MDO Blog

'Off You Go!'

2008-03-17T22:26:51.906+00:00

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...?!

'Job Done!'

2008-03-16T16:44:50.828+00:00

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.

'Fun In The Sun!'

2008-03-15T18:04:08.093+00:00

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

'Tom Elias Airforce Trains New Cadet!'

2008-03-14T16:45:12.937+00:00

Davos Daily Details:

Timetable - 9:30 to 4:35
Area(s) - Jakobshorn
Equipment - Palmer
Weather - Warm
Visibility - In and out
Snow conditions - Freshly cut pipe, good piste
Company - Tom
Fun factor - Stoked

I met Tom for a day-long lesson in the Jakobshorn half pipe. The warm up ride around was in the fog! However, we were able to get into the pipe and Tom went straight to work on my technique. Things to correct: entry from the highest point on the coping, jump start with nose down the wall, hip back and centre stance, pump the wall, let the board run flat on the vert, and just let go!

We stayed at it all day, taking just a few breaks for liquids and lunch, all at the Jatz Hut. The gloom lifted midday and the light improved enough to allow full practice of the new technique. By the end of the day I was running good. I was riding into the pipe from the highest point and pressing the nose on to the vert for the first transfer. I had the hip back and the weight centred, running up the wall to the coping and letting the board run flat on the vert. Toe side turns tended to be a little smoother but I was reaching the coping on both side consistently with every turn. In the last four runs of the day I started to get a little pump on the wall. There was some tail air here and there and I managed a couple of half flights.

The only thing I didn't do was fully let go. I need to sleep on Tom's instructions and to build on these tomorrow, with a view to getting fully out, soon.

We rode down to meet DS at Bulgun and caught the last lift for a run in a slushy Bolgun pipe. Boards off, beers on. Thanks Tom for a top day out.

'Rip Snorter!'

2008-03-13T18:18:53.75+00:00

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)

'There's No F In Arse!'

2008-03-12T15:36:18.984+00:00

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.

'Powder Hound Posse!'

2008-03-11T16:55:18.703+00:00

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!

'Massive Arse!'

2008-03-10T15:46:05.625+00:00

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!

'Surf Sunday!'

2008-03-09T18:17:59.546+00:00

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.

'White Out!'

2008-03-08T18:21:35.546+00:00

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...