PART 3 - Chamonix; French | Italian | Swiss Alps

As there wasn't much snow in the Polish mountains during the 2006/2007 winter season

we decided to go to the Alps again. And since I found some decent offer in Chamonix,

a city that is highly ranked among snowboarders (but also climbers) we decided to go to

France again :)

If you want to read the diary on my Chamonix snowboarding in Polish, go to

the winter sports website, where I have my gallery with comments as well.

And here is the link

Great weather isn't it? Well, the problem is that we had such marvelous conditions

only on the last day before our departure to Germany. Throughout the whole stay

(as to be seen on the pictures below) it was snowing or raining, you could hardly see

anything as the fog was present everywhere and the avalanche risk was usually

estimated at least at 4 in a 5 point scale.

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First days in Chamonix. Flags signalized the high avalanche risk all the time.

Riding through the fog. I have to admit that French don't make much effort to

prepare the pistes. During the most of the time we would be snowboarding in

really deep snow even if it wasn't off-piste. 

A short break in the café located above Charamillon lift.

Our snowboards are staying outside :) I'm actually thinking about buying a second

snowboard, a much shorter one. Well, it's possible that ut's a good idea to do it this

year as due to the poor winter conditions most of the sellers will try to "get rid" of the

old equipment.

As the weather often left a lot to be desired we frequently went to Chamonix.

The city itself definitely has its own charm, and is mostly dominated by people

from England and Scandinavian countries. No wonder, the prices in France, and

especially in Chamonix are really high. But on the other hand this city located

at the foot of Mt Blanc provides superb climbing and snowboarding/skiing opportunities.
 

I went a few times to the Office du Tourisme to ask about the weather forecast.

I got nearly the same answer every day: more snow, more rain and more fog :(

Swimming in the snow in the evening :)))

"Apres-ski"

Our shelter was very cosy and we would use the evenings to chill-out a bit or

read books about French Alps. It was also the only opportunity to see Mt Blanc

(as photos in photography collections). Until the day of departure the mountain

remained hidden from our eyes.

Watching the pictures from the previous snowboard excursions :P

Fog again. We went to Les Houches to make use of our Mt Blanc Unlimited pass.

It gave our access to the whole skiing area, including Auguille du Midi and the second

section of Les Grands Montets. Well, it's a pity we couldn't make use of it...

As the conditions were worsening, most of the lifts were closed. This generated

long cues, you had to wait up to one other to get on the lift chair. I felt as if I

were in Poland :)

In Flegere. On the way to the top some English skier sad "I don't think there

any mountains here". Well, the Alps were not very willing to show themselves

to us. But from time to time you could see the majestic higher parts covered

with snow.

In some mountain cafe again. The prices are incredibly high.

Don't even ask me how much I paid for this cake...

In front of our shelter. Actually we had to go through the wood to reach it as the

"normal" road was closed due to avalanche risk. Just days before our arrival the

avalanche caused some accident...

The last day before departure. Finally the sky became crystal clear and the

snowboarding conditions were superb.

:))))

I decided to use this last opportunity to go up to Aiguille du Midi and set out

to Chamonix. Well, it turned out that I would have to wait two hours just to get to

the lift. With some hesitation I finally decided to go back on the pistes to enjoy

this last day in French Alps. Well, Auguille du Midi will wait :)

Superb weather, it really paid off to take my digital camera again :P

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I wish we had that much snow in Poland as well..

Mt Blanc in a distance. I'm sure I'll come here again. But this time in summer :)

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Sunset. According to the weather forecast the weather was supposed to get

worse just one day after our departure.

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To be continued :)

PART 2 - Sudetylift, Szklarska Poreba

Morning fog :)

And great sunny day, perfect for some rides :) I was quite surprised by relatively

good snow conditions in Karkonosze. Here's some short film we've made in the

meantime >>> video

Short break for photos :)

Hmm, which way to go?

Marian made up his mind first :)

Young beginners. They show try snowboarding instead of skiing !!!

I wonder whether there will come a day when this queue is a bit shorter... Still,

it was a rather enjoyable trip :)

PART 1 - French Alps, Les Trois Vallees

Les Trois Vallees is probably one of the best places to go snowboarding this year

given the fact that there is hardly any snow this winter. Especially Val Thorens,

the highest ski resort in the European Alps located at 2300 m, guarantees good

snow conditions.

Links between villages constituting Les Trois Vallees and 600 km of pistes are

excellent, you can easily explore the slopes between Val Thorens, Les Menuires,

Meribel and Courchevel. The photo below was taken Mont de la Chambre (2850 m)

where one has a perfect view on Mont Blanc's massive (4808 m) :)

:)

There was not much snow but the slopes in the upper parts of the French Alps

offered rather enjoyable scenery :) Normally this vast area promises a long season

which runs from November to May. 

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We would always start each morning with studying the Les Menuires blackboard

to see which lifts and slopes were working at all...

One of the numerous pistes leading to Les Menuires (1850 m). Click the link to

see the map of the whole ski area >>> map Les Trois Vallees

Here I come ;)

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Which way to choose? Well, there was often not much choice as the majority of

slopes were closed due to poor snow conditions :(

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My lipsticks :P

Pistes from Mt de la Chambre (2850 m), one of my favorites offering the best snow :)

Local caramels kept in Lindt's chocolate box :)

BoarderWeek, the biggest snowboarding festival, in Val Thorens (2300 m).

For more details see the web: http://www.boarderweek.com  

Blue Tomato selling point. We also bought ourselves BoarderWeek t-shirts :P

Time to chill out a bit :)

Trying to keep the balance...

BoarderWeek competitions attracted quite a lot of riders. Have to admit that

the village was much more crowded than Les Menuires, Meribel or posh Courchevel.

What I don't like about all the villiages is the local architecture that "spoils" mountain views...

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And so the journey continues...

This time to Meribel Mottaret (1750 m) and after that to Courchevel (1850 m) :)

View on the slopes after leaving gondola Bouquetin.

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Heading towards Meribel Mottaret (1850 m) ...

With a short break on Saulire (2738 m) for something to drink :)

We generally couldn't complain about the weather for most of the time. It happened

only once that one couldn't see anything and on the last day it became very windy

and most of the lifts and gondolas were closed :(

Short break :)

And finally in Courchevel (1850 m), one of the most expensive ski resorts in

the French Alps.

The last day before leaving...

The wind was so strong that lifts were closed and we spent quite a lot of time

drinking hot chocolate on Mont de la Chambre (2850 m)

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Going back to Les Menuires (1850 m) and than back home...

With my snowboard, behind Mont Blanc. I'll have a closer look at it when I get

to Chamonix. And that's quite soon :)