Thank God I’m on YES!
Awesome POW day today… the line ups prove this… are you freaking out… never fear when your with YES… LIFT LINE PRIORITY! Boom 🙂
Awesome POW day today… the line ups prove this… are you freaking out… never fear when your with YES… LIFT LINE PRIORITY! Boom 🙂
The first YES Olympic amazing race took place yesterday with a fantastic turn out by all the representing countries.
We have such an awesome group of clients from around the world, it was great to see everyone proudly flying their colours… or their kilts 🙂
Olympic countries where Canada, South Korea, Cezch Replublic, Australia, Britian, Argentina, Scotland, Norway, USA to name a few.
The winning team will be announced tonight at our apres function and they each will receive a fresh tracks pass … perfect timing with the 50cm expected over the next few days.
Thanks to everyone for coming out and to Wazza for making it happen.
And just when you thought no one was looking!
Last nights end of week apres was another great one full of laughs, snorts and lots of wise cracks! I felt alot of love in the room (as you can see from the insert photo) its great to see everyone who arrived as strangers only a few weeks ago are now …CLOSE!
Alex won the award for most improved skier and probably more so that Barry didn't loose him all week… WINNING!
To view all the photos, visit our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152277799319101.1073741836.42421939100&type=3&uploaded=33
Cheers
The final day of Euro 2014 brought bright blue skies. The group met up top of the Saulire for the group photo minus our fallen comarde. You are missed Mr. Johnson. After the photo shoot, the groups dispersed in various directions. Linc's group headed to Mont Vallon and some great off piste before heading up to the Saulire chutes. Then it was off to watch the polo before a great lunch at La Soucoupe.
Linda blasting down the coulior.
Saulire and its chutes and couloirs
Polo on the snow in Courchevel
Meanwhile Meesh headed over to the Creux Noirs and found some fresh powder for Puffs to play in. Then it was over to 1650 via the Chanrossa to play in the Chapelets area. After a quick foray into the trees, literally for some, it was off to check out the polo and La Casserole for a long lunch. Dick headed straight to 1650 and cruised around the area before also checking out the polo. Then it was off to La Casserole to lunch before heading back to the hotel.
Erin heading out into the untracked
Leslie enjoying fresh tracks on Friday with her Monday Mojo
After a quick shower and refreshment, the crew met up for the wrap-up function which continued through dinner and into the night. Special prizes were handed out and the Dingster was recognized for having done 20 years of YES, and for surviving three weeks with the PowderPuffs. Another fantastic Euro trip that is over much to soon. A big thanks to everyone who participated in the adventure and look forward to many more.
Dingster, 20 years of YES.
Soaring above the Courchevel slopes
Meesh final day freshies
NOTE: To protect the egos and well being of some YESturians, the indenties of certain individuals have been changed.
Thursday morning brought overcast skies as Meesh's group was the first out the door with guide Marie. The script for the day wrote itrself with calamity after calamity on the hill. Marie led us over to 1650 and some nice gulleys with soft snow and trees. The trees is where 'Laura' decided to set the tone for the day. After skiing the upper section of trees wonderfully, she decided to lock in on one particular evergreen and quickly found out that trees don't move. Price of that lesson was one ski and a faceful of snow. The rest of the day was spent trying to break the record for most falls in a day. Later as we were skiing in the La Tania area, 'Donald' decided a rock would make a more challenging target. After a last second evasive manouver, the result was one 'Donald' sized imprint in the snow. His arm had driven right through the snow and his whole body was flush with the top layer of the snow. After a great deal of effort, we managed to extract him from his predicament, not before taking a photo of course. If you thought the carnage ended there you'd be wrong because 'Kellly' had other ideas. Always playing the one upmanship, she also decided to challenge a tree to a game of chicken. The end result was spectacular as you can see in the photo below.
Check the YES Improvement facebook site to pick your favourite crash photo.
https://www.facebook.com/Yesimprovement
Erin skiing the trees of Courchevel 1650
Marie turning the Dingster on………his transceiver of course!!
Kim enjoying the powder
The Hardcore PowderPuffs in their natrual environment…..ok, second home.
After that eventful morning, where we actual had some great skiing, it was off to La Folie Douce for lunch. Lunch was fantastic and got very interesting when the cabaret started. Don't see a show like that every day, quite the spectacule. A few more off pistes runs after lunch before we finally made back to the hotel around 4:30, a long but great day skiing.
La Folie Douce for a quiet lunch and a cabaret. Totally normal.
Chris still shreddin' the pow.
Meanwhile Linc's group was heading over to Saint Martin for lunch. After getting lost, finding the path and repeating, they finally made it to the village. A good lunch at the Voute and a good day cruising the groomers. While Linc was cruising around and Meesh was pulling people out of trees, Dick was flogging his group lapping chairs in La Tania and Meribel. After a long lunch and with tired legs they made it back to the hotel with one group member "floating" down the runs. All in all a great day with only one more to go.
Linc's Crew above Saint Martin
The girls with their well earnt prizes
Tuesday brought more clear blue skies. Linc's group was the first out the door as they were being led by Marie. She quickly put them to the test by dropping in under the Saulire tram. After passing the exam she proceeded to drag them all over the 3 Vallees taking them down various steep bits of terrain. They made as far as Val Thorens before stopping for lunch. The way back consisted of more steeps before ending with a run down the Grand Couloir. Smiles all around as they celebrated a great day with some refreshments.
Marie and the Crew
Marie guiding the group down the couloirs
Lino surfing through the powder
Linc's group in one of the 3 Vallees many couloirs
Linc under the Saulire Tram
Meanwhile Dick and Meesh's groups had a later start due to a quick trip to the dentist and the boot shop for some repairs. WIth everyone back on track, it was off to explore the 3 Vallees. After a big previous day, it was a day to cruise the groomers and enjoy the sunshine until the coachs saw some soft snow and changed the plans. Meesh's group made it up the slowest chair in the world to the Col, while Dick's group rode the fastest tram to the top of Cime Caron. Both groups skied down to Les Menuires and headed up and over to Meribel-Monttaret so they could head up and over back to Courchevel. The Hardcore PowderPuffs managed to leave Les Verdons after a "vin chaud" and have their skis be the only ones left on the rack.
Dick's Crew high above Meribel
Leslie charging down the hill
Erin looking ahead to the next powder turn, or spotted a vin chaud ??
Kim skiing the powder with a beautiful backdrop
Last call, last ones out.
It was an off day for dinners at the restaurant, so most of the gang headed over to Les Airelles for a 2 Michelin Star feed with Chef Pierre Gagnaire. A six course meal awaited us with another 5 plates of dessert! It was a fantastic evening and the food was amazing. We were all full as "a snake who just ate a wallaby." A big thank you to all that made the evening one to remember.
1st course: goose fois gras with a milk chocolate and hazelnut voile with black truffle
Wednesday was a day of rest. Some of the crew took advantage to do some shopping while others went for a leisurely ski. Meesh hooked up for a morning ski with Marie and she was eager to show off her mountain. The day started with Couloir Tournier, followed by Grand Couloir and ended with a run down the Dou des Lanches into the forest. A great morning ski has raised the desire to return and explore more of the area. Tomorrow should bring another good day.
Marie in the Grand Couloir
One of my favourite parts of the job is receiving emails like the below. Harrison was another awesome instructor student that we loved. See you soon buddy 🙂
Hey Belinda and PJ
Just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing time and experience in Whistler. Definitely not what i expected, much much better, and thats thanks to the effort you guys all put in, so thanks.
Theres a 90% chance ill be back next season to work so a catch up and a beer will be in order for sure (like how i have adopted the canadian "for sure"?)
I hope your wedding all goes to plan and is amazing Belinda!
Thanks again,
Harrison
"I don't know if its the powder or the drugs I took this morning, but I feel terrific!" — un-named YESturian
We awoke Monday to clearing skies and fresh snow on the ground. By the time breakfast was finished and we headed down to the lifts, it was bluebird. The reports said 15cm but it was more in some places. Dick's group had the privelge of skiing with Marie our guide and she made sure they had a great day. She found some excellent runs and fresh powder as she led the group from one valley to the next. Across rolling hills to open cow pastures the group's leg were burning as they finally made it to Saint Martin for lunch. The restaurant was a big hit and the group loaded up on fuel for the ride back. They made it back to Courchevel with big grins and great stories about a wonderful day.
Fresh tracks + sunshine = heaven
Paul heading down the open fields
Leanne leading the charge
The team with their guide, Marie
While the patrol was doing avalanche control, Linc's group was busy skiing the powder around the Biollay area. Once the upper lifts opened it was to the top of the Saulire to find some steep and deep. With endless possibilities, the group managed to sniff out some fresh lines in the steep terrain.
Mike in the pow with Stu dropping in over the roll
Stu in the soft stuff
Linda exploding through the powder
View looking down the Saulire tram-line
Meanwhile Meesh's group was playing in the trees in the Chenus area before heading up top and skiing down to Meribel -Mottaret. The snow was fantastic as they managed to get some fresh lines under the Pas du Lac gondie. Mont du Vallon was the destination for the afternoon but the clouds rolled in the out went the lights. By the time they made it back to the top of the Saulire, the clouds parted and it was back to sunshine-ish.
Dingster among the trees
Silvija in the powder heading to Meribel -Mottaret
Kim skiing the powder under the Pas du Lac gondie
Everyone had a great day and the smiles on faces where everywhere. Another great day in the books and here's hoping for more tomorrow.
Saturday was a bluebird and a great day for a transfer to Courchevel. The one problem, the 2 vans dispatched to take us there had insufficeint room for all our gear. It took half an hour but we finally managed to jam all the bags and people inside. With no wiggle room it was off with the vans on a slight angle as the back bumper was dragging along the ground. A lunch stop in Chamonix before we finally made it to our new digs with only a few detours along the way. Le New Solarium is in a great location and after welcome drinks it was off to a great dinner.
Lunch in Chamonix
Le New Solarium, Courchevel 1850
Shopping for bargins
Sunday guiding day was overcast but we a light cover of fresh snow. The groups set out to explore the area with everyone sticking to the Courchevel side. Some good snow was found and everyone marveled at how big the area was. The groups finished early but still managed to get off the hill around 3:00 after a long lunch.
Don't worry, I know exactly where we are……
Dicks group having a hot chocolate break
The Hardcore PowderPuffs enjoying a long lunch at the Pilatus
Linc's group taking a break from the bitter wind
The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the village and the many expensive shops. The highlight of dinner was the following……
CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN !!!!!!!
WARNING : If you are sitting in an office and/or it's 30 degrees outside, you may want to stop reading now.
If you are still reading this blog you are either foolish or a glutton for punishment. Today was the final ski day in Verbier and the resort saved the best for last. By far the best day of the season and for many a YESturian, a top 5 all time. Upon waking up there was about 5cm on the balcony railing and still snowing. As we made our way up the mountain, the snow got deeper and deeper. Talking to one of the tram drivers, he said they got over 50 cm overnight, and light too due to the colder temperatures. This made for epic skiing. No matter were the groups were, there was fresh tracks and face shots to be had. Linc took his group over to La Tzoumaz and was lapping the great snow off the Le Nord chair. The place was virtually deserted as they put down fresh tracks run after run. Dick's group headed out to the Greppon Blanc area and found much the same thing. Great snow and no one around. Meesh's group started the day with freshies down the Lac des Vaux ridge before heading up the the Mont Fort and deep fresh snow. After lunch at Cabin du Mont Fort it was off to ski the Col de Gentaines. Skiing right under the tram brought more freshies and face shots. The day ended with fresh tracks down Les Ruinettes (at 16:00!!) and beers at the Pub Mont Fort. A fondue dinner and then the wrap-up at the hotel lounge. A huge shout out to Slyvie and Chris of the Mirabeau for putting up with us. Lots of smiles around the place and everyone talking about wanting to return. A great week here in Verbier, it will a shame to leave tomorrow. Courchevel, the stakes are high.
Linc's group enjoying the powder of La Tzoumaz
Stu dropping into Lac des Vaux Ridge
Leanne in the powder
Meesh's group with Le Cabin du Mont Fort
Paul plowing through the powder
Linda enjoying the Swiss powder
Stu in the steep and deep
Cabin du Mont Fort
Mike's helment cruising through the powder
The rest of Mike cruising the powder
The Hardcore PowderPuffs
A magical day in Verbier
Smiles all around
Stu charging down the Mont Fort