Bryan Hogg : Scotland and the Alps

Great snow in Set Foy.

2012-01-03T17:56:00.002+01:00

Blimey, a sunny day at last! Its seems to have been snowing for days.

This is the view from the first chairlift yesterday.

This morning brought blue skies and sunshine and about 3 inches of light snow. I don't think we should get used to it as the forecast for later in the week is saying lots of snow and strong winds for Thursday possibly up to 80cms. Here we go again!

A cornice forming on the roof opposite my apartment.

After working for a couple of weeks in Set Foy I am off to Courchevel and Val d'Isere for a week each and am looking forward to seeing Inspired to Ski clients old and new.

Season 25 week 1!

2011-12-02T10:43:00.001+01:00

Ok so I have doing this for a while but the start of the winter season is always an exciting time. Whats the snow going to be like? What are the clients going to be like? etc, etc.....

This year has been simple, the clients have been great and given that the snow is not (great) we are still having fun. There is no natural snow below 2500m and what there is above that altitude is pretty sparse. We are skiing on the glacier which obviously means that there is natural snow, and it is holding up well. The weather forecast has been promising some precipitation for the last few days but all we have seen is a few wispy clouds and lots of blue skies and sunshine. HOWEVER!!!!! there is supposed something coming tonight, but not much sadly. Maybe more next week. I refuse to worry about it as I have no influence over the meteorological circumstances, contrary to the usual assumption that ski instructors are only slightly removed from the Almighty!
While it's unusual to be this snowless it's not unknown. I was reminiscing with a colleague about a season 20 years ago when we were based in the Portes du Soliel on the franco/swiss border and we did not get snow until the middle of January. We had to drive to Verbier each day to ski. Lets hope that it's not like that this season.
I am here in Tignes for the next two weeks and it will get progressively busier as we get nearer to the festive period and because we are the only snow in town, or even in the the valley, everyone who would be skiing in Les Arcs, La Plagne and maybe the 3 Valleys will be coming here. This weekend we normally get lots of Spaniards here due to a holiday so I am expecting to be dodging flying Barcelonians for a few days

Still, there are worse places to be!

A week on Islay, whisky, wind and wild weather

2011-10-26T16:49:00.001+01:00

I was on the island of Islay last week, land of whisky, wind and wild weather, well it is October after all!

I took quite a lot of pictures and videos and the link below will take you You Tube where i have uploaded them.

Hope it gives you a flavour of the island, because you really should go. Great beaches, outdoor stuff and plenty of places to hide if the weather is less than pleasant.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bryanhoggski&aq=f

One of the many great things about Scotland

2011-10-02T22:56:00.001+01:00

Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain

Queens Hall, Edinburgh

Scotland is great! I spend day and weeks travelling round the country, climb the hills, visit the islands, have fun in the cities and generally enjoy myself and help visitors to do the same (I hope). Live music is one of those gems that more people need to go and see (or should that be hear?)

Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain are the quintessential purveyors of traditional Scottish music. There is or maybe was a perception the fiddle and accordion were not cool, well go and see these guys. The quality of the playing, the in-between tune chats and all round laid back vibe of the evening is great and as they do annual tour there will more opportunities to see see them before long. Do yourself a favour and go.

Being a tourist guide in Scotland

2011-07-24T20:27:00.000+01:00

Well I am not going to complain, not much anyway, except about the weather because overall it's been pretty poor, last couple of days have been lovely though.
I am working too much, ok another complaint, but a it's been a very busy summer for visitors so far at least, and while I am enjoying it and the guests seem to having a good time too, I have had no time to get out and about much. The sea kayaking trip at the beginning of May has been the only trip north of the great glen I have yet managed.
I was hoping, (and still plan) to get up to the Assynt lochs and catch some wild brown trout before now but bookings have been rolling in and quite a lot of stuff has been coming in at the last minute so the opportunities have not been there for going north.
I have made up for it by investigating more local places. I went to East Lothian, east of Edinburgh the other day to fish on the River Tyne. Funny how so many east of Britain rivers start with a 'T', Thames, Tyne, Trent, Tay, Tweed etc etc.
The river is stocked with trout below the weir in the town of Haddington, so I went upstream where the trees are not so thick and it is easier to cast a fly.
Unusually, the weather was quite warm and the sun was shining, so less than ideal and anywayI had bought my permit!
I worked my way downstream trying the pools and likely looking places with out success until I reached a pool where a small burn joined the main river. As I examined the junction for the best place to cast a couple of trout rose in the ripples, things are looking up!
I walked down the bank to the bottom go the pool, don't want to scare the fish, and waded up till I could cast to the area where I had seen the rises. I had selected a tiny dry fly resembling a midge and I tried to get it to land as gently as possible. Nothing looked at it for the first two or three casts, then a very subtle take by the fish brought me my first trout of the day. Six inches of wild trout fought hard and once landed I returned to the river to fight again. I cough two more which were slightly bigger and gave good sport.

Its not really about catching fish, Its about getting out in nice country and considering that I was about 17 miles from Edinburgh its feels a million miles away.
Ok, it's not the far north, but I am not complaining.

Midsummers day in Edinburgh Castle

2011-06-21T22:21:00.001+01:00

Midsummers day eh? Then how come it was sheeting down with rain then? I was booked to show a group of Aussie touch players in town for the world champs. I think they were somewhat shocked by the conditions meteorological.
I have rarely been as wet and it was difficult to maintain the groups enthusiasm (as well as my own).
Still it can only get better, surely!

Summer in Scotland?

2011-06-13T12:18:00.002+01:00

So whats with this weather eh? When I got back from the Alps at the end of April the weather was warm, the sun was out and it looked like we were going to have a lovely summer. Now, I know this is Scotland and that you can't rely on the weather but since then it seems to have been, cold, windy and generally miserable..

I have been busy with work showing visitors the joys of Edinburgh and further afield and have been really enjoying it. I have been to whisky distilleries, Falconry centres, taken people fly fishing, been to Loch Ness (monster free sadly, seen Edinburgh castle in what seems like all weathers and I have only been back in action for a month, and there is lots more to come. The next few days are pretty busy with walking tours of Edinburgh and I always enjoy them. I have my route worked out and know (more or less) how long its going to take. The great advantage of a walking tour is that there is more time to explore the nook and crannies of the city and find things that are not on the usual tourist trail. A statue of an American president, a clock made of flowers, a volcano (more than one),execution sites, literary connections and spectacular interiors of buildings. Go and and see the inside of the bank in St. Andrews Square for example.
The linking together of stories and the influence that events had on each other is a constant source of interest and for me the easiest way to remember dates, names and important points and as you wander Edinburgh there are connections all over the place.
If you haven't been to Edinburgh or Scotland come and have a look and make sure that when you have seen the cities you get into the country. Do yourself a huge favour and get off the beaten track. Seek out companies that are offering interesting things, frm whale watching to mountain biking and all points in-between. You will have a great time. Just bring a waterproof!

Back in the Scottish Tour Guide groove!

2011-05-29T10:10:00.000+01:00

Its been a busy couple of weeks with no real sign of things slowing down. I have ben showing visitors the delights of Scotland and enjoying myself at the same time and you can't ask for more than that.
Last weekend I was in Crieff and the surrounding area with Dutch guests and we were, quad biking, whisky tasting, fly fishing and doing a bit of falconry.

The weather has been mixed with even a bit of hail and snow on the hills which thankfully has been restricted to the summits.

I have done a few Edinburgh city tours and last week with more Dutch guests did a cycle tour of the city which I had never done with clients before. Being from Holland they were well used to 2 wheels but really enjoyed the tour and we combined it with a walk up Arthurs Seat and got fantastic views.

The following day they took part in a Highland games day and much fun was had by all.

Now I have another busy few days and am off to the north, via a Glasgow city tour.

All I have do now is find time to go fishing!

Sea Kayaking in North West Scotland

2011-05-09T11:19:00.000+01:00

As the end of the winter season in the Alps approaches, I look forward to getting home to Scotland. It's good to get back into the flat and get begin to get organised for the summer guiding work. Before that gets under way I like to escape to the North West of Scotland and there is no better time to be there than May and June. The days are stretching, there are few people there and the hoards of midgies have yet to start savaging the population.

I have joined a sea kayaking trip organised by Sam Weir at www.kayakscotland.co.uk several times over the last few years and this year he was going the Summer Isles just north of Ullapool. We had tried to get there a couple of years ago but the weather had not co-operated and we had gone to the sea lochs for more sheltered paddling.

We were a group of 10 including 2 leaders and we gathered on the beach near Achiltibuie to load the boats and get organised for the 4 day trip. The first paddle across the bay to the main island on Tanera Mor was a bit of a baptism of fire or should that be waves because the sea was coming at us from the SE which meant is was on our beam and made the the first mile or so entertaining and a little wobbly for those of us ( me) who were out of practice. We all made it safely and made good use of the little cafe with tea, coffee and excellent chocolate brownies! Suitably revived we.headed north to begin an anti clockwise tour of the island. With the wind behind us and soon in the shelter of the island it was a much more comfortable ride and we could relax, enjoy the scenery and look for wildlife. Our campsite for the next 2 nights was in a little bay on the SW corner of Tanera Mor and while the terrain was not perfect ie not much flat ground, it was fine and we quickly got the tents up and kettle on.

Once tea had been consumed I dug the collapsible fishing rod out of the kayak and scrambled along the rocks for a cast or two. Before long I had a good sized pollock which provided a fine late supper. One of the rules of beach camping is that you have to build a fire, so being law abiding folks we complied and soon had a fine blaze going. One of the team had the fore-site to bring some tinfoil and a lemon so the fish was cleaned, seasoned, wrapped in foil and chucked on the fire. 15 minutes later we enjoyed the freshest fish possible and very good it was too. Along with the wine and a final dram of Old Pultney or Talisker it was a happy group that stumbled off to their sleeping bags.

The next day the wind was a little stronger than the forecast had predicted, so we spent the day exploring the inlets, islands and skerries between Tanera Mor and Tanera Beg where we could avoid the worst of the waves.

That evening we caught another pollock, drank more wine and whisky and a good time was once again had by all.

Day three dawned sunny again and light winds meant that we could venture further afield. Round the west side of Tanera Mor where we met another group of camping kayakers and after reaching the north end of the island we “skerry hopped” to lunch on a rocky beach. As we approached the beach we came close to a small islet on which a good number of seals were sunning themselves. There were several young seal pups so we gave them a wide berth but the sounds or songs they sang made for quite a spooky lunch. It's a otherworldly sound but certainly adds to the atmosphere!

Lunch over and as the tide had dropped there was an entertaining drag of the boats across seaweedy rocks to get afloat again and off toward another island. The rock achitecture is spectacular with large cliffs, natural arches and caves to explore. We were accompanied by the eerie call of either the black throated or great northern diver which carried over the water and echoed off the crags. An otter was spotted, but not by me!

A final push to Reiff bay gave us relaxing laze in the sun perched on a little crag above the sandy beach looking back south over our route and islands shimmering in the sun.

Our final paddle of the day took us to the new campsite at Polbain and dinner in the Am Furan Bar. The campsite is just opposite the hotel and is brand new. They were complaining that they need more rain to halp the grass grow on the tent area but once that happens it will be a welcome addition to the area.

Day 4 dawned bright, clear and calm. Plan A was initiated and we headed off to paddle round Rubha Coigach. It's quite an exposed headland and calm weather is preferable particularly for those less experienced, so we were pretty lucky. The coastline is very spectacular and there are many crags used by climbers. This means that there are very few stopping places and once you get round the headland its a fair old way till you can safely get out of the boat.

It was a little lumpy as we went round the point but it quickly calmed again and gave a lovely paddle along the north coast. Lunch was taken in a rocky cove and then the final section to the old pier at Achnahaird.

A great few days and I hope to more later in the year.

End of the season

2011-04-23T14:37:00.000+01:00

I am packing the car and getting ready for an early start tomorrow heading for Calais and then over night with friends.
Had a good last week in Tignes and really good to see some previous clients. The snow on the whole, was much better than people expected, sure its a bit icy in the morning and slushy by mid afternoon, but that what happens at this time of year!
Other than the lack of powder it's been a good season, pretty busy and good skiing but I have done less free skiing this year than for many seasons.
I'll make up for it next year!
Now its back home with a couple of stops on the way then up to the NW of Scotland at the end of the week.

Warm in the Alps, warm in Scotland

2011-04-09T17:06:00.003+01:00

Mont Pourri

According to the local weather service, it has not been this warm for 5 consecutive days in April in Bourg St Maurice since 1946. Some of the thermometers in cars were showing 30 degs C, which to be honest seems on the high side, but there is no denying, its very warm in the Tarantaise valley.

The snow, not surpassingly is suffering and resorts are beginning to adjust their closing dates.

But I am off back to Scotland soon and hope that the reports I have been reading today of spring weather continues when I get back.

Bellevarde Val d'Isere

The end of the ski season in Ste Foy

2011-04-08T13:20:00.000+01:00

Over the last days I have skied in most of the local areas and they are in surprisingly good condition, considering how warm (make that hot) it has been here over the last days and weeks.

The heat is starting to bite now though in the lower sections and I heard today that Ste Foy is closing about 10 days early, thats next Friday 15^th of April.

The higher resorts, Tignes, top of Les Arcs and the higher bits of Val d'Isere are still skiing well and reports from people who have been ski touring are saying that so long it has been freezing at night then the morning skiing on transformed snow is very good.

I am looking forward to heading back to Scotland and I once back in Edinburgh I am heading north to go sea kayaking for a few days, hoping for decent weather so that we can get out to the Summer Isles near Ullapool. I have tried to get there before but the wind was in the wrong direction so we ended up exploring some of the sea lochs nearby.

I plan to hang out in the NW and try to get up a hill or two and also get the fishing rod out. The lochs of he area are wonderful and if you are prepared to walk for only a short distance you rarely see anyone.

Rum and Eigg on a previous kayak trip

Bring it on!!!

A good day in Val d' Isere and Tignes

2011-03-25T23:17:00.002+01:00

Aiguille Percee above Tignes Le Lac

Boy, it's been warm! The lower slopes have been suffering, below about 1800m its very slushy and on slopes that get a lot of sun, likewise.
We started today at the Fornet end of VdI and worked our way towards Tignes Les Brevieres. We ticked off the top of the glacier in Val and was on the top of Tignes too, well almost. There was biggish queue for the cable car so we didn't bother.
Ended the day with a run down the Sache which was pretty good, surprisingly. The lower bit before it meets the blue run was very soft and sugary but all in much better than I expected.
Pictures to follow when I get a better interweb connection.

Gadgets and stuff

2011-03-21T21:26:00.003+01:00

Those who know me know I like gadgets. I defend my spending on these 'toys' by saying that use them and they don't sit in a drawer unloved and un-understood. Bottom line though is that I enjoy them and if I can apply them in my day to day life even better.
What is gratifying is that every so often a piece of kit pops up that just works and is very simple, so much so that the ' why didn't I think of that' spectre raises its ugly head!
I was looking around on google for a way of using my iphone with tripod. I am planning on doing some video blogging and little movies of cool places and want a way to make it easy with the phone because you never know when something interesting requires recording.
Thats when the 'Glif' popped into view. It's a plastic gizmo that has a tripod mount built in and its design allows it to be attached to the iphone in a number of ways.
I look forward to playing with my new toy!
http://www.theglif.com/

A good day in La Thuile Italy

2011-03-18T17:23:00.001+01:00

I didn't really believe my friend and colleague Andrea when she texted this morning to say the weather was good in Italy and we should go for a ski. Outside my window was grey and miserable and it didn't improve much on the drive to La Rosiere. It didn't improve at all on the ride up the series of lifts on the way to the border but jings, crivvens, help ma Boab.... as we crossed into the land of pizza, pasta and Berlosconi the sun broke through and we had a very good time cruising around. Had a nice lunch, c'mon its Italy, its the rules and a pleasant ski back into France. Its a hard life in the mountains!

The edge of the cloud between France and Italy

Blue skies in Italy

Dreich in Ste Foy

2011-03-17T16:55:00.000+01:00

Dreich, a fine Scots word that sounds exactly like the weather it describes. Damp, grey and generally miserable. That said the new snow that fell today is very welcome, about 10cms at the summit though low-down it was wet and heavy. It has topped up the pistes and once the cloud lifts hopefully the off piste will be better too. lets have some good snow for the end of the season!

Spring is a month early in the Alps

2011-03-14T20:29:00.000+01:00

Another beautiful day in the Alps, well this bit of the Alps. Was up in Ste Foy today, first time for over a week and the cover was mostly very good, but where the sun had got at the snow it's going fast. Very slushy on the areas exposed to the full sun and as it get darker it sucks in more UV and gets warmer and slushier (is that a word? it is now!)
The forecast is for colder weather as this week goes on and maybe some snow though it seems to be falling all around, just not here.
I enjoyed the trip back to Scotland and my thoughts are turning to the spring in the NW highlands. Am booked to go sea kayaking and then have some time before the summer work kicks in so will try to wander up a few hills and try to catch some trout too.
Must get climbing this year. Its an advantage of getting older that I no longer feel the need to try and drag my willing but unable body up bits of rock that are too hard. i want to revisit some the classic climbs that i did 30 years (shit, that long??) ago or even those I missed the first time round.
Might go to Morzine later in the week to catch up with friends there, think I need a bit of a social evening or two.

Back to Ste Foy

2011-03-12T13:47:00.000+01:00

Sitting at the Airport

I am glad I don’t do this often any more, it's a faff. Even just the hanging around is less than illuminating though I admit the people watching if entertaining.

I am waiting for the flight to Geneva where my car awaits then a drive past Annecy, Albertville and up to the Haute Tarantaise. The forecast on the BBC this morning is for substantial falls of snow in Scotland. Am hoping that there is some due in the Alps too.

Part Deux

Back in the Alps in Ste Foy having negotiated the airport car park and the road works in Annecy. Its beautiful drive along the lake side and I did intend to stop for pictures but the road was busy and it was not easy to stop. Having left Scotland bracing itself for snow I get back here to find that its been warm, much of the low level snow gone and not much in the forecast for the week ahead. Ho hum.....looks like its going to be one of those years where we do ok for snow but thats all.

Back in Scotland and it's (almost) snowing!

2011-03-10T12:44:00.000+01:00

24 hours from now and I will be on the plane heading back to Geneva it's been a quick visit but its been good to be back.
Cold and windy in Edinburgh today and there is snow on the hills to the south. The forecast for the highlands is for a pretty good fall, good for the skiing and late season touring.
This is a great time to visit Scotland. Ok the weather is not great but you don't come here fOr the climate at any time of year. There are very few visitors so you are not fighting through the crowds on the Royal Mile and Princes St.
The wildlife is getting going, birds coming back, read reports of an Osprey spotted near Aviemore. The gannets are coming back to he Bass Rock. Go and take a boat trip round the Bass. Great views, history (Scotlands Alcatraz according to Neil Oliver)and more birds than you can shake a stick at.
Come to Scotland in the spring, it's great!

Heading home to Scotland

2011-03-09T13:45:00.001+01:00

First attempt at producing a video in my new computer. Hopefully the first of plenty and a will try to show the best bits of Scotland and also ski clips.

By the way it was windy and friction freezin!

A mid season break

2011-03-07T21:26:00.000+01:00

I am back on home shores! Well nearly....visiting my brother and family near Newcastle. I will head back to Edinburgh tomorrow and if the weather is good I will head over the hills and avoid the traffic of the A1. I last drove this road on the way to the Alps when there was a bit of snow, I am not anticipating any of that but you never know!
Look like I will be going back to Geneva on Friday as some work is coming in for next week and I dont want to have to deal with the traffic on Saturday.

Breakfast and an off piste rant

2011-02-24T22:44:00.000+01:00

It's a good way to start the day, sitting in a boulongerie with an expresso and a pain au chocolat. Across the valley the sun is shining and it won't belong before it creeps round the side of the hill and warms up the pistes of Ste Foy. I am teaching two groups of kids this morning, both of which are charging round the mountain at some speed then this afternoon it's the dads turn and we will go for an explore into the off piste.on the other side of the hill.
Now 24 hours later and the off piste run was very good. We met another group, not led by a guide or instructor though there was a leader. None of them were wearing a rucsac so no shovels or probes and probably no transceivers. Now I appreciate that this is an easy off piste run but protocol dictates that if you are going off piste you take the safety kit. it's not just for your own safety but should the worst case happen and there is an avalanche those who are not equipped are unable to help the victims. It just makes sense to me, get the kit and learn how to use it!
Rant over.....
The forecast is looking good for next week with up to 30cms of snow over the next few days. Bring it on!
Sods law dictates that we will get lots of snow next week and it will the best skiing of the season and I am going home for a week next Friday. I am looking forward to going back to Scotland though, it will be good to have a change of scene and make some plans for the summer.

Let the madness begin!

2011-02-19T16:19:00.000+01:00

It's half term week, oh good! All the locals are keeping off the road today because everybody else is travelling. It's the second week of Paris holidays and all the Brits, Dutch and a few others are arriving too. So the slopes are going to be busy and I am glad to be Ste Foy based this week.

We found some new snow (well newish)

2011-02-04T17:53:00.001+01:00

Another week and still no snow! Well, not strictly true. While there was no snow in the middle part of the Tarantaise valley arouns Ste Foy and Les Arcs where i am based, up in the top end of Val d’Isere there has been a little and over in La Thuile off the Aosta Valley in Italy there was a decent fall of 10/15cms. We skied over from La Rosiere twice this week and both times found some very good snow. So it’s not all doom and gloom.

Off Piste in Ste Foy

2011-01-30T17:10:00.002+01:00

It’s yet another blue sky, sunny day in the Tarantaise valley in the French Alps. It’s been like this for weeks now and frankly I’ve had enough! Let’s get some snow falling and make it quick, Who’s in charge and who do I get in touch with?

According to the forecast the only sign of precipitation on the horizon is next weekend but it’s a long way off and things can change but here’s hoping, it would certainly be useful to get some before it starts getting busy in February.

I was in Val d’Isere yesterday and had a great day going from Tignes Les Brevieres to the other end of the Espace Killy at Le Fornet. Skied a couple of the well known off piste routes, The Tour de Charvet and The Grand Vallon which were very good, provided you stayed on the bits where it had been well skied. Off to the side in the rough stuff it was ....well....rough, obviously, it was pretty tricky and not much fun. It was very cold in the wind so it was a relief to get into the Grand Vallon which was very sheltered. Really good snow there too.

I have a rare day off today and have got the laundry in the washing matching and have tidied the apartment and am feeling reasonably domestic, don’t worry it won’t last and am heading out for lunch soon so that will be there end of any indoor cleaning activities. Will afterwards get settled into a bar/cafe and get some internet stuff done.

Tonight I begin another off piste course and having skied all of the local areas in the last week I now have a good idea where to go to find decent snow. Definitely a trip to La Rosiere/La Thuile because the snow is pretty good and more importantly it good to go to Italy for lunch and the clients like the idea of going international.

If it snows I will let you know!

Courchevel

2011-01-15T12:22:00.001+01:00

It's the end of week 1 (of 2) in Courchevel 1850 and the sun is streaming through the window of the hotel as I type this. You may well ask why I am not out there enjoying it, but having checked my diary this morning I am not going to have any time off till early March so I am making the most of today by doing very little!
That said I am going to Albertville later, need to get supplies for next week and it's also good to get out ski resorts otherwise you forget there is life going on "down there"
It's been a good first week with mixture of weather and snow conditions from fresh snow to ice and all points in between. I made it over to St Martin de Belleville with my group yesterday and while it was a bit of a rush it was good fun going fast on the pistes. The off piste conditions are tough and unless we get a bit more snow, there will not be much exploring done next week and, sad to say, the forecast holds little promise. Still, we will make the best of it and while we can control may aspects of guests ski trips we have yet to master the weather!

Damp Chamonix

2011-01-06T22:14:00.000+01:00

I have been here since Sunday and for the most part it's been great. i love coming to Chamonix and the big hills here are some of the most spectacular in Europe. Mont Blanc, rather obviously, dominates the scene and the ridges and valleys thrown down form the heights really draw the eye. Makes it hard to concentrate on the job of teaching people to go left and right, but I am not complaining, it's the best office that I have ever had.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was spent in Courmayeur in Italy following a trip through the the Mont Blanc tunnel, all 11.611 kms of it. Driving through makes you understand what is meant by tunnel vision! the lights along the wall get somewhat hypnotic and if you were tired it would be easy to let the mind wander.
So, one more day to go and I will drive back to my base at Ste Foy tomorrow evening. Much better to get back on Friday and avoid the trauma of driving in the Alps on a Saturday transfer day.
After a day of rest and relaxation I head to Courchevel on Sunday for 2 weeks. I used to work there and know it well and I am working with a good friend so it should be fun.
Lets hope it gets colder and we get some snow, we need it. Reports soon

Christmas and New Year in the Alps

2011-01-02T11:05:00.000+01:00

Well thats that then....another festive preiod over and back into the slightly more relaxing times of January. Many of the holiday visitors have left or are leaving today and we will be left with the stragglers who often get a really good few days. The hills are quieter, workers are more relaxed and the season fells like its started properly.
I feel sorry for the new staff at this time of year, thrown in at the deep end doesn't really cover it when two of the busiest weeks of the season happn just as you arrive. The festive time really need to happen in March when everybody know how it all works.
I am going to Chamonix today for a week teaching an off piste course the forecast is pretty good at least until the end of the week and I only have 5 guests so I am looking forward to it. I am letting the traffic die down before I leave Ste Foy and hopefully it only take a couple of hours to get there.
New year was fun in the Auberge and the attached picture might explain why!

Caledonification

2010-12-21T16:53:00.001+01:00

Caledonification ; The state of being enamored of all things Scottish. Was thinking about this the other day when i was sitting on a chairlift in Les Arcs on my way home without clients listening to Blazing Fiddles on my Ipod and letting my mind wander to the West of Scotland and the Islands. I mean... come on Bryan....how sad is that? Surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe and I am missing the windy west.
Anyway I will sustain myself with a read of Andrew Griegs " At the loch of the green corrie" a piece of Mums shortie and a cup of tea. Life is a so glamorous being a ski teacher!

Back in Ste Foy

2010-12-19T12:09:00.003+01:00

A wee slide show of opening day in Ste Foy.

Moved back into the apartment last night and didn't have to set the alarm. Its on the ground floor of a tall building, quite old so the windows are small hence not much light. I woke at 9am! Luxury! Had to unpack all the bags I couldn't be bothered unpacking last night and generally get things sorted out and am now off to do a bit of teaching for the new staff in the Auberge where I spend a fair amount of time!
I have a few pictures of opening day in Ste Foy yesterday and will try to upload them asap.

What look like quite a quiet week is starting to fill up to the nose is well and truly back at the grindstone!

End of one week and the beginning of another in Tignes

2010-12-12T16:47:00.000+01:00

Its been interesting to be back in the saddle or to mix metaphors even more, to be back in the bindings!
The first 3 days were dominated by the bad weather in the UK which stopped a number of our clients getting here on time. We did have a number of people from Spain arrive which meant we could run the course more or less as normal and when the Brits arrived we did extra sessions to give them vfm. Good snow and good skiing soon helped to ease away the travel tension. Then the Spanish air traffic controllers went on strike.
The start of the first full week was made memorable by the worst the thing you can hear in a ski resort....a forecast of rain, which sadly came true, Last Monday was very wet, even up here where we sleep at 2100m it rained and it did not turn to snow until around 2450m which meant that it was hard to find anywhere to go that was not wet. Eventually we gave up on trying to get out of the rain and into the snow and skied on the lower part if the mountain near the trees where we could at least see what we were doing.
The next day was much better and fortunately the heat in the hotel bathrooms can be turned up to 11 so almost everything was dried out.
Since then we have had pretty much sunshine everyday with some light snow in the evening to freshen things up and some very good conditions both on and off piste.
The clients left this morning and as I write this in the lobby of the hotel in Tignes a few new people have arrived with bulk getting to the airport about now. The forecast for the coming week is pretty good if you like sun and low temperatures and there is some snow due at the end of the week.
Its very sociable at this time of the season with many old friends working in Tignes because its the only major resort open. Was at a birthday dinner the other night and the total number of years working as a professional ski teacher was added up.Out of 15 people, the total of all the ages was 655 and teaching years 294 so the average per instructor of 294 divided by 15 = 19.6. My own total is 23. It'll be 24 in April.

First day of the season inTignes

2010-11-30T19:07:00.000+01:00

Ok, well it might not be Tignes first day but it was for me! Drove up from Ste Foy with colleague Tim and bought ski pass before heading up the Aeroski lift and taking few runs in Val d' Isere. The snow is good if a little thin in places on piste. Off piste you will need to be very careful. It'a pretty cold too -8 and-15 posted today at the top of some lifts. I start work tomorrow and we are supposed to get 20cms of snow so it should be interesting better get up early to make sure the roads are ok. Have now repaired to the local hotel for beer and pizza and I think it will be an early night.

Made it to France

2010-11-28T18:07:00.000+01:00

Its now about 5:45 pm, Sunday in Arlanc France and I am here for a couple of days before heading to the Alps.
I left Edinburgh on Friday and the reports of snow causing traffic problems were all over the radio so rather tahn take the A1 south and follow the coast, I took the inland route on the A68 and crossed into England at Carter Bar just south of Jedburgh. I like this route, there is something dramatic about crossing hill passes and the views in both directions from the top as you cross the border are spectacular. The road was a little snowy on the English side but no real trouble and more importantly no hold ups. I spent the night at a friends in Clochester and got the Shuttle through the tunnel under the channel at 8:30 on Sturday morning.
The motorways in France are really good, ok you have to pay for them but you can see where the money goes. I did get a little hung up going round Paris. Normally I can avoid it because when I drive straight to the Alps you stay well north and don't see Paris at all. But, because I was comimng here the most direct route is to cut around the capital and join the autoroute heading pretty much due south. After a hold up or two due to roadworks and busy traffic I popped out heading south and from then on plain sailing to Arlanc.
My friends have been here for a number of years and I know it pretty well. They live in an old mill outside the town surrounded by fields and cows. Its lovely to get out of the car here after two days driving and just spend some time walking the dogs and chilling.
However, tomorrow I am back in the car and off to the mountains. Its about 4 hours on good roads and so long as it doesn't snow all should be fine. I will get into my appartment in Ste Foy tomorrow afternoon, get my gear organised and on Tuesday will go up to Tignes for a ski. Its good to make sure the legs still work before you meet the clients on Wednesday!
I will be in Tignes for 21/2 weeks and its always fun. We get a lot of repeat clients and its good to see them and there are lots of instructors around at this time of year so its good to catch up with thm.
I will try to post regular reports on the conditions.

In the country near Edinburgh

2010-11-19T22:13:00.000+01:00

I was out today at a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve just a short distance from Edinburgh. There were lots of birds mainly waxwings and fieldfares but were hard to take pictures of being quite a long way away and against the sky. As I walked slowly along the path there was a crashing from the woods, which gave me quite a fright and 3 roe deer broke cover. One ran off quickly but he other two pnly moved a short distance., as you can see.

A walk in Edinburgh

2010-11-18T15:59:00.003+01:00

The car was in for its pre trip service, so took the camera for a walk along the Water of Leith in Edinburgh. Always something to see.

A love of Assynt

2010-11-09T16:49:00.003+01:00

Just caught up with a BBC 2 programme celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Scottish poet Norman MacCaig.

The fiddle player Aly Bain, Billy Connolly and the author and poet Andrew Greig walked up in the the hills of Assynt in NW Scotland to fish in MacCaigs favourite loch.

The scenery was great and the sentiments expressed worked for me. It is a spectacular and inspirational place and perhaps the only sadness is that once it has been on TV more people go. That said its a fair walk to the that loch and there are plenty others in the vicinity so you can always find one untroubled by other fisherman.

Ya gotta love November in Scotland

2010-11-08T21:23:00.002+01:00

Man alive its grim today! Cold easterly wind and really heavy squalls. Webcam pics show a fair sprinkling of snow on the hills. Have been looking at the Tignes wbcams where I'l be on Dec. !st. Looks good on the glacier. The rest of the area opens last weekend of November. so fingers crossed.

Social Media course

2010-11-04T15:37:00.001+01:00

Courtesy of the STGA I attended a course yesterday to find out more about the mysteries of social media. Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and LinkedIn were all explored and the potential of these discussed. Am now in the process of trying to make sense of it and tie them all together. If you keep up with this you will find out how successful (or not) I am!

Other than that the winter looms and I am getting organised for my first days ski teaching on December 1st.Time to book the ferry.

Almost there!

2010-04-10T20:57:00.002+01:00

So 2 weeks to go. Easter week has come and gone and I have beens skiing with groups of kids which has been good fun and the weather has been pretty good too.

I was just thinking of all the resorts I have been to this year, so in some sort of order here goes.... Tignes, Val d Isere, Ste Foy, Zinal, Grimentz, St Luc, Chandolin, Courchevel, Meribel, Morzine, Chamonix, Courmayeur, Les Arcs, La Rosiere, La Thuile, Les Gets, Avoriaz etc etc. Blimey.....

I am back to Chamonix tomorrow then the last week of the season in Tignes.

Back at base

2010-01-30T16:27:00.002+01:00

I seem to have been on the road for ages. Its good to be back in Ste Foy after Zinal, Courchevel and an last minute week in Meribel. Having been in the 3 valleys for the last 2 weeks it makes me appreciate the peace and quiet of smaller resorts. Its great to be able to ski without looking out for other people, and to have a good chance of finding untracked snow days after a fall.
It is also easier to get to know a smaller resort and while I am sure that many people know each others secret spots it's fun tofind that no-one ventured there, especially when you have clients in tow!
During the coming week I am looking forward to getting to Les Arcs and La Rosiere and over to La Thuile in Italy, always a good lunch there!!

Mountain Tracks

2010-01-10T18:44:00.003+01:00

I am in Zinal, Switzerland working for Mountain Tracks. Had a great week last week on a Mtracks course based in Ste Foy. Skied for 3 days in Ste Foy and a day each in La Rosiere and Les Arcs. Good snowfall at the start of the week meant great conditions and our Les Arcs day on Tuesday was particularly good. (see pic)

The weather today was great. clear and cold with a temperature inversion below.

Staying in the skizinal.com chalet with Penny and Eric. recommended!

That week between Xmas and New year

2009-12-27T21:12:00.004+01:00

Its supposed to be one of the busiest weeks in the mountains. People celebrate Xmas at home then head for the hills, and it was a little busy on the roads yesterday. I was skiing in Ste Foy and it was deserted, the skiing was good too. So when I went up this morning to meet clients at 9:45 I was expecting to queue at the lift it generally to be busy. well it was slightly busier than yesterday but by no stretch of the imagination was it BUSY! So where is every body? Has the recession kicked in or are the conditions putting people off. Great snow today on and off piste though I am restricting off piste action to well skied areas so I can see the rocks, hey I have new skis!
I am in Val d'Isere for the rest of the week so I am sure it will be busier there. Snowing lightly here tonight, rumours abound of a big fall this week. Still not counting my centimeteres till they hit the ground!

COLD!

2009-12-16T17:09:00.002+01:00

Don't really know whay I am surprised! After all it is the winter and I am in the Alps at nearly 2000m, but it is pretty cold and today in Val d Isere I was wearing my heavy duty gloves and my fingers were still cold. It doesn't help when you have to take them off to video the clients either but hey...it's part of the gig.
I am settled into my new studio now and I like it. Even I, a contender for the most untidy person on the planet, has to make an effort to keep things under control when living in a limited space.
I am going to be working in VdI for the next 3 weeks or until after New Year which means a slightly earlier than normal start for the 20 min or so drive, but I quite like it and can crank up the ipod for the trip. It is however slightly surreral to be driving through such spectacular Alpine scenery listening to Neil Oliver describing a walk through the jute mills of Dundee thanks to the open university and itunes. Good stuff though.
Ste Foy opens on Saturday so even though I am not working at the weekend and it will be the last proper time off till mid January suspect I will have to go for a ski. Snow is forecast for the weekend and next week and it is also supposed to be windy so I will make a final decision on the day.
Until then the calm, clear and cold conditions will have to do and I will try to limit the video sessions!

2009-12-01T18:02:00.002+01:00

Under pressure from Tony K, here is an update for the beginning of the 2009/2010 season.
I am in Tignes working for Inspired to Ski and having a really good time! When I got here last saturday there was sufficient snow for the resort to open and the links to Val d Isere were open too. It has been windy though not too cold and yesterday the first proper snow storm of the winter arrived. we have had about 30 cms of snow and it really feels like winter is here. Managed to grab some powder turns and the clients were blown away by the quality of the snow. Tomorrow, Wednesday is supposed to be sunny then we get more snow and some of the forcasts are saying that we are in a snowy cycle for the nest week or so. So for 2009/10 so far so good.

Trying to get a handle on new technology

2009-06-15T15:24:00.002+01:00

Well, its new to me! I have been so bad at keeping this blog up to date I am going to try "twitter". Given that you can only post 140 characters at a time it means I don't have to get creative with compositions and can still post interesting bits and pieces.
It was a great ski season right to the bitter end in late April. I was in Tignes working with Inspired to Ski and we had good snow and great weather for most of the week even if it did get a bit slushy at the end of the day on the lower slopes.
The plan was to do some ski touring at the end but the weather changed and as i lleft the valley it was snowing at 1200m and apparently was pretty bad for for a while.
Got back to Edinburgh right at the end of April and went straight up north for a few days sea kayaking which was great. Really hope to do more this summer. Since then have done a bit of guiding work and quite a lot of flyfishing. Was in the NW last week and caught a few trout in the Applecross and Gairloch areas.
Am reall going to try and keep the twitter thing up to date, but if past record is anything to go by dont hold your breath.
The link is below
Bry
http://twitter.com/skihog

Back In Ste Foy

2009-02-10T16:40:00.002+01:00

Its blowing a gale and its hard to tell if the snow is falling or being driven off the trees. The forecast for the nest week or so is very mixed and also getting verry cold as the wind swings to the north.
Half term holidays are about to hit and this is the calm before the storm, and looking out of the window I am glad that I am not working today.
I did another course for Mountain tracks laste week and thought the weather was not great we managed to find some good powder snow on the Italian side at La Thuile.
There is an impressive amount of snow building now at the end of the season could be really good.

What we did on our holidays

2009-01-30T20:21:00.004+01:00

When you work for a season in the Alps it’s a common misconception that you get to ski in lots of places. The key word in the previous sentence is work and therefore you tend to do most of your skiing in and around the same resort. So when you get the opportunity to explore it’s a real bonus.
Annie Donovan and I had planned for ages to visit Zinal , Val d'Anniviers in Switzerland, there is talk of running courses there and neither of us being familiar with the area we thought it was a good idea to go and have a look.
It didn’t start well! I had left my stuff with Annie and when we met in Evian she had brought all of it. Well almost all. My ski boots were still in her kitchen, too far away to go and get them so I will rent a pair. A look at the map showed the nearest of the 5 areas in the valley is St. Luc/Chandolin on a sunny west facing shoulder above the valley. I go a fetching pair of orange head boots from the ski shop, got our tickets and went exploring.

Had to look at the piste map for a change.

For an area we had never heard of it was surprisingly big. The two area are separated by a rocky ridge from which there are a number of steep gullies on the Chandolin side and a good selection of more open bowls and easier angled slopes on back into the St Luc pistes. The areas are connected by a 3 person chair running onto the ridge from Chandolin and by a series of drag lifts on the other. A word of warning, if you don’t like button lifts and T-bars, you won’t like it here! On the far right, (south) side of St Luc is a 2k poma lift, the Pas de Boeuf. The variety of skiing here is vast with much to keep skiers entertained both on and off piste.
We really enjoyed this area and felt it would be great for entry level off piste and there are extensive pistes to cater for all abilities as well as for teaching.
We found accommodation right at the end of the valley beyond Zinal at a small Auberge. It is a peaceful place or it would have been if not for the group of school kids who were letting off fireworks late into the evening!
The following morning was another blue sky, sunny day and we were on the Zinal cable car straight after breakfast. At the top station a bowl opened out and the off piste possibilities are endless. We worked our way to the top of the hill at almost 3000 m and looked west over the ridge into a massive off piste area. Looking down to a large lake with a big dam dominating the valley, a big slope at a reasonable angle with very few tracks drew us to explore further. It was a little windblown as we left the ridge but the snow quickly became excellent and we enjoyed a great descent with fresh tracks all the way to the dam 1300m below.

Annie on the way to the dam.

The track to the village of Grimentz took us over the dam and down a track on the left side of the valley. The south facing slopes above had slid quite dramatically in places so we didn’t hang around. Grimentz is the main village of the upper part of the valley and the old part is beautiful and exactly my idea of a classic alpine village.
The ski area of Grimentz s really interesting with many folds, gullies, ridges etc giving lots of good piste skiing and more off piste opportunities than we could count.
A quick lunch in the village and we jumped on the bus for a 15 ride back to Zinal. Back on the cable car and straight back up to the summit ridge, followed by a descent down the Chamois bowl. There is a black piste down the bowl which zigzags past the steeper area at the top but the gullies through the rocks were tempting and in great condition and the powder fields below were fantastic. Rejoining the piste you have the option of returning to Grimentz or taking the track right to Mottec where you meet the bus for a 5 min trip back to the cable car at Zinal. The bus system was superb, swiss efficiency I suppose, but both buses we went to met were bang on time and would allow easy exploration of the various ski areas.
At Mottec we took off our skis at the road side beside the bus stop nest a chalet which is being renovated by Eric and Penny. They swear it’s going to be ready by March and when it is its going to be a fantastic base for this great ski area.
The term hidden gem is becoming over used and the expression “call a place paradise and kiss it goodbye” could apply here but this might be the best ski area you never heard of.

Lazy Blogger!

2009-01-25T17:37:00.002+01:00

Ok so its been a while!
Am actually back in Scotland for the weekend after a week in Courchevel. Good to be back in old haunts and while it was a mixed week of weather the skiing was good. Except for Friday when it rained fairly high and the nice fresh snow turned to glue.
The trip home was rather longer than it should of been due to combination of snow at Geneva airport and then the plane went technical so we had to get off and queue for an hour to get rebooked.
We were originally due to take off at 9:55am and the wheels eventually left the ground at 8:30 pm! Meant i got home late and instead of a leisurely day in Edinburgh I have ben hanging round the airport with 10s of thousands of homeward bound skiers. Never again on a Saturday!!!
I am back in France on Tuesday and hope to go exploring in the Zinal valley near Zermatt in Switzerland for a couple of days. There is talk of running courses there so I would like to check it out. Will let you know what its like asap.

Sunday 28th

2008-12-29T18:31:00.005+01:00

I had a day off today….shock horror!!!! So a quick ski in Ste Foy was in order, blue skies and sunshine with a very cold wind at the top so I took a look over the back and went for a quick explore over the back of the hill into the Monal valley. As suspected the snow was less than ideal (to put it mildly)

But the views were worth it.

I am back up to Val d’Isere this week working for a ski school before heading off to Morzine next Saturday to teach on an Inspired to Ski course.
No snow on the forecast so the pistes will get a little hard and good off piste will be hard to find.

Ok Lets Have some more snow

2008-12-27T16:29:00.003+01:00

Maybe I am being greedy, but I think we could do with a top up. It has been windy over the last few days and som of the pistes and much of the off piste is suffering. The Solaise at Val d Isere is buffed and a guest took quite a skide yesterday. No damage but a bit of a scare.
The off piste is challenging! There are pockets of good stuff but they are hard to find and once again the wind has scoured things leaving ridges and rough stuff that ceratinly makes you pay attention.
May go and have a look round the back of Ste Foy tomorrow and will update the blog when I can. No new snow in the forecast so we have to make do but its not that bad really except that its gonna be be busy this week.

Back In Ste Foy (almost)

2008-12-19T17:27:00.002+01:00

Its the end of an interesting week in Ste Foy. Really god to be back at the Auberge and working with Mountain Tracks. Sadly Ste Foy itself opens for the season tomorrow so we didn't get a chance to ski there but Les Arcs, La Rossiere, Tignes and Val d Isere more than made up for it.

Week 2 In Tignes

2008-12-08T18:37:00.002+01:00

Big snowfalls at the weekend, almost 48hrs of it through Friday and Saturday meant great conditions for the folks that arrived on Saturday. I went for a ski with a couple of other ski teachers and had great powder in the La Daille tress in VdI.
Sunday and Monday have been very sunny and the snow is very good, fresh tracks today in the Valley de la Sache.we will get 60cms
The nice weather comes to an end tomorrow according to all sources, and potentially we will get 60cms of snow. It just keeps getting better!

Tignes Friday 5th December

2008-12-05T13:37:00.003+01:00

The picture was taken a couple of days ago and weather has changed a little!

Wild weather Tignes and we skied a few runs this morning on the Palafour as that is all that was open !
We cant complain though because or this early in the season the snow cover is fantastic. It is very windy at the moment so there will be big drifts when we get back out there.

Tignes

2008-11-30T21:31:00.002+01:00

Its that time of the year again and I am in Tignes/Val d'Isere. The resort opened properly yesterday and many of the lifts are open including links to Val. The snow is good and while there are a few rocks they are pretty rare. It has been windy and the off piste is pretty windblown.
Seem like no time at all since I was here in April in the same hotel and talking about the same things! Bt its good to be back and se the other ski teachers and the clients are great and seen to be having a good time (at least thats what they tell me!)
Will try to post some pix in the next day or so.

Here we go again

2008-11-13T16:18:00.002+01:00

Mid November and the ski season approacheth! I am going to try and keep tis blog a little more regularly than in previous years (well thats the plan!)
I am going to be in Tignes for the first 2 weeks of December then in Ste Foy for the pre Xmas week. Its going to be busy but I am looking forward to skiing and meeting the clients both old and new.
I am going to try and put snow reports here so any suggestions or info that you want, please let me know.
More soon

Portes Du Soleil Course

2008-03-21T18:51:00.003+01:00

Blog Entry 21st March
Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. I have been doing a lot of week long courses and seem to have been rushing around a lot…no real excuse though.
I have been on my old stamping grounds of the Portes du Soleil or the past week leading an “intro to ski touring course” for Mountain Tracks. I was working with my colleague Annie Donovan and it was good to ski with her again.
The weather made life difficult for the first 2/3 days. It was very foggy and snowing lightly and we spent Monday and Tuesday skiing the area around Avoriaz but the visibility was very bad and it’s no fun trying to ski off piste when you can’t tell which way is down!
On Tuesday morning the sun came out so we took the groups quickly to the Valley de la Manche, a well known and easyish off piste descent that requires a very short hike (5 minutes) to get to the start. Very few people had been down and we got untouched, boot deep snow all the way down. A quick drink at a remote café and we made to the shuttle bus with time to spare.
The sunny spell turned out to be brief and the next few runs were in mist as thick as we had seen all week. It did improve in the afternoon and all in all it was a good day.
The next day the backpacks got heavier as we were to spend the night at a mountain refuge on the Swiss side of the ski area. My group took the opportunity to ski around the whole ski circuit via Chatel, Morgins, Champoussin and Les Crosets. The snow was difficult of piste as it had been windy and warm the afternoon before and this had left it lumpy, crunchy and difficult to ski.
The refuge was excellent. The amount of snow meant that you had to enter the building through a short tunnel dug through a snow drift. It was warm, comfortable and we were provided with a fine fondue for dinner and a pleasant night was enjoyed by all, including an attempt at Trivial Pursuit in French!!
Annie and I would like to claim credit for the planning because the weather was fantastic the following morning and we wasted little time in getting out on the hill. A short ski down the deserted piste was followed by a 90 minute climb using skins and touring gear to the top of a ridge the summit of which gave superb 360 degree views. The ski down was great in knee deep powder snow. A fantastic way to end a fine week.
I am now back in Ste Foy and it is snowing very hard. Today is the first time in 7 seasons that I have had to put chains on the car to get from Bourg St Maurice to the apartment in La Thuile. The forecast is for the snow for the next few days so there is going to be plenty of it for the last weeks of the season.

Holiday time

2008-02-17T19:06:00.003+01:00

Yes its that time of year again! Everybody is on holiday be they French, British, Belgian, Danish or whatever. Big traffic jams on Saturday. I was in Val d Isere last week and while it was busier on the slopes it wasn't outragous. Where does everybody go??
The weather is amazing and has been for almost 2 weeks. The high pressure has meant blue skies and wall to wall sunshine. It would be nice to get some snow and we might get a bit at the end of this week.
With it being the hols there are lots of kids and I am having fun with them, Its great to see them "get it" and have a good time "getting it".
More soon

Sunny Ste Foy

2008-01-30T11:41:00.000+01:00

Had a great week in Ste Foy with a group from Mountain Tracks. At the beginning of the week we discussed going to as many of the local ski areas as practical but the conditions were so good up the hill the we ended up skiing 4 outof 5 days here. Working with Olly, mountain guide, was great and everybody seemed to enjoy the contrast between our two styles. A trip to Italy via La Rosiere and over to La Thuile was the only time we escaped and we found some very good off piste skiing. Lunch in Italy was also very pleasent!
On Monday this week I skied with 3 good skiers and after a warm up in the ski area we hiked for about an hour to the summit of the Foglietta and skied the North Face. Excellent conditions and a great long descent. After lunch back in the station we managed another couple of good runs by which time all our legs were feeling the pace.
Its a quieter week this week so I am doing some lessons for the staff at the Auberge but it all kicks off again on Saturday when the next Mountain Tracks group checks in. The forecast is for more snow so heres hoping for a good week.
To see pictures of last week go to http://picasaweb.google.com/bryan.hogg

Back at base

2008-01-19T18:09:00.000+01:00

Its was a very good week in Courchevel. Mostly sunny with a decent fall of snow half way through. Most of the time was spent in the Courchevel area though I did manage to visit the thertwo valleys for a quick ski with the clients. The snow was in great shape, firm and grippy on the steeper runs which is great for building confidence.
So I am now back in Ste Foy about to begin an off piste course with Mountain Tracks. I am working with Olly a mountain guide from the Chamonix area and I have skied with some of the clients before so it'll be good to catch up with them.

Having a holiday (sort of)

2008-01-13T22:23:00.000+01:00

Sunday12/1
After a good week of courses in Morzine DP and I left for Ste Foy to have a days free skiing. It snowed most of the way over in the car and when we woke up this on Sunday morning to blue skies and sunshine we headed straight up and were one of the first on the lifts as they opened a little late as they had to clear the snow.
Lots of off piste and a couple of big descents to introduce DP to the joys of Ste Foy. Great fun was had by all.
Now in Courchevel to begin another course tomorrow. Weather is a little mixed in the forecast for this week but there is more snow on the way. How much depends on which of the providers you believe. I will wait till I see it on the ground!!

The week in Morzine

2008-01-11T17:04:00.000+01:00

Its been a good week here in Morzine, though it didn't start well. the rain on Monday made for very wet skiers and it only snowed on the highest slopes. Since then it's been good and today was excellent. A good morning flitting back and forward between France and Switzerland gave some great skiing, the snow seems to be softening after being a little icy. After lunch Lisa (instructor) and I sped off down the Valley de la Manche at high speed to ensure we caught the hourly bus back to Morzine. Very good skiing on a variety of conditions, blue skies and sunshine makes everything feel better.
So its off to Courchevel tomorrow to begin another course but we dont start till Sunday evening so there will be time for a ski, maybe in Ste Foy. Its supposed to drop about a foot of snow tonight and tomorrow. Could be good on Sunday.

End of the Fest

2008-01-05T11:15:00.000+01:00

Ok well thats that done with. The mayhem that is Xmas/New Year done and dusted. To be honest though it wasn't that bad because the snow was good, complete cover evrywhere and many of the small resorts with good snow meant that the crowds were dispersed.So now I am off on my travels for a couple of weeks. Today I am off to Morzine and the following week to Courchevel to work on courses. It'll be good to go back to old stamping grounds and no doubt there will be some socialising to be done!
The bad news is that the forecast is still for rain in Morzine. Hopefully its wrong!
Will be seriously hacked off if I miss some good powder skiing in Ste Foy!
An old friend (Gordon) arrives in Ste Foy today so hopefully I will be able to meet for a coffee before I go.

Tignes Update

2008-01-03T19:30:00.000+01:00

Cold and windy! That about sums it up. The crowds are beginning to thin as people return to work, thought today it semed busy again as the upper lifts were quiet due to the windy conditions.
Snow is in the forecast for the weekend and also for next week, but as I am going to Morzine to work on a course for a week, I am trying not to think that I might be missing a powder day or two. I have looked at the Morzine forecast and what is forecast for snow here is RAIN there. Heres hoping that its wrong!!! I will let you know

New Year week in Tignes

2007-12-31T19:13:00.000+01:00

As I suspected Tignes is busy. Yesterday (Monday 30th) the snowy weather kept the crowds away but they were out in force today. Clear blue skies and very cold meant the snow was very good. The 10cms we got have really freshened the runs but more would be welcome. I am back in the ski school groove for a week and so far so good, nice people and the groups fit together well.
So its the big night tonight and everybody is excited about the celebrations at midnight. I suspect that as I have to be ready to go at 9am in Tignes which means leaving home at 7:45ish That I might not make it to the witching hour!!!
BUT Happy New Year to all my readers.

Xmas Week

2007-12-26T18:24:00.001+01:00

Well after 2 weeks of very few skiers, it is starting to feel busy in Ste Foy. Then again it is a measure of how quiet it can be here when there are 2 skiers in front of you in the queue for the lift and it feels busy!!
The pistes are skiing really well, holding up given that it 2 weeks since the big snow fall but the off piste could do with a top up. The weather forecast tonight suggests that we might get some snow tonight but I am not geting excited about the 0.8cms forecasted!
I am working in Tignes next week and I am sure it will be the usual New Year week zoo. It will be a shock to the system after the wide open quiet spaces of Ste Foy.

Saturday 22nd Dec

2007-12-22T16:29:00.000+01:00

First day of cloud for 10 days and I chose today to not ski! Secret of good skiing?....timing! The forecast is for a mix of clouds, sun and snow showers for the next 3 days andwhile we still have plenty snow from the big dump last week a top up would be good. I have skied in Val d Isere Tignes, Ste Foy and La Rosiere/La Thuile last week and it has all been good. Very quiet but great skiing. La Ros/La Thuile was especially good and skiing to Italy for lunch is always fun. I will keep you updated on the snow.

2007-12-16T17:24:00.000+01:00

Tignes/Val d Isere 12/12/07
After 4 days of almost continuous snow and a weather forecast of more of the same it was a very pleasant surprise to pull back the curtains to be greeted with blue skies, sunshine and vast amounts of new snow.
The other instructors had morning commitments and I would have been happy to cruise around for a while by myself before catching up with a colleague or two for a bit of a blast around in the afternoon. However over breakfast the other guests in the chalet were up for a ski so I joined them.
A push across to the lifts in Tignes le Lac saw on the Aeroski Gondola and from the summit a mixture of on and off piste took us on the main piste to La Daille on the edge of Val d Isere. There were very few people on the piste and a bit of creative navigation got us to the bottom 500m of the downhill run with a completely empty piste. Let’s just say the need for speed was fulfilled!
Into the Funival train and 4 minutes later we emerge blinking in the sun at the top. Skis back on and a fast schuss to the Grand Pre chairlift which took us to the beginning of the of an off piste route, Tour de Charvet. Well it was my day off and with all the new snow the flat section at the bottom would be hard work if no-one had been there before to break trail. A quick look over the edge confirmed that there had been a few skiers down already and so the guys were keen to go. End of day off! We cut under the rope and did a transceiver check to ensure that we were all beeping.
Fantastic snow around knee deep with only a few tracks meant that we had fresh tracks for almost the trip. Great views and lovely easy skiing with no-one around is so rare that we didn’t hurry and took time to appreciate our surroundings. The latter part of the route follows a small river valley and the skiers before had created a scalectrix type track. Just slot the skis into the groove and let ‘em go! Keep the legs loose and the humps and hollows don’t cause any problems (most of the time). 10 mins skating and pushing got us back on the pistes and a welcome coffee at the first café we encountered.
Suitably refreshed we took the Solaise Express lift to the summit and traversed the hillside till we were above the steep sided valley that is the route of “Piste L”. Standing on the road looking into the valley there was plenty of untouched snow that was just crying out to be tracked up. Never being one to disappoint I jumped off the road and it was as good as it looked, 18 inches of fluffy powder snow. I was later told the rest of the team thought I was joking as I looked over the edge! Once I had gone however they followed with no problems at all.
Time for me to find my colleague Dave, so I left the boys to enjoy the Fornet area and headed back to La Daille where Dave was having lunch with his clients. It took a little while to get going and It was 2.45 when we got on the Funival again. Dave had never skied the Tour de Charvet so being an obliging sort I showed him where to go. No hanging about this time and we were heading for the top of the hill having completed the tour 35mins later.
Time to get back to Tignes so we had a fast ski to the Tommeuses lift and up to the ridge that separates Val and Tignes. A final run down the steep off piste above Lac and we were back at the chalet.
There are some days when I wonder why I am a ski teacher. This wasn’t one of them!

Snow in Tignes

2007-12-11T21:52:00.000+01:00

The best start to the season for 10 years say the locals. 2m of snow all over the mountain and great powder skiing. I was over in Val d Isere today and there is too much snow to ski off piste on the shallower slopes. On the steeper areas it is fantastic. The avalanche risk is substantial though.
I go to Ste Foy on Saturday (opening day)and the repots are of huge amounts of snow.
Lets hope it continues

Off to the snow

2007-12-06T16:02:00.000+01:00

Just about to get on the ferry and its blowing a hoolie!
Oh well

My Ste Foy Information Sheet

2007-12-01T22:46:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Ste Foy I am sure you will have a fantastic time here and I hope the weather and the snow allows you to see this area at its finest.
I am an independent ski instructor and after 20 seasons skiing and teaching in resorts around the world I am excited to be based here in what I regard as one of the top ski areas anywhere.
I have taught in Australia, Switzerland numerous French resorts and spent 7 seasons in Vail, Colorado. Ste Foy has amazing terrain for on and off piste skiing and for teaching there is a great variety of options.
Skiing is not rocket science and as with anything practice makes perfect. My job is to ensure that what you’re practicing is as perfect as possible! Modern ski gear has made more of the mountain accessible to all and if you use that equipment effectively you will be surprised what it will allow you to do.
BUT most of all it MUST be fun. After all we are only sliding down a mountain!! So come with me and we will find some great places to ski and let me help you ski them better.
I am available to ski in any of the local resorts (for all day bookings) and in Ste Foy for half day (3hr) and all day (7 hrs). Please see times and prices below.
Please give me a call or call me on the number below.
I look forward to skiing with you.
Have a great holiday.

Bryan

Bryan Hogg Mob. 00 33 6 23 35 47 48
BASI ISTD Grade 1 (Full French equivalence)

3 Hour Prices
1 – 3 Skiers €240

4 – 6 Skiers €330

All Day (Max 6 persons)
€360

November in Edinburgh

2007-11-19T20:56:00.000+01:00

If a good reason was needed to go skiing for the winter, today provided it! Wet, windy and miserable. In a word dreich.
Looks like conditions are pretty good in the Alps.

Winter 08

2007-11-17T11:25:00.000+01:00

Snow is falling in the Alps and I am getting ready to head out to Ste Foy, Tarantaise. I will be there for the season so if you are in the area, come for a ski.

Playing away

2007-01-21T21:45:00.000+01:00

I am on my travels and working on an off piste course in the Tarantaise valley. Today we skied in Val d Isere and found some good snow in the Fornet area. The big news is that if the forecast comes good on Tuesday we could get 50-80cms of snow. What a difference that would make. I will let you know

Mid January In Morzine

2007-01-12T20:41:00.000+01:00

So what do you think is the worst scenario for a ski town in January? Yup....no snow. Morzine is closed as is Les Gets. the snow is bad and that ain't good. Avoriaz is still very skiable but its getting very busy as the other resorts are decamping to Avoriaz. We are all praying for snow before the February holidays hit. The status quo doesn't bear thinking about.
Oh well at least people are still taking lessons!!!
More soon

Morzine, France, 19/12/2006

2006-12-19T15:42:00.000+01:00

Well there aint much snow! Avoriaz at 1800m is in reasonable shape and there is a fair bit of skiing but in Morzine at 1000m its more or less green fields!
Oh well i am sure it'll snow soon
I will try to keep you updated

Off to the Alps

2006-12-06T14:21:00.000+01:00

Well, its that time of year again!
I have booked the ferry and leave from Rosyth near Edinburgh on Saturday 9th at 5pm. The boat gets into Zeebrugge at 12 noon on Sunday and I will drive south, round Paris to visit friends before I get to Morzine on Tuesday. There is always tons to do when I get there so I will be rushing around as well as moving into the new place before the first work day on friday.
It is snowing now but there is not much yet. Still, the previous years has shown that it only takes one decent fall is all it takes to get the most of the runs open.

2006-10-12T17:20:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh Castle. I took this pic one morning in summer on my way to guide a group round the city.