This year our end of season ski tour took us away from the Alps to the Caucasus Mountains, Russia. A very different adventure, and the chance to climb the highest mountain in Europe - Mt Elbrus 5642m. Thanks Olly and Mountain Tracks for putting together a wonderful trip with great people.
Here's a 3 minute slide show (best viewed on YouTube) of the trip and a few stills to give you a taste...
Brown and white, mixed with ice - the perfect White Russian
Fresh snow around the Ullu Tau Lodge
Flying from London via Moscow we ended up at the Ullu Tau Lodge in the Adyr-Su Valley close to the Georgian border. So close in fact that each morning required a 45minute stop at the army checkpoint to go through papers. Time to look up at the mountains and our day ahead.
The mountains around the valley
A wonderful place to ski tour and acclimatise...
Wonderful touring
before heading over to Elbrus and its infamous accommodation - 'the barrels'...
Elbrus and it's views
after 2 days of storms and some more altitude acclimatisation, we got lucky with the weather and all made it to the top (along with 100's who were competing in the 'Red Fox Race')...
Zinal is in the beautiful Val d'Anniviers. This valley is lined with 4000m peaks and is legendary for it skiing and summer walking. SkiZinal offers luxurious year round accommodation, including the fully catered Chalet Edelweiss.
This blog follows what the owners, Eric and Penny Kendall, get up to and shows some of what's on offer to guests.
News
Summer visitors get a Libertypass for free buses and entry to many local attractions including the swimming pools.
Fall-Line magazine - full feature Issue 110 on the Val d'Annivier's top off-piste ski routes (order your back copy).
Save money - visit Switzerland
Despite what the press say skiing in Switzerland doesn't have to be expensive.
Money saving ideas - book your air ticket well in advance - buy your transfer ticket before you arrive. - book your lift ticket in advance - book a room in a catered chalet - ask for a picnic lunch - take a flask for hot drinks on the mountain - bring snacks with you
We came to Zinal to ski and somehow ended up as the owners of an old Auberge. As souvenirs go it's more of a commitment than chocolate or cow bells, particularly when you consider the state it was in. But we wanted a project... This blog has followed the transformation of the building and what we have discovered in this corner of Switzerland. Thanks for visiting the site and we look forward to welcoming you at the chalet as a guest.
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