the free snowsports magazine from natives.co.

uk
Interview with Xavier and Victor de la Rue
Getting the right boots
Red Bull Art of Flight
Freeskiing comes of age
Our chosen religions, bananas and
gimmicks leave us feeling hollow in a
way a MANS BOARD never would.
Bode Merrill
,1752'8&,1*7+(
0$16%2$5'
Bode Merrill & Taka Nakai
BREWED WITH TRADITION AND COMMON SENSE
Taka Nakai
www.salomonsnowboards.com
photos: oli gagnon


Our chosen religions, bananas and
gimmicks leave us feeling hollow in a
way a MANS BOARD never would.
Bode Merrill
,1752'8&,1*7+(
0$16%2$5'
Bode Merrill & Taka Nakai
BREWED WITH TRADITION AND COMMON SENSE
Taka Nakai
www.salomonsnowboards.com
photos: oli gagnon


www.reride.co.uk
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Trade-in your old board
for a great deal on a new one.
W
hen ordering enter the early bird
discount code to get
discount
code:
expires 31 Oct 11
tribe12
1
0
%
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...OH YEAH & I ALSO EARNED
MY SNOWSPORT INSTRUCTOR
QUALIFICATION!
YOULL HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT
AFTER A COURSE WITH PEAK LEADERS
- REMEMBER WHAT YOU WENT FOR!
tribe talk 8
british ski and snowboard championships 12
freeskiing comes of age 18
the importance of correct boot ftting 22
gear guide 24
red bull art of fight 30
interview with xavier and victor de la rue 36
avalanche safety 42
how to bum a ski season 47
snowpark etiquette 50
Published by Natives.co.uk
London Road, Sayers Common,
West Sussex, BN6 9HS
Email: [email protected]
editorial
contributors
Katie MacKinnon
Wendy Hollands
Chris Fecher
Adam Rowden
Sarah Furbank
Jo Wigley
Alex Kurkjian
Euan Cormack
photographic
contributors
Ross Woodhall
Ola Matsson
Zack Wragg
Dan Milner
Vanessa Sharples
cover
Photo by Dan Milner, courtesy of
ONeill (www.oneill.com)
design
Marcus Sheen, Uckfield Press
print
Uckfield Press
(www.uckfieldpress.co.uk)
20,000 copies of Tribe are distributed
in the UK and the Alps. For all our
distribution points, visit
www.natives.co.uk/tribe.
Printed on recycled paper. Why not
recycle this magazine as well by
passing it on to someone else when
you've finished with it, or by leaving
it in the doctor or dentist's waiting
room?
While all reasonable care is taken to ensure the
accuracy of information included in Tribe, the
publishers take no responsibility for accuracy
of statements made by contributors or
advertisers. Tribe accepts no responsibility for
loss or damage of unsolicited material being
supplied. All rights reserved.
contents
As I write this, the summer sun has turned its back on us, the ski
shows are around the corner and winter is definitely on its way. I feel
a little butterfly in my stomach; a sense of anticipation for what the
winter season will hold this year. Im eager for those first flakes to start
falling.
My mind keeps wander to the mountains. Daydreaming of perfect
steep slopes and wide, open powder fields. All too soon, Im snapped
back to the harsh reality that we all have to wait before we head off on
our pilgrimage to the snow.
In a very short time, well all be on the snow again, feeling that familiar
crunch of snow under our feet as you push off for the first time. Well
be revelling on the slopes and in the bars, enjoying the whimsical
nature of our shared passion. Until that time comes, and it cant come
soon enough for me, Tribe is here to give you your first hit of winter, to
get you ready for your season. Enjoy!
The Natives Team
welcome 5
Ragnar Jensen (flickr.com/photos/ragnar1984)
6 tribe gallery
Photo: Zack Wragg. Skier: Andy Collin
This is what happens when you
team the resources of Red Bull with
craziness and ambition of Simon
Dumont.
Widely acknowledged as a leader
in the world of freeskiing Dumont
conceived the Cubed Pipe concept
six years ago and, with Red Bulls
backing, it has finally become a
reality. The 22foot tall, 550-foot
long half-pipe was deconstructed into
10 individual cubes by Snow Park
Technologies and took over 720 hours
to assemble. With huge gaps the
Cubed Pipe encourages big airs and
tricks like Dumont is famous for, but
it leaves precious little room for error.
The Red Bull Cubed Pipe raises the
freestyle bar yet again in exciting,
experimental times. Dumont cites his
motivation as, pushing the sport,
the question is what will he think of
next?
Watch a teaser here to experience the
madness: http://goo.gl/mTl4m
red bull cubed pipe
raises the bar
free ski
project proves
a success
A few years ago a group of four
freestylers shunned their national
team and instead formed their own
team, the general opinion was that
theyd gone mad.
Unimpressed with the attitude of
the French Government towards
the half pipe, Xavier Bertoni, Kevin
Rolland, Ben Valentin and Thomas
Krief set up the Free Ski Project.
People scoffed as these four set
about paying for their own trainers
and cameraman.
However, the gamble has paid off
and, under the coaching of Greg
Geunet, the four freestylers are
dominating the half-pipe.
Kevin Rolland asserts that theres
no rivalry between them, we ski
together all year. We are really good
friends so we dont try to see who
is best, we just enjoy skiing and
pushing each other.
With Xavier and Kevin cultivating a
huge following of fans through their
comic adventures on followus.tv
and an impressive roster of medals,
including the winning the Crystal
Globe consecutively for three years
and winning a phenomenal eight X
games medals in two years, these
boys are proving the Free Ski Project
a resounding success.
B
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8 tribe talk
2011
ski
and
snow
board
shows
October is the month
for ski and snowboard
shows and this years
crop are shaping up
well, here we look
at whats on offer in
2011:
tribe talk 9
scotland's ski, snowboard
and xtreme show
5th 16th October at the
Glasgow SECC
At Glasgow the international
professionals battle it out, pulling
sick freestyle stunts to land the title
of Scotlands freestyle champion.
Throw in cold beer from the log
cabin aprs ski, live music and all
the resources you need to research
and book your winter break and/
or purchase all of your ski and
snowboarding equipment from the
best retailers around - all at exclusive
show prices.
More info at: scotlandsskishow.co.uk
relentless freeze festival
28th - 29th October at Battersea
Power Station, London
Billing itself as the UKs only snow, ski
and music festival Freeze returns to
the iconic Battersea Power Station for
2011 to bring you the ultimate Apres
Ski Party.
The world best athletes across skiing
and snowboarding compete on the
specially constructed 32 metre high
jump complete with 500 tonnes of
real snow challenges the worlds
best athletes across skiing and
snowboarding, with an international
freestyle ski competition on the Friday
and the Snowboard FIS world cup on
the Saturday.
After the skiing comes the music and
if this wasnt enough check out the
retail village for kit, food and drink.
2011 Artists include The Streets,
Groove Armada present Red Light,
Zane Lowe, Rizzle Kicks and many
more.
the british ski and board
show
28th 30th October at the
Birmingham NEC
Hop over to Birmingham for a show
full of action, celebrities, world
class Big Air demos, music, skiing,
snowboarding and ice climbing events.
The show covers everything from the
latest trends, resorts news and expert
advice on everything from travelling,
careers and fitness, to driving in
the snow and staying safe off-piste.
Its also packed with130 snowsport
specialists alongside workshops and
seminars hosted by celebrity guests
and industry experts. Everything you
need in one place to save time and
money on your next winter sports
adventure.
Info at: britishskiandboardshow.co.uk
ski and snowboard show
19th 23rd October at
Earls Court, London
All the ski industry's top offerings
from the newest ski and snowboard
gear to the best holiday deals for the
coming season.
As well as that, catch the top skiers
and boarders showing off their talent
in the big air competitions and see
the latest ski fashions being paraded
up and down the catwalks at the
exclusive fashion shows.
Feeling brave? You can also show off
your freestyle skills and get judged by
professionals on the Hip Kicker.
More info at: metrosnow.co.uk

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Fancy skiing or boarding in the
Netherlands? It could eventually
be a reality if the idea proposed
by Dutch journalist and former
professional cyclist Thijs Zonneveld
finds solid financial backing.
In his newspaper column Zonneveld
writes Flat is ideal for growing
beetroot, raising cows or building
straight roads, but its a catastrophe
from a sports point-of-view.
I want a mountain, a real one.
This audacious remark by has
gathered serious consideration from
architects, engineers, construction
firms and investors. The ambitious
idea to help the Netherlands
become a winter sports super power
have prompted Dutch architecture
practice Hoffers and Kruger to draw
up plans for a man-made mountain
in their notoriously flat country and
teams have begun to assess the
feasibility of the project.
The proposed plans could cost
anywhere between 40 billion and
270 billilon to build and could hide
swimming pools, cinemas, sports
facilities and its own water supply.
Its an outlandish idea but
Zonneveld insists that it could
become a reality: All kinds of big
companies have now stepped in,
various municipalities and investors
are interested. Sport is perhaps the
main reason why there is so much
attention for this mountain. Because
sport captures the imagination.
winter sports in holland?!
ski resort
sells for
$1.4m
Ever fancied having your own ski
resort?
An auction was held at the bottom
of the slopes and the small resort
of Powderhorn in the USA was
sold for $1.4 million.
Powderhorn, near Grand Junction
Colorado, attracts about 75,000
skiers and boarders each year
and has 1,600 acres of skiable
land.
pyeongchang,
south korea
named to host
2018 winter
olympics
Pyeongchang has been announced
as the host of the 2018 Winter
Olympics with a resounding 63 out
of 95 votes.
In a landslide victory South Korea
beat the bids of Annecy in France,
which received seven votes, and
Munich in Germany, which secured
twenty five votes. The International
Olympic Committee named South
Korea the victor after only one round
of voting.
This is South Koreas third attempt
at securing the Winter Olympics
and the countrys excitement
was palpable during the ensuing
celebrations. The Pyeonchang bid
chief, Cho Yang ho summed up
the atmosphere, this is one of
the happiest days for our country,
our people and millions of youth
dreaming of winter sport we have
been waiting a long time for this.
South Koreas slogan for the 2018
games is New Horizons. As 2018
will be only the third time the Winter
Olympics have been held in Asia,
with both previously games held
in Japan. South Korea has a solid
winter sports record winning six
gold medals in Vancouver in 2010.
10 tribe talk
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12 tribe feature
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tribe feature 13






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Now in its 22nd year, it was another
epic festival where the talent just kept
coming - thick, fast and younger than
last year! With 2 half pipes, 4 snow
parks and a half-melted boardercross
track entertaining riders in the day, the
nights were spent bouncing along to
Pendulums DJ set, toe-tapping to The
Correspondents, as well as watching
the movie premiere of the snowmantic
comedy, Chalet Girl.
The week kicked off with the
Snowboardcross and, despite the
seasons lack of white stuff, the course
shapers worked their magic scraping
together a track. However, due to the
conditions, organisers decided to
change from the original format of four
man heats to the standard fall-back
plan the riders raced individually.
Each rider had two runs with their best
time being used towards their attempt
to podium in both their age category
and the title of overall champion.
Taking gold for the girls was 13 year-
old Maisie Potter from Wales who flew
down in 76.12 seconds. And, taking his
second gold in three years, 30 year-old
James Foster from Sussex landed a
time of 69.79 seconds.
On the other side of the resort, the
half pipe was seeing some action in
the Freeski Half Pipe event. Perfect
bluebird conditions were teamed
with loud music pumping the crowd
and competitors with adrenaline. The
Halfpipe was perfectly shaped and in
mint condition so anticipation was high
and the crowd were eager for action.
The girls were first up dropping two
runs with the best score counting.
And what a performance they put
in. But it was seasoned competitor
Emma Lonsdale who grabbed gold
with her big, stylish switch 3s. Beanie
Milnehome took silver and Katie
Summerhayes took bronze.
The boys finished the day with gold
going to James Machon for his
seriously huge back to back 9s.
Murray Buchan was close behind
in second place and, fresh from his
victory at the European X-Games,
James Woods took third place.
Wednesday was another sun-drenched
day of the eagerly anticipated
Slopestyle event. The course was big
and fierce - three kicker lines all with
6 and 10 metre kickers and the large
kickers from top to bottom measured
19 metres! The Winter X Gamers stole
the show with James Woods and Katie
Summerhayes taking home gold. Young
gun, 14 year old Tyler Jay Harding, who
was commended for his performance
earlier in the day on the Half Pipe,
took silver and Julian Ball pocketed
bronze. The womens silver went to
Servanne Herant and bronze to Molly
Summerhayes.
In the Giro Big Air snowboarding event
the girls took it to the next level and
showed how much the womens side of
the sport is progressing with spins off
the large kicker as well as some styley
tweaked out straight airs. Newcomer
India Stephenson took gold in style
while last years champ Katie Blundell
picked up silver and Becky Menday
took bronze. In the mens event, Billy
Morgan bagged gold with the trick of
the day, a double-corked backside 10
as well as a cab 10 earning him 76
points.
Thursday saw more tropical weather as
the Boarders Half Pipe took place. The
pipe to slushed-up as the day went on
but that didnt stop world class runs
being thrown down with huge methods,
Mctwists and Haakon flips. Ultimately,
it was The BRITS veterans Kate Foster
and Ben Kilner who landed themselves
gold. Kilner said, I absolutely love
competing here, the Olympics have
been a great comp for my career
but here its just great for British
snowboarding.
As the day the effect the weather had
on the snow meant that the BRITS
organisers were forced to close the
Skiercross after the qualifiers. The
site team made a Herculean effort to
maintain the course but it was deemed
unsafe to continue. Therefore, the finals
were selected based on the one timed
run. Peter Whelan took gold with a
speedy 46.13 second run and Emily
Sarsfield seized her victory with a time
of 49.49 seconds.
Friday, or should we say fry-day,
marked the final day of events and
the sunburnt crowds topped up their
panda-eyes one last time. The Freeski
Giro Big Air was not to be missed as
two 12 year-olds, Chris McCormick
and Cal Sandieson, alongside Tyler Jay
Harding showed us the face of things
to come in the junior heats with 1260s
and corked 1080s!
But the medals went out to Katie
Summerhayes adding gold to her
collection for the third consecutive
tribe feature 15
year. Her huge switch 540 and even
bigger switch 900 off the big kicker
proved that shes up there in the
worlds elite.
In the mens, X-Games Champion
James Woods earned himself another
gold. Murray Buchan took his second
silver and Hector Barbour took bronze.
In the Boarding Slopestyle defending
champ Laura Berry fought off stiff
competition with her
strong
and stylish run taking home gold. And
Billy Morgan took his second gold of
the competition claiming his success
all comes down to his bendy childhood,
"I'm pretty stoked to win. I did a lot
of acrobatics when I was younger so I
think that has probably helped.
Once again, a brilliant end to another
successful BRITs with a few names
to watch for the future and
awesome
flashbacks of Ben Kilners japan air,
James Woods 1260 high mute, the
Summerhayes sisters success, and
finally the music; Pendulum was a
refreshing replacement to all that
Swiss yodelling!
After a week of sun, beer and the best
of British Freeskiing and Boarding,
the crowds subsided leaving Laax time
to deflate and revive ready for more
mayhem next year!

16 tribe feature
Surfanic InternationaI Ltd. 2011
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tribe feature 19
Over the course of the last season,
freeskiing has changed in the
UK more than it ever has before.
An increase in the level of our
skiers, the right results in the
right competitions and a landmark
Olympic decision have created a
perfect storm for freeskiing. I feel
that we are still only seeing the very
tip of a huge movement.
ThE hISTORy OF
FREESKIING
Lets start at the beginning (which
Julie Andrews would have us believe
is a very good place to start). Modern
freeskiing was born in the 1980s,
when ski racers and hot-doggers
decided that there was more to the
mountain than just the groomed
runs. They took their skiing styles
into the off-piste terrain and the sport
changed.
In 1988 freeskiings existence was
confirmed in celluloid form, with
the release of the seminal movie,
Blizzard of Aahhs (watch the opening
credits here: http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=kJdyPZPcRYU). Still
considered by many to be the best
ski movie ever made, this film opened
the eyes of a generation of young,
talented skiers to things they never
thought were possible on skis; to a
world they never knew existed.
Early freeski competitions started to
appear in the 1990s, with the first
significant competition appearing
in Valdez, Alaska in 1991. Although
this competition was dubbed the
World Extreme Ski Championships'
(extreme skiing being very different to
freeskiing), all skiers agree that this
event was pure freeskiing. In 1996,
the International Freeski Association
(IFSA) was established in an effort
to allow the sport of competitive
freeskiing to grow with the insight of
the athletes that participate in the
sport.
MOdERN dAy
FREESKIING
Fast forward to the present day and
to twintip and carving skis. Such
advances in ski technology, borrowed
from our snowboarding brothers, have
pushed the sport even further. Skis
are being produced specifically for
each discipline of freeskiing, making
the sport easier and more accessible
to the masses.
Alternative competitions have sprung
up to satisfy the demand of the
professional freeskiing athletes to
compete in the slopestyle, half-pipe
and big air disciplines that are not
strictly covered by skiings official
governing bodies. The most notable
of these events is the world-renowned
Winter X Games.
FREESKIING IN ThE
UK
Historically, the UK has only been
able to produce a handful of skiers
who are able to compete on the world
stage. In the past, these British hopes
have been in alpine skiing, but this is
set to change.
The growth of freestyle training
facilities at the UKs artificial and
indoor slopes, as well as on the
snow in Scotland, has led to a
rise in the number and level of
UK freestyle skiers. Grass-roots
programmes like the British Snow
Tour (www.britishsnowtour.com)
and the Salomon Grom Camps
(www.salomongromcamps.co.uk)
have provided a platform for the
identification and development of
young talent, giving freestyle skiers
a route to the big international
competitions.
Nowhere is this more evident than
in the results the UK freeskiers
have achieved this season. The UKs
top medal hope across all skiing
disciplines is the young and modest
James Woods (Woodsy to everyone
who knows him). Having forged his
skills and abilities on the artificial
ski slope of Sheffield, Woodsy has
trained hard to develop himself as an
international freeskier. This year that
goal came to fruition: in February,
Woodsy placed 8th in the World
Championship slopestyle competition
in Park City, Utah. As if that wasnt
ThE hISTORy OF
FREESKIING
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enough, he took that success and

turned it into a 3rd place at the
European Winter X Games slopestyle
in Tignes, France. That podium placing
gave him the title of the highest placed
Brit in an international ski competition
across any discipline.
Woodsy isnt alone in this progression
of the sport. Fellow Sheffielder, Katie
Summerhayes also attended both of
these events. At the tender age of 15,
Katie took 11th place at the World
Championships and 9th place at the
Euro X Games, in which she was the
youngest competitor.
OlyMpIC RUlING
The most exciting part of this story is
that these results happened to fall in
the same season that the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) finally
decided to include ski halfpipe and
ski slopestyle in the Winter Olympics.
In Sochi, Russia in 2014, these young
freeskiers from the side of skiing that
was once passed off as a fad, will
provide Britains greatest skiing medal
hope. For the first time, the UK will
have an Olympic freeski team heading
to represent their country.
We would be remiss to think that the
medal hope lay just on these two
young skiers. The UK team will
also feature James Machon, Em
Lonsdale and Murray Buchan,
not to mention the tireless
dedication of the team
managers and trainers who
continue to help these skier
reach the dizzying heights
of the Olympic Games.
OlyMpIC RUlING
I
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20 tribe feature
THE IM
PORTANCE
of correct
boot f
tting
Ski boots are the most important part
of your kit. They are the interface
between the body and the ski edge;
poorly fitting boots compromise
performance, comfort and enjoyment.
Performace
By supporting your lower leg and
foot, boots stabilize the ankle,
minimizing lateral movement and
providing resistance to ankle flex.
This allows direct transmission of
power and technique to the skis. An
accurate match to your leg/foot shape
minimizes the loss of power and
control associated with loose or poorly
fitted boots.
A professional boot fitter will assess
the skiers foot, lower leg, skiing ability
and choose the most appropriate
boots to match the skiers needs.
This will include assessment of ankle
biomechanics such as pronation (ankle
rolling in when flexing) or supination
(ankle rolling out) to guide stabilization
of the foot. Often a foot bed is created
to create a solid platform within the
boot and help support the foot and
subsequently the whole body.
Comfort
If the boot does not mirror your lower
leg and foot then, movement inside
the boot liner whilst skiing which can
result in pain at the ankles, shins and
toes or worse, injury to the knee and
ankle. Loose-fitting boots often create
the illusion of comfort in the shop,
only to be compromised by the need
to ramp-up the clips at the top of the
hill. A snug fit throughout the entire
foot and ankle also minimizes pressure
points enhancing comfort, but also
maximizing blood flow (warmth!) to
the toes.
The correct ability level of the
boot should also mirror the skiers
performance or be a notch higher so
that a skier can develop their skills with
them. An overly soft flex (also found in
well used or second-hand comfortable
boots) can result in premature fatigue
of the lower leg musculature and knee
pain. Too stiff (often a symptom of
using boots overly advanced relative to
ability), can cause shin pain and create
difficulty in transferring power to your
skis, particularly in the initiation of the
turn. In general, mistakes in technique
are accentuated
rather than
absorbed by the
flex and padding in
the liner, so it is key
to get the balance
right between
performance, ability
and skier type.
Rental of ski boots
is not a great option (apart from when
you first try skiing). The main reasons
being that the choice of boot designs is
always very limited and the time taken
to fit them is a fraction of a sale fit.
You will generally have to ski in a boot
that is used by all foot shapes, lower
leg sizes and ability levels. Rental
boots have minimum customization
opportunities too, which is far from
ideal. You will always compromise
performance, comfort and enjoyment
by renting your boots.
Enjoymt
Buying your boots should be viewed
as an investment into a better skiing
experience. A correctly fitted pair of ski
boots will give you the best opportunity
to progress and ski to the best of your
ability in comfort. As a result you will
have more FUN; which, after all, is
what skiing is all about!
A correct boot ftting will tke aything
fm a hou or more as the profesiona
boot ftter will cover thee various seps in
the sae
Analyze your feet
and lower leg
1.
Ross Woodhall (www.rosswoodhall.com)
22 tribe guide
2. Build a pictue of you ability
level a
d skiing goas
3. Select 2-3 boots that are suitble
for you needs
4. Build a foot bed to help sabilize
you foot a
d cusomize if
required.
5. Once the bet ftting boot is selected
a
y cusomization of the liner
a
d/or shell is undeaken.
6. Fine tuning suc as boot sretcing,
aignmt a
d ca
ting ca
be
undeaken
7. The end reult is that you will have
a gret ftting, comfortble par of
ski boots guarnteed by the retiler!
Ross Woodhall (www.rosswoodhall.com)
The British Association of Ski
Boot-fitters (BSBA) was created
to provide training and support
for the skilled trade of boot
fitting. We now have an industry
accredited training structure in
place with a growing network of
individuals and retailers.
It was previously pot luck
whether you were fitted by
good boot fitter when buying
boots. Now you can have
peace of mind that, if you
source a BSBA member/
retailer, you will be fitted
by a skilled and trained
professional.
For more info check out
www.skibootpro.co.uk
tribe guide 23
ARCTERYXSCIMITARJACKET
andSENTINELPANTS
440/300.00fromarcteryx.com
ROXYBROOKEJACKET
(Printed) This bright number will
keep you warm and stylish on
the piste, leaving you with only
one question, what colour pants
to wear?
200.00FROMDARE2BE.COM
Dare2BWOWWEEJacket
When it comes to the freeski
range Dare 2b have become
braver and bolder than ever
before with the inclusion
of fashion statement prints
and checks. The jewel in the
crown of the collection is the
Exclusive WOW-WEE Jacket
which was created between
Dare 2b designers and the
team of riders. Inspired by the
theme of what the mountain
means to them the jackets
print features quotes, doodles
and quirky imagery provided by
riders such as Chris and Nick
Southwell.
The Sabre SV Jacket features
progressive styling for on-area
riding and skiing. Built with a
lightly insulated GORE-TEX
Soft Shell material, the jacket
is wind and waterproof and has
articulated patterning for athletic
mobility. The Sabre Pants are
built for riders/skiers and are
shaped with our most relaxed fit.
Large cargo pockets and high-
mounted laminated powder cuffs
fit under snowboard highbacks.
400/300.00fromarcteryx.com
ArcteryxSabre
Jacket&Pant
235.00fromroxy.com
24 gear guide
Engineered to address the needs
of those tackling the most severe
descents, the Scimitar is pattered
both for unrestricted mobility and
cold weather layering. The pants
are designed to flatter the female
form while delivering technical
freeride/freeskiing performance.
Large cargo pockets with internal
volume, channel cargo away from
impact zones, and high-mounted
laminated powder cuffs fit under
snowboard highbacks.
MENSARCJACKET
175.00from
bonfiresnowboarding.com
The Arc Jacket gives you a feeling
that something unreal is about to
happen. Full 80g body insulation,
with 60g sleeves for improved flex
and uncompromised fit.
MENSSPECTRALPANT
125.00from
bonfiresnowboarding.com
Bonfires Classic fit, best selling
Spectral Pant is time tested, fully taped
guaranteed performance. Now available
in black Long and short fit styles for
the perfect fit on every rider.
170.00from
bonfiresnowboarding.com
WOMENSHEAVENLYJACKET
With all this sass and style the
Heavenly Jacket is still full-
fledged performance. Stretch
twill fabric is flattering and gives
you a free range of movement for
riding.
190.00from
bonfiresnowboarding.com
WOMENSTAYLORPANTS
ARCTERYXSCIMITARJACKET
andSENTINELPANTS
440/300.00fromarcteryx.com
We love these. Straight up, built
to move. The Taylor pants 2L
Stretch twill makes snow yoga
an actual possibility. Try them
on and youll never want to take
them off.
200.00FROMDARE2BE.COM
26.99fromnucleus-
online.com/skullcandy
skullcandyUPROCK
The Uprocks give a clean,
refined form and great sound
in a nice little package.
Perfectly comfortable for daily
use, they have a modern feel,
ergonomic functionality and
unsurpassed sound for the
price.
gear guide 25
(Navy) The perfect marriage of style
and sass for park, pow and beyond.
10k waterproof/10k breathability,
critically seam sealed and insulated.
With everything you need to keep
toasty warm and keep that snow out
without compromising on steeze.
SEYMOURJACKET
149.99fromwestbeach.com
COLTRAINJACKET
149.99fromwestbeach.com
(Ultramagnetic Blue Plaid) 10k
waterproof/10k breathable,
critically seam sealed and
insulated. Looks like a shirt but
performs like a jacket, super
steeze on the hill
ONeillFreedom
MoonstoneFullsuit
219.99fromoneill.com
The Moonstone Full suit is a show
stopper. Technically great with a
water column and breathability of
10/10, and styled with a ONeill
twist you have come to expect. To
top it all, we use ONeill Originals
colours to make you unique on
the mountain.
129.99fromwestbeach.com
KAMTOWPANT
(Laura Lips) Like your favourite
pair of skinny jeans, keep it
tight and tech for killer style and
performance. 10k waterproof/10k
breathability, Fully seam sealed
and uber stylee!
134.99fromwestbeach.com
LONGHORNPANT
(Dirty Denim) Look pro sending
jumps in the park or taking
numbers after dark. 10k
waterproof/ 10k breathable and
fully seam sealed looks likes a
pair of your favourite jeans but
keeps out the snow and
performs like your most
reliable snowboard pants.
Featuring a time tested classic. The
original Vans vulcanized waffle
outsole completes the package
offering incredible flexibility and grip.
53.00FROMVans.com
VansSk8HiFleece
26 gear guide
15%OFF
Skiwear at www.dare2b.com
with checkout code
D2BNV15
Code expires 30/11/11 and can not be used
in conjunction with any other promotions
Brewed with tradition and common
sense. The pop of bamboo and the
bomb-proof strength of basalt; The
Mans Board with ABC Green roll
construction is a back country bully,
with the biggest balls in the room.
A quick turning shape, perfectly
balanced with Cross profile for
stable response and rock solid
landing and take off tracking.
Shout out Loud. Easy press core
for on-point pressing over groomers
and into the jib park. OH Yeah!
270.00from
salomonsnowboard.com
OHYEAHboard
The BBR defies categorization. A
powder ski that carves on-piste. A
piste ski that floats in powder. BBR
is a ski like no other ski ever made.
An oversized, surfboard like tip and
rocker shape enable the ski to float
in powder and adapt to uneven
terrain smoothly and predictably.
The BBR's tip and tail ensure great
floatation in powder, and amazing
on-piste carving while reducing
unnecessary weight compared with
a normal freeski.
500.00fromsalomon.com
130/125.00large/small
Fromdakine.com
DaKineSplitRoller
The benchmark in wheeled
luggage, it features a split-level
design for easy loading and
unloading. Function, style and
DaKine durability, means this
bag will serve you well for years
to come.
79.99fromdakine.com
DaKineHeliProDLX20L
This stylish pack is loaded with
practical features such as: cross
and vertical snowboard carry,
retractable cable ski carry, fleece
lined goggle pocket, quick draw
ice axe sleeve and external snow
tool/shovel pocket. If that wasnt
enough for you theres even
matching gloves.
availablefromwarandpiste.com
WAR&PISTEBOOK
19.99fromZainihats.com
ZainiOriginalBaggyFit
(Blue and turquoise) All hats are
handmade with super soft acrylic
yarn meaning they are resistant to
water, wind and non- itch. Ideal for
those days on the slopes or apres
in the bar. All provide fun, colourful
accessories for any outfit!
War and Piste is the tale of Poppy
Connors who swaps her life of suits
and cappuccinos for a job as a
ski rep, she soon finds that resort
life on the side of an Austrian
Alp is more than she bargained
for. The story centre on a world
in which 200 foot cliffs, midnight
shootings and the intrigues of the
megalomaniac resort manager soon
start to feel normal.
28 gear guide
SalomonBBR
370.00from
salomonsnowboard.com
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Loads of prizes to be won!
for a new breed of action sports
film as Red Bull Media House, in
association with Brain Farm Digital
Cinema, present The Art of FLIGHT,
a Curt Morgan film.
Equal parts action and adventure
mix with the inevitable drama
encountered along the way,
presenting viewers with an exclusive
opportunity to appreciate firsthand
what it feels like to take part in these
exhilarating endeavors.
This recipe yields the most
comprehensive look ever into the
quest to progress snowboarding to
previously unimaginable heights.
Two years in the making, The
Art of FLIGHT gives iconic
snowboarder Travis Rice and friends
the opportunity to redefine what is
possible in the mountains.
Experience the highs, as new tricks
are landed and new zones opened,
alongside the lows, where avalanches,
accidents and wrong-turns strike.
tribe feature
Danny Zapalac/Red Bull Content Pool
30 tribe feature
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Danny Zapalac/Red Bull Content Pool
tribe feature 31
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32 tribe feature
Receive unprecedented access to the
best snowboarders in the world as
Rice handpicks his accomplices from
the top riders of our time including
John Jackson, Mark Landvik, Scotty
Lago, Nicolas Muller, DCP, Mark
McMorris, Jake Blauvelt, Pat Moore
and Jeremy Jones.
Join in the sometimes successful,
often trying quest to open up new,
unexplored mountains. Chilean
Patagonias Darwin Range, Alaskas
Tordrillo Range, Wyomings Snake
River Range, Aspen, Colorado, the
Andes, as well as British Columbias
Kootenay Mountains, Revelstoke and
Goat Range are the stage for this epic
production.
tribe feature 33
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Immerse yourself in the cinematic
experience as Brain Farm and their
ever-expanding arsenal of filmmaking
technology and tools are used to
capture the dramatic beauty of the
culture, wildlife and stunning scenic
landscapes the riders take in along
the way.
This fall, the creators of Thats It,
Thats All and Brain Farms all star
production team completely rewrite
the formula for action sports cinema
with The Art of FLIGHT.
www.artofflightmovie.com
34 tribe feature
A Zaini hat wont make
you ski any better,
but youll look world class.
Get 10% off by entering the word
Natives as a discount code.
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36 gallery gallery 37
In the unlikely setting of the Lovebox
festival in Victoria Park, London, we
found Relentless Energy snowboarders,
and brothers, Xavier and Victor de la
Rue (www.relentlessenergy.com). We
took the opportunity to take them to
one side and quiz them about their
season.
Natives: What are the best trips youve
had so far this season?
Xavier: I think my all time best
trip has to be Antarctica for sure.
Greenland was one of the best until
Antarctica. Relentless films took me
out there and it opened my mind. I
loved riding on the maritime terrain.
Its definitely changed my vision of
snowboarding and in the future thats
the kind of trip I want to be doing. Its
given me good direction I think. This
year I rode Alaska as well. Its been a
difficult season but Alaska at the end
of the year was amazing, but its not
as unique as Antarctica.
Natives: What made maritime riding
so different?
Xavier: Well, imagine being in a boat
on the water and looking at some of
the runs from the water. The terrain in
Antarctica is amazing because its like
Greenland but with 200-foot walls of
ice everywhere, and penguins. There is
this power of nature that you dont get
anywhere else so its just a privilege to
have been there.
Natives: What was your favourite trip
this year, Victor?
Victor: Well, like Xavier said, we had
a pretty bad season in Europe so Ive
been travelling quite a lot this season.
Ive been to Japan and that was super
nice for me because it was really
a few minutes with
and
Interview with Xavier and
Victor De La Rue
36 tribe feature
36 gallery gallery 37
38 gallery gallery 39
different from what Im used to. All the
cultural stuff and all the powder was
totally different from what Im used to
riding. I was super stoked and thought
that was the best place Ive ever been
to. After that though I went to Canada
and it was even better because it was
steeper and the terrain was awesome.
We had lots of really good snow, all the
features were better and we had loads
of opportunities to ride stuff, so now
Canada is top of my list.
Natives: So what were your season
highlights?
Xavier: My highlight this year was
that I did something pretty new, that
I wanted to do for a while; riding ice.
It sounds a bit stupid, but in steep
snowboarding youve got those runs
that slowly get covered by snow,
normally when you get into an ice
patch you do a belay and rappel down
with a rope. I wanted to find a run that
wouldnt be rideable so that I could
just be riding on the snow and then
when the ice came just straight line
the ice. I found the perfect couloir,
its been something Ive been looking
for for years and its definitely the
highlight of my season. I could say
something like being world champion
or whatever but its something that
makes you feel that you bring an
evolution to the sport so its the best
feeling.
Natives: And how about you Victor?
Victor: I was injured in the beginning
of the season so I decided to
concentrate on shooting videos. I had
two projects, a promotional Ripcurl
movie and also another European
movie project, Harakiri. When I ride I
try to be original and do stuff I havent
seen before. My highlight would be
when I hit a couple of features Ive
never seen before on video, I was
stoked about that. Its pretty weird
jumping, doing some tricks and
landing on two walls. Its unreal but if
you see the shots youll understand.
Natives: Did you have some pretty
hairy moments over the season? Some
gnarly crashes or anything that werent
so great?
Xavier: Yeah, Ive had a bunch of
crashes, two big ones actually. Once
when I was trying the ice at some
freeride competition and I hit the snow
really hard. Then, at the end of the
season, I went on the steep ice runs
and I chose one I thought was snowier
and it turned out to be
ice. I was really lucky
because I was ready
to stop myself and just
stopped in time, if Id
been going a bit harder
I would have been in a lot
worse shape. Im careful
sometimes and it pays off.
Victor: This winter I was doing
this big jump it was in Japan
and I was landing on the avalanche
breaker so it was super scary. I tried
it and first try I landed on it and it
was perfect and then I saw my track
and underneath it was all rocks so I
screwed my board and I did it again on
the same track so I screwed my board
completely and I realised that if I had
fallen on my ass or something I would
have been mince meat. Im lucky
nothing happened and I landed on
my feet otherwise it would have been
really bad. It created a nice shot, but it
was the scariest time from my winter.
Natives: What are the current projects
that youre working on at the moment?
Xavier: Weve got a sick big project
were working on, probably with
Relentless, and thatll involve the two
of us. I think its going to make some
big noise. Were going to be doing it in
the sea either in Norway or Greenland.
The location is going to depend on
many factors but it will be up there
in Scandinavia somewhere. Theres
also going to be a lot of new stuff
thats going to be really interesting but
unfortunately we cant talk about.
Natives: How did all your competitions
go last season?
Xavier: Well, I didnt win the tour for
the first time.
Natives: First time in four years!
Xavier: Well, I won the first contest
and I kept on going for it no matter
what. I had a pretty big margin so I
could ride easy and just do enough to
win but I decided to try to show stuff
at my best and even improve. This year
I won and then I crashed a couple of
times in a row and broke a binding. At
the end of the season I missed a result
but its fine I dont care.
Natives: Next year, perhaps.
Xavier: Maybe. I dont mind. Id rather
be riding and pushing myself than just
do average stuff that doesnt bring
anything to the sport and win a title
38 tribe feature
38 gallery gallery 39
that doesnt mean anything. Go big
or go home.
Natives: What are you both planning
for the summer and your winter
training?
Xavier: Everyday wake up at six
oclock and eat fruit, go running for
two hours and do a weight-lifting
session no just kidding. A bunch
of parties, we started paragliding
together, skateboarding, surfing,
mountain biking; theres lots of fun
stuff out there to do.
Natives: What are you reading at
moment?
Xavier: Im reading this French
writer about this society where all
the children killed the adults so they
didnt grow up so they became a
children society and its really funny
to see the relationships and I relate
to that. Sometimes I think we try to
be too adult too serious too focussed
and we forget a few things on the way
Victor: I read The Alchemist not so
long ago, just telling you to follow
your dreams.
Natives: What dream trip would you
like to do in the future?
Victor: I like filming with one crew,
having no pressure and just doing
your own stuff with people you
know and you like to work with. I do
freestyle, so for me the best thing is
to go there and see all the obstacles
and see all the opportunities you
have. I like to ride any kind of stuff
Xavier: It would be cool to have this
session where we can go together and
share. I get a little bit of his terrain
and he gets a bit of mine.
40 tribe feature
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WHAT EVERY SKI RESORT IN THE
WORLD DOESNT WANT YOU TO
KNOW ABOUT NISEKO...
Niseko gets an average 14 metres of
snowfall a winter. In January 2011 there
was fresh snow 29 out of 31 days!
Join us on one of our unique coaching-based pow trips
and explore the secret stashes of Hokkaido, Japan.
Where will you get your powder fix this winter?
Tell us y
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Tribe Ad ~ 0907ll ~ CS3.pdf l ll~09~07 4:22 PM
A
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In the frst of a series on
snow safety Chris Fecher
will unlock some of the
secrets of snow craft to
leave you with a basic
understanding of mountain
safety and, we hope, a thirst
for developing your own off-
piste skills.
Whatever your level, avalanches are
one of the most dangerous factors in
backcountry skiing. But with careful
planning and the right knowledge you
can reduce the risk of being caught in
a potentially lethal situation.
There are many factors that cause
avalanches and there are a number
of forces and elements that dictate
whether a slope is safe to ski. The
safety of a slope is determined by the
stability of the snow pack, which in
turn is affected by wind, aspect (the
angle to the sun), moisture content,
weather conditions and the gradient of
the slope. A good freerider considers
all these factors when deciding what
and where to ski.
THE FACTS
If you are buried in an avalanche
for up to 18 minutes there is a 91%
chance that you will survive. After
35 minutes this chance drops to 34%.
These figures show that every second
counts and is of vital importance to
find and rescue a victim as quickly as
possible.
The basic equipment you must
carry when skiing off-piste is an
avalanche transceiver, a shovel and a
probe.
But you must also have the skills to
use them.
Equipped with the correct equipment
and a knowledge of how to use it
42 tribe guide
A
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you stand a much higher chance of
surviving an avalanche or finding
your skiing buddy if they get
caught.
It usually takes rescue teams, dogs
and helicopters longer than 18
minutes to arrive at an avalanche
site so it makes sense to give yourself,
and the people youre skiing with, the
best possible chance for survival.
TYPES
An avalanche is triggered when the
slope can no longer hold the weight of
accumulated snow. The most common
types of avalanches are slab and loose
snow avalanches. Slab avalanches are
the largest and most dangerous. They
start from a fracture line and, as the
name suggests, an entire slab of the
snow pack breaks away, initially in a
single piece.
Slab avalanches happen most
frequently on 30 to 45 slopes. They
occur when a layer of tightly packed
new snow, or wind packed hard slab, is
weakly bonded to the layers below. The
top layer slides over the layer below
initially as one slab, then it breaks up
as it flows over the ground. Cracking or
dull booming noises are clues that you
may be on a hard slab.
Loose snow avalanches start from a
set point and are progressive they
gather more and more loose snow as
they move down the hill. They usually
happen on 40 to 60 slopes where the
snow is loose, like sand.
Avalanches start when forces and
triggers affect the stability of the
layers of snow in the snow pack.
Weak layers, like icy layers, or a weak
bond between layers, like powder on
top of hard packed snow, make the
chances of avalanche more likely. As
a seasonaire you will know the history
of the snow in your area but digging a
hole to look at the layers or using your
probe to push down into the snow will
give you an idea of the state of the
snow pack.
tribe guide 43
TErrAIN FACTorS
The avalanche path has distinct
sections: the starting zone (this could
be high above you), the track and the
run-out zone.
Start zones are typically steep slopes,
the top of gullies and bowls, ridges
and slopes exposed to wind deposited
snow.
Its also important to be aware of how
a potential avalanche would react with
features on the slope when planning
your line on a face. An avalanche
can be directed by trees, gullies and
ridges, try to note where a potential
avalanche could start, travel and run-
out.
Slopes in the lee of the wind (sheltered
from the wind), cornices and the
sheltered crest of slopes receive more
snow so avalanches are most likely on
these slopes.
Convexed slopes are a hazard because
the slope is under tension, below rock
characteristic snowflake. But on this
journey snow crystals can be affected
by wind and temperature and they
dont always end up looking like the
perfect Stellar Crystal we have grown
to recognise. In fact, there are several
different types of snow crystal.
Basic snow crystal form:
l Stellar Dendrite (dendrite). Most
recognisable snow flake from, six-
branched star
l Plate. Hexagonal flat plate
l Column. Six-sided, hollow column,
l Needle. Fine, long, crystals
Factors that alter the snow pack
As soon as snow crystals hit the
ground they begin to metamorphose,
or transform. From the moment they
hit the ground, snow crystals (or
grains), continuously change size and
form.
Since the snow is constantly changing,
it can either be gaining or losing
strength. Internal changes in the
strength of snow pack layers can also
be caused by the mechanical action of
packing the snow underfoot, but they
are usually related to temperature.
How the snow pack gets stronger
When the snow pack is deep, water
vapour moves from areas of high
vapour concentration, like the ends of
the snow crystals arms, to low, hollow
areas of low vapour concentration, like
the place where two round crystals
touch each other.
Over time, the snow crystals
will become more rounded and
individual crystals will become glued
together, this is called sintering and
this strengthens the snow pack.
Characteristics of this snow type
would be hard snow with small densely
packed grains.
How the snow pack gets weaker
If a there is a big difference in
temperature between the top and the
bottom of the snow pack, free water
molecules in the pore spaces between
the crystals tend to move upwards
towards the surface. When they reach
colder air, these molecules cling onto
the under-side of the snow crystals
above them.
Over time, these crystals will develop
a faceted, or square appearance and
will lose their ability to interlink, or
stick to each other. This is known
as TG Metamorphism because the
temperature gradient within the snow
is usually higher than 1C per 10cm.
The faceting process creates un-
cohesive, sugary snow, called depth
hoar. Melt-freeze metamorphism also
weakens the snow pack and is as it
sounds the rapid melt and re-freeze
of snow crystals in the snow pack.
This creates a strong pack when it is
frozen, and weak when not.
This is characteristic of spring snow,
when the snow pack becomes weak in
the afternoon sun and gets stronger
over night as it freezes.
The development of surface hoar
crystals is very dangerous in a snow
pack. Not to confused with depth hoar
crystals, these crystals are produced
when there is a deposition of water
vapour from the air on to the cold
surface of the snow.
They are typically fan shaped, or
feathery, in appearance and occur
when the air temperature is higher
than the snow surface temperature.
If found deep in the snow pack, say
from a period of warmer weather, hoar
crystals can create a major instability
that can only be improved by a lot
of time, rain and avalanches. In the
backcountry hoar crystals are a major
factor in instability.
Strong Snow
l Crystal Shape = Small and bonded
l Density = High
l Bonding = Sintered round grains,
frozen wet grains
l Temperature = Cold
faces, trees and rock out crops are
also potential start zones.
Be aware of terrain traps when
considering whether to ski a slope. If
an avalanche occurs watch out for any
natural features that could potentially
trap and bury a person. Steps, bowls,
crevasses and obstacles may cause
injury and assist burial.
Generally safe areas when skiing in
the backcountry:
Ridge tops; gently sloped windward
side of ridges; level ground far away
from steep slopes and dense forest.
Slightly less safe areas:
On the ridges of higher ground on a
slope; clumps of trees; rocks.
Potentially unsafe areas with an
unstable snow pack:
Steeps slopes; lee slopes; convexed
slopes and cornices; lee side of ridges;
slopes exposed to the sun for several
hours and gullies.
PrEPArATIoN
1. Check the general and local weather
conditions.
2. Talk to ski patrollers and/or guides
about where you are going.
3. Check transceiver battery life and
wear the transceiver under your jacket
(not in your backpack).
4. Switch mobile phones off they
interfere with the transceiver signal.
5. Never ride by yourself.
6. Choose your line carefully.
7. Choose an escape route.
8. Travel at the top of start zone,
bottom of run out and avoid mid slope
9. Move from one safe spot to another.
10. Ski down and across, reduce
disturbance and consider a safe speed
How SNow FormS
The birth of our beloved white stuff
snow occurs when super cooled
water vapour crystallises into tiny
snow crystals high in the atmosphere.
During their journey to the ground
the small crystals clump together
with other crystals to create the
44 tribe guide
safe slope that represents the aspect,
or steepness and angle of the slope
you are interested in. Dig down to
base or the last layer you observed
and look at the different layers. To
firmly understand a snow pack, the
information really needs to be built
up over the season, so test profiles on
different aspects and suspect slopes
should be done throughout the season.
When visiting an area its a good idea
to speak to the ski patrol or local
guides to see whats been going on
before heading out.
Fractures
Weak
Layers
30cm
30cm
One of the most useful tests for
snow stability is the compression
test. Get used to doing lots of
these as they provide a quick way
of determining the upper layers
stability.
Clear off the rear wall of your pit
and as shown below and isolate A
test block 30cm wide 30cm long and
100cm deep. Place your shovel blade
squarely on the top of the block.
Tap the shovel blade 10 times with
your finger flexing at the wrist,
failures at this point would be Easy.
Next Tap 10 times flexing from the
elbow, failures at this point would be
Medium. Finally Taping 10 times
from the shoulder would produce
a hard score. Canadian and New
Zealand avalanche research suggests
human triggered avalanches are
more likely associated with Easy
fractures than with Hard. The more
tests done the more accurate your
results will be.
The key to successfully making
avalanche predictions is practise
and number crunching, from a more
practical point of view a skier needs
to be aware of all the elements and
how the snow is changing from day
to day.
Purefreeride freeride and
backcountry holidays offer a
practical look at avalanche safety
and the chance to put the theory into
practise.
ComPrESSIoN TEST
Weak Snow
l Crystal shape = Large
l Density = Low
l Bonding = Faceted Grains, loose wet
grains
l Temperature = Warm
Wind
The way the wind effects the snow is
one of the most important factors to
consider. Wind transported snow is
deposited in large amounts on more
sheltered, lee, slopes.
The wind blows snow crystals around
and brakes them down into smaller
grains forming denser layers (slabs).
Warm winds heat the snow pack
while cold winds cool. Loose snow is
redistributed by the wind.
SNow ProFILE
We have discussed snow grains and
the factors creating a strong or weak
snow pack. But the density, weight and
thickness of each layer of snow are as
important as the grain size, type and
shape and the bond between these
layers is, perhaps, the most important
factor.
The best way to look at the snow pack
and build a picture of the history of a
snow pack is to dig a test pit. Find a
Make your test pit big enough so you
can get in there and have a good look,
smooth off the sidewall with a ski and
carefully cut through the snow with a
thin card (your mates credit card if
you like) feeling for the layers as you
go.
Try to identify the weak and strong
layers and the weak bonds between
them. Using a crystal card and
magnifying eyepiece to identify crystal
form and size will help you determine
the state of the crystals.
Tap
tribe guide 45
Seasons stays from only 1,850 and week
stays from just 165.
Loads of cool facilities including free wifi, boot
dryer, pool table, secure storage and lots more.
Good fun, easy going crowd so even if you're
coming by yourself you're guaranteed to make
a bunch of new mates.
Book your bed now before spaces run out!
Email: [email protected] Call: Charley on: 0033 6 46 21 71 61
BUMMING A SEASON
OR FANCY A CHEAP
SKIING/BOARDING
HOLIDAY?
COME AND STAY AT
LOFT HOSTEL,
LES ARCS.
M
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TA
IN
H
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STEL B
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ST M
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WWW.LOFTBOURG.COM
By Wendy Hollands (www.lefrancophoney.com)
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tribe guide 47
48 gallery
The good news is that the
stereotypical Great Unwashed ski
bum who couch-hops and subsists on
chalet scraps does not have to be your
reality.
plannInG
You wont be working for a tour
operator! Rejoice! Now, dig into your
pockets for accommodation, food, lift
pass, insurance and transportation.
You can save on these.
Choose your resort carefully. You want
an area varied enough for at least
one winter, but one that wont cost
a fortune in accommodation and lift
pass. Some resorts offer early bird
season passes before winter, so check
their websites.
If you want a large resort,
consider living in the next
village to save hundreds of
pounds and get a nicer
pad, but check that
it has a bubble
or regular free
buses to the
resort.
Try to arrange a place before winter.
Even if you find nothing, youll get
an idea of what to pay. Sharing with
strangers can be fantastic or terrible,
and friends hold no guarantees either.
If money is tight, find a second job in
summer. For every tiring shift, think
about the freshies youll get while the
seasonnaires are stuck working.
In resorT
Once youve arrived, find friends to
hit the hill with. Being a bum can be
lonely when everyone is working, so
your network should be extensive.
Dont rely on freebies through your
working friends: nobody likes a
sponger. If they do give you free stuff,
be discreet and grateful. Charm goes
a long way. Girls have the added bonus
of cleavage charm.
To economise, take lunch. A
thermos of soup and a baguette
will taste better and be more filling
than overpriced fries. Ask for a
seasonnaire discount in shops and
pubs: they can only say no. If
you need to buy equipment,
check the local boards for
pre-loved bargains, or ask
for extras like waxing when you buy
from a shop.
Tore a glove while drunk? No worries.
Lost And Found has too many. The
same goes for hats and goggles. Ask
a lift attendant or pub worker for
directions.
If you run low on dosh, ask around for
cleaning or driving jobs. Ask for cash.
Posh chalets are best as you may get
unfinished rolls of toilet paper and
leftover food as well as the usual range
of guests left-behind toiletries.
Finally, punter love. Its a no-no to
many seasonnaires, but thats because
the punter is often a client. For fast
romance that wont haunt you for
the rest of the season, embrace the
punter.
48 tribe guide
MVYM\Y[OLYPUMVYTH[PVUVUZ[VJRPZ[ZHUKKLHSLYZWSLHZL]PZP[V\Y^LIZP[L
50 gallery gallery 51 50 tribe guide
50 gallery gallery 51
Take your time
Now, you dont want to dive straight
in. The phrase; dont run before you
can walk comes to mind, although my
friend Shane actually could run before
he could walk, but that is neither here
nor there. So when you arrive, just sit
and watch for a while. You will notice
that there is a flow to what is going on
before your eyes.
What you will also see is that most
riders will be setting off for the each
jump or rail from roughly the same
spot. Try and mimic them in their
actions when you finally decide to give
it a go.
Getting started
You should always wait until the point
you are aiming to his is clear before
you head off. You should always ensure
that the skier or snowboarder in front
of you has moved out of the way
before you continue.
You should never go if you are
unsure whether or not the other
rider has moved on. You dont want
to be landing on them now do you?
They wouldnt like that at all would
they? Always allow for enough space
between you and the rider in
front.
The landing area can sometimes be
obscured or hidden behind the jump
itself. You can either wait for the rider
in front to come back into your line
of sight, or you can get a friend to
spot for you letting you know when the
coast is clear.
Once you have hit a feature remember
to get out of the landing area pronto. I
know it can be tempting to stand and
celebrate as you finally mastered rail
or a certain trick on a kicker but dont
be a bozo, other people want to ride it
too, so get out of the way.
If you land badly then dont lie there
in embarrassment, either raise your
arm to let everyone know you are ok
then get up and move along; or if you
are hurt call out for help. You will be
surprised how many good Samaritans
will come to your aid.
Have others in mind
Make sure you arent getting in
another skier or snowboarders way
before entering the pipe or hitting
a kicker. When it is time for you to
drop in simply raise your arm and let
everyone around you know you are
going. Why not give them a shout?
Next! or Dropping in! will do.
Now there is nothing more frustrating
than having your run in ruined by
someone in the way, so if you are
filming or photographing your friends
in the park make sure you are out of
the way.
Dont stand in the run-ins or in the
landing spots of features and if you
are a skier; never stand with your
skis poking out over the edge of the
halfpipe.
Know your limits
Dont head straight for the black
kickers or the halfpipe. Take your time
and develop your skills, it will benefit
you and your technique in the long
run. It can be dangerous riding in the
park so make sure you are comfortable
before you move on to a harder
challenge.
Also dont be afraid to ask other
riders for hints and tips. You would
be surprised how many experienced
boarders and skiers are willing to help
you out if you just ask.
Dont be a twod
Everyone has to queue, it is a part
of life, so dont ever cut in. There is
nothing worse than someone who feels
that they are more important than the
people around them.
Oh and be polite, the park is a place
for people to hone their freestyle skills
and have a good time. It is so much
more fun for all if everybody gets on.
Well, I hope this has been of some
help. If you are heading to the park for
the first time then good luck my friend,
and remember to relax, follow this tips
and have fun.
So youre considering gearing up and
heading to the park for the first time?
You want to spend the day getting to
grips with some kickers, or learning to
ride the rails and pipes. Well, I dont
blame you; mastering your freestyle
technique can be extremely rewarding
and there is no better way to practice
than by shredding up the park.
We all know how intimidating it can be
heading to the park for your first time.
If you approach it in the wrong way
then it could become dangerous for you
and other riders around you,
or you could simply embarrass yourself
in front of a large group of people.
Here is a small set of unwritten rules
that should help you out on your first
visit to the park.
dont run before
you can walk. when
you arrive, just sit and
watch You will notice
that there is a flow to
what is going on
tribe guide 51
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MySwitzerland.com
Switzerland offers everything you could wish for on your dream winter holiday. Plus a whole lot more:
guaranteed snow, perfectly groomed pistes, long ski runs and impeccable service whether at
your accommodation, on the pistes or in rustic ski huts. For a glimpse of a perfect ski holiday, visit
MySwitzerland.com or call us on freephone 00800 100 200 30.
We do whatever it takes to make
your winter holidays perfect.
FLYING, SWISS MADE

SWISS.COM