TGski

Over 1m of Fresh

2008-03-27T10:08:00.003Z

This last week has been bizarre.

It’s coming into April and any snow that falls will be good for the morning and then slushy after lunch. Or maybe not.

A cold front has been on us for over a week now gifting us over a meter of fresh. Not only this but the cold conditions have kept the snow perfect for all those January lines that we thought we were going to have to wait until next year to enjoy again.

If you’re waiting to see if it snows, then wait no longer.

It has. Book now.

Battle of Waterloo

2008-03-11T08:01:00.003Z

The battle happened on 18 June 1815. some 200 years later snowboarders from France and Britain took up there boards as weapons and went to battle in the Avoriaz Snow park.

George was official photographer and I was roped in to comparing the day; and what a day.

The battle took place on Saturday and was geared towards fun and finding new talent.

In the morning session French and British amateur riders make there way through the Avoriaz Jump Park trying to impress judges.

At Lunch time over a BBQ Judges announced the winners of the morning comp. the top 3 French and British Amateurs then join up with 3 French and British Pros to compete in the afternoon battle.

As a skier I’m not usually too excited by Gay’s On Trays but Saturday changed all that. The atmosphere generated by everone involved and the crowds watching was electric and the competitors just kept on pulling out amazing stuff: Corked 7s to manuals, laid-out backs off huge 30ft hits, 270s onto crook down rails and much, much more.

The French ended up taking the trophy with constant excellence but the high light for me was from Amateur Billy X (not sure of surname) who had an inspired day. After a crowd pleasing laid-out back-flip he went right back up and without warning nailed a spectacular double-Back off the biggest jump in the world! It was amazing and the smile couldn’t be peeled from his face for the rest of the day.

What a fantastic day.

George Makes Front Page

2008-03-01T09:04:00.002Z

Big Congratulations to George.

George has landed his first front cover photograph. The latest edition of Dark Summer (one of the top UK Free-Skiing publications) sports Georges snap of Pro-Skier Dave Houghton hearling himself of a 50 foot cliff.

The location is Avoriaz. Dave found the drop after spotting a gap in the trees which on inspection had a perfect natural run in.

Conditions had to be just right. George got the call on a Tuesday morning while Ski hosting and quickly made his way (with lucky guests) to the spot.

With a small crowd of guests and friends out of shot Dave stamped the take off point make it firm then side stepped back up the run in.

Dave ran in with Pace and easily cleared the trees at the foot of the cliff landing out of shot.

It was amazing. The angle of shot is great as it shows the magnitude of the hit.

Impressive Jump, Impressive photograph.

T

Dark Summer Magazine
http://www.darksummer.co.uk

TG Sweded

2008-03-01T08:59:00.001Z

It’s all getting exciting here.

For those that didn’t get our newsletter a couple of weeks ago: Bobby made a film master piece while suffering his dislocated shoulder.

The film was a 2min take off of Arnie’s classic: Predator.

The whole TG ski team were roped in as cast and on a shoe string budget the film has rocketed to the top of a You Tube competition.

Take a look and leave your comments below:

http://www.tgski.co.uk/guestbook.htm

Penguin Competition Winners

2008-02-14T06:48:00.002Z

Never did I believe that such a simple game would provoke such a strong response!
Within an hour of my email we received 30 entries.

Unfortunately we can only reward the first 5 entrants. so with out further ado.

Congratulations to:

Rank Name Time received
1 Owen Bullock 12:14
2 Mark Poulain 12:15
3 Philippos Kyriacou 12:17
4 Zack Wragg 12:22
5 Tim Goodacre 12:23

Thank you all for competing and please; keep slapping.

Tom

ps - If you would like to receive our newsletter then please send me an email.

T

Panda Eyes

2008-02-10T07:14:00.000Z

It’s been a funny weather week. We’ve had the full spectrum; snow, rain and shine.

It last snowed on Wednesday and has been sunny since, with not one cloud in the sky.

It’s the first time this season guests have left with great big goggle tan lines.

With the weather forecast set for sun all week I think there’ll be a few more Pandas wandering around resort this week too.

More Snow on perfect pistes.

2008-02-03T07:10:00.000Z

This season has been fantastic so faqr. I don't think we have had a week yet with out at least one blue skied powder day.

Last week it started to rain in Morzine. Doom and gloom spreaded like wild fire. According to the lady in our bakery: "Winter was now over".

Well as per usual 12hours later the freezing level dropped to 800m and snow started to fall. Yesterday we had 5cm in Morzie and 20cm at the top.

The best thing about this recent snow fall was timing. It started to snow around midnight. This meant that all of the pistes had already been bashed.

So what?

This means that a lovely new layer of powder fell on top of perfectly flat runs. The next morning was one of fresh tracks in the knowledge that there were no hidden bumps or rocks to spoil your fun. Gorgeous.

T

The Weather is fine and so are our Chalet Girls

2008-01-29T09:25:00.000Z

We've had nearly a week of blue skies now and with 20cm of snow predicted for the end of the week it's fair to say that everyone on the mountain is having a real treat.

We're now into full flow with the season and Katy & Caroline have really upped their game.
It's a tribute to them that the last 2 weeks of guests have rebooked during their week.

Good work girls!

T

Another 10cm last night

2008-01-15T08:53:00.000Z

It just keeps falling.

The last week has been amazing:
Snow followed by blue skies, followed by more snow, followed by more blue skies.
As i sit here typing this i cant help thinking about the route i'll choose this afternoon.

Yesterday we went up and, with so few people on the mountain, took fresh tracks down all of
of my unfavorite routes.

With so much snow over night and blue skies today the problem is going to be which pitch do we choose. decisions decisions.

T

Chalet Girl Down

2008-01-05T09:20:00.000Z

Katy is down but not out.
After a horrible looking crash Katy is looking perky.

On Wednesday Katy was cruising along a cat track when she miss judged a dip which sent her crashing into the piste. Katy Bravely scraped herself of the floor and skied to the next lift station before allowing aid to be called.

An afternoon in the medi centre and an X-ray revealed no breaks (Phew!), but Katy will be out of action with a seriously strained shoulder for 7 days.

Get better soon,

T

Hot tub has landed

2007-12-30T18:48:00.000Z

It's been a long time coming but the hot tub is now fully functional. wahey!

Last week's guests enjoyed a steamy bath with a view.
It sits in the back garden of Roc Soeil with 3 closed sides for privacy and one opened up to this view...

Finding quiet pistes in Christmas traffic

2007-12-23T17:07:00.000Z

Here it is the real start to the season. Although we had guests last week it was quiet on the hill. Today the roads have been heaving with traffic bringing everyone up for their guaranteed white Christmas.

It’ll be interesting to see how long the pistes stay in good condition now that the Xmas traffic has arrived. Last week we were still enjoying empty pistes. Queuing for a lift has been a novelty… Alas, no longer. Not for the next two weeks anyway.

Luckily we know the area pretty well and there are always those quiet spots that Joe Bloggs never quite finds.

Tomorrow’s ski hosting so it’ll be straight to the Mossettes for some corduroy and then the Goats village in Linderets for Lunch. Yum.

Ride with a Pro: Press Trip

2007-12-18T18:46:00.001Z

Our guests were hosted around the slopes of Morzine/Avoriaz by Two of Britain’s best riders. Dave Houghton (ski) and Mike Austin (Board).

Day 1

Day 1 was all about enjoying the conditions. Dave showed off his switch Powder before heading off to set up for his shoot. George Powell (Co-Owner and resident photographer) was on hand to catch guests in action.

Just before lunch guests caught up with Dave again. He was 30ft above us on a rather intimidating cliff. Guests all huddled in the snow with camera phones set to record while Dave and George made final preparations.

Then Dave Launched. It’s only when you are there that you “get” the scale. Big.

Dave Hit the Cliff twice as the first time wasn’t good enough (he claimed).

That evening just before Dinner guests met with Dave again to finish a build. The shot was a kicker down a stair well. The photo is great but helping to build the run in (down a road) and the landing (A pile of broken snow next to a road) gave so much more appreciation of how much goes into these shots.

Day 2

Mike Austin was Board Hosting on Day 2. Just riding behind Austin is amazing. Where I see a hazard, he sees a play thing.

Austin took us to the “Stash” (a natural board park) in Avoriaz where he proceeded to demonstrate his Rail skills. After sliding across a supple tree trunk fashioned into a rainbow rail as if it wasn’t even there. Austin stopped to talk through the finer points of a box slide. It’s amazing how much confidence riding with a pro gives you. Everyone managed to slide the wooden box feature.

After Lunch a picnic table that had been fashioned into an obstacle was selected for Austin’s shoot. Guests were invited to be part of it (see snap).

At the end of the day Guests were given their own CD diary of the trip before Lola (TGski Landrover) ran everyone back to Geneva in time for the last flight home and last orders in the local.

Ride with a Pro can be added to any TGski Holiday for £50 per person.

DR's last day

2007-12-18T07:45:00.000Z

Dave Houghton (DR) left us yesterday but not before a good staff ski.
We skied the Morzine/Les Gets side.
The chamossiere and Nyon chairs aren't open yet which is frustrating as the snow on the looks immaculate and still untouched!

We headed for the Rainfoilley and as it was fairly tracked out on the sides spent the afternoon cruising and taking silly photos.

All good fun.

T

Blue Skies and High Fives

2007-12-15T14:07:00.000Z

We had our ride with a pro reporters trip this week and you couldn't have asked for any better conditions.

Mike Austin (Border) and Dave Houghton (Skier) set out to impress with some park, powder and fairly scary cliff drops.

There were a lot of whoops and i don't think Betony stopped smiling the whole time!

Still Snowing

2007-12-10T11:32:00.000Z

It's been snowing solidly for the last 24hrs...

New Team shots

2007-12-10T11:14:00.000Z

We had some fun in the snow with the new team.

Introducing:

Katy, Bobby and Caroline

Arrived in Morzine and things are white

2007-12-06T11:17:00.000Z

George and I have now arrived in Morzine and although it was drizzle in Morzine on Sunday, Monday was snow down to 600m.

Avoriaz has had snow through out and everyone has been powder skiing... everyone that is except us!

We've been busy cleaning and readying the chalets for guests. Katy, Caroline and Bobby have done a great job and tomorrow we'll be getting photos of them (your chalet staff) for the website.

T

Cant believe the season starts in a week

2007-11-27T18:22:00.000Z

Last week the lifts opened temporarily and now Avoriaz is open for the season.

We head out to open up the chalets on Sunday and am looking forward to skiing some powder before guests even arrive!

Snowing already!

2007-11-13T16:10:00.000Z

There's been 15cm of snow and Avoriaz looks about ready to go.
Check our web cams... exciting stuff!

T