Spring Snow & Pizza in Italy
5th Apr 2014
We have just finished our final Chamonix Off Piste and Mountain Skills course of the season. I really enjoyed working with the group to develop their off-piste ski technique. IFMGA Mountain Guide Rob Jarvis delivered training in mountain skills, both on and off the glacier.
On Tuesday the weather was ideal for being up on the Vallée Blanche with stunning views across the Mont Blanc massif. Thursday provided quite a contrast with the föhn wind howling down the Argentière glacier, depositing sand from the Sahara desert all over the snow. However it was a good environment to train in. As the snow didn't soften at all throughout the day the descent was challenging but it gave a good opportunity to put the technical skills from Monday and Wednesday into practice.
Rob and I work together on the final day of the course, giving an opportunity to combine all the skills from throughout the week. We decided to go to Courmayuer for a change of scene. By skiing a variety of different aspects, and taking full benefit of having skins with us, we were able to make fresh tracks in both spring snow and new cold snow. This, combined with an entertaining river crossing and a fantastic late lunch at Petit Mont Blanc, made for an excellent finale to the last course of the season. There is a video from the course here and also one from the Vallée Blanche.
Rob and I really enjoyed running these courses. Thank you to everyone who came on a course this year for the enthusiasm that they brought along with them. The dates for next year's courses are now on the website.
