From March 23 to 25, 2012, the BigLePowSki event series took place for the first time in Chamonix (France). No other ski resort in the Alps can match the off-piste possibilities of the five resorts in the Chamonix Valley, so it seemed only a matter of time before the Dude made an appearance here too. With sunshine and good snow conditions, the participants were able to explore the off-piste terrain of Les Grands Montets on Saturday and Brévent / Flégère on Sunday with the local guides. The BigLePowSki is organized by Black Diamond, Arc?teryx, Diamir, Freeride Maps, Pieps and Polartec.
Come together with French cheese and wine
On Friday evening, the participants met for a get-together at the valley station of what is probably the most impressive cable car construction in the Alps: the Aiguille du Midi gondola. The participants were able to get to know the local mountain guides and athletes from Black Diamond and Arc'teryx over sumptuous local fare. The organizers had engaged some celebrities from the freeride and steep face skiing scene: Rémy Lecluse,Ptor Spricenieks, Isabelle Santoire, Forrest Coots were just some of those present. In a relaxed atmosphere, we chatted about the weekend over cheese and wine and talked about the great adventures around the world and especially in Chamonix. For the participants, it was worth attending just for the opportunity to get to know the greats of freeride sports and on top of that there was a goodie bag with some useful freeride paraphernalia: caps from Black Diamond, goggle bags from Arc'teryx, La Grave maps from Freeride Maps, headbands from Diamir and a pair of fleece underpants from Polartec for the really cold days.
Best mountain weather and lots of freeride potential
The extra warm underwear wasn't needed on this sunny weekend, however. Double-digit temperatures were forecast in the valley, but the off-piste conditions on the mountains were still good to very good. Nowhere else can you switch more quickly between cool valley beer in the sun and extreme mountain experiences than in Chamonix. To give participants an overview of the valley's huge freeride potential, the organizers decided to set up the event village in two different areas. On Saturday, the participants met on the glaciated, south-eastern side of the valley in Les Grands Montets, while on Sunday, things got down to business on the north-western side in the Aiguilles Rouges area (Brévent/Flégère). This meant impressive descents to the Argentière glacier on the first day and tours with an impressive panorama directly opposite the highest mountain in the Alps - Mont Blanc - on the second day.
Saturday morning, at the valley station of Les Grands Montets, the latecomers were able to secure the last places. The courses run by Isabelle Santoire (Freeride Girls only) and Rémy Lecluse (Steepskiing) were particularly popular. The latter workshop in particular was eagerly awaited in the BigLePowSki camp, as Rémy Lecluse is a living legend of extreme skiing who has probably skied every couloir in the Chamonix area, no matter how remote. Expectations were not disappointed and the traverse to the first couloir proved to be a challenge. 'I have to see your skills for myself first,' said Rémy before disappearing behind another boulder on the exposed ridge below the mountain station of Les Grands Montets. With a great deal of patience and enjoyment, he explained all the important elements of extreme skiing: from correct and safe traversing, to putting on and taking off skis in steep terrain, to steep face skiing technique and first aid on the mountain.
Evening program in the center of Chamonix
In the evening, we met at the legendary Cafe La Terrasse in the center of Chamonix. The program included a classic-style slide show in keeping with the old interior of the café. With his slide projector, globetrotter and La Grave local for ten years Ptor Spricenieks talked about his life as a skier. He showed and reported on very interesting pictures from his time in Whistler (end of the eighties), his expeditions (Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, etc.) and his first ascents of steep faces in British Columbia (Canada). Afterwards, the big BigLePowSki raffle took place again and big prizes were up for grabs: Avalanche transceivers from Pieps, freeride bindings from Diamir and the legendary and, as always, highly coveted BigLePow skis in the limited BigLePowSki design, as well as hats from PowderGuide. You can also win the same pair of skis at PG.com (see below).
Wrapping up on Sunday with a welcome from Norway
The prospects for Sunday were just as good and the participants and guides gathered at the top station of the Flégère gondola in the morning to prepare for the various workshops. The Brévent/Flégère area is characterized by its great touring potential and so the workshop groups (Freeride, Backcountry Tour, Steepskiing, Girls only) set off with lift support to search for the last remnants of fresh powder snow in the shady north flanks and narrow gullies. The event came to an end around midday with French food, sunshine and a good atmosphere. Another successful BigLePowSki event and we are looking forward to a repeat in the Mecca of steep faces, Chamonix. But for now, the Dude says 'Velkommen til Sogndal'!
All pictures in the gallery
The complete tour dates of the BigLePowSki Happening 2012
After Engelberg (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France), the Dude will once again pitch his tents in Scandinavia: In mid-April, from the 13th to the 15th, in Sogndal (NOR) and thus for the first time in the far north! A great program of workshops and parties can also be expected at this event.
Win the limited edition BigLePow ski exclusively at PG.com
To take part, all you have to do is answer the question "In which country is a BigLePowSki event taking place for the first time this year?". Closing date: 15.04.2012, midnight. If you have found the correct answer, write us your answer via forum message (PN) or email. Please include your address. Here is the link to the competition in the PG forum...
For your information: No storage of your data! Addresses and names of the winners will only be passed on to Black Diamond for shipping purposes.
