Why You Have To Ski Chamonix, France

Why You Have To Ski Chamonix, France

Why You Have To Ski Chamonix, France

WHY YOU HAVE TO SKI CHAMONIX, FRANCE
PUBLISHED BY • Snowbrains.com | WORDS •
Jeff Robertson PHOTOS • Hank de’Vre

Chamonix, France is the birthplace of modern skiing.  It’s the birthplace of extreme skiing.  Chamonix is the most legendary place in skiing.  If you love skiing you have to Ski Chamonix.  Chamonix is skiing’s heartbeat.

If you haven’t been to Chamonix yet – if you haven’t seen the terrain of the Chamonix valley yet – it’s time to go.  Le Grand Adventure Tours is taking skiers and riders to Chamonix this winter.  Le Grand Adventure Tours has all the details worked out for you so all you have to do is show up, ski mind-blowing terrain, eat great food, and get blown away by true mountain culture.

Chamonix itself is an intoxicating mixture of incredible mountain scenery, picturesque villages, wild nightlife, unbeatable aprés ski, powerful mountain culture, exquisite cuisine, and world class skiing.  The climbing and skiing history in Chamonix surrounds you as you stroll through town reading plaques and bumping into great museums.

In Cham, you can ski intense terrain or gently cruise around at the great ski resorts of Le Brevant and Le Grand Montet.  Grab a guide and go for a 14-mile run down the Valle Blanche from the 12,600-foot Aiguille du Midi.  Grab a guide and ski some of the most incredible zones of your life all over the valley and beyond.

It’s the terrain of Chamonix that blows skier’s minds and makes Cham the most legendary place to ski on Earth.  Step off a tram and ski over 9,000-vertical-feet back to the valley floor and be done for the day – or not.  One of these monster runs is more than enough to qualify as a day of skiing for most anyone.

One of the most vivid features of skiing Chamonix is that you can ski Switzerland, Italy, and France all in the same day.  You can drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy in only 13kms or simply ski to Italy from the top of the Aiguille du Midi.  In the off-piste of the La Tour ski resort, there’s a great couloir that you can ski from France to Switzerland within.  Skiing from one country to another is a truly unique experience.

It is highly recommended that you have a great guide in Chamonix.  Glacier travel, avalanche danger, and extremely complex terrain make hiring a guide a no brainer.

There’s not much to think about on this one.  If you’d like to ski the most legendary ski terrain on Earth, it’s time to drop in.  Le Grand Adventure Tours has got you covered with an epic trip lined up this winter: Le Grand Adventure Tours’ Chamonix guided ski trip

“From the summit of Le Grand Montet there are vast powder fields in every direction with secret off-piste powder stashes and couloirs everywhere.” – Greg Stump in “The Blizzard of Aahhh’s”

CHAMONIX, FRANCE BY THE NUMBERS:

  • Basics:
  • 13 ski resorts and 9 villages
  • Average annual snowfall = 429 inches
  • Longest Run = 13-miles long Valle Blanche
  • Chamonix has 14 bars, 80 restaurants, and 7 nightclubs
  • Skiing/ Mountain Resort Stats:
  • Top Elevation/Lift: 3,842m/ 12,678′
  • Base Elevation: 1035m/ 3415′
  • Vertical Drop: 2807m/ 9263′
  • Longest Run: 21km/ 13 miles
  • Total Runs: 170km/ 106 miles
  • Total Trails:  145
  • Beginner: 23%
  • Intermediate:31%
  • Advanced: 33%
  • Expert: 13%
  • Cross Country: 42 km
  • Ski Lifts:
  • Total Lifts: 49 (Cham’ski pass)
  • Gondolas/cable cars: 13
  • Chair Lifts: 16
  • Surface Lifts: 19
  • Uplift capacity: 52,660 per/hour
  • Travel Info:
  • Main Airport: Geneva (GVA), Switzerland
  • Distance Geneva: 62 miles (1hr 15min);
  • Main Train Station: Lyon, France
  • Distance Lyon: 130 miles (2 hours)
  • Easy access to Italy and Switzerland.

 


Publication by Snowbrains.com

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Education Through Experience Powder Tour in Japan

Education Through Experience Powder Tour in Japan

Education Through Experience Powder Tour in Japan

PUBLISHED BY • LGA BLOG | WORDS & PHOTOS • Tom Winter

What would you say if there was an opportunity to book a ski trip where you could learn and develop skills as an action sports photographer, journalist or athlete all while shredding some of the deepest snow on earth? We live in a world where our digital interconnectivity allows us more and more opportunities to going beyond the traditional norms of work and career development. Have you dreamed of being a professional freeskier or rider or you want that extra push to start building your portfolio as a professional photographer or action sports journalist? Do you want to make a living as social media influencer in the action sports world?

We want to share our passion for snow and creativity in the action sports industry with you. This January, Image Quest Japan is a trip we’re offering to give you the chance to come to Japan for ten days to study with some of the industry’s best photographers, editors, and athletes to teach you to build a career in the action sports world. All while skiing and riding the best Japan has to offer.

Otaru and Niseko, Japan, get more than 50 feet of snow every year. Located on the mythical island of Hokkaido, Japan is unique to a lot of winter destinations. The winter there is like a big faucet. One day its fall, the next day it starts snowing and for three months it basically doesn’t stop. Come late March, the temps warm and the taps turn off. But for that three-month period, there’s nowhere in the world that offers what Japan can offer in terms of snow.

One of the biggest challenges in going to Japan is making the most out of your time there. Spending too much time on logistics, travel, and figuring out where to ski can burn through your trip fast, but with Le Grand Adventure Tours, we have everything figured out. Our guides have spent a decade searching out all the secret stashes so you don’t have to. Using a custom 4×4 van to get you where you need to go, this trip is definitely for the more advanced skier and rider. The trip focuses on off-piste side/backcountry resort skiing. In other words, tree skiing in well-spaced birch forests and the wide open bowls Hokkaido is famous for. But that’s just the beginning because this trip is about creating a lifestyle.

Image Quest Japan runs a 4:1 student to instructor ratio for their camp. There are two streams for prospective students, the Media + Marketing Experience, and The Athlete Experience. Both work side by side and offer something unique in the ski world.

Are you a budding photographer, journalist or social media influencer in the action sports world? This is the trip for you. Image Quest is a boot camp that focuses on everything you need to know to take photos, write features and create digital content for magazines, newspapers and the web. With an in-depth look at content creation, brand management and marketing yourself, you’ll be working alongside instructors that have worked at places like Powder Magazine, Freeskier and run some of the biggest events and marketing campaigns in the snowsports world. The focus here is to learn to build your own brand and break into the actions sports industry to create the career and lifestyle path you want. Content creation, marketing images, editorial work, working with ad agencies and event production are all part of the camp. It’s a one-stop shop for turning your passion into a living and getting paid to do what you love.

The Athlete Experience

Working alongside the instructors and students from the Media + Marketing Experience, you’ll get a chance to strut your stuff for a week in the Hokkaido backcountry. This is all about learning how to get paid to ski. It’s not just sending it, but understanding what sells; marketing yourself as a brand, what images get published and what images don’t, the ins and outs of working with editors and photographers and creating a unique brand for yourself that can translate into a career as a professional freeskier.  Our onsite coaches, veterans of the Freeski world, will help you hone your craft so when you’re under the lens, you’ll get the images you need and look good doing it.

Why You Should Go

Le Grand Tour has a wealth of experience running guided trips in Japan but this trip is special. This year you’ll have professional photographers Tom Winter and Jeff Cricco leading the know-how part of the trip. Both have insane resumes; Tom was the founding editor of the influential Freeze Magazine and has been a senior contributor at Powder and Skiing and Jeff has been published in just about every ski magazine there is. Both offer a wealth of knowledge and connections and are a blast to hang out with.

Image Quest Powder Ski Tour

Location: Hokkaido, Japan
Tour Length: 10 Days / 9 Nights / 8 Ski Days
Level of Difficulty: High Intermediate and Above
Guide Ratio: 4 to 1 Client to Guide Ratio
Included Meals: Breakfasts, Welcome and Farewell Dinner

This trip is a chance to cultivate all that knowledge and embark on a career path that offers something a little different from the norm. It’s an opportunity to meet some of the most influential people in the snowsports world and pick their brains and develop your skills to start building a professional life in the action sports world. It’s also a way to ski in one of the most amazing places in the world. The best part? Le Grand Tour takes care of all the logistics and details so you don’t have to. All you need is your gear.  Just book the trip and spend 8 days skiing, riding and learning from some masters, all in the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan. Could you imagine anything better?

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Japan Ski Trip FAQ’s

Japan Ski Trip FAQ’s

Answer’s to our most frequently asked questions for your ski trip to Japan. What type of skis to bring? What should I bring?

Top 5 Reasons to Ski Japan

Top 5 Reasons to Ski Japan

This is the winter to enjoy the epic powder Japan is known for. Japan is our go to destination to ski the best snow of your life.

Skiing the Swiss Angel- Engelberg Switzerland

Skiing the Swiss Angel- Engelberg Switzerland

Skiing the Swiss Angel- Engelberg Switzerland

SKIING THE SWISS ANGEL-ENGELBERG, SWITZERLAND
PUBLISHED BY •
LGA BLOG | WORDS & PHOTOS • Jeff Robertson

Over the last 16 years of traveling to the Alps for ski trips, there has only been a couple of places that have really stood out to me. Each resort has its own unique character, culture, and history but certain locations just have something special that you can feel as soon as you pull into the valley. La Grave, Chamonix, St Anton, the Dolomites and for me Engelberg.

I remember the very first time I arrived in Engelberg and the feeling that overcame my senses. The beauty, power and pristine mountains such as Hanen, the Gross Spannort and Titlis Mountains were incredibly captivating. You could feel the buzz of energy in town from the skiers who just came down off the mountain after an exhilarating powder day. The smiles, high fives and the overwhelming sense of joy that only a powder skier knows. All I could do was stare up at the infamous Laub with awe and daydream of what tomorrow would bring. Gazing upon the 4,000’ foot descent gleaming with fresh powder, one has to think is this real? Yes, it is. After visiting Engelberg for the last 5 years, I am still overcome with this feeling every time I arrive in the valley by train.

Engelberg History

The history of Engelberg dates back to the early 1100’s when a member of the Swiss aristocracy, Blessed Konrad, Count of Sellenbüeren, was lead to the valley with his Ox looking to lay his roots for a divine passage to Heaven by building a monastery. This monastery eventually became the Engelberg Abbey that one can still visit to this today. Upon arrival to the valley, he noticed a group of Cherubs on the summit of Hanen Mountain and happily named the area “Angels Mountain” which would eventually become “Engelberg”.

The Trubsee area had been used before this time for its resources but the birth of a new mountain village was born. Over the next few hundred years, Engelberg would be known through the country for the educational quality at the Benedictine monastery and as a major trade destination. In roughly 1850, the area became an international vacation resort. The healing properties of the fresh clean air, the altitude, and mineral springs quickly grew as a hotspot for Swiss and British tourist alike.

As Engelberg competed with the likes of St Moritz, Davos, and St Anton for a top winter destination, the area took its own path. Families like Hess, Odermatt, and Cattani where pioneers of tourism building some of the well known hotels that still stand in the valley- the Hotel Titlis and the Hotel Trubsee for mountaineers.

Around the late 1880’s the first hydroelectric plant was built bringing power to the famed resort well before Zurich. Shortly after, the longest running electric railway in the world was developed which marked another milestone for this small quiet mountain town. Generations later, one of the Hess family members built the first licensed aerial cableway in Switzerland, which spanned from Gerschnialp to Trübsee. The tramway continued to carry skiers until 1984. Truly incredible feats that not many resorts can match.

Engelberg, Swiss Freeride Mecca

Freesking Movement

To many individuals in the country as well as avid skiers, we know Engelberg as The Swiss Freeride Mecca. Starting in the early 2000’s an insurgence of Swedish skiers descended upon this small mountain town. Over the next decade, pro skiers from all over the globe would travel to this resort located in the middle of Switzerland to find their own path amongst the big lines surrounding the area. Skiing Waste Deep Pow in Engelberg, Switzerland The draw of waist deep powder, big cliff lines, and long descents that burn the legs after thousands of vertical feet, have skiers from all over visiting this iconic location. From just over 10,000 feet, skiers of all abilities have an opportunity to ski some of the best runs of their lives. There are a handful of classic lines in the area (some we are keeping secret!) whose reputations precede them for good reason. Please note these lines are not for the everyday skier and we always recommend getting a local guide or going with a tour operator before choosing to descend one of these classic Swiss lines. Every skier should ski these at least once, actually as much as possible, and below is a list of the “Big 5” for you to daydream about.

The Skiing

The Laub

A 3,900-vertical-foot slope of perfect powder turns that stands as the longest continuous lift-served powder field in Europe. When the Laub is open and safe to ski, this consistent 30-40 degree pitch is one of the best powder runs in the world. Its width spans several football fields which leaves enough room for everyone. A must do for every powder skier!

The Sulz

Here you have the small, little and big variations that divide the area. A lot of skiers will start off on the small as it is easily accessible by the lift and you can spin multiple runs on it. There is a massive cliff wall on the traverse out and yes, people have jumped it. The middle section offers some of the best cliff lines in all of Europe. It could arguably be on par with some of the best in the world as the options are endless. There are also a number of epic lines that descend through this section and on a deep powder day, it could be one of the best runs of your life. The big section offers a lot of mellow skiing but don’t be fooled as there are a number of variations that can challenge every skier if you know where to go. 

Galtiberg

This is the biggest of the big ones. Boasting 6500+ vertical feet of pure bliss, Galtiberg gives new meaning to “really long run”. At the start of the run you can go as fast as you dare over the open glacier fields. The majestic middle part descends between 500 meter high cliff walls towering above you that very few runs offer. The end of the run will have your legs screaming like never before but your inner skier is saying “Again!” – it’s a perfect run. The Galtiberg is not only a Big 5 in Engelberg; it’s a Big 5 in the world. Incredibly easy access mixed with an amazing diversity of terrain will make it one of the most memorable runs in your lifetime. There are some great places to have lunch at like the Restaurant Wasserfall, or if it’s your last run of the day head into town for an apres beer to celebrate one of the longest runs you will ever ski. The Galtiberg demands respect and you should hire a guide to be safe. This is one of the classic runs you will do on our Engelberg Freeride Tour and at the end of the day, it will be one to mark as an all time descent!

Wendelücke

This is a run of dreams for most skiers. The area can be accessed off the lift but the real line comes from a 30-60 minute hike. From this point, it’s almost as good as it gets with close to 3,200+ Vertical foot descent to the valley. Make sure you have enough energy left in your legs as there is a 10 minute hike back up to the lift but it’s well worth it! This was one of the best runs I skied last year with one of our other tour guides, Andy Knouse, and let’s just say it was one of the best runs of 2016.

Steinberg

The Steinberg is the massive off piste area you reach from the top of the Titlis Rotair, which lies at the top of the ski area just under 10,000 feet. The runs from here offer endless options for your descent to Trubsee. Some skiers choose to enter through the technical Gaff area, located on the far skier’s right side. Other options for steep lines are in the “Never Sun” area, situated on the skier’s left. Between these two options lies a wide rolling area that offers dozens of possibilities. From steep chutes to mellow powder fields, Steinberg has it all. You’ll never run out of options, but always take the appropriate safety precautions. Certain aspects of this run are like glacier skiing on steroids. Know your routes, and stay clear of the crevasses.

Final Conclusion

Overall, Engelberg has a total of 24 lifts, 50+ miles of piste skiing, and 25 official trails. Given the resort boast 6,500 vertical feet of skiing, this is somewhat misleading until you actually ski the area. One trail alone is seven miles long (this can be a fun run at the end of the day but watch for the people!) and the backcountry options open up roughly 100,000 acres of accessible skiing with the proper gear for touring. Set an hour south of Zürich in the middle of Switzerland, this remarkable resort has remained largely undiscovered. Engelberg is a true gem with incredible hospitality, accommodations to meet the needs of every traveler, dozens of world class restaurants serving up local specialities, and an apres-nightlife scene that rivals the best of them. We are proud to offer an Engelberg Freeride Ski Trip that not only highlights the skiing but the history, culture and lifestyle of this special place. Once you visit this incredible area we are sure you will want to keep visiting every year!

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2016 Murren Ski & Snowboard Trip Video

2016 Murren Ski & Snowboard Trip Video

2016 Murren Ski & Snowboard Trip Video

Experience traveling to Switzerland for a Ski or Snowboard trip of a lifetime.

Check out our 2016 Switzerland Ski Trip Video above.

Have you been thinking of traveling to Switzerland for a ski trip?

Click here to see our Switzerland Ski Trips through the Jungfrau Region.

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Japan Powder Tour: Japanuary 2015

Japan Powder Tour: Japanuary 2015

Japan Powder Tour: Japanuary 2015

JAPAN POWDER TOUR: JANUARY 2015
PUBLISHED BY •
LGA BLOG | WORDS & PHOTOS • Jeff Robertson

Japan – Land of the rising sun and home to some of the deepest powder in the world. Our Japan Ski & Ride Tour visited the Hakuba area during Japanuary 2015, one of the biggest snow years in the last decade. 

With elevations up to 6,000 feet and close to the sea, the moisture funnels through during the months of December and January. This is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders looking to find that perfect powder run and experience one of the most incredible cultures on the planet.

From the high peaks of the Japanese Alps, to the powder filled birch tree runs of the northern island, Japan offers skiers and riders a lifetime of options to explore.

The Hakuba valley is near the Sea of Japan and this allows the area to get hammered by storms rolling off of Siberia and across the cold waters of the sea. The lake effect pattern sets up to deliver some of the most consistent and deepest snow for those looking to ski powder.

The island has over 600 resorts (670 vs 490 in the U.S.) and at one time well over 1,000 resorts. Not only do the Japanese people love to ski, they are also very good technical skiers. A truly one of a kind culture and winter paradise that every skier and snowboarder should visit.

Why So Much Powder?

Hakuba gets powder in abundance. It is a result of the Siberian snow stream, the largest example of lake-effect snow in the world. High pressure over Siberia and low pressure over the Western Pacific leads to a constant flow of cool air across Japan.

As this chilled, dry air flows over the Sea of Japan, it attracts moisture, while the upper air level temperatures are sometimes 40c colder than the surface. This air hits the mountain ranges of the Northern Alps and the Hakuba region and leaves tons of new powder snow.

These cyclical weather patterns last for weeks, guaranteeing regular dumps of the lightest and fluffiest powder imaginable. This snow is also consistently lighter vs. snow that comes from traditional storms. A truly unique experience that allows for some of the best powder skiing of your life!

Getting to the Hakuba area is a short journey from Tokyo-Narita airport which is typically the best place to fly into. The travel time by train is roughly 3.5-4 hours and 5 to 6 by vehicle. We like to use the rail system if possible as it allows one to relax and take some of the area in. Always note though that traveling with ski gear is a lot of work. I’ve been all around the world from Paris to the Dolomites to Chile with ski bags (2 bags x 50lbs=100lbs x 2 people=200lbs of gear) and it’s no easy task. So plan and work together as a team loading gear on to the train as it will make a huge difference. Also, going through the main Tokyo train station with ski gear is one hell of an experience!

 

Goryu offers great backcountry access through gates but please note you need to have experience in the backcountry, education, the equipment and most importantly know when to say no. Be humble and respect the area as there are a lot of people riding these remote areas.

Japanese Macaque aka the “Snow Monkeys”!! Snow Monkeys are native to Japan. Sometimes known as a snow monkey, as they live in areas where snow covers the ground for up to 6 months each year. In Japan you may hear people refer to them as Nihonsaru or Saru as they are very common in certain areas.

No other non-human primate is more northern-living, nor lives in a colder climate. This is a must do for everyone that is in the area as it allows us to experience the culture and something truly special. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is the best place to view the macaques and I would highly recommend stopping at the bottom for some fried sweet potatoes before the walk. If there has been a recent snow storm or warming weather keep an eye out for falling snow as you walk through the forest path.

The overhanging trees are known to release some snowballs to visitors! It’s actually pretty funny because everyone will get hit at one point and you hear people laughing as well as running along the trail to avoid the snow. If you have time stop by the Onsen that is inside the old village before you get to the main area where the monkeys will be bathing and playing.

It’s a very unique area for an onsen and a place where you can feel a very deep connection with nature. Adding a visit to the snow monkey park as well as a day around Nagano checking out the temples, some sake tasting or a warm noodle bowl, is a must do for everyone that comes over to Japan.

 

Engelberg, Swiss Freeride Mecca
Nagano was the host city for the 1998 Olympics and is really fun place to visit. One of the oldest Buddhist temples that you can tour in Japan is in the city. Make sure to visit the Zenkō-ji temple while you are traveling through the area as no trip is complete without diving into the culture. The area around the bus station is worth a quick stroll as you will see a variety of shops and is also a great place to do some people watching. I am still amazed at the amount of bikes we saw at the train station while it was snowing. If only more people would adapt to a lifestyle like this!

Hakuba is at the center of one of Japan’s largest winter skiing and mountain recreation areas. The village is in the Kitaazumi District, of the Nagano Prefecture with a rough population of 8,000+ that swells during the winter months with powder seekers looking to find that magical line through the Japanese trees. Upon the first morning in the valley we woke up to an amazing view of the peaks that were glistening with fresh snow.

The excitement was almost too much to contain and I think breakfast went down in a matter of minutes. One of our favorite places is the Echoland area as it offers a variety of restaurants, shops, bars and a local scene.

THE SKIING!- Where do I begin? There are so many great places to explore as well as some incredible mountains that offer over 3,000’ vertical feet of skiing. The high peaks of Mt Hakuba, Mt Yari, Mt Goryu and many others loom over the valley offering an unlimited number of lines that one can mind-surf for days. Spines, couloirs, and open bowls surround the resorts and truly offers a range of skiing options for all abilities.

This is one of the few places I have ever traveled to where you can take the forecast and multiple it by 2 to even 5 sometimes. We woke many days with double the amount of snow forecasted! Without a doubt one of the top powder days of my life was in this valley and that comes after thousands of days of skiing under my belt.

The resorts have great access to terrain on mountain and to certain locations that you can enter the backcountry from. Note that some resorts like Goryu/Hakuba 47 have closed tree runs that they expect people to obey by. There are areas that you can get a “member’s jacket”which is a way for the patrol to keep track of who is skiing in this area as well as controlling the number of people skiing. On some days you could benefit by being one of the first in line to grab the bibs they hand out.

 

Of all the places I have been fortunate enough to visit, I have to say that Japan is one of my favorite top 3 ski destinations. The culture, people, hospitality, food, skiing and the POWDER sets Japan in a class of its own.

I’ve always been addicted to traveling for sports and I can not wait to get back to explore this area for some more skiing, biking and surfing along the coast. Spend some time traveling on the trains, visit Tokyo and take in a sumo wrestling match or get lost exploring the countryside.

We hope that after reading this your inspired to take your next ski trip to Japan! We would love to show you around this beautiful area of the world on one of our ski trips. Get outside and make that next epic trip for your soul happen…

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