Category: Skiing

Four of us converged on the Swiss side of Portes de Soleil for the first outing of the season: David, Mervyn, Steve, Mark.

The sky was clear and the weather and snow were great. We had to keep to the Swiss side but Mervyn and Steve navigated us expertly and made at least one of us realise that a morning’s skiing at Basseruche with his 4 year old granddaughter is not adequate training.

The French side looked strange being so deserted. All that wonderful powder and no lifts open.

Steve managed to find us a cosy little restaurant for lunch and Mervyn provided wine so that we could raise our glasses to absent friends.

A great day out for the start of a very strange season

Mark attempted to capture the full group in a selfie but obviously needs some lessons from Pete the puppy owner.

This was a really super day. With Maestro Mervyn on other slopes and Mark packing his bags for the USA, David led our smaller team of Thatcher, Steve and myself around the ski areas of Villars and Diablerets. The day dawned bright, sunny and cold, with a front coming in later in the day, so we started out early. For Steve it was a return to Villars ski area after a 20 year gap, odd given he is oft seen in Morgins over the valley. New snow the previous day meant for wonderful conditions. Coffee and lunch stops were welcome as we toured around the nicely empty pistes. One faller – me once – others skied in fine style. A great day out. Thanks to David – especially for hosting Thatcher and me the night before.

There were 5 GIN members and 2 associate members (if that means anyting) for our annual outing to Champéry on January 15th. Mervyn, Peter and Mark drove from Commugny while Rudi and David (almost bootless) met us there. We also met up with Mervyn’s chums, and regular skiing outing participants, Brian and Alun. Thatcher cried off due to too much skiing at Verbier and crunchy baguettes.

The weather was great, the snow surprisingly good and the company also great.

Naturally we raised a glass to Dave K over an excellent lunch at la Cantine des Dents Blanches.

Thanks to Mervyn for organising and driving plus for arranging some good weather.

Thursday 5 April saw Mervyn, Thatcher and I venturing up to Glacier 3000 to try out the half a metre of powder that had fallen the previous day. A pity that I had not practised powder for quite a number of years. Perfect conditions but less than perfect powder technique. We skied every run. Some twice or more. A brilliant day.

Three intrepid skiers (Mervyn, Thatcher and Peter) attempted to follow Steve Long around his home resort in perfect weather and snow conditions to match. 23 lifts and a lot of ground covered with a superb lunch at the to-be-recommended Rhodos Restaurant.

A great day’s skiing in Megève, brilliantly led by Mervyn, in glorious sunshine and near perfect snow conditions. Also hardly anyone on the slopes.

Participants Mervyn, David, Mark plus honorary member Brian.

There were four of us for this event on January 16th : Mervyn, Peter, David, Mark, plus we were joined by two of Mervyn’s chums, Brian and Alun, declared GIN members for the day. Mervyn and Brian led us in some great skiing all over the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil and into Avoriaz with lunch at Les Brochaux.

Good weather, good snow, great company and great skiing. Thanks to all.

On our return Mervyn and Peter were foolhardy enough to ski down the Swiss Wall (Chavanette), apparently without falling??. For once David and Mark displayed more sense.

This was the second Dave Knewstubb memorial ski trip since the outing last year has been retroactively declared the first. Bit of history rewriting here.

 

Last Wednesday, January 31, the “fab four” – Mervyn, Thatcher, David and Mark – were joined by Mervyn’s friend Brian for a full day of skiing, with the obligatory lunch. Great weather, great snow and great company.

First annual Dave Knewstubb ski outing

First downhill trip of the season. Not the best weather forecast so only Mervyn and Mark. Initialy looked like there may be no skiing but the lifts opened just after this photo.

Then interesting skiing with initially lousy visibility but gradually getting better. Great powder and a fabulous lunch. Then had to put chains on to get out of Champery.

The GIN ski group was first introduced to this area by Dave Knewstubb so we have named this event the first annual Dave Knewstubb ski outing. Already looking forward to the second.

Opportunity for Welsh members