The Mountain Echo » Editor’s Letter

Editor’s letter

Hanne Davis — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:57:31 +0000

So this week there was a bit of a switch up here in the Echo as the trainee became the temporary master and had to take the reigns for a week as Mark returned to England for a short trip.

So if you’ve seen a small blonde stomping around resort and giving you evils then I apologise I just take my job very seriously. It’s been lovely and sunny this week, but of course with that the snow seems to be disappearing before our eyes. I’ve spotted many of you in mountain restaurants this week working on your goggle tans and drinking instead of skiing and I don’t blame you. Ditch the down jackets because spring has sprung.

Other than that we’ve been enjoying the festivities of the white battle as well as UV parties. When I turned up to do some cleaning in Tignes my boss wasn’t impressed with the orange handprint in UV paint across my chest. Oh well lesson learnt.

This week it’s April fool’s so watch your back, there’s also more “snow” forecast but I’m guessing that it might be a wetter form of precipitation the way the weather seems to be going at the moment.

Apart from that, have a great week and enjoy the sunshine if it hangs around and get rowdy in the bars if it doesn’t.

Editor’s letter

Mark Beattie — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:57:15 +0000

My head hurts. It was Boss Des Bosses yesterday (Wednesday) and it didn’t fail to produce an entertaining and predictably messy day. Well done to Team Val who came 4th which was a good effort from all involved. It’s good to see the seasonnaire vibe is still alive. A big shout out to all that were willing to compete instead of just talk about it in the pub.

It was also Paddy’s day which looks like it was large, given the decimation I can see around town. I imagine I’m not the only one with a sore head today. We want to see some gay blading day photos from you, especially after you all let us down with the X-games photos. Not one was sent in. Thanks guys…

This week we bring you the X-games wrap-up and we managed to get Jenny Jones to do our kit review which is worth a read. Sit back, relax and enjoy issue 15.

Editor’s letter

The Editor — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:57:26 +0000

Hello there for another week, at time of writing (Thursday) the X-games are in full swing but we have decided to bring you the full low-down next week and any photo’s anyone has of the event will be greatly received. I have to admit it’s not really my thing but seeing the guys hitting the pipe last night was seriously impressive and as for the slope style course, would it not make a good permanent feature. Surly it would make the ski area the freestyle capital of Europe in one swoop.

Next week though we have a far more important event, that being the Boss des Bosses where Val gets to put it bump skiers against the best from the likes of Cham and Verbier. Good luck team. It’s also Paddy’s day, which seems to be a big event this year. I can smell trouble and if you fancy a bit of old skool raving Vspot is your spot!

On a last note don’t even ask about the weather, we had typo’s on the temp’s but I was up there on Tuesday and ironically it can’t of been far off -29. Mid March what’s going on, bring on the sun and spring snow I say.

Oh and just as we like you all we’ve given you a free sticker, use wisely!

Enjoy MB

Editor’s letter

The Editor — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:57:49 +0000

Week nine has come and gone. The weather could have been better for it but it didn’t seem to dampen too many spirits. Seems like we’re in the midst of a season where it’s not quite snowing snowing, but loads of overcast days with little bits of snow. Where’s the dump?! I think if we all think about it hard enough and do whatever ritual, dance or prayer you can to the snow gods it will happen.

The X-games hits Tignes this week for three days in the first ever European version of the event. They are bringing a lot of the big names from the States so it should prove quite the spectacle. If our petitions to the gods don’t work, then if there’s ever a sure way of making it snow it’s holding a big outdoor event!

The season is heading into the latter stages in some ways as, while we still have a lot of time left, it goes quickly so don’t waste it. We’ve got an article to help pump you up again.

I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:57:16 +0000

Well that was Febuary, it’s gone super quick for us here so roll on March. In recent years it has been the heaviest month for snow. It is week nine this week which means it’s time to hand the resort over to the Scandanavians, in particular the Swedish. There is a good chance you will fall in love several times next week, just watch your back as many may not have
come to age yet.

Last week saw the first Angels and Demons party which as ever was fairly interesting. The new thing this week is the Jack Wills party at the Folie on Friday, dress code formal. Should be a good one.

Our offerings this week are what to do on a bad weather day in Val, as we seem to be having a few this season and explaining the illness that is mid season blues. Lets hope your on the other side of it already.

From the entries in our photo comp recently it seems the park is in full swing with some of the World’s best making an appearance last week. So whatever tickles your fancy have a good week. MB

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:57:45 +0000

After massive tension last week, some of you may have noticed Freddie is finally working. It has been some kind of battle and I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped along the way. Whether that has been moving, taking down door ways, fixing him, sorting out the Xerox guys or simply putting up with my whining. I just hope he doesn’t break!

It has been a massively busy week around town and on the slopes but pretty quiet in the bars. Next week it dies off a little but the Scandinavians are just around the corner with all that they entail.

The Olympics are in full swing and over half way through already so make sure you don’t miss them as at a cost of at least $2.5 billion they must be good.

Have a good one MB

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:57:16 +0000

At the time of writing, the TME office is waiting with bated breath and whispering humbleness for the arrival of Xerox enginneers from the UK. This is still a big if, but if they turn up on time you might just be reading this in a new improved print quality come Saturday night… alternatively, you may be lucky to be reading it at all!

This week is one of the busiest of the season with all the school holidays coinciding. If you don’t like kids this probably won’t be a good week for you. It makes for a different type of atmoshere in the village, but Tinsel town becomes the place it’s built for. It also leaves most of the harder runs on piste and all the runs off piste pretty quiet for your enjoyment, with the caveat that the masses will all be queueing at the bottom of the lifts around 9.30am every day. You have been warned.

We are bringing you the low down on the Winter Olympics this week and we couldn’t get away without mentioning Valentine’s Day on Sunday. For all you lovers, enjoy. For all the losers out there, I’ll probably be seeing you in the pub. MB

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:57:21 +0000

Well, here we are again as another week rolls on by with more sun, snow and parties. Hopefully, by some kind of divine intervention, the beginning of February will bring the temperature up to a tolerable level. Bad taste saw some nice outfits get pulled out of the closet, as well as some which I’m sure would get you arrested in certain states. You know who you are, as does the laundry guy!

This week we went undercover to see Val d’Isère nightlife from the perspective of a late night door person, so we’ve now seen what you’re really like at night. We also have a round-up from the winter X Games. Before you ask, it’s for the North American one in Aspen. Don’t worry, you didn’t miss the whole thing in Tignes. That’s in March, we have also moved the sport to page 21 to give the what’s on space to breathe.

It’s time for the families to arrive in town. There aren’t too many this week but you will definitely notice the influx of people into town next weekend. Enjoy your week’s holiday or, if you’re here for the season,
don’t work too hard. Oh and if anyone sees my big sister about town, be nice to her.

She’s ace. MB

Editors’ Letter

The Editor — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:57:21 +0000

300 Danish students have certainly livened up the whole of town and made certain bars feel like days gone by, especially apres. As well as three fancy dress nights in a row, one of which saw all the house keepers in town lock up their laundry store rooms.

The skiing has been good and the weather unpredictable as ever. For those who noticed, yes we did forget to change the weather last week but it probably ended up being more correct than most weeks and what we were going to write in the first place.

A few more parties this week and the last quieter week before the chaos that is February hits in a big way. However with it brings the warmer weather.

Our main article is on beeper training, which we feel is one of the smartest things you can do while in town. There’s no point in thinking you should of done it when it’s too late. We can speak from experience on this and our friends were well trained, hence why we’re still here writing.

Have a good one.

MB HD

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:57:36 +0000

I can’t reallly talk about last week in the first person, as I spent most of it asleep. I swear I was ill but most of my close friends simply told me to “man the **** up”. By all accounts it’s been unreal up the hill and I’ve seen a few good goggle marks around town to prove it!

The Danois pole dancing at the end of last week assaulted our eyes with the usual lengthy line of people who should never be seen on a pole taking to the stage. The Polo over the weekend had some of the best French players come to town and, as always, was a good spectacle.

Our offerings this week are a look at the different ways of getting to town from the UK and the dos and don’ts of dog ownership in Val. Australia day is next week so be sure to either get involved or stay well clear depending on where, on the scale of Mother Superior to the Marquis de Sade, your level of debauchery tolerance resides.

Hope you all have a good week. It looks like another sunny one (which doubtless means it’ll snow like crazy). You never know, we may even join you out and about this week.

Editor’s Letter

The Editor — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:57:58 +0000

Snow, sun and now more snow. What an awesome week it’s been up there and with three bluebird days in a row. Throw in a few theme nights, some big parties and it’s been a full week of entertainment.

The resort is definitely gathering momentum with the VSpot Riders Day helping you all meet fellow riders and make new friends. The dressing-up boxes have been in full use around town. I always find it a little worrying quite how comfortable some of the guys look in women’s clothes. As for this week, we’ve opened up the age-old debate on the merits of skiing vs boarding, as well as trying to teach you all a little mountain etiquette.

Enjoy the peace on the hill and the good, chilled vibe around town. February is not far away, when the masses will arrive!! MB

Editors’ Letter

The Editor — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:57:11 +0000

So, it was finally worth the wait. The clouds parted and we have had some awesome ski days up there. It didn’t matter if you were just learning or hitting the big chutes. All, or most of us, had fun out there (although I know a few were regretting their hangovers).

Town has been pretty busy over the past week, so let’s hope it’s the same this week. While it may make the slopes busy, it also adds a certain buzz to town and the bars.

We are still having massive supply problems so we can’t even guarantee whether you will be reading this on time or in what quality. We are on-line so if you want to show your friends back home what you’ve been up to or see the pictures a little clearer take a look. Now we’re deep into January let’s hope you all got the warm jacket you wanted for Christmas as it’s cold out there. My toes were cold for one!

Till next week,

MB HD