Snowmotions Season Review 2009- 2010
Dave The Bin Man, Lenzerheide January 2010
Winter Season Review 2009 - 2010
After our “Wonder Winter” of never ending snow in 08/09 we never expected so much snow and true to predictions it snowed enough to replenish the pistes when needed & provide some great powder days – the majority of which were in March & April.
The Lodge opened to a full house on Dec 5th with Markus giving an informative Avalanche Safety Course…being blessed with 30cm of fresh pow certainly helped too. One revealing aspect of the course was that all participants could find buried transceivers with the analogue sets but could halve the search time with the modern digital transceivers.They may cost more but are certainly worth it !
Christmas & New Year passed with the usual vibe of happy guests who had booked the Lodge for their own groups & experienced good snow conditions.
The discerning guests who came in January experienced the usual empty resort and bar some arctic conditions were rewarded with fantastic tree lines back to The Lodge.
February saw a busy Lenzerheide, but rarely did we have to queue at the lifts for more than 5 minutes – just boasting to those who visit France & Austria !
The H2Lai Spa in Dieschen soothed & warmed the dark winter evenings and at only CHF8- per person as well as one Free visit for our Lodge guests proved that we don’t need to have a hot tub at The Lodge as everyone will go up to Dieschen anyway.
March opened with Ben & Mike scoring some of the best off piste conditions of the season – not bad for a 4 day visit ! And the end of March allowed some great safe riding on The Rothorn couloirs.
Phillip boosting in march
April saw plenty of snowfall and as often is the case with an early Easter it snowed on the last day of the season and again down to The Lodge & below in early May which bodes well for 2011 as Easter is towards the end of April.
The annual end of season exodus to Diavolezza saw a perfect sunny freeriding Saturday & a snowy Sunday…too many men in a hot tub, cricket with “shots” @ 3000m & a loud bump in the night that still remains a mystery to all including Nando !
We finally got Holly in to a Helicopter and enjoyed a bluebird day heliboarding near St.Moritz, at we think, the cheapest heliskiing/boarding spot in Europe.
Our Thanks to our legendary mountain guide Battesta for guiding us whilste injured & making the day happen.
Special Thanks...
Our Thanks also goes to Pip for being an awesome season long “Chalet maid “at The Lodge.
To Holly for another season of great Lodge food.
To Markus for guiding, advising & hosting our in house Avalanche Safety courses.
To Wazza & Markus for their carpentry/building skills when installing the new floor on the 1st floor corridor at The Lodge.
And lastly we’re thankful for Si’s recovery to nearly full fitness after a horror accident back in December.
If ever an example of needing to wear a back protector and helmet when riding off piste was needed this was it……and for ALL guests who go off piste we recommend highly taking out a REGA (The Swiss rescue Helicopter service ) annual membership. Only CHF30- and valid Worldwide www.rega.ch
And finally a mention & respect to the following characters:
Slovak Mike – for skiing as well as he snowboards Nige & Greeny – for organising the two largest groups Luke & Stewart – for the longest “ walkout” Pete – for the transfers
Everyone that experienced the front diff in the Toyota letting go Brigitta & The Staff of The Hotel Krone Martin @ The Basis Hostel Sam The Helmcam – for providing a constant commentary on everything Ryan – for being chucked in at the deep end & surviving Warwick – for wearing the least amount of clothing when minus 10C Jack Thomas – for being probably the best Devonian 16 year old big mountain rider Harry – for getting up in the mornings & chopping veg Sam & David – 4 the referrals & consuming The Bekarovka Ivan- for losing & recovering the most i phones/ i pods …& driving on snow with summer tyres. John & Clara – for showing us all how to ski Matt B – for missing the big powder days & only whinging about Liverpools’ demise The Croyde Boys & Braunton crew – for shocking 70s gear & carnival costumes Andy Bryant – for his appetite & guitar playing Dave B – for his table tennis skills that J & Gregg will never recover from Jack B – for Mount Pip & other non printable exploits… Wazza – for showing other 49 year olds how to snowboard in 5 days Soqui – for entertaining/babysitting Kaya Kaya – for being here J Boo – for being her J J
JRS May 2010
Winter 2009 / 2010, Lenzerheide
Nige picking a line in the some early season pow.
Xmas at the Lodge
All alone. Jon enjoying some fresh lines in January Local Powder run, Markus April 2010
Xmas at the Lodge
