Category: Skiing

Tuesday March 30 was bright and clear so Mervyn and Mark set off to Veysonnaz for possibly the season’s last outing. All other skiers had cried off with wimpy excuses involving various combinations of missing skis, warm snow, dogs…, so there were only just enough of us to pluralise(?) the title.

When we arrived after a very easy drive we found no queue at the ticket office and were soon on the slopes.

Mervyn expertly led us over a wide area including finding a suitable rock for lunch and a bar at the end where the beer is delivered to tables by télépherique and the dogs wear face masks. Is there any ski station where Mervyn cannot guide?

Mark was so impressed by the “Long manoeuvre” last week that he tried to emulate it. However only his rucksack succeeded. In a separate incident he demonstrated a face plant that was so effective it had Mervyn concerned for the integrity of his brain cell.

The snow was perfect, there were no clouds and nobody else on the slopes so we (I) were exhausted by 3:30 and in need of a cold beer before a very simple and uneventful drive home. A great day out, shame the others could not come.

It dawned a beautiful day, as expected, for seven of us lucky skiers organised by David Colledge and Mark Watts for Villars-Diablerets. Mike descended from St Luc, Stephen from Morgins, Thatcher and David were already in Villars, which left only Mark, Mervyn and Peter to travel from the Terre Sainte. All met on time and quickly procured lift passes from the automat machines and we were whisked up on the telecabine (5 at a time with masks) to Roc d’Orsay.

Not a cloud was visible in the sky, only a light cool breeze, with almost 360 and fabulous views from la Chamossaire, the snow was pretty well perfect too. So we duly descended several times. Directed by David the Lucky Seven sped on through Bretaye, Rasse and Gryonne and up to Croix des Chaux for a couple of fine long runs. Mike tried to escape but was caught in time for Chaux Ronde and then across to Conche for the ride up to Meilleret for some fine running and finally to Les Mazots for a take-out lunch. No outside terrace, but we sat on our gloves at the top of the toboggan run in fine sun with a fantastic vista over to the Diablerets cliffs, surely one of the finest lunch views we have had there being no old chap in front of one to chat to over a table. Mervyn produced a fine bottle of white wine which was much appreciated.

After lunch we flew down Nationale and then wended our way back towards Villars.

The “Long Incident“

There was an odd and amusing but potentially dangerous event that occurred later on at Chaux Ronde, and which we now refer to as the “Long Incident”. From an observer looking back it seemed to me, and recollected almost in slow motion, that the chair behind ours was having some form of trouble. Their bar had not been raised in time for a slide off on skis. Despite ever more frantic efforts Stephen seemed set on doing a 180 and returning down the Lac Noire lift. What on earth was he doing ? Mike had managed somehow to get away behind a third person (dressed darkly) and both had slid away, but Stephen seemed to be an act on a Swiss clock, appearing then turning and disappearing now seemingly more rapidly on a turntable after the bell clangs. Happily the alarm sounded and the machinery ground to a halt allowing Stephen to make an undignified exit that looked as if it was his first time on a lift. We were later asked to believe that the culprit was the dark third party who had seemingly fallen into a coma or daydream with his skis still on the bar, and had thus prevented Stephen and Mike from raising the bar to escape in normal good time. The jury seemed to accept this story, but Mike was a little mute on the verdict. Stephen may be appealing…

No physical damage sustained (mental scars may last longer), we swooped down several more runs in the slightly worsening snow conditions, and definitely worsening knee and leg conditions, before the last long run down to the bar and cars in Villars. Stephen finally disclosed what he had been carrying in a backpack all day – a large pair of stout brogues.

Thanks to all for a fun day out in perfect weather with minimal queues, all returned safely – and only one “incident”.

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.