Alpine Ski Training and consolodation

Avalanche forecasting above Arolla

Before I could even blink the next BMG training course was here. It was the Ski touring training based from Arolla in Switzerland so I managed to get a couple of days skiing to acclimatise before the course commenced. The week was brilliant and headed up by 3 brilliant guides Graham, Jon and Ric. It was a very chilled atmosphere and I learnt a great deal about ski guiding and it is definitely something I look forward to doing more of. We split the week into two...a 3 day hut to hut tour then and 2 day hut tour looking at all aspects of ski guiding and dealing with issues that we will come across when we guide.

Sunshine and snow....must be the Alps

Skinning up towards the hut...can you see it?

Jon Bracey teaching crevasse rescue

Spot the flying pole

Nice morning

After the ski course we were asked to carry on skiing to consolidate what we have learnt. I Skied in Austria for a week before heading to Chamonix to link in a bit of climbing and skiing. Lou and I climbed the North Face of Les Droites which was cool, my second time up that face. We then did a few days skiing and valley cragging getting to know some of the local areas for the coming seasons.

Lou leading on Leguard Direct on Les Droites

My office one day..

Lou showing me how to look cool

Taking layers off after some whiteout skiing

Great day on the Valley Blanche

Im back in the UK now and will be here for two months before heading back out to the alps for the summer Alpine training...it is going so fast! I think I can just about keep up! Feel free to get in touch if you fancy some climbing in Scotland over the next couple of months.