Boarding
I started boarding when I was 18 when I went away with a friend. Then I went to college and didn’t really board at all for a couple of years. Then I went to uni and got back into it, doing trips and holidays and stuff. After uni I got a job in the Subvert boardstore and helped build the parks at the indoor snow slope in Manchester and it went from there really. Before this season I’d only done about 5 weeks in the mountains.

Board
I ride a 157 K2 Believer. I chose it because you can use it pretty much everywhere and it’s pretty amazing.

Bindings
I’ve got Burton Cartel bindings. They’re everything you need in a binding really and they look pretty. Mine are purple and orange because I swapped one half with a guy who bought the other colour in the shop. Usually they are only one colour on each foot.

Boots
K2 Darko boots which are nice and soft so your ankles don’t get wrecked on landings.

Volcom
My jacket is a Volcom Variable jacket and my pants are Volcom Bjorns. I’ve got loads of Volcom stuff because I know someone who works for them who gets me a pretty sweet deal on their gear, so why not wear it!

Goggles
I’ve got Electric EG2s that have got a really massive field of vision so you can see everything.

Gloves
Pipe gloves over mittens all the time. No question.

Helmet
I never used to wear a helmet that much but I’ve knocked myself out 3 times this season so I wear it more often than not these days.

Park
I wear a lot of Park stuff just because I’m sponsored by them but I also think they’re a really good brand with the right attitude. They aren’t in it for the money but for the love of the sport. You can’t get better than that in a company that supports your riding.

Maintenance
I try to do maintenance for Snowline VIP. My essential work item would probably be my underwear as it’s the only thing I always have with me when I’m working. I got tipped 4 English pounds the other day so I’m saving it for Bristol airport. It’ll probably get spent on KFC.

Riding Crew
I ride a fair bit on my own but I also go out with Doc Alex (good for injuries), Joe C (good for photos) and Freddie (to make it look like he has friends).

Injuries
This season I separated my sternum from my clavicle and ripped all the muscles in my shoulder. I managed to do it by doing a backflip on the kicker and using my head on the lip of the jump to stop the rotation. That was knockout number one.

Taken by: Carman Urban

Weight concerns have been in the news recently what with rising adult obesity leading onto problems like diabetes and heart problems but never before has someone in the weight watching community directly targeted Val as a problem zone.

Citing issues such as ‘blatent misuse of butter’ and ‘portion control’ as potential reasons for the outbreak the company said that its services would be put to great use in the mountain community in curbing the intake of beer, meat and cheese.

‘Put down your fondue fork’ has been rumoured to be the name of the upcoming poster and advertising campaign as well as a resort wide search for the face of the campaign to make public appearances and raise morale amongst the community much like Jared Fogle who became the poster boy for the weight loss campaign by Subway. The face of the campaign will also keep a blog and be available for appointments should anyone feel like they are going to fall off the keep healthy wagon.

It’s common knowledge that many a seasonnaire out here in the savoie region must avoid the inevitable results of cooking with far too much butter and drinking too much beer, but until know the problem had been thought to be relatively small scale and the only consequences were the inability to wear jeans after february and the need for a personal trainer on the return home.

There have been calls to implement the points system into all staff rotas and for supermarkets to stock a specific lighter options choice instead of roti chicken and ben and jerry’s. The company has also pledged to create small focus groups which meet in various bars around town, serving only Vodka and Soda or Gin and Tonic or fresh juices. There will be no sugary drinks, beer or dark spirits available.

If you’re keen to get rid of your chalet backside that currently has no hope in hell of fitting into your jeans then this might be the kind of regime for you. I mean some guys do like a more shapely bottom and some girls like moobs, but for the most part a bit of abs, bums and tums to tone might do some members of the community some good in the love department.

For those keen to start before the summer on their weight loss campaign in order to avoid the awkward silences when they return home from parents or lovers there will be a fat camp taking place from the 26th to the 30th of April. For contact details see below. The camp promises to be good fun but a great workout with seminars and lectures on maintaining a dairy free lifestyle and how to say no to a demi peche. There will be trained fitness instructors wearing tight shorts in order to help shame camp inmates into running that extra 5 miles. At the end there will be a run from Bourg St. Maurice with the winner having a caesar salad with no dressing for free at a restaurant of their choice.

So for those of you looking to shed those chalet pounds and look like you’ve been skiing all day every day, this new initiative may be just the thing for you. The meetings and complete system will be implemented at the start of next season with all restaurants pledging to not serve anyone who they do not believe to be sticking to the regime and will make name and shame posters accordingly. For information and booking call the local representatives and success stories 0648816503

Remember guys it’s not a crime to ask for help

SUNDAY 28TH
Moris: Mike plays live music at après
Le Petit Danois: 24U play live at the Danois from 5pm
La Foret: Film night with a film being shown on the big screen in Foret.
Bar Alexandra: Tijuana Sunday with Chilli con Carne and a pint or shot of tequila for 12 Euros.
Bananas: The Bananas Big Chill. Come reflect on the week and drink Bloody Marys to recover.
Warm Up: Huw the one man trio plays live après music from 5pm
Saloon: Welcome Party with €4.50 bottled beer
Pacific: Seasonnaires pool league in the evening. See Dave for details.
VSpot: Monster Après 4-6pm followed by DJ Hi33p playing dubstep and minimal garage kicking off at 9.30pm just as Mad Hour begins!
Doudoune: The French Can Can come into town to throw the only party they can.
Le Graal: Happy Sundays ultimate mix generation
Dicks: Funday Sunday – Spin the wheel for offers and promos – €3 pints (12AM-1AM)

MONDAY 29TH
VSpot: Monster après as well as a Free Snowboarders Avalanche Talk with Nicolas Gize 6-8pm. Followed by Mr OB on the decks playing dubstep, house, electro and hip hop kicking off at 9.30pm with mad hour and crazy 1/4 with €2 pints/vodka mixer.
Moris: HAT Talks with Mullit Trio playing live après music and Mowgli playing live in the evening
Bananas: Music night, bring your own ipod and we’ll play your songs
Le Petit Danois: Karen plays live music from 5pm
La Foret: AcousticAly plays live après music
Warm Up: Magners Mondays. Special promos on Magners Cider
Pacific: Open Mic Night, everyone welcome. See Luke if you want to play
Doudoune: Mullit play live followed by DJ Marine L
Le Graal: Kiss my Ice with a Swedish DJ on the decks all night
Dicks: Carpetface & Audible – Live Hip Hop and Beatbox DJs – A free shot with every round (12AM-1AM)

TUESDAY 30TH
Saloon: Triangle Tuesday with special deals on house shots
Bananas: Toffee Vodka Tuesday
VSpot: Monster après followed by Mr DJ Yasmin on the decks kicking off at 9.30pm with mad hour and crazy 1/4 with €2 pints/vodka mixer.
Underground: Live music with Christoph and Wendy
La Foret: Carpetface & Audible at après from 5pm till 7pm
Blue Note: Get Matt Pissed Tuesday. Buy the bar manager a drink.
Moris: Mike plays live après music and Mullit play live in the evening with midweek deals on Mutzig.
Le Petit Danois: 24U play live après music from 5pm
Doudoune: So Special. More info on Facebook
Le Graal: UK Calling with special prices for UK seasonnaires with €4 large beers, €5 long drinks and €60 for a bottle. Special deals for bringing your guests.
Dicks: Black & White Fancy Dress – Free shots if in costume all night

WEDNESDAY 31ST
Le Petit Danois: 24U play live après music from 5pm as well as Wings Wednesday with special deals on wings and pitchers as well as a Fresh Prince of Val d’Isere party with an old skool dance battle and prizes for the ‘best threads’
Blue Note: Table football competition continues at 10pm
Underground: Live music with Christoph and Wendy
Saloon: Pimms on the Piste BBQ at après ski with Pimms jugs for €15 and BBQ and a pint for €10 starts at 3pm with George Moore playing live followed by wife beater Wednesday.
VSpot: Monster Après 4-6pm followed by Old Skool Rave Night kicking off at 9.30pm with DJ Semi Detached and DJ Old Old Old Skool Sambo with mad hour and crazy ¼.
Warm Up: Soulfire play their last ever show in town with great soul funk music.
La Foret: Open mic après starts at 5pm
Moris: Mullit Trio play après followed by Fourplay playing live in the evening as well as Midweek Mutzig deals
Bananas: Boardshorts and Bikini party with special deals for those in their beach wear.
Pacific: HAT talks starting 6pm sharp. Turn up 15 minutes before to get deals on food and drink
Doudoune: Ladies Night is back. Special gifts for girls
Le Graal: Sweet Lady Candy – Free candy and private VIP for the girls. Get Le Graal club money to get your own private show!
Dicks: MISSCONDUCT @ Dicks – Funky House and Electro – Tequila Vs Sambuca Promo (12AM-1AM)

THURSDAY 1ST
Warm Up: Huw the one man trio plays live après music from 5pm
Le Pub: Rock and Roll night
Le Petit Danois: AcousticAly plays live at the Danois
Blue Note: The annual april fools staff swap. Come and watch the punters serve the staff for once.
La Foret: Top Gun party starting at 9pm with live music from Jukebox Mamas and those in fancy dress get a free shot as well as drinks promos all night.
Bananas: Ladies Night
VSpot: Monster Après 4-6pm followed by banging beats and breaks with Mr OB kicking off at 9.30pm with mad hour and crazy ¼
Bar Alexandra: A live band TBC
Pacific: Beer Pong starts at 11pm. See Dave behind the bar for details
Moris: Mikey and Aly play live après music and the Cheerleaders continue the live music in the evening as well as midweek Mutzig deals.
Saloon: Ice Tea Thursdays with special deals on cocktails.
Doudoune: Soiree Tempete with a dress code of hats and sunglasses and guest DJ Fabien
Dicks: ROCK NIGHT – DJ Pistol Pete – Jaeger Bombs for €3.50 (12AM-1AM)

FRIDAY 2ND
Le Lodge: DJ K2 plays his live set with happy house amongst other things.
Underground: Accuphen play live music at Underground
VSpot: Monster Après followed by Yoki House Night – Fullt Ös Medvetslös – DJ Tinitunes kicking off at 9.30pm with mad hour and crazy ¼Warm Up: Formal Friday with bottles of Peroni for €5
Le Petit Danois: Karen plays live at Danois from 5pm
Pacific: The Pacific House Family Band play live with a new lineup from 9-11pm followed by the Friday raffle with prizes including Salomon boards and skis. See Dave for details.
Saloon: Formal Friday with special deals for those in formal wear.
Bananas: Fantastic Funky Freestyler Friday
Moris: Mike and Richie play live après music followed by Livewire playing live in the evening as well as Formal Friday. Wear your best to a night at the Moris.
Doudoune: Mullit play live followed by DJ Marine L
Dicks: Formal Friday with Free shots for those in formal attire (12AM-1AM)

Tignes Cuisine is right next to Loop in Le Lac and though this place may be small its food packs a punch. From a great value lunch menu to an evening menu that will satisfy all your cravings to break the monotony of spaghetti bolognaise.

At lunchtime there are various options that all come at a very reasonable price. Chilli beef or chicken tikka burritos, home made pies and the firm favourite: the noodles that can be prepared either with chicken, prawns or vegetarian style. Add to this Himalayan Vin Chaud for €2 and you’ve got yourself a meal.

For dinner my eyes were immediately drawn to the Peking duck but I then noticed the jungle curry and the tikka massala. I was instantly faced with a battle in my mind over what to have. There are also a variety of other curries and, like the noodles, you’ve got the option of what they are made with to choose from.

For the fortunate residents of Tignes, evening delivery is available. Here in Val we must make do with the great lunch menu, but if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Tignes for an evening before season end, then definitely head over to Tignes Cuisine for your dinner.

A Request
Following on from the above shenanigans, BT (Moris) requests that people refrain from having sex in the Moris toilets. She isn’t a massive fan of discovering and cleaning up used condoms.

Hearts for Hartley
Olly has been making his presence felt this week in the affections of Katherine (VSpot). We aren’t entirely sure what happened but rest assured we will do our best to find out.

The Wrestler
Danyeo (Chardon) tried to better Benno at his game of wrestling a wooden street barrier to the ground. It didn’t go according to plan and the barrier managed to dislocate all her fingers. She then had to click them all back into place by herself. Dan’s advice: Don’t try to be as big as Benno.

Married
Claire (Warm Up) and Alex (Snowberry) were married in Dicks recently by Leapy, who claims that he is an ordained minister thanks to a rather boring period in his life when he broke his leg. Al (Blue Note) was best man and Naomi (Blue Note) was maid of honour. It can’t have been that memorable an occasion given that none of them remembered a thing the next day until someone reminded them of the previous night’s festivities.

Car Nap
Shala’s cries to take someone home with her after a night in Dicks were heard by Ed last week, but he got more than he bargained for when they were joined at 5am by the rest of the Dicks staff who jumped into bed with them, prompting him to run away and spend the rest of the night in his car.

Naked Wanderer
James (Basecamp) made the error of walking into Tommo (Saloon) and Ben’s (VSpot) apartment last week, having forgotten all of his clothes. Hoping for something, or perhaps someone, to help send him to sleep, he got into Tommo’s bed, but promptly wet himself. Have fun cleaning those sheets.

Dentistry
Liam (Moris) tried his hand at a new profession this week: dentistry. When spotted with a pair of pliers in boiling water he said that he was ‘sterilising them’ to remove his tooth. His amateur orthodontics were unsuccessful and he still had to have the root canal and lay off the booze while he completes his course of antibiotics.

Hiding in the Bushes
Freddie (Saloon) had questions last week about what it would be like to be with another man. None of the other Saloon boys was willing to satisfy his curiosity, but they claim that on their way to Dicks he mysteriously appeared from some bushes. What he was doing in there can’t be clarified at this point but perhaps it has something to do with his wandering mind?

Sausage Riding
Jono evidently hasn’t learnt his lesson about the sausages, and this week took some friends for a team competition on Le Face. It all got a bit gnarly and ended up with ripped jeans and ice burn, but everyone seemed to enjoy it and no damage was done. Expect some kind of unofficial world championship event by next week at the rate he’s going.

Old but still going
James (Warm Up) has been well and truly worn out by Sam’s sister in the bedroom. Not so keen on being woken up these days, James said that he had to pretend to be asleep so he wouldn’t have to summon up the blood for the 8th time in 20 hours. His quote was “I’m too old for this. I was like, ‘I’m too tired to do it again’.”

Snooze you Lose
Michaela (Moris) had such a grand birthday that she decided to end it by taking a nap in the very comfortable VIP area in Dicks. Owen (Dicks) tried to wake her, but even a good old shake couldn’t get her up. Turned out that all Sleeping Beauty needed was a kiss from Prince Charming.

Love is Crystal Clear
It would appear that Pete (Crystal), after many failed attempts, has finally found love….with Adam (Crystal). The pair have been caught shaving each other’s hair in nothing but boxers, comparing sizes (of belly button fluff?!?) and having mid-afternoon spooning sessions on the sofa! Who said romance was dead?

Quote of the Week
Tom (Bananas) “I’m actually a nice person but people are blinded by my good looks and think I’m an arsehole”

Culinary Delights
The Snowline girls have sussed out that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Apple Crumble is a hot favourite. We’re sure that the boys aren’t complaining and won’t be any time soon.

Gay Ski Week
Some seasonnaires have been taking European Gay Ski Week very seriously. Liam (Moris) took a game of chicken a step too far last week leaving him questioning whether he’s in or out of the closet and which team he will be batting for.

Heydå
A fond farewell to Per from Victors who is leaving us, breaking hearts all over resort and pleasing all the hotel managers who have swimming pools to look after. Who will take his place as resident Insider swim team pro!

Mantle Accepted
No sooner do we call for a new swim team than Phil (Moris) and Katy (Dicks) step up to the plate. Any small semblance of stealth was removed when Katy announced to the fellow swimmers that they were doing the front crawl ‘in her dirty sex water’. Bragging rights taken to the extreme.

Greg Evans, Ski Instructor 2
Just when you thought is was safe to go back on the Dicks dance floor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huvHOTHB1Qc