Up in Val d'Isere where the snow has been falling!!!
Driving up to Val d'Isere yesterday having landed in Geneva, was definately an experience.
“Do you think you will make it?” asked Linley who has been out here with Tom since the 27th December, making sure every last detail is set and ready for the 2012 season.
“Of course I will” I said, not knowing that 100mph winds, snow drifts and heavy snowfall stood in my way. On route up here, Richard (from Snow Star transfers) and I were informed that they had indeed shut the roads up to Val d'Isere. Like me, Richard is a strong optimist.
“We will make it” he said with both an experienced and determined tone.
Lucky for me Richard was itching to get home, as we speeded past the road block, French Gendamarie scattering as we sped on through.
It was only when we got to a car that had been snow drifted in, as it exited a tunnel did we think that enthusiasm and determination may have got the better of us. After 30 mins of deliberating we decided to turn back. Head back down th mountain, safety first. Too late, we were snow half way up the mountain…!!! Da daa daaaah!!!
Our only option was to brave the snow drift. Jumping out to push a van in what I can only describe as the windiest conditions I have ever experienced anywhere, and with snow blowing up in my face from every angle, I was definitively reminded of how powerful the mountains can be. It also occured to me as I pushed from behind that if Richard was to leave me in the road after I pushed him out, I would not last long. Thankfully, life is not always as it is in the movies and team Will and Richard heroicly made it into town.
Beer on arrival?
Nope – bars closed due to severe avalanche risk in town. I for one have never expereinced that in my 24 years skiing. Tom and Linley had had their supper, and didnt expect to see us. No beer in Tom's apartment either, he told me that it is because he is so focused on delivering the best basecamp season in our 10 year history, that his has decided to go t-total for the season.
Good on him, however I will see if i can change that tonight.
So where are we now….
Today's arrivals – we have over 45 Basecampers in resort – this is a great number, and really bucks the market trend, Basecamp ski and snowboard is back to growing and this is in the toughest of markets. As a team, both up here in the mountains and back down in London this is something that we are very proud of.
I digress (we are proud though, done it again), overnight the roads worsened and have remained closed. No one coming up, no one coming down. Tom was therefore unable to catch his transfer down to meet everyone landing in Geneva.
No problem – Basecamp's brother is Ticket to Ride Surf Adventures, and one of Ticket to Ride most popular trip leaders, Pete Abel is currently living in Geneva for the winter. He runs Kingsurf Surf School in the summer and TTRide Adventures in the winter, a true legend
I got straight onto skype to find none other than Captain Fantastic pulling on his Ticket to Ride Hoody – same design as Basecamp – saying “Basecampers? Stranded at the airport due to adverse weather conditions?” …… “I am on it”
So to end what has been a day full of drama and excitement.
Pete and the Basecamp crew are enroute back from Geneva – the snow ploughs have been out. Mega operation..!
The wind has dropped and the sky is blue. Tomorrow is the first day of the Basecamp season…! With this much snow around, it is going to be an ABSOLUTE CLASSIC…!
Watch this space.
In the mean time, I fancy a beer!
Scrap that – powder in the morning make mine a “demi bier”
Will
“Do you think you will make it?” asked Linley who has been out here with Tom since the 27th December, making sure every last detail is set and ready for the 2012 season.
“Of course I will” I said, not knowing that 100mph winds, snow drifts and heavy snowfall stood in my way. On route up here, Richard (from Snow Star transfers) and I were informed that they had indeed shut the roads up to Val d'Isere. Like me, Richard is a strong optimist.
“We will make it” he said with both an experienced and determined tone.
Lucky for me Richard was itching to get home, as we speeded past the road block, French Gendamarie scattering as we sped on through.
It was only when we got to a car that had been snow drifted in, as it exited a tunnel did we think that enthusiasm and determination may have got the better of us. After 30 mins of deliberating we decided to turn back. Head back down th mountain, safety first. Too late, we were snow half way up the mountain…!!! Da daa daaaah!!!
Our only option was to brave the snow drift. Jumping out to push a van in what I can only describe as the windiest conditions I have ever experienced anywhere, and with snow blowing up in my face from every angle, I was definitively reminded of how powerful the mountains can be. It also occured to me as I pushed from behind that if Richard was to leave me in the road after I pushed him out, I would not last long. Thankfully, life is not always as it is in the movies and team Will and Richard heroicly made it into town.
Beer on arrival?
Nope – bars closed due to severe avalanche risk in town. I for one have never expereinced that in my 24 years skiing. Tom and Linley had had their supper, and didnt expect to see us. No beer in Tom's apartment either, he told me that it is because he is so focused on delivering the best basecamp season in our 10 year history, that his has decided to go t-total for the season.
Good on him, however I will see if i can change that tonight.
So where are we now….
Today's arrivals – we have over 45 Basecampers in resort – this is a great number, and really bucks the market trend, Basecamp ski and snowboard is back to growing and this is in the toughest of markets. As a team, both up here in the mountains and back down in London this is something that we are very proud of.
I digress (we are proud though, done it again), overnight the roads worsened and have remained closed. No one coming up, no one coming down. Tom was therefore unable to catch his transfer down to meet everyone landing in Geneva.
No problem – Basecamp's brother is Ticket to Ride Surf Adventures, and one of Ticket to Ride most popular trip leaders, Pete Abel is currently living in Geneva for the winter. He runs Kingsurf Surf School in the summer and TTRide Adventures in the winter, a true legend
I got straight onto skype to find none other than Captain Fantastic pulling on his Ticket to Ride Hoody – same design as Basecamp – saying “Basecampers? Stranded at the airport due to adverse weather conditions?” …… “I am on it”
So to end what has been a day full of drama and excitement.
Pete and the Basecamp crew are enroute back from Geneva – the snow ploughs have been out. Mega operation..!
The wind has dropped and the sky is blue. Tomorrow is the first day of the Basecamp season…! With this much snow around, it is going to be an ABSOLUTE CLASSIC…!
Watch this space.
In the mean time, I fancy a beer!
Scrap that – powder in the morning make mine a “demi bier”
Will
Blurb
Today’s arrivals – we have over 45 Basecampers in resort – this is a great number, and really bucks the market trend, Basecamp ski and snowboard is back to growing and this is in the toughest of markets. As a team, both up here in the mountains and back down in London this is something that we are very proud of.
