The Echo Week 16

ISSUE 1416 | MAR 08, 2019

THE

ECHO

FREE WEEKLY GUIDE TO VAL D’ISERE

M A G A Z I N E

EUROPEAN SNOW PRIDE

HOW TO BE A SKI-J

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST

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COVER ART

By James Roberton and Ben Baum Interview: Page 10

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE FOLIE DOUCE ART PROJECT Each week, the front cover of The Echo is going to be a different artwork produced by mostly local artists, but also several from further afield. This project is being very generously supported by La Folie Douce, whose contribution is allowing the artists to be paid ahead of time for their work, as both Folie and The Echo firmly believe in paying people for their skills.

If you’re interested in drawing/painting/ collaging/ creating something in whatever medium takes your fancy, please get in touch by emailing contact@valecho.co.uk and we can discuss. Equally, if you’re interested in writing for the magazine or have ideas for a feature, drop us a line.

At the end of the season, the plan is to

We want to encourage a community of creators and give people a space to use their talents, even if whilst out here, many are taking a break from “regular life”.

Prints of the artwork are available to purchase on The Echo website, www. valecho.co.uk/shop, with profits going to the artists.

hold an exhibition of all The Echo covers from the winter, and again Folie Douce is supporting this endeavour, as it fits with their creative vision.

We can’t wait to see what the artists come up with each week and look forward to talking to them about their work and life in or out of the mountains.

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CONT ENTS

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Echo Publications CCK Intergalactic Ltd

www.valecho.co.uk contact@valecho.co.uk Please recycle the magazine once you have read it. Or, better still, hand it on to someone else.

Contributors: Sam Box, Ben Pryor, Caitlin Kennedy, Al and Abi Nasmyth

06 RESORT GUIDE

36 EUROPEAN SNOW PRIDE Ahead of the biggest and best Gay Ski Week in Europe over in Tignes, discover the history of the first ever Pride in a ski resort courtesy of the organiser, Olivier.

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

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HOW TO SKI-J

We rack the brains of the guys and girls behind the decks in Val d’Isere on what it takes to be a DJ.

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

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST

p o w e r e d

Tesla Model X

b y

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Private & Shared info@europetransfer.com +44 203 239 4978

VW Caravelle

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Audi A6 allroad

We chat to James Roberton and Ben Baum, the designers of this week’s cover art. The Echo’s cover is generously sponsored by La Folie Douce.

16 OUT OF THE BUBBLE A satirical spin on the week’s events from further afield than the Espace Killy

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LEGENDS OF VAL

A deadly serious interview with our Seasonaire of the Week. This week, Mairie MacKenzie takes to the limelight.

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST Artist: James Roberton and Ben Baum

10 Were you into cars when you were little?

James: I think I was more so than Ben. Ben: Yeah me not so much. The attraction to me was more the drawing side of it.

And if you could be any car, what would you be and why?

James: Maybe something off-road with adventure capabilities so I could climb lots of mountains still. Like a Landrover Defender Ben: Tricky question, there are so many.

Probably a Mini Cooper.

Classy! I like that. How did your love of monoskiing begin and what are you going to do to take the crown this year?

I actually bought a monoski when I was like 16 because I was really into all things retro and 80s. I was at a flea market back home in Melbourne and I didn’t know what Tell us about your cover. monoskiing was but I’d just started getting James: I decided to do a tape drawing, which is a pretty unusual drawing style but in really into skiing and I saw this thing at the the car design industry, everything is done in market which was 1m90 and just had to have it. I’ve still never ridden it but I had a retro tape. It’s a really practical way to put down skis themed 21st birthday and I got all my nice lines and you can change it easily by friends to sign the base so now I have that peeling it off and re-doing it. I wanted to as a souvenir. It was actually years before I take a bit of the drawing style from work in discovered monoskiing for real when I came my other life and apply it to this. And Ben, my friend from Porsche is out at the moment, out here and found out about the Monoski World Championships. That was when I so he is helping out. discovered my true calling. Dressing up in Ben: It’s actually quite an old fashioned technique, because these days so much can fluoro and acting like an idiot all day is my kind of thing. Last year was awesome, I don’t be done on the computer. know how to top it this year. I’ve got a few different costume options. I’m turning 30 the How did you guys end up working at day before this year so I’m going to be pretty Porsche? sendy for it.

James: I actually wasn’t intending to work there at all. I was planning on moving back Is there much culture where you work in to Berlin to work for Volkswagen, but as a Stuttgart? freelancer, work is very temperamental and James: No, we’re both actually planning to the job that was lined up for me ceased to move to Berlin soon. I’ve lived there before exist any more. My agent asked if I’d be and it’s a big drive for me to move back interested for working for Porsche instead and I figured that could be interesting. I was there. always into Porsches as a kid, so it was pretty Ben: I’ve never lived there. I always wanted to but there’s no place to work for exciting.

11 me. Because my profession of car

designing is very niche, I’ve always had to live where the work is. Which is not in the capital. However, I’m changing direction now.

Do you guys do any art outside of your work?

James: Not art so much in the pure sense, but I love making and building things. I like working on cars and bikes and I sculpted a motorbike.

Ben: Yeah I do quite a bit of life drawing but mostly I like designing stuff that has a purpose.

James: We have a really creative household in Germany. Ben’s wife is an illustrator and another housemate makes porcelain for fun. So there’s always something being made at home which is awesome.

And tell us about Tiny Bar. James: Tiny Bar is a concept that started when Ben was having a mini weekend festival. At ours there’s this ancient brick pizza oven just big enough to stand in which looks like a tiny house in the garden.

We turned it into a tiny bar that only serves dark and stormys, inspired by the legendary Blue Note. You can find it on Google Maps. Someone actually rocked up for a drink once but we had to turn them away. We have very limited opening hours.

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PLANKS PHOTO

COMPETITION

Each week the winner of the Planks Photo Competition wins themselves a Planks beanie from the flagship store in town.

Prize must be collected within a week of winning.

This week’s winner: Ben Laval Enter at www.valecho.co.uk/competitions

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OUT OF THE BUBBLE

By Ben Pryor I’ve almost exhausted all vitriol on the pointless drain-circling that Brexit has become. Whatever your bent, the Irish jig the EU have dragged Theresa gonebyMay and her cohorts into and their willingness to be complicit in this devil’s tango, albeit performed as awkwardly as her turn at the South African secondary school, leaves you feeling the whole thing has been handled with the competence of Stevie Wonder and David Blunkett having a tiddlywinks contest. Try as he might, it appears Geoffrey Cox can’t get his codicil out as talks in Brussels have collapsed. The order of next week’s votes will likely yield another

no for May’s deal, no for no deal and 16 yes to an extension. While the recent spike in knife-related fatalities over here has been tragic, there will be people seriously considering stabbing themselves if we’re looking at another nine months of this dirge.

France has announced a 3% tax on digital sales in their country, estimating it will raise €500m from internet giants Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon. Dubbed the GAFA tax, it’s designed to close the companies’ ability to route sales through low-tax EU members like Luxembourg and Ireland. Hands up for them passing the cost onto consumers; and those for them finding a way around it; and finally for it generating more votes than actual tax revenue… just you Mr. Macron, ok good.

A quiet week for the Donald, in spite of

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calling Apple CEO Tim Apple at a White House roundtable, and he wasn’t even the North American leader under most fire. Canadian President Justin Trudeau admitted to an ‘erosion of trust’ in the SNC-Lavalin case. His former attorneygeneral said she was put under pressure over when to make a deal to suspend prosecution against the Montreal-based engineering firm to protect Canadian jobs.

Allegations centre around whether former executives paid bribes to win contracts in Libya when Gaddafi was in power; let me guess. Two top ministers have already resigned; the days of Emma Watson discussing gender equality whilst gazing into his eyes must seem a world away.

Superdrug mistakenly put a Mother’s Day sign under a shelf of ‘pleasure gels’; paging Dr Freud. A billionaire diamond

trader, long-suspected of dealing in blood diamonds, died of a heart attack in Paris during penis enlargement surgery when a substance was injected into it; must have been his body rejecting a backbone. NASA apparently considered putting Michael Jackson on the Moon at the height of his fame; only way of complying with the restraining orders? A Sheffield fruitarian has taken to drinking a pint of his own monthold urine every day; he appears to have misunderstood the term freshly squeezed.

And finally, Kylie Jenner has been declared the world’s youngest billionaire by Forbes, as a result of her successful make-up range Kylie Cosmetics; the youngest of the already-famous, already-wealthy Kardashian clan servicing the needs of the gentlemen of the NBA, she’s about as self-made as a piece of Ikea furniture. Until next week, I’m off for a grapefruit juice.

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LEGENDS OF VAL Mairi MacKenzie

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I have a tendency to do drunk speeches. It usually starts with ‘Oi C**ts, I f*cking love you.’ Once during a speech, I nearly set a yurt on fire. Another time, when I finished the speech, I had to ask for gum as I vomited. Recently, I fell off a stool, took three pints with me and nearly killed myself didn’t I. Favourite dog in Val? Souris because she obeys my commands.

Biggest cock up at work?

I am actually really good at work. But oh, looking after Brik - f*ck me, what a liability.

Where in Australia are you from?

My answer is get absolutely f*cking wrecked. I am actually full blood Scottish.

I don’t think I have ever met you sober, just how loose are you?

Very - ask the boys.

What is your idea of a small night out?

Don’t be funny, a small night out doesn’t exist. Honey, my name is Full Send for a bloody reason.

What kinda skiing do you do?

I am pretty jibby - I work at Snowberry so it is just pure talent.

Who is your favourite person.

You (wink).

Why do you call Britt, Brik?

Because she is dumb as f*ck.

Anything notable happen this week?

I saw Jock in the bath. I pretended I didn’t see him.

Most embarrassing moment?

What would you do if you found out Al from Blue Note was your dad?

I wouldn’t shag him obviously. Thinking about it, my Dad is actually coming out on Sunday, I hope he doesn’t read this.

Who do you look up to?

Not many people because I am the legend.

Maybe God? What are you good at?

I know how to chat up police - watch this. (I have to stop her approaching 4 gendarmes striding purposely up the road). Also I am a good person because I show people where the free spas are.

Last thing on your notes?

Brik Monday two hours. Can I ask you a question as you are a legend; where did you get your jacket from?

No Mairi, this is about you. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A legend - TICK.

21 What do you regret?

Not much to be honest, that’s a shit question. I downloaded tinder the other night but saw Luke Collins and decided yeah nah, I’m alright.

Quote to live by?

YOLOTOLOFISH You only live once. Tits out legs open. Fuck it shit happens.

Last words?

Don’t worry be hap- no that’s shit. This is a shit question. You should follow my private Instagram about my happenings - @ messymuz

vvv

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OFF PISTE SNOW REPORT Brought to you by Henry’s Avalanche Talk www.henrysavalanchetalk.com A stormy week ahead with snowfall!

Expect a period of snowy unsettled weather, with significant snowfall. Some days this may be just a few cm, but next week it will become quite widespread even down to 1500 m. One snow report, for example, suggests up to 51 cm at the higher altitudes in Val d’Isère over the next few days. The biggest risks will be N facing shady slopes above 2400m Over the past week, we’ve been finding varying off-piste conditions, with the wind and sun playing a big part. We didn’t receive as much fresh snowfall as we’d expected and hoped for.

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On shaded North’ish facing slopes above 2400 m or so, the snow has recently been colder, drier, and pleasant to ski than on the sun-affected and lower altitude slopes.

These high shaded N slopes, will become unstable if they get more than 20cm of new snow on them.

That’s because the snow has become cohesionless in many places on these colder slopes, during a protracted period of colder temperatures and clear skies. See our previous blog for more on this, and an interview (in French) with avalanche expert, Alain Duclos, explaining his very real concerns in the Dauphiné Liberé.

Guiding earlier this week, Henry found ‘patches’ of unconsolidated sugary snow – technically known as very well-developed facets – on shaded slopes especially above 2200 m, particularly where the snowpack was 50cm or less deep. The size of the ‘patches’ ranged from a few square m to 100 square m. The ‘patches’ were mostly in between areas of hard wind-blown snow and generally crusty snow (not sun crusted because we are talking about N’ish shaded areas). They were mostly away from the classic off-piste itineraries that have been packed down by skiers over the last few weeks of no new snow.

Off-Piste Snow & Weather 7 - 15 March 2019 Off-Piste Adventure. Wayne Watson photo Flat light conditions will prevail, making route-finding tricky in the off-piste, but there will be some bright spells too. Fresh snow will always improve skiing conditions, especially at higher altitudes. However, it will also be accompanied by wind, meaning significant snow accumulations will be Off-piste weather forecast for 26 to 30 forming, as well as windslab.

January SATURDAY 9 Sunny slopes, and those below 1800 m or Little sun, less cool in the afternoon in the so have recently become very humidified mountains. The cloud cover thickens a bit, by day, refreezing overnight, so becoming hanging the massifs. Scattered showers very solid and crusted first thing in the become widespread in the early morning, morning. intensify a little in the late morning; they

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persist in the evening on the north of Savoie, then weaken, and disappear at the end of the night; they do not touch the Haute Maurienne.

Snowflakes can rise above 15002000 m during the day; at night can descend to 1100 m; above 2300 m, less than 10 cm is expected in Haute Maurienne, but 20-50 cm elsewhere.

to the WSW, then slows down by turning back to the NW. Tuesday, a little sun, and a few scattered showers; they become widespread and intensify the following night.

Wednesday, sunny and snow. The 0 ° C isotherm rises a little above 1500 m Tuesday in the morning, then goes down again. It snows at least to the lower valleys.

The strong wind from NW to WNW in very high mountains generates strong gusts downwind of the Glaciers de la Vanoise and the Italian border.

In the lower mountain, the wind of SW then WNW is sometimes strong during the day, then weakens at night. Isotherm 0 ° C: 1800 then 2300 m daytime, 2200 then 1900 m evening and night.

Tip of the week Keep checking the avalanche bulletins as and when we get any fresh snowfall.

In particular look for mentions of the stability of the snowpack and any weaknesses observed. If we receive any fresh snowfall of more than 20 to 30 cm proceed cautiously and start off on slopes of 30° steepness or less unless you really know what you’re doing. Remember: the bigger the avalanche, the more vicious it is! Be particularly wary around those high N facing slopes with the sugary snow underneath any freshly fallen snow.

SUNDAY 10 and MONDAY 11 West winds at altitude, hardly slow while turning to the NNW. On Sunday, the sky quickly covers in the morning, bringing widespread snow above 1500m; thunderstorms and showers follow in the night.

Monday, thunderstorms, and showers, easing in the night. The snow above 1500 m in the morning, then lowers into the valleys Monday. The 0 ° C isotherm rises the following night.

TUESDAY 12th and WEDNESDAY 13th Weather streams from the NW then turns

THURSDAY 14 and FRIDAY 15 The NW weather stream remains fast.

Numerous clouds and precipitation.

Isotherm 0 ° C up to 1500 m. It’s snowing lower. Cumulative snow can be significant in the mountains.

Check the avalanche bulletins for snowpack reports as and when we get any fresh snowfall. In particular look for mentions of the stability of the snowpack and any weaknesses observed.If we receive any fresh snowfall of more than 20 to 30 cm proceed cautiously and start off on slopes of 30° steepness or less unless you really know what you’re doing. Remember: the bigger the avalanche, the more vicious it is!

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Elysées wearing ‘gilets jaunes’ in protest. Macron’s comment, ‘You cannot be pro-environment on Monday and when Tuesday comes be against rising fuel prices’ is the kind of irrefutable logic which goes down like a fish milkshake with opponents, but should be deployed against those decrying Amazon and Google for tax evasion who wouldn’t forego a free internet search for the cheapest online deal in a month of Sundays.

Indonesia has launched a ‘heresy app’ to report anyone practicing ‘unorthodox interpretations’ of its recognised religions; well, pass my lover a bacon sandwich. A teenager matched with his sister on Tinder; yes, that does mean they both swiped right and yes they do live in the US. PETA has demanded the village of Wool, derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘welle’ meaning a water spring, change its name to Vegan Wool be-

cause it ‘promotes cruelty’; same could be said of their abuse of the English language.

US Coast Guard reported a giant turtle, enmeshed in a rope holding 800Kg of cocaine worth £41m; bet it was Donatello. A former Miss Moscow, 25, has married Malaysia’s King Muhammad V, 49, after converting to Islam and taking the name Rihana; better hope that heresy app doesn’t get rolled out across the region.

And finally, Poundland’s Christmas advert has come under fire for mocking Elton John’s advert for John Lewis, depicting one elf orally relieving another sat on top of his piano; wonder if he was singing ‘Can you Feel the Love Tonight’. Until next week, I’m off to drink from a woolly spring.

EUROPEAN

SNOW PRIDE

For someone several degrees short of straightness, sometimes Val d’Isere can feel a little desert-like in terms other queer folk. Not to steal Jack (our lookalike from last week)’s title, but at times “the only gay in the village’ comes to mind. With the

obvious exception of La Folie Douce, which is so fabulously out and proud that their unicorn piñatas shit glitter, queer culture is sorely lacking in these parts. So it was with sheer delight that I discovered Tignes Pride last year, the first ever pride event to be held in a ski resort.

Coming up in just over a week, it’ll be the 5th Pride Day to be held in Tignes and is run in conjunction with European Snow Pride, the biggest gay ski week in Europe, who have been coming to Tignes since 2005.

Tignes has for a while now been a town committed to equality and openness to the LGBT+ community. As well as hosting the gay ski week, in 2008, well before the legalisation of marriage for all, the City Council took the decision to celebrate

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Photo Credit: Franck Weens

Civil Unions for couples who wanted it. In 2013, they signed the charter against homophobia in sport and invited France’s first gay couple to marry, after Gay Marriage was legalised, to visit the town. It was when Vincent Austin and Bruno Boileau visited that the first seeds were sewn for a Pride Day to take place.

The couple are very active in the LGBT+ community and Pride scene in Montpellier, where they tied the knot and so the link was formed with Montpellier Pride.

Olivier is the organiser of European Snow Pride and took some time out before the big week to tell us about the event.

Why is it important to bring Pride to the mountains?

To make LGBT+ people feel welcome.

Even though it is only one week, it makes such a big difference to how people perceive the community. I have been running an event in Tignes for 10 years and in that time I have seen such a big change in the way we are treated. In the beginning people would ask really ridiculous questions but now there is a lot more acceptance. Especially because people find my clientele a joy to have in the resort.

They are respectful of their surroundings and of the people living here.

How did Tignes Pride and European Snow Pride start?

The actual Pride event is separate to what I organise which is the European Snow Pride, a holiday for LGBT+ people.

However, of course they are run in conjunction with each other and we have a very close tie with the Tignes organisers.

Initially, it was a much smaller event, but now we have events and parties every day for the thousand or so people that come from all over the world to enjoy a week in the mountains with new and old friends.

Talk me through the Big Day. We will start at Chalet du Bollin, where our daily Apres party takes place, finishing at the new Cocorico in Val Claret. This is where Vincent, The Mayor of Tignes and several others will make speeches and is the more serious part of the occasion where we reflect on the LGBT+ movement and its struggles. Obviously the day is supposed to be fun and a celebration, but it’s important to take stock of where we’ve come from as a community. Everyone is welcome to come out and show their support and enjoy the day as long as they are respectful of who we are.

What’s been your favourite pride event worldwide?

Good question. I think probably Madrid.

Spain is very accepting of the LGBT+ community and many people come from far and wide for the Madrid Pride. It’s a very joyous occasion. We also have a float in Montpellier Pride, so even though it’s a smaller scale affair, I’ve had some wonderful times at that too.

Head over on the 17th March at 4.30 for a celebration of every colour of the rainbow.

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PRAISING SKISUS

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10TH

9TH Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: The Blazin’ Strings Victors - Seasonaire Saturdays. Tacos & Tequila.

Petit Danois - Live Music: 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden

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Le Hibou - Pancake Night! 1 for €4.50 or 3 for €12 Bananas - Disco/Funk/House Night w B2B DJs Rob & Oscar Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Hobo Chic

Le Lodge - DJ K2 11:30pm-1:30am

Blue Note - Cheap Cocktails. 22h-23.30h

Saloon - Beerpong 2 jugs of beer 15€ 22-24h

Petit Danois - Live Music 6pm Mardy Johnny Depps, 10pm DJ PSD Saloon - Queens of the snow stage 17-19h DJ Kommissar 22.30-01.30h

Arctic - Seasonaire Wknd Breakfast: Superfood Quinoa & Oat Porridge Pot plus a Latté for 8€ Next Bar - ProleteR (hip hop electro swing)

Moris - Toss the Boss

Dick’s Tea Bar- Industry Night with Resident Megan and Pocket Size Dave Back 2 Back

Doudoune- House is a Feeling by Matt James

Doudoune- Vintage Fever by Kelian Marques

Dick’s Tea Bar - Dirty Sunday hosted by Resident Marshall

13TH Arctic - Midweek Refuel: Sandwich/Salad plus a latté for 10€, swap the coffee for juice for 2€ La Folie Douce - WTF Weekly costume party Cocorico- Après Ski Live Music: Firekind Le Hibou - Wings Wednesday Saloon - Seasonaire party: DJ Kommissar In Town - Cross Country relay race. Free entry and equipment rental. 6pm Place des Dolomites Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Gallie, 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden Moris - Live Music: Apres- Mardy Johnny Depps 17h30, Ed Solo 22h30 Next Bar - DJAHPASH (electro/techno to (maybe) Drum and bass) Doudoune - Hip Hop Urban by Kelian Marques Dick’s Tea Bar - After Dinner Club with Pocket Sized Dave accompanied by Sophia Landgren

In Town- Free backstag snowmaking works. Sig

Cocorico - Après Live M Arctic - Vinyasa Yoga C Arctic Juice. Sign up as IN TOWN - Airstar Nig entertainment and free

Victors -Hip Hop Thur Saloon- Heads or Tails

Petit Danois - Live Mu PSD 10pm

Moris - Live Music: Fire

Doudoune- Ladies Nig

Dick’s Tea Bar - Luna T Villard

COCORICO - 2-4pm Happy Hour, Live Music every day from BLUE NOTE - Happy Hour with Hot Gin and Nibbles from 3 to 6pm FALL LINE - Happy Hour 3-5pm PETIT DANOIS - Happy Hour 2 for 1 on Beers and Drinks 4-5pm & 9-10pm.

BANANAS - Seasonaire Menu: 3 Courses and a beer/wine/soft drink for €20 Happy Hours 18.30-19.30 and 22.30 SALOON - 3-6pm Happy Hour 2 for 1 on beer wine and more.

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In Town - Free Avalanche Safety talk in French and English at 6pm. Hut in Children’s Garden.

La Folie Douce - Discopolis Arctic - Juice Pump - Do 30 Push Ups and get 50% off Juice or Coffee Cocorico- Après Ski Live Music: Queens of the Snow Stage Saloon - BINGO! Vie Val d’Is - Weekly Language Exchange. Free French lesson for VVD card holders at 8pm Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Mullit & The Machine, 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden Moris - Live Music: Apres- Max Whitthal 17h30, Evening: The Marivaux 22h30 Doudoune - Crazy Monday by Kevin Delmix Dick’s Tea Bar - Residents Megan and Marshall

Music: Les Lunettes Class at 7pm with JJ @ s spaces are limited. ght. Light show, street e vin chaud on main street

rsdays with DJ Wanne

usic 5pm Guinea Pigs, DJ

ekind 22h30

ght

Thursday with DJ Thomas

Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Coco & The Butterfields

Bananas - House & Tech night DJ Max Leaver Arctic - Tag Us Tuesday: Share your Arctic experience in a post/story and get a free juice shot Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Revolverlites, 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden

Victors - Funky Tuesdays with DJ Joblime Saloon - 12€ headf*ckers

Moris - Live Music: Apres- Daisy & Tom 17h30, Evening: Revolverlites 22h30

Doudoune- Friendly Techno, Phil Garner & Guests Dick’s Tea Bar - Techno Tuesday w Megan

15TH

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ge visit to discover how gn up for 3.45pm meet

12TH

Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Firekind Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Karen & Andreas, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm Next Bar - DJ FLY (world DMC champion, hiphop scratch bass music) Moris - Live Music: Apres- Mullit and Machine 17h30, Lunettes 22h30 Saloon - Open decks & J-bombs on special

Dicks Tea Bar - After Dinner Club w Pocket Size Dave accompanied by Sophia Landgren on Violin.

Doudoune- Ladies Night

UNDERGROUND - Après Ski Tapas from 5pm LE PETIT CUISINE - Daily 12 - 3pm - Seasonaire Meal Deal VICTORS - Cocktail Hour 9-11pm LE LODGE - Happy Hour 4:30-7:30pm €4 large beer ClassicaVal: Classical Music Festival with nightly concerts in the church as well as events elsewhere. Find out more at the Tourist Office.

HOW TO BE A SKI-J Everyone wants to be a DJ, few people are DJs and fewer people can DJ. We talked to a handful of the DJs around town to find out what it is all about.

What’s the easiest way to start mixing and what would you recommend to learn on?

Jack - DJ at Danois: “I started on PC software ‘Virtual DJ’, which gets you used to the basics of mixing regarding the timings and ‘phrasing’. If you realise you really enjoy it, buy a basic DJ deck controller to plug into your laptop.”

Max - DJ at Bananas: “I learnt on Traktor but I would say Pioneer is easier to learn on.”

Callum - Often seen DJing about town: “If you want to learn to mix for your own personal pleasure in your room or to play at smaller events and have no real desire to delve into it as a long term hobby, I would suggest you buy a controller, maybe a Pioneer DDj SB3. If you wanted to get further involved I would suggest buying turntables, an old set of Technic 1210’s, or the newer Audio Technica AT-LP120’s, a mixer (Allen and Heath Xone92 or DJM350 for a cheaper option) and some records.

This will mean from the beginning you will be learning to beat match properly, and mix on proper analog mixers. This means that when you find yourself in a club

playing on a set of CDJs or Turntables with whatever mixer, you will feel fully comfortable.”

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Nico - DJ at Next Bar and Jay - DJ at Saloon both recommend turntables.

What is the easiest music to mix?

We had a fairly unanimous answer from all our DJs to this question House music or anything with a 4x4 beat.

Both Callum and Megan pointed out that newer, electronic music can be much easier as there are no bpm fluctuations.

Megan: “Something like old disco is tricky because there can be variations between the beats which make it super hard to beat match.” Callum also recommended to “try to use tracks with not too much going on in the background so you can hear the drum beats and align them easier”.

How do you improve?

Once again, our DJs were all in agreement that there are no short cuts and relentless practicing is the only way.

Beat matching is a really big part of DJing.

When mixing on a controller you can see the BPM but this is not the case on CDJs or Vinyl so you have to match the tempos by ear. Callum suggested that a good way to practise this is “if you cannot access

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turntables, start trying to cover up the BPM of the tracks you’re mixing, and try to beat match with your ears”.

Listening to feedback on your work is a valuable skill in anything you are trying to improve.

Jack pointed out that DJing is no exception.

What do you wish you had known when you started out?

Mixing in key is essential to making your set pleasing to the ear. Nico is now better with keys than a locksmith but says that when he started out it would have really helped him if he could have recognised the key/harmony of a track.

Megan: “Don’t compare yourself to other DJs. Some have a huge music knowledge but aren’t that good technically. Some have a limited music knowledge but have amazing skills. You’ve just got to find your place on that scale and stay true to your style and taste. Oh, and you’re an entertainer. Work the crowd and share your energy or you’ll just be another name on a poster.”

Callum: “Don’t get down about your ability if you play to a room with no one there or if people leave. It can just be the night, or the fact that the crowd that night aren’t into the style of music on offer. If

you put enough time into your area, whilst also respecting and listening to others, you naturally will create something that people want to stay around to listen to.”

How long were you mixing for before you started doing paid gigs?

Megan: “A few weeks. Totally blagged my first gig and looking back I’m pretty sure that my mixing was awful but it was such a fun night and every time I messed up I just made a joke out of it.”

Max, Nico, Callum and Jack were all mixing for around a year or so before their first paid gig. Jack: “I was mixing around at home for a laugh for a year before I met someone on a lake in Thailand who offered me a gig in London.”

Jay highlights a interesting point which is that it doesn’t have to be about money and crowds: “I used to play drum and bass in my garage with my pals for years. It was a passion of mine and I wasn’t pursuing gigs. It wasn’t until 8 years in when I got a break.”

What is your favourite track to play?

Megan: “Impossible to answer- depends on the moment, mood, time, crowd...”

Callum: “This is an insanely difficult question to answer, but I think if I had to pick a tune, it would definitely be ‘It’s Alright, I Feel It’ by ‘Nuyorican Soul’ the M.A.W 12” Mix. I nearly always play it as the last song, the breakdown in the middle is just unreal.”

Jack: “Insomnia by Faithless. Chills every time!”

Jay: “Don’t copy other people’s sets!”

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What is the worst thing to happen while Max: “I honestly don’t think I could pick just DJing? one song.”

Nico: “Stylust - Flexx.”

Jay: “Opus is up there for sure along with languages by Porter Robinson. The latest track I’ve got is ‘No No’ by Martin Ikin, belter.”

One thing not to do?

Megan: “NEVER go to another DJ who is playing and ask them if you can play a few tracks. If a singer is on stage in the middle of a song, you wouldn’t go to them and ask if you can sing a few verses. It’s the same thing.”

The answers here were nearly all about the dreaded power cut.

Jack: “Ask any DJ and they’ll tell you they’ve had dreams, or rather nightmares, about this happening!”

Oli (Joblime) who DJs at Victors, sent in this gem minutes before publishing: “I ate a third of a platter of brownies then had to play a 3 hour set, I got very surreal with it. I asked them to turn the light off in the DJ booth so I could be alone with the music.”

He added a really valuable point - don’t take it too seriously. I am sure our other DJs Callum: “Use the sync button.” would agree with this: “One big no-no for me is making DJing sound harder than it Jack: “Panic too much or take things to actually is. It’s a bit of fun, with well timed heart. You can’t please everyone. Also don’t button pressing, you’re not Mozart so don’t go too hard too early. The idea of DJing act like it.” (depending on your slot time) is to build a vibe and build the energy in the room.”

It should be said that there are plenty more fantastic DJs about town, these are ones Max: “Forget the power cord.” we were able to talk to at short notice! Go out there, respect the craft and maybe Nico: “Scratching if you don’t know how, or jockey some disks for yourself at some overlayed vocals.” point!

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TALK OF THE TOWN Egg On Your La Face

We have heard a few stories of people being roped out of dangerous areas by the pisteurs, but now we know of a seasonaire being roped down the piste. After getting the last possible lift up, Julia decided to take La Face but found herself unable to get down before the pisteurs got bored of waiting for her. They tied a rope around her waist and dragged her down the remainder of the slope on her arse. Sadly there is no footage because Julia’s kind and caring boyfriend, Guy, was doubled over in tears.

This really is an achievement, Julia.

The Time Of My Life

To celebrate a big victory, Hannah and Callum appeared to attempt that familiar move from dirty dancing. Being no Patrick Swayze and supposedly because he ‘wasn’t ready’, Callum went down, taking Hannah with him. What better place to fall than on the beer pong table in which stood two pitchers of beer. Callum did at least help clear up whereas there are reports of Hannah licking the beer off the floor.

A Sh*t Night’s Sleep

A seasonaire got too drunk after a day of trying to keep up with the chefs, nothing new there. However, instead of trekking all the way home, a kind friend let her stay in his bed while he was working in Geneva.

Fully clothed, she managed to piss and sh*t herself in this kindly donated bed. No soiled clothes, no problem so she removed them only to let the same thing happen again.

If you were about on this fateful morning, you may have seen her running home in borrowed clothes with odd looking sheets under her arms. We have to imagine it was a sight akin to that scene from Train Spotting.

An Audible Brexit

Wasef: Hey man nice to meet you.

Sam: You too! So where in Scotland are you from?

Wasef:…I am clearly Irish.

Sam: Whoops, I knew I heard a twang in your voice, I just didn’t know what.

Wasef: That would be the hard border you heard.

Never Go Full Scandi

You will find Valdemar and the rest of the Surefoot boys out having a good time most nights. The other night, however, Val may have gone a bit too far. After regurgitating his shot back onto the bar and pissing off the balcony, he was asked to leave his regular bar. We thought the disgraceful Scandi children had left?

Snow Heeling

We were gifted a plethora of golden stories and quotes about a group of guests staying in a luxury chalet last week. Our favourite though was the guest who turned up to a snow-shoeing session...in high heels.

SPORT Shown at Le Petit Danois and The Moris:

FOOTBALL

Saturday 9th March Crystal Palace v Brighton 1.30pm Man City v Watford 6.30pm Sunday 10th March: Liverpool v Burnley 1pm Chelsea v Wolves 3.05pm Arsenal v Man Utd 5.30pm Tuesday 12th March: Man City v Shalke 04 9pm Wednesday 13th March: Bayern Munich v Liverpool 9pm

46 Thursday 14th March: Dynamo Kyiv v Chelsea 6.55pm Arsenal v Rennes 9pm

6 NATIONS Saturday 8th Feb: France v Scotland 3.15pm, Wales v England 5.45pm, Sunday 9th Feb: Italy v Ireland 4pm,

Shown at Le Petit Danois, The Fall Line, Blue Note, Moris Pub and Le Hibou.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Professor Quirrell

Sam - Echo

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DICKS TEA BAR PRESENTS

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VILLARD 14TH MARCH

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