Chamonix Green & White » Chamonix News

Who you gonna call?

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:53:26 +0000

What if you were skiing with some friends out in the Chamonix backcountry? What if you saw 40 tracks leading into a ski-route you knew was there but perhaps hadn’t skied before? Would you ski it? What if the weather is now starting to deteriorate? What if the route suddenly becomes obscured by avalanche debris and to carry on down means unknown territory.

What if it’s starting to get slightly late in the day? What if you carry on and the terrain goes against you. What if you start having to abseil down some cliffs and it’s starting to feel sketchy? Both weather and darkness are closing in now and suddenly you’re stuck on a tiny ledge above a cliff that’s far too high for your rope.

Who are you gonna call? The PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne) of course

+33450536351

put the number in your phone now.

If this sounds like a situation that could just happen, that’s because it did. Although there are a few factual errors in this article from the Haute Savoie Dauphine, it was a very real emergency situation to a group of Chamonix skiers this week.

A Chamonix based musician close to one of the skiers sums up everyone’s heartfealt thanks to the PGHM in this song …..

“With heartfelt thanks to the PGHM for saving my friends.
Apologies to Gary Bigham, John McGrath, Andy Martin and Emmanuel Duffeal.”
TimSki

This is my winter

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:46:00 +0000

Here’s something to get everyone in the mood now the snow has arrived….

THIS IS MY WINTER (full movie english) from TimeLine Film on Vimeo.

Ski Resorts Open 10/12/2011

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:09:00 +0000

France

Courchevel, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Bessans (ski de fond), Les Arcs, Avoriaz (80% open), Chamonix/Grands Montets, Châtel, Flaine, Les Menuires, Méribel, Montriond, Orelle, Peisey-Vallandry, La Plagne, La Tania, Valloire, grand Bornand (Ski de Fond), La Clusaz: Balme, Beauregard and Manigod.

Les Deux Alpes, l’Alpe d’Huez, Chamrousse (subject to conditions), les Sept Laux (decision Thursday)

Puigmal, Serre Chevalier

Spain

Vallter, Val de Nuria

Switzerland

Grimentz, Veysonnaz, Leysin, Verbier, Saas Fee, Zermatt, Les Diablerets – Glacier 3000 CH, Zinal

Austria

The Arlberg: St Anton, Lech, Zürs, Sonnenkopf

French Avalanche analysis for winter 2010/2011

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:17:00 +0000

During the 2010-2011 season in France there were 29 avalanche fatalities in 19 incidents. On the face of it a fairly typical year. However the overall figures hide a concentration of fatal avalanches in the border region with Italy and in the months of December and March which saw 58% of fatal incidents. Ski touring incidents as well as the seriousness of incidents both continued the recent upward trend.

Problems with multivictim searches

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:20:00 +0000

When searching for multiple beacons you, or your students, may have come across the following problems with the new generation of digital transceivers:

i Search beacon loses mark and leads you back to the previously found beacon

ii. Distance or direction does not change or leads the searcher in the wrong direction

iii. A Beacon is not detected

In the stressful environment of a live rescue or even an exam these kind of problems can lead to a sense of panic, lost time and bad decisions that can ultimately be fatal for the victim(s).

Untitled from James Humes on Vimeo.

HAT UK tour 2011

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:37:00 +0000

A reminder that American avalanche expert and ski instructor Henry Schniewind is once again on the road this autumn with his popular avalanche talks, part of the Ride Hard, Ride Safe series. You can catch up with Henry and the team at the British Ski and Board Show in Birmingham from 28th to 30th October 2011 where he will be giving 30 minute talks in the theater.

3 months suspended sentence for forgetting beacon

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:56:00 +0000

An Austrian ski tourer has received a three month [suspended] prison sentence for the manslaughter of his wife. The case centered around the use of avalanche beacons. According to the Salzburg court he was touring with his supposedly inexperienced wife with their beacons switched off and in their rucksacks.

New village centre for Les Houches

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Les Houches is to get a new shopping and cultural centre, to be designed along the lines of a typical village square.

There will be space…

skinets

New budget flights to the Alps

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Scotland may have had the best snow in years last winter but keen skiers and snowboarders will nonetheless be pleased to hear that budget airline…

skinets

Geneva airport to benefit from new terminal

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Geneva airport has already undergone a number of improvements over the past couple of years; nicer restaurants, more shops, a bigger departures…

skinets

French airlines cancel upcoming strike action

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

French airline pilots have confirmed that they will not be striking this weekend, as planned.

They had decided to hold a 4 day strike from…

skinets

Le Majestic wins award

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One of Chamonixâs most identifiable and iconic buildings, Le Majestic has been officially recognised by the âHistoric Conference Centres of…

skinets

Red Bull X Alps passes over Chamonix

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Keep your eyes on the skies this weekend as there may be more paragliders soaring overhead than usual, when the You agree that these submissions will be constructive and polite?

Cosmo Jazz and Mountain biking

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The weather in Chamonix, Mont Blanc looks like it’s going to clear so hopefully walkers and bikers will be able to get out and enjoy the Mountain…

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Cosmojazz Live Music Festival

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Five days of live music begins tomorrow when the You agree that these submissions will be constructive and polite?

Cosmojazz Live Music Festival

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

5 days of live music begins tomorrow when the You agree that these submissions will be constructive and polite?

Chamonix shook by earthquake

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Chamonix was rocked yesterday afternoon by an earthquake. What do you mean, you didnât notice? OK, more like nudged by a small…

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Weekend Holiday traffic warning

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This weekend sees the fourth weekend of French holiday traffic but also the start of the British summer holidays – heavy traffic on the French…

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Free transport for Chamonix schoolchildren

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Chamonix mayor Eric Fournier has announced in his blog that all school transport will be free for the children of the valley as of the new academic…

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Cosmo Jazz Festival starts next week

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Summer has been put on hold here in Chamonix and unwelcome Autumnal weather has made a return but there is still plenty to do in the…

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