15/16 Winter Catch-Up

Well, what can we say about the Winter of 2015/16…

Excellent staff.  Epic snow. Great guests. An amazing season enjoyed by all!

After mother nature once again took a bit of a lie in during the early months of November and December, we were left wondering if this season would ever get going.

First staff ski day - Col de L’Iseran  (23/12/2015)

Final staff ski day - Bottom of Genepi piste (27/04/16)

The fireworks of New Year seemed to be the wakeup call for mother nature, and she duly provided us with a much needed delivery of the white stuff with seemingly continuous dumps of 10cms or more throughout January.
That set the tone for the rest of winter, and from then on there was no shortage of snow.
By the start of January the staff had settled into their roles nicely and we were receiving glowing reviews from guests. January disappeared in a flash amongst the excitement and enjoyment of fresh snow and before we could say ‘school holidays’ it was February Half Term Week.

Staff ski day- hiking the Toviere ridge

Staff ski day- bubbles in the Sache valley

After half-term we managed to get together as a team once again. We enjoyed excellent conditions despite poor visibility, we even treated ourselves to some well earned bubbles on the hill and some melted cheese at the bottom in Les Brevieres!

Last staff day out of winter 2016 - 27th April - The TCC from Ultimate Snowsports on Vimeo.

We cruised through the remainder of February and into March, continuing to enjoy fantastic conditions.
The final staff ski day was arguably one of the best days of the season. It was the 27th April, and we had received about a foot of fresh snow in resort and almost 30 cm's of fresh cold powder above mid-station. We had a week of unseasonably cold weather which resulted in an amazing end of season conditions.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to our staff and all of our guests that come to enjoy the winter with us, here’s to more of the same next season!

Last Supper

First Supper

http://www.thetigneschaletcompany.com

We're getting ready for the new season, are you?

With the Espace Killy set to open in less than two months most are thinking about organising their trip for next season and getting in tip top shape to make the most of their time on the hill.

For those budding ski instructors and ski racers the focus has probably switched to preparing themselves physically (and maybe mentally) for the season ahead.

The physical side of the sport is very important for those instructors looking to make the grade at the notoriously difficult 'eurotest' or 'test tecnhique' races in addition to the technical skiing exams- for those of you not 'in the know' to work in France instructors are required to achieve a certain time which varies from race to race (usually within 10% of a current or ex-professional ski racer) in order to apply their trade in France and complete the Level 4 ISTD qualification..

It is still good practice to keep yourself fit for skiing, as a regular holiday skier or even if you've achieved the euro-test or test-technique pass along with passing the other exams, especially as an instructor working day to day in the mountains.

Naturally, our backroom staff here at the Tignes Chalet Company consists of ski instructors and winter sports enthusiasts alike. We are all keen athletes/sportsman, so what are we doing to get fit for the mountains?

Do these cows not know we're in training?!
Matt on his bike earlier this week, near Whitmore in Staffordshire

Cycling is the obvious choice! With attributes such as lower leg strength similar to those required for skiing this can be a perfect activity to get you into shape for the mountains.

The main slope at Stoke Ski Centre (Festival Park, Staffordshire) earlier this week.

If cycling isn't your thing you could also drop in on your nearest dry slope and sneak in some turns before the winter. If you've never skied on a dry slope before it might take a little bit of adjustment before you start to slide in a graceful fashion...

However, dry slope skiing can be beneficial to your technique and if you can get the fundamentals right on the plastic this can only help when you're out in the mountains.
It's also a less expensive option to the notoriously overpriced indoor snow centres across the land.

Of course if you like to keep you skiing activities strictly to the snow other activities such as running and gym work can also be beneficial to your skiing fitness.

It doesn't matter how you achieve your skiing fitness as long as your in prime condition to enjoy the mountains!

http://www.thetigneschaletcompany.com