The view from............ Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy

A snowHead

The end of the lines for the time being

As always thanks you for your thanks you's everyone and hope to see some of you at Hemel this Summer... Ill be there mainly in the evenings and one weekend morning a week too... come the actual Summer it will be a little bit more hit and miss as I am working at The Olympics and then of course there is the wedding preparation, the wedding itself and then a short trip away (a min-honeymoon).... then come the Autumn I'll be there pretty much full time until getting back out here in early / mid November (date TBC).

So we woke this morning to sun and blue skies and the blanket of snow covering the ground - glorious...

It is interesting to note the difference between this time last year and today over in Tignes! (Thanks to the Mountain Echo for this photo).

There were a couple of interesting events in town yesterday - neither of which very pleasant but thankfully no serious injuries resulted.

Firstly with so much snow yesterday there was a nasty car crash just by the Dam in Tignes:

...and with all the snow and the avalanche risk being so high people took some risks and a group of three people were caught in the Coves area above La Daille... one was taken in a large slide but has escaped relatively OK.

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However the wonderful weather today make things all the better:

Thanks to Radio Val D'Isere for those last three photos.

So I finish the packing up and leave tomorrow. Ill be back here in a few weeks time to update this thread but it'll probably be about once a month or thereabouts.

Take care.

Steve

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Steve Angus, thanks for a great thread really enjoyed reading it, seeing pics of places I know and all the stories, good luck with the wedding and all the summer stuff

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Steve Angus, thanks for all the updates throughout the season - I loved Val d'isere, I loved the skiing, still sorry i didint get time to meet for a pint when i did my level 2 but I needed to practice to get through Smile

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I just need to get a part time job in the uk on a slope/dome to get some hours in whilst waiting for next years reports Smile

Enjoy the summer

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Thanks for the thread Steve... All great info and a lot of work. Now... Go chill out over the summer and enjoy the games.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Steve Angus, thakns for the pics, the thread and all the daily updates! It's been my favourite thread on any forum. Those 2011/2012 comparison pics are fab, what a difference.

I loved Val so much in March/April, it was my best ski holiday in absolutely YEARS. Definitely my favourite resort, I miss it like mad. Shame we didn't get to catch up, but I will definitely be back next season, more than once if I can!

Have an amazing summer and an awesome wedding and mini-honeymoon.

Au revoir and merci bien!

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Awesome work Steve.

You are the Val oracle and living the dream for the rest of us that can't get the pass out to do enough days.

Safe trip home and I will look for the first post of the new winter season.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Greetings from a sweltering hot Hemel Hempstead...... far cry from Winter in Val d'Isere this year!

As promised the first of the monthly updates on what has been happening in Val d'Isere the last month and some general news.

Well the last month has seen Clare pass her Level 4 BASI Technical exam, us both move back to Hemel Hempstead and get really stuck into wedding planning. I have been very busy back at school teaching geography (one of my Summer jobs) and Clare has been doing a whole host of things.

I am also back at The Snow Centre doing some teaching there and running my Summer performance and instructor training programs.... it is go, go, go!

Currently trying to avoid melting in this heat!

Anyway as soon as the lifts closed... (thanks to Radio Val d'Isere for keeping my updated on the goings on as well as a whole host of friends giving me the low down on Val life from afar):

.... it was back to the usual Summer pastime in Val d'Isere of building!

The Marmottes have been coming out to say hello after the whole of April and into May was a return to Winter (WHAT a season it was it really was).

Cyclists have been appearing all over town as Val d'Isere is a great starting point for the assault on the Col d'Iseran and down into the Maurienne Valley:

However even last week the resort was caked in yet more snow...

.... and the glacier is in top condition and is ripe for skiing or touring!

However down in the village Spring and into Summer they march!

It seems weird giving this update from the UK but ill do another months summary next month sometime.

Hope this finds everyone well.

Steve

After all it is free

Steve Angus, do they ever run the glacier lifts out of the winter season???

kitenski: yes. This year it is from June 9th to July 14th:

http://www.valdisere.com/gb_ete/activites/nature_montagne/ski_ete.php?expandable=3&ssmenu=41

Steve: thanks for the update!

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Nice update, thanks Steve. Would love to have a summer blast on the glacier!

Hope the wedding planning isn't too much of a headache - you also know you'll have to post a pic from the big day Very Happy

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Another month, another update...

Can it really be a whole month that has passed since my last update?

What another busy month it is has been both here in Hemel Hempstead and back in Val d'Isere.

Instructor training sessions at the Snow Centre are now happening very regularly and Clare has been busy teaching at the centre too. Much of my time has been focused on my school work.... with only 3 weeks to go - yippee. Of course it is now less than a month until the Olympics (and two months until our big day!). Completed my Olympics training, have my shifts at the Handball sorted and my Olympic tickets in my hand.

Anyway Val d'Isere has been busy gearing itself back up for the Summer season whilst at the same time having a little bit of down time in the interseason (thank to friends and colleagues for their updates and also to www.radiovaldisere.com).

Some lovely weather in town over the last month and the snow line has virtually disappeared from view...

However thankfully the more settled weather allowed the via ferrate in La Daille to be fixed up (after the Winter) and is very much in full operation again.

After much hard work on the road they finally managed to get the Col de Iseran open for the Summer months....

Further stabilisation work on the troubled road to Bourg looks like it has been completed so hopefully we will not have any more rock slides or anything like that over the Winter this year! However there is always the other side of the road to slip off (thankfully no-one was injured in this!):

The numerous public holidays and 'relaxation season' in Val d'Isere presents many opportunities for street parties and BBQ's.

One of the main sources of income over the Summer months and the traditional way of life in Val d'Isere, farming, goes on in ernest in the Summer months.

Whilst the local school kids have a trip away to Paris...

AND there has been the towns fair share of births, marriages and deaths:

But of course there is always the leisure activities to think about with the Lac du Ouilliette being stocked for the summer with trout - what a great way to spend a Summer afternoon than with a beer half way up the mountain knowing that whatever you catch they will gut and grill for you in the restaurant next door..... and all that is after you have enjoyed a mornings Summer glacier skiing.

Until next month - have fun and stay safe.

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Steve Angus, Probably my favourite thread of last season. Many thanks and good luck for.your summer plans.

^ ^ ^ Hear hear! Very Happy

You know it makes sense.

Steve Angus, Great thread, and it would appear that you and Clare are getting married the day after my son and his fiancee.
That will therefore be a really memorable weekend for me both as a Mum and a snowHead! Very Happy

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Steve Angus, Yep, best thread of the year, thanks for putting the time and effort in over the season to put this together.

A snowHead

Fantastic Steve, thanks very much for the brilliant pictures.

A snowHead

Really good to see a bit of the "life outside skiing" going on in the area. snowHead

Weather looks a lot better than round here in the south of the UK.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Wonderful update.

Lovely to see how life goes on outside the winter months without all the ski hordes.

That road was still pretty snowy!

Wedding day is sneaking up fast!! Hopefully you'll get another update in before the big day.

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SUMMER TIME is here....

... but life goes on in the Alps (and of course back here in blighty).

Time for the monthly update.

Well personally school is now a memory (hooray) and plans for the wedding continue apace....... most things are sorted out now (I think).

The Olympics is the big thing on everyones lips at the moment. So tomorrow I am lucky enough to have a ticket for the Opening Ceremony (it will be amazing) and then my first shift working at the games starts on Saturday (im working in the Copper Box, which is where the Handball will take place and the Fencing part of the Modern Pentathlon on the final weekend). Getting mighty excited now.

As soon as the games are over it will be a week to shift into wedding mode again I am sure before the final few days run up.... I shall attempt to post once more before the big day.

Anyway life in the mountains continues and once again many thanks to www.radiovaldisere.com for their help with news for this update.

Take care one and all.

Steve

Plenty of planning meetings for the town council and mayor as the final plans are put in place for the Winters schedule....

Amongst others:

Saturday 1st December 2012: The full Espace Killy ski area opens (of course Tignes will be open for skiing up on the glacier from well before that date).
Saturday 8th December 2012: Mens World Cup GS (scheduled to be on Le Face)
Sunday 9th December 2012: Mens World Cup SL (on Le Face)
Tuesday 11th December 2012: Ladies World Cup Downhill Training (OK Orange to La Daille probably)
Wednesday 12th December 2012: Ladies World Cup Downhill Training (OK Orange to La Daille probably)
Thursday 13th December 2012: Ladies World Cup Downhill Training (OK Orange to La Daille probably)
Friday 14th December 2012: Ladies World Cup Super G (OK Orange to La Daille probably)
Saturday 15th December 2012: Ladies World Cup Downhill (OK Orange to La Daille probably)

The wildlife is coming out of hiding in the Winter and walking in the Alps in the Summer is a GREAT opportunity for not only spectacular scenery but also a chance to see some great wildlife.

Well done to Bradley Wiggins but you too could chance your luck by cycling up the Col d'Iseran.... the tour does the Val d'Isere / Col d'Iseran and over into Italy leg from time to time...... but rather you than me thank you!

But just like on the road down to Bourg there have been a fair few landslides that have blocked the road off..... you don't want to be passing by on your bike (or foot) when this happens do you?

Just like back in blighty the weather until recently was pretty horrendous and high winds caused some damage!

If road biking does not appeal to you then how about mountain biking....

...or running?

You would never guess that this is the bottom of Le Madeleine lift / run at the top of Solaise.... anyone for some extreme weather fishing?

But recently the weather has improved dramatically for the Summer events, fayres and concerts that are planned.

If only everyone could park properly!

However with the Winter still being the main focus of the resorts income the annual servicing etc to the lifts continues apace...

And finally if you fancy a peaceful time a long way away from the UK then Val d'Isere is well geared up to visitors in the Summer too...

Until next month folks - take care and have fun.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Steve Angus, enjoy the Olympics! Can't wait now to see your wedding photos - much more exciting than the Olympics! Toofy Grin

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Is that a climbing course in the bottom one Steve?

I'd love to spend a whole year living in Val D'Isere. Maybe I'll win the lottery tomorrow and can realise the dream Very Happy

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Fantastic pictures as usual Steve, thanks for the update.

After all it is free

I love the old boys with their fishing rods. That was before the improvement in the weather, presumably?

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Lovely update, thanks Steve. It's so great to see the 'other' side of the resort. Enjoy the opening ceremony (SO jealous!) and good luck with the wedding plans!

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Welcome to the monthly update...

What a busy time it is. Thought I would sneak this in before the BIG ONE, MY WEDDING next weekend and the ensuing little trip to Cornwall on our 'mini-moon' the 10 days after that. Plans for the big day are going really well and we are just about to head down to Berkshire for the week before the big day to get stuck into helping with the final arrangements, everything from helping with the marquee erecting, to seating plans..... the list goes on, and on, and on.

Anyway exciting times indeed.

The last month has been equally as exciting...

When I wrote last I was just about to embark on my London 2012 Olympic journey. So thought I would share a few photos with you...

With ticket in hand... the Opening Ceremony here I come..

Had an incredible seat right by 'Glastonbury Tour' where the flags were raised and speeches were made..... here Mohammed Ali and co raises the Olympic Flag into position.

A glass of wine, Beach Volleyball and Horse Guards Parade.... what else could you ask for!

'My' venue I volunteered in.... the Copper Box where the Handball took place and where the Fencing element of the Modern Pentathlon took place. Volunteering was VERY rewarding.... loved every moment of it..... the photo below of me and a couple of colleagues for two weeks of fun, smiles and hardly any sleep!

Was lucky enough to get tickets to several events... above just a few of the great memories.

Also managed to complete the report write up section of my PGCE therefore I think I can now claim to be a qualified secondary school Geography teacher (just waiting for the official confirmation to come through in the post any time now! YIPPEE).

Well apart from the photos below I think that is that for another month... next time I write I shall be a married man - eek!

Take care,

Steve

The kids enjoy their Summer holidays where the weather has generally been VERY warm and humid.... in fact there were warnings issued for extreme heat across much of the south half of France last week!

The World VTT Mountain Biking Championship Tour rocked into town recently too which created quite a stir.

Plenty more carnivals and parties all around town as the Summer continues.

Whilst London was having its own Opening Ceremony so was Val d'Isere.... with the latest round in the Archery Tour.

Lots more fishing has been going on at the Ouilette and as you can see some of the fish they pull out of there are pretty big!

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Steve Angus, fantastic. Have a simply wonderful wedding and mini-moon! Very Happy

You know it makes sense.

Best wishes for a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Really hoping that your big day is a big success. Just remember it's the marriage rather than the wedding that really matters, so don't worry about it and make sure you both enjoy yourselves.

A snowHead

Very best for the day and future Smile

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Steve Angus, Thanks for the excellent reports and best wishes for the wedding. Very Happy

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Fantastic Steve. What are you going to be teaching next year- Geography or skiing??

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Thanks for the update and photos Steve, you lucky thing!

All the very best for the wedding, hope you have a perfect day.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

To all you Val snowheads out there please checkout the thread from their much smaller neighbour , Ste Foy 2012/13 , the 160 riders will be passing through Val wed morning .

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evski ..... skiing as long (forever hopefully) my body can take it!

ANYWAY everyone welcome to the monthly update. I write this as a married man.

It has been quite a month. Lots of work in the lead up to the big day itself, the big days (we had the wedding on the Saturday and then friends came around for a large BBQ on the Sunday) and then the mini-moon down in Cornwall for 10 days (of which much of it was a family do as long before the wedding was announced the family had booked a cottage!). Anyway AMAZING few weeks and now I am settling back to normality... only about another 6 weeks til we head back to Val for Winter.

Anyway I shall start with some photos form the big day.

She looked AMAZING.

A fun 'ski archway of honour' for us to walk under...

The BIG secret from the day (not even half the ushers new about it).... my handmade replica Val d'Isere ski gondola......

....and photos of the BUILDING of it.... (just the one, in the shed I had built it in)

Some Val d'Isere styled table centres and bar sign.... courtesy of our very own Tim at Snow Shepherd who had them made up for us.

I could go on forever but since this is the Val d'Isere thread I guess I should get back on topic!

Not a particularly busy month in Val by the looks of things as the Summer season passes by and we enter the inter-season - anyway things have been happening...

Bad French driving.....

Final BBQ's of the Summer

Some amazing sunsets

The first snows of the Winter.....

Back to school...

And the final building stages for the new Fontaine Froide lift.

Think thats all for now folks... one more update from me this 'Summer' here in the UK and then it will be back to Val and ill get going again with the daily updates from later in November.

Cheers.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Cant wait for your updates again throughout the season. I hope the car accident wasn't one you were involed in?

After all it is free

Brilliant - loved the wedding pics!

Well done Steve and Clare, you looked great, and hope married life is suiting you both well. Nice idea with the gondola - I hope it has some life after the wedding. Do you plan to keep it in your garden or something?

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MANY CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!!

Clare looked stunning (you scrub up pretty well yourself!), and I love all the skiing touches. Great work on the replica gondola too, where on earth did you find the time?

So much thought went into it, and it sounds like you had an amazing day. Very happy for you both

I'm hoping for two trips to Val this season, and will hopefully be booking the pre-Christmas one within the next couple of weeks.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Fontaine Froide lift, back in March we skied that run pretty much every day as a warm up.

Can't wait for winter, I love this thread.

Help!!

The view from............ Val d'Isere and the Espace Killy

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