Chamonix Top Tips

These seven steps to preserve the mountain have been provided by The Ski Club of Great Britain who launched their RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN Campaign during the winter 2005 season.
•	Be aware of your environmental impact as skiers and boarders. Educate yourself about your environmental impact on the mountains, and what you can do to minimise it
•	Do not leave litter on the slopes. When the snow melts at then end of the season, litter left behind by skiers and boarders will still be there. Bin it or take it home with you. Did you know it takes up to two years for an Orange peel skin to be absorbed by the earth; and a cigarette butt takes up to five years!! If you find litter on the slopes, be responsible and do the right thing - pick it up!
•	Do your bit to reduce global warming on holiday and at home. In hotels, re-use your towels each day, and where possible re-cycle your household waste. Many french ski resorts now have excellent recylcing facilities for plastics, cans and paper; glass and other waste. Additionally, if you're not in your chalet or hotel room, switch off electrical appliances when not in use. A TV that is viewed for less than one hour a day can actually use more energy when left on standby than it does during the time is being watched!
•	Encourage tour operators to adopt green policies. Find out if your tour operator offers train travel as an alternative to flying, if they use paper from sustainable forests for their brochures, if they use, for example, low-wattage light bulbs in their chalets and bio-degradable detergents
•	Investigate whether your chosen resort uses environmentally friendly practices. Many resorts now use bio-diesel fuel in piste-bashers, solar panels for heating, hydro-electricity/wind energy for power and a host of other initiatives. Some resorts use the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 14001 as a mark of their environmental credentials
•	Reduce CO2 emissions. By flying fewer miles, or switching from air to rail, you can help reduce the volume of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. When possible, use your bike instead of your car
•	Respect the natural habitat of mountain animals and plants. If you ski through trees, you can damage them by knocking off branches and killing young shoots under the snow. Take care. Many areas are out of bounds to protect the natural habitat of animals and plants - not just safety reasons

You can show your love of the mountains and how you care about their future by supporting their cause, and purchasing a RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN green wristband. Each of the wristbands costs £2, and can be purchased by visiting Ski Club of Great Britain. (All profits raised from the sale of the wristbands goes straight towards their tree planting scheme and research project.)

Paragliding (parapente) From near the top of Le Brevent you can fly above the pistes for an alternative view of the valley. Glide back to the bottom on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor (a vertical distance of approximately 1000m). They manoeuvre the parachute while you, the passenger, enjoy the ride and fantastic views. Taking off is the only scary moment: once equipped with a helmet and an instructor strapped behind you, in a rather intimate way, both of you simply point your skis (or board, or run on foot) downhill, and carry on getting faster and faster until the wing lifts you into the air. Peacefully ride above the pistes for ten to twenty minutes, aiming to catch thermals to keep you up for longer. Landing is very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step. An early intermediate skier can manage the take-off, but for boarders a good technical level is needed. In summer one simply runs down a slope until you take off. Open to people of all ages, from 7 to 77. Top tip: go on a sunny, warm day when the thermals will keep your airborne for longer. Adrenaline factor: 9/10 Chamonet verdict:The most fun you can have with skis on. Contact details

Snowshoe outing (raquette à neige) Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided. Adrenaline factor: 3/10 Top tip: take energy bars and wear comfortable boots. Chamonet verdict: walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Contact details

Cross-country skiing (ski de fond) Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. Hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles from any hire shop, and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges. Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 75kms of the beautiful and tranquil cross-country trails which start in Les Houches (near Le Prarion lift), Bois de Bouchet (starting from Foyer du Fond), Le Praz (nr Flegere lift), Argentiere (entrance to town) and Vallorcine (starting point Tourist Office). In this activity, one can be as energetic or slow as one likes. Adrenaline factor: 2/10 Top tip: wear layers of clothing that can be removed as you warm up. Chamonet verdict: perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or who finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. Contact here or here

Ice Climbing For the true mountain enthusiast, why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall or glacier? This is a fantastic sport, not just for experienced mountaineers. Chamonix has a multitude of ice-falls and gulleys where you can experience the thrill of ice climbing with a guide. Safety is important, so it is advisable to take an experienced mountain guide to instruct you on the use of crampons, ropes and icepixes. Adrenaline factor: 7/10 Chamonet verdict: not for the faint hearted ! Contact details

Avalanche Safety Equipment
For anyone going off marked pistes, (including climbers, skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and walkers); it is advisable that the following items of equipment are carried at all times.
Whilst this avalanche equipment will assist the identification and rescue of a victim, it will not prevent an avalanche from occuring so skiers shouldn't take risks because you have the appropriate equipment. Be pro-active rather than reactive!

Avalanche Transceiver

An avalanche transceiver should be worn under your clothes as close to your body as possible. Don't put it in your pocket as a strong avalanche can rip your clothes from your body. Remember that the transceiver is just a search and rescue device and doesn't enable you to go off-piste in poor conditions Check your batteries regularly too, and If you have a mobile phones, turn it off at all times whilst wearing your transceiver as it may interfere with the electromagnetic fields of the transceiver

Snow shovel

A snow shovel should be used for fast evacuation of an avalanche victim

Probe

For fast location of an avalanche victim. Probing at right angles on a steep slope also reduces the depth of snow that has to be dug. A suitable length for off piste and back country touring skiers is around 220cm to 240cms

Rucksack

To carry above necessary equipment

Optional:
ABS Airbag : When deployed works in a similar way to that of a car airbag. It keeps an avalanche victim closer to the surface for quick rescue.
Avalung : Aids in prolonging the time a victim can be buried without suffocating. The downside is that the victim has to get the airtube into their mouth whilst falling.
Ropes and Harness : Necessary if you are off piste skiing on glacier as there could be certain sections you have to cross. A rope of between 30 metres and 8.5mm should be sufficient.

Where's the best coffee? The best 'wake-up juice' I have found is to be had at the Le Lapin Agile (Italian, near McDonald's), L'Atelier Cafe (Place Balmat, near river), and the Illy at L'Atmosphere bar / restaurant (Place Balmat). For convenience and their other coffees Le Lapin Agile gets the top prize

Tips for riding your mountain bike on all terrain

Climbing Hills

Traction is the key to successfully climbing hills on a mountain bike, this can be hard to achieve on loose rocks, roots and mud as is common place in most mountain biking areas. The biggest problem to overcome is the rear wheel spinning and slipping as you climb, or the front wheel lifting and you ending up doing an unforced wheelie. To get the right traction, you just need to learn how to distribute your weight evenly across the bike whilst feeding power to the right areas of the bike; oh yeah whilst picking the best line, pedalling at the right time and in the right gear. Piece of cake eh?! Shift your weight slightly to the back of your seat and lean your upper body forward - Remain seated. Learning how far to slide back and how much to lean is where the finesse of hill climbing becomes a real skill. It takes practice to learn how simple variations in forward and backwards movements of your body can help you get over obstacles and up steep hills. Drop your elbows and keep them close to your side, lowering the centre of gravity - as you become more expert you can start to shift your weight slightly further forward which should additionally help with the front wheel lifting. Keep your head up to pick your line - we all do it, we all look at the next dangerous obstacle and panic about how we're going to negotiate round it. For beginner riders this invariably means that you tend head straight for it. Turning the handlebars to avoid an obstacle can more often than not upset your balance rather than just going over it. Where it's not possible to power on over, you should see the obstacle and focus your attention immediately on the best route around it. Keep your focus on this point of reference and you will usually successfully navigate the tricky obstacle. Get in the right gear - When approaching a hill a common problem is to flick into the lowest gear (aka 'the granny ring') and attack the hill. Instead, select the gear that's just low enough that doesn't mean you have to stand on the pedals. Keep your pedalling motion constant and rhythmic.

Riding Downhill

Downhill mountain bike riding has to be one of the most exhilarating, adrenaline pumping activities you can do on a mountain bike. It's also one of the most dangerous, where wipe outs are all too common. Before heading out to do some serious downhill mountain biking you should make sure you have all the correct safety equipment. Full face helmet, relevant limb protection and suitable back and torso protection. It's pretty obvious, but make sure that your brakes are in full working order too, you don't want to spend several days licking your wounds!! Place your weight over the rear of the bike - Keep your rear end as far back as you can without losing control of the front of the bike. Stay Low, holding the front of your body as close to the bike as possible - On steep sections, place your belly on the saddle. Keep your legs and arms relaxed and flexible - Even though you may be riding a full suspension downhill mountain bike, your arms and legs are the most effective shock absorbers you have, and flexibility in your legs is key when riding over humps and bumps. When riding over the bumps, get your weight back over the rear wheel, and either grip the saddle with your thighs, or place your belly on the saddle keeping your knees bent and relaxed. Your elbows should also be slightly bent. Keep your feet in line with the ground - Unless negotiating sharp tight switchbacks or corners your feet should be in a 'platform' position at roughly 3 and 9 o'clock. If you start to loose control it's easy for you to just jump off the back of the bike. Trying to dismount over the top of the bike is not always the most practical on the steep stuff. Break evenly using both the front and back break - Sure, you'll want to rip down the trail at high speed but control your speed in case of unknown obstacles, there could be another rider or leisurely hiker that's lurking around the corner. Some people prefer to use the back break to stop them being thrown over the front handlebars, but theoretically, if you weight is correctly positioned across the bike then there is no problem using both. Additionally, if you overuse one or other break it could potentially overheat and fail. Pick a line and stick to it - As you descend, look ahead 15 to 20 feet. The route you choose and your brake control contribute to a fluid descent as well.

Switchback Riding

Tight switchback turns are tricky enough for even the most competent of riders. Tight, steep trails taking you up or down the mountain mean that switchbacks are commonplace in the Alps. It is not a good idea to skid round a switchback not only does it rip up the track, but you end up with less control and run the risk of falling off. If you're not an expert at bunny hopping, then you'll need to slow right down. Stay on the uphill side of the trail as you approach the switchback this will allow you to make the widest circle possible and avoid any obstacles lurking in the inside of the corner. Place your weight over the rear wheel and put your outside pedal forward (that's the pedal closest to the corner!). This is important to ensure that you remain flexible to move the bike and rotate your upper body. Pick your line - As you approach the corner, ensure your weight is on your outside pedal and slightly back on the saddle. Put your wheel to the outside of the corner and lean your the opposite direction until you are almost falling to the inside. Ease off the brakes and let the your bike roll under yourself. Remember to look at the exit of where you want to go, try to avoid looking at the drop off! When you have passed the tightest point of the inside corner and are beginning to come out of the corner, let off the brakes and start accelerating away. Some riders will naturally favour one foot over another and therefore find switchbacks to the right (left foot forward) easier than switchbacks to the left (right foot forward).

Don’t schuss with your head tucked down, backside and poles sticking skywards - this is only allowed if under the age of 7. Instead, bend slightly from the hips, hands behind back, poles behind you

Look the part even when you are not showing us what you are capable of on the mountain.. Don’t walk around with boots undone and jacket open and flapping. Zip up, clip up

Loiterers People who wait, sit or lie down in the middle of the piste or over a ridge where they can’t be seen

Ski Rage Skiers who cut boarders up because they don’t understand how boards turn

The Art of Skiing Bumps

Skiing bumps (moguls) is one of the most demanding aspects of all mountain skiing yet it is one of the most exciting and satisfying when done well. Skiing bumps is almost a lost art (very popular in the 80s) as the modern day focus on carving has taken away the emphasis of bashing the bumps. Indeed some National Instructor Training organisations such as the French (ENSA) do not even include bump skiing as part of their syllabus.

Chamonix is famous for off piste and backcountry skiing, but it also offers fantastic terrain for bump skiing and none more so than the Grands Montets ski area in Argentiere.

The following article looks at three aspects for skiing the bumps well as follows;

Skiing bumps is easier with a narrow stance. With the development of skis over the last 10-15 years a more open stance has been widely promoted. This is certainly effective for piste skiing where high edge angles are used to gain maximum performance from your skis. However when skiing bumps a narrow stance is more effective because it allows you to negotiate the terrain more easily and is certainly more preferable than having one ski on a bump while the other is in a trough. It is also a choice between stability & agility. A wide stance certainly promotes stability while a narrow stance allows for quicker and more responsive movements which are a key aspect of skiing through a mogul field. To ski a fall line run down the bumps requires fast reactions and movements and a narrow stance is definitely helpful in achieving this.

One of the key movements involved in skiing bumps is the ability to absorb with your legs. You need to involve all the key joints; ankles, knees and hips but the major movements come from the knees and the hips. Your legs must in effect fold in front of you with your feet slightly ahead as you approach or ski into the bump. If your feet get behind you at this point you are likely to break forward from the waist and this will block your ability to use your legs properly and compromise your balance.

Absorption is crucially important but so is your ability to then stretch your legs as you come over the bump or ski into the rut. The goal here is to maintain snow contact. Therefore you need to push the tips of the skis down and engage the front of the skis as the terrain changes and falls away.

As your skill level improves you can start to vary your line within the same run mixing up your speed, your line and even taking a little air!

Derek Tate is a director of British Alpine Ski School Chamonix (BASS Chamonix) a small client focused ski school in the Chamonix Valley. Derek began skiing quite late in life, at the age of seventeen but was always a very keen sports person. Growing up in Dublin back in the eighties skiing was not a big thing! Football, Karate and Athletics were very much his sports. However after being introduced to skiing through his school and enjoying a couple of trips to Bulgaria, Derek joined the Ski Club of Ireland, started skiing regularly at the dry ski slope and has never looked back….. Some 20 years on he is still totally in love with the sport and “life in the mountains”. During that time he has been involved in racing, race coaching, ski school, instructor training and has taught just about everything from 4 year olds to top level instructors. He has worked in many countries around the world including the USA, France and of course Scotland to name but a few. More recently he has worked in Courchevel with New Generation Snowsports School. One of his passions, over the years, has been in training and assessing ski instructors. He is currently Director of Training for the Irish Association of Snowsport Instructors, a Tutor for Snowsport Scotland and a Trainer for the British Association of Snowsport Instructors. Derek and his wife Shona set up the Chamonix branch of BASS two seasons ago and have enjoyed great success already. If you would like to share their passion for skiing and the mountains visit the BASS Chamonix web site and find out how we can help you achieve your skiing goals!

Head to Le Tour on a Sunday as you will find everyone else heads for the Grands Montets (as this in Chamonix's most reputed ski area). Le Tour has loads of easy slopes to get your legs back into the swing of things and some good tree-line skiing

Keep taking lessons The people who enjoy skiing the most are those who can do it. Short courses are available from most ski schools these days or get a private instructor between a small group of you

Cheer-up a 'liftie' Smile and say ‘bonjour’ to the chair lift attendant - they're more likely to catch the chairlift and prevent it bashing the back of your legs

Write your contact details on the back of your lift-pass This way if you, or your children, have a problem those assisting can have the important information. You also increase the chances of your lift-pass being returned should you loose it

Backcountry Safety Code – Guidelines for staying safe in the backcountry (submitted by Mountain Tracks, Chamonix)

•	Never ski alone – always ski in a group and always ensure that your goals are realistic and achievable by the whole group
•	Before setting out ensure you have collected information about the weather, snow conditions and recent avalanche activity. Listen to the experts and ask for advice. If in doubt, don’t ski it
•	Equip yourself properly. Always check that your bindings release properly and your other gear is in good order. Always ski with the essential safety gear: transceiver, shovel and probe
•	Stay humble. Keep a sharp eye and ear out and heed your own instincts. Always ski within the limits of your ability
•	Pick your route carefully & be prepared to handle changing situations – with other skiers and with the mountain and the conditions
•	Remember that human factors are the most common cause of accidents on the mountain - fatigue, complacency, over-confidence, single-minded lust for powder. Listen to your gut and don’t take unnecessary risks
•	Take a course in mountain & avalanche awareness and have the knowledge to understand the dangers and the courage to make the right decisions
•	Never travel off-piste without adequate insurance
•	It is strongly recommended that you ski in the backcountry with a mountain guide

How often should you have your skis and/or snowboard serviced? Although most people will only have used their skis for 6 days during your holiday, it is surprising how quickly the base of the skis can deteriorate. A good service can be the difference between a good and bad day’s skiing, and a good edge can make a world of difference where icy conditions are the day’s offering.

Any damage should be immediately repaired before it gets worse. Regular servicing will look after your skis or snowboard and will keep them like new for longer. New equipment benefits from regular waxing to build up a good strong base. Additionally, regular waxing will help prevent water from getting into the core. You will notice a marked improvement in your turns, speed and control if your edges are sharp, and your base structured and waxed.

After each ski holiday it is recommended that skis and boards are serviced with a thick coat of storage wax to prevent your skis or boards drying out. This needs to be removed before using the equipment on the next ski holiday. If you forget, don’t worry, your skis may feel a little sticky for the first few runs, but it will eventually come off during the day.

If your skis or snowboard are stolen here's a list of things you should do:

•	Double-check the area where you left them, just in case. It is possible they have fallen over, and / or have been put back in a different location.
•	Report the theft to the police as soon as possible. Don’t be fobbed off by the lack of interest by the local police force. They see this type of incident all the time, and are therefore not always the most helpful. Be persistent, this is necessary and required by all insurance companies.
•	If applicable, tell your resort representative. If they were rental skis, you'll probably have to deal with the shop, and they may be able to provide some assistance. When hiring the skis, some rental shops will offer additional insurance to protect you against theft. If you choose not to take this option, or the rental shop doesn’t provide this service, you will probably have to pay for the skis (to the replacement cost value) and then claim on your insurance.
•	Theft tends to happen when you least expect it. Speaking from personal experience, even placing your skis directly behind you as you sit in a café or bar can be a mistake…- BE AWARE!!

Warm up before your start skiing. Cold muscles and tendons are more likely to cause injuries. (see our Health FAQs for further information. Walking with all your gear for some of the way is good for warming up the muscles! (Avoid the classic exercise of swinging the leg back and forth - the weight of the ski boot can over-stretch leg muscles).

Try something new Make your holiday memorable with a hot air balloon ride, tandem paraglider flight, husky sledding, ski-dooing, or snow shoeing. All these are available in the Chamonix valley – see ‘Activities’ for contact details

Visit the Gay-Couttet exhibition Discover the photographic history of the Chamonix Valley spanning the last century (1880 - 1980), as captured by five generations of the Gay-Couttet families. Of the tens of thousands of glass slides and negatives from the Gay-Couttet collection, approximately five hundred have been selected and are on display at the Espace Tairraz from 15 December 2004 until 30 April 2006. In addition to the photos, the exhibition includes approximately fifty cameras, from all periods of history; a reconstruction of the Gay-Couttet shop, studio and laboratory.

Exhitbition is open daily from 14.00 - 19.00hrs. Price €4.