.

Thankfully the snow is now back in force with cooler temperatures and more snow due above 1200m over the next couple of days.

In Paradiski even when the spring snow gets slushy in the afternoons there is always something to keep you busy. I recently tried cross country skiing for the first time, and now that my legs have stopped aching, I can look back on it with some satisfaction!

Tim making it cross-country

There is a large network of trails around the la Plagne ski area which are also fun to walk if you don’t fancy the unknown quantity of free heel cross country skis. I took several falls due to trying to manipulate these skis as I would alpine skis and I can tell you it doesn’t work!

Baboo-lific! Travel in style to Geneva…

Jane Bolton, MD at Erna Low Ski Holidays, shares her Baboo experience on her way to Morzine…

I now know what it must be what it is like to be a film star. We were in a private lounge at London Oxford airport having parked right outside the building (with parking permit number 2) and had our luggage carried for us to check in.  Even the regular car park was only a stone’s throw from the Terminal building.  It took us just over an hour to get there from West London and we only needed to be there an hour before departure – what a joy when compared to the 1hr 45 we  have to leave to get to Gatwick by running the M25 gauntlet and the 2 hours check-in you have to leave before being entering the scrummage of the security queues.
We were welcomed by smiling staff and check-in and security was fabulously quick, I can only imagine this was what it was like to travel in the golden age when you were made to feel special when boarding a flight. 
The flight itself, the new for this season Oxford-Geneva route on Baboo, was smooth with some delicious canapés, the plane is relatively small so we were not able to get to a bridge and there was a bus at the Geneva end but with usual Swiss efficiency our luggage was on the carousel as we came through passport control.
The return was equally smooth.  For anyone not used to Geneva airport on a Saturday during the winter, it is extremely busy.  The Baboo check-in was however very quick and efficient and the flight left perfectly on time.  Our arrival back to London Oxford cannot be compared to any other international arrival I have ever experienced.  You can see your baggage being lifted off the plane and put on the one and only roller carousel and then it is straight out the door through passport control and in to the car park. 
Overall my experience of London Oxford airport and the Baboo flight was exceptional and I would hugely recommend it.  I am delighted that Baboo have announced their flights are on sale now for next season so I would urge you to book early to get the best prices.  Remember that there is no charge for skis or snowboards and the baggage allowance is 20kgs + equipment.  It really is the way forward for me and we had a fantastic ski trip.

Our Arc 1800 property evening at the Ski Club

Alex, our Erna Low Property intern, reports on our evening at the Ski Club of GB to promote ski property for sale in Les Arcs…

We all had a fabulous night on Tuesday at our EdenArc event at the Ski Club of Great Britain headquarters in Wimbledon, and hope that those of you who were able to make it did too! Located in the Ski Club’s lovely library, we were surrounded by various awards, ski books from every era, and all sorts of ski memorabilia perfect for the set the atmosphere for the evening!

EdenArc event at the Ski Club of GB

 To begin, everyone happily mingled– discussing everything from the new development, to French property laws, to of course all of our passion for skiing!! Next came the daunting presentations… I always feel so nervous for the presenters, but every speaker was calm, collected, informative and each managed their talk very well. Who knew learning about mortgages and taxes could be interesting?? The various photos of EdenArc were also wonderful to see, and they really showed how incredible this new resort is going to be. The surrounding views of Mont Blanc and the Paradiski domain are spectacular, and the residence itself has massive windows to further enhance the experience of the beautiful scenery – even when behind closed doors! I especially enjoyed seeing the different floor plans that exemplified just how thought out and spacious the apartments will be. Luckily, my excitement for the project could be shared with everyone else after the presentations were completed when the wine started to flow (for a second time that night!) and the chatter picked up again.

Not only a very enlightening evening, but also a really fun one that had a heightened sense of enthusiasm from the moment the words “EdenArc” were said. A HUGE thank you to the Ski Club for graciously hosting us, and hope to see you all soon at our next ski property sales event!

Le Château Lutyens Up The Alps

This fascinating 16th-century château in France’s Haute Savoie region is renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens’s grand-daughter’s tribute to his ideas and designs.

“Home to princes, dukes and cardinals over the centuries, the château – set on three floors, each wider than the one below and leading onto a separate tier of garden – has always been the most important house in the village.”

Read more in today’s Telegraph!    Le Château is on sale through our Erna Low property team.  Contact www.ernalowproperty.co.uk; 020 7590 1624 for details.

We’re at the Winter X Games in Tignes…

The X Games come to Tignes and Erna Low’s roving reporter, Tim,  follows them there!

Since their launch in 1995 the Winter X Games have come to be known as one of the biggest freestyle skiing and snowboarding events on the calendar. Until now they have never been hosted in Europe, but Tignes has scored a contract for 3 seasons, starting now.

Over several days, the programme consists of Slopestyle and Superpipe disciplines, of which I saw the mens’ ski Slopestlye (a series of enormous jumps and rails for riders to show off their talent) and the snowboard Superpipe (which is like a normal halfpipe but ENORMOUS).

Slopestyle at the X Games

If the pipe doesn’t look that big take note of the small blob on the left hand side between the first 2 floodlights. Well, that’s an upside down person a few metres in the air!

The Pipe

The games have lots of things going on to attract an audience including a show of crazy people on skidoos who also like to spend time upside down very high in the air.

While I was in Tignes though I did catch up with some past seasonaire friends who were getting involved in the X-citement.

X-citement!

There are lots of evening activities and promotions including world class Djs, but I had to get back to La Plagne, where they are no doubt celebrating local rider Kevin Rolland’s victory in the ski superpipe.
Former Erna Low rep, Rick saw Rolland’s winning run and said that it was incredible how high the skiers can launch themselves.

Check out www.winterxgameseurope.com and you can see Rolland’s run below…. class!

The Olympics Win Gold In My Book

With the Vancouver Olympics now over, Cody sums up his views from his first hand experience…

There have been a couple of times over the last couple of weeks where I’ve been a little ashamed of my British routes. I remember overhearing (read: eaves-dropping on) some guys in a bar talking about how another article had been written that just ripped the Olympics apart, and they finished that conversation with: “…. and guess who wrote the article? The British (of course).”

night lights

The Olympics received a lot of bad press from the British, and it’s a bit confusing because, to me, criticising these Olympics is like criticising Elmo. Who could do that?! In reality they’ve been absolutely in…..sane.  I’m gonna go and throw modesty to the wind and tell all the doubters that I should know because I’m here! The Olympic buzz in Whistler never came to rest. Every night different artists played a gig at the bottom of the mountain and the medal ceremonies, to massive crowds that were living off the pure excitement of the games. The Swiss practically took over the village, and every time they won gold they marched down the street ringing those frickin cowbells. The different events all told their own stories, from Shaun White achieving legendary status in the half pipe to Canada taking down the USA in the ice hockey final, completing their revenge. I was even fortunate enough to attend the ski jumping and one of the ice hockey games (Canada vs Switzerland baby) as well as skiing to the side of the Dave Murray downhill and watching all the speed skiing. Being here in the flesh at such a historic moment is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done and I’ve loved every moment. Canada were excellent hosts, and I would advise anyone who’s read otherwise to listen to me instead. It’s just a media angle. GO CANADA GO!

me and my academy colleagues ready to win gold!

Well this was more of a cranky rant than a blog on this occasion but I think Vancouver should get the credit they deserve for pulling out all the stops and hosting an amazing Winter games. In addition I once again have no higher praise for Alltracks Academy, in this instance for providing me with the time to enjoy both the Olympics and my skiing equally.

crowds enjoying the atmosphere

The best off piste skiing in France?

 Tim shares the secrets on the best off piste skiing in France…

Mention the words off piste, backcountry or freeride and the French resorts that spring to mind are probably the likes of Chamonix, Val d’Isère, St. Foy, la Grave to name a few. It’s unlikely that high on the average list would be the family friendly resort of La Plagne. More well known for its extensive beginner and intermediate terrain, few are aware of the joys that lie outside the marked runs.

La Plagne - a resort for beginners and intermediates?

Perhaps what makes la Plagne so great after a fresh dump is the very fact that most people are slow to leave the designated pistes, even for just a little play in the powder that beckons only a few metres away.

Fresh tracks on the Friolin Bowl

The terrain that awaits them if they do is extensive and rivals many of the aforementioned big guns. I have to mention at this point that those wishing to discover it should do so with the correct equipment and a professional guide. Other contributing factors include the management’s reluctance to open the higher lifts straight after fresh snow. This might seem like a disadvantage, but it means the powder hungry can make the most of the lower sections and have a second powder day awaiting (if their legs can take it) once the full area opens.

Powpow...

I remember a few years back, on a day trip to Chamonix, being shocked by what I saw in the lift line. Over half the waiting crowd had helmets on and a significant portion were equipped with harnesses, ice screws, ropes etc. All very sensible for an area with so much glacial terrain, but also an indicator of just how quickly any easy fresh tracks will be obliterated and how quickly the ante will be raised if you want to go in search of more.

A freeride Mecca is always full of other eager freeriders and there was much excitement in the valley that day about what turned out to be only 5-10cms of very light snow over an unforgivingly rocky base. I was cautious about damaging my equipment and was surprised to see a small crowd of people huddled round a guy who appeared to be about to drop into a tight couloir with dubious snow cover. As he leaned forward from his perch I was about to shout “’ere mate, you’re still roped to the barrier”, when I realised that there was a photographer climbing up his back trying to get a good shot with the logo on his hat and his ski tips pointing into the void. I left the tourists to find out for themselves that he had no intention of skiing it.

On my first day skiing la Plagne many years ago, I took the gondola up to the glacier only to be greeted by a mogul-filled black run, or a rickety old chair lift to a narrow, snaking red cat track. Not very inspired on first impressions until you realise that these lifts give access to some wonderful off piste itineraries including the Friolin bowl, the Rochu sector, the Cul du Nante and not least the north face of Bellecote. A mythical descent off the back of our highest peak, descending all the way to the nordic ski area of Peisey Nancroix. Not a piste marker in sight for the whole route and entrance points varying from a simple traverse to 45 degree couloirs that you have to rope into.

WHEN THE WEATHER SETS IN THERE IS STILL PLENTY TO DO, WITH SOME EXCELLENT TREE SKIING, WHERE YOU CAN SPEND A WHOLE DAY (OR EVEN A WHOLE WEEK) AND NEVER DO THE SAME ROUTE TWICE.

Powder in the trees

I COULD GO ON, BUT THERE ARE NEW ITINERARIES CALLING, THAT EVEN I HAVEN’T SKIIED AFTER 2 SEASONS, SO ALL THAT REMAINS TO SAY IS GET OUT HERE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF. ACTUALLY, COME TO THINK OF IT, I HEARD CHAMONIX IS PRETTY GOOD… YOU SHOULD PROBABLY GO THERE INSTEAD.