Liberty Skis, and Tom Winter Media presents: The Swiss Alps: Discovered stashes; Destroyed
March 26th, 2008-The Swiss Alps: Discovered stashes; Destroyed
1st stop, March 23-26: Lenserheide/Valbella, Switzerland – Corey Tibljas
The stories from the travels to the nation of the infamous red with white cross flag, HUGE mountains, deep snow, David Lesh’s Confessions, chocolate, and cheese. Departing from Denver on a late Easter Sunday, anticipation is high. Stoke level remains at all time, even considering blowing the transition on the big ass Two Plank/Go Fast Tahoe after slamming a rock and hole combo on Kenosha Pass; which ended up coming to its final resting place in the West lot at DIA.
At wheels up, I peered out the window hoping we didn’t see smoke coming from the damaged truck in to lot, which began the free adult beverages that began flowing compliments on Luftansia and United’s Star Alliance. With a transfer in Frankfurt, and running into a old high school friend, we realized we were far from home, but not too far from friends. Filled with scenic train rides and sketchy bus rides at best, arrival in Lenserheide finally came 20 hours later.
Coupled with massive language barriers, no street signs, and a severe lack of landmarks due to heavy cloud cover, it took a good hour looking for our house toting about 200 lbs. in gear on foot; and to meet up with Tom Winter from Freeskier and TWM, Derek Taylor from Powder, and athletes Tyson Bolduc, David Lesh with Liberty Skis, and Alex Applegate.
Come nightfall, we resided to our rooms, only to be awakened by none other than The Tyson Bolduc arriving late from an exclusive heli shoot in Northern Norway. Funny enough, he spent several hours running over the hills of Valbella and ditched his luggage; much, much wiser than my plan.
Come daybreak, the time-lapse of the sunrise we planned on didn’t go down due to the massive snowflakes pummeling the 3000 vertical feet. By 10 am, there was a fresh 18 inches on the ground, and all lifts other an a low angle quad, and several T-bars were open for business to visibility, avalanche, FA-18 Hornet combat training engine noises above the cloud cover, and wind dangers.
So Tyson, Derek, Tom and myself set to the boot packs and skin tracks in search of the goods. Incredible wind deposits and face shots were had above the open lift service. Our crew awaked the sleepy remote resort in the middle of the Swiss Alps. The trip, as well as the following evening was, was graced with the presents of Christine; Tom’s local contact who spread the love and hooked all of our travels/experiences up while in Lenserheide.
Dumping on our first night
The Slalom Bar on FIRE
Tyson and Derek making the sky blue
