Well the season is sadly approaching the end. It’s been a whopper of a season and a belter of a good time as always. We’ve loved it.
But a few things have been catching our eyes of late and thought we should share them…….
The moody and atmospheric clouds by the Aguille de Fruit between Courchevel and Meribel en route to some great off-piste skiing
New apps for the iphone – Photofunia (well worth the 70 pence or so)
A gang of marauding youths, with mum too, posing in some tasty threads…..
Some racy bubble paintings on the Verdons in Courchevel
Then our favourite. Fresh snow. Late season Meribel powder skiing with Marmalade Ski School.
Come get some – you know it makes sense
Some bright spark has been using the Saulire bubble here in Meribel for more a little more than just going skiing.
“Live Acoustic Sessions filmed in the Saulire bubble lift in Meribel, 3 Valleys, France.” Says Jack Frank the man with the plan.
There are some great sessions and well worth a troll though his youtube channel. We hope that the changing out of the old bubble for a new one won’t prevent him for more of the same next year. Till then here’s a couple of examples…..
Here is the great Albert Jones with Daisy B
Then the man himself Jack with one of his own numbers. Might be quite apt for some chalets but I hope not. Good funny song.
Ahhhh, the joys of spring! What started as almost a damp looking squib of a day at the bottom of the Chaudanne turned into the run of the season! Overnight had given us a dusting of fresh snow but without the normal freeze it looked like the pistes would quicky turn into porridge heaven. So a little trek back to the Col de Fruit, the skies opened and the pitch was perfect. Ladies and gentlemen I give you Paul Hammett scorching down the spring powder!!
Spring has sprung and we have some amazing conditions out here in Meribel. Takes a bit of pre-planning and good time keeping but when you get it right it is fantastic.
Here is Miss Holly Fisher from the delightful Fish and Pips (possible the finest chalet company known to man!) enjoying the Col de Fruit face back down to Mottaret. Something she has wanted to do for many a year but just hasn’t had the chance.
We had a great run down followed by a smashing wee picnic on Lac Tueda.
Here’s the evidence….
Next week sees the start of the big Easter holiday week. We have a Youth week running plus we all on private sessions with old and new friends of the Ski School. It’s going to be a great week, there is some snow forecast for up high during the week which will be nice and with conditions the way they are it’s nothing but a joy going to work each day. Sad to see another winter season in Meribel fly past so quick
It’s been hot here recently but that didn’t stop young Jack from ripping up our mountains. This week we hammered some black runs, Mont Vallon, Courchevel, bumps and then this…..
Nice
This week Del is working in his role as a trainer for the British Association of Snowsport Instructors. Today saw week 1 over and some great skiing, teaching, learning and fun has been had along the way. This morning greeted us with a fine chance to “warm up” down one of the courchevel couloirs. Easily ticked both the “Steeps” and “Variable” boxes for skiing. Big hello to all the group – Scott,Ceri, Leonie, Tom, Aaron, John, Harriet, and Lindsay – and keep up the good work for next week too.
Not sure why we call the ski school hotline the Batphone but we do. And if you tried to get in touch recently you might know that the it has been out of action. Well not any more. It’s back – +33 620 165 044. Call us for private lessons, group lessons, off piste, on piste, snowboarding, skiing, Meribel, Courchevel, adults, kids or just plain any old life changing queries that you may want to discuss with us. We are here for you once again and all ears. We apologise for the breakdown but is back in all its glory.
Ski School anyone…..
A day off is meant for occasions such as this. We work hard and we’re not shy to put in the hours but any available minute to get out there into some good snow and terrain is eagerly anticipated . And this Saturday was no exception.
Team Marmalade along with our buddy Gary the Bruce from Parallel Lines School headed out early on Saturday morning for the resort of St. Foy. It took a while for Del to clear a fuzzy head but the mid Bourg St. Maurice ritual of Intermarche went a long way to sorting that out. The cheapest and best breath of fresh air in the Alps – coffee, drink and croissant for about 2.5 euro. Bargain. We like.
Arrived in St Foy, lift ticket bought and one chairlift taken after another till we arrivd at the top. A quick hour’s walk saw us at the summit and faced with an amazing snowfield. The snow was better, lighter and deeper than expected and we had a great run all the way down. We met the bus in La Mazure to take us back up to the the resort. In total it was an 1800m descent in some cracking snow, surrounded by beautiful peaks and far away from the lifts. All it took was a short hike and a loud alarm clock – thanks Gary.
After that was lunch. Tartiflette and a Coke. Perfect. What followed was a simple follow our noses expedition resulting in again some great snow in the trees for skiing down and then for walking along to bring us back out in resort.
Result? Winner. A great day skiing with good friends can never be beaten but if you get the good skiing and snow in there and all mixed with the right amount of adventure and exploration then who can stop the simple giddiness??
Here’s the video that we made…….
Since then it’s been back to the second week of half term. Great week with great snow and clients.We’ve had group lessons, performance clinics, kids lessons, snowboarding, skiing, privates. The lot. Been a great week for the ski school here in Meibel. We might be looking forward to a little quieter slopes nex week but really it hasn’t been that bad.
Meribel and the 3 Valleys has done a superb job keeping the pistes in great condition and all the new lifts really make a differnce to the queues.
Here’s the last few shots from our day back at St Foy
RRRoll up roll up, come get your Marmalade goodies here…..
If you’ve been around resort or skiing with us this last few years you’ll know we have a wee range in hoodies for you the good people to enjoy wearing.
Here’s a peak at what we have this year…
The “Hello”
The “Tripler”
The “Zipper”
The Truckers
Send an email to Derek@skimarmalade.com for more information or any purchases. All the hoodies are a fine and respectable £40 and the caps £10. And we’ll go halves on any postage and packaging that’s due because we’re nice like that.
The caps are one size fits all and the hoodies are unisex and sized Small, Medium, Large and X-Large. We even have a couple of double Xl’s up our sleeves.
Hurry now though as they are going fast..
Marmalade now made in association with Ride Snowboards
Big thanks to Ride for kitting us up with a couple boards for the winter. We are on two separate boards – the DH2 and the Antic.
This is what they say…
The DH2
Habit Forming without the hook.
Satisfying the constant search for a bigger high, the 2012 Ride DH2 snowboard has got your fix. Built with our new Hybrid Twin shape for a hook-free Ride, it is designed to slay features and stomp big airs. This deck also features micro-rocker in the tip and tail to encourage a playful, surfy feel, and a level micro-camber zone between the feet to maintain snap and amplify the pop factor. Complete with the key ingredients that keep you coming back for more, this versatile Hybrid Twin snowboard includes Pop Rods® 2.0 for a boost of pop, lightweight Membrain™ top sheet and smooth riding 85A Slimewalls®.
Antic snowboard
Epitome of All Around Performance
Delivering versatility for everything the mountain has to offer, the 2012 Ride Antic snowboard features Ride’s LowPro™ shape with playful LowRize™ rocker in the nose and the grippy stability of ProRize™ in the tail. Complete with 90A Slimewalls®, Carbon Array 3™ and Fusion 4000 base™, this directional Ride snowboard will take you from peak to park, with a responsive feel that won’t let you down.
We say. Awesome. Both boards are brilliant. The DH2 is a wicked little jib stick for playing down the mountains – perfect for butters, presses and Ollie nollie tactics.
Then the Antic does what it says on the tin – an all round all mountain performer – just like us!
If you get a chance get a Ride snowboard under your feet then you should. You won’t be sorry.
