Perfect Autumn, winters coming!

Already dreaming of those deep powder turns!

It's Autumn here in the Chamonix Valley, the trees are turning their amazing colours, the skies are clear, the air is fresh and there's no one around. The Mountains are winter white for climbing, the roads are clear for cycling and there's a whole winters snowboarding waiting just around the corner.

It's quite simply the perfect time of year!

The last few spaces on courses are booking up and the winter is looking great. Its the time of year when I start to get all the winter kit together, new kit starts to turn up and I turn around my summer Guiding kit to my winter riding kit. It's always quite exciting, even after over 20 years of riding, to get the new kit through the door and it makes me dream of those deep powder turns that I know are coming.

I think back to last season, the almost weekly days of fast close lines through the steep trees in Courmayeur, the deep and steep bottomless turns down the Plan Joran couloir on the Adavnced BC, a just reward after a well over grown commando access route. Deep turns in the Valley Blanche around the Rognon and cheater access powder off the top of the Grand Montets. Perfect powder off the Grand Autannes down to Trient, easy access turns off the back of Le Tour and great days hiking and touring in both the Chamonix massif and further a field.

I remember touring with Alistair from the Monestary at the Col du Grandes St Bernard, sinking deep in the soft snow with our Snowshoes and heavy packs as the Ski tourers whistled past. I remember looking at the terrain there, how amazing it all looked but so in accessible on snowshoes and the idea for the Splitboard courses starting to fill my thoughts. I look back on an amazing season of riding, great groups, good laughs (well for me anyway) and new friends.

So now Winter is just around the corner and yes, we get to do it all over again. I look forward to those first early season tours up to the Tete du Balme before the lifts start running, normally on skis but maybe this year on a splitboard.
Those first cold shaded December days up on the Grand Montets, bumping into all the usual faces all wearing their shiny new kit and trying out their new ski or boards. All strapping or stepping in for the first time in a long while, waiting for that familiar feeling to return, will it? Wont it?

My first course, the 3 day Tech clinic, always a good one to start off with as it makes me concentrate on my own riding as well as exploring the riding of those in the group and sets me up well for the season. The snow base is coming and but early season forays off piste must be limited due to the rocks now hidden just underneath and we wait for the first big winter snowfall.

January, time to sneak in some early Off Piste powder turns.

January is coming, cold days, cold snow, great pistes and the Off Piste is coming into condition. Courmayeur is getting good, so is Le Tour and Flegere is on its way. I've toured in the Berard Valley in early January in the past and Glacier Toule is now coming into perfect condition as February approaches.

February and the riding is endless!

February, the first big winter snows have laid down their base and the riding is endless, the crowds start to arrive and its time for us to head out into the Backcountry, to find the peace and calm and fresh lines that await.

March is time for getting up high!

March and the days are getting longer, the snow base is perfect and the Glaciers are now in condition and offering up their goods.

April, time of frequent snows and unlimited touring!

April is coming, long days, frequent snowfall and amazing touring conditions for those with the inkling. This is the time for exploring and venturing off to new areas and new adventures.
May is on the horizon and the air is getting warm, the snow is turning to spring corn, great fun to ride and everyone is looking sun kissed and relaxed. Powder snow mornings draw us up high into the Valley Blanche where the snow is still great.
The touring season is in full swing and Mont Blanc is covered in fresh lines as I pack my kit and head off for Greenland.

Damian nears another virgin peak in Greenland.

Away from the crowds once again, surrounded by mountains and frozen seas and little else. Life is simple here, we sleep, we eat, we maintain the camp, we play and we ride and nothing else really matters. A simple survive and explore mentality takes over, everyday offers us something new, a new peak, a new valley, a new descent and every evening brings us that satisfied feeling of a day well spent and the anticipation of the adventure to come.

Yep, the winter is coming, its just around the corner. So much to do before hand but so much to look forward to, so let your mind wonder and start dreaming of those deep turns, those days out hiking amongst the hike peaks and those adventures to come.

All is good in Chamonix!

Neil.