Posts Tagged ‘ chatel ’

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The Nike Chosen series came over to the Portes du Soleil last week for a visit to the Chatel snowpark for a slopestyle jam session during which Nike are scouting out the next unsigned ripped amateurs.

Mint crew member Lewis Sonvico headed over for a play date with other Morziners, Sean Tumelty and Rob Cartledge. A great  day was had and all sorts of stunts and carcass chucking was going down. With rad results Lewis qualified for the finals in third place… but unfortunately he messed up in the finals, came home to the Dutchess with nothing and he’s been grounded for the week!!!

Check out the video to see what they got up to (boom, Lewis did get the thumbnail picture!):

Nike Chosen Series – 06 France Chatel from Nike Action on Vimeo.

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As everyone should know by now, this is Europe’s winter for big snowfall and we have indeed been making the most of it! The latest off-piste snowboard adventure from the Mint team was a hike up the Tête du Géant (2228m), in Pré la Joux, Chȃtel, to ride a fantastic couloir starting just below the summit. The couloir, visible from the ‘Les Combes’ chairlift in Linga, is north facing, about 250 m in length, 45 – 50̊ steep & very narrow in parts… just what we like!

Here are some photos to tell the tale:

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With the rebirth of splitboarding over the last few years we are getting more and more requests for splitboard backcountry guiding. And we are stoked with this! There have been great improvements in the equipment since the first splitboards were manufactured over a decade ago, making both the ascent easier and the ride down better.

Last Tuesday, Mint Snowboarding coach Tammy and Dev took the easier approach of getting to the summit of the Pointe de Chésery… by splitboard! The Pointe de Chésery, 2251 m, is a peak situated between the ski areas of Avoriaz and Chatel / Linga in the Portes du Soleil and makes for a great half day tour.

Both Dev and Tammy were on new boards, a K2 and a Jones, with Dev testing his out for a splitboarding trip to Norway later in the winter. They got fresh tracks down the narrower left-hand couloir on the NW facing slope into Pre la Joux.  Again a lack of riding shots due to too much fun, but they did get some cheesy summit shots!

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Well, what an epic start to the season we have had with almost a month of continuous snowfall. The sun finally came out a week ago and, although it has been bluebird conditions ever since, it has not stopped us finding great backcountry lines to ride.

Here are some photos from a fun afternoon hike up the Pointe de Chésery which sits between the ski areas of Avoiraz and Chatel / Linga. The group consisted of Tom and Hamish along with Mint snowboard instructors David and Tammy. They got first lines down the left-hand couloir on the NW facing slope of the Pointe de Chésery, with epic snow conditions. As with so many days out, there are no riding shots as everyone was having too much fun!

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Mint Snowboard school is keen to get the local snowboard community learning & progressing, so we are organising snowboard programs specific for you… whether you are year round residents, seasonaires or kids living locally around Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz or Chatel. So to help you take your riding to the next level we are offering group courses at significantly reduced rates to all locals this winter.

We are will be running the following courses:

Freestyle progression course: Aimed for those who already have a reasonable freestyle level and wish to progress their freestyle skills to the next level. Will include rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Freestyle introduction course: Aimed at relative newbees to freestyle snowboarding this course will include an introduction to rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Girls Only Freestyle course: This course is for girls only, allowing you to develop your freestyle skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere! Will include rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Technique progression courses of Learner, Cruiser & Advanced rider levels: Content will depend on level, but focused on improving basic to advanced technical skills to allow progression in areas such as riding steeper terrain, carving,riding variable terrain, off piste, freestyle as well as general confidence building.

When:

Thursday & Friday afternoons, starting Friday 13th January 2012

Cost:
4 x 3 hour lessons = 180€
6 x 3 hour lessons = 270€

Group sizes:
Maximum of 7
Minimum of 5 required to run a group

If you are interested in more information or would like to book on a course then please email us at info@mintsnowboarding.com.

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Do you live in the Geneva area and are keen to progress your snowboarding or skiing this winter… or is it time to learn from scratch and join in the fun? This article gives you all the information you need; from lesson details, how to get to the ski slopes and where to stay.

The extensive Portes du Soleil ski area is situated about an hours drive from the center of Geneva, with the closest ski resorts in the Portes du Soleil network being Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets. These resorts, seen by many as the snowboard capital of Europe, are all high enough to be snow sure and are well equipped with snow cannons if needed. Here is some useful information to help you organise your visit:

Snowboard Tuition

• Mint Snowboard School

Mint Snowboard School is a small team of mainly British snowboard instructors all qualified to the highest level in the sport and providing high quality, professional instruction. Easy to understand techniques are provided with fun focused coaching for all levels, from beginner to pro freestyler! We offer tuition in both English & French. For Information on snowboard lessons & coaching check out our website.

Ski Tuition

• The British Alpine Ski School – Morzine & Les Gets
• The Snow Institute – Morzine & Les Gets
• Freedom 2 Ski – Avoriaz

Transport from Geneva to the Morzine area:

• Car: takes approximately 1 hr
• Bus services from Geneva airport:
  • Altibus
  • Geneva Coach Station
  • MorzExpress

Local accommodation offering short stays (eg 1 or 2 nights):

• Chalet style accommodation
• PRG SKI
• Easiski – short stays offered in Chalet D’amo
• Alpine Ski & Golf - short stays offered at Chalet La Cordee
• Chalet Maneva
• Chalet Neige B&B
• Alpine Adventure – Chalet La Vieille Ferme in St Jean d’Aulps
• Skizeen – La Ferme du Lac
• The Mountain Lodge Company
• The Lodge Morzine

• Hotel accommodation
• The Ridge Hotel & The Rhodos Hotel
• Hotel La Combe Humbert
• Star Ski Chalets – Hotel Starlight

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We are happy to announce that as from this winter, Mint Snowboard School will be offering snowboard lessons in the resort of Chatel, part of the Portes du Soleil ski area.

The reputable Mint Snowboard School has been established in the resorts of Morzine, Avoriaz & Les Gets since 2006. This winter one our team of top qualified British snowboard instructors will be based out of Chatel, for the 2011 – 2012 winter season. Mint offers a range of tuition, including private lessons, group courses, freestyle coaching, off-piste guiding, avalanche safety & awareness and much more. We teach all levels, from total beginners to training instructors and advanced freestyle coaching. For more information on the range of instruction we offer check out our website on snowboard coaching in the Portes du Soleil.

If you are a local Chatel tour operator reading this, please get in touch for more information on Mint Snowboard School. We will be happy to meet you and bring around flyers etc.