Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 8:30 to 12:10
• Area(s) - Parsenn
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Constant snow
• Visibility - Poor
• Snow conditions - Excelent off piste
• Company - Patrick & H
• Fun factor - Moderate

Not the best weather for the last day, constant snow and poor light.  However, both on and off piste snow was great, which enabled some good quality riding on the final morning.  Nothing special, just a coast round Parsenn with P & H, with a stop in the Hutte for good measure.  Made the last run of the day to the village on my own.  Sadly bumpy, which meant is was less fun than most, but still a fair marker of the end of a good trip.

Thanks for hosting DS!  The trip home was a breeze.

End of season road-trip anybody...?!

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 8:20 to 4:05
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock & Gipfel
  
• Equipment - Nidecker
• Weather - Warm, heavy snow showers
  
• Visibility - Generally good, mainly bluebird
  
• Snow conditions - Fresh powder
  
• Company - DS, Dave, Michelle, Patrick, Harriet, Julie & John
  
• Fun factor - Outstanding
  

DS's birthday and what a day for it!?  I managed to convince DS to get up in time for the 08:11 bus.  What a result, the first hour on the hill was one of the all time greats; blue sky, fresh powder and no punters.  We made fresh tracks on the Rapid, Ski School, Ferka, Tot Alp and round the lake before heading up the Gip for a memorable ride in the lightest powder I can remember since Park City, Utah.

Having reset the stance on the Nidie back one inch last night, the board floated like a dream.  I was really riding my arse off and making phat turns that are only a dream for most of the year.  We picked off some of the best off piste rides between the Gip and the Schifer mid station.

Snax in the Hutta where Dave, Michelle, Julie and John joined in.  The off piste powder hound posse grew again when Patrick and H showed.  The next hour was insane.  Patrick, H and I rode round the lake then off the left of the 'Hillary Clinton', sick!

Rapid lunch at the Jock Panorama, which was necessary even on a powder day.

Back up the Gipfel for more of the same.  It just didn't let us down all day.  However, as the posse started to split DS, Patrick, H and I took one off the left of the Ski School run in well cooked spring snow which made turns ten times more tricky.  We generally made out.  I had one tumble in the soft but the heavy snow held on to the board which resulted in a strained back - arse!  Still, as DS, P & H down-loaded from the Hoenweg, I returned for a few final runs on my own.  Conditions and light started to fade, along with me.  A full on day and one to remember.

Fondu tonight with Tom, P & H.  Possibly followed by a few brewskis...

From left: Harriet, Patrick, Julie, DS, Michelle, John, MDO (Camerman, Dave)

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 9:20 to 2:45
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock, Jakobshorn
• Equipment - Nidecker
• Weather - Warm, heavy snow showers
  
• Visibility - Rubbish
• Snow conditions - Fresh powder
  
• Company - DS, Andrew and Jude
  
• Fun factor -Limited

The new built-in headphones and there mute button were a major success.  The Nidie was the right choice of board.  Conditions were set to be superb.  Unfortunately, the light was so bad (riding in fog) that it made every run an extra special challenge.

The mountain was slow to open.  We made the best of the conditions around the Jock.  However, the snow was very wet, which made it extremely heavy.  Off piste powder turns were a major challenge.

We left Parsenn with a charge down the village run on some of the stickiest snow I've ridden.  It's like trying to ride with the hand brake on!

I transferred to Jakobshhorn on my own.  The light was better, but conditions were sketchy.  The piste was very choppy and the lifts were closing early.  I had one decent run in the off piste down towards the Clavadeler then bailed out.

Quiet night in is the bid.

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 9:20 to 4:15
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock, Gipfel & Schiffe
• Equipment - Palmer  (serviced)
• Weather - Mild, sunny spells, occasional light snow
  
• Visibility - Generally good
  
• Snow conditions - Fresh powder
  
• Company - Patrick & Harriet
  
• Fun factor - Top
  

Collected the Palmer from Ettinger, who had produced another of their top services.

Started on my own riding the off piste powder on the 'Hilary Clinton' run in superb conditions.  I was making fresh tracks all over Parsenn when Patrick and H joined me later morning.

We charged round the lake, behind the boarder-X, then all over the place on the way down to Schiffe.  Made some fantastic turns in some of the best conditions I can remember.

Lightning lunch at the Alto Schwendi, then we rode from the top of the Gipfel back to Schiffe taking in as much off piste as possible.

As the day drew to a close the light faded, the snow restarted and we took a big one down to the village at warp speed.

Top day out.  I celebrated with a purchase of the bespoke headphones that fit my new Skycap.

Supper plans with Patrick and H.  It's still snowing.  Time to get the powder gun out of the cellar.  Stay tuned...

FOOTNOTE: supper at Pauliner was super.  We then transferred to the Egg, where I played piano in exchange for booze!  This is becoming a good little gig!

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 8:50 to 4:20
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock & Hutte,  Jakobshorn
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Sunny spells, mild
• Visibility - generally good
• Snow conditions - Good
• Company - none
• Fun factor - Maxed out

Started the day early.  Greatful for many hours sleep.  Started on the Jock, running the boarder-X before sessioning the runs above the Hutte.  Conditions were great.  The off-piste was heavily tracked, but not cooked, so there was plenty left for me.  Unlike me to sneak off-piste on my own, but this was too tempting, a gentle roll off one slope into a steep shute with a exit through a gully between runs.  I couldn't get enough of it.

Schnitzel brot at the Tot Alp then charged down the village run, which was empty and in the best condition I've experienced so far.

Transfered to Jakobshorn.  Got straight on with the kicker and the halfpipe.  Only took a couple of runs to recapture the form I'd reached last trip.  I was flying, particularly toeside.  I was having such a good time I even paused to run a few loops through the Bolgun pipe - bit slushy but no complaints.  Snow fun in the sun.  Awesome!

Man and snow-machine were in total harmony.  I had the best day.  Celebrated with the purchase of a new skycap in acid yellow!! (DoD: that's a R.E.D. Hi-Fi crash hat.)

Board off, brewskis on.  Pizza with the posse tonight...

Footnote: I got to play piano in the Egg bar.

Started out slightly later as the clocks changed and we lost an hour.

Weather was kind, blue skys and much warmer than yesterday.  I decided to stay on the Nidy and trailed to Rinerhorn with Dave and his clients.  I spent the morning on the off-piste with some guy called John.  We had a fair old time of it, some of the runs were fresh powder and a joy to ride.  Others were totally cooked and we bounced all over the place!

Lite lunch with DS, then the three of us blasted from top to bottom in one clean move.  Reached 5 out of 5 on the I'm-loving-my-snowboarding-today-o-meter!

Everyone bailed, so I transferred to Pasenn on my own.  Took a few good runs down to the Hutte, including a really good ride thought the boarder-X.  Quick pitstop at the Hohenweg before returning to the top of the Weissjock for an express dismount down the Black to the village, which I made in 8 mins and about 55 seconds.  A line to shoot for in future.  However, conditions were pretty good and I was hardly held-up, so this may be a PB for some time to come.

Left the hill with a shit-eating grin.  Fantastic day!  Board off, beers on.

First day back on snow.  Very cold with poor viz but with sensational snow, best this season; fields of untracked powder and smooth pistes - luuvly.

Rode the Nidecker 160 for the first time in about five years.  Perfect for the good off-piste conditions.  I'd forgotten what a good board it is.

Coasted over Parsenn and down to Klosters.  Headed up Madrisa for the first time.  Snow was wonderful, and hardly a soul around.  Took a couple of runs to warm up and properly reacquaint myself with the old board.  In a fit of enthusiasm I headed off-piste in the huge expance that is Madrisa between the two main lifts on the front face.  Decent ride.  The show supported perfectly and the gradient was gentle enough to enable the pace to drop so that I could just take it all in.  All good trails come to an end.  This one ended in a nasty steep drop into a couloire - hmm!  The next section was not my best.  Some of the moves were pure adrenalin and all was going well; then there was an unexpected compression, splash, tomokawk, rag-doll, splash.  No harm done.  Speeds were low and I was able to regain control and ride out.

Met Dave and clients for lunch before taking one last run from the very top.  Decent descent.  Good way to finish the day.  Very tired but happy and in one piece.  The kit all worked.  The board was a triumph and the camel bak was a revelation.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Celebrated super first day with some retail therapy - new Peak Performance hoodie, in orange.  Last one they had.  Retired for a bath and early cot.

 

Fantastic last day.

Full details to be posted!

Up early for the refreshed slopes.  Reached the top of the Jock before nine and managed a couple of runs completely on my own, fresh tracks, albeit only in dust not deep powder.  Still, the slopes were in the best condition during my trip, so far.  Tore around the Hutte area and down towards Schifer, mainly alone and able to take advantage of untracked dust at the margins.

Dave, George and I met up for elevenses and then went on tour.  The George-Michael finally took to the mountains again for the first time in around eighteen months!  Rounded the Hutte then rode round the Gotschnagrat and down to Klosters.  Remounted and made the trip to Schifer.  Dave bailed as George and I assended the Gipfel.  Wild ride down from the highest peak.  Decided to turn left at the Round hut, taking an unpatrolled off-piste trail.  First few KMs were fantastic.  However, boarders need to cut the corner, and in doing this George took a couple of tumbles and tweaked his already busted shoulder!  Regaining composure, we managed a dignified exit via the Chelsetta.  After remounting the Jock we took a couple of runs through the Boarder-X before a last lift to the front face for the final download.  A very big day indeed.  Over seven hours for me without lunch!

Hyped by such a sucessful day riding I caved-in a bought a Peak Performance Gillet - nice!

Three for supper - Fondue stylie.

Another bluebird day in Davos.

Dave and I took the big camera to Jakobshorn.  We spent the day shooting in the park, ripping around the mountain looking for untracked spring snow and drinking beers in the sun.  It's tough at the top of the hill!

The spring snow was awesome.  The North aspects had untracked slopes of soft snow, which was a joy to ride - in April!

The park provided some good photo opportunities, particularly with me back on the fun box.  No slams this time.

Several halfpipe runs and a few kickers later are we were just about done.  Charged down to the mid-station and downloaded by cable car.  Left the hill feeling as though we'd given it our best.  Nice way to be leaving Jakobshorn this season.

Boots off, beers on...

Fresh powder keeps falling!  Although better than yesterday, the Hills were cloud covered, which made the day more challenging.

Dave, Ian and I started the day riding the untouched fringes at the top of Parsenn.  The hill was deserted.  Powder everywhere and within easy reach.  Difficult to believe these conditions are possible in April.  It seems more like mid January, albeit warmer.

Adjusting for poor visibility, we headed for the tree runs below Schifer.  We eventually found our way to Klosters before returning to Parsenn to finish the afternoon in style, riding the freshies on the front face, now bathed in afternoon sun.  Davos really is a special playground.

Although tired, Dave and I were unable to resist the long Black run back to the village.  The top section was almost untouched, even at 16:15!  The lower slopes were tough to negotiate; huge moguls and wreckless punters.  However, it would be rude to take the train when there's still so much snow around.

All set for Ian's last night!

Bluebird day.  Warm sun and fresh powder to ride.  Good start?

Dave, Ian and I took-off on Parsenn.  A real return to form.  Feeling good, riding strongly.  Conditions were among the best I've ever experienced.

Shot severall off-piste powder lines, including wind-lips and the odd gully.  Video evidence to follow.

Spent the early afternoon shooting the Boarder-X trail which ends in a natural half-pipe, before stealing a few late powder lines off the front face of Parsenn.  Stayed-up until last lift.  Finished the day with a wild slush mogul black run race with Dave back to the village.  Dead heat! One of the most full-on rides I've attempted for some time.  Very happy with my day.

Board off, brewski time!

Started early.  Rode Jakobshorn with Dave.  Took it easy, but needed one run through the park and pipe, to set matters straight.  All felt good, despite discomfort from various injuries.

Just about to leave Jakobshorn when we came across Frederich, the pisteur who helped me off the hill yesterday.  He was busy taking someone else down, but paused for a moment to hear how I was.  I was pleased to have the opportunity to thank him again.  He remembered my name, which shows how switched-on these guys are.  Hope none of you readers ever need such services.  However, if you do, I hope they're as good as the Davos team.

We switched mountains.  I rode Rinerhorn for the first time.  A quiet mountain.  Mainly locals. Open today for the last time this season.  Good atmosphere and little bits of fluffy off-piste.  Blasted round the hill until we were too tired to carry on.

Back to base.  Board in for a service - wax and edge, 12 Swissies. (That's about £5 guys.  What a result?)

Ditched the pain killers.  Beers on.

Light cloud, fair viz and good slope conditions.

Took to the slopes with Dave, riding in the margins with punters from the Ski School of Great Britain.

Dave set up some excellent off-piste powder runs above Parsennhutte, most of which we reached without hiking.  Creeping round the avalanch barriers to claim first trax reminded me of the days riding the Bois de Lour above Arcs 1950.  Conditions were near perfect and I made some of the most rewarding lines, ever.

Took a couple of runs through the Parsenn parc before heading over to Jakobshorn.  Luck ran out with the light, which faded just as I reached the parc at the top of the mountain.  Jibbed the box before heading to the pipe at village level.  Ran this until the lift shut, although none of the runs were anything like as good as the best ones from last week.  Heigh-ho, still a rewarding day on the mountain.

Board off, pizza on!