The Val Echo Issue 1504 by The Val Echo

ISSUE 1504 | DEC 20, 2019

THE

ECHO

FREE WEEKLY GUIDE TO VAL D’ISÈRE

M A G A Z I N E

CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN

GRINCH’S GUIDE TO XMAS DONE RIGHT

BEND IT TO SEND IT

THE FOLIE DOUCE ART PROJECT COVER ART: MAX SAMUEL Last year, we launched the Folie Douce Art Project, with the aim of adorning the front cover of the Echo with local artists’ creations. It worked! We ended up with 21 stunning magazines and got to meet some thoroughly fascinating individuals over a spot of lunch at La Folie Douce. The infamous mountain restaurant, bar and cabaret extravaganza generously support this project and we’re thrilled to announce their continuing sponsorship this winter. We’re now on the hunt for more creative talent. If you would like to see your work on the front of Val d’Isère’s finest English language publication, and featured on the screens at La Folie Douce, get in touch with us now. Whatever your medium, we can almost certainly accommodate it.

To find out more about how to be involved, email contact@valecho. co.uk. Also you can check out last year’s covers and buy prints of your favourite at www.valecho.co.uk/ folie-douce-art-project We can’t wait to see what the Echo will look like this year.

CONT ENTS The Val Echo CCK Intergalactic Ltd www.valecho.co.uk contact@valecho.co.uk

24 EVENT LISTINGS What’s on this week: - Town events - Bar nights - Sporting competitions

28 GRINCH’S GUIDE TO NAILING CHRISTMAS A holiday hater gives up the grinchiness and admits that Christmas is great.

32 HENRY’S AVALANCHE TALK An in depth look at the snow conditions and up-coming weather for off piste skiers/ boarders

Please recycle the magazine once you have read it. Or, better still, hand it on to someone else.

39 BEND IT TO SEND IT

Contributors: Sam Box, Ben Pryor, Caitlin Kennedy, Millie Shredder

Rose Martin from Bonne Santé gives us the scoop on why we should be bending if we want to keep sending it.

RESORT GUIDE

The down-low on everything from the best restaurants to the numbers to call in an emergency

NEW STYLE

10 SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST We chat to Max Samuel, the designer of this week’s cover art. The Echo’s cover is generously sponsored by La Folie Douce

Weird Christmas rules and regulations from across the globe. Plus where to disobey them all in Val.

Coiffure & Massage Sur rendez-vous à partir de 14h

design www.athoms.fr

14 CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN

Hairdresser & Massage By appointment From 2PM

19 WACKY WEATHER We investigate what the hell has been going on with the weather recently.

+33(0)4 79 06 02 00 info@avancher.com Arrêt de navette UCPA / www.avancher.com

Remise Carte Vie Val d’Is

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST Artist: Max Samuel

with everything and people still love them.

Would you rather be mauled by a marmot or eaten by an eagle? Maybe both, mauled first and then flown away to have my delicious face pecked off. Do you have any other artistic projects you’re working on at the moment? Not much though I’m thinking about drawing my take on the Kraken from the original Clash of the Titans, great film!

What are you up to these days? I’m training up to be a skydive instructor in the UK, working towards 800 jumps, I have 53 so far. 2020 is going to be a fun year!!

What did you use to make your piece and what is your favourite medium? The two mediums I used were pencil and ink. I used pencil to sketch the rough outline of the piece. Once I had this roughly down I went over all the lines in fine ink and then built it out with more detail and thicker lines. I am really enjoying ink at the moment, I feel it can improve a drawing massively if used in the right way. How long did it take you? Roughly 12 - 15 hours

Tell us the story of your cover- where’s the human who presumably was attached to How did you get into drawing? the helmet? I can’t remember when I started drawing. It It’s more fun if I leave that for you to decide :) was always a hobby from a young age and then people started asking me to do designs The feathers are absolutely stunning- did after I graduated Uni with an animation you use a picture for reference or was it degree. I really enjoy drawing for other freehand? people, not so much for myself. Half and half really, I copied the main shapes of the wings and feathers, but all the smaller Everything is so accurate, what was the details were freestyled. hardest part to get right? The initial design was the hardest to pin Are there any animals you can’t draw? down, once I had a sketch on paper it was Hmmmm tricky...I’ve never tried insects. I quite easy and intuitive to build it out from think they would be difficult to draw well. there. If you could be any bird, what bird would you be and why? I would be a Kea, New Zealand’s (and the World’s) only mountain parrot. They are cheeky and curious as hell; they get away

Have you ever considered drawing dinosaurs? We would love to see that. Haha no, but I want to now! I’ll send you a picture when I do one! Thanks, Max!

14 turn! And there I was thinking their biggest crime was being delicious and ruining my teeth. The school also banned reindeer, christmas songs and all red and green items. Green Lantern must have been fuming.

CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN In the run up to Christmas, we take a look at the weirdest rules and regulations surrounding Santa-time from around the world. 1. It is illegal not to reply to any kid (or adult for that matter) that writes to Father Christmas in France. And Santa has been keeping up with technological advances; he’s a keyboard warrior too, replying (by law) to over a million email requests each year. 2. Christmas was straight up cancelled and banned in England between 1643 and 1660, as the kill-joys of the Puritanical Church decided it was a day of mourning and solemnity and not a massive pissup with presents. Rude. 3. New York City prohibits the display of all natural Christmas trees in retail stores, as they are deemed a fire hazard. Nah, we’re not buying it- they probably just figured out how damn hard it is to clean up all the needles. 4. In Michigan, it’s illegal to transport a freshly cut Christmas tree on a car roof without having proof of sale. A bit specific, but ok; we’re all for preventing unnecessary tree hacking. 5. Last year, a primary school in Nebraska banned candy canes because, in their own words “historically, the shape of the candy cane is a ‘J’ for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection.” Well that took a dark

6. The fun-loving Nazis were encouraged to celebrate Christmas but had to place a swastika on top of the tree. It wasn’t uncommon to hang replica grenades and machine guns from the branches. Because nothing says the season of good will like a big old gun with a side-serving of xenophobia. 7. And last but very much not least, the prize for the dumbest rule of all goes to the US of A. Since 2011, a 15¢ tax has been added to the sale of every Christmas tree in the United States. The purpose of the tax is to fund a marketing program to improve the image of Christmas trees. Ok, it’s only levied on wholesalers, but still, it’s really dumb. Also it makes no sense- who on earth is badmouthing Christmas trees to the point that the government had to intervene with a marketing program? So there you have it- bizarre rules from across the Globe for the festive period. Luckily, Christmas in Val d’Isère is pretty lawless with stockings of fun to be had. Here’s where you can go for all the festive fun and holiday cheer: LE PETIT DANOIS Xmas Eve: Christmas Eve Party! Get Festive with DJ Jack

Igglesden from 10pm Christmas Day: Christmas Dinner served 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 7pm. Book your table now! SALOON, VAL D’ISERE Xmas Eve: Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!! Christmas Day: Merry Xmas, all JOSS 3€ Boxing Day: Long Island iced tea Christmas hangover cure. BLUE NOTE Xmas Eve: Come and get Sleighed! Hot Xmas shots for those in festive attire. LA FOLIE DOUCE Special Christmas WTF Extravaganza! THE FALL LINE Xmas Eve: Festive DJ

Christmas Day: Opening at 6pm for Christmas festivities Boxing Day: Big old piss up! LE HIBOU Xmas Eve: Come on down for a healthy dose of cheer plus a special Christmas light bulb show. Christmas Day: Closed. IN TOWN: Xmas Eve: Ski with Santa on the Snow Front and the top of Solaise. At 5pm, Santa and friends arrive on the Main Street with free vin chaud for all. Christmas Day: ESF Snowshow with Fireworks and Torchlit descent of the Face de Bellevarde from 6pm Boxing Day: Magic Show in the Conference Centre at 6pm. Christmas concert in town on stage from 4.30pm onwards.

WAVY WEATHER

The weather’s been a bit weird recently, rapidly warming up after the snowstorm and melting every mound of snow in sight. Thank Ullr, patron-saint of skiers, that the horrible hot weather is on its way out, to be replaced by lovely cold conditions and plenty of snowfall. But we thought we’d take a look at what’s been going on. For anyone that has Radio Val turned on in the chalet, you may have heard the terms “Foehn” and “Lombarde” thrown around a fair bit this past week. Both are types of wind and the former is the evil behind all this hot weather. For the uninitiated, here is an overview of these weather phenomena. Foehn (or Föen) winds Also known as “snow-eaters” for their ability to guzzle snow/ice in a very short space of time. This is due to the warmth of foehn air, plus its low relative humidity. These winds can cause a warming of up to 14°C in only a couple of hours. The term arose to describe the wind we experience here in the European Alps, but eventually came to be used for any warm, strong (often very dry) wind that originates in the lee of a mountain. The way it works is as follows:

4)The dry, cloudless leeside conditions lead to further warming via solar radiation

Back in the 19th century, it was thought that the Foehn wind was responsible for a myriad of different illnesses, from headaches,

all the way through to psychosis. This has since been disproven, so no blaming your hangover on the wind! Lombarde The Lombarde is a wind from the East to North-East, that predominates the French Italian-borders. It blows down from the High Alps out of the Lombardy region, hence the name. While it is mostly gentle and dry along the French and Italian Riviera, in winter it often becomes violent and cold forming snowdrifts in the mountain valleys. You’re also certain to hear the acronym PIDA during the season and certainly this weekend. It stands for “Plan d’Intervention Déclenchements des Avalanches”, and describes the official plan for setting off intentional avalanches on slopes that are deemed to be at risk of sliding naturally. A little historical info- on February 10th 1979, a colossal avalanche hit the UCPA building in Val d’Isère, killing 39 people. 2 weeks later, another avalanche with even more fatalities, hit Plateau d’Assy. In the wake of these tragic natural disasters, ANENA (Association Nationale pour l’Étude de la Neige et des Avalanches) was formed to study snow and better understand avalanches. It was this enterprise that put forward the first proposals for PIDAs organised individually by each at-risk town in France. A PIDA is legally binding and doesn’t just involve securing the pistes, but also the roads, buildings and (in other parts of the mountain) railway lines. The method used to make a particular face more safe, is to encourage the recent accumulation of snow to be released into an avalanche. This involves causing a shock wave on the snowpack to destabilize it, a process achieved either with an explosive charge (using dynamite) or with a gas explosion. Hence the loud bangs. To find out more about this, go on one of the free “Behind the Scenes” visits to one of the CATEX system huts with a Pisteur. The first one is the 14th January. We’ll also be interviewing a Pisteur to find out more about the work they do to keep us safe, in a not too distant Echo.

OUT OF THE BUBBLE

By Ben Pryor To the soothing soundtrack of Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s earthy Lancastrian tones, as his cousin-cuckolded predecessor begins his inevitable descent from the Speaker’s Chair to an interview with Ant and Dec having left the Australian jungle, Parliament reconvened this week. Former PM Tony B-Liar gave a speech excoriating the Jeremy for Labour’s desultory performance, preferring to pour salt rather than lick wounds (Wendy Deng must have been unavailable); his standard thinly-veiled agenda in this instance accelerating the timetable for the Jeremy’s departure and/or helping a Blair acolyte succeed him. BoJo’s

Withdrawal Agreement swiftly passed so the Brexit 50p coins can be reminted for the third time. Scottish First Minister Jimmy Krankie is requesting another independence referendum, claiming a 45% vote share for the only party supporting independence in a general election will somehow translate into more than the 45% who voted for independence in 2014; she’s an extra left shoe away from the Diane Abbott school of maths.

The Donald has been impeached over the Ukraine scandal, only the third President to suffer such an ignominy after Andrew Johnson for firing his Secretary of War in 1867 and Bill Clinton for lying about having a woman in the Oval Office 18 years before Hillary ran for President (Richard Nixon resigned before officially being impeached once he realised there was more evidence against him than an R Kelly sex tape). The

Senate is overwhelmingly likely to vote along party lines, so the trial is about as likely to return an impartial verdict as a former NFL player with a high-priced lawyer and an ill-fitting glove. The Australian wildfires continue to rage across New South Wales, as Sydney remains covered in smog. A man cooked a pork roast by leaving it on the passenger seat of a Datsun for 10 hours, with temperatures are forecast to reach a record 45oC later this week. It’d be good if they can keep Israel Folau off Instagram this time to stop him blaming it on homosexuals, but if it is the ten plagues of Egypt let’s hope he’s a first-born son. Greta Thunberg channelled her best Jeremy Corbyn, Tweeting a photo of herself on the floor of an ‘overcrowded’ train after Deutsche Bahn had placed her

in First Class; what’s the carbon footprint of that amount of bullsh*t? Thirty students were evacuated from a Florida bus this week after they reported smelling a ‘strong odour’ triggering a hazardous materials incident; it turned out to be Lynx body spray, which presented no challenge in sniffing out the culprit. The US Department of Agriculture has listed fictional African nation Wakanda from the film Black Panther as a free-trade partner; wonder if BoJo has sent them a letter asking how they managed it. And finally, Italian football league Serie A have used images of three monkeys with painted faces for a ‘No to Racism’ campaign; that’s like Harvey Winestain deciding to make a movie about the #metoo movement. Until next week, I’m off to Wakanda for a chlorinated Christmas turkey.

SATURDAY 21 THE FALL LINE Super Seasonaire Saturday with Live DJ SALOON December solstice black out CRITERIUM de la 1er NEIGE World Cup Racing with festivities at the bottom of OK in La Daille PETIT DANOIS DJ James French 22h VIE VAL D’IS Pole Dancing Class 7.30pm @ Leisure Centre.

EVENTS LISTINGS

SUNDAY 22 PETIT DANOIS DJ Jack Igglesden 22h THE FALL LINE Super Seasonaire Sunday with Live DJ SALOON Beer pong specials BANANAS DJ BigKez’s DnB night

TIGNES SALOON Winter solstice black out party – come dressed in black

HIBOU Sunday Funday! Live music and Happy Hour all day CRITERIUM de la 1er NEIGE World Cup Racing on the OK piste.

WEDNESDAY 25

TIGNES SALOON Beer pong specials

THURSDAY 26 VIE VAL D’IS Free French class at the Maison de Val 7.30-8.30pm SALOON Long Island iced tea Christmas hangover cure PETIT DANOIS DJ Jack Igglesden 22h

SEE PAGE 15 FOR ALL THE FESTIVE FUN ON IN TOWN.

BACKSTAGE VISIT Discover how the Olympic Cable Car and Snow making facilities work. Sign up @Tourist Office. THE FALL LINE Boxing Day Piss Up CINEMA Star Wars in English 8.30pm TIGNES SALOON BOXING DAY SALE 2-4-1 until midnight

MONDAY 23 BONNE SANTÉ Mountain Flow Yoga with Rose 10.30am at Le Hibou VIE VAL D’IS Free Kung-Fu lesson at the CCAS 7.30-9pm SALOON Messy Monday 15€ Headfucker LA FOLIE DOUCE Back to the 90s PETIT DANOIS Live Music 5pm Mullit & the Machine. DJ Jack Igglesden 22h AVALANCHE SAFETY TALK Free talk at 5.30pm in English on the Snowfront TIGNES SALOON Messy Monday – the wall 15€ MARMOT ARMS Bass Station w DJ Komissar and Friends

FRIDAY 27 PETIT DANOIS Live music with Karen & Andreas 5pm. DJ Jack Igglesden 22h SALOON J-bomb Friday 3€ a pop SNOWFRONT Dynastar Night Parallel Slalom. Split into men, women and kids. Free to enter and prizes to win.

TUESDAY 24 THE FALL LINE Seasoniare Party with Festive DJ SALOON Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!! PETIT DANOIS Christmas Eve Party! Get Festive w/ DJ Jack Igglesden 22h BLUE NOTE Come and get Sleighed! Hot Xmas shots for festive attire. HIBOU Christnas cheer and special light bulb show TIGNES SALOON Triangle Tuesday

ALL WEEK BANANAS Happy Hour 6.30-7.30pm and 10.30-11.30pm HIBOU Happy Hour 4-7pm. Kitchen open from 12pm for lunch SALOON Happy Hour 8-10pm. 2-4-1 at après (4-5pm) Resident DJ LA FOLIE DOUCE Seasonaire Meal Deal 12€ @ Petite Cuisine

TIGNES SALOON 3€ J-bombs SO BAR Karaoke Night! From 9pm

VICTOR’S Cocktail Hour 10-11pm. Any cocktail 6€ THE FALL LINE Happy hour everyday 3-5pm- 4.50€ pints. Beer Pong every day 12€ a jug. BLUE NOTE Happy Hour everyday 3-6pm, Hot Sloe Gin & Tonic plus great complimentary nibbles during Après. SO BAR Open 4pm everyday w/ free aprés pizza& a fab new cocktail menu

GRINCH’S GUIDE TO XMAS DONE RIGHT

poubelles, go door to door 28 carolling ‘It Wasn’t Me’ or on the day, eat the entire turkey for breakfast. Just do what you want to do.

Awful music, fat bearded blokes, empty wallets: Christmas is just like a night out in England. But the festive season is inescapable so as the saying goes - if you can’t beat them, drink egg nog with them.

In fairness, I don’t even have to pretend to be excited about the things that I get to ingest at this time of year. Mulled wine is a gift from the winter gods - get it in you. Pigs in blankets are so insatiable that just a faint whiff will make you forget about their serious environmental impact - get them in you. Finally, I found out a couple of years ago that mince pies in fact contain no mince and I am way less disgusted by them now - get them in you.

The first step to enjoying the alleged ‘most wonderful time of the year’ is to forget everything you know. You need not follow the status quo, you can make it your own. Adorn your tree with things you found by the

If you think it is not fair that Jesus gets two birthdays, there are all sorts of alternatives you can celebrate. I’m talking Hanukkah, I’m talking Yule, maybe gimme some Kwanzaa, just take your pick. But who am I kidding?

Much as the French postal service are legally required to reply to the letters children send to Santa, I am being forced to write an article on the joys of Christmas this week.

29 Everyone knows though that the only

truly feasible alternative is ‘Krismas’. This is the annual Kardashian Christmas eve party which is set to soon replace actual Christmas as the most popular winter holiday. If you are reading this, the likelihood is that you are sat somewhere in a ski resort. Despite the opportunity to ski any time throughout the season, a traditional Christmas day is so boring that for this one day, skiing suddenly becomes a much more exciting and novel prospect. Also, Val has a fairly gnarly fireworks display that is definitely worth watching. If you are reading this in Tignes, Christmas day holds even bigger wonders for you - get stoked for the

‘Online Game Evening’ in the Maison De Tignes (€8 booking essential). Your life will be changed for the better when you realise that Christmas is all about smashing some Fortnite with seven year olds. If you are also a heartless bastard, Christmas may be the only time you find yourself on the phone to your family. Surprisingly, hearing the voices of your loved ones can be really nice so definitely try and make time for a couple of calls. If you aren’t a huge fan of Christmas, it is crucial that you don’t tell anyone close to you. Doing so will result in them going to extraordinary lengths to convert you, after which you will have to pretend you like it anyway. Worse still, they may ask you to write an article on your supposed newfound love of Christmas.

OFF PISTE SNOW REPORT

Brought to you by Henry’s Avalanche Talk www. henrysavalanchetalk. com

Big snowstorms and heavy precipitation on the way. This will be followed by a return to calmer sunnier weather for Christmas. In the meantime, there is a hidden risk under the snowpack. The snowpack appears quite stable at the moment. But this may be deceptive. A danger sign arose from a snow profile test conducted at 2530m above Joseray in Val d’Isere. This reveals a snow depth of 175cm and several layers that are quite well bonded with different levels of hardness from 0cm to 150cm depth. But the layer at the bottom from 150cm to 175cm was showing faceted snow that has low cohesion and would be a weak layer. This snow profile would point to a low probability of an avalanche release due to the thickness of the well-bonded layers, but that snowpack is vulnerable in some places and if it does release it will go big. Recent history of the snowpack Last weekend there was a big storm from the West. This scoured the West-facing slopes. The wind also loaded up the East facing slopes with a much thicker snow cover. This shows how it pays to understand the historic wind direction. It will lead you to better snow. After wind the better snow is on the leeward slopes. (However, it may be more dangerous, so you need to apply risk management). The past week in the Northern French Alps has been warm and windy. Big depths

32 of snow received last Friday and Saturday have shrunk rapidly due to the melting effects of the Foehn wind. The wind has hardened the snow, if not scoured it off altogether in high exposed areas. Snow quality has been quite variable: On particularly warm days it’s been dense and heavy even at high altitude. At other times, in high altitude areas sheltered from the wind, it’s been nicely supporting with a lovely soft cushion on the top. With the warm temperatures, we’ve been watching our timings, and finishing our off-piste skiing early in the afternoon. The snow’s been turning to heavy slush, particularly at lower altitudes, in the afternoons. More reminiscent of April snow than December! Following the past week’s warming and loosening of the snowpack, cooler temperatures in the next few days (at least until the beginning of next week) should firm up this looser snowpack at altitudes above 2000m where temperatures should be going down below freezing point. BUT it looks as if we’re due for large amounts of snow again in much of the Northern French Alps and surrounding areas. The forecast is for very stormy weather with blizzard conditions over the weekend. With the significant precipitation, that looks set to continue for several days, will come a lot of natural “direct action” avalanches due to the huge quantities of snow (above 2000m anyway). What is the current avalanche risk in the Northern French Alps/Savoie? At the time of writing, the avalanche risk is at a moderate 2/5 below 2200m, and a considerable 3/5 above. However, during and after the snowstorms that are forecast, this will go up to a high 4/5 or may even become a very high 5/5. The snow profile reported earlier shows why the danger rating is being kept at level 3 in some spots even though the snowpack looks stable.

What does this mean for off-piste skiers and snowboarders? Looking forward, the biggest risk over the next few days will be from direct action avalanches during and just after storms. This will be the new layer of snow releasing naturally due to the load of the new snow. If there is a weak layer on a thin snowpack (e.g. west-facing) this direct action release could go to the ground. Where the snowpack is thicker this is more likely to be the top layer of new snow.

bulletin will suggest a risk on all aspects during the snowfall. A possible impact of the weak layer revealed in the snow profile test. This would result in a very big avalanche going down to ground level. Weather Forecast: Unsettled over the weekend with lots of new snow. Settles down from Monday. Sunny from Tuesday and all week. So great news for the Christmas holidays.

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER: A short break in the weather, then The severity of the weather will keep most unsettled. In the morning, cloudy skies people off the mountain anyway, certainly dominate, but clear spells are possible. In away from the off-piste areas – unless the afternoon, snow from around 1700m you really know what you’re doing. The upwards (10 to 15 cm at night). Maximum best way to stay safe from these natural temperatures: 2°C at 2000 m, -2°C at 3000 avalanches is to follow the advice given m. Wind at 2000m: SW 20/30 km/h. Wind by local authorities. For example, they at 3000m: W 30/50 km/h. will be closing roads and ski-runs at risk SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER: Overcast with of avalanches coming down onto them. 40/60 cm snow from1600m upwards. In reality, however, more than 90% of Strong wind from W then NW at altitude. human accidents in avalanches are due MONDAY 23 DECEMBER to the victims triggering the avalanche Cloudy, some snow in the mountains above themselves. 1000m. Where is most at risk at the moment? TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER: Higher and colder areas under the ridges High altitude clouds, return of clear and cornices that were in the lee of recent weather. storms (N, NW, NE, E, SE). However, the WEDNESDAY 25 DECEMBER: recent bulletin says the risk is on all aspects. Christmas day will be beautiful: mild, sunny The risk below 2000m is from wet snow, and calm under high pressure. the risk above 2200m is from cold dry snow THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER: releasing a slab avalanche. Once the new Beautiful and mild day in the mountains. snowfalls in the quantity predicted the Tip of the week risks will be everywhere the temperature When the avalanche danger rating is up is below freezing (predicted above 1500m to a 4, stay within areas where slopes are on some days and above 1900m on other no steeper than 30°. One of the clearest days). signs of risk is the consequence of what What is the likely avalanche activity? would happen to you if you are taken by Direct action avalanches from new snowfall, an avalanche, i.e. make sure there are no this will be most likely on leeward slopes. terrain traps around you. Learn what a The storm wind is variously from W, NW 30-degree slope angle looks like. A Slope and SW so East facing slopes will be most Angel device is one of several that might vulnerable. However. we suspect that the help you do this by measuring it for you.

SEASONAIRE OF THE WEEK What is your full name? Joseph William Sullivan How many seasons? Third. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my second here, I did my first in the Pyrenees. How was the Pyrenees? I was the only English boy there. I loved embracing the French culture and language. Did you learn any French? Did I fuck! I really wanted to but they loved speaking English. What do you do other than ski?

I play football with the Hip Hideout boys every Saturday. Last season I got a haematoma on my leg from football and it swelled up like mad. I was walking round with a 25 inch leg and still went to work. My guests were doctors though and they made me go to the GP. We have heard that one before! Tell us about your pool prowess. I am the pool champ. Anyone in Val you challenge me and I will beat you. Did we not just watch you loose to Phil Packam? He had a lucky chance and won, but that is the first time in three years that I have lost. (Phil later beat Joe twice more, casting doubt on this claim)

N E W F I N E F O O D S D E L I C AT E S S E N IN THE TOURIST OFFICE SQUARE. O R D E R O N L I N E AT l m d l m . c o m O R VISIT THE STORE

Where is best in town for Genepi? Has to be Blue Note. I love the hot Gin too- Matt is cooking up some serious spices. It is even better than mulled wine! Ski Blades or Snow Scoot? You are a fucking idiot if you own a

pair of snow blades. Same for the scooters. Neither.

Well this is awkward... What’s been your worst wipeout? I once took out a full ski school. I felt so bad, I obviously didn’t mean to and tried to apologise to the instructor, but he didn’t understand. We still don’t understand. Where do you like to lunch in Tignes? I love pies and so The Corner really hits the spot for me. I want to do a pie collaboration and make a Thai chicken pie. Just waiting for Lou to call and make my dreams come true. At what bar have you spent the most euros? Hibou. I love Rich & Nicole, they do the best pint of Peroni in town and it’s just Northern, you know? How do you find the Northern scene in Val? It was a bit quiet last year but this year there is a lot of Northerners in town. What do you have to say to your fellow breddrin? You alllllright there maaate? (To be read in full northern accent) Who is the best dog in town? It’s got to be Biggie, he walks around like a gangsta, he is the only gangsta dog in town. He only comes out once or twice a week but when he does, he does it proper. What is the oddest thing you have seen on your seasons? On my first season, our guests said a stranger was creeping around their chalet one night. I don’t know what happened but I feel like it could have been me. I was pretty drunk, it wasn’t me….but it could have been. I just don’t know.

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THE CORNER

Restaurant COFFEE JUICE BRUNCH BEER Open 08:30 - 18:00 Everyday Next to TUFS Chairlift Tignes, Val Claret The Corner Tignes, Les Neiges D'Or, Tignes, France

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People often assume that yoga and snowsports are the antitheses of each other, particularly if the latter is more socially orientated. The buzz of adrenaline that ensues from conquering a run or line at speed, does at first glance seem the polar opposite to the restorative, slowpaced, strengthening practice of yoga. However, when combined, yoga is the yin to skiing’s yang; they compliment each other, cultivating balance that enhances the quality of both.

YOGA WITH ALTITUDE #BendItToSendIt Bonne Santé Alps is a physiotherapy, health and well-being company that has been a specialist in the prevention and treatment of alpine injuries for over 20 years. For the past few seasons the company has been providing yoga classes in both Val d’Isère and Tignes. The senior teacher, Rose (@roseyposeyyogi), is on an ongoing mission to show how the practice can provide many benefits for those wanting to get the most out of their time in the mountains. It’s no coincidence that some of the biggest names in skiing and snowboarding include yoga in their lifestyle. Jenny Jones, Lindsey Vonn, Travis Rice, Jamie Anderson, Bode Miller, Chemmy Alcott, Hannah Teter, Hermann Maier, Ed Leigh (of BBC Ski Sunday fame) and Amie Engerbretson all work yoga into their training regimes, to name but a few. For winter sports fanatics, yoga offers countless benefits to performance: from refining your technique to improving balance, injury prevention to the ability to fly (and return safely to the ground!). Off the mountain, it assists in curing a fuzzy head after one too many pints. But the real USP for your average holiday maker/ seasonaire/fun time sender is RECOVERY! We have a tendency to pummel our bodies into the ground whilst out here and yoga is an incredible way to recover from minor injuries and chronic stresses.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, snowsports require movement patterns that rely on core stability and control, as well as agility, balance, flexibility and coordination. Essentially, yoga provides a way of improving these skills, which go hand in hand with restoration. When you incorporate yoga practice into your week, it offers your body the opportunity to awaken, engage and strengthen its

muscles in the morning and/or relax and lengthen them in the evening.

increase your time (and enjoyment) on the slopes.

Alongside the physical aspects of yoga are meditation and breathwork, which both help to promote positive mental health too. By means of coordinated movement and breath, yoga calms and centres your nervous system. At its core is the creation of a mind-body connection, helping to build your sense of self, increasing bodily and emotional awareness and even reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Call it therapy! Something which is pretty tricky to come by out here, but often very much needed in a busy and hectic resort. Bring on Christmas week...eek!

If you’re finding it a struggle to haul yourself onto the hill, even just one or two practices a week will really help you get back up on the slopes, feeling the best version of yourself. And after all, if you’ve spent that much money on gear, equipment and a lift pass, don’t you owe it to yourself?

Because of this dearth of mental health support, Bonne Santé Alps’ early-riser sessions and sundowner classes remain popular, both with seasonaires and weekly warriors. By providing you with more energy and vitality, the sessions will

So get on a mat and bend it to send it! Bonne Santé Alps has two yoga teachers this season for both resorts, Rose Martin and Hannah Campbell (@composureactive), who offer Ashtanga, Vinyasa ‘Flow’, Yin and Antenatal/Postnatal Yoga in weekly timetabled classes, or private one-to-one/group sessions that are suitable for all levels. For those of you who think yoga isn’t quite up your street, Bonne Santé Alps also offer Pilates classes. Another form of exercise known to improve the quality of your mountain activities and reduce the likelihood of injury on the slopes by strengthening and conditioning the body. By using tailored exercises, resistance bands and small weights, the classes encourage muscle toning in all the right areas. So if you just fancy a workout - come and join! If you like the sound of yoga or pilates and/ or have any questions, please do get in touch on info@bonnesantealps.com or take a look at www.bonnesantealps.com / @ bonnesantealps

TALK OF THE TOWN Are the boots in the boot?

Rich from TDC set off from his home in St Foy earlier this week to get all the way up to Val in time for his off piste group. Unfortunately, only when nearing arrival did he realise that he had left his ski boots at home. Of course, the only option was to ask his pregnant wife to meet him halfway to perform the classic ‘ski boot relay’. Supposedly though, he was only five minutes late which is still early by our books.

Alarming

Dan Pert was really looking forward to a big day on the mountain earlier this week. Unfortunately though, he forgot to set his alarm and woke up to see the sunset at around 4:30 pm. When we saw him at 11pm, he announced that “après sleep is the new apres ski.”

ZZZzzzz

Jerry Of The Week

JOTW has to go to Planks Katie for her quote “I went to a French lesson the other day but I couldn’t work out what they were saying. They kept speaking in French”. Keep trying, Katie.

NUC(N)O

The Echo’s own Sam Box, misguidedly opted for a Burgundy Ski Jacket, only to be constantly harassed by useless, lost uni students believing he is a NUCO rep. One particular girl was so wildly out of her comfort zone that Sam did not correct her when she asked him for help. Thinking it would only be a case of getting her back on her feet, he realised he’d got it wildly wrong when she was unable to make a single turn down Palafour without guidance. 2 hours later and they parted ways with Sam having taught her the basics of skiing. In an unforeseen turn of events, Sam found the experience so rewarding that he is now reconsidering his life choices and thinking of going to University, just so he can be a NUCO rep.

It’s A Nice Day For A White Wedding

Patch is becoming well known around town as the man who can fall asleep anywhere. Here is just one of this weeks slumber spots.

The Criterium de la Premier Neige was cancelled entirely in honour of the wedding of Sam and Marty. Surrounded by a swirling blizzard, they tied the knot and then made it official with a (very large) shot of génépi, which apparently is an essential part of the ceremony in Val. Congratulations to the newlyweds! Oh and by the way, Sam Box is a wedding photographer!

SPORT Shown at Le Petit Danois: FOOTBALL Saturday 21st December 13:30 Everton v Arsenal 18:30 Man City v Leicester Sunday 22nd December 15:00 Watford v Man Utd 17.30 Spurs v Chelsea Thursday 26th December 13:30 Spurs v Brighton 16:00 Bournemouth v Arsenal 18:30 Man Utd v Newcastle 21:00 Leicester v Liverpool

Friday 27th December 20:45 Wolves v Man City All Football and Rugby shown at The Fall Line. Sport also shown at Blue Note and Le Hibou.

LOOKSNOTHING-ALIKE

Snow Sculpture of David Bowie

David Bowie

WOoF OF THE WEEK Name: Tiki Breed: Stray - maybe Yorkshire terrier maybe crossed with Chihuahua Age: 7 1/2 Dietary Requirements: Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have dairy but loves ham Relationship status: Really into cuddly toys Habitat: Hibou Fun Fact: Gets horny after he eats