For years now I have been dreaming of several lines in the Alps. I call it my bucketlist of skiruns. At some point in my life I want to have skied all of them. After traveling for a while now, I couldn’t think of a better way to finish my trip than to ski at least a couple of the runs on my list…
In December 2012 I started a one year trip that eventually turned into a 17 month trip. After completing my initial goal to ski all seven continents, I made some new goals. Skiing on high altitude was also accomplished, for the moment at least, when descending from the summit of Cotopaxi (5897 m). The only goal left, was to complete a serious steep skiing descent. In Chamonix conditions were not on my side. The Ecrins however, finally delivered. Skiing Couloir E de Brèche Cordier was the ultimate way to finish my trip!
After spending a couple of weeks in Chamonix during the spring of 2014 there were rumours about the Glacier Rond being in condition. When a little snowfall was followed by a sunny morning, I had no choice but to go for it. Together with Fredrik Ström, a guy I had met in Gîte Le Belvédère, I took the Aiguille du Midi for another mission.
Skiing for a long time and exploring your limits means you will eventually create a so-called bucketlist of skiruns. Lines you have spotted on previous trips, couloirs others tell you about or pictures on the internet can add just another run to the list. Most of the runs on my list are located in the French Alps so when I have some time left, I’d better go and try to shorten my list…
A couloir is a steep gorge or gully. With enough snowcoverage it can be very exciting to ski one. Once you enter a couloir, there is no way out and because you’re in a big terrain trap, you have to either ski from one safe spot to the next or ski in one go in order not to get caught in an avalanche. If you like skiing couloirs like I do, there is a hidden gem in the French Alps; la Grave…
In most skiresorts you’re limited to basic food when eating out. There are however some resorts in the world where excellent restaurants are present. Chamonix in France is a fine example of such a resort and Annapurna restaurant is my pick there!
After skiing all over the world one creates some sort of wishlist with skiruns. On top of my list was the Couloir des Cosmiques. This is a skirun in Chamonix which involves a decent rappel and around 2500 meters of vertical skiing. The ultimate classic run of Chamonix they say…
At the age of 8 I started playing tennis. My dream was to become a professional tennisplayer and because clay is the main surface to play in the Netherlands, Roland Garros is the tournament to compete in. Unfortunately a professional tenniscareer was at least one bridge too far but a visit to this grandslam was possible ofcourse.
