New Snow, New courses and New Q&A blog!

These days are definitely coming!

It's been snowing most of the last week above 2000m so the mountains are looking pretty white up there and it definitely a good start for the winter season.

I managed to get out on my bike a couple of times riding down in the lower valley and making a good circuit up towards Megeve and Plateau d'Assy. the sun came out the other day as I rode with fellow guide Jonny Baird and headed up to St Nicholas an beyond until we hit the snow line. It was great to be out and my legs felt super strong so this bodes well for the start of the winter.

I've been answering a lot of questions on technique, equipment and mountain awareness lately and so thought it would be a good idea to start a kind of blog/forum sort of thing so that you can ask questions, I answer them and then others can read them and post comments if they feel it relevant. Saves me answering the same questions over and over and you can join in, post your comments and add to the discussions. This will be a regular feature linked to the web site but for now you can find it here - Q&A Blog

I've also added a couple of NEW courses towards the end of April as I moved Kamchatka to 2011.

In its place I've added a NEW 3 Day BC Intro course , this will be the first 3 Day BC course I've ran and is designed for the experienced Off Piste rider that would like to take the first steps into the world of the Backcountry but doesn't have enough time for the full 6 day experience.

I've then completed that week with a 3 day Off piste clinic as these are filling up fast. With this course being at the end of the week it would either suit someone looking to do a few days warm up on their own before joining the course for the end of the week or someone looking to start a long weekend.

Last but not least I've got some Ortovox F1 transceivers to sell off so check out the goodies page on the McNab Snowboarding site.

For more info on these courses contact Ruth in the office.

Things are looking good!

Neil.

Winter hits Chamonix!

These days are coming!

So it seems that winter has arrived here in Chamonix!

The Snow line is rapidly dropping down the side of the mountains here in the valley, now down within the tree line at around 1500m. We had 20cm at 2000m yesterday, another 20 to 30cm today and again tonight a similar amount is forecast for up in the mountains. It looks like its going to continue through the weekend and so I guess the winter has just sneaked in and taken over.

This is good for the mountains which were exceptionally dry this summer, the strong winds up high at the moment will help bridge over the crevasses, hiding them under a thin layer for now but starting the base that will allow us to ride up high in all the great spots once the snow base is good and deep.

I've been busy training on my bike since getting back from London, my legs are feeling strong and this bodes well for the coming season. It's still an ok temperature for riding in the lower valley so I'll not be putting it away just yet although I'm now starting to think about searching out my winter kit and if this continues I'll be heading out for a slide before too long.

We've been experiencing a small problem with our e-mail server this last week, I think it has been cleared up now but if anyone has not received a reply to an inquiry then please check your junk mail folders as someone recently found their reply had gone into their spam folder? If still nothing e-mail us again or give us a call on the office number between 9am and 12 noon.

Ok, all good over here, hope you're all looking forward to the coming winter.

Start getting excited!

Neil.

Back in Chamonix after the London Ski show!

These days are coming!

Back to the Mountains!

I'm back in Chamonix were the weather is clear, crisp and cold. Perfect Autumn days are forecast so perfect cycling weather before the busy winter sets in.

I'm back in the office with Ruth who seems to have everything in order so if you need any info drop her a line.

The London Ski show was pretty good, very busy and lots of interest in courses etc. I had about 3000 brochures at the show and we only have about 20 or so places left available on courses this season so a bit of overkill there! I spoke to a lot of people and interest was high and it was great to see such a strong vibe going on for the coming winter.

I've just made my final free week available from the 11th to the 18th April. I was saving this for some me time but as interest was high I have opened this week up for 'group bookings only'!

So if you're a group of riders that want to do something specific and design a week to suit your needs get in touch with us here in the office and we'll see what we can do about designing your dream week.

The week after this from the 18th to 25th I have put on a new BC Freeride week as the other one is now full.

Quite a few courses are now full or filling up so if you're looking to join me this winter out on the hill get in touch with Ruth in the office!

All is good,

Neil.

London Ski Show!

These days are coming!

I'm over in the UK for the London Ski Show!

If you're in the area come on in and pay a visit, I'll be hanging out on the TSA stand near the big air jump.

I have now moved both Kamchatka and Norway to 2011 due to the 2010 schedule getting busier and busier. This years big trip to Gulmarg in the Kashmir Himalaya in January is definitely going ahead and there is lots of interest in this trip so if you's like to join it get in touch with Ruth in the office asap.

I have a new Private (Bespoke) BC week booked 4th t0 10th April and now only one week left for Private courses the 11th to 18th April.

We are now taking deposits for Norway and Kamchatka 2011, contact the office for more details.

London is good but I can't wait to get back to the mountains of Chamonix and get out on the bike for some more Autumn training.

Winter is definitely on its way!

Neil.

Course updates!

These days are coming!

A quick news piece to notify you all of a couple of late season changes to the McNab snowboarding calendar.

Due to availability problems I have pushed the Norway (Lyngen trip) to next year 2011.

In its place you will now find a 2nd BC Freeride course which I have put on as the first one has filled very quickly and now has only one place available.

At the moment I am toying with the idea of a Greenland trip in place of Kamchatka so if any of you have any interest in either of these destinations let me know asap and I'll weigh up your opinions before making a decision.

Mel has been out for the official hand over of office responsibility! She has headed back to Scotland this morning without her shackles to start her new life of fish supers and deep fried mars bars. If anyone has any messages for her they can send them to me and I'll pass them on.

Just got some of the new TNF kit, if you're looking for a BC pack this season check out the new N.F.Z and Liftie packs. Nice!

Hope you're liking the new site!

Neil.

The new Web site is on line!

These days are coming!

Ok, so we're up and at em!

The new web site is now on line at www.mcnabsnowboarding.com so check it out!

There's a few little things still to update but its pretty much rockin with all the latest courses, news and a few new bits.

Me and Ruth have been pretty busy in the office getting on top of things since Mel has stepped down but things are going well and the courses are getting pretty booked up already!

Mel has just come out for a visit and a gloat, a non work holiday in Cham, Nice!

It's a beautiful Autumn here in Chamonix, clear crisp days and this morning our first real frost! The peaks are white after a couple of stormy days which adds to the beautiful colour scheme, the Autumn leaves against the red granite and white peaks. Beautiful!

Wow! bit sentimental there but you get the idea.

Got my bike back a couple of days ago and had a couple of great rides out on it. Quite cold today but perfect in the sun and feeling quite strong.

All is good, hope you like the new site!

Neil.

Gulmarg trip details are now on line.

these days are coming soon!

I've just posted the details for the BC Voyager trip to Gulmarg (Kashmir Himalaya) so check them out at www.mcnabsnowboarding.com

There's a lot of interest in this trip and limited places so get in touch if you want to go.

Wow, things are progressing fast!

Ruth is manning the office now so if you have any questions contact her at info@mcnabsnowboarding.com or direct at ruth@mcnabsnowboarding.com

Looks like a busy winter ahead!

Bike still not fixed boo!

All good though and snow down to 2200m

Neil.