The Echo Week 14

ISSUE 1414 | FEB 22, 2019

THE

FREE

ECHO

WEEKLY GUIDE TO VAL D’ISERE

M A G A Z I N E

ADVENTURES IN KYRGYZSTAN

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST

FLOSSING WITH RUSTY TOOTHBRUSH

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COVER ART

By Grace Alexandra 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 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

06 RESORT GUIDE 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

30 RUSTY TOOTHBRUSH We sat down with a few of the crew from Rusty Toothbrush at the end of their Man & Wolf tour

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

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ADVENTURES IN KYRGYZSTAN

Terry and Rich from TDC tell us about the joys of venturing from the hustle and bustle of a resort and into the wilderness of Kyrgyzstan

p o w e r e d

Tesla Model X

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We chat to Grace Alexandra, the designer of this week’s cover art.

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

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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, Brit Leguyader takes to the limelight.

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST

Artist: Grace Alexandra

travelling so I can make money as I go 10 along. But I shat my pants once when I was 11. A shark got scared by a load of people taking photos. I was the smallest person in the group so it swam into me to get out of the circle.

Have you ever made art to sell?

No but I’ve done commissions where people give me a photo and I draw it. At one point I was supposed to set up an art business but I realised I didn’t actually want to be in England, so scrapped that idea. Now my room at home is just covered in canvases and surfboards- I had to take my bed out because I ran out of space. I have to sleep on the floor or in the spare bed when I’m back.

Tell us about your cover.

If you‘ve seen the drawing on my snowboard, it’s a similar style to that. I tend to draw mandala-esque stuff, abstract patterns within patterns, that kind of thing.

Did you draw any of your tattoos?

No I didn’t do the whole design for any of them although I helped with. I quite like going to a tattoo place and if the artist has a unique style that I dig, I’ll ask them to create something or go free-hand. The wave on my ankle, I got done in the Philippines and wanted it to be done with the traditional patterns and techniques so he had free rein.

Bucket list place to go?

Marc: Glasgow. Grace: Fuck that! No way!

Marc: You cut me deep Shrek, you cut me real deep! Grace: Anyway...there’s an island in the Philippines where people don’t normally go to surf- it’s not one of the main tourist spots.

And I want to do a motorbike tour around it because no one really knows it’s there. That or a West Coast of Africa surf trip.

Both sound epic. Are you into biking?

Yeah, my whole family is. Everyone breaks themselves periodically. The longest trip I’ve done is 2 weeks in Vietnam.

Have you had any interactions with sharks Not surfing, but I have diving. I’m a dive master as well. So I usually do that whilst

And what do you generally use?

For snowboards, it’s posca pens but for canvases, I use acrylics. And then I draw a lot too. The cover was done in felt tips. I find it all so therapeutic. If I’m stressed, I’ll fill up one of those massive gin goblets with wine and sit there and draw for ages.

What did you want to be when you were little?

(Pause) Probably Cinderella.

No Way!! That is probably the last thing we would have expected.

Yeah I used to dress up as Cinderella and stomp around in wellies, a tutu and a tiara.

And then later on I wanted to go into something to do with Marine Biology. That’s potentially still the plan. Put the Biology degree to use.

Ah that’s really cool. You should definitely do that.

Well I’ve done some bits of research in the past with the diving- I’ll often work at a place where they need a dive master for a research project.

Wow that’s amazing. What research have you done?

I’ve done some work on Manta Rays in Indonesia taking the identification photos.

There’s a big research centre there.

You are probably the coolest girl in the world!

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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: Rachel Hopkinson Enter at www.valecho.co.uk/competitions

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OUT OF THE BUBBLE

By Ben Pryor Eight Labour and three Conservative MPs have abandoned their parties and formed the Independent Group. The polarising views on Brexit, added to anti-Semitism within Labour, pushed them to make the bold move; less bold four years out from a general election; less still with none of them prepared to face a by-election; dirty dozen minus one with two of them on a majority of less than 1000 and four of them representing leave-voting constituencies.

The only thing holding the new LibDems together is their determination to rule out the only Brexit sufficiently disastrous to

keep both sides at the negotiating table despite their antipathy; hope they allow guests at the party poker evening.

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Theresa gonebyMay revealed this week she scrapes the mould off jam and uses the rest of the jar; a better metaphor for the ‘hope is our best negotiating strategy’ attitude she takes to Brussels I cannot conceive, believe her to be the mould, jam, knife or jar.

The UK’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a self-made man who grew up on a council estate, is moving to Monaco to avoid £4bn in tax. MPs called the move deeply cynical, greedy, self-serving and various other terms which just leave them looking potlike rather than finding a way to keep him here. For £4bn, I’d move to Monaco even if it was located in the centre of the last IS stronghold.

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for most committed to the lie this side of Bethlehem 25.12.0000. A woman who Shamima Begum went there on the invited her mother-in-law to dinner was promise of unprotected sex with a stranger distressed to discover her poking holes in and the chance to wear long black clothes their condoms; fun Christmas conversation in the Middle East. Unless it was packaged as a sort of swingers party at a gun range it’s in 20 years. A Connecticut woman is recovering in hospital after mistaking a stick difficult to conclude she didn’t know what she was doing. The Home Secretary revoked of dynamite for a candle during a power outage; there’s a long-suffering coyote who her British citizenship this week after she can sympathise. Crystal meth has apparently abandoned it for a group whose ideology proved a popular Lunar New Year gift in is a diametrically opposed to Britain as the North Korea; not so much Breaking Bad as Donald is to an immigrant vegan lesbian breaking from reality. alcoholic.

An overweight ‘virgin’ from Guiyang, China who has ‘never had a boyfriend’ mysteriously gave birth to a baby after being admitted to hospital with abdominal pains. She complicated matters by insisting medics carry out a virginity test before carrying out a C-section; wins the award

And finally, Tuesday marks 25 years since Bill Hicks died, the funniest man you will never have heard of. On my bucket list remains the desire to have some Christians tell me I’ve offended them sufficiently that I can use his line, ‘so forgive me’. Until next week, I’m off to chase this email up the mountain to Val!

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LEGENDS OF VAL Britt Leguyader

Sounds like Al may not qualify 20 then. Why don’t you look like your Facebook pictures?

I wish I did. Long story short I dyed my hair blonde but it fell out. However, don’t worry fans, it’s coming back soon.

Who would you out of Arctic’s staff?

I’ve tested the waters a little... probably the Cape Town guy; he is so nice. Or Piers, just to piss Laura off.

How many matching outfits do you have?

Blue cords blue jacket, pink jacket pink trousers, purple trousers purple jacket, obviously black and black. Last year yellow was my thing so yellow jacket and trousers too.

What’s your favourite colour to wear?

I like blue, the colour of my eyes but pink is my favourite colour. Caitlin’s hair is my inspiration.

Do you have any fashion tips for seasonaires?

Just send it. I find a hungover decision is usually a good decision but generally just wear whatever is clean.

What’s been your messiest night out?

I got my boobs out in a club. Not just boobs I literally had nothing on my top half. A French guy got really angry at me and I cried the rest of the night.

Your jaw was last seen in Tignes, have you got it back yet?

Yeah I fell when I was skiing, broke my jaw and left it there. My mum said I look better without it.

If you could be any mythical creature what would you be?

I don’t know any. Definitely wouldn’t be a unicorn, they are shit. I’d probably be the Loch Ness monster because, well, I am a monster.

What is your best quality?

My dance moves, I have a lot of good ones.

I can headstand and spin on my head. Brit does spinning headstand in the middle of What’s the meanest thing you’ve done?

I am pretty mean to Hollie, I push her over in Hibou which triggers a dance-off which she obviously wins. front of people. We abuse each other.

Best moment of last year?

I don’t remember any of it.

Ideal date?

I’ve never been on one so I don’t know. *Al walks past* This is my ideal date! We would go to Danois and watch the Killer Beez. Al “No, I would take her somewhere she hasn’t been before, a quiet bar, then to a fancy restaurant. We’d be in bed by 11.”

Worst date?

Anyone who isn’t Australian and doesn’t have long hair.

What’s going on with your surname?

My dad is French! Last year I told my boss I was fluent in French then turned up and had to do some French role-play training. It was a problem when they found out I couldn’t speak a word. I can say one thing actually - Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? I suppose.

Anything to add?

I love my dog, Buddy, he is the love of my life. Also can we just say how much better looking I was last year.

We disagree, you’re gorgeous! Proof

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23 know what a ski boot should feel like. So make sure you choose a shop that does it properly – a frightening number of shops don’t. By all means sit with your child while they’re being fitted, but don’t interfere – the bootfitter should know what they’re Some half-term advice on the all-important doing and make sure the boots fit correctly.

Watch out for boots that are too big, this is equipment which can make or break the very common (and again dangerous), and family holiday. make sure the bootfitter shows your child how to do up and adjust them properly Choosing Your Shop – they’ll need to do this themselves at ski school.

Make sure you choose a reputable shop with plenty of decent – and recent – kids’ Beware also of shops putting children into equipment. Children’s skis aren’t used adult boots. Even though they may fit in nearly as much as adults’ ones so some the foot they often come too high up the shops just keep trotting out the same leg and are too stiff for a child. ancient kids’ kit every year in school holidays. Don’t accept kit that’s way past If there is a problem once your child gets its sell-by date – imagine if a ski broke or a binding ripped out as your child is skiing on the snow, go back and change the along! If it’s older than 3 seasons, refuse to boots straight away, don’t wait until a small problem becomes a big one. take it.

PRO GEAR TIPS

Skis

Booking In Advance

Don’t be surprised if your child’s skis look short. Small children have less strength in their legs and can’t bend a longer ski, so skis that are too long are dangerous. Midchest height is good for a young beginner, collar-bone to chin for an older and more experienced child.

Book your ski hire to ensure availability, some shops run out of children’s kit very quickly. Booking also saves you time as certain parts of the process can be sorted out before you arrive.

We strongly recommend you don’t pay for ski hire through an agent or tour operator Many shops offer little choice for more – you’ll usually get much better service advanced junior skiers and may not carry and kit booking direct with the shop who the very smallest skis and boots for children will make sure they get all the info they as young as three but a decent specialist need from you in advance. Many agents should have plenty of options for all ages charge you more than you would pay direct and ability levels. and don’t give the shop any pre-arrival information, so there’s nothing reserved for you. All you’ve done is pay a third Boots party more than you needed to months in advance!

Getting the right boots is more important than ever for young children who don’t

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OFF PISTE SNOW REPORT

The wind has often hardened and densified the snow, making it very tricky to ski. There are also areas of windslab that we need to avoid. At these higher altitudes there is often a thin surface crust first thing in the morning, which melts during the day and then refreezes overnight.

Sunny and very mild for this time of season High pressure stays in charge until the end of February. It will continue to be very sunny and even milder. We expect to see a change around 3rd 4th March, to cooler weather with some snow. Skiing conditions on piste are good, although very busy.

French half term holidays continue until 9th March. By skiing the pistes between 12 and 2 o’clock, you can avoid the worst of the crowds.

On sunny South’ish facing slopes, especially lower ones below 2400 m, the snowpack has become very humidified due to melting in the warm temperatures. These slopes are often rock-hard first thing in the morning, softening up as the day goes on. We’re not quite into ‘spring snow’ conditions yet, but we get the feeling that they’re not far away. Lower altitude resorts may be starting to experience these nice spring snow conditions already.

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

Off-Piste Snow/Weather Report 21 Feb Continued blue skies and warm temperatures. Regarding the off-piste, we’re walking quite a long way to reach any untracked snow. It’s always an adventure venturing out to see what we may find.

Options are getting more limited with lack of fresh snowfall, but by playing with different slope exposures some nice skiing can still be found, usually mixed in with some difficult bits too.

The best conditions are on shaded North facing slopes above 2400 m or so.

Here, we’ve still sometimes been able to find patches of cold ‘winter’ snow. This will become more and more scarce as temperatures rise though.

Thanks to snowfall in January and the start of this month, snow depths are currently still pretty good for the time of season. There is a lot of melting going on though.

There are very few cold dry slabs that could be triggered by a skier or group of skiers, but following a prolonged spate of mild temperatures and sunshine, and with higher temperatures ahead (0°C at 3500 m in the day on Saturday), we’ll continue to see a significant number of full-depth natural avalanches occurring. We’ve seen the aftermath of quite a few of these over the last few days, including some which have come down onto roads. They’re happening on all slope directions below 2000 m and the more South facing ones as you go further up the mountain. Most of these slides have occurred in the afternoon (even quite early in the afternoon) due to rapid warming.

Even though natural wet snow avalanches account for a very small amount of human injuries and deaths, we really do need to watch out for them. It looks like this is what happened in Crans Montana.

Off-piste weather forecast for 26 to 30 January

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SATURDAY 23 Very sunny with some banks of high clouds in the afternoon and early evening.

The north wind weakens a bit but remains 15 wearing ‘gilets jaunes’ in locallyElysées unpleasant (bursts 60 km / h from protest. comment, ‘You cannot 3000 m).Macron’s Temperatures change from -1 / -2 be pro-environment on Monday and when to 12/14 degrees to 1000 m and 0 / -4 to Tuesday comes be against rising fuel prices’ 5/8 degrees to 2000 m (isothermal 0 degree is the kind of irrefutable logic which goes close to 3400 m). down like a fish milkshake with opponents, but should be deployed against those deSUNDAY 24 andand MONDAY crying Amazon Google25 for tax evasion Anticyclonic withinternet sun andsearch almost who wouldn’tconditions forego a free bluethe skycheapest in the mountains andininland for online deal a month of Sundays. valleys (banks of high clouds). The north

wind is clearly weakening everywhere.

Indonesia has are launched a ‘heresy app’ to Temperatures stationary with 2/4 then report anyone practicing inter15 degrees in plain and 0 ‘unorthodox / -2 then 13/15 pretations’ its recognised religions; well, degrees to of 1000m. pass my lover a bacon sandwich. A teenager matched with his sister on Tinder; yes, TUESDAY 26 andthey WEDNESDAY 27right and that does mean both swiped Thethey highdo pressures continues, maintaining yes live in the US. PETA has dea very sunny time onofthe massifs The wind manded the village Wool, derived from becomes weak and temperatures the Anglo-Saxon ‘welle’ meaning take a water the opportunity to name regaintosome degrees, spring, change its Vegan Wool be-

moving from -1/2 to 16/18 degrees up to 1000 m.

THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY and FRIDAY 1st

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

The anticyclone weakens a weak flow US Coast reported a giant enfrom northGuard to northwest and moreturtle, uncertain weather in or amoments of sun800Kg and cloudy meshed rope holding of cocaine periods alternate theDonatello. sky. Temperatures worth £41m; bet itinwas A former drop a bit, while staying well above average.

Miss Moscow, 25, has married Malaysia’s King Muhammad V, 49, after converting to Tip of the week Islam the Rihana; better Don’t and find taking yourself in name the wrong place at hope that heresy app doesn’t get rolled the wrong time. Even though wet snow out across the region. avalanches are predictable and only account

for a very small number of avalanche accidents, still need to watch out for And finally,we Poundland’s Christmas advert them.

Watch yourfire timings, and beElton very has come under for mocking cautious about venturing onto SouthJohn’s advert for John Lewis, depicting one facing slopes on warm sunny afternoons. elf orally relieving sat on topAt of this his Similarly, never goanother on a closed piste. piano; he was closed singingbecause ‘Can you time ofwonder year it isif usually of Feel the Love Tonight’.

Until next week, I’m avalanche danger. off to drink from a woolly spring.

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RUSTY TOOTHBRUSH Rusty Toothbrush are a collective of boarders and camera guys that make badass films and have a lot of fun in the process. They’re also the nicest guys you could hope to meet. We caught up with Alex and JJ from the crew.

So tell me about the Man & Wolf Tour?

Alex Stewart: We’ve been shooting for the next film ‘Highjinks’ and checking out the parks in Les Arcs, La Ros and here obviously.

This trip has been supported by Man & Wolf and Northwave & Drake who both sponsor us.

It’s been pretty epic- a lot of pow!

How did the collaboration come about?

A: We were actually in a bar in Morzine and Gumby spotted Tyler and some of the boys and we got chatting. He was giving us shit about not being gnarly enough in our edits.

But he liked our vibe and was keen to support us. And if you watch our recent edit, beer barrels make for excellent jibbing material!

30 A: I lived there with an ex girlfriend for a while and in Italy, you really have to speak Italian. Especially where we were, they just didn’t speak English. Which is probably the best way to learn, just be fully immersed.

Our last film, “Poveroi Noi”, is Italian for “Poor Us”.

Yeah I was wondering about that. It’s very tongue in cheek and a lot of what you guys do is absolutely hilarious.

Where do your ideas for stuff like the human snowboard and 4 legs on one board come from?

A: It’s all pretty organic to be honest. We set out to do a line and it often just descends into mayhem. I think when you put a bunch of guys together that are all eating, sleeping and riding 24/7, it’s inevitable that some antics are going to occur. I was really inspired by Robot Food, a crew that were making films in the 00s and who were incredible boarders, but made it look so fun.

With the 4 legs, people from the chairlift actually didn’t think it was funny at all!

JJ: Yeah, most of them seemed to think you had a serious abnormality.

And what are the rules of Rugby-on-Snow?

A: Shorts Chiara: Short shorts

Are you based in Europe full time now?

JJ: Nah, I’m still based back in NZ. I was actually supposed to fly back yesterday but I’ve been having too much fun, so I delayed it.

A: Me and Chiara (my girlfriend) just bought a van in Europe so we’re going to be here a while. She only cost us a couple a grand but she’s struggling a bit. Everything keeps breaking.

So you might end up carrying her rather than the other way round. And Alex, you’re fluent in Italian right? How did that happen?

Alex, you’re involved in both the filming and riding side of things? Which came first, love of boarding or filming?

A: Definitely boarding although I was actually a very late starter. I only began snowboarding age 17 but immediately was infatuated and have pretty much done back to back seasons since then. I was riding for DC and they were doing some filming but I didn’t like the edit.

So I figured, if I want this done in line with my vision, I’m going to have to do it myself- how hard can it be? It turns out, very hard and my first one was awful. But by then it was in my mind that this was something I needed to

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learn. For a long time after we started Rusty Toothbrush, I did the editing but no filming, but that’s something I’ve gradually picked up as well. Although we have a couple of amazing camera guys.

What are you trying to learn on a board this season?

A: I stopped trying to learn new tricks about 5 years ago. At a certain point you have to take what you do in the park and apply it to the backcountry and the street. Because that’s where it all originated from. Rails are supposed to represent something you’d actually find in a town. So the focus now for me is on nailing new lines as opposed to specific tricks in the air.

JJ: Yeah, that’s pretty much the same for me.

Obviously it’s fun to play in the park. Like we had a blast on the black kicker today and the Val Park guys built us a powder jump yesterday which we were playing around on. But for filming, we tend to be in more obscure places.

Have you ever got in trouble whilst filming?

A: Yes is the short answer. Usually, we just get moved along if we’re in a town. But one resort in Australia, who we were actually being paid by to be there, got really arsey and told us if they saw us with a camera somewhere again, we’d face thousands of dollars in fines. We don’t go to Oz anymore.

How many boards do you get through a season?

A: Probably about 7 or 8 JJ: Maybe 2 or 3 Damn Alex, what are you doing wrong?!

A: Yeah not sure. Luckily we’re working with Northwave and Drake boards now, who hook us all up with some very sweet gear. I’m actually working for them as International Team Manager, organising video projects, which is great because I get to choose the crew.

Who has the best nickname?

A: Lately, we’ve just been filling in JJ’s name with any other two words or names beginning with J. Janis Joplin is probably my favourite.

JJ: And Alex is Peppino? Where did that come from?

A: Peppino is a name that I was gifted in Italy and really tried to shake off. More recently I embraced it but it’s not sticking as well. It’s like a standard greasy pizza guy name in Italy.

Retirement plan?

A: I don’t know what’s happening next year let alone several down the line! We have two brothers riding for us at the moment who also do filming, so they’re going to take on more with the project, which will be good. But nah, I’m not stopping any time soon. Not whilst I’m able to make a living from doing what I love.

And the obligatory question that you probably get asked every time- why Rusty Toothbrush?

A: JJ, why don’t you take this one?

JJ: Well, Alex was backpacking through India and he’d lost his bags so he needed a toothbrush. Some locals offered him this wire toothbrush that was all rusty and told him to clean his teeth with that and some oil and he was like “Nahhh, that’s a rusty toothbrush”.

I’ll believe you. To close the show, which is your favourite Man & Wolf Beer?

A: Which is the black one? Oh yeah the Social Lubricant IPA. That’s tasty.

JJ: I’d go with that too Find the boys in action @rustytoothbrush or rustytoothbrush.com Find Man & Wolf beer in a bar near you!

23RD

24TH 32

Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: The Blazin’ Strings

Le Hibou - Curry Night - Curry & A Pint/Glass of wine for only €15. Served 14.30 - 21.30.

Victors - Seasonaire Saturdays. Tacos & Tequila.

Bananas - Disco/Funk/House Night w B2B DJs Rob & Oscar

Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm: Mardy Johnny Depps, 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden

Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Hobo Chic

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

Blue Note - Cheap Cocktails. 22h-23.30h

Saloon - That DJ Jay & 5 bottles of beer 20€

Petit Danois - Live Apres Music: 5pm Mullit & The Machine, 10pm DJ Jack Igglesden

Arctic - Seasonaire Wknd Breakfast: Superfood Quinoa & Oat Porridge Pot plus a Latté for 8€ Next Bar - Michouze (tribal, house, electro swing, techno to trance)

Saloon - The Jawbones Duo 17h-19h Next Bar - SUNDAY TECHNO NIGHT Moris - Toss the Boss. 22h-00h

Moris - 2 for 1 1080s. 1/2 price Chicken Wings

Doudoune - Rebecca & Fiona

Dick’s Tea Bar- DJ Megan

Dick’s Tea Bar - Guest DJ Sergio Rincon

27TH Snowpark-Sprite Cash 4 Tricks contest, BBQ,DJ 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 Music: Coco & The Butterfields Le Hibou - Wings Wednesday Next Bar - THE ARCHITECT (Swing, Jazz, Electro, Funk et HipHop) Bananas - Jungle & Liquid Night - B2B DJs. Dan & Lorien Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Gallie, DJ BATTLE! 11PM Moris - Live Music: Apres - The Mardy Johnny Depps 20h. Evening- Wingmen 22h30 Saloon - 3€ JOSS! Or 10 for 25€ ALL DAY Doudoune- Valentino Rojas Dick’s Tea Bar - Guest DJ Simon Jayson

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-Mullit &Machin

Petit Danois - Live Mu PSD 10pm Moris - Toffee Thursda The Blazin’ Strings 22h3 Next Bar - Kabba Sele Dick’s Tea Bar - Guest

Doudoune- Lance Hed

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.

25TH

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26TH

IN TOWN- Film: The Hydroelectric Adventure in Haute Tarentaise. Free entry, 6pm @ CCAS La Folie Douce - Discopolis

In Town ESF Snow Show: Torchlit descent of the Face, Freestyle Display, Fireworks and vin chaud Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Les Lunettes

Arctic - Juice Pump - Do 30 Push Ups and get 50% off Juice or Coffee Cocorico- Après Music: Coco & The Butterfields

Bananas - House & Tech night DJ Max Leaver Vie Val d’Is - Jam session from 8pm at the

Saloon - DJ Kommissar & 12€ headfuckers Vie Val d’Is - Weekly Language Exchange. Free French lesson for VVD card holders at 8pm Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Revolverlites, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm Moris - 2 for 1 Burgers. Live Music: Apres- Max Whitthal 17h30 Next Bar - DJ OL’GROOVIST (world music strictly vinyls) Doudoune - ONYVAA Dick’s Tea Bar - Guest DJ Chicho

CCAS. Open & free for musicians with VVD card Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Revolverlites, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm Victors - Funky Tuesdays with DJ Joblime Arctic - Tag Us Tuesday: Share your Arctic experience in a post/story and get a free juice shot Next Bar - Kabba Selecta (world music vinyls) Saloon - SEASONAIRE PARTY w DJ so acclaimed. Mad deals for all seasonaires

Moris - Tequila Tuesday.

Doudoune- Mark Knight Dicks Tea Bar - Guest DJ Wahlstedt

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ge visit to discover how gn up for 3.45pm meet Music: Wingmen Class at 7pm with JJ @ s spaces are limited. ght. Light show, street e vin chaud on main street

rsdays with DJ Wanne

ne 17-19. 2 beers 6€ 15-17

usic 5pm Guinea Pigs, DJ

ays! Live Music: Evening 30 ecta (world music vinyls) DJ Tim Henri

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1ST Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Queens of The Snow Stage In Town - Free Dance Show: Reconstitution @ CCAS 6pm Petit Danois - Live Music 5pm Karen & Andreas, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm Next Bar - RUM&BASS night (Digital Reggea, Ghetto Funk / Funky Break, Glitch Hop / Bass House / Jungle / Bass Music) Moris - Live Music: Apres Mullit & The Machine 17h30. Evening- Pink Miami 22h30 Saloon - J-bombs 3€ all day Doudoune - Kiss and Goodbye by Kevin Delmix

Dicks Tea Bar - Guest DJ IamNikolaj

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 TDC Introduction To Ski Touring sessions running - http://www.tdcski.com/val_disere/ off_piste_valdisere/ski_touring.php: 25th March, 22nd April, 29th April

vvv

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ADVENTURES IN KYRGYZSTAN Warm Yurts, Cold Nights, Local Foods, Touring, Powder Skiing, Skidoos, Absolute Solitude, Drones, Tree Climbing, Dogs, Whisky.

36 What happened?

We met the clients at the Yurts in the village on Saturday morning, cracked into some warm breakfast, then went straight up the hill for a ski. Each day we toured approx. 400m ascent in the morning and afternoon. The Yurts are at about 2250m, and we were getting up to the top of the tree line at 2800 on some days. The views are beyond comparison. The trees are enormous and shelter the light dry snow from any wind.

On the third day we took a 30 minute (10km) skidoo ‘transfer’ to a more remote yurt camp! Like really remote. From there we did another 2 days touring in and around the area. It’s the first Winter that people have ski toured there and we probably got first down a few lines. On the way back home, we stopped off at some hot saline springs to break up the journey, stayed a night in the capital and had some incredible local foods and 12% abv beers.

This is a country for foodies, it was amazing.

Where is it?

The area we went to borders with Kazakhstan to it’s North and China to it’s East. We were about 100 miles from China.

The village is an ex-soviet coal mining community. They still very unofficially mine the coal for local fuel, which I can imagine is one of the most dangerous jobs going.

It’s a super sleepy quaint old town, don’t be thinking ‘apres’.

Why? Rich (TDC coach) went there last year on holibobs and loved it. The touring, remoteness, solitude and powder were off the chart. So it took little (no) convincing Terry to get some clients together and arrange a trip.

It’s a pretty wild experience that you won’t be getting around Europe.

What really happened?

Our first plane needed rebooting on the runway about 3 times, so we missed our connecting flight on day 1. Instead of meeting the clients in Istanbul, we had to arrange for them to get to the Yurts in kinda the middle of nowhere without us! All went silky smoothly, obvs.

We spent a fortune on a DJI drone to get loads of pictures and promo footage. Rich put the drone

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through a tree on the first tour, broke all the rotors, and hadn’t bought the correct replacements out. I used my summer mountaineering/climbing skills to go 10m up a massive tree one day, to get a drone back. Not ideal when rescue is potentially 3 days away.

A rumbustious dog came touring with us everyday. It was an absolute beast, running flat out for 10 km in powder behind skidoos. The ‘transfers’ on a rope on the back of skidoos was a great crack, until we started overtaking the skidoos, or had to cross river beds. Rock n Roll.

We had a sauna every night after skiing before dinner. Log fired warmth, with -15 outside. This was in the top 3 things about the trip. A non-English speaking guy we named ‘Bram’ came to stoke the fires in the yurts and sauna every few hours. All day and night. I would have loved to have seen his job description on application. Must be a fire boss, and never sleep longer than 3 hours at a time, ever.

What was the snow like?

The powder was beautifully light and velvet smooth, the tree skiing was utterly mega.

It was a pretty necky snowpack though so we had to play it super safe. The yurt owners won’t let people ski there without a qualified person in charge, for damn good

reason. It was the most unstable snow I’ve ever experienced. The relatively small amount of snow they get each year, and sustained very cold temps throughout the whole winter means the snow never bonds together. If you break through the top layer, it’s 50cm+ of sugar. So, low angle bouncy pow turns are the order of the day, every day.

Going Again?

For sure. This was some of the sickest skiing we’ve ever done. Sharing it with clients was incredible. Next year we’re going to take 4 coaches, and 12 clients, doing swap-overs in the different yurt camps around the area.

We’re also going to put on a Japan powder trip, and possibly a Georgian Cat/Heli ski trip too.

Peace and Pow, Terry & Rich TDCski - the development centre www.tdc-expeditions.com

NEW STYLE

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Remise Carte Vie! Val!d’Is

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TALK OF THE TOWN

Say My Name Say My Name When we met a nice chap named ‘Huck’ outside of Fall Line, we realised it may have been the most appropriate name for a skier ever. But then he divulged that his last name is ‘Mountain’. Yes, this guy claims to be called Huck Mountain. What a blessing.

Inauguration

Jock broke the toilet seat (of the only toilet in Snowberry street side) in December and it’s taken this long to replace it. Here is Sam happily enjoying the new seat:

To Summit Up

We are still receiving tales about the disgraceful actions of the Summit children last week. This one sounds too good to be true but let’s just hope. A group of Danish children got into a fight outside a bar and one was knocked over into the road.

Disastrously, a car was passing at the time and his arm was run over. With his arm in pieces, apparently he was heard screaming “You broke my Rolex!”

Carrbomb

We have discussed before about how photobombers can make or break a photo.

This is last week’s seasonaire of the week, George, giving a lesson on how it’s done.

When you can make a face that defies definition, a Mona Lisa-esque dichotomy somewhere between ‘just shat myself’ and ‘I don’t read too good’, this is pinnacle photobombing.

Balanced Diet

A gal who shall remain nameless has her family out at the moment. The parents had been spending some quality time with said girl and her boy toy. One night, the concerned mother asked if the bf would mind that they weren’t going for dinner and if he’d be hungry. The girl’s response: “It’s ok, he’ll eat my ___ later”. Rumour has it, this snack then passed out before he got to tuck in. Her parents must be so proud (read: scarred).

This is this weeks winner of The Echo’s new photo comp. Out of the photographs that are taken every week for The Echo, we will choose a winner judged on amusement, originality and ridiculousness.

George, email contact@valecho.co.uk within a week to claim your prize!

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SPORT Shown at Le Petit Danois:

FOOTBALL

Saturday 16th Feb: Burnley v Spurs 1.30pm Leicester v Crystal Palace 6.30pm Sunday 17th Feb: League Cup Final Chelsea v Man City 5pm Monday 18th Feb: Chelsea v Man Utd 8.30pm Tuesday 19th Feb: Newcastle v Burnley 9pm

6 NATIONS Saturday 16th Feb: France v Scotland 3.15pm, Wales v England 5.45pm, Sunday 17th Feb: Italy v Ireland 4pm,

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

Wednesday 20th Feb: Chelsea v Spurs 9pm

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Sid (Toy Story)

Jack (Slice)

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