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.

HD

Snow Quality and Stability
In sum, this past week was very complicated, but sometimes simple. For example, early on in the week, when it was raining, some really nice snow was to be found.. up higher than the rain/snow limit! But then the lack of freezing at night made it hard (and dangerous) to take advantage of the spring snow until Tuesday and Wednesday due to freezing at night. I found some good fresh snow (sprinkles from Monday night) on North facing slopes on Tuesday onwards, see vids of us skiing it on Weds 24 March if you don’t believe me! on www.getoffpiste.com There was also some good spring snow in places if you looked, used your common sense and weren’t afraid of making mistakes: sinking in wet snow from time to time and rattling across frozen snow that was gouged out by people sinking in the day before. For a good summary of what the snow quality was like this past week, see “Wayne’s Daily Diary’ on the web site: www.alpineexperience.com

Snow Quality: The rise in temperatures early this past week along with the lack of freeze at night i.e. continued high temperatures through the night, led to a big cycle of avalanching; the rapid rise in temperatures after such a cold spell, along with a very unstable layer of faceted snow grains at the bottom of the snowpack (see video on my blog www.getoffpiste.com on 19 March) made this one of the most active avalanching cycles we’ve seen for a while here in the Northern French Alps.

In fact so many avalanches were observed that many people questioned why the avalanche rating was dropped down from 4 over the weekend to 3 early in the week (see my blog www.getoffpiste.com for info and a debate on that). The net effect, however, has been a real stabilisation of the snowpack thanks to the rain and the warmth followed by lower temps. Those places that did not get much of the warming and the humidification/rain, still have an exposed cohesionless base in the snowpack – this snowpack was not subject to much melting and freezing on slopes that are high and North above 2600 metres or so.

Tips for this coming week
The snowpack has stabalised but, high North facing slopes of 2600 metres plus, that haven’t been skier compacted, will be something to watch out for because of the somewhat exposed, fragile cohesionless layer of snow (see my discussion on Snow Stability above) will end up under any new snow that we’ve received at the end of this week or weekend. Keep up-to-date on the snow conditions and stability by visiting our blog on www.getoffpiste.com and go to the avalanche forecast translation in the left column, OR if you can read French, on: www.meteo-france.com >Montagne>Bulletins Avalanches.

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)

A direct fall onto the shoulder may cause the collar bone to fracture. These clavicular fractures usually occur in the shaft of the bone. If the shape of the bone is not too deformed the treatment involves immobilisation in a brace. However, sometimes the fracture is displaced or angulated, when an operation to insert a metal plate may be required. Fractures towards the outer end of the clavicle are more serious and may not heal up properly without an operation.

The joint where the collar bone joins the shoulder blade is called the acromio-clavicular (AC) joint. There are four ligaments holding the joint in place, and the clavicle can become separated from the scapula depending on how badly the ligaments are damaged. In minor sprains, the ligaments are damaged but not stretched. With more force the ligaments can stretch slightly. These types of sprain are treated with a simple sling to support the weight of the arm. In severe sprains the ligaments can snap completely. This requires a special AC brace to push the collar bone back down or even an operation to fix it back in place.

The ball and socket joint of the shoulder is called the gleno-humeral joint. The ball-shaped part of the humerus is called the humeral head. The socket of the scapula is quite shallow, which allows a good range of movement, but makes it prone to dislocations. The humerus is held in place by ligaments and a group of muscles known as the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff sprains occur when the muscle fibres are stretched beyond breaking point. Sometimes a piece of bone can be ripped away from the head of the humerus where the muscle attach. This is known as an avulsion fracture. Treatment of rotator cuff sprains and minor avulsion fractures involves immobilising the shoulder with a sling or shoulder brace for a couple of weeks. Displaced avulsion fractures require an operation to fix them back into place.

If there is a direct blow to the shoulder or if the arm is wrenched suddenly, the head of the humerus dislocates out of the socket. Usually the humeral head comes to lie in front of and below the joint, but rarely it can dislocate backwards. Treatment involves manipulating the humeral head back into the socket using various techniques. The technique that you may have seen in the film ‘Lethal Weapon’ is not to be recommended ! An injection of painkiller and/or muscle relaxant is often required. X-rays are almost always necessary before and after the dislocation has been treated to make sure there is not an associated avulsion fracture.

Finally the neck of the humerus can break, at the point where the shaft of the bone joins the humeral head. Despite quite severe angulation these fractures usually heal up nicely with a simple sling for about three weeks. An operation is only required in really bad cases.

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.