The Specialists in Swiss Ski
and Snowboard Holidays
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Season Review 2004/2005Back in December the Alps were saved by a pre Christmas snowfall but more or less through out the rest of the season the snow came when it was needed. The majority of the snow came from the North East and hence we had greater depth in Arosa, Davos and St. Peter with Flims/Laax getting enough and sadly the Engadine (St. Moritz and locality) very little until late in the season.
The Snowmotions chalet in Flims, in operation in its first season, proved to be very popular with our clients and as I write this in May, the chalet is already more than half booked for Winter 2005/2006. We were happy to host clients from Australia, New Zealand, The Czech Republic, Mexico, USA, Quebec, South Africa, Great Britain, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and even the Swiss are now making bookings with the “SwissRaft” crew renting it for the summer.
Reflecting on the season as a whole there are six outstanding days that spring to mind: The first being with friends in early February when it dumped a half metre on consecutive days. With the upper slopes being too dangerous we played amongst the trees and on the gentler slopes of St. Peter. Truly deep powder heaven!
|
|
||
|
Just after this snowfall Dan Milner, senior photographer with Snowboard UK arrived from Chamonix with professional riders James Stentiford and Ryan Davis. The original plan was for them to ride and film the more challenging couloirs and rock faces in St. Moritz but as the snow was far better in St.Peter that is where they stayed. The photos and article will appear in an Autumn edition of Snowboard UK. Having rarely ridden in the company of professionals it was an education for me to witness their levels of dedication, patience and style … not to mention a refreshing touch of humour that “the land of the cowbell” sometimes lacks! |
"Ryan Air", St. Peter Feb05 |
||
|
The Berner Oberland played host to our annual Heliboarding trip. With metres of snow in early March we were fortunate enough to put first lines down the Stein glacier from Sustenlimmi and on to the Sustenpass. The quality powder descents will be remembered by all for a long time, as will the walk out and some adventures en route! (For the full story read Sustenlimmi 2005, that will be uploaded to the website soon.)
|
|
||
| The “Shmangle” posse are the characters from South Africa and New Zealand that experienced some of the best “Free riding“ conditions during their stay at the chalet in Flims. We managed to do a section of the legendary 7 valleys tour from Davos to Lenzerheide. On this occasion 4 of the valleys were ridden but fresh lines were had and many a kilometre covered over some of the most stunning terrain in Graubuenden. |
Ed, 4 Valleys Tour March 05 |
||
|
The final two days worth mentioning followed each other on Diavolezza and Corvatsch in The Engadine, after the local resorts of Arosa, St. Peter, Lenzerheide and Flims/Laax had all closed for the season. It is not unusual for The Engadine to get late snow as we have experienced it the last few seasons. It even snowed down to Flims village in early May this year. It is difficult to predict the weather but the general feeling here in the Alps is that the seasons are shifting with the snows coming later and staying longer. I am often asked is it worth coming out to ski or board in April and the answer is most definitely: Yes! The slopes are deserted, the days warmer and if you’re lucky you might get some fresh powder. |
Piz Bernina, April 05
|
||
|
This was the case for our group that based ourselves in the village of Zuoz near St. Moritz on April 20th. After two days of heavy snowfall we were greeted to “the day of days” on Diavolezza. Fresh powder, blue skies, stunning views of Piz Palu and the Bernina range and the mountain virtually to ourselves. Claudio (our local guide from TrueValues) took us through the Val d’Arlas, down couloirs on Diavolezza and to put the icing on the cake the following day we rode Corvatschs’ North walls and couloir’s with Lake Silvaplana glistening like an emerald far below. The perfect way to finish the season off! |
MF, Corvatsch, April 05
|
||
|
The only shame was that not one client got to experience it with us, so at the end of next season Snowmotions plans to take bookings late in April to stay at 3000 m on the summit of the majestic Diavolezza near St. Moritz. With the likelihood of similar conditions next year don’t miss it … |
|||
|
We have a 2nd 4 WD Subaru Estate for our airport transfers this season. If you book your airport transfer before 1st December 2005 receive 20% off the cost of the booking.
New daily flights with British Airways from Bristol to Zurich. Ideal for those in the West Country, Midlands and Wales.
|
|||
