Chamonix - l'Aiguille du Midi

The infamous l'Aiguille du Midi

I have found myself once again in Europe, but this time I have come to the west side of the Alps. The first purpose of business is to compete in the Verbier Xtreme, which I am totally thrilled to ski. On my first day of arrival I headed to Chamonix to hang for a day. Lucky enough, my fellow Salomon teammate, Chris Reubens, had one more day in Cham before he was to head off to Morrocco. Neither of us had been up the Aiguille du Midi, and we figured that since it was such a beautiful day it was the perfect time to check it out. The Aiguille is anything but short of impressive, another feat by Europeans to build something in a place that seems inconceivable. The Aiguille holds the record as the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, from 1,035 m to 3,842 m. Once atop the view is amazing! The touristy/normal way to ski down the Vallee Blanche is 17 kms long. Even though it is really flat and all but challenging to ski the normal route, Chris and I enjoyed our ski safari down immensely. The views were breathtaking! Now onto Verbier for the ultimate freeride competition in the world... Stay tuned!

Chris Reubens and I enjoying our first experience atop the Aiguille

A partial view of Chamonix

It's amazing and dumbfounding where Europeans have built in the Alps

Just, you know, another one of those beautiful views from above...

Enjoying the ski safari

Following Chris while taking in the sights

Um, and more glacier

Typical Euro sighting- speed flying

The Euro way- enjoying a beer halfway down