yodel magazine april
DESCRIPTION
Magazine for the resort of MorzineTRANSCRIPT
www.yodelmagazine.com
Yo.del:(verb) \\to yodel\\the official means ofcommunicating bythe inhabitants ofmountainous regions\\
\\morzine\\april 2011\\ \\pick up your yodel\\FREE\\
reach for the skies
resort events
morzine bar guide
working 9 - 5
the legend of the swiss wall
3
And so the winter comes
to an end… Welcome to
your last Yodel of the winter
season. We’ve included all
of our regular features this month and an additional 4 pages of articles and
interviews. Make sure you check out our first ever Yodel Competition on page
17 too! There will be a May / June issue of Yodel to get you through the inter
season and don’t forget – you can read Yodel and our web exclusive articles
online too – www.yodelmagazine.com.
There's something about Morzine................................................................4\\Locals, tourists and seasonaires on why they love Morzine
Morzine bar guide ..........................................................................................6\\We rate the best bars in Morzine for different nights out
Too much confidence .....................................................................................8\\When big days go wrong
Fondue or Fondon't.......................................................................................10\\What you didn't know about your favourite mountain dish
What’s on?.....................................................................................................12\\Events in and around Morzine during April
Working 9 - 5, NOT a way to make a living................................................14\\How to go about getting those sought after jobs for next season
Day in the life of ............................................................................................16\\Avoriaz park shaper David Tardif
Yodel and Attack Attack Competition.........................................................17\\Win bundles of goodies
Reach for the skies........................................................................................18\\Why parapenting is so huge in Morzine
The Swiss Wall ..............................................................................................20 \\Just another run? We dare you
One-piece of the month ...............................................................................21\\More high-end fashion from the hills
Dan Baxter’s aprés gigs ...............................................................................21\\Catch him before it’s too late!
Ask Uncle Bert ..............................................................................................22\\More unbelievable issues
Cover image Copyright © Robbie Davies Photography 2011 - www.apresimaging.com
contact us\\ [email protected] [email protected]
Staying with friends in her holiday home in MorzineMorzine is ideal because of the short transfer time from Geneva. I love it here because it's not all flashy and pretentious like other ski resorts. Morzine has a really relaxed atmosphere.
Chalet ski guide and freelance plumber!Nyon has been a real highlight from my time in Morzine. It's been really good to me even when the snow wasn’t great; it just never lets you down.
To celebrate the end of the winter season we asked people we could find on the streets and pistes of Morzine to tell us why they like our resort so much. Here are the best ones and you can find more on our website!
There's something
Paul EverittJackie Bodini
about Morzine
To celebrate the end of the winter season we asked people we could find on the streets and pistes of Morzine to tell us why they like our resort so much. Here are the best ones and you can find more on our website!
5
Aged 8, champion skierI love Morzine because I can practice my skiing every day. Living in Morzine has given me loads of opportunities to get really good at skiing and I now ski for the Morzine ski team. I get better and better at skiing every winter because I live in Morzine.
Morzine born and bred!I love the proximity of Morzine to so many different places.It's great to just pop down the mountain and be shopping in Annecy or Geneva. I love the mountains but I also love being by the city and the lake too.
On holiday at Chilly PowderMorzine is great because it's so family friendly and it is such an easy transfer from Geneva. There is a great town centre so you don't have to go skiing every day because there's plenty of other things to do.
International rugby player, dancer on TV and Morzine’s latest potential residentI love Morzine because it’s a great place to be fit and active. I have 4 daughters and it’s a nice place for them to come. I want a home in the mountains and I don’t want to pay an inflated price for it. I hope to find what I'm looking for in Morzine.
Deputy Editor of the Independent newspaper and Morzine convertIs it the warmth of the welcome, the sun on my face and the time spent in great company? It's all of these - and more - because what I like most about Morzine is everything.
Architectural designer and founder of the ‘Dirty Girls Ride’ mountain biking communityThe thing I have enjoyed most about Morzine this winter was the sunshine. The upside to the lack of snow.
Perpetual seasonaire and drummer in band FunkadeliqueThe thing I've enjoyed most about Morzine this winter was Shoe Golf! The best way to turn a tipsy walk home into a grand golfing adventure! A sturdy reliable pair of slip on's is recommended for a winning score.
Ski & snowboard film maker, Cabnine FilmsThe thing I've enjoyed most about Morzine this winter is shooting with the Cabnine Ninelives crew. We've completed two episodes so far and we aim to have a couple more finished by the time the snow melts! Still praying for that late season dump though!
Emilie Page Eloise Eyre
Hazel & Aaron Grant Austin Healy
Paul Everitt
Adam Leigh Amie Marsh
Luke Fraser Arran Busk
6
AprésLe Tremplin - bottom of the Pleney
As we’ve mentioned a few times already, the après dance party on a Wednesday night at Le Tremplin is unmissable. Where else do you get to see your ski instructors necking shots and dancing on tables in their ski boots? But the bar is also a great place to stop for a beer or a vin chaud after skiing on any day of the week. The terrace outside has comfy seats and table service and you can watch skiers on their home run. It’s also a great place to watch the Tuesday night skiing from 8pm – 10pm.
Bar Robinson - Rue du Bourg
Bar Robinson is often considered one of the must-go places while in Morzine. The bar is famous for serving just one beer on tap - the renowned Mutzig. Everyone should try at least a demi to complete a long days skiing. Beware though - it's definitely stronger than you first realise! Get in there nice and early because weirdly the bar closes at just 8pm.
FamiliesCoup de Coeur - Route de la Plagne
Also known as "the wine bar", the bar itself isn’t huge but the wine list certainly is. On sunny afternoons the large terrace at the back of the bar keeps the sun until late and the pedestrian area it leads on to is a great place for kids to play or watch the ice skaters on the outdoor rink. Drinks are served with complimentary tapas and food is served all day long.
Special OccasionsLa Chaudanne - Route de la Plagne
La Chaudanne re-opened this winter after a very smart renovation and huge extension. The restaurant now includes a sumptuous underground bar which is more like a James Bond bunker, complete with a glass ceiling. Enjoy champagne and oysters in the cozy leather seats.
Morzine Bar GuideThe yodel team don’t usually need an excuse to go for a drink. But if we did, here’s where we’d go…
7
Morzine Bar GuidePre-Dinner DrinksThe Crepu
The bar has a great atmosphere and a large outdoor area too. It’s location, between all of the most popular restaurants in Morzine, makes it perfect for people who like a few beers before dinner.
DancingThe Cavern
Although the Cavern hosts loads of bands at après during the week, the place gets packed out every night from about 10pm. Live DJ’s play the kind of music you’d expect to hear back in the UK and the bar has a loyal seasonaire following. Open every night until 2am, expect to have to squeeze your way in, but it’ll be worth it!
We had to mentionLe Sherpa – Route de la Plagne
The Sherpa is a cosy venue that really comes to life toward the end of the season with their mid week 'Bring your Own' barbeques. They provide the chef, barbeque, bread and side dishes. You just need to bring your meat, sit in the sunshine and wait to be fed. There's a little treat waiting for you in their toilets as well but we'll let you find that out for yourselves!
Coup de Coeur
BBQ at Le Sherpa
LIVE DJ WEDNESDAY 4-7
8
My freestyle ski instructor Pierre ran over and told me the rather obvious news.
Right at the very top of the jump, I made the cataclysmic mistake of thinking, let’s go higher. Brimming with confidence from my earlier success of actually landing a 20ft jump, I side stepped further up the slope in order to gain more speed for what I hoped would be a Christmas Day to remember.
I had landed a small 180° earlier that day, and for reasons unbeknown to me now I thought that this huge jump, where I was going to attempt my first 360° was simply the next step up. Looking a little bit like a maniac I smacked myself on the head to psych myself into doing what I had watched so many times, so effortlessly on videos of the pros, landing perfectly. To the sounds of the crowd far below me, I pointed my skis towards the jump and went for it. At the bottom of the jump was the first time I regretted my decision. Looking at the tower of snow in front of me, like an unforgiving wall of white - ready to sling me into the unknown. And it did. At the lip of the jump I swung my body round with all my might to get my heavy skis to turn with my body. As I began my long flight it was going surprisingly well. I was making good progress with my turn. My only apprehension was that I seemed to be going very high indeed. And I kept going.
Sailing over the soft, un-compacted snow; the landing. My destination
seemed to be further down the mountain, and I reached it with an ear splitting crack. Oh no, appeared to be my first thought, I’ve cracked my skis. The white hot, blinding pain that ensued very quickly afterwards told me otherwise. I looked down to see my shin cracked in half at a ninety degree angle, so it looked like I had two knees, leaving my heal snuggled in by my backside.
My freestyle ski instructor Pierre ran over and told me the rather obvious news that I had indeed broken my leg. You wouldn’t really have needed to be a doctor to work this out as my bone was sticking out through my ski pants and into the snow which now hugged me tight. I had no desire to be moving anywhere. The blinding pain soon died into a very dull ache as I laid in the snow shivering from shock and cold as I waited for any help to arrive.
Hours passed and my one main concern was that I was dying for a piss and did not want my dignity to be any more diminished. I was already a broken shivering man under a great pile of coats. Finally after what felt like a lifetime of waiting, a man on skis with a sledge turned up. Not the helicopter I had been expecting, but at that point I would have taken a toboggan and a good push to get me to the medical centre at the bottom of the valley.
An indescribable amount of pain later after bumping over
Article by:Owen O’Malley
Too much confidence
Looking a little bit like a maniac I smacked myself on the head to psych myself into doing what I had watched so many times, so effortlessly on videos of the pros, landing perfectly.
every mogul in France, feeling my leg scrape around like rusty nails in a carrier bag, I got to the medical centre and screamed LES TOILETTES S’IL VOUS PLAIT! Much to the astonishment of the nurses, they gave me a urinal pot and I embraced the pain as I rolled onto my side for a much needed bathroom break.
Morphine, the taking off of the boot, a very long ambulance ride, x-rays – eight breaks, operation, 9” long titanium plate and 14 surgical screws, news that the other leg was in-fact broken in two places too and an agonisingly boring eight days in hospital later I flew home, with a cast on one leg and a huge pressure boot cast on the other leg. They sat me on the plane over three seats to keep my broken legs up which was considerate. What wasn’t so considerate was that it was right at the front of the plane allowing every single person who boarded to greet me with comments that at the time, I really didn’t need.
Fourteen months have passed since my 2009 Christmas Day shenanigans and I still cannot play sports, or do much walking. But in retrospect I was very lucky.
Inexperienced in aerial acrobatics I could easily have landed on my head or neck, and then I really wouldn’t be doing any walking, or even talking. I had taken no precautions what so ever, I had no helmet on, or any body armour to speak of, yet I was happy to tackle
something life threatening and life changing.
My legs took the full brunt of my fall, and paid the price. My skull would not have taken the same impact. Wearing a helmet on the slopes I admit is a bit of a pain, yet many accidents still happen there. I failed to take any precautions on the jumps and was lucky I haven’t been permanently disabled. My advice; don’t simply listen to the tales of ski accidents and think it could never happen to you, because it could. The easiest thing you can do to prevent them is to make sure you have at least the basic safety equipment. Otherwise it might be a while before you can partake in your favourite snow sports again.
Fondue was originally created out of necessity in the 18th century. Mountain villagers were cut off by the freezing winters and had to rely on food like cheese and bread which was produced in the summer and that they could still enjoy during the autumn and winter. Nowadays it has evolved and fondue is one of the greatest indulgences that goes alongside a skiing holiday. What could be better than a seemingly endless pot of melted cheese between friends? It can be risky business though. Traditionally, if you're a man and you drop the item from the end of your fondue fork you must buy the next round and if a woman does it, she must kiss her neighbours at the table - it seems like the women are getting off pretty lightly! There are several variations of fondue such as meat fondue when beef is cooked in a pot of hot oil or chicken is dipped in cream and breadcrumbs then deep fried in the oil. For the sweet - toothed out there, chocolate fondue is always an option, when bits of pastry or slices of fruit are dipped into the caquelon of melted chocolate which can be combined with caramel, honey, marshmallow or just whatever you fancy. The main trick to the traditional cheese fondue is the blend of cheeses used and here's just one of many recipes we recommend:
1/2lb shredded Gruyere 1/2lb shredded Emmental 1 Garlic Clove 2 cups Dry White Wine 1 tbsp Lemon Juice 2 tbsp Flour 3 tbsp Kirsch 1/4 tsp White Pepper Nutmeg and/or Paprika to taste Crusty Bread and vegetables to dip.
• Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic clove - add the clove to the pot or discard.• Heat up the white wine & lemon juice - they should be hot but do not boil.• Reduce heat to low and slowly add the cheese while stirring.• Slowly add the remainder of ingredients while stirring.• If the fondue is too loose add more cheese.• If the fondue is too stiff add more wine.
10
11
When preparing your fondue and during your meal, stir it in a figure of eight motion. This will help to break up the cheese and blend the ingredients together.
If you need more fondue during your meal, it is much easier to make up a second batch in another pot. Fondue recipes do not blend together very well.
Cold drinks are not usually served with fondue. Instead hot tea is tradition if that's what you're going for. We say...a good Merlot goes beautifully with cheese fondue so forget tradition and enjoy!
Despite it's delicious taste, even the most seasoned cheese eater can be defeated by a big fondue. Here's a couple of recipe ideas for any leftovers:
Macaroni cheeseWelsh RarebitGrilled cheese sandwichesPotato and cheese soupLet's be honest, there's not much that can't be improved by popping a little melted cheese on top.
Or if there are no leftovers...the hard crust left at the bottom of the pot is called "la courte" or "la religuese" and is considered a delicacy. Pry it out and serve in pieces to your guests. tel: 06 10 40 10 92
email: [email protected]: www.lost-intranslation.com
French lessons- Group Lessons
- Private Lessons
- Intensive Courses
Translation ServicesIf you are a French registered business or are employed on a French contract, then you could be eligible for training budgets to cover the cost of lessons.
email: [email protected]: +33 643 51 16 63
siret number: 52888343200015
Samantha LouiseHair Stylist
12
4.30pm ‘Deja Groove’ pop and soul band L’Etale5.00pm ‘Cab Collective’ acoustic covers band Cavern
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com12.00noon Sunday roast Rhodos12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com4.00pm Welcome to Morzine drinks Office de Tourisme4.30pm Acoustic pop and rock with ‘Dan Baxter’ Tibetan Cafe7.00pm Curry Night Numero Dix
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com5.00pm ‘Thunder Road’ blues and rock band Rhodos6.00pm ESF torch lit descent of the Pleney Pleney
9.00am Tour of the cheese dairy Route de la Plagne9.00am Local Market Place de la Poste12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com12.00noon End of Season Party - Live Music and drinks offers Bar Inferno, Nyon4.00pm BassCamp DJ Apres Party Le Tremplin6.00pm All you can eat curry Sherpa10.00pm ‘Toss the Boss’ for a free round Rhodos10.00pm Cavern 24:7 viewing, judging and prize giving Cavern
9.00am Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com4.00pm ‘Replay’ live music Rhodos4.30pm ‘Deja Groove Acoustic’ pop and soul band Tibetan Cafe5.00pm Large wooden games Office de Tourisme8.00pm Night skiing on the Pleney Pleney
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com4.30pm ‘Deja Groove’ pop and soul band L’Etale5.00pm ‘Cab Collective’ acoustic covers band Cavern
12.00noon Festival des Concerts Sauvages www.portesdusoleil.com12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
12.00noon Sunday roast Rhodos12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
4.00pm Welcome to Morzine drinks Office de Tourisme4.30pm Acoustic pop and rock with ‘Dan Baxter’ Tibetan Cafe7.00pm Curry Night Numero Dix
5.00pm ‘Deja Groove’ modern pop & soul band Rhodos5.00pm ‘Cab Collective’ acoustic covers band Cavern6.00pm ESF torch lit descent of the Pleney Pleney
9.00am Tour of the cheese dairy Route de la Plagne9.00am Local Market Place de la Poste4.00pm BassCamp DJ Apres Party Le Tremplin6.00pm All you can eat curry Sherpa
Fri 1st Apr
Sat 2nd Apr
Sun 3rd Apr
Mon 4th Apr
Tues 5th Apr
Wed 6th Apr
Thrs 7th Apr
Fri 8th Apr
Sat 9th Apr
Sun 10th Apr
Mon 11th Apr
Tues 12th Apr
Wed 13th Apr
Event listings\\April 2011\\
13
Thrs 14th Apr
Fri 15th Apr
Sat 16th Apr
Sun 17th Apr
Mon 18th Apr
Tues 19th Apr
Wed 20th Apr
Thrs 21st Apr
Fri 22nd Apr
Sat 23rd Apr
Sun 24th Apr
Mon 25th Apr
Tues 26th Apr
Wed 27th Apr
Thrs 28th Apr
Fri 29th Apr
Sat 30th Apr
10.00pm ‘Toss the Boss’ for a free round Rhodos4.30pm ‘Deja Groove Acoustic’ pop and soul band Tibetan Cafe5.00pm Live music by ‘Eugine Carton Rhodos5.00pm Large wooden games Office de Tourisme
All Day Michael & Ali T's Birthday Check website for details4.30pm ‘Deja Groove’ pop and soul band L’Etale5.00pm ‘Cab Collective’ acoustic covers band Cavern
12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
9.00am Cleaner Streets - See website for more info Place de la Mairie12.00noon Sunday roast Rhodos12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
4.00pm Welcome to Morzine drinks Office de Tourisme4.30pm Acoustic pop and rock with ‘Dan Baxter’ Tibetan Cafe7.00pm Curry Night Numero Dix
5.00pm ‘Cab Collective’ acoustic covers band Cavern
9.00am Tour of the cheese dairy Route de la Plagne9.00am Local Market Place de la Poste4.00pm BassCamp DJ Apres Party (TBC) Le Tremplin6.00pm All you can eat curry Sherpa10.00pm ‘Toss the Boss’ for a free round Rhodos
4.30pm ‘Deja Groove Acoustic’ pop and soul band Tibetan Cafe5.00pm Large wooden games Office de Tourisme
4.30pm ‘Deja Groove’ pop and soul band L’Etale
12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa12.00noon Sunday roast Rhodos12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa4.30pm Acoustic pop and rock with ‘Dan Baxter’ Tibetan Cafe7.00pm Curry Night Numero Dix
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa9.00am Tour of the cheese dairy Route de la Plagne9.00am Local Market Place de la Poste6.00pm All you can eat curry Sherpa10.00pm ‘Toss the Boss’ for a free round Rhodos
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa
9.00am Cookery Class & Wine Tasting Chalet Sosa
12.00noon Live sport Dixie Bar
We want to get as many people in our lovely town involved in yodel magazine as possible! If you have events you would like to be added to this page, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]
We regularly add new events and information to the yodel magazine website events listings, be sure to check it out.
14
Transfer DriverThere are lots of airport transfer companies in Morzine and every winter they need new drivers to take holidaymakers from the airport to their accommodation in a mini bus. The role usually involves 2 return trips to Geneva airport in a day, with weekends being the busiest time. Companies in ski resorts hire lots of new drivers each winter and they include intensive driver training at the beginning of each contract. The most important thing to have on your CV if you’re applying for a transfer driver role is customer service experience. Transfer companies told us that they look for outgoing drivers who are positive and chatty at all times. You also need to be reliable and punctual. Recruitment for new drivers usually begins in August each year and you can seriously improve your chances of getting a driving job if you have an Advanced Driving Diploma.
Ski TechnicianAll of the ski hire companies in Morzine recruit ski techs each winter to help service equipment do fittings. The job involves being adaptable and flexible in your working hours, which can mean that you get quite a lot of time on the mountain. No specific qualifications are required but at Doorstep Skis, a company that deliver and fit equipment at chalets and hotels, ski techs need to be people friendly and have a good knowledge of the local ski area. You also stand a better chance of getting a job if you’ve got some experience in ski rentals, boot fitting and equipment servicing. Ski tech courses are available in the UK and would greatly improve your chances. Doorstep skis begin their search for next season’s team very early - in June they have an idea of which ski techs will be returning
next season and they advertise any remaining positions on Gumtree. You can also apply directly by visiting the Doorstep Skis website – www.doorstepskis.com
Chalet CleanerMost of the property management companies in Morzine hire a bank of cleaners to do chalet changeovers during the winter season. This kind of work is great if you don’t want to commit to a set number of hours or if you just need cash to top your savings during the season. Mara has been doing similar jobs in Morzine and tells us that cleaners need to be reliable – it’s important that when you accept a cleaning job you actually go and do it instead of passing it on to someone else or dropping out at the last minute. You need to have an eye for detail and be willing to work quickly at the same time! Cleaning jobs, because of the flexibility they offer, are usually quickly snapped up at the start of each season. Don’t get complacent though – visitors to Morzine expect a high standard of cleanliness in their holiday accommodation. To get ahead of the rush, try contacting property management companies via their websites during the summer months.
Chalet HostBecause of the employment packages they usually offer, a chalet host job can be the easiest way to get in to a resort. They usually include accommodation, lift pass, meals and transport to and from resort. Chalet Hosts serve meals and help with cleaning duties in holiday chalets and the size of the team you work in can vary. There are hundreds of chalets in Morzine and they range in standards from budget accommodation to high-end fully catered chalets. You stand the best chance of getting a chalet host
You’ll find more information on resort work opportunities at www.yodelmagazine.com
Working 9 - 5 - NOT a way to make a living
Doing a ski season has never been
more popular. There are more
seasonaires in resort this
winter than ever.Is this because of employment
conditions in the UK or the
glamorisation of season work in movies such as
Chalet Girl?One things for
sure… there will be more
competition for season jobs in Morzine next
winter.
If you’re in Morzine now,
reading the last Yodel of
the winter and you're dreading
the return to the UK, you’re
probably planning
your return in December. But where will you work and how
do you get a job? Here’s a
selection of the most popular
seasonaire jobs each winter
and how you can improve
your chances of grabbing one.
15
job if you apply to a chalet company who’s standard matches your own experience. Often personality and character are the most important attributes in getting a chalet job, but your unlikely to score a role in a 5* chalet if you don’t have hospitality experience. Research the companies you’d like to work for before you start applying for jobs. Most chalet companies begin their recruitment in June and July and you’ll most likely be expected to attend an interview in the UK in August time. The Natives website is the best place to review all of the positions available each winter, but it doesn’t hurt to approach companies directly if there is one you would specifically like to work for.
Ski InstructorOften thought of as one of the most glamorous resort jobs, becoming a ski instructor doesn’t just happen over night. You need a lot of (expensive) training and then the proper qualifications and insurances before you can start to teach paying customers to ski. Only the top level British, French, Italian or Austrian ski diplomas are recognised in France and these can take between 5 and 7 years to achieve. Each winter the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School hire their team based on recommendations from previous ski instructors or referrals from other ski schools, although they are usually inundated by direct applications too. A very high standard of tuition and experience is a minimum requirement and an excellent knowledge of the local ski area is clearly very important too! The Avoriaz Alpine Ski School begin to plan their team of instructors in June each year and any vacancies they do have don’t hang around for long! For more information on ski instructor qualifications visitwww.basi.org
Town centre MTB CHALET available!Free wi-fi, sky tv, video library, x-box 360, bbq, sunny
garden, garden trampoline, ensuite rooms, bike wash and safe bike storage
ALL BILLS INCLUDED - Apartments also available
For the summer season Beds n Board are offering shared accommodation in a spacious four bedroom apartment located only a 5 minute walk to the Super Morzine and Pleney lifts. The property also has WIFI and Sky TV.
All summer properties have secure bike storage and bike washing facilities along with off street parking.
Private apartments and studios also available
+33 (0)6 33 14 99 [email protected]
I wake at 7.30am and leave my house in Morzine at 8am. I make my way up to Avoriaz via Prodains and arrive in our office just before 9am. I work with a team of 11 great guys who are all very skilled park shapers – they are also very good friends too. We discuss the kickers and modules that we need to work on during the day and we’re in the park ready for it to open. We clean each snow park by moving any fresh snow around and making sure all of the rails are safe. You’ll see us carrying our shovels over our shoulder wherever we go. It’s usually busiest at the half pipe in Avoriaz in the morning and then on the Arare Parkway while the snow is soft. La Chapelle is best in the afternoons and The Stash is always busy. Lots of instructors take their groups to the Baby Stash on the Premier Eglisse in the mornings. So it's a good quiet place to start learning tricks in the afternoon.
I moved to Morzine seven years ago from my hometown of Brest to be a liftie for the lift company Serma. Three years ago I got my job on the park shaping team and I love it. In the summer I spend time at the beach with my girlfriend surfing but I’ll always return to Avoriaz for the winter season.
Lots of the rails and equipment
used in a snow park needs to be maintained and repaired regularly and we usually do this in our workshop in the afternoon. Safety is always our number one priority in the park and it sometimes frustrates me that people think we just ride around a l l day playing on the kickers that
we make. Every time someone gets hurt in one of our snow parks we write a detailed record of the accident. This is so we can work on the park and make improvements to prevent accidents in the future.
Because we are all experienced park shapers it’s up to us what gets knocked down and what we build in its place. We know all of the local pro skiers and snowboarders really well from their time in the parks and I like it when they come to us with suggestions and ideas for improvements. We all find it really rewarding to know that pro skiers and snowboarders come from all across the Alps to practice and train on our half pipe – it’s one of the best in Europe.
My finishing time often depends on how much snow has fallen. Sometimes we work late at night with the big cat machines to completely demolish and re-build a park if the snow lets us. The best part of each day is always when I get to test a new kicker or rail for the first time. And the cool Burton uniform too!
Safety is always our number one priority in the park and it sometimes frustrates me that people think we just ride around all day playing on the kickers that we make.
Day in the life of apark shaper
16
exclusive\\ Go to our website to watch the short film ‘Day in the Life of a Park Shaper’ made for yodel by Stewart Monk of Reel Fun Media.
David Tardif, 27, holds the much sought after position of park shaper in Avoriaz. No, he doesn’t just ride on his snowboard all day looking cool.
photo by James North: The Burton Stash - Avoriaz
www.yodelmagazine.comfor competition details visit
• grab a yodel• take a photo• feature attack attack• post on facebook
• win!
competition
boys
girls
• grab a yodel• take a photo• feature attack attack• post on facebook
• win!
18
‘Parapente is the French name for paragliding and it was invented just down the road in Meiussy.
Some bored parachutists decided that running off a mountain strapped to their parachute would be a good idea. All of their mates loved it and parapenting was born. Over the years the canopy that you fly under has been modified to improve safety and distance, making parapente more accessible to more people.
The idea of parapente is to run on a mountain or hill with a parachute like canopy attached to your back, in search of the same updrafts used by birds of prey. The take-off itself involves preparing the canopy or wing on a grassy slope before strapping it to yourself using a special harness. In calm conditions you have to generate your own wind by running downhill to inflate the wing. Usually you’ll see the earth dropping away from you in around 20 steps. Lots of people think that the take-off involves jumping off a cliff – this couldn’t be further from the truth. What follows is a serene glide to earth, which gives you a unique perspective of the land below. In hopping from one thermal current to the next people have flown great distances and the longest on record currently
stands at over 500km. For a sport which only uses natural power, that's pretty impressive!
In Morzine there is a strong community of very talented, professional and social pilots with
years of experience, including an ex French champion. People with questions on parapenting will always find a friendly person willing to offer great advice and support. The mountains and valleys of the local area make Morzine an interesting and sometimes testing place to learn and this produces really good local pilots.
I trained to become a parapente pilot during a 5 day introductory course. This included 2 days practicing take offs and landings in a field, where I’d only get a couple of meters off the ground. Afternoons involved classroom sessions to learn the theory and science of the sport. Towards the end of the 5 days I was allowed to take off properly, accompanied by a radio and an instructor who talked me through things. After the introductory course I continued to fly in calm conditions with a parapente school. Only when an instructor thinks you are good enough do they let you fly alone. You should only ever take part in a tandem parapente flight with a fully qualified instructor who has the correct insurance.
Parapente is a big deal in Morzine.
You can’t look to the
sky without seeing a
huge multi coloured
bird soaring between the
mountains. Morzine
resident Paul Lake is part
of the strong community
of parapente pilots and
here he tells yodel why
the sport has such a big
following in Morzine.
19
Tempted to reach
for the skies?
Contact a local pilot
Parapente is often thought of as an expensive holiday activity but the truth is, it’s less expensive to do it in Morzine than in most of the other mountain resorts. For 70 euros a trained pilot will take you up in the air for a flight that lasts
a minimum of 15 minutes. Often when conditions are good the flight can last much longer. For a different experience, a tandem cross country flight involves getting much higher in the sky and travelling out of the valley which is a great way to see the surrounding area. Typically in Morzine the take-off point is at the top of the Super Morzine and the landing is on the Pleney. Flying is a personal thing and everyone reacts in different ways to their experience. People who are scared of heights often tell us that they had no real feeling of vertigo during their flight and other people’s reactions vary from silence to peaceful amazement to whoops of delight.
We all agree that the best time to fly is at the end of the winter season as spring is approaching. A big contrast in air and ground temperatures makes for perfect skies and people have even taken off and landed on Mont Blanc (5807 metres) at this time of year. Summer and early autumn also provide good thermals but when winter arrives, the snow calms things down and lots of pilots switch to speed riding. Speed riding is a more extreme
version of parapenting where pilots user a smaller wing and put their skis on. It’s an adrenalin-fuelled activity with speeds of up to 60kmh so it must be treated with respect.
I love to parapente because you see
a unique view of the mountains. Sometimes after landing I feel lucky to be alive. Not because of the danger, but because of the privileged view and the experience I have just had. Following and sharing thermals with buzzards is very special and if you don’t get too close they can stay with you for ages. From take-off it is possible to climb well over 1000 meters and then you can see for miles – Lake Geneva often comes in to view! In short, parapenting is a non-assisted turbo express elevator to the sky. I also love to parapente because it gets me involved in the largely French community of pilots and I’ve listed some of their details below in case you're tempted to reach for the skies!
Aero-Bi
Kaloo - 0626 354806 - [email protected]
Aireole
Albert - 0607 631625 - [email protected]
Aile Libre
Marie - 0663 236142 - [email protected]
Air-V-Parapente
Herve - 0608 644056 - [email protected]
Les Potes Du Soleil
Arno - 0613 203 701 - [email protected]
exclusive\\ Go to our website to watch Paul's amazing flight in Chamonix and an insight into the world of speed flying!
The legend of the
Swiss Wall
Le Pas de Chavanette, more commonly known as The Swiss Wall, is one of the most infamous runs in the Portes du Soleil region. The Swiss Wall starts in France from the Col de Chavanette which you access at the top of the Fornet valley and goes down into Switzerland.
Classified as an orange, it is considered too dangerous for the normal ratings of green, blue, red or black and has a 400m drop over a 1km fall. Parts of the run have an inclination of almost 50% and it is so steep that you cannot see the face of it from the top. It is literally a case of skiing into uncharted territory (for the individual at least). The piste is known as one of the most dangerous in the region and it's legendary moguls the size of cars have been known to claim lives...but let's not focus on the negative. Many consider completing the wall to be a massive achievement which can often be seen by the groups of people celebrating their victory at the bottom.
If you are a very accomplished skier and feel you could compete with the terror of the wall, then it
g o e s w i t h o u t saying that it's best to choose a fresh powder day (if you can find one!) and get up early in the morning but don't get too excited - it is sometimes closed after a large snowfall because it can be avalanche prone. If it isn't closed, it is also after these heavy snow falls when it is not uncommon to tackle snow drifts up to two metres high towards the top of the run.
Good Luck!20
Dan Baxter |Dan is probably the hardest working musician in Morzine this winter. You’ll see him playing with Deja Groove, Deja Groove Acoustic, Thunder Road, Funkadelique and on his own in various spots around town. He’s been gigging around the Portes du Soleil for the last 5 years and has a loyal local following. So, quite a few of us will be very sad when he packs up his life here at the end of the season for the big time back home.
You see, Dan’s just recorded his first album ‘A Reason to Believe’ and filmed a music video too! His sound is unique, his voice is incredible and his guitar skills will be missed at aprés next winter. For more information on Dan visit his web-site www.danbaxter.co.uk or see the Yodel events calendar to find out where he’s playing next!
21
Aprés Gigs
One-pieceof the Month
Send us images of your favourite onesies to: [email protected] [email protected] and see if they are featured here next month!
Stuart. Seriously. This is look is inspired. Just from your pose I can tell that this is probably your favourite onesie and I am sure that you splashed out on those expensive purple moon boots with this outfit in mind. The day-glo flashes of colour are totally on-trend and I’ve a feeling that the matching head band is less about catching sweat and more about making you look even cooler. I heard on the grapevine that this outfit has improved your dance-off skills enormously so I’ve taken the liberty of posting a video of it in action on our website.
22
For some reason since I've been living in Morzine I suddenly have lots of friends coming out of the woodwork who are keen to visit me. When they stay, they want me to act as if I'm on holiday too but I'm so busy working as well it's tiring me out. What should I do?
Take them to work with you. If they want to stay cheaply in a ski resort then they must also adopt the seasonaire lifestyle to ease your working woes. This will cut your weekly chores in half and it will become a pleasure to have the miserly, penny pinching fake friends come to stay with you.
I am really struggling with my mountain hangovers, they are so painful - I blame the altitude! Got any good hangover cures Uncle Bert?
A good hair of the dog has always worked for me. There's got to be a reason why Robbos is open so early, so get some of that sweet Mutzig nectar down you first thing and stop whinging.
I had hoped that by this point in the season my ability to speak French would have improved but I can still only manage to order a beer. What can I do to improve my skills?
It may have escaped your attention or indeed you may not have noticed that in a land where lots of foreign people reside, there may just be a rather good language school that can help you. Most of the resort look to Helen at Lost In Translation to save them. I suggest you don't leave the house until you've sought such help.
Hi Uncle Bert, last month I complained that my ski boots smelt like Tartiflette which you kindly tried to help with. I took your advice and checked inside them for old Tartiflette but in doing so I passed out from the intoxicating smell so I now have 8 stitches across my head and my feet still stink. What now?
You of all people should have realised how deadly the smell would be and checked with your hand not your snout. There is no point in providing you with any more genius advice when you clearly have no common sense of your own. At least now the girls will be repelled by the nasty gash on your head before they get close enough to realise you stink.
I know someone has stolen my onesie that I spent time, energy and money carefully searching for and purchasing. I know I'm going to see some sticky-fingered seasonaire wearing it at the Chez Flo party. How do I get it back?
Onesie theft should be taken very seriously, it is one of the most heinous mountain crimes. There is no soft option for punishment here. Take it straight off their back in front of all their friends and leave them to ski home wearing their measly thermals. That'll teach them.
I can't believe the season's come to an end already, it seems like only yesterday I was packing my goggles and waving goodbye to Blighty. I'm hooked on mountain life now, how do I leave?
Don't.
Ask Uncle Bert
Uncle Bert relishes in your problems (no really, he enjoys your pain) so please send them in, however foolish or minor they may seem, he's sure to have an answer whether you like it or not! Email them to [email protected] and look out for his solution next month.
23
