So I'm back in the UK, its raining and its mid April. Not good times. As I'm bored, I thought I'd create a blog on Newschoolers. This first entry is just about the trips I've taken this winter, and a few photos.

December. Altenmarkt, Austria

This was some of the best snow I've ever ridden. It PUKED! Pretty much non stop while I was there, and mother nature even threw a couple of bluebird days into the mix. A great way to kick off the season, and really got me stoked on freeriding again. First time I had ridden the LINE Elizabeths in deep snow too.

In the trees in Zauchensee, Austria

Pretty stoked on skiing at this point!

They also had a really sick park, especially as it was set up and in great condition as early as December. Check it out, http://www.absolutpark.com. Had two great kickers, some scary ass rails and an ok halfpipe. The great thing about the place was, as the Atomic Factory is just down the road, it was racer territory (not normally a good thing, I know!). But it meant the park and the pow were nice and quiet even over Christmas and New Year. Plus the beer was cheap, the mountain food was awesome, and if you like loud techno music for your apres ski, this is the place for you!

January - February. Les Deux Alpes, France

So this was a road trip, so we loaded up my Toyota, that somehow made it down all the way to Les Deux Alpes. (Including a 250 mile detour, as James G managed to forget his passport!) After driving through the night, and arriving at 7am to a fresh dump of snow, we hit the mountain. Even though we had been awake 24 hrs+ we still found the energy to build a kicker! The snow for the trip was ok, but there was no base down, so it was mainly park. But WHAT a park! So many great features and sick riders. Hooked up randomly with Alex from MK who was throwing down some crazy spins on the step up. This guy usually skis in a big fridge, but was stomping huge 9s!

James and MK Alex in somekind of lame wigger pose

Working on leading mutes

We also took a quick trip over to my old stomping ground Montgenevre. Was fun to ride some of the old lines, even though the top lifts were closed as there was ridiculous avalanche risk. We set off a few small slides just messing around, so we played it pretty careful.

A great trip though all round. Deux Alpes is leading the way in Europe for parks. The same can't be said for its nightclubs though. If drunk, dancing 30+ Frenchies is your bag, may I recommend the Avalanche Club. If it's not, then please, please stay away!

April. Folgarida, Italy

This was a late season trip, so I didn't have high hopes for the snow. I was happy just to get in some riding in a nice quiet resort, eat some pizza, and work on the goggle tan!

First few days went by; good riding - check, eating pizza - check, goggle tan - check.

The neighbouring resort, Madonna di Campiglio, had a very decent park, with 10 or so jibs and a line of 3 big kickers. So we spent a couple of fun afternoons in there.

One of the kickers in the Madonna park, freshly groomed!

Super fun flat to down box set up in Madonna park

Halfway through the trip, it started to snow. OK, we thought that was pretty cool, a little dusting of fresh to ride. But it kept snowing and snowing! So we had some fun lines through the trees and under the lifts. And on the last day, like a present from the ski gods, we had about a foot and a half of pow, and clear skies. So for our last day of the season, we had fresh tracks pretty much all day, and some killer pillow lines! Too sweet for words!

Riding deep pow in April, what!?

Pillows!

So yeah, thats pretty much my season! Hope this works, and if you read this all, and liked it, post a comment!