Tag / Switzerland

With me being partially based in Geneva this season, i’ve often updated my facebook page with some scenic images of the countryside and general Swiss living. Switzerland though is so much more than alfresco dining, shopping for watches and (feel free to insert your own Genevan stereotype here).

Anyway, i’ve been way out East this weekend and have taken a few snapshots along the way. Only an hour from Zurich, yet a different world away….

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I know it sounds a little pessimistic having such a blog title but i do believe that i’ve just spent my last summer days in the mountains. I’m back in Geneva now to photograph a wedding tomorrow before leaving Switzerland, and the mountains until the snow arrives later in the year.

For my last week of enjoying the mountains i’ve found myself up in Chamonix watching the UTMB, a little climbing adventure on the outskirts of Verbier and some trail running in Villars including a lung crushing route up Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets (really wish i had my camera on that one).

So for my last days in the mountains a few little shots to savour. You may not like to admit it but winter is just around the corner now…..

The mountain patchwork in Verbier.

Winter’s approaching.

Rock climbing outside Verbier.

Mont Blanc basking in the evening glow. 

I’ve always flirted with the idea of timelapses but have never really seen one through. I guess its always been a case of not being too inspired to make one. This year though i’ve spent a lot of time with Josh over at Level 1 Productions who is a timelpase machine. He always seems to have one on the go in some place or other making me want to try out the process more and more.

With my creative juices flowing and a rather well positioned balcony i went ahead and tried out to make one last week up in Villars resort in Switzerland. My initial attempt was for a 24 hour timelapse but this didn’t quite work as during the night my batteries ran out twice making the moon appear to jump across the frame as i uploaded it to my computer. What did seem great though was the last few hours as blue sky turned grey and a big rain storm swept into the valley.

So here’s the final result, i recommend you view it full screen as the clouds pull some crazy dance moves around the 40 second mark.

Enjoy.

The new year trip is now in full swing. I’ve been over in Laax in Switzerland for a week now. If you put the town aspect and the complete inability to eat any reasonably priced food (yesterdays meal plan: bowl of cereal, an orange, 1 packet of crisps) to one side then oh my god. Is Laax heaven? Could it be the best resort in the world? I’ve been to a few and this rates close to the top, if not the top.

I’ve hooked up with What feels like team Australia for the next month. Here’s the crew……..

Left to right; Paul McMahon, Michaela Davis-Meehan, Hugh Marsden, Alicia Barker and me at the end

Paul’s the coach of the other riders who are on a Fastride camp over here in Europe. We’re in Laax now to ride, to shoot and for the Burton European Open that starts off tomorrow. What can i say? Completely stoked on Laax, completely stoked on the guys i’m with, completely stoked on the weather (so far) and completely stoked on the vibe (eating for pleasure not included).

I’m going to try and do a “shot of the day” for the next week. Today was mens training for the halfpipe so it seems an apt place to start.

Sick Japanese riders name unknown!

Snow has fallen. Lots and lots and lots of snow. I got into Saas Fee on Tuesday afternoon for the latest round of the FIS Worldcup. Wednesdays practice was cancelled due to fresh snow but i had an unplanned powder shred with Kory Wright of the Bahamas, and his coach Dave Reynolds who i met for the first time whilst waiting for the gondola to open. On thursday, the mountain was closed completely as more and more snow fell into the resort. Woke up today to no new snow but horrible winds. The motivation was there to see on everyones faces. Here’s a lone rider making their way back to the salvation of the revolving restaurant. 

I’m tempted to stick around for a couple more days to see if it clears because when it does Saas Fee will be on! If not, i’m going to take a few days travelling over to Schladming for the Pleasurejam in a weeks time. Come on, lets see those blue skies!