The Val Echo Issue 1514

ISSUE 1514 | FEB 28, 2020

THE

FREE

ECHO

WEEKLY GUIDE TO VAL D’ISÈRE TIGNES

M A G A Z I N E

DIARY OF A ROOKIE INSTRUCTOR

GONDALOVE

FILMING WEEK IS HERE!

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THE FOLIE DOUCE ART PROJECT COVER ART: MINTY PERKINS-RAY 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 famous 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.

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22 EVENT LISTINGS

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

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

24 OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE A satirical spin on the week’s events from our man on the outside, Ben Pryor

28 HENRY’S AVALANCHE TALK An in depth look at the snow conditions and up-coming weather for off pisters

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

33 FILMING WEEK IS HERE!

Contributors: Sam Box, Ben Pryor, Caitlin Kennedy, Lula Winston

Pro tips on film-making for the Tignes Film Awards. Plus all the juicy details of the Awards Night

06 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 Minty Perkins-Ray, the designer of this week’s cover art.

The Echo’s cover is generously sponsored by La Folie Douce

A mystery monitrice takes their first flight into teaching, and discovers it’s not all plain-sailing.

Sur rendez-vous à partir de 14h

design www.athoms.fr

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ROOKIE INSTRUCTOR

Coiffure & Massage Hairdresser & Massage By appointment From 2PM

18 GONDALOVE Our Gondalovers, spill the beans on their steamy ski date and lunch at Le Hibou.

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

Remise Carte Vie Val d’Is

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST Artist: Minty Perkins-Ray

What’s your artistic background?

I graduated Nottingham Trent University in June studying Fine Art for three years.

Throughout school I was always very artistic.

How are you finding Lyon as a place to live?

I absolutely love living in Lyon, it’s such a beautiful city and is filled with arts, culture and music. And of course lots of cheese.

What inspired this cover and what drives your art generally?

I see my art as a sort of jigsaw puzzle, the colours and shapes all have to interlink and connect with one another. Music is a big inspiration in my work. It is another of my passions and I find it very important to work to music. It helps my creative flow and can also influence my decision making. At uni I incorporated music into my work by researching synaesthesia and how it affects certain people. I created pen drawings and then sang what I perceived my drawings would ‘sound like’. The final piece was a sensory experience involving both ‘listening’ and ‘seeing’ my art at the same time- so I

would say music is hugely influential in my work.

It feels very embedded in nature. Is that something you generally like to explore?

Nature is a very important aspect in my work.

I often take photographs of interesting plants and flowers and work from those. I actually did this particular piece basking in a sunny garden, the perfect place for me to work as I am surrounded by influences and ideas.

What’s your preferred medium?

I’ve experimented a lot with different mediums such as paint, collage and ceramics. I then found pens and fell in love with using them. For my university degree show, I went an extra step further and had my pen drawings developed onto silk, hanging them from the ceiling. This encouraged the viewer to really feel the sensory experience I was attempting to create, with the flowing natural movement of the silk and my ‘ethereal’, ‘eerie’ voice alongside it.

The colours are fabulous- why is colour important in your work?

Colour has always been an important factor in my work! I’m very drawn to bold, vivid colours and when I go and see art in galleries it’s always the most colourful and vibrant works that attract me. I therefore want to create work that is just as bright and just as colourful; that I would like to see in a gallery.

Anyone who knows me would describe me as a bright, colourful and loud person; I feel like this comes across in my art.

Tell us about your time at art school.

Art School was fantastic. When I first went to university, I had no idea who I was as an artist and what kind of art I wanted to make.

But the three years that I was there gave me the space to discover and study my medium in detail. I had the time and freedom to test out so many ideas and to see my failures and successes in the comfort of the studio, surrounded by my friends. Sharing a studio space was great as we would always bounce

ideas off each other and it was always so refreshing to see how diverse and different everyone’s art is. Those three years were unforgettable, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss them.

Who are your artistic icons?

There are so many! My all-time favourite artist is Matisse; another is Shara Hughes and the classic Georgia O’Keeffe.

You’re working as an au pair at the moment- do you get your kids drawing and doing art?

I always love making art with the kids! When I first arrived I would always draw flowers or dolphins and they would colour them in.

More recently I have been playing the game where you have a piece of folded paper and one child would draw the head, then I would draw the body and arms connecting the head, we go on like this until we unfold the paper to reveal a crazy mis-match of body parts. It can be very funny- one time we made a two headed lady with eight legs

wearing boots.

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I honestly just want to go and live in your painting, it looks so lush and peaceful- if you could step into any fantasy world or painting, what would it be?

Well thank you! I would also love to step into a fantasy world of my art, it would be like stepping in my own head. I would also love to step into some of Matisse’s or Picasso’s works: the colours and shapes would be so magical! And it would be amazing to go into the painting ‘The Starry Night’ By Vincent Van Gough.

Where can people see more of your work and do you have any upcoming projects?

I have an art Instagram @aramintaperkins.

At the moment I am still just making as much art as I can In Lyon. I return back to the UK in July and will hopefully be working on some bigger projects!

Thank you Minty!

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ROOKIE INSTRUCTOR

All names have been changed (so I don’t lose my instructors license!).

DAY 1 Having taught on dry slopes before, this is my first time teaching on snow. Seems I’m the only Megaski instructor virgin. I’m feeling the nerves.

A breakfast email arrives with my school group info. There will be ten of them… beginners as expected. 8 girls, 2 boys. 14/15 yr olds. TEN OF THEM! How long will it take to remember TEN names?

Rookies are lobbed in at the deep end and have to get their heads around the layout of the resort tout-seul. My velcro name badge won’t stick on my jacket. I’m sweating. It dawns on me that this had been a bad idea.

But suddenly I’m there, in front of them.

Except, all is not well. One of them is vomiting. A teacher asks if Walker (the green looking one) can come up with us anyway?

Well, if he can stop vomiting, perhaps.

Zara has strapped on a face mask and along with the other girls, isn’t keen on skiing with Walker – not while he’s throwing up. I’m with them on that. He is hit by a wave of nausea and staggers back to the meeting point where he slumps down on the snow and wretches. I suggest that Walker should sit out until he’s recovered- we don’t want everyone getting norovirus.

Finally we begin, with just 45 minutes until the lunch break. First up is learning to put skis on. It’s so warm everyone has balls of snow under their boots. No one can get their skis on. I’m grovelling around on the ground helping to scrape off the snow.

After 10 mins of faffing, tripping over and grabbing each other, 7 girls and one boy each have one ski on. We scoot across the snow and see how it feels. That goes ok.

Now both skis on. A bit of sliding... then

carnage. Students on the deck everywhere; sliding into the crash mat, sliding backwards, sliding into other groups. It’s not a good start. Perhaps I missed the bit about keeping the skis pointing across the slope. Emily keeps sliding off backwards. She seems a bright kid and I feel sure that at some point she’ll rejoin us from the crash barrier that she keeps reversing into. In the afternoon things move on swiftly. They’re soon performing proficient glides, ploughs and stops.

1530h and the first day is over. It’s been a good start. Jubilantly, I hand them back to their teachers. Success; no one dead, injured or lost. I’m exhausted.

DAY 2 After lunch, everyone is feeling confident; they’re desperate to move on. The nursery plateau is now rammed with groups and it’s hard to move. I take the executive decision to head to their first real slope.

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, during the morning, the piste surface has been skied away leaving sheet ice underneath.

We clip in and set off. It’s a total disaster; they all turn into Bambis – sliding in every direction; hurtling down, yelling. Within seconds they are splattered across the piste like starfish. As each one slithers to a halt, they sit up, take their bloody skis off and crawl on hands and knees to the edge of the slope. They’ve now got huge balls of snow stuck to their boots and can’t get their skis back on; an exasperating scenario which repeats over and over.

I’m charging from one stricken starfish to the next, imploring each to keep their skis on.

No one is listening anymore.

Phoebe is the first to chuck her toys out of the pram and refuses to put her skis back on.

She bursts into tears; she hates skiing. After a lengthy negotiation, she acquiesces and the skis are back on. I park Phoebe and rush off to rescue the others.

Ewan has spun off miles away and is lying on his back near the side of the slope; Kirstee is spinning slowly round and round; Emily is sitting down, helmet off, complaining of a

headache and Walker is lying at the side of the piste, shell-shocked.

Other instructors and their groups glide past in instructor-manual formation, observing the carnage. My incompetence as an instructor is hung out for all to see. Humiliation trumps concern for the students.

I take a deep breath and head over to Zara who declares that she is injured, bursts into tears and refuses to move. Does she want to go to the Medi centre? Yes, she does. This is duly arranged. I leave Zara sobbing, with the group leader who has just turned up.

Scooping up the others from where they are clinging to the slope, I charge back and forth, leading them, one by one, across the piste to softer snow and then slowly down.

I am sweating profusely and announce that we are heading back up the travellator but haven’t spotted my mistake: the group left their coats at the top of the slope and everyone’s lift passes are in their coats.

They can’t get back up the travellator.

Groaning internally, I beg the liftie to let us up. He does (the man is a saint). Everyone is deflated. Motivation and morale rock bottom. I’m gutted.

I suggest we get back on our skis for a couple of final snake runs; Bella jumps up and encourages everyone else to get going. I could hug her. We do a couple of short snake runs. But back at the bottom, pale, sullen faces say it all; a disastrous afternoon.

First beer(s) of the trip tonight – much needed. I slink back to my room feeling traumatised.

DAY 3 At the instructor meeting, I’m singled out for a private chat with Queen Bee. Nightmare! So, I shouldn’t have left Zara and teacher waiting for rescue (despite my group being plastered all over the piste) and I should have included the puking child.

Really?? Lastly, I’m berated for mentioning Coronavirus… Which I didn’t. Norovirus, yes.

I accept everything and hope I’m looking suitably humble despite the desire to tell her to shove a ski pole up her arse. To make

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matters worse, an elderly male instructor asks where my name badge is. He points to his shiny, golden BASI badge – “I’m a life member you know”. I flash my best rictus grin – the one that’s plastered across my face for the week.

My group aren’t overjoyed to see me.

However, I take them to a new beginner slope and their confidence returns. Huge relief; we’re moving forwards. Soon they’re thinking ahead: They want to go to ‘Narnia’.

Fellow students have mentioned a magical place with snow sprinkled trees and they’re desperate to ski it.

I’m on fire this evening – having managed to wrestle my self-esteem and instructor career back on track.

DAY 4 It’s time to tackle chairlifts with skis on. Ewan is the only casualty dismounting the chairlift. I’ve already bellowed at him to stop flapping his skis whilst on the lift. His skis have a life of their own; they detach from his boots regularly. On the next chair

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he loses a ski; it was inevitable. I praise the stars that no one below is maimed.

When he’s not separated from his skis, Ewan is Mr social. He’s got new mates everywhere; there are constant shrieks from the chairlifts overhead and he’s always busy fist-bumping with kids from other schools.

With trepidation we move straight down the piste of Tuesday’s carnage. Everyone nails it.

I promise that we will head up the mountain and find Narnia. But first I need to figure out where on earth it is. The search is on and I’m looking for wardrobes….? A faun maybe?

DAY 5 Up on the top plateau it’s a busy ski area with loads of distractions. Keeping everyone’s attention is challenging. They forget to check up the slope before setting off despite constant reminders. Queen Bee is out and about and almost collides with my group as they are chirping across the piste.

Another reprimand.

Sitting next to Walker (the sickly outcast) on the lift, I discover that he’s a keen musician.

He’s even brought his harmonica out to keep the music ticking over. The girls stop

giving him such a wide berth. By the end of a big day, I tell them they should be proud of themselves- their determination is impressive.

FINAL DAY After quite an expedition we reach the tree clad trails of Narnia with wide-eyed appreciation. Everyone is skiing confident plough turns, adapting to the terrain. At lunch Walker gives us a tune on his harmonica. The room stops and listens; his credibility skyrockets. Whilst not on Ewan’s level when it comes to networking, Walker is the star of the group: He had a crap start but through dogged determination he’s turned out to be a careful and competent skier.

Everyone’s worked hard and despite the constant banter, fist-bumping, bickering, social media etc, they’ve nailed their first week’s skiing. It’s been an exhausting week; an emotional roller coaster. The relief on finally handing the students back to their teachers is immense. As the memory of Tuesday’s calamity fades, I take solace in having taught 9 students to ski proficiently down the mountain.

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GONDALOVING

Were you impressed with his boarding?

Yes! He was definitely a faster and more adventurous snowboarder than me. I could learn a few tricks from him

Our Gondalovers bare all about their steamy ski and lunch date courtesy of Le Hibou, Val d’Isère.

How did the date end?

I had to run and get the bus because I had work to go to. He was a gentleman and walked me to the bus stop.

Would you meet again?

Yes, I would love to snowboard again and spend time getting to know each other.

JOSH: How has your dating life been up until now?

Dating life has been tragic with a splash of slutty - but in recent months it’s been more of a serious thing.

CASSANDRA: How has your dating life been up until now?

Funniest moment of the date?

Funniest moment would be trying to impress my date, however falling flat on my arse off of a chair lift, acrobatic style.

Pretty good

What did you like most about her?

I really enjoyed her snowboarding skills, Funniest moment of the date? daring to try a scary red I awkwardly I think the funniest part was when Josh crashed into a pole getting off a chair lift. We encouraged her down. She also had great were too busy chatting and didn’t realise that conversation beyond the realms of “first date chat”. it was time to get off!

What did you like most about him?

Josh is a down to earth guy; funny and charismatic. I enjoyed our time spent together.

What was your chairlift chat?

Very snowboard & ski season centric chat - my highlights were when we were on the Mont Blanc and we turned around and appreciated the beautiful views.

What was your chairlift chat?

Oh, we covered quite a few topics. We spoke Give us the low-down on the meal at Le Hibou. about previous work and snowboarding Hibou was hilarious - Rich and Nicole experience, travel and so much other stuff. welcomed any opportunity to wind us up, bringing candles, playing romantic music etc Give us the low-down on the meal at The - it was fucking hilarious.

Le Hibou.

I love that place! The staff are really friendly and the food is superb. I had the duck pancakes... Yummy!

Were you impressed with her boarding?

Her boarding was great, highlights were her

showing off her “big jump” and full board rotation!

How did the date end?

Things ended well and we’re currently planning a second date.

Cassandra and Josh shared a romantic meal at Le Hibou, Val d’Isère. Hibou’s lunch menu is one of the only in Val serving Asian food. Their delicious traditional Chinese noodles come with an option of Beef, Chicken or extra veg.

Another incredible option is slow cooked ribs that are coated in sticky Chinese sauce, somehow these ribs are even better than they already sound. If those two options don’t already have your mouth watering, we have three words for you: Steamed Bao Buns. Don’t forget they also have a lovely sunny terrace, wing Wednesday and some of the nicest bar staff in resort.

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SATURDAY 29 SALOON Beer-pong specials VICTOR’S Seasonaire Saturday. 5€ beer, 4€ wine, 6€ cocktails 21-23 10% discount on food PETIT DANOIS DJ James French 10pm THE FALL LINE Super Seasonaire Saturday LE LODGE DJ K2

EVENTS LISTINGS SUNDAY 1 PETIT DANOIS Live Music with Ali and Tchai 5pm. DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm SALOON Beer-Pong specials BANANAS Drum and Bass with DJ BigKez HIBOU Sunday Funday! Happy Hour all day & Live Music with DJ Tom Shanks.

TIGNES SALOON Beer pong specials

WEDNESDAY 4 BONNE SANTÉ Power Flow Yoga: 10.30 @ Le Hibou. Hilltop Candlelit Yin. Refuge de Solaise 7.30pm ADROIT FARM Visit to the farm with cheese tasting. Tickets at Tourist office.

FOLIE DOUCE WTF! Party SALOON 3€ JOSS!!

PETIT DANOIS Live Music The Mardy Johnny Depps 17h. DJ James French 22h HIBOU Wings Wednesday AVALINE TRAX Night Touring Race up to La Folie Douce. Sign up, La Daille 17h. 5€ BANANAS Live DJ on the decks 10.30pm FALL LINE Live DJ on the decks TIGNES SALOON Queens of the Snow Stage & 3€ JOSS!!

TIGNES SALOON Beer pong specials

THURSDAY 5 SALOON Thirsty Thursday 15€ Long island PETIT DANOIS Live Music: The Blazin’ Strings 5pm. DJ Jack Iggelsden 10pm BACKSTAGE VISIT Discover how the Olympic Cable Car and Snow making facilities work. Sign up @Tourist Office.

VICTORS Hip Hop Night with Live DJ BANANAS Live DJ on the decks BONNE SANTÉ Hilltop Candlelit Flow.

Refuge de Solaise 11am CINEMA JoJo Rabbit in English 8.30pm IN TOWN Festilight- Street Party on the Main Road with performers & live music.

SO BAR Karaoke Night

T-SALOON Thirsty Thursday ! 15€ Long island

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MONDAY 2 BONNE SANTÉ Mountain Flow Yoga with Rose 10.30am at Le Hibou SALOON Messy Monday 15€ Headf*cker LA FOLIE DOUCE Born in the 90s PETIT DANOIS Live Music Mullit & the Machine 5pm. DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm AVALANCHE SAFETY TALK Free talk at 5.30pm in English on the Snowfront CINEMA Judy in English 6pm SOLAISE Eagle display with their falconers at 10am and 3pm. Free event.

TUESDAY 3 SALOON Triangle Tuesday, 10 shooters 15€ IN TOWN Guided Tour of the resort.

Tickets and info at Tourist Office.

ESF SNOWSHOW Freestyle display, torchlit descent of Le Face & firework display. Free vin chaud. 18h45- Snowfront FALL LINE Live DJ on the decks

THE MARMOT ARMS BASS STATION with DJ Komissar and friends

PETIT DANOIS Live Music The Revolverlites 5pm. DJ Jack Igglesden 22h

TIGNES SALOON Messy Monday – the wall 15€

VICTOR’S Retro Night! All your favourite tunes from the 70s, 80s and 90s

FRIDAY 6

TIGNES SALOON Champions League 20.45h

PETIT DANOIS Live music with Karen & Andreas 5pm. DJ Jack Igglesden 22h SALOON 3€ J-Bombs and Open Deck with DJ Lukas SAVONETTE Yooner sledging 6pm SAVONETTE Floodlit Parallel Night Slalom with Dynastar LE LODGE DJ Valentin 11pm-2am

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 (VAL) Happy Hour 8-10pm: Jugs 15€ + 3€ Joss. 2-4-1, 4-6pm. Can you beat the highscore on the boxing machine?

LA FOLIE DOUCE Seasonaire Meal Deal 12€ @ Petite Cuisine VICTOR’S Cocktail Hour 9-11pm. Cocktails 6€ Restaurant booking 0479060652

TIGNES SALOON 3€ J-bombs

THE FALL LINE Happy hour everyday 3-5pm4.50€ pints. Beer Pong every day 12€ a jug.

BLUE NOTE Happy Hour everyday 3-6pm, Hot Sloe Gin & Tonic and complimentary nibbles.

T-SALOON 2-4-1 @ après (4-6pm). Happy Hour 20-22h: jugs 15€ + 3€ Joss. All sport shown SO BAR Open 4pm everyday with free Aprés pizza & a fab new cocktail menu

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OUT OF THE BUBBLE

By Ben Pryor

A slightly unique situation in which to find myself, namely recently arrived in Val d’Isere, recently returned from Richard’s coffee establishment and aiming for as much sleep as possible to avoid wasting a perfectly good powder day, as rare an opportunity for a punter as it gets.

Suffice to say whatever perception you have of Covid-19 aka the coronavirus aka the flu by another name, the hysteria has now exceeded it as global stock markets implode, most of Northern Italy is locked down and the contest for the biggest overreaction begins. The contagion and

unpleasantness elements make for unfun reading but the fatality rate thankfully remains low. Perhaps the spread of this disease was unavoidable given how interconnected the globe is, but given it’s now threatening 6 Nations games it’s probably time to address it properly.

The UK has set out its Brexit demands for a future trade deal, to be discussed starting next week. British officials have stated their preference for a Canada-style deal. The EU originally stated this was one of the few options which would satisfy British and EU demands but are now demanding dynamic alignment and various other codicils which have been seen to put no deal back on the table, unhelpfully hitting exchange rates and thereby raising the drinks prices for your humble scribe.

Bernie Sanders won the Nevada caucus.

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As the Democrats try to figure out a way to beat him, seemingly oblivious that splitting the moderate vote six ways is a poor strategy to keep the presidential race from being between two nearly eighty-yearold barely sane multi-millionaires… wait, scratch that. Sleepy Joe has a 20 point lead in North Carolina as he seeks to get his campaign back on track, with all of them hoping they didn’t take any campaign contributions from Harvey Winestain.

Arriving at court with a very tacticallyplaced zimmer frame he was convicted of several counts of sexual harassment and rape. He then went for the chest pain defence to avoid immediate transfer to Riker’s Island prison and end up in a prison hospital. The inevitable interview where he claims to have reformed after finding Jesus in prison… waiting for him on the top bunk.

A woman in Pittsburgh has been diagnosed with the first ever case of ‘urinary autobrewery syndrome’ which means she pees alcohol due to the yeast in her bladder; I was ok with breast milk ice cream but if I desperately feel the need for a pint of warm piss I’ll just order a Fosters.

And finally, a brothel in Valencia has been quarantined due to the coronavirus.

La selva negra (the black forest) had 86 clients inside it at the time, who are now presumably whatsapping ever less plausible reasons why they can’t come home for two weeks, and 40 staff; wonder how they’ll pass the time. Until next week, I’m off for a piece of gateau and a glass of freshly squeezed home brew.

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OFF PISTE SNOW REPORT

off-piste skiing conditions, although we’ll be choosing our low slope angles, <30° (the steepest part of a red run) to start with, and keeping a wary eye out for any signs of recent avalanche activity.

Recent history of the snowpack 1. Before recent snow storms the snowpack had become extremely stable, certainly up to 2500m or so. This settling was because of the warm weather and rain humidifying the snowpack, followed by its subsequent refreezing and becoming very Unsettled weather and plenty of solid. Some days the avalanche danger snowfall in the Northern French Alps rating had even been down to a 1/5. next week.

2. Check out what the avalanche danger After a mild sunny start to the current week, ratings mean. it’s now back to winter with a vengeance!

3. However, now with all From Tuesday night, we Credit: Wayne Watson the new snowfall, and more had another period of expected next week, we extremely stormy weather, will be seeing increased with howling NW winds avalanche activity. and snowfall and much lower temperatures. 198 What is the current km/hr gusts were recorded avalanche risk in the Savoie? at the Pissaillas glacier on As we write, the avalanche Wednesday afternoon! risk is currently 3/5. Avalanche activity is very likely, both spontaneous and skier After Thursday’s snowfall, we have a sunny triggered. This will be true with each fresh Friday morning and avalanche danger snowfall. For any specific points about rating 3 with fresh wind blown snow on all snow stability, you need to check the daily aspects. This means it is easy for a skier to avalanche bulletins, particularly when any trigger an avalanche on all aspects. fresh snow comes.

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

Off-piste skiing conditions are very varied at the moment, largely due to the wind.

Snow’s been blown all over the mountain, causing some deep drifting to occur, and some very bare areas where the snow’s been scoured off altogether. Despite poor visibility and strong winds, thanks to lower temperatures and fresh snow, we advise you to wrap up warm and get out there.

There are some fantastic fresh light powder snow conditions to be found if you brave the elements.

With more fresh snow expected next week, we’re looking forward to some fantastic

Where is most at risk at the moment?

Steep slopes with terrain traps beneath them are always going to be particularly at risk. When we receive 75 cm to a metre of new snow (which can also mean accumulations of wind-transported snow), this can produce some very large avalanches due to the increasing load of snow, pushing through to some isolated old weak layers which still exist. The best way for you to keep track of snow stability (which is even difficult for the experts) is to look out for evidence of avalanche activity.

How does the forecast look for the

coming week?

SATURDAY 29: Cloudy sky becoming overcast later. Snow starting in the afternoon at the Italian border. Snow/ rain limit 1700m in the afternoon, falling to 1350m in the evening. Maximum temperatures: +1 to +4°C at 2000m.

Snowfall forecast at 2000m: 7-15cm. Wind at 2000m and 3000m: S to SW, 60/80 km/h.

SUNDAY 1: Clouds and storms, return of snow in the evening with 5-10 cm at 2000m, (locally 15 cm). Maximum temperatures: 0 to +2°C around 2000m.

Wind at 2000m: SW 10/30 km/h, increasing to 50km/h at the end of the day.

MONDAY 2: Snowy in the mountains.

Snow/rain limit- 1400/1800m, down to 1000m later. Snow forecast: 15-30 cm at 2000m. Wind at 2000m: S 50/70 km/h TUESDAY 3: A weak current turns to the NW and accelerates. A little more sun with snow becoming scattered in the morning.

0°C Isotherm: 800-900m during the day, 1300m at the end of the night.

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WEDNESDAY 4: The WNW current remains rapid. Many clouds and heavy precipitation.

0°C Isotherm: rising to 1600m during the day, then falling to 1000m.

THURSDAY 5: The WNW current slows down. Many clouds, precipitation becoming less marked. 0°C Isotherm: 900-1000m.

FRIDAY 6:The WNW current slows down a little more and turns to WSW. More sun and less precipitation. 0°C Isotherm: 1500m.

Tip of the week This week’s tip comes from avalanche expert, Alain Duclos, from data-avalanche. org in his advice to professionals during and after the upcoming snowstorms in the N French Alps in the next week or so: “The best clue about avalanche danger is avalanches!!”. Or ‘recent avalanche activity’ as we call it at HAT.

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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

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FILMING WEEK: PRO TIPS

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to be perfect, it just needs to give you a sense of storyline. It’s much easier to fill in the gaps than it is to edit everything on the last day and realise you missed a couple of shots. #3: Charge your camera every night and empty your memory cards. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen victim to this.

Filming Week can be so exciting that you forget the simplest things. After an epic day of filming with your team you may feel the urge to celebrate with a million jäger bombs, just don’t forget to empty the cards and charge up for the next day!

A record-breaking 41 teams, made up of 241 seasonaires and locals from across Tignes and Val have signed up to enter The Tignes Film Awards this year! From this Sunday, our streets and pistes will transform into a weirdly epic Hollywood movie set with teams running around in fancy dress armed with cameras, piecing together their 5-minute-masterpieces. If you are in a team - which all of you should be - these pro tips, from organiser and filmmaker Mickey Fitz, will help you get the most out of filming week.

#4: Don’t let bad weather stop you from filming. Remember that everyone has the same 8 days as you to make a film. Sure, filming in bad weather isn’t ideal, but what’s worse is not finishing your film because you waited for the perfect bluebird. Keep an eye on the forecast and plan around it - shoot in the trees or in the streets if you can. The première night is the biggest, rowdiest, most hilarious party of the season and if you have made a film, you will be at the centre of it all - in the VIP area with a whole lot of free champagne.

#1: Break your film’s storyline down into a shot list. Once your storyline is ready, try to break it down into a simple shot list.

I find using a ‘Notes’ app on your phone work best. Then when you head up to start filming you will know exactly what to shoot.

For example: • Dan - looking terrified • Caitlin - click into bindings • Sam - screaming • Close-up drop in • Falling shot • Close-up landing shot.

The more specific you are, the easier it will be to edit.

#5: The 5 take rule. Can’t stomp a trick?

Can’t help bursting into laughter every time you say a line? The five-take rule is a good way to move on quickly and come back to re-shoot tricks or scenes later. I have spent hours attempting to get my friends to give me show-stopping performances.

If everyone gets the giggles, it’s best to try again tomorrow - but make sure you keep the shots for an outtake reel!

#2: Start editing early. This is my top tip!

In the first few days of Filming Week try to get as much footage as possible and then start editing it straight away. It doesn’t need

Camera & Editing Tips: • Shooting with a GoPro? Point the camera at the subject’s stomach, not their head, to get the best shots.

• Shooting with an iPhone? Take a battery pack with you to keep the camera rolling all day long.

• Best cameral settings: 1080p (resolution), 25fps or 30fps (frame rate), Landscape

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(orientation).

• New to editing? If you have a soundtrack to your film, listen to it on repeat and visualise your film. Then when you start editing you will already know where to put the shots. This is a trick used by many videographers ;-) With so much stoke in town, we are getting more and more excited for the première night in Tignespace, where hundreds will gather to watch all the films and party into the early hours of the morning.

The Ultimate Seasonnaire Party This week teams from across Tignes and Val will be making a film in the hopes of winning some huge prizes at the Tignes Film Awards on March 12, but what does the event offer to those of you who haven’t made a film? This is not your average film festival - it’s the ultimate seasonaire party. The Tignes Film Awards is about celebrating the people and businesses who make Tignes & Val such an awesome place to live and visit.

It’s first and foremost an epic party, bringing as many people as possible together for a night of hilarious films made right here in resort. There will be a fully stocked bar to keep things as loose as possible until the early hours of the morning and music from Bass Station’s legendary DJ Kommissar.

Even if you haven’t made a film, you will most likely know someone who is in a team.

Imagine how funny it will be seeing them on the big screen trying to deliver an Oscarworthy performance to win the ‘Best Actor’ award, but instead winning ‘Worst Actor’. Or seeing your friend finally stomp a huge trick after trying all season. This is a night full of stoke, cheering, screaming and side- splitting laughter.

The event not only offers us an unforgettable

night in the biggest venue in the valley, but also a chance to support some amazing local projects such as Brothers Of Tignes & POW. Partying never felt so good! Exclusive: Sam Hayward and Killian Kullar from The Cold Fizzy Club will be hosting the event in the Tignes Espace alongside Gauvain Gourment from Planks Clothing! If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting any of these three gents you know what to expect - a whole lot of banter and maybe one or two on-stage necking comps.

Tickets are now available to buy online, or if you want to wait you will be able to grab yours from either the Val or Tignes Planks Shop. Luckily for anyone coming from Val or Les Brevieres, Snowdrone have teamed up with the Tignes Film Awards to offer €10 return transfers on the night, making sure everyone gets there on time and gets home safe.

Tickets to this event will sell out FAST. We wouldn’t recommend waiting around to get yours!

Buy online at www.tignesfilmawards.com

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SEASONAIRE OF THE WEEK OLLIE HALL Would you taxidermy yourself and if so, what would you want done with you?

100% - Put me on the nursery slope to scare the kids. I’ve got a lot of love for Taxidermy. I went to Lithuania last year and met a taxidermy Otter called Stanley in a hunting lodge.

He is now tattooed on my leg.

Would you rather be a rich Scandi child this week?

Absolutely not, I don’t want to be any of them. I certainly wouldn’t be burning money all the time; I’d be spending it on nice things or charitable causes, like Alex Allen.

Who is your idol?

Keith Moon, legend.

What’s your worst tattoo?

I have so many. I did a pill on myself at Uni, but the worst one might be the bow and arrow on my foot that my mate did with a needle, it just looks like the letter D. If you could, would you?

Always, put yourself out there. Do it.

What do people know you for?

Being a really lovely person with great manners. Thanks.

What is poor bar behaviour?

People clicking, people waving money at you, people coming up to the bar to then shout at their mates to find out their order.

Actually, I hate everyone that stands in the entrance to the bar.

Who are you secretly in love with?

Ingrid from Blue Note.

What is your sledging game like?

Last year we put skis on a pallet and walked up to the Combe Martin. Everyone bailed; it was great.

What would your drag name be?

Well I think it is meant to be your first pet’s name with the name of your road, meaning I am Molly Frampton. I quite like that actually.

What film villain are you?

Zombie #3.

What wouldn’t you get naked for?

There isn’t much.

How much of the Echo did you need for ‘that photo’?

Probably not much more than the title.

If you could house train any animal what would it be?

It would have to be an Otter.

Like Stanley I guess? Tell me more about your time with Stanley.

He was wicked, we took him everywhere.

He would come to the pier with us, he would come along for breakfast, if we were chilling, he would just be there. He always had on sunglasses, a party hat and two cigarettes in his mouth.

“Seasonaire of the Week” is sponsored

by Le Petit Salon d’Antoine who offers our featured seasonaire a free haircut!

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TALK OF THE TOWN We have heard so many fantastic stories about Scandi children trying to obtain alcohol this week (and such little regular gossip) that this section is dedicated to them.

NOT EVEN CLOSE

Zac at Fall Line was inspecting a very obviously Scandi kid’s ID and was slightly dubious when he read his name was “Fred Bishop”. Not one to discriminate though, he read on to find that the address was listed as 10 Church Street Manchester Sweden After bursting out laughing, Zac asked what the child had to say who explained that his “Dad is from Manchester”.

GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL

Reuben at Saloon has been collecting fake ID’s like Pokemon cards. Along with being offered exorbitant amounts to return his spoils of war, he was harassed by one girl to keep checking again. Said girl then blurted out “If you don’t let me in, I’m telling Callum from Cocos” which led to her also no longer being served in Cocos.

THE LAW

Bar staff from across the resort have told JUST FOR ME us about the many ways they have seen One chap came up to the bar in Bananas the word ‘license’ spelt along with the and asked for some beer. When asked varying levels of flimsiness and lamination. who it was for, he explained that it was just Another common palaver seems to be that for him. The staff inspected his ID which lots of the children think the drinking age appeared genuine and so asked what he is 16, with many kids confidently handing fancied, to which he announced that he over their genuine ID’s showing that they wanted eight beers. are only 17. This has not been the case since the law changed in 2009 when these children were six years of age, meaning BUtyouGATTI LET ME IN At Le Petit Danois, Sammy the bouncer has they juuust missed the boat. been on the frontline. After being turned away, one child announced that “you can JERRY OF THE WEEK let me in because my dad has a Bugatti”.

Not a Scandi but still a child, Connie was Sammy then proceeded to google ‘Bugatti’ convinced that her Vie Val Dis card would and showed the child the pictures that work at the till in Super U. She was then came up, explaining how it was him and his glared at much like she has been glaring at cars in the photos with the child none the the children handing her ID’s with tip-ex to wiser. change the date.

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SPORT PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL Shown at Le Petit Danois: Saturday 29th February 13:30 Brighton v Crystal Palace 16:00 Bournemouth v Chelsea 18:30 Watford v Liverpool Sunday 1st March 15:00 Everton v Man Utd 15:00 Spurs v Wolves 17:30 Aston Villa v Man City

20:45 Spurs v Norwich

Monday 2nd March 20:45 Portsmouth v Arsenal

Thursday 5th March 20:45 Derby v Man City

Tuesday 3rd March 20:45 Chelsea v Liverpool

All Football and Rugby shown at The Fall Line. Sport also shown at Blue Note and Le Hibou.

Wednesday 4th March 20:45 Sheffield Wednesday v Man City

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

PATRICK STAR

BLOCKA

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WOoF OF THE WEEK Name: Otis (Like Redding not like the lifts) Breed: Eurasier Age: Nearly 2 Dietary Requirements: Loves Marmot Burgers Relationship status: Looking for like minded female Favourite Activity: Getting lots of attention (see picture) Habitat: The Marmot Arms Fun Fact: Once fell through the ice of the Tignes lake chasing ducks, was rescued and made the national news