Pedro's first time - Snowkite Session 40

The surprise visit of a very good friend of mine from Portugal was a perfect excuse to show him what I like to do with my free time... As he has already started kitesurfing back home and learned how to ski in his vacations, I thought it wouldn't be very difficult to get him into snowkiting. With just a little bit of explaining he was up and running in less than half an hour, going upwind and smiling on the way back!

It was great to kite side by side with someone carving his first lines and Pedro's smile at the end of the day was priceless. I didn't ride as much as I normally do, but it was great "playing" teacher for once...

I crossed a lot of friends, but didn't take the time to take more pictures, so I leave you here with a couple of nice ones by Banjoo.

And a very cool video edit by Mrik (great slowmotion effect with the new GoPro at 120fps).

Exploring in the powder! - Snowkite Session 39

Wow, what a difference from the previous session to this one! A lot of snow has been falling in our homespot, at the Col des Supeyres, and last friday it was time for me to have a taste of the fresh powder!

This time there wasn't a blue sky, but the sea of clouds was quite high and visibility was good all day long and the spot was again fully covered in white. When we arrived, we had to wait a little for the wind to start blowing but, as always when me and Cyril are together, pretty soon the conditions were ideal for a great day! And Flippo, grumpy at the beginning of the session, soon realised the powerful "voodoo" we two manage to conjure and benefited from the "magic"...

The snow was incredibly fresh and the southwest wind allowed us to explore some places we don't normally go, so we were like kids at a playstore! Some of the best moments of the day where drawing fresh lines in the snow at full speed, climbing on a rooftop with Cyril and kiting around the Richardière church. For sure, a day we won't forget so soon...

(some photos from Cyril)

Spring in Winter - Snowkite Session 38

Some sessions are truly great, even if not all conditions are ideal. This last one was such a case. With the unusual warm temperatures for the beginning of January, the snow has been melting away at a frightening pace and it has taken a toll at our "homespot" at the Col des Supeyres.
But, with the forecast pointing at a clear blue sky and nice winds, we didn't hesitate to head there for a session that almost looked like one of those you get in the Spring: a hard snow in the morning, slowly going softer through the day with the sun, lots of patches of grass and herbs and a general feeling of warmth during the day.

(can you find Fred in the horizon?)

 (playing with the natural halfpipe near the Chalmazel sky resort)

 (a well deserved lunch break!)

(near the military station on top of Chalmazel, known as "The Antennas")

I spent all day long kiting around with the crazy Cyril and crossing a bunch of other friends on the spot, exploring a lot of places I hadn't taken the time to pass through before (including some "alternative routes" to go to the antennas and back). One of the best moments of the day: the race back to the car with Cyril, finishing with a hill crossing through high grass (who says you can't slide a snowboard on the "green"?!?)!

(Cyril, wishing everybody a nice day...)