Henry's Avalanche Talk, Avalanche awareness, Off piste skiing, snow reports, snow conditions, Val d'Isere, Tignes

Snow in the Alps!

It's been snowing off and on for a couple of weeks throughout most of the Alps - and lots in the last few 5 days in the Haute Tarentaise region of the Savoie, Northern French Alps (tho today has been clearer with no snow). Skiing over the past weekend was compromised due to very high winds (grande motte in Tignes closed on Friday afternoon...), then less wind - lots of snow and bad vis yesterday. But the situation is improving today!

This morning of mountains above Bourg st Maurice across from les Arcs

These photos (above and just below) taken from the village Longefoy (900 m))near Bourg St. Maurice

I was recently in Tignes and it was very windy over the weekend at altitude. Here (below) is  a wind swept N. Face of le Lavachet in Tignes (top approx 2800 M). photo taken on Sat Nov 22

UK Tour @ GJ's Bar & Restaurant in London, Wandsworth

The HAT and Ski Club of Great Britain Off Piste and Avalanche Awareness UK Tour (OPAA UK) completed its events in the UK at GJ’s Bar & Restaurant in Wandsworth last week amongst a sellout crowd for an advanced in-depth talk (see photos below).

HOWEVER, thanks to such a keen interest from British off piste enthusiasts, there will be one more 'Ride Hard ! Ride Safe' event attached to the OPAA UK Tour campaign and that will be in Chamonix, France in January (the date and time will be set in the next week and can be seen on  UK Tour Schedule)

In the mean time, you can see where and when HAT will be conducting events and courses on this link: http://www.henrysavalanchetalk.com/avalanche_talks.html

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Each talk at GJ's was introduced by Gregor, owner and founder of GJ's. Gregor started GJ's  in Val d'Isère in the early 90's. Then, after a tragic avalanche accident where he lost one of his closest friends and broke many bones in his body, he moved his business to London. Each time we do a talk at GJ's we remember our friend Dav. One of his skis is high on the central beam off the ceiling.

(Dav is in the center of the photo here below taken just before the accident - Gregor on far left)

Gregor was the fist person ever to ask me to do an avalanche talk. That was 20 years ago when he was managing Playbach in Val d'Isère; here above is the promotional poster for that first March 1989 event - designed by artist Nick Lyons. Gregor's heart remains in the mountains and he is still a passionate off piste skier. Thus his keen interest in hosting HAT events at GJ's which is still known in London as the seasonaire's place to meet.

Many experiences (good and bad) have led to my dedication to skiing, the mountains, talking about having fun and talking about risk management. But I think the overall enthusiasm that is in the air at this time of year, and what I have felt from everyone through the whole UK Tour campaign is what keeps me 'wired in' and inspired. The photos below, and on all the blog updates below that, communicate this enthusiasm. A big thanks to all of you and have a great season - it's starting soon!!!

A full house (or full tent rather) at GJ's below

A thirsty crowd of over 60 people kept Gregor on his toes (below)...

...luckily he was helped out by a charming bar staff

Tour Sponsors          

Product Sponsor

Each talk at GJ's was introduced by Gregor, owner and founder of GJ's. Gregor started GJ's  in Val d'Isère in the early 90's. Then, after a tragic avalanche accident where he lost one of his closest friends and broke many bones in his body, he moved his business to London. Each time we do a talk at GJ's we remember our friend Dav. One of his skis is high on the central beam off the ceiling.

(Dav is in the center of the photo here below taken just before the accident - Gregor on far left)

Gregor was the fist person ever to ask me to do an avalanche talk. That was 20 years ago when he was managing Playbach in Val d'Isère; here above is the promotional poster for that first March 1989 event - designed by artist Nick Lyons. Gregor's heart remains in the mountains and he is still a passionate off piste skier. Thus his keen interest in hosting HAT events at GJ's which is still known in London as the seasonaire's place to meet.

Many experiences (good and bad) have led to my dedication to skiing, the mountains, talking about having fun and talking about risk management. But I think the overall enthusiasm that is in the air at this time of year, and what I have felt from everyone through the whole UK Tour campaign is what keeps me 'wired in' and inspired. The photos below, and on all the blog updates below that, communicate this enthusiasm. A big thanks to all of you and have a great season - it's starting soon!!!

A full house (or full tent rather) at GJ's below

A thirsty crowd of over 60 people kept Gregor on his toes (below)...

...luckily he was helped out by a charming bar staff

Tour Sponsors          

Product Sponsor

Each talk at GJ's was introduced by Gregor, owner and founder of GJ's. Gregor started GJ's  in Val d'Isère in the early 90's. Then, after a tragic avalanche accident where he lost one of his closest friends and broke many bones in his body, he moved his business to London. Each time we do a talk at GJ's we remember our friend Dav. One of his skis is high on the central beam off the ceiling.

(Dav is in the center of the photo here below taken just before the accident - Gregor on far left)

Gregor was the fist person ever to ask me to do an avalanche talk. That was 20 years ago when he was managing Playbach in Val d'Isère; here above is the promotional poster for that first March 1989 event - designed by artist Nick Lyons. Gregor's heart remains in the mountains and he is still a passionate off piste skier. Thus his keen interest in hosting HAT events at GJ's which is still known in London as the seasonaire's place to meet.

Many experiences (good and bad) have led to my dedication to skiing, the mountains, talking about having fun and talking about risk management. But I think the overall enthusiasm that is in the air at this time of year, and what I have felt from everyone through the whole UK Tour campaign is what keeps me 'wired in' and inspired. The photos below, and on all the blog updates below that, communicate this enthusiasm. A big thanks to all of you and have a great season - it's starting soon!!!

A full house (or full tent rather) at GJ's below

A thirsty crowd of over 60 people kept Gregor on his toes (below)...

...luckily he was helped out by a charming bar staff

Big Turnouts - OPAA Tour - London Kensington and Bristol Snow + Rock

This past Tuesday and Wednesday the Off Piste and Avalanche Awareness UK Tour visited Snow + Rock in London Kensington and their Bristol superstore. The ambiance was fully charged, fueled at least in part by champagne and canapés from Ski Armadillo. See photos below!

The turnout was massive with over 90 people in Bristol and so many in Kensington that at least a dozen people stood through the entire talk. A big thank you to all who attended (especially those in ‘standing room’). I also want to thank the Snow + Rock staff and the Ski Club of Great Britain staff for being so helpful with organising the talks and so keen to learn more about how to ride hard and ride safe!

We’re now on to GJ’s in Wandsworth where we will be hosted by Gregor and his crew on Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening UK Tour Schedule.

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Julian serving Ski Armidillo Champagne (above). Joe, manager of Kensington Snow + Rock and employee of the month, chatting with me (below).

 

Claire Collins, marketing & PR manager at Snow + Rock (below), showing some of their ARC'TERYX collection in S +R Bristol

Me during pre-show chat at the Snow + Rock in Bristol (below) - over 90 people attended 

Carlyle Jenkins of The Perfect Run (below) is one of the most passionate off piste skiers I know. He is also a sponsor and contributing presenter of the HAT Off Piste Awareness UK Tour 2008

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Julian serving Ski Armidillo Champagne (above). Joe, manager of Kensington Snow + Rock and employee of the month, chatting with me (below).

 

Claire Collins, marketing & PR manager at Snow + Rock (below), showing some of their ARC'TERYX collection in S +R Bristol

Tour Sponsors          

Julian serving Ski Armidillo Champagne (above). Joe, manager of Kensington Snow + Rock and employee of the month, chatting with me (below).

 

Claire Collins, marketing & PR manager at Snow + Rock (below), showing some of their ARC'TERYX collection in S +R Bristol

Update: Off-piste and Avalanche Awareness UK Tour (OPAA UK)

Last week the OPAA Tour included six sessions of talks and transceiver training at the Snow and Rock in Port Solent (Portsmouth), Ride Snow in Poole and Sandbanks Beach (see photos below). We’re moving on to more talks at Snow and Rock and GJ’s in Wandsworth.See the UK Tour Schedule for more information!

WIN an Ortovox Tranceiver, Shovel, Probe and Pack on this link! 

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Matt Chilton (below) of BBC Ski Sunday and Eurosport introduced the HAT presentation at Snow and Rock Port Solent to a crowd of 50 or more adventure snow sports enthusiasts

Manager Lynne Waters displaying the Port Solent Snow and Rock store's ARC'TERYX line 

More tranceiver training on Sandbanks beech (below)

Rob, marketing dept at Snow and Rock, trying to slip by the camera during the break (below)

WIN an Ortovox Tranceiver, Shovel, Probe and Pack on this link! 

Tour Sponsors          

Matt Chilton (below) of BBC Ski Sunday and Eurosport introduced the HAT presentation at Snow and Rock Port Solent to a crowd of 50 or more adventure snow sports enthusiasts

Manager Lynne Waters displaying the Port Solent Snow and Rock store's ARC'TERYX line 

More tranceiver training on Sandbanks beech (below)

Rob, marketing dept at Snow and Rock, trying to slip by the camera during the break (below)

Update: Off-piste and Avalanche Awareness UK Tour (OPAA UK)

OPAA UK is now in Poole and Port Solent!

We’ve already had sessions on beeper training on Sand Banks Beach and a basic talk this past Sunday evening followed by an advanced talk on Monday evening in Poole (see photos below). Tomorrow (Thursday) we will be at the Snow and Rock in Port Solent (Portsmouth) and then back in Poole/Sandbanks for beeper training on Saturday and Sunday (please reserve in advance – these courses get filled up and we’ve already had to turn people away who showed up without a booking - that breaks my heart!) see details for booking and schedule on UK Tour Schedule.

There will also be an additional basic talk in Poole this Saturday at 5 pm due to increased demand (call Ride Snow in Poole on 01202 741744 for details on where this will take place).  I’m looking forward to seeing you!

WIN an Ortovox Tranceiver, Shovel, Probe and Pack on this link!

Tour Sponsors          

Beeper Training and beeper training debrief

Chat and demos after talk (below)