Adrian Ballinger Three and a half years ago I found myself in the Cascades taking an AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) Advanced Alpine Guides Course from Keith Garvey and Miles Smart. I had been teaching climbing and guiding almost 10 years already, and came to the course skeptical of the process and unsure of the necessity. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent course – strong fellow students, dedicated and knowledgeable instructors, and challenging conditions. By the end of the ten days, soaked to the bone from too many days in a Bibler tent in the Northwest rains, I knew I wanted to earn my full IFMGA/UIAGM certification (to become one of fewer than 40 guides in the USA to have earned their full Rock, Alpine, and Ski certification).

Today, I am sitting in Chamonix, sipping a grand café at the end of a day of guiding five Brits on the Vallee Blanche in 50 cm of fresh snow under blue skies. I earned my full certification and began wearing the pin two weeks ago, completing my final step of the certification process, the ski mountaineering guides exam, here in the Chamonix Valley. Completing the process in just over 3 years was a significant financial strain, both from the costs of the courses themselves, and all the time spent training and learning new areas instead of working in the same venues I have been guiding over the past decade.

Support from companies like Marmot and K2, along with scholarship funds like The Chad Vander Ham Memorial Fund, are some of the reasons this was possible for me, and the only way I could have accomplished my goal this winter.The exam itself was a worthy finish for me and another guide who completed his pin process, Mark Puleio. Joined by Dave Vallet, Jean Pavillard, and Rob Hess, we had a challenging snowy week in and around the Valley. Highlights included skiing the Tour Glacier from the Col du Passon in knee deep untouched powder (1800 meters of it!), skiing the Belvedere Face in the Aiguilles Rouges in similar conditions, white-out navigation across the Trient Plateau to climb the Aiguille du Tour, and more fresh tracks below the Dent du Geant on a big bluebird powder day.Even better, with almost daily new powder refreshing everything throughout our exam, the K2 Coombas were the ideal ski for the touring and the downhill. They have turned out to be the perfect Alps ski – light enough to tour with and not feel ridiculous, yet wide and stable enough to really enjoy the turns in the powder, crud, crusts, and hardpack that we inevitably find on the long 2,000+ meter runs. And of course my Marmot clothing kept me warm, dry, and comfortable while always feeling lightweight in my ski pack.

I just want to say thank you to Marmot, K2, and to Chad’s friends and family for the support of the AMGA and of me this year. I have myself as an example of how much certification can improve one’s guiding, and of the doors it can open. Over the last 3 years in the AMGA, I have met some of my best ski and climbing partners, trained and guided in countless new venues, and skied and climbed some amazing lines. I look forward to being an active part of the AMGA in the years to come.
Thank you
Adrian Ballinger April 19, 2008

Co-created by Doug Coombs and K2, the Coomba is the next generation powder ski built for adventure. Named in Doug’s honor, the Coomba is designed for anyone from serious alpinists to aspiring backcountry/heli skiers. The balanced flex pattern and 102mm waist width offers excellent floatation and easy handling in tough conditions. Check out the link to find more about the Doug Coombs Memorial Fund, and Chad Vanderham Endowment.

www.dougcoombsmemorialfund.com

TECHNICAL SPECS:
Dimensions: 135/102/121
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Performance: 90% ungroomed/ 10% groomed
Radius: 22m @174
Construction: Torsion Box
Core: Fir
FEATURES
MOD: Technology, Triaxial Braided, Progressive Sidecut

Comments: This was our second season skiing on the Coomba skis in La Grave and became our best and favorite guide and client skis ! We mounted the Duke binding from Marker and gave us and our clients the best flexible all-around tool so we could easily access Legendary Terrain within 20 minutes to 5 hours touring. Skierslodge / Guideservice La Grave

www.steepmovie.com

Interview with Film Makers

Dear Skier
The Skiers Lodge is closed for the season! The last guest left this Sunday with big smiles on their faces. The skiing has been fantastic with cold dry snow down to elevation at 1800 meters. It was even possible to ski down to the road through La Vaute and Girose right flank. The skiing is not over yet! The lift will close the 10th of May. We wish you a great summer and hope to see you here next winter season. Ski You Later . . . Pelle & Ayse and Skiers Lodge Staff…

Congratulation to Marja Persson (Sweden) wishes Skiers Lodge.

She came on first place in the telemark class and in the winning team named Hirmenatz. She won it together with Xavier Duret (Monoski) and Oliveir Meynet (Skier) . The fastest skier (6,02 minutes) was Nicolas Anthonios. The record time is 5,28 minutes year 2004 skied by Oliveir Meynet.

Marja Persson is celebrating the victory together with her team members Xavier Duret and Olivier Meynet. Foto: Skipass.com

Few events in the world has since 20 years (!) united so many riders from all over the planet to meet up for three days of riding, meeting friends, music, art party and work shops.The Derby de la Meije was created 1989 by Sylvain Admirat. 63 competitors participated in the first Derby de la Meije, 17 March 1989. Nowadays, no less than 800 - 1000 riders meet up for this unique occasion.

Race day 4 April:

A maximum of 1000 riders from all over the planet start at the top of the ski area in La Grave (3550m) with only one goal on their mind, to find the fastest line down. The Derby de la Meije is unique in the world, open to all experienced riders, professional or amateur, skier, snowboarder, telemarker, monoskier or any other sliding object! The fastest racers will blast off and finish 1800 vertical metres further down with a crazy time of less than five minutes. The more laid back competitor will enjoy the run and admire the magic landscape… It could take at least two hours to get down the mountain!

The days before the race 2-3 April:

Everyone can participate in different workshops like:Mountain Workshops:* Learn to wax your board / skis held by SWIX* Crevasse rescue organised by PETZL* Freeriding in the La Grave ski area* Speed riding in the La Grave ski areaEvents in the Village:* Street shows* Fire works* Photo and extreme sports film shows* Presentation of the support the Derby is giving in Tibet* Presentation and slide show of the 20 years of the Derby* Exhibition with all the poster contest contributors* Concerts, Dj’sFor more information on the race and to register for the race:www.derbydelameije.com

Video: Skipass.com

On the morning of 1st of April, we woke up at our apartment in Ventelon to this view! There was more than 35cm of the driest powder and all the legendary road runs from top to bottom were in the greatest condition. One of the guides said that he had been waiting for this day more than 15 years! The clients did not believe what they skied and it seams it has not sinked in yet! Pelle Lang