Courmayeur

Anyone dreaming of a descent over 2,000 m (almost) without an ascent will find what they are looking for on the Toula glacier in Courmayeur. Today, the new and modern gondola lift transports downhill-hungry freeriders to the 3,400 m high Punta Helbronner in no time. Although you will notice the thin air and the quick ascent, this is quickly forgotten at the sight of the imposing, glaciated high mountain landscape. There are a number of options for descending into the valley, either to the south, back to Courmayeur, or to the other side of the Mont Blanc massif to Chamonix. We opted for the "standard option", via the Toula glacier to Courmayeur.

During this spot check, we painfully learned what Mark Twain once said: forecasts are difficult, especially when they concern the future. Various platforms were virtually overflowing with predictions for an imminent dump in the Western Alps. Well then, bag and baggage in the van and off we go.

The fact that Courmayeur has a lot to offer freeriders has become increasingly well known in the north of the Alps in recent years (it took long enough). However, Rudy Buccella's guide, which was published in 2012, is relatively unknown. Reason enough to present it in a PowderGuide review.

The Click on the Mountain photo contest took place for the seventh time in mid-March 2015 on the south side of Mont Blanc in Courmayuer, Italy. Difficult conditions characterized this year's edition of the competition. However, the teams did not let this slow them down and delivered strong photo books at the end of the three days of the contest.

Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) for the skiers and Sammy Luebke for the snowboarders (USA) are the winners of the first stop of the Freeride World Tour in Courmayeur Mont Blanc (ITA). Creative line choice impresses the skiers, control and style the snowboarders. At Cresta Youla, skiers Josh Daiek (USA) and Jérémie Heitz (SUI) and snowboarders Sascha Hamm (GBR) and Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) took second and third place.

At the moment, the Freeride World Tour is going full steam ahead: the third tour stop in Chamonix is expected to take place on Saturday (26.1.2013). The second stop of the Freeride World Tour 2013 in Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc was also a complete success. Now it's off to the shady side of the highest mountain in the Alps - to Chamonix. However, the competition will most likely be held again in the Brevent/Flegere ski resort at the Pentes de l'Hotel.

South Tyrolean Markus Eder and La Grave local Aurelién Routens win the second stop of the Freeride World in Courmayeur. The other skiers on the podium were Revelstoke winner Jérémie Heitz (Switzerland) and Swede Reine Barkered. Among the snowboarders, John Rodosky (USA) and Emilien Badoux (Switzerland) won the places.