When the end of the ski season arrives, we are usually left wanting more. This is one of the things that keeps skiing so special. With a significant pause in the sport we love, it is not just ‘on-tap’ like so many things today. The summer is an opportunity to keep ourselves in shape and prepared for next winter. So that we can enjoy every moment of the winter to its fullest. So lets discuss how to prepare for skiing and the winter ahead while we have time off.
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We’ve put together some information about the pretty spectacular area of France that Freedom Snowsports operate in. We of course let you know about St Gervais, Chamonix, Megeve, & Les Contamines across our website. But here is just a small flavour of the delights that the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has to offer.
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For those of you thinking about your first ski experience. We’ve put together a Guide for considering what you’ll need, and where to go. Courtesy of us all here at Freedom Snowsports.
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A good waxed ski base is a must for all skiers. It enables us to glide and steer the skis smoothly over the snow. But have you ever wondered if it’s something that can be done at home. Or is it one of those dark arts best left to the professionals? Let us show you how to wax your skis at home.
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Telemark skiing is the original. It is the equipment that skiers used to walk, climb, and ski in all directions in the same state. Up, down, and around, all in the same un-altered free heel state. It is not the same as modern Alpine Ski Touring equipment. Where the skier can put the binding into walk mode, then lock the heel in place for alpine downhill mode. Telemark is a technique of skiing where the binding remains free at the heel. Those folks you see lunging their way gracefully (most of the time) down the mountain. Telemark skiing originated in the Telemark region of Norway (yes, its obvious when said like that). The technique allowed skiers to move from walking on their free heel equipment to making controlled downhill turns at high speed. It was the hybrid of Nordic skiing and downhill skiing.
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Having spent some time enjoying ski mountaineering and ski touring in Chamonix at Freedom Snowsports. We decided to take 10 days for a ski mountaineering trip. Which took us through the Bernese Oberland (Bernese Highland) in Switzerland, starting from Lauterbrunnen. The many 4000m+ peaks that abundantly surround the ski touring routes are a perfect pairing. Read More…
Now before we get going, this is not supposed to be a physics lesson. Just simple, useable information to make it easier to select a ski for an intended purpose. So you can enjoy getting more from your skiing.
On most piste skis a regular, positive camber covers the entire length of the sidecut. Along with the skis stiffness, this characteristic provides the most edge grip possible on hard packed piste. Mainly because the ski is under more tension and “bites” back down into the snow. Therefore most piste focused skis, Read More…
Live Chamonix lift status and snow report. Covering all Chamonix skiing areas including Les Houches, Aiguille Du Midi, Brevent, Flegere, Argentiere, Le Tour, and Vallorcine. Live ski lift open status, piste open status, and lift opening and closing times.
Here is our handy google resort map for Chamonix. Enable location services on your phone and use it as a GPS piste map to guide you around the ski area and our meetings points for Chamonix ski lessons. Alternatively click through to our meeting point piste map for Megeve, St Gervais, and Les Contamines.
Hint: click on the icons to see its details, phone numbers, and directions.
Read our write ups on each of the main Chamonix Ski Areas below
Psychologists have studied the rationale for skiing. Skiers speculate about it. Ordinary mortals shake their heads in dismay over it. There is an ambivalence to this sport. There are no scores or points to skiing. But the beauty of movement that gives a self assurance that is better than winning a game. It is a sport that brings escape from the cares and tensions of daily life. Skiing brings an awareness of the grandeur of nature; an exhausting exercise for most people, yet no other sport gives such a feeling of satisfaction and healthy vigour. Why do we ski? Words cant explain it. You have to experience the hours and days and weeks of skiing. You have to meet the people who ski, the individualists, the non-conformists. You have to see the beauty of the snow covered mountains and valleys. You have to participate in this moment of truth. Why do we ski? You have to become a skier to know! So join us for some Chamonix skiing.
