Posts Tagged ‘ off piste ’

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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!

TweetSo, the lifts in the Portes du Soleil are still not open and after a few days at the computer (coupled with stresses involving office floods and uniform printing)… I decided I deserved to make the most of this first bluebird day since a week of snow. So back up Mt Chery in Les Gets it was, in the late afternoon sun. Perhaps for the first time ever I appreciated the work of the piste bashers, making the ascent so much easier than earlier in the week.

The views were awesome, especially from the top of Mt Chery over towards Mont Blanc (sorry no photos) and over towards Point Percée (which I climbed this summer).

The ride down… EPIC! Due to freezing cold temperatures it was just the best light, deep powder.

On a personal note; RIP Keith… days like today, I miss you big time buddy. x tammy