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 - 9:45 to 4:40
• Area(s) - Parsenn, Jakobshorn
  
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Cloudy with snow showers
  
• Visibility - Total white out to bluebird
  
• Snow conditions - Sticky piste and snow-filled pipe
  
• Company - Music
  
• Fun factor - Amped
  

Started the day on Parsenn in a total white-out.  Snow showers, low cloud, zero viz, strong head wind and sticky snow on the pistes made the morning experiance total pants.  I made a few bolox runs before bailing out by riding to the village.

Transferred to Jakobshorn, hoping for better conditions.  Although better, conditions were far from good.  Very low cloud wiped out all visibility.  On the plus side, there was no one around.  I made a couple of dodgy runs before taking refuge in the Jatz Hutte.  I hung out as long as I could before taking what I thought would be a final look at the Hill when the clouds started to lift and the sun broke through.  I found the pipe, full of snow, but not totally useless.  I started to put a few turns in.  By 13:30 there were a handful of riders using the pipe, which smoothed out the new snow and made the riding pretty good, albeit a bit slower than the traditional icy pipe.

As the pipe was running slower than normal I was finding it hard to even reach the coping.  Then around 15:00 a light went on, the reason I lose speed on the wall is because I flex the front leg, which has the added disadvantage of bringing me physically closer to the wall as I ride up (an off-putting sort of ground-rush effect).  For the next few runs I concentrated on keeping the front leg extended to the top and I started to reach the coping with less effort and what felt like more control.

I then started to put a little hop in the initial entry to the pipe, to increase speed for the first transfer.  Then just as it was all about to come to an end at around 16:15, I finally managed two proper airs out of the pipe, back to back, toeside then healside.  I let out a huge screem, part fear, part delight.  The rest of the turns were just a little nose and tail air as I rode round the coping, but the job was done.  I finally got out of the pipe with back to back turns.

As the light faded again and the lifts started to shut I rode off the Hill with a feeling of real achievement.

Board off, shattered.

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 10:00 to 4:35
• Area(s) - Jakobshorn
  
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Warm
  
• Visibility - Bluebird
  
• Snow conditions - Smooth pipe, bullet-proof piste
  
• Company - DS
  
• Fun factor - Relaxed

Made a relaxed Saturday start with DS.  The Hill was puntered to hell!  We carried on regardless and made the best of the sketchy pistes.  Eventually, we drifted over to the pipe, which was still in reasonable conditions.  Rider numbers were up.  One punter dropped in on my run and nearly killed us both!  I just managed to avoid running him over - idiot!  Otherwise, the riding was pretty good.  Not as strong as yesterday, but it picked up.

Mountain kebab at the Jatz Hutte - wierd but strangely good - then a few more runs before DS downloaded.  I carried on in the pipe for the remaining two hours of the day.  The runs were not so bad by the end with a little nose and tail air by the end.  Overall, not bad for a day that was really only going to be a gentle coast around.

Quiet pizza tonight seems most likely.  I'm wiped!  Still, here are a few shots from earlier in the day...the riding did improve, I promise!

Roller:

Pipe - Heelside Wall:



Pipe - Heelside Wall

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 3:20
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock & Grubenalp, Klosters, Wolfgang, Jakobshorn
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Extreme wind
  
• Visibility - generally good
• Snow conditions - Fair
• Company - Patrick
• Fun factor - Pants

Decided to explore more of the Grubenalp area.  Unlucky for me, the wind was so strong it made riding difficult, and not much fun.  New skycap was comfortable though.

Met Patrick on the Hill with ten punters (he was guiding).  I tagged along.  In an attempt to find a sheltered area we cut through the rope just as the Schifer bubble closed because of the weather.  This put us on the slushy route to Klosters as the only way down that didn't involve a walk!

Remounted on the Gotchna and made our way via the Grubenalp to the Parsenn Hutte.  Lucked-out again, the chair to the Jock was closed and the queue for the cable car was massive.  Patrick left most of his punters at the Hutte and we headed down to Wolfgang - my first trip, not bad, best bit of the day.

In a desperate attempt to make something more out of the day we transferred to Jakobshorn, which was every bit as horrid.  I lunched at the Jatz then took just one ride to Bolgun.

Not much of a day, despite all the effort.  Dropped the Palmer off at Etinger's for a service.  Quiet evening of recovery ahead.

FOOTNOTE: made a late appearance at the Egg and was invited to play piano in exchange for wine - we've all made easier decisions than that!

Davos Daily Details:

• Timetable - 9:15 to 4:00
• Area(s) - Parsenn Jock, Bunda
• Equipment - Palmer
• Weather - Cold, low cloud, light snow
• Visability - Poor, flat light
• Snow conditions - Fair
• Company - DS (couple of runs) 
• Fun factor - Limited

Started the day on Parsenn.  Very poor viz, which meant everything was more effort.  Stayed on the slopes from the Jock, to tricky to try anything more adventourous. The hill was also puntered to hell.  Busiest I've seen it this year.  Still, I'm riding, so this is only a limited complaint.  One edgy run down the village run!

DS joined me at midday - not impressed with the white-out.  We lunched; saved by the schnitzel brot.

We bailed out around 2:00, but I decided to head over to the Bunda, which being low and tree lined was good viz and fair conditions, including limited punters.  Made a number of better runs, mainly switch with sundry 180s and nose-presses.  I then noticed a home-made kicker, which could be reached from the lift!  Good run in, decent run out (so nothing like a George & Michael kicker).  Hit that a few times, which was an unexpected bonus.

Bailed at 4:00, shattered.  Quiet night in...

 

8:20 start on Parsenn riding the Palmer.  Snow conditions were good, particularly compared to Jakobshorn.

Typical last day on the hill.  I stayed on the runs around the Jock and was joined by Patrick and H for a rip around at about 10:00.  We charged down to the Hutta and ran through the Boarder-X.  However, it was mainly a gentle morning for me, soaking-up the atmosphere and just enjoying being on board.

Patrick and H departed and I met DS for one final charge down the front face to the village.  We started at the Jock at 12:30 and were down in less than 10 minutes.  The final section was in the best condition I can remember - no moguls, no punters, just softening spring snow.  Just DS and me and a need for speed!  A great last run of the trip.

Express packing then a final brewski with DS at the station.

Trip home was uneventful.

Thanks DS for hosting yet another super trip.  Already looking forward to the next...

 

10:00 start on Jakobshorn riding the Palmer.  Would have been earlier if I'd cought the right bus.  The one I took haired-off in the wrong direction and left me with a fair walk back!

Sun was shining, but it was considerably colder than yesterday, which caught me out - I was underdressed and consequently cold all day.

The mountain desparately needs snow.  It was also covered in idiot punters, hurtling out of control in all directions.  They closed the half pipe at midday.  I was pathetic anyway so maybe they did me a favour!

Left Jakobshorn around 15:30 and headed over to Parsenn, in a desparate attempt to salvage something from the day.  Caught the last train to the top of the Jock.  Conditions were slightly better.  Other than the two key bottlenecks on the key run to the village this was the best run of the day.

Despite all this, it beats being at work!

9:30 start on Jakobshorn for the first time this season.  Bluebird day - just for a change.  Completely cloudless but not warm.  Pistes were slick.

Hooked-up with Patrick, H and Christina.  Spent the early morning ripping around on the Allian.  Then spent a couple of hours instructing H, who made great progress and bought me lunch for my trouble.  As H was taking it slowly, I took the opportunity to jib the hits and ride switch between handing out tips.  I didn't make it to the parc, but still had a decent day of it.  One of the side effects of passing-on tips to another rider is that it makes you reconsider your own style and technique.  So today was a bit of a school day.

After a late lunch, I returned to tearing around until after 4 o-clock.  Another full day of it, albeit slightly less full-on than the previous two.  Treated myself to a new slimline mid-layer ('Burton AK' for kit wonks).

Quiet evening in prospect.

9:15 lift.  Bluebird sky.  Took to Parsenn with DS, Colin and Doug.

General rip around.  Lunch at the Hutte with Sholto and Louis.  Riding high spots were two runs off the back of the Gipfel and the final charge down the Jock at 16:00.

Another very full day.  Managed to keep going despite everything hurting.  Took a couple of snow-baths!  One while cutting the corner on the way to the Alto Schwendi, the other off piste on the way down the Schwarzseealp.  Felt more like day three than two.  Need to take it easy tomorrow.

Apres reebs at the Parsenn.  Toast!

Took the Allian to Parsenn for my last day on the hill.  Lucky me, the sun was out and the pistes were in excellent condition.

Saw DS briefly, looking after his Scouts, and spent the day charging around the many runs between the Weissfluhjock and the Hutte.  The board performed well and the whole morning went in a flash.  Did a little Boarder-X then took a quick pitstop at the Hohenweg.

Time for the final charge down the front face.  Tough dismount.  Conditions were testing.  However, it's tough to beat the feeling of what is likely to be the last run of the season; swooshing down the slushy moguls on the vilage Black run, on your own, with tunes and a big smile.

Cheers DS for hosting another terrific trip!

Home time...

Started the day riding the Palmer on Jakobshorn.  Was looking for a last blast in the pipe for this season but lucked-out.  The pipe was poop and I was riding like a pussy!  I stayed with it for a couple of hours, hoping the light would change, my knee would stop hurting and the destablising ridge between the tranny and the vert on the healside wall would suddenly disappear.  No such luck!  However, about this time last year I was being dragged from the hill unconscious... at least I didn't need the hospital today!

Moan, moan, moan; so I bailed out and headed over to Parsenn.  Took a few runs round the Hutte but couldn't find any riding form so I ditched with a dismount down the front face.

Need some zzz tonight.

Wanted another day in the pipe but the weather was a bust; cold and fog bound hills.

Took the Palmer to Parsenn and spent the day trying to dodge the clouds with little effect.  Lunched with DS and Michelle the tried the runs to Kloster with Partick, Sophia, H and Yellow Al but swapped fog for slush - not much of a trade.

Made up for the dodgy day with a posse supper at the Dishmar.

Rode the Palmer for the first time this trip.  Started on the trail to Klosters with Sophia.  Returned to cover Parsenn with H, Patrick and Nicol.  Boarder-X and general fast carving with a little instruction thrown in for good measure.

Met DS at the Hohenweg for pre dismount drinks.  Took the slushy mogul run to the villare for Fondue night.

Started out before ten riding the Allian on Parsenn.  Bluebird sky but cold.  Spent the morning alone with tunes.  Sessioned the Boarder-X for a couple of hours.  The track was in excellent condition, including the final jump.  Linking my runs with 180's and Ollies off any lip and hit I could find.  Stuck to the mountain like glue and had a real blast.

DS joined me early afternoon for more Boarder-X before a charge to Schifer.  The afternoon consisted of fast carving and beer!  We covered all the runs round the Weissfluhjock, including a little crunchy off-piste.  We too the last lift to enable a dismount down the front face.  Fast and sluchy and lost of fun.  All in all another good day on the hill.

Finished with a beer at the base, what else!?

Slightly later start, this time on Jakobshorn riding the Allian in warm bluebird conditions.

The parc posse consisted of DS, Sophia, H and me.  We made good use of the little kicker a ripped round the rest of the hill charging off piste-side lips and hits.  The fun refused to go out of the day.  It mainly consisted of simple riding and larking about, but sometimes that's all it takes.

We downloaded from the midstation and I refused to let the day end, taking four fun and fairly solid runs in a slushy Bolgun pipe.  My first pipe runs of this trip.  Big smile.

Too pleased with the day to feel tired.  Still, board off, brewskis on...

Started the day early in warm conditions with bluebird skys, beautiful!  Riding the Nidy, it was a day for fast carving on piste, but with attention to technique and style.

Spent the day riding with Sophia and H, and together we tore-up Parsenn and the surrounding area.  We covered almost all the marked terrain around the Hutte; down to Schifer and towards Klosters before setting-up a few sessions through the Boarder-X and a speed trial thrown-in for good luck.  Also added some rotations and switch for good measure, in what turned out to be a very technical day.

Clouds attempted to come in: binding straps broke and needed to be replaced.  Skis kept pinging-off and needed a mid session service.  However, nothing was going to darken the day.  We negotiated the kit issues and carried on.  Finishing with a lightning run through the slushy moguls back to the village.

A full-on 7.5 hour day, with very little in the way of pitstops.  Totalled!  Board off, ZZZ's on!!!

Started early, still on the Allian, on a cold and windswept Weissfluhjock.  Put in a few good runs, but weather was hideous; very high winds and flat light.  Was planning a run to Klosters but decided to abandon as the Shiferbhan closed due to high cross-winds, which means my only real way back would be by train.  Nevermind, another time!?

In a rare sunny moment, I took my chance to ride the front face of Parsenn all the way to Dorf for the first time this trip.  Quite a ride.  Wind-blown at the top, but much smoother than the normal mega-mogul-madness further down, so I had a good crack at it.

Snatched a Big Mac (trashy but effective) and made my way to Jakobshorn.  Same weather, but the pistes were less crowded and in better shape.  I made some promising runs with 180s a plenty, and managed to create a massive amount of pop from the tail of the Allian (probably because I am more used to the stiffer flex of the Palmer).  Whatever, the effect was some massive Ollies off the various rollers uner the Clavadeler Bubble.  Cannot explain why it has taken so long to perfect this simple trick but  I got it now!

Late afternoon the weather changed and the sun started to shine.  In good spirits I took to the parc.  Kept the jumps simple and smooth.  Halfpipe was fun.  Probably not quite as good as yesterday, but I still managed some more aggresive runs towards the end of my hour and a half session.

Rode off the Jakobshorn for the first time this trip, too.  Treated myself to a Cafe-Plaza and called time on this mountain for this trip.  Ciao Jakobshorn! 

Started late morning on Jakobshorn in bluebird conditions with bullet-proof parc, pipe and pistes!  Riding the Allian, I coasted around the hill until early afternoon, without stretching myself and without incident.  However, failed to generate any rhythm.  Took one cringeworthy run in the halfpipe on the hill, downloaded to Bolgun Plaza for lunch and had an equally pathetic run in the Bulgun pipe!

Feeling like I should have left town with George this morning, I took what I expected to be a last ditched run at the hill.  Unexpectedly, everything started to come together.  General riding was smoother, so I took to the parc.  The kicker starter well and continued in the same vien all afternoon.  The pipe was a slower start, very sketchy at first, but I refused to cave-in.  After a handful of runs I started to find a fair flow and more courage.  Eventually, I was brave enough to change my technique (acquired by watching the better riders) and start riding from edge to edge with each turn on the wall.  This proved to be the making of the day.  The pipe was icy but smooth enough not to put me off.  My speed down the pipe was slower but the pay-off was more control.  By the end of the session, I was just starting to get out of the pipe in the last couple or so turns of each run.

Just when you think it will never get any better, it does!  Difficult to say whether I've ever ridden better in the pipe, but this was certainly my best day in the pipe this trip, and feels as though I can take this somewhere in future.

Downloaded after the last parc lift.  Tired but very happy.

Started mid morning on Jakobshorn.  Bluebird day and warmer, but the pistes were bullet-proof!  Managed a few sketchy runs before George showed-up.  Made our way around the mountain, some runs better than others, but rather crowded and somewhat dangerous considering the state of the piste.  I aborted one over-cautious run through the pipe.  Otherwise nothing happened.  Heigh-ho, it'll have to be another time for the George-Michael snowboarding circus!

Bailed early to enable George to pack ahead of his journey home.  Consolation beers and pizza await... 

Always good to be snowboarding.  Not so good to be doing it in high winds with a chill factor of around minue fifteen!  Totally kills any enthusiasm to try anything fancy, let alone new stuff.

Started early on my own, riding the Jock for about an hour before George joined me at eleven.  Coasted down to Klosters in an attempt to hide from the wind.  Looking back this was fairly successful, and probably the best run of the day.

Returned to the Jock mid afternoon, lunching at the the Hohenweg before taking in a few more circuits.  The light improved, which facilitated a couple of very good runs down the left side of the front face.  Other than that, the day was long but a bit of a bust.  Snowboarding may be the source, but conditions like those experienced today reduce the fun somewhat.

Boards off, consolation beers on!  Hoping for better conditions tomorrow.

Started earlier on a grey morning.  Flat light, but around eleven o-clock it started to snow for the first time in ten days.  Spent the morning riding the Allian round Parsenn and down to Schifer, which was all a little sketchy at speed with so many bumps and bad viz.  However, an enjoyable morning.

Lunched with George and Dave at the Parsenn Hutte before going for a rip around with Dave, covering most of the same terrain as the morning.  The weather deteriorated, Dave headed down, I cut a few more trails on the front face then joined George for drinks at the mid-station.

Snow continued into the evening.  Looking for big Wednesday!  Stay tuned...

Started out earlier on a bluebird day with considerably fewer people.  Spent the morning riding the Jakobshorn park, doing fairly well over the jump and in the pipe on the Allian.  Apart from one skid-out on the steep, the board performed very well; fast and steady with plenty of grip in the turn.

Lunched at Bolgen Plaza with George before going on to ride the super-pipe, which was in good shape and quiet.  With everything going smoothly I upped the anti and started to ride a little fast and loose.  This paid dividends, going bigger with each run, until I made a bad decision at the top of the heelside wall, lost my gip and slammed, arse-first - aeooow!  Thank heavens for impact shorts.  I was able to carry on, albeit less aggressively.  Finished the days riding with a few pleasing runs before going off to shop with George.

Board off, beers on and Fondue! 

Too buzy!

Started early but the crowds were massive.  Busiest I've seen Davos. Punters everywhere.  Took an early run towards Schifer, picking up the bubble at the mid-station.  Second run started well, but the mid-station was so packed-out I made a bad choice and carried on to Schifer.  The bubble was empty but only because the ride down was among the worst possible.  Massive, bullet-proof moguls - miles of the swines.  Exhausted, I changed direction and rode the baorder-X and the hill above the Parsenn Hutta.  Bluebird day and fairly smooth piste conditions but totally crowded-out.

Bailed around two and headed to Bulgen to meet George.  Collected the Allian on the way.  They couldn't effect a full repair as the base is too thin!  However, the job they have done seems good.  Swapped bindings at Bulgen and took a couple of test runs.  Very slick  and stable.  Feels good.  Would have entered the pipe but a formal comp was in full swing so I caved-in and went for beer with George and Dave.

So so sort of day.  However, looking forwards to becoming reacquainted with the Allian.  Should be quieter tomorrow.  Stay tuned...

Late start on a sunny Parsenn.  Charged a few runs on the front face, switched to the back and reached midway to Schifer.  Lunched with George at the mid-station before heading over to ride the Bulgen pipe.  Conditions were running to slush so I caved-in early.  Might have been a light day riding but I had fun doing what I did.

Beers with Dave and George before heading off via the shops on the main street.

The Ettinger boyz did their stuff with the Palmer, handing it back in superb condition.  I swaped it for the Allian.  Interesting to see if they are able to effect a reliable repair to this trashy stick!

Spent a good morning riding a fog-bound front face of Parsenn.  Timidly at first before building to a couple of rapid runs when the light lifted just before lunch.

Lunched with George half way uo the hill, before going on to ride the back of the mountain towards Parsenn Hutta, taking a cheeky through the boarder-X, which seems better arranged this season.

Exhausting but very enjoyable first full day.

Board off, beers on!

The news is there's only good news!

BA called-off the strike, the airport was empty, as was the flight - shame about the carbon footprint.

Hooked-up with Dave and George.

Put the Palmer in for a service and took the Allian up the hill.  Bit sketchy!  Decided to draw the line after a shakey run through a bullet-proof pipe.  I haven't been on this board for 4 years; it desperately needs a service and feels very small!

No excuses realy, I'll get the Allian serviced tomorrow and go harder.  It was great to be back on the hill, in the late afternoon sun.

Board off, beer and pizza on!

Stay tuned...

Dave and I rode Parsenn in relatively good snow conditions but flat light.  We made a speedy trip to Klosters before taking-in a couple of mountain pit-stops.

I made one fast and edgy pass of through Boarder-X trail before heading-up for a last mountain brew this trip.

Dave and I finished in style, climbing over the barriers outside the top station bar to access the left-hand slope on the front face; to the interest of casual on-lookers.  The slushy moguls in the lower sections made the final dismount a fair challenge.  However, it's always good to ride-it-out on the last day.

Quick turn around and off to the station.  Final beer and Ciao Dave.  Thanks for hosting another great trip.

Long but uneventful journey home.

Stay tuned for future trips...

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!

No sleep since Hammersmith.  Too tired for anything.  Why did I go riding!?

Collected the board.  Kids had done another top job.

Chose to ride Parsenn.  Total white-out.  It snowed last night.  The mountain had about a foot of fresh powder.  However, the hill was now hidden in a dense cloud.  Outcome: lovely snow under board but couldn't see scheisse!  Tried waiting it out at the top.  No good.  Weather refused to shift.  Spend a couple of hours riding the freshies along the fringes of the front face of Parsenn.  Challenging conditions.  Riding well below par.  Quit earl