A View from the Top

I have never seen so much interesting wildlife in one area before. Rare species of bird, deer and goat roam free in the steps of this mountain, so much so that the area has been made into a nature reserve by the French government. I have actually ridden with a Golden Eagle soaring above me. I was in total awe of this King of his heights.

Every day and night at L’Oreade is lived in a true mountain lifestyle. Nestled in an alpine village far up the valley on the slopes of a secret spot, life exists in a special way. No time for fast paced city life, this is where dreams are fulfilled and you don’t feel guilty about being downright lazy or filling your days with so much activity that you can’t move an inch after a great day on the hill.

Steep and vertical faces will provide excitement for many, especially with the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc looming in the background.

Spring days are fantastic and we make good with a night of a kip, before heading up to the Half-Pipe in Avoriaz for the day. Freestyle jamming in the sun. Back home amongst many laughs and Dan’s video footage is awesome.

For those new to the experience of Skiing or Snowboarding there is a huge adventure awaiting them and the Chalet provides an ideal setting for those who benefit from novice slopes, in unflustered surroundings.

Proper feed for supper with some cutting edge cuisine, then it’s off to the local Irish pub where Will G is laying the tunes out for a lively night in town. Taxi home another day passes, new friends and great memories.

The Cascades run which comes down all the way from Flaine to Sixt provides some serious skiing and riding. Adorned with waterfalls and trees the winding route is long and takes you to another level. Through Mountain huts and old logging routes we descend to a place I call home.

Geneva offers some exciting nights out on a level with London and for the visitor who is willing a hostel trip can be arranged for a night out, ideal to break up a two week ski holiday, providing a day of rest and night of partying to those who like a well cultured and rounded trip.

I am very excited with each new day at L’Oreade, as each new day is never the same, and it offers such a special experience. I wake up inspired by every new day, and all its possibilities . . .

Come ride and experience an awesome place.

A Day in the Life of L'Oreade

7.00 am - I wake up to the quiet stillness in a warm chalet, opening the curtains to reveal a caked landscape, the familiar sound of the snowploughs grinding up the road, shovelling swathes of white powder from it’s jaws. A sound I learn to associate with great days of riding.

Lights on, coffee brewing, aroma’s rich, a good feed and a quick social awaits us before setting off into the mountains. Where else can you have a proper bacon butty in such a place?

Decision to tackle the local spots today, and ride fresh tracks undisturbed for the duration, outside the front door of the chale. All round result!

9:00 am. Adrenaline rising we set off, the gang awaiting some sweet turns and endless glides through trees, descents down gullies, drops into the unknown. Laughs a plenty.

Onto the mellow button tow for an easy warm up across to the chair lift, no one in sight, oh yes! Powder’s deep, buddies flanking either side, the formation carving turns effortlessly like a pack of wolves let loose . . . waves of snow parting and spraying out from cranked turns.

We arrive at the lift smiling ear to ear, as the sun begins to creep over the icy summits. What a day this is going to be. Excitement brewing as we choose the multitude of lines down this amazing mountain, all just waiting to be signed by my board and its lusting to rip deep trenches in the fluffy powder. What days, to be with friends enjoying the fruits of mother nature.

Minutes turn to hours, with a quick stop for coffee and a bite to eat, basking in the sun, the next adventure awaits.

Home, buzzed, wind swept, stoked, for a brew, feet up chillin’. Good smells arising, good tunes.

Buddies popping over for a catch up and planning the evening, on the balcony, got the sauce sizzling.

Dinner served, wine a plenty, off to the pub to wind down the day