What not to (mountain) wear #11
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:46 am

This man-chicken was first spotted alone on the mountain.

But birds of a feather apparently flock together, and that turns out to be true of man-chickens as well, as three of the feathery skiers had fluttered together by the end of the day.  One of them sporting a rucsac that seemed decidedly un-man(or chicken)-like.
Man-chickens: got to love them.  Or perhaps not.

Verbier: the new course starts
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 2:16 pm

In a seeming blink of an eye, but actuallly after what was an intensive ten-week course, the first group of skiers all passed their BASI Level 2, and now a whole new group of trainee ski instructors have arrived hoping to tread (ski?) the same successful path.

There’s no rest for the wicked, or the trainees – so the first week saw them plunge straight into to training every day, as well as shadowing actual instructors teaching lessons.

Rest at the weekend?  Not for these trainees, the first aid course beckoned.  As has been typical for Verbier, the snow returned again to fall thickly as the outdoor part of the course took place.  Here the trainees took it in turns to play both victim and rescuers.

On occasion, looking suspiciously like they were just hiding from the falling snow,

But with fun being had by all…

What not to (mountain) wear #10
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 8:43 am

Mountain cows.  Difficult to track down and easily spooked, which meant that these shots had to be taken with a high-powered telephoto lens.  On balance, it’s fortunate that husband and wife matching cow outfits remain a rare sight on the mountain.

What not to (mountain) wear #9
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 8:53 am

Ask yourself: am I Superman?  If the answer is yes, then consider asking: is my girlfriend a skeleton?  Only in the unlikely event that the answer to both questions is yes, then looking like this on the mountain is entirely appropriate.  Superhero fail.

What not to (mountain) wear #8 (Skirt special)
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:29 am

Kilts and a mountainous environment: a traditional Scottish scene.  Relocate to Switzerland and add a snowboard = misplaced national pride fail.

A girl and a skirt: another traditional combination.  But on the mountain on a snowboard?  Hmm.  Inappropriately drafty clothing fail.

Verbier: images from the last day of training
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 8:55 am

On the final day of training, the trainees not only had an opportunity to go through the teaching steps, but also to run through the snowpark and generally have fun.

Here’s one of the snowboard trainees combining all of those elements: teaching a trick to the other trainees in the snowpark whilst simulaneously levitating on her own board…

Other snowboarders attempted front flips and/or 360s…

Amongst the skiers, some went off piste…

Others went into the park (with varying degrees of success)…

There was even some synchro.  (Each to their own).

Verbier: as training neared its end, freestyle and freeride lessons beckoned
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:00 am

The first week of the trainees’ BASI Level 2 assessment has flown by, just one more week to go.  While the guys rest up for the weekend, here’s a look back at the off-piste day they enjoyed at the end of their training.  The snow had fallen thickly, enabling some awesome tree skiing:

With snow up the waist in places, it was inevitable that there’d be falls – fortunately the landings were soft.

There was even time for the occasional jump, with the trainees being led by Rasmus from European Snowsport.  Only one brave soul watched Rasmus’ attempted corked backflip with handplant:

and then followed it with an attempted backflip of his own…

but everyone had a go at something, and all had a good time.

What not to (mountain) wear #7
Posted on February 3, 2012 at 8:47 am

Step one: take one perfectly average looking ski outfit.  Step two: add one straggly, vivid red, wilting mohican and glue it to your helmet.  If you have followed those first two steps, take a look at yourself and then throw the ruined helmet into the bin; do not, under any circumstances, wear it onto the mountain.  Wannabe punk fail.

What not to (mountain) wear #6
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:00 am

There’s nothing wrong with a bright pink ski outfit on the right person, although it’s perhaps not for everyone.  However, add four-inch leather tassels all over the back of the arms, legs and shoulders and it surely shouldn’t be for anyone.  The only rodeo on the mountain should be in the snowpark.  Cowgirl fail.

What not to (mountain) wear #5
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 8:52 am

Helmet and sunglasses combo?  Unlikely to be a fashion success.  Try to style it out as Tom Cruise in Top Gun by matching white helmet to aviator sunglasses?  Chances of fashion success rapidly receding.  Complete outfit with patchwork quilt trousers?  1980s fashion fail.