world ski cup day two

11/1/15

Today I had a day off.  Even though I had planned to sleep in after last nights efforts, I woke up early and had a shower and breakfast.  It snowed heavily all morning, which kinda squashed my plans to walk down to the World Cup.  Instead I napped, watched a movie and chilled around Stockli.  I also did some much needed laundry!

After lunch at 12.30, Charlotte, Danielle (and Olivia!), Bryon and I convinced Katrina to drive us down to the World Cup.  We were sent with a list of freebies to acquire... and we did not disappoint!
We wandered around and gathered our freebies, though some where not expected.  We had some photos taken at the Coop tent, and got some free soup, got some free cheese and lip balm from the cheese man, a beanie from some company and a jersey from Oester Sport.  The latter we had signed by some skiers... not entirely sure who they were though!!

Danielle and Olivia at the Coop photo thing

Danielle, Charlotte, Bryon and I

Me at the bank photo thing 

More skiers to sign our jerseys

We only stayed for about an hour, before getting Katrina to come and get us again.  On the way back we passed Sarah and Victoria who had, by the beanies they were wearing, walked down to the World Cup.  When we got home we sorted out our 'stash', we had ended up with a lot, I mean a lot of Caffe Latte's (they are like iced coffee).  They are about CHF 2.5 each.. or about $3 AUD ... i think we had about 20 or more?.... Free Caffe Latte's for all!

We had also made it back just in time for Chloe's Sunday Sugar! It was her personal creation... the closest thing I can liken it to is sticky date pudding with out the dates! It was yummy though!!

Chloe also taught me to crochet!

world ski cup day one

10/1/15

This morning was spent doing our mid-term evaluations and general discussions about how our time here was and what we think could be improved and what was already perfect.  We completed all our jobs in record time, and we were able to have the  afternoon off.  We were able to get a lift down to the Ski World Cup.

The World Ski Cup for Slalom and Giant Slalom, is held in Adelboden each year.  The town of Boden, which is right next to Adelboden, during this time, turns into a sea of white marquees, people, and a mix of mud and snow.  We were highly excited by the free hats.. and free sunglasses.. and more free beanies... and free flags... you get the idea.  

The Ski run and the entrance to the area

The winners for the Giant Slalom 

The crowd

they 'craned' the winners over the crowd

Us with the ski run

We went back about 3.45, Jen picked us up.  We were supposed to be going out for a staff social night, for night sledging, unfortunately the run was closed due to little snow and bad winds.  So we had dinner at the normal time of 6 pm, but it was leftovers, so it was an easy set up and clear up.  After dinner some of us headed into town to celebrate the one weekend of the year where Adelboden actually has a night life!!

~

Side Note: Introducing Victoria!

Victoria is our newest Intern.  She comes to us from the UK, 

She is coming to the Chalet, to be a Marketing and Communications Intern

She will be staying in Switzerland for four months

air boarding

9/1/15

Firstly, my apologies for the amount of photos in the blog post...

We were up and out by 8.30 am this morning, heading into town to take the gondola up Tschenten.  It is the mountain opposite the Chalet, a total 1946m above sea level.  At the top we were able to hire air boards (like a mini blow up mattress) for the morning.  We were only able to stay until 12, as Mara had to be back at the Chalet to work by 1 pm.

Going up the Gondola

Rachael wasn't overly keen

Charlotte, Mara and I with our boards

 

Air boarding is when you go down a sledge or specific air boarding run, on an air board.  You lie on your stomach and control the board by leaning left or right.  When you want to stop or slow down you either dig your toes in to the snow, slide your body off the back of the board or just flip over and fall off.  The boards had a elastic strap attached to them to attach them to your wrist, kinda like what a surfboard has.  It seems like a funny idea, however when you get going and fall off, it may take a while to stop and the airboard just doesn't stop.  They just keep sliding down the hill.  

Though the snow conditions were quite good, it was mega windy and hard to both keep on the track and get some speed up.  We ended up going of piste to get enough speed to get to the bottom.  The snow there was even better and it made us go even faster!  Rachael wasn't so keen, so she stayed to the track and just went slowly down the hill, whilst Charlotte, Mara and I zoomed down.  

The wind picked up quite a lot towards 11.30, the gondola was swinging alarmingly and we decided that this would be our last run.  Rachael was waiting conveniently at the bottom for us when we got there and after taking some photos we headed off to catch the chair left to the top.  A big gust of wind decided to come at that point, Rachael had taken off her glove to take photos, and the wind took her air board over the edge and down the hill about a 50 drop.  The gondola man laughed and told us that it was ok to get it, so Mara climbed down the hill and saved the wayward air board.  We were able to catch the chair lift to the top, return our air boards and get on the gondola with no problems there after. 

 We headed into town and into the Co-op, to re stock up on supplies.  Katrina picked us up at 12.15 and we got driven back to the Chalet.  We hung out at the Chalet until about fourish, when Rachael, Charlotte, Chloe and I decided to head down into Boden, and to the World Ski Village.

The Ski Village was still being set up so there wasn't much to do, however it was nice to see it before it would be teaming with people.  We walked into town, and found the Maritplatz.  It was just off the main street, you couldn't miss it - it was where everyone from town was.  There was free zip lining from the top of Berner Bar.  Rachael and I both had a turn.  

There was also a live stage with a band and presenters for the World Cup.  We found some cheese fondue in a roll and some gulwein.  The band was called Dorfrocker.  As described on the Ski Cup website - "the three brothers combine leather pants and electric guitar".  

 We headed back down the hill by riding the Gondola down to Adelboden, Oey, (Silleren) and then walked back up to the Chalet.

 Dancing on the poles in the Gondola 

 

My meltdown after walking up the hill