May is a great time to be in the alps. The resorts are quiet (or closed altogether) as are the refuges. With a flexible approach to objectives there is lots to do at this time of year and this week has seen the transition from winter to spring, with the snowpack transforming at most levels. Th... more>
After a well earned (in my opinion) rest in New Zealand, Australia and Thailand I've been back at work in the alps. It seems I picked the right month to go away to sunnier climes as the alps have been experiencing inclement weather for most of April. This has been a mixed blessing. There's ple... more>
The Silvretta lie in the Central Alps on the Austrian/Swiss border and are famous for superb ski touring. There are many reasons for this; excellent huts (some with showers, all with apfelstrudel), accessible 3000m peaks, grand (but not too serious) glacial scenery and reliable snow make this... more>
This time of year is often a little quieter for alpine guides as the season comes to an end. For some strange reason I'm as keen as I was at the start of the season to ski, though my legs are definitely starting to disagree. I had originally planned to meet Graham for 'a very famous north face... more>
The last 8 days have been busy, with me guiding on skis in the Oberland and summiting Mt Blanc. Mt Blanc is a worthwhile summit at most times of the year but it's suited to a springtime ski ascent. The crevasses are normally filled in and stabilised by now (though bridges are thin this season)... more>
The British know it as 'the Haute Route' but locally it's known simply as the 'Chamonix - Zermatt'. In fact there are lots of Haute Routes and even more variations on this famous ski tour. Oli, Paul, Cam and Tom joined me for 10 days touring/off piste skiing and asked me to design a challengin... more>
I've skied with Miles, James and Buzz for the last four days in the Chamonix Valley and Grand Saint Bernard Pass. We skied the 1st two days in the Chamonix Valley and started in the off piste resort of the Grands Montets. The snow here was pretty good. Not fresh, but grippy and chalky which ma... more>
Michael and I have been enjoying the stable weather and snow conditions in the Chamonix Valley and further afield. On New Years Day we headed over to Vicheres (a small 3 lift resort in Switzerland). After a few warm up runs we donned skins for the Tour De Mt Bavon which is easily reached from... more>
I've been skiing with Michael for the past week or so in and around Chamonix. The snow level is down to the valley floor and is generally pretty good with a few powder days here and there. We've skied at Les Houches (my back garden), Les Contamines, Les Grands Montets and Combloux. At Combloux... more>
The snow remains in great 'wintry' condition at higher altitudes around Chamonix. Tamsin and Alison, who are about to ski Elbrus are acclimatising and taking advantage of the good skiing conditions. We first skied a 'Gros Rognan' variation of the Vallee Blanche. Clear visibility on the arête l... more>
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