TR: Zermatt 11-26-06

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11-28-2006, 04:14 AM
geo039

TR: Zermatt 11-26-06

A week after missing out on some fresh in Zermatt last weekend I decided (with a little help from a friend) that I was going skiing even if it was horrible. I was watching the weather to see what would be worth checking out and with marginal options (Verbier, G3000, Tignes, Saas Fe) I decided that Zermatt had the most terrain and looked to be the best option on the weather front.

I left early Saturday morning to get my ass up on the glacier by mid morning. On my drive the dreaded Foehn was in full effect. In Geneva it was 6c when I left and in Sion it was 22c with a 50km wind. (I think this wind skunked Ripz and Al at G3000 on Saturday). The wind didn't deter and I got up to Zermatt by late morning....but just like at G3000 the wind shutdown everything, so I just chilled with Jo (non-maggette) and ate some raclette, drank beers, and enjoyed a nice warm day in the village.

The next AM I awoke to this:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r.../HotelView.jpg

Everything looked to be shaping up for a good day. Jo and I were in line for the gondola at 8 and caught the 2nd box up to the glacier. Once we were on top the weather was just starting to become the blue bird day you dream about. A few runs down the piste and then we headed over to Fuggsattel. Off each side there was some untouched wind blown that looked fun, so after a few tourist pics we gave it a run.

This place is just sick!
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r.../RidicPicG.jpg

Jo rockin the windblown:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...039/JSlope.jpg

Coming back after a few turns in the somewhat "soft" deposits:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...9/GPicSki1.jpg

This is where the goods were on Sunday:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r.../RidgeView.jpg

The snow ended up being really good considering how windy and boney it has been.

Here is a little vid giving some perspective on the conditions. My first "real" turns of 06/07 (and in Europe for that matter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po9M1mxOz9I

After a little cheese and bread on the Plateau Rosa we noticed that the tram was open into Cervinia, so we asked around and found that the trail was closed (but that meant open I guess) but you could ski down into Italy...so we did. The conditions were pretty good and groomed out all the way to the station....but with a view like this who cares :D

Jo:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...039/JItlay.jpg

By the end of the day I looked back and thought...this was unbelievable for November 26th. If my ass was still on the EC I would be skiing K-mart with a 1000m gapers on two trails! I just got to ski, see, and do things that I have only seen on postcard.....this day was "Top 10".

Thanks Jo for the motivation and drive to get my ass out of Geneva and go to Z. :yourock: Hopefully there are many more of these to come this season.
11-28-2006, 04:21 AM
Clambake

NICE! That last picture is great. Were you tempted to have a crack at Spiegelwand off the Klein Matterhorn this time?
11-28-2006, 04:25 AM
klar

cool stoke! thanks for sharing. nice that you are enjoying euroland despite the summer in winter thing we have going on. we should all not bitch so much about the weather and make the best of what we have.
11-28-2006, 04:25 AM
Hayduke

Nice TR geo. Zermatt rules.

If you're that stoked about shitty conditions, you'll be climbing the walls when the pow finally arrives. It's only going to get better.
11-28-2006, 04:50 AM
majortom

Nice work man, way to get some
11-28-2006, 05:04 AM
gamma

alps

it rocks.. they place will make u such a better skier..
11-28-2006, 05:11 AM
Mrs Roo

Nice one, Geo. 1 month on and it all looks so different!

Did you meet any drunks or crazy, scary guys?
11-28-2006, 05:30 AM
ulty_guy

cool stuff, nice little vid too. yeah, such a gorgeous place. i've opened up my last 3 season with a little weekend shot like that, great way to start off!
11-28-2006, 06:28 AM
geo039

Clam,
I was thinking about it, but with the windblown I wasn't sure of the the pack. I noticed some holes in the middle last time that were visible but now have been covered up...not to stoked to get caught in one this early in the season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clambake

NICE! That last picture is great. Were you tempted to have a crack at Spiegelwand off the Klein Matterhorn this time?

Mrs,
No crazy folk this time...just a blast...looking forward to making some turns with you guys soon.

As for the rest...thanks for the props. :yourock: It keeps my early season stoke alive. This weekend was really a recharge from the drain of 60+hr weeks.
11-28-2006, 06:28 AM
verbier61

nice!!! verb was not as good
11-28-2006, 06:58 AM
Tectonically_Neglected

Will you be in Zermatt for the season?

I'll definately be around in feb. Might want to check out Garten after a dump also (if I make it past Verb, that is).

How was the glacier looking below Furgsattel? Any crevasses to be seen? And above Speigelwand or is that no-mans land nowadays.
11-28-2006, 07:13 AM
Ripzalot

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo039

Jo:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...039/JItlay.jpg

that's a great run to have all to yourself. run it wide open at mach 5...:eek:

nice stokage, geo!
11-28-2006, 07:59 AM
3snowboards

Very very nice.
11-28-2006, 09:07 AM
geo039

Tect,
I live in Geneva now, so may be over there a little this year. I am going to really follow the snow. It is my first year out here, so I am going to see as much as possible. I plan on skiing G3 with Ripz and Al when I can...they have the inside line on the goods:D

As for the Glacier....I have no real reference but the locals have said it was pretty damaged and high line compared to last year. Below Furgsattel there was a few crevasses, but nothing to bad...I skied that side too.

If you are over here PM me and maybe we can make some turns.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tectonically_Neglected

Will you be in Zermatt for the season?

I'll definately be around in feb. Might want to check out Garten after a dump also (if I make it past Verb, that is).

How was the glacier looking below Furgsattel? Any crevasses to be seen? And above Speigelwand or is that no-mans land nowadays.
11-28-2006, 09:37 AM
Tectonically_Neglected

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo039

Tect,
I live in Geneva now, so may be over there a little this year. I am going to really follow the snow. It is my first year out here, so I am going to see as much as possible. I plan on skiing G3 with Ripz and Al when I can...they have the inside line on the goods:D

As for the Glacier....I have no real reference but the locals have said it was pretty damaged and high line compared to last year. Below Furgsattel there was a few crevasses, but nothing to bad...I skied that side too.

If you are over here PM me and maybe we can make some turns.

Cool. I hope to meet up with the €-lads, Ripz and Teleal also. Who knows, maybe there's a mini in there somewhere?
11-28-2006, 09:47 AM
IridePow

I love Zermatt!!!
11-28-2006, 12:32 PM
p@wder

cool, looks better than I thought it would. Im itchin' to get my first turns in but want a good first ever day skiing in CH- looks like you had a great time despite the lack of white stuff lower down.

looking forward to meeting some of you guys when winter arrives.

PS: Anyone know how long it tajes to go from Lausanne to Zermatt by public transport?
11-28-2006, 12:40 PM
hutash

Seek and ye shall find...way to find the goods, nice TR.
11-28-2006, 12:49 PM
hemas

P@wder, between 3 and 4 hours or so, check SBB.CH :fm:
11-28-2006, 12:52 PM
Tectonically_Neglected

Quote:

Originally Posted by p@wder

cool, looks better than I thought it would. Im itchin' to get my first turns in but want a good first ever day skiing in CH- looks like you had a great time despite the lack of white stuff lower down.

looking forward to meeting some of you guys when winter arrives.

PS: Anyone know how long it tajes to go from Lausanne to Zermatt by public transport?

It's train all the way with a stop over down in the Rhone valley and/ or a stop over in Täsch. Either way, it's dead simple.
11-28-2006, 01:10 PM
Ireallyliketoski2

Great pictures, that's the one place in Europe I've skied. Although it was only October, we had fresh snow, the place was empty, and it was on our honeymoon. Zermatt -> Florence -> Levanto -> Antibes -> Paris, it makes me happy to think back to that trip. :D
11-29-2006, 05:47 AM
geo039

Drop me a me if you are interested in making some turns.....keep dancing the winter will come:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by p@wder

cool, looks better than I thought it would. Im itchin' to get my first turns in but want a good first ever day skiing in CH- looks like you had a great time despite the lack of white stuff lower down.

looking forward to meeting some of you guys when winter arrives.

PS: Anyone know how long it tajes to go from Lausanne to Zermatt by public transport?
11-29-2006, 06:19 AM
Schnappi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tectonically_Neglected

...

How was the glacier looking below Furgsattel? Any crevasses to be seen? And above Speigelwand or is that no-mans land nowadays.

At the end of August, the glaciers looked a bit better than the previous year. Particularly up high. The climbers left of Furgsattel in the pictures looks good relative to the same time last year as well, but it probably still requires some care in the middle.

Of course, it's not just crevasses that will get you there.
11-29-2006, 12:24 PM
geo039

LTT,
K-mart= Killington, VT. As for becoming a snow snob I think that may be tough. I have endured 20+ seasons in the EC....all off them great in there own little way.....so anytime I am out there sliding around it is cool. I know the snow will come, but I will still be out there on the coldest, harpack of days having fun! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostinthetrees

last pic says it all. elbow room and stunning views.
u certainly will become a snow-snob after ur 1st season over here. :D

btw. K-mart?
11-29-2006, 01:37 PM
FrankZappa

I just dig bein' able to skip around the globe to see and hear about the good times and skiin' 'round this place. Thanks geo - keep us up to date from over yonder side.
11-29-2006, 02:20 PM
The Dad

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo039

This place is just sick!
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r.../RidicPicG.jpg

Suggested caption: TOP O' THE WORLD, MA! TOP O' THE WORLD!

Beautiful shots.