OPTIMUM

Optimum Snowsports is Saas Fee's British Ski and Snowboard School. We love the mountains and want to keep you up to date with everything happening in our little corner of the Alps. Take a look at our Client Videos and read about what the instructors...

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What is happening in Saas Fee this New Year

Wondering what do this New Years whilst on holiday here is Saas Fee, young or old there is plenty on this week.

Why not kick off the festivities a day early and head over to Saas Grund for a one off night skiing event on Wednesday 30th December. The lift starts running at 6.30pm from the base station in Saas Grund. 

Multiple restaurants have special tasting menus for the evening. For foodies splash out and head to La Locanda for a 5 course menu & champagne reception for 190 CHF. http://www.capra.ch/en/gastronomy/

For families head down to the village square from 9pm for the Village party which has free admission.

At the stroke of midnight be down at the Glacier Bridge for the best view of the fireworks!

If you want to continue the party why not check out DJ Beat a maxx who is playing at the Dom bar and entry is only 10 CHF.

Popcorn also has multiple DJs over 2 floors and tickets are 45 CHF if purchased in advance. https://www.facebook.com/events/1638770429716787/

They also have live music each night from 6pm. Check out Kevin Muis from the Voice Holland who is playing this week. Have an awesome holiday and we look forward to seeing you on the slopes in Saas Fee.

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Throwback to when Wham graced Saas Fee with their presence and filmed the video for one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time. This was number 2 in the UK charts for 13 weeks 30 years ago, making it older than half of our instructors! 

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10 ways to carry your snowboard

Carrying your snowboard in the right way is very important, so here is a quick guide to how to carry your board depending on the situation.

1. The rodeo - not that practical but looks great.

2. The hiker - a popular choice when hiking up somewhere.

3. The kook - this bear hug style hold is often the first port of call for a beginner. Try and avoid once you can snowboard.

4. The park rat - you need to be quite cool to pull this off.

5. The skier - if this is your preference, then get back on your skis.

6. The headcase - very practical when you have a lot of other things to carry. 

7. The offering - also popular with those that are new to the sport.

8. Kick it - this doesn't actually involve carrying your board, so is perfect for the lazier person.

9. The shield - double up your board as a shield, ideal for snow ball fights.

10. Now this is the most appropriate 99% of the time, this is your 'go to' way to carry your board.

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A Guide to Mountain Safety

Due to the large amount of fresh snow that fell last weekend, with more forecast, this week our focus in training has been mountain safety. We have been specifically dealing with avalanches and burials. Every year people get caught in avalanches and many people who do, are not well enough equipped to deal with such a situation. 

So here is a quick, introductory guide to staying safe on the mountain. 

Introduction

Firstly (and arguably most importantly) you need to be familiar with the areas you plan on skiing, and have the ability level to handle the terrain.

On your way up the mountain, check the avalanche risk rating. As soon as you leave the piste, you are no longer in a secure, protected area. You do not have to venture far from the piste to come across a potentially very dangerous part of the mountain. This is particularly important in Saas Fee due to the glacier and its inherent dangers. The risk rating is designed to indicate the chances of avalanches occurring, although an avalanche can still happen when the risk is low, the rating is just a guide. (see link below for explanation).

Equipment

If you decide to ski off-piste, it is imperative that you have the correct equipment, and we don't mean fat skis or board! 

There are 3 main pieces of equipment that are essential.

1. The avalanche transceiver

This has two modes, transmit and search. While you're skiing you will have this set on transmit, so that if you were to get caught and buried in an avalanche, others will be able to switch their transceivers to search and locate you.

2. Probe.

This is essentially a long metal pole designed so that the searcher can locate a body buried under the surface, having used the transceiver to locate the immediate area of the buried person.

3. Shovel.

This can then be used to dig out the individual once they have been located using the transceiver and probe.

Once you have this equipment, it is extremely important that you know how to use it quickly and efficiently. The best way to achieve this is to attend a mountain safety course and practice frequently. (See links at bottom).

Even once you have learnt the techniques, it is important to keep your skills fresh through practice. This is why we focussed on this in training this week. Here are a few pics of the team honing their skills...

Although it is essential to know how to deal with avalanches and burials, it is is also key to know the risk factors associated with avalanches. Follow this link to find out more information about what makes an avalanche likely to happen.

http://www.alpineskiclub.org.uk/safety/avalanche-risk-factor/

Follow the links below for more avalanche related information and courses...

- Scottish Avalanche Information Service.

http://www.sais.gov.uk/

- British Association of Ski Patrollers - provide anything from first aid to avalanche course.

http://www.basp.org.uk/

- Glenmore Lodge - provide outdoor sports and safety courses.

http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/outdoor-resources/avalanche-information/

- Courses based in Interlaken, Switzerland.

http://www.swissalpineguides.ch/english/AvalancheCourse/avalanche%20_course.html 

Stay safe!!!

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A day off in Verbier

This week we took the day off teaching to spend a day skiing and boarding in Verbier.

It was an early start to arrive for the first lifts in the morning, which might explain the strange behaviour when we arrived and kitted up in the car park...

When we eventually got up the mountain following a stop or two along the way (see below), we were rewarded with perfect conditions with clear weather and a few inches of fresh snow from the night before. 

A great day skiing ensued with everyone pleased to get some time to enjoy skiing some powder, a luxury we haven't had much of this season so far.

Although as we speak it is dumping here in Saas Fee, so we can look forward to a week of perfection up the mountain.

Watch this space for some video from our day in Verbier.... 

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ISPO, a large goat and Optimums new uniform

Optimum started 5 years ago, with possibly one of the most unique uniforms ever seen in the Alps - all white.  This was not down to personal choice, but to sizes available upon ordering.  If you are an instructor blending into the snow isn´t the most desirable effect.  Next up, was our Powderhorn, all green uniforms, these have been great, warm, hard wearing and earning us the reputation of the green school in Saas Fee.

As wear and tear and sun fade takes effect on our green uniforms, we felt it was time for an upgrade.  With previous experiences in mind Optimum sent Ben, Chris and Colin to ISPO Munich to find something new.

ISPO Munich is an annual event where over 2,650 exhibitors present their Outdoor Sports Products to be launched the following year.  This place is huge, Ben, Chris and Colin spent a whole day visiting every winter clothing brand they could to find the best possible uniform for Optimum.  Sadly, the likes of Emporio Armani and Bogner didn´t have our colour.  We are pretty happy with what we found from Picture Organic Clothing.  

Here it is our new uniform for winter 2014-15 and beyond.

The trip to Munich wasn´t all work though, there was a large goat next to the hotel that provided minutes of entertainment, beer halls and pretzels. All in a worthwhile trip, ensuring we remain ´The green school´ for years to come.

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An Optimum Half Term

As spring time muscles it's way into Saas-Fee we are reminded that yet another successful February has been and gone. Here at Optimum we juggled our busiest February half term weeks ever, with several groups of all ages and abilities shredding the mountain in style. Thanks to everyone who took part and well done to all our skiers and snowboarders - we hope to see you next year with your booklets, ready to step it up to the next level.

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Girls Park Invasion

On 30 January the Saas-Fee snow park was victim to a female invasion… Optimum teamed up with Surf Affinity for a day of all girl freestyle. Over twenty girls turned up for coaching from the Optimum ladies (Kat and Amy) and Surf Affinity’s Cozza.

  From never-ever-park-goers to accomplished-pro-line riders, we were thrilled to see such a great turn out. Armed with enthusiasm, the girls spent the morning tackling flat land tricks and switch riding - which proved to be a whole lot more achievable than anyone first imagined :D After a quick briefing in park etiquette, the ladies launched themselves at the kickers and boxes.

Progression was the order of the day. With confidence boosted and humiliation eradicated, the girls threw down a host of spreads, grabs, grinds and spins for the jam session comp. Prizes were awarded for the most stylish tricks and the biggest improvers at an après party held in Saas-Fee’s Snowpoint bar, complete with sparkly pink cocktails.

 Thanks to our sponsors: Tignes Spirit Community, SuperRad, Downdays, Planks clothing, Snowpoint  and Nikita Clothing @WildONe Saas Fee, and to all the girls who got involved - hope to catch you in the park soon…

  Fancy a girly surfing holiday on the beaches of Portugal, the Maldives or Costa Rica? Check out Surf Affinity.

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Pilot wings with Chris

This summer I finally realised my dream of getting my paragliding licence. I returned to Switzerland the first week of June to start the qualification, this should have only taken me two weeks to complete - much to my despair this was not to be the case. Torrential rain and gale force winds battered Verbier for the first four days, preventing access to the great blue yonder above the dank cloud cover. Finally, on day five the skies cleared and I was allowed my first solo air time, starting from 2,200 metres I flew all the way down to Le Chable at 821 metres, not too shabby!

  Unfortunately the weather continued to be very hit and miss over the next 10 days meaning I had to return to Saas-Fee with my tail between my legs and no licence in my pocket. I started my new summer job, working in a kitchen in Saas Grund as a sous chef. Coordinating split shifts and flying time with weather windows proved to be a nightmare, but as the summer drew to a close my last chance to get the licence proved a success.

I managed to clock up a total of 25 flights over the course of the summer including a cheeky one in Saas-fee - along with learning the German vocabulary for every kitchen item known to man. Tip top! Voll Krass :-D

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Colin's other winter

As the 2011/12 season was wrapping up in Saas Fee, I headed to Austria to complete my BASI Level 3 technical exam. It was unfortunate to miss out on some massive snow-falls and end of season festivities, however two weeks of riding on the Hintertux Glacier and staying in what turned out to be a very flash apartment in the Austrian Alps, was a worthy substitute and great fun. Passing my exam made it even better.

Now as I write this, another winter season is coming to an end. My season in New Zealand has been a busy one. This is my third winter working at The Remarkables, so Queenstown is beginning to feel like a second home. A new season brought a new job as a snowsports school coordinator, making me the guy walking around with a clipboard and a radio. It's been interesting to work as a different role within a snow sports school, facing a lot of new challenges during one of the busiest seasons The Remarkables has had for a few years.

I still managed to find the time to get out and about; taking a few trips to ride at Snow Park in the evenings, and finally made it out to Ohau, one of the best club fields in New Zealand. After ascending the steepest and narrowest dirt mountain road I have ever driven, I was greeted by some AMAZING snow on steep, sun drenched slopes. Next on the calendar is a trip up to Mt. Hutt for an instructor exchange, to see how they operate and experience working on another mountain. Then I’m off for on some downhill mountain bike trips around Queenstown.

With only a few weeks remaining of the season, I've glimpsed a little snapshot of summer; riding in t shirts, long evenings sitting on the beach, end of season events like downhill cardboard pirate ships races - which I won! Hard to think that in two weeks I will be flying back to the beginning of another winter, hopefully with as much, if not more, fun and snow as last year.

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Aaron's Summer Update

As temperatures are dropping, days shortening and storms brewing, my pulse pumps a little harder. Winter is coming! However summer hasn’t been without it’s highlights and I have certainly kept myself busy this year.

 After leaving the Swiss Alps I headed to the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles, Outer Hebrides, and discovered one of the finest, untouched locations in the UK.  During days off I ventured to the summits of mountains, glimpsed stunning wildlife, ate the freshest seafood and witnessed just five rainy days in two months!

  Come July my work took me to London, to lead a community development program aimed at 15 to 17 year olds. Each wave of sixty teens lasted three weeks and saw the young people (and staff) facing new challenges in the outdoors, team situations and fundraising endeavors- each day was hugely rewarding.

  A short break at the end of August by the side of Loch Tay in Scotland was much needed. Watersports, walks, and big dinners. Fishing, log fires and cold beer: About as good as it gets for me without snowy mountains!

  Shaping up for winter on my new bike is fun, as I aim to begin giant slalom race training in November in better shape than ever.

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Summertime with Ben

This summer was a bit of a mixed bag for me... The lifts in Saas Fee didn't open again until the 14th July due to routine maintenance, so that meant my annual spring/summer trip to the UK was longer than usual. Luckily, I had lots to keep me busy whilst there: I went on holiday to Alvor in Portugal for a week in May, of course it was hotter in the UK than it was in Portugal! Typical. I met up with some old friends from the nearby dry slope, where I used to coach racing. I try to get involved each time I am in the UK, it’s great to see how they are all developing as racers on the dry slope circuit. Some of the younger kids are going to be fantastic racers in a few years to come, definitely a few names to look out for.

The rest of my time in the UK was largely taken up Hog Roasting… I have been doing this off and on for the past few summers, it’s hard work but can be good fun. Not a job for the squeamish or vegetarians! I got back to Saas in late July and have been skiing a few times a week up on the glacier, the conditions have been awesome so far, it’s been great fun to still be on skis, even in August.

When I'm not on the mountain, you'll find me in the office getting everything ready for next winter. I also got the chance to FINALLY do the Adventure Forest, something I have been meaning to do for the last three summers. It’s a lot of fun, and also a little challenging in Zone 4.

My highlight of the summer so far however, was climbing the Jagihorn I Saas-Grund. At 3206 metres high, I got quite a sense of achievement when I reached the summit.

It wasn't all plain sailing though... Monster Scooters are available to ride down from the base of the mountain, unfortunately 20 metres from the rental shop I pulled the front brake instead of the back brake too sharply and went over the handlebars... It was quite embarrassing as there were lots of people about!

The temperature has started dropping here in Saas now and so thoughts are definitely shifting towards winter, not long until the Optimum Team are all back together and the good times of winter can begin again.

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Summer lovin with Kat

Spring swings around sooner than you'd realise and the concept of a summer adventure is always exciting. My summer was extremely varied and resulted in a diverse range of chapters... Initially I found myself travelling the Mediterranean working on a luxury yacht for a month; to my relief I didn't get sea sick! So, I was able to enjoy my trip exploring some un-touched gems of the world.

After my stint in the Med the idea of living on LAND was very welcome, so I went to Cornwall to do some exploring in my home country whilst working in a local pub. I embraced the Cornish charm and ensured my weeks consisted of sea activities, pasties and of course afternoon cream teas. Living in a bell tent where BBQ's and evening fires were a daily occurrence was great and I enjoyed experiencing the more rustic ways of life, however, I was more than happy to head back to civilisation after a couple of months! To complete my summer I am squeezing in the last few rays of sun in South West France with the Surf Affinity girls. Brushing up on my French understanding for my next ski instructor exam whilst enjoying the idyllic beaches and adapting to the relaxed approach towards nudity in Europe.

So until the snow arrives... Au revoir!         

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Amy's Summer

This summer, Amy has been working as an intern with Backcountry Magazine in Vermont, USA.  She has been proof reading, fact checking, researching and writing, and even went to a cover photo shoot.  This work has helped her to learn more about the magazine publishing process and a great deal more about the world of skiing.  When she’s not got her head buried in a pile of papers she has been enjoying the delights of New England… a bit like England, but sunnier.  Hiking, climbing and swimming in watering holes is the order of the day, every day- but it comes at a price!  Imagine reading, writing and learning about skiing daily, but not being able to ski?!  She’ll be back next winter ready to explode onto the slopes.

  The Backcountry Gear Guide comes out next month, get savvy and stylish for next season and purchase your issue now!

http://www.backcountrymagazine.com/

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Here Comes the Sun

So it's goodbye snow and hello sunshine for the Optimum Team... except for sneaky Colin, who's en route to shred it up in New Zealand... grrrrr!  Wistfully the rest of us pack away our skis and boots for next season but not without remembering what an ACE time it has been;

living in our own wintery bubble and timing our lives with the moods of the snowgods, meeting and greeting clients and friends old and new, and ultimately, imparting our ski wisdom on you... we really hope you had fun, we certainly did! So until next winter, tschuess x

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Photos from the Easter Week Kids Clubs