Januray 27 WINTER PASS
Why would you pay more..? For those who like to discover quiet freeride resorts,
check out the WinterPass offer: for CHF 35.-
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January 22 FREERIDE JUNIORS
A big THX! to all the people who helped us during this first Freeride Junior by Dakine
week-
Despite tons of fresh snow, avalanche danger and many clouds we had a great event in Cham. For those who want to take part, there is still room left for the Fieberbrunn event on March 10&11. Please register on:
Seb Michaud, “line” workshop Competition venue at la Flégère
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
I wish you all the best for 2012. May all your dreams happen and love enlightened your soul.
Ride hard. Aloha ;)
December 19 2011 SNOW STORM
This winter has started in a pure canadian style... Snow-
Merry Christmast to all of you. Enjoy the pow!
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December 9 2011 BACKCOUNTRY
I took the advantage of the first descent snowfall to hike up the hills around my place. With a rather high avalanche danger I chose a mellow summit under 2000m with a globalé steepness of 25° in order not to take any risk. And I really had fun riding down this scenic spot facing lake Geneva.
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December 7 2011 WINTER IS ON!
“A day which will live in Infamy”... That was 70 years ago as the USA joined WW2 after Japanese raid on Hawaï. 70 years later it feels more like a rebirth as another storm brings a solid layer of powder on the Alps.
During the past days up to 2 feet of pow fell on the northern part of Bas-
Map: www.snow-
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November 23 2011 FREERIDE JUNIORS 2012
Registrations for the 3 Freeride Juniors by Dakine events are now open! 75 spots per event for riders aged 14 to 17 years old.
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Ctober 9th 2011 A SNOW FLAKE SMELL...
It snowed more than 40cm of deep pow on the Alpes Vaudoise all through the week-
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September 20th 2011 A LONG SUMMER!
After a looong summer and many prayers for a snowy-
The Dents du Midi in their white robe
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April 15th 2011 LAST POWDER DAY @ GLACIER3000
On this Friday morning there was something in the air. Something odd. It was not because of the foot of fresh pow, but more because it felt like it could be the last good riding day of the season. And it actually was.
With my good mate Sven we rode down the Glacier3000 run non-
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April 4th 2011 -
Mid March it snowed quite a lot at home. I drove up to Leysin to get some runs tracked before the end of the season. The weather wasn’t good enough to do “serious” shooting so I just took my GOPRO and enjoyed the moment...
VIDEO of this cool day out there
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March 20th 2011 -
The Junior competition couldn’t happen on Saturday because of foggy conditions on
the upper part of Verbier resort. Sunday, right after the Elite FWT final we wanted
to run it, but the mountain guides told us not to do so. We listenend to their advice
and in the middle of the afternoon, a major avalanche slide came down the supposed
Junior venue... We finally hiked up a bit to track a small segment of fresh powder,
filmed by Guido Perini and had an avalanche transceiver contest which offered the
chance to the fastet Juniors to get a Dakine backpack on the FWT stage in Verbier,
those bags offered by Anne-
Juniors at the bottom of ” Women’s Bec ” A short hike to a small freeride run “just for fun”
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March 15th 2011 -
For the first time in 13 years I will not compete on the mythic Bec des Rosses for
the 16th edition of the Nissan Verbier by Swatch. But I am still around... On Tuesday
I rode the Bec together with C-
Eddy the mythic guardian The same old hike up that I do every March for 13 years Summit preparation
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March 13th 2011 -
Fieberbrunn in the Austrian Tirol hosted for the first time the 5th lap of the FWT.
In parallel we organized the second stop of the Freeride JUNIOR events on the Wildseeloder.
An amazing week-
The monumental snow arena shaped especially for FWT Local hero Mati Haunaulder, 3rd of the FWT coached Juniors
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End of February 2011 -
It finally re-
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February 5-
A very important event happenend last WE in Hochfüegen, Zillertal. It was both a FWQ 4* for men and a FWT stop for women. The snow conditions were not at their best, but we kinda get use to it this season... On the day before the event I go backcountry with Mitch Tölderer. 45 minutes of hiking bring us to an amazing run of 1000m vertical, almost untracked with 30cm of old pow...
On the next day Swiss’ Emilien Badoux wins the SNB men while Ausrian Liz Kristoferitsch does an amazing technical and fast run down the Ostwand. Ski woman and current FWT N°1 Janette Hargin kicks everyone else’s butt on her way down. Truely breath taking run and perfect drops for the Swedish skier!
Mitch and me atop of Hochfügen resort Emilien Badoux the SNB winner
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January 22nd-
This week-
Due to crapy snow conditions the 50 Juniors didn’t ride a competition but
had a great day out taught by pros and guides. Many security workshops offered them
the chance to know more about mountain safety.
Later that day, Alain Duclos presented an avalanche conference as frightening than captivationg.
On Sunday we hired a bus to cross the Mont-
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January 8th & 9th 2011 -
For its 9th edition the Freeday 2011 offered a unique chance to learn more about mountain, avalanches and freeriding. On Saturday, more than 60 participants came to Grimentz in the Val d’Anniviers to ride and discover. That day was my birthday as well and after a full day talking about snowlayers and avalanches slides, we spent a great time drinking “glacier wine” in one of the mysterious cellars of Grimentz.
On Sunday the Freeday Advanced offered a chance to 18 riders to learn more, train avalanche trasceiver in the Zinal Training Center and to ride two beautifull runs down the Orzival Roc and down Sorebois.
Having spent two days teaching those riders, we felt we needed to spend some more time in Anniviers and relax. So we spent a magic evening at Simon’s hunting hut, perched high above the Moiry lake.
Thanx to the riders: Ruth Leisibach, Nath Zenklusen, Sven Mermod, Jo Rouge, Emilien Badoux, Raphy Bullet, Xav Jordan
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January 3rd 2011 -
A Happy New Year to all of you and especially to the younger freeriders as they will have the chance to take part in 3 Junior events in 2011!
In parallel of the Freeride World Tour stops of Chamonix, Fieberbrunn and Verbier, three FWT Junior by DaKine events will give the chance to riders aged 12 to 17 to meet, compete and get a full immersion experience in
the freeride world.
Security workshops are programmed as well as an avalanche conference. A unique occasion for junior riders to meet FWT elite freeriders.
First event in Chamonix: next 22nd and 23rd of January. Hurry up to register >>> here
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December 26th 2010 -
A nice hike behind Mayen with a short stop at the Chevrier hut. This was the best way to digest all the Christmas meals..:)
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December 9th-
To check if my Xtrail was ready for the winter (of course it is!) I drove all the
way to St-
of early December, the Pyrenees got super hot air too and the snow vanished within a day. Anyway, the films were great just as the organization of this 6th edition of Freeride Film Festival. Thx Bruno and all the locals!
The spanish valley of Pineta
St-
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December the 4th 2010 -
Leysin and Alpes Vaudoises just opened, claiming the heaviest last snowfall in the Northern Alps. Amazing. Exactly like 2 years ago. Superb! After about 10 years of riding and summer hiking in Leysin i know pretty well where the rockless zones are.
After a short rain episode, much more snow (2 ft) excpected. Rock&Roll :) E viva 2010!
“This run down Berneuse was meant just to check if the paravalanche were OK...”
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End of November 2010 -
Faster than I imagined I climbed up Pic Chaussy with my mate Arno. 25cm at the bottome and more than 50 cm at the elevation of 2350m. An awesome moment sliding down the Pic even though the snow conditions were kind of “low tide” :). The second run happened in Leysin on the 26th right after the snow storm that covered most of Europ with white gold. Ihad plan to climb straight up to the top but had to stop half way, there was way too much of snow; above knees even with snowshoes on... That reminded me of November 2008...
Right below Lioson lake, Arno right in my track Winter in Leysin!!!!!!!!!!!
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November 23rd 2010 -
Here is where the last snowfall did hit Switzerland at best. Once again Cervinia, Zermatt, Simplon pass. To be verified live in a few days...
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November 10th 2010 -
For those who like winter and snow, no need to explain any further how exciting it is to drive throug the blizzard, when the road is all white... But that’s only the case if you are driving a robust car on which you can trust 100%. Go and buy a Nissan 4x4. ;)
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October 26th 2010 -
Then when the sun rises and the wind blows, it really looks like winter...:)
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October 25th 2010 -
Isn’t it beautifull... That’s exactly what I like to see out of my window when I wake up!
It looks like it’s time to hit the road and meet with the Austrian glaciers again....
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It looks like the winter is slowling coming back... Partial opening of Leysin’s slopes : November 27th
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September 2010 -
Autumn is one of best time of the year to enjoy aerial sports. Most of my friends get serious adrenaline shots while paragliding up in Leysin or in Valais. On my side I just enjoy flying my RC gliders, which is way more safe than flying myself. For once I have a peacefull mellow activity... My mums likes it very much ...:)
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August 2010 -
A superb 41st edition is happeneing right now in Les Diablerets. We already had the
chance to view a few master pieces and to welcome first-
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July 2010 -
Probably the most beautifull playground on Earth... Summer is the right time to benefit of the multiple pleasures of mountain. I hike a lot with or without clients (which changes a lot the itineraries I choose...).
Those summer hikes help me finding new routes I will ride in the winter. It also helps knowing a bit better the quality of the ground (rocks, grass,...) which reduces the danger while I’ll be riding.
Pix : Stef Mougeot
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May 2010 -
Spring is back since a few days. 27 degrees and sun. Trees expressed their joy by painting them in light tender green. But as usual during spring in the Alps, snow has come back below 2000m. We might have the chance to shoot some amazing, contrasted pictures up there...
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April 16th 2010 -
One run happened on rock hard snow, but still, riders made a nice show. That run
was supposed to count as a qualification run for the OPEN riders. But due to bad
weather announced, all riders including FWQ had the chance to show their skills.
At the end of the day the snow came and fell non-
Then we partied ‘a little’ for the 10th anniversary of RFC...
As the airway situation didn’t seem to get any better regarding the volcano’s ashes grounding any aircrafts in northern Europe, I decided to come back home by road... I took me 39 hours of bus and train to get back to my Swiss Alps. Nice trip though!
Riders spotting their line on competition day
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April 12th 2010 -
I am on the road again, on my way to Röldal, Norway. One more time this winter I will act as a special advisor for the FWT. Röldal Freeride Challenge is counting for 2011 FWQ ranking that’s why it is very important for riders to perform there and to gain points as early as possible for the upcomming season. The level is every year amazing and this event has brought to light riders such as Reine Barkered or Torgrim Vole. And this year it is its10th anniversary... I guess we might party a bit...:) Link to RFC
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April 2010 -
Winter won’t last forever. After the heat of March, April brought us, as usually, a nice load of fresh powder, allowing us to spray high again and again. The only problem in springtime is that one have to stop riding early. The rising temperatures increase the avalanche danger significantly. We search for northern slopes where the snow stays cold. That also allowes pictures with astonishing views on the Geneva lake in the background.
Pix: Rod’Bull’ Neri
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March 23rd 2010 -
Impossible to do a better run than “Golgoth14” aka Xav DeleRue... His line is very, very impressive. For my 12th participation I chose to ride the best snow which is located on the “riders right” side of the Bec. I stick 3 drops and a 360 with a good fluidity and no mistakes. I am ranked 2nd right behind austrian Mitch Tölderer.
This second place fills me absolutely, even more than my 2006 and 2008 victories, because I remember that last year my back was severely injured... I am not 100% yet but my back as well as my mental are strong again!
Anotehr great surprise is to meet Steve Klassen again. The Master has got a wildcard and so competes again on the Bec. The proof that at the age of 45 years one can still have fun playing in the snow...:)
On the 12 times I competed in the Xtreme I ended 7 times on the podium. A global results that pleases me!
1st place : 1998, 2006 and 2008 / 2nd place : 2004 and 2010 / 3rd place 2001 and 2007
If you want to see my run, click here.
Last Tuesday while hicking up the Bec with our Master : Steve Klassen (5 victories)
Stalefish at the bottome of my run Amazing podium ...
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18-
The Bec des Rosses (3222m) is superbly covered with snow this year. The wind didn’t affect it too much so the show might be great! We are just waiting for the best weather window.
It will be my 12th participation in the Xtreme and 10th time competing on the Bec as in 2005 we started from the women’s start and in 2008 on the Mont Gelé. I am looking forward to ride down that mythic and huge pile of rocks...
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March 2010 -
After missing FWT in Squaw Valley I get in shape riding as much as I can with Sven Mermod on Diablerets’ Glacier3000 as well as in Leysin. Amazing riding days including descents all the way down to Cergnat on the road to Leysin. Even though it didn’t snow lately we still find dome good powder hidden here and there... And as Sven says, hard snow is the best way to get strong legs. And that’s exactly what ai need before Verbier...
Pix Rod ‘Bull’ Neri
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February 10-
I am heading to Silvaplana (Engadin) and Fieberbrunn (Tyrol) to have take part in two 3stars FWQ events (Freeride World Qualifying Tour). I am acting as a special advisor for the FWT to check that on the organizational side all is well set upet on FWT/FWQ standards. I also act as the snowboard head judge.
The level and quality of the organization is just amazing and just the song says: “die Tyroler sind lustig..!”
Beautiful runs achieved by Max Zipster and Emilien Badoux. On the skiers side, tie are the local Mathias Haunholder and a Swiss rookie: Samuel Anthamatten from Zermatt. Sam skied strong like a rock. On his feet back country shoes and bindings... This waliser has balls, talent and a huge potential.
Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn Sam Anthamaten THE newcomer
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February 6th 2010 -
Coming back from Cham, I enjoy the deep snow layer now covering Leysin. Snow is deep enough to ski all the way down to Cergnat the next village down the Leysin road. Don’t ask me where are the lines to ride there....
If you want to see two lines on that day: click here!
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February the first, 2010 -
The second lap of FWT happened yesterday in Chamonix on the Hotel slopes of Le Brévent. 50cm of fresh snow covered a half of the face. The other half of the mountain was icy and hard as concrete due to weeks
of winds and lack of snow. I had a safe run but on the bottom of my line I slamed while landing a 5m cliff.
I am ranked 8th but this event sounds like a victory to me as it means I am ready to ride in competitions.
My body is solid and my mental is strong again. I am confident for the rest of this winter season!
Article published on 01.02.2010 in Swiss newspaper Le Matin
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January 25th 2010 -
The visibility and snow conditions were so lame that the FWT organizers had to postponed the first FWT lap in Krasnaya Poliana, Russia. The event will happen in Chamonix a few days after FWT lap 2.
I’ll be in Chamonix as of Thursday to take part in the 2nd lap of FWT.
It’s strange because I had a really bad feeling about FWT lap 1 in Russia and I decided not to go. But I couldn’t have imagined that it would be a weather problem. Any way, it’s good to be able to listen to the inner voice.
Info: www.freerideworldtour.com
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January 18th 2010 -
It snowed another 20cm and “our” mountains are free of tracks again. The avalanche danger has dropped down so we hike and ride further, more and more. Monday was a great day out there on the Riondaz and Géteillon with Daguette and Arno. Now looking for more snow to come on Wednesday...!
Pix Arnaud Derib
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January 13th 2010 -
I took the decision not to compete in Sochi for the first lap of 2010 FWT. I know my body much better now.
I know its limits and am able to better listen to my feelings. I won’t go against my instinct.
My back is good and I have been riding much this season but I feel I have to wait a bit more before I go really big. I am not the kind of guy to go to an event and ride passively, so I prefer to wait for Chamonix FWT and be able to express my style on the snow.
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January 8-
WE in Grimentz, Val d’Anniviers for the second edition of our avalanche awareness
event this year. 80 participants had the chance to learn from both guides and pro-
The Tzijere (hut) near Moiry Badoux Brothers and
José Carron Simon raclette-
Powder turn in Grimentz
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January 5th 2010 -
Berneuse, Leysin. Always as good to track through the trees. The forecast says more snow from the east. Well, bring it on! We’re ready for more!
Somewhere half way in between Géteillon and Leysin.
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January 2nd 2010 -
How could we start better this new year 2010..? It snowed 30 cm above 1800m on the 31st and another foot on the 1st at all altitudes. So what do you think we did on January the second? Ahah! We tracked the fresh snow. Mostly on Chaux de Mont which was a true image of heaven. Everyone screaming and sparying high. How amazing was that momentum of collective happiness. But the danger is high so watch out.
Chaux de Monts shadows, Leysin
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December 19th 2009 -
For the first time the Freeday happenend in Leysin. A unique experience where the
participants can meet at the same time guides, rescue teams and pro-
And last but not least, say no if you doubt it’s safe enough to go.
Searching for the signal Advices straight from the pros
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December 9th 2009 -
Right when it started to rain on the lovely Leysin powder, with a bunch of Leysin
friends we hit the road and went to Austrian Tyrol to enjoy colder snow conditions.
4 days spent in between St-
Powder turn on the Kauner road A few hundred meters away, same move on my board...
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December 2nd 2009 -
From the top of Berneuse we can see far away over the Alps and on the Swiss Plateau
covered by a sea of clouds. After taking a few pictures atop we ride down all the
way back to Leysin on nicely groomed slopes. They’ll be ready and open next week-
Sunrise on the Chamossaire First powder turn, pix Arnaud Derib
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November 25th 2009 -
Is winter finally reaching teh Alps..?
The last two winters were so amazing that we’d just like anoter one...
!
Swiss Alps snow forecast Nov 28th-
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Mid November 2009 -
I had waited that moment for the pas 9 monthes... After weeks of physiotherapy and
musculation I am fully ready to return on my board. The Austrian Tyrol is well covered
with snow so I sat in my X-
thousand vertical meters of denivelation on wide perfectly groomed slopes.
Amazing; I feel like I never stopped riding. :)
The other good thing is that I scoped many very interesting runs all around the area.
As use to say Governator; “I’ll be back” video: CYRIL NERI IS BACK ON SNOW
Photo souvenir with Wildspitze in the background Powder turn, just like 9 monthes ago!
Pietztal, Wo Sieger trainieren... You said it man!
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November 6 2009 -
Here is what I saw this morning while I looked down my window... Mmmhhh. What else should I say..? :)
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October 2009 -
I lately met Cyril Raffaeli and David Belle, both stuntmen and actors of Banlieue 13 Ultimatum. As they
needed some extra footage of runing and jumping atop of scenic mountains for an upcomming internet clip,
I brought them to one of my favourite spot: the Truex area of Leysin.
It has been a lot of fun acting as a local guide and camera 2 with those funny stuntmen from Paris.
Want to learn more about Cyril Raffaeli’s stuntmen life and team? Click here
Once again, flying high above Leysin The taxi is waiting 4 us... Thx Vincent!
Cyril Raffaeli focusing Cyril, camera 2 waiting for the stunt
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End of September 2009 -
After the best winter ever in 2009 we have been enjoying an amazing summer and the autumn is just as great. Which is very convenient to carry on with my physical training as I really enjoy less training in a fitness room than in the nature. I lately started to wear my MBT shoes which increase the difficulty of the exercices.
My favourite training room: the beautiful Leysin landscape... :)
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September 2009 -
A cool day flying over Leysin in one of Air-
Refuelling on the helipad High above Berneuse and Riondaz, Leman lake in the back
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August 2009 -
After weeks of physiotherapy and hours of back muscles reconstruction I am ready to charge again during training sessions. Biking, swimming and hiking are among the good part of it. Steps hopping and abdominal exercices are necessary but not that cool. But it’s the price to pay to be back on my board soon.
The great thing is that I have never taken more care of my body and I feel I’ll be back much stronger... :)
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July 2009 -
Much, much fun @ the PALEO festival in Nyon. Creating airplanes and gliders out of recycled trash with kids. The music wasn’t bad neither..!
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July 2009 -
Xavier Rosset just spent 300 days on a lonely island in the Pacific Ocean. Most of his days were spent picking food, freshwater and building a shelter. He had a machette, a Swiss Knife and a combo computer/satelite phone to be able to share his experiences with the rest of the world every week or so.
Check out www.xavierrosset.ch and listen to Xavier’s amazing trip...
This picture was taken a few days after Xavier returned to his home in Verbier.
A phone to call his friends and beer; that’s probably what he missed the most on Tofua...
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June 2009 -
Check out my latest video. Some images of the last winter season 2009 and what happened to me on February 11th in Les Diablerets. Here is the link to the video page.
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June 2009 -
WAVES is active in the field of sustsainable development. They are helping local peruvians in Lobitos (one of the world most amazing surfing spot) to manage sustainable tourism themselves. Therefore, kids are taught how to surf, manage a lodge or a surfshop as well as environmental aspects. My project to develop riding tourism in the indian Hymalayas beeing a bit similar to theirs, Sylvain Gaeng and his crew contacted me and asked me to become one of their ambassador. Next event to raise funds : Saturday June the 20th in Montreux. Let’s meet us there !
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April -
It is not because I can’t ride that I can’t enjoy my time living in the mountains.
As soon as my back permits, I am back up the peaks making my “fun birds” fly. A passion
I enjoy for the past 20 years and that has become my main activity now! How cool
to meet the peaks again, formation-
Pix: Polo
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February and March 2009 -
For those who keep an eye on my actuality I apologize for my long silence but I had an accident in early Feb.
Back home from Sochi, I discover to my greatest pleasure the Alps covered with masses of snow. Just as it started this winter two thousands and 9 keeps on amazing us. I am riding and riding, day after day, around my home resorts as it seems like one of the best place to be.
I take advantage of the great snow conditions to film a few days. We shoot in the trees as the avalanche danger is still high. On one afternoon, as the weather is clearing up, we head to The Pillon pass, bottom station of the Glacier3000 skiing arena. There are numerous small lines ending on the parking lot and that’s when and where I make a mistake... I end a run, full throttle and hit a last hump that satelizes me. I am
flying 10 meters above the parking floor and land flat on it. As I try to stomp my landing, the impac’s
violence crushes one vertebrate and i end my run laying on my back. A few minutes later I am flying in a
brand new REGA EC 145 chopper towards Lausanne Universary Hospital...I’ll have to wear a cast for the
next 3 monthes but I consider myself as very lucky. I could have lost the use of my legs, open fractured
my femurs or even worse. I am thankfull of my solid back muscles that prevented me from the
many “Gs” during my ground hit.
What’s next..? Inch’Allah as they say down there!
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24 January 2009 -
A year after I am back in Krasnaya-
Pix: Chris Margot
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10 January 2009 -
This amazing peak, located right in front of Leysin hides numerous challenging lines, ridden only few times per decade. With some friends I went tracking a few of them. Full story on facebook
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01 January 2009 -
Happy New Year !
“May the best in 2008 be the worst of 2009”
A few good lines in Leysin, covered with a foot of fresh new year pow!
Pix : Rodbull_Leysin
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23 December 2008 -
The conditions are still great and there’s plenty to track in the Vaudoises Alpes. Here are a few pix of our last session with Sven Mermod and Arnaud Derib, half way in between Diablerets and Gstaad.
Pix : Cyril self
Pix : Cyril
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10 December 2008 -
It took us two winters and several months of work to shoot our latest movie “Meet the 3rd guy”. At the crossroads of fiction and reality, share a moment in time with Sven Mermod, Cyril Neri and Michel “LeGrand”.
TEASER HERE Film sold in Swiss shops and on
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7 December 2008 -
It’s getting better and better, nights of snowfalls after nights of snowfalls. Hip deep powder down Reusch or near Les Plans in Leysin. Mmmh should that never end.
Pix: Arnaud Derib, Leysin
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26 -
The weather reports were correct and we got 120cm of snow atop Berneuse (2050m) and
60cm in the village. No need to tell that we got fed up with all that fresh pow!
Together with Arnaud we had an exclusive session on Wed. 26th as well as a great
week-
Pix: Arnaud Derib, Leysin
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20th-
The weather maps tell us it’s gonna be big. Cold, heavy, and lasting for monthes... This winter no need to go overseas to get goo snow. It’s here. Just open your doors... I love global warming..!!! :)
Snow forecast of November 17th for the period of Novemebr 20th till 23rd.
Snow forecasted on November 18th for the period of Nov. 21st till 24th...
Yellow = in between 1m et 1,5m of snow. In purple in between 50cm and 1m... Switzerland will be all white...
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Ealy November 2008 -
In Cervinia and all around Monte Rosa area winter has started. For once the best snow layer in the whole Alp range is less than 2 hourds away from Geneva Lake.
If you are looking for a spot to go riding, don’t event think further. Cervinia. That’s the place to be.The snow layer is almost as good as it should be in January. Enjoy.
80% of the slopes are open... 2m of snow layer around 3000m.
Guess what shadow it is in Zermatt... HMR new freerider Xavier Jordan and freeskier Sven Mermod
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September 2008 -
Once again the South-
Calling friends back home..... A
nice little 4-
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July 15th 2008 -
As it usualy happens during the summer in the Alps, it snowed above 2500m. So we headed up to the summit of Glacier3000 with Arnaud to enjoy a couple of summer powder turns... The same day I went to the Jazz festival in Montreux. A very complete day I’d say...
Pix: Arnaud Derib
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May 2008 -
I might head down to Argentina in September, but that’s not sure yet. Here is the last pix of the winter. Great snow all along this 2008 winter. I am looking forward for the next one..!!!
Pix: RodBull
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Late April & May 2nd 2008 -
It’s snowing again. Low. Incredible... We are still filming. A last session through the trees. Then a few days later we are helied up the peaks to shoot on the glaciers around seracs. Ok now I think it is about time to put board shorts on..!
Pix: RodBull
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April 5th and 6th 2008 -
Saturday is a very cool day. 20 cm of fresh snow and an average visibility. 60 riders
take the chance to (re)discover the amazing freeride domain of Glacier3000 (Diablerets
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Col du Pillon, 9:00am The Rocher Jaune... Milon Favre
Al Coudray Crazy bastard! My group on Saturday
Pix: Seb Anex
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April 2nd 2008 -
April is as good as December has been... Loads of fresh snow coming every 3 days... We are taking advantage of the amazing lights on the northern slopes and we are filming constantly. What a season... A great season in the northern Alps!
Pix: Arnaud Derib
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March-
This late season 2008 is awesome. A lot of storms are providing the North range of the Alps with sticky powder. It’s stable enough for us to go and shred the place. Filming every sunny day. The first pix is from a good day @ Glacier3000. The rest comes from an article published in Loisir.ch with another pix of Seb Anex, alos taken in Diablerets in 2006.
Pix: Seb Anex Article: Loisir.ch_François Ruchti Article: Loisir.ch_ Pix: Seb Anex
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March 17th 2008 -
FWT is over, it is finally time for me to shoot both film and stills. Diablerets’ Glacier3000 welcomes me back with a foot and a half of amazing powder. Unbelievable, it feels like Alaskan powder, sticky and elastic at the bottom, light and fresh atop... Great actions filmed by Peter Charaf and Arnaud Derib and shot by my brother. Sven is in good shape and it’s hard to follow him...
Pix : Rod Neri
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March 15th 2008 -
5th and last lap of the FWT. Verbier Xtreme. Mythic, unique, no word is strong enough
to describe it... As we were scoping our lines on the Bec des Rosses, an avalanche
slid down the North-
2nd drop in my line. For the 3rd time!!! Podium with Al. Coudray and D. Magnusson. The Gilles Voirol trophy.
TO READ THE WHOLE FWT STORY CLICK HERE
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March 8th 2008 -
4th lap of the FWT is Tignes, France. It snowed 15cm which is not enough to make the Grande Balme north face become good enough for the comp. So we hit Pramecou which offers nice line possibilties, but so many sharks... I chose a direct line with a backflip 10m after the start. I butt check and keep on going fast, with a huge amount of slough. I drop a cliff with no visibilitys becasue of the moving snow, a few turns and I have to stop 2 seconds to let the slough go. It costs me my place on the podium... To bad. I end 4th again and am currently 4th on the FWT ranking. Verbier is in a week and then : filming till June!!!
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March 4th and 5th 2008 -
On my way to Tignes, I just passed by Geneva to say hello to the Nissan people, see beauties (cars, I mean) and enjoy the delicious buffet @ Nissan stand. I always travel with a board in my car and that’s great because Nissan has set the “Nissan Sports Adventure Park” right outside from the motor show. Some cool freestyle sessions with team mates Eric Themel and James Stantiford. Here a self pix I made while doing a bs 180. And my favourite concept car from Nissan: the Pivot2
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February 24th -
This year, that unique event is part of the FWT. 2 luxury coaches drive us from Chamonix to Sestrière, via the Val de Bagnes. Then 2 helis fly us close to the peaks (summit of Le Buet was hiked up because located on French ground). The invited riders like Jeremy Jones, Fredy Kalbermatten or Stefan Gimpel make the BMPro startinglist be the most amazing ever. Finaly only 2 runs will be achieved as the weather and the snow quality forced us, once again, to do what Mother Nature wants. That is freeriding! My bad result (7) put me 3rd in the FWT ranking.
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February 18 -
The Hammer team spent a week in a remote secret spot in the Alpes Vaudoises. A mountain
hut, a skidoo and a chopper based only 3min fly away, that’s what I call a good set-
cameramen and we immortalized some cool actions... No fresh snow expected, but that freerider’s heaven hides 15 to 25 cm of old pow, stayed untouched. That’s a great training camp right before the BigMountainPro!
Cyril Neri, backflip by Ahriel Povich Fred Evequoz and Sven Mermod by Rod Neri
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February 2nd 2008 -
To read more about that russian trip, click HERE, or chekc the FWT page on my webstie.
This second lap of the FWT was a surprise to all of us: country, language, people
and a very strange russian-
Regarding the comp, I had a cool run with two smooth backflips and several jumps, just not engaged enough to get a step on the podium. I end 4th which brings me at the 2nd place of the intermediate FWT ranking. Next FWT lap will be the already famous BigMountainPro. With invited stars as Fredy Kalbermatten or David Benedek... It’s gonna be wild!
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January 25th 2008 -
Snow conditions on Mc Gee mountain are so poor that the FWT lap 1 will happen on Rogers Ridge. A snowstorm brings 80cm of fresh pow: conditions for that first lap are weird. The run is very short but snow excellent and allows big drops..! Al Coudray has 2 great runs and ends first in front of Flo Örley. After a week of bronchite and antibiotics I am more than happy to end third with a cool backflip atop and 4 clean cliff drops. Next stop: Sochi!
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Mid January 2008 -
12 hours on a plane and 6 in a car, before we reach Mammoth Mountain, Steve Klassen’s home resort. The hard blowing wind affected the snow, but the conditions are good enough for the FWT. The Open and Quest events were great and next week the FWT will happen on Mc Gee mountain...
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January 8th 2008 -
Last shooting before my departure for the Freeride World Tour. A great day with Sven for the 2009 Hammer brochure. Peter Charaf shoot us together in action on the Diablerets glacier. Who said skiing and snowboarding were different sports..? Who said we are no brother..? Fusion! FREERIDING 4 EVER!
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Late December 2007 -
A few more inch of powder came right before New Year and we’re tracking the leftovers of last snow storm. Safe runs going down bellow 1000m of altitude, which doesn’t happen so often.
Pix: Rodric Neri
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Decembre 13th-
After a few days of heavy snowfalls, the sun is back. A few more days and the snow layers are stable... Time to shred!! All my favourite runs are clean and filled with fresh white gold!! A few great sessions with my mates Sven and Nico in Leysin and Les Diablerets. Here two pix I took with my small Nikon Coolpix.
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December 2007 -
... Let it snow, let it snow...
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November 16th 2007 -
We prayed so much, it finally snowed..! First winter shooting in Leysin with my friends
Sven and Nico. Master Chris Margot is shooting with his usual talent. The best powpow
ever on a pre-
Pix: www.photomargot.com
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October 2007 -
No fresh snow for the moment... With my team mate Sven, we get fit and ready for the upcoming season. Hiking, backcountry skiing, bouldering. We do all kind of exercices outdoors to get “clever” muscles. We certainly don’t want to lock ourselves in a fitness room when the weather is so fine.
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Autumn 2007 -
25cm of fresh snow cover the Alps and “our” Glacier3000 in Les Diablerets. It’s time to shoot for our new board/ski sponsor. Together with my new team mate, Sven Mermod, we sessioned the Dôme and got some epic shots done. My new Hammer Stream 163 is a true delight to ride on.
Pix: www.sebanex.com
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September 1st & 2nd 2007 -
2 awesome days spent on the Bex airstripe. A unique and absolutely perfect show by the british Red Arrows team on Sunday. WW2 heroes Avanger and Morane 406 (last one still flying) both piloted by the local flying guru Daniel Koblet, US Bronco, russian Antonov A2 and many more... Thanx for the show !
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21st of August 2007 -
I have enough of that bad summer weather. At least during the winter when it’s bad
it means fresh snow to ride... According to my friend Xav Jordan, waves are good
in Levanto, Italy. So I pack my Nissan Murano with my 7 feet mini-
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August 2007 -
On August the first is the Swiss National Day. It is also the time for powerfull dynamic winds as well as thermics... Which is great to fly any object. A cool sunset session with my good friend Paulo, flying in formation with his paraglider and my remote control glider. Soaring time !
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July 2007 -
Since year 2000, I am leading hikers wanting to discover the mysteries and beauties of the Alps.
For the past two summers, I had the chance to take care of a particular group from the Mandelbaum Foundation. These boys are sent in the Alps by their families to discover a new way of living and to change their habits. They learn to behave in a group, to be social and respectful. We sleep in the nature, cook in a fire, teach them to read a map and many more. Last year we hiked more than 100km. A very rich experience for them and for me !
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June 07 -
After a long, dry and too warm winter I took 2 weeks of holidays. A week in Provence and another in Sweden. Chilling around the pool, or taking a tour through the islands of Göthenburg archipelago, Zoé and me were lucky to witness the hottest month of June that ever happened in Sweden !
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03.05.07 -
It finally snowed again... A lot above 2000m. So I called my friend Sven, cameraman Arnaud Derib, photographer Seb Anex and my mate and guide José Carron. We reserved a B3 chopper from Eagle Helicopter in Sion and head up to the high glacier of Arolla. Awesome !!!
Pix : Seb Anex www.seibspics.free.fr
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10.04.07 -
Back from the Arctix I went shooting on the Glacier3000. A few cool actions, old powder snow and a serious hit on my head doing backflips with Sven... I’ll wait for more snow to try and flip...
Pix : Seb Anex www.seibspics.free.fr
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03.04.07 -
3 flights and 9 hours after les Diablerets valley I stand in the nordic Tamok valley, located far north above the arctic circle. The 2000m peaks are the border in between Finland, Norway and Sweden and are waiting for us to ride them... If only it could stop snowing !!!
We are still skiing in the woods and enjoying the local activities : sauna, stuga och öl !!! Vad roligt !
Read more about the Arctix, click here
More actions: www.arctixtamok.com
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31.03.07 -
The main goal was to show to the pro-
Hundreds of powder freaks showed up on Saturday and enjoy some mythic runs as Pierre-
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27.03.07 -
2 backflips and 5 jumps made me end 3rd ! And 2nd of the riders award !!!
Want to read more about the Xtreme ? Click here
Check all the actions on www.xtremeverbier.com
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21.03.07 -
I have been waiting that moment for months : in a couple of days the Worlds most famous freeride event will happen for the 12th time in Verbier. It will be my 10th participation in a row on the mythic Bec des Rosses.
To choose our lines, we check the mountain through binoculars from several points of view. The goal is then to try and recreate mentally a 3D vision of our run. 34 riders will hike up the famous peak from the Chaux pass, all the way to the summit, located at 3222m over sea level.
The average slope is 45 degrees but on the Becs right side, it exceeds 56°. The vertical drop is 500 meters.
After riding the Whistler powder in december, Austria and mainly Les Diablerets and Leysin, I feel ready to rock on the Bec ! My gear is all set, board tuned and waxed and my car fully loaded ! I’m on my way to Verbier !!
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15.03.07 -
In between March 1st and 11th I took part in the Swatch O’Neill Big Mountain Pro.
This unique event offered us the possibility to express ourselves on wild untracked peaks.
9 skiers and 9 boarders traveled together in a coach to find the best snow conditions in the Alps.
Laax, Bruson, Champéry, Super St-
After ten days of riding, Xavier Delerue won the snowboard and overall and I ended third behind Mr Jeremy Jones !
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