2

snowberryF&Fcards

upto 40% discountON OUR PREMIUM15 GEAR (all new this season)

to all seasonaires

Friends & Family cards

now available -treat your family or friends to massive

discounts on ski hire from Val d’Isere’s

most popular ski shop -

everyone must have one

• Guaranteed this seasons new skis

• Over 90 new models to choose from

• Val’s biggest choIce of rental gear

• Overnight storage next to the slopes

• Free lift to the shop

+ loads more

VOTED BEST SKI SHOP

IN E

URO

PE

book on-line @ www.snowberry-valdisere.comVal d’Isere’s English speaking ski shop

PICK UPYOUR FREE

mountain_echo_dec_3.indd 1 24/12/2014 11:18

3

The

Echo

is p

roud

to b

e pr

inte

d lo

cally

in V

al d

’Iser

e on

pap

er fr

om re

spon

sibl

e so

urce

s. P

leas

e re

cycl

e th

is m

agaz

ine

whe

n yo

u’re

don

e w

ith it

.

If you’d like to advertise with us, write for us, send us photographs, or just give us free stuff (which we really like) feel free to contact us via the phone number or email address

above.

Kene Ezeji-OkoyeJosh Hillman

Ben Pryor, Dr. Alan Griffithswww.themountainecho.co.ukval@themountainecho.co.uk

+33 (0) 674 755 236FB: themountainecho

Echo Publications, Ltd. Head Office:

6 Manchester Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK, SK17 6SB

ISSUE 173 - 9 JAN 2014

From Apres to MTV 4Henry’s avalanche talk 7

Bar & event listings 9Sport listings 13

Directory 14News 16Doc Al 18

Bar & restaurant guide 21Restaurant review 25

The week in pictures 26Echo Army 34

Photo comp 36Rumour mill 39

Celebrity lookalike 40The last word 42

How did you guys initially get together?Jed: I was in Hossegor to see a mate who’d opened a bar there (Called Le Surfing). Rory was in that night doing a gig and afterwards we had a couple of beers and got chatting. Rory had just done a winter season and thought that the standard of bands out in the Alps was pretty poor and suggested we make a band. The idea initially was just that it allowed us to do our two main passions in life: surf and snowboard and maybe make a few quid to feed us.

So I’m guessing you maybe didn’t think you’d be here today with a record deal on the same label as Le Roux, The Klaxons, and Take That. Or watching yourselves on MTV?Rory: “We love music and getting this opportunity is something you always aspire to do as a musician but I don’t think we thought we’d get here quite so fast.”Rob: “We were having too much of a good time being The Cheerleaders!”

Ok so before The Cheerleaders, your band name when you played covers, and now the Sunset Sons what were you all doing before?Rob: “I was a CAD designer pretty boring really”.Rory: “I had a career washing dishes as a KP”.Jed: “I was a surf instructor”. (Possibly the second most likely job to get you laid after rock star Jed)Pete: “ I was an electrician down the mines back in Australia – so yer bit of a change to being in a band!”

SUNSET SONSFROM APRES TO MTV In the last 12 months Sunset Sons have gone from being seasonnaires playing in resort bars to being named as one of BBC Introducing’s most exciting new talents of 2014, signed to a major record label, releasing two iTunes top 10 EP’s, playing the major UK festival circuit, and getting regular airplay on both BBC Radio 1 and XFm.

The last time we interviewed these guys was exactly a year ago, but as 2014 was a massive year for them, we wanted to catch up with Rory (Vocals), Jed (Drums), Pete (Bass) and Rob (Guitar) to see what they’ve got in store for 2015.

4ROB JED RORY PETE

5

It must be difficult as a cover band to start playing your own stuff how did you transition into playing your own material and eventually becoming the Sunset Sons?Rory: “The thing is Josh, we decided the best route was that mid-way through the set when everyone’s drunk, that’s the moment you drop in a few of your own songs! People are normally too drunk to notice but if they like it they might come up after and ask about the new tune. We started doing that a fair bit and got to the point where we’d finish our set with ‘On The Road’ and between Val d’Isere and the rest of the Alps gigs they became our guinea pigs for trying out our new material”.

6

We were guinea pigs? Nice! So for those unenlightened boys and girls who haven’t stalked your every move like we have 2014 was HUGE for you guys – What happened?!Jed: “Easy!”Rory (karate chops the table): “Bullet Points get the facts down!”Jed: “Ok here goes:1) Stopped playing covers.2) Put an EP out in February, which somehow got in the top ten of the itunes chart which had all the record labels shitting themselves as they had no idea who we were. 3) People started flying out to watch our gigs from all over.4) Then we eventually agreed to go to England, chose one and got our record deal with Polydor Records.5) Then we did some festivals.6) Then we made another EP that came out, that was on the radio this time.7) Now we’re back in the Alps on our mini tour doing gigs back where we started off!”

Awesome not at all busy then?! So 2015, what have you got in the diary?Pete: “Lots of shows, travelling around on tour back in England, finishing our new

album and….”Rob: “We’re gonna spend five weeks recording our new album over in Nashville, that should be out the end of August. We’re also heading to Texas and starting a west coast tour over in the states followed by hitting the festival season back in the UK”.

Lastly guys, the girls at the Moris requested I ask you if you mind helping them with their After hours artwork and doing some nude modelling for them later tonight, would that be ok?Rob: “Naaaa they don’t want us we’re always photoshopped so we’re actually all quite fat!”

You can watch the edit of the guys go live this week on the Echo Website: www.echomag.co.uk

7

Hopefully, we’re due for a bit of snow over the weekend!

Saturday 10th: Following an overcast morning, there will be some bright spells at higher altitudes during the afternoon. Quite mild temperatures: 0° at 2700 m, 6° at 2000 m and 10 - 12° at 1000 m. NW winds (60 - 80 km/hr gusts at altitude). Very light snowfall overnight, dropping down to 1600 m. Sunday 11th & Monday 12th: Sunday: Snow will continue falling until lunchtime, down to 1000 m. 5 to 15 cm expected at 1500 m. Feeling a bit colder with the NW wind (50 - 80 km/hr gusts). Monday: Becoming sunny. Strong NW winds will continue, particularly at high altitude, only dying down at the end of the day. Temperatures pretty normal for the time of season: 0° up to 1800 m. Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th: Tuesday: Sunny and a few high clouds with a weak W to SW weather system coming through. Wednesday: Overcast morning, possibly with a few snowflakes falling. Brightening up as the day goes on. Off Piste Snow ConditionsBelow 2500 m, snow that has previously been humidified by rain is often crusted or icy first thing in the morning. The cold nights are gradually helping to break this crust up, especially on cold northerly facing slopes. On sunny slopes, the snow is softening up and becoming more humidified. There is still a little recent snow around on slopes above 1700 m, particularly on areas shaded from the full effects of the sun. In some places this is still light and fluffy but in others it has been wind-affected and hardened (especially at exposed high altitudes). On S facing slopes, it has become humidified. At altitudes above 2300/2500 m the surface snow has become crusted on sunny slopes, right up to very high altitudes on steep S facing slopes. In other very high areas, it is wind-hardened. And, sometimes, when we’re lucky, it is wonderfully light!

Snow StabilityThere has been a ‘considerable’ danger rating at 3 for most of this week and this will continue until we get a snow-storm with at least 15-20 cm (when it may increase). See our HAT advice for what all the danger ratings mean: http://www.

henrysavalanchetalk.c o m /av a l a n c h e -forecasts-danger-rating. The snowpack is extremely unstable off-piste. All this past week in Val d’Isère and Tignes we’ve been seeing slabs triggered on just about all slope aspects on steepish slopes, but mostly North to East. These sometimes occurred naturally, but were very often skier-triggered. See our HAT Facebook page for more photos and some very interesting and honest comments. Wayne Watson of Alpine Experience wrote in his blog about the rotten ‘sugar snow’ base layer in the snowpack, which has been causing so many problems with windslab - and any fresh snow on top (the photos on our Henry’s Avalanche Talk Facebook show examples of the scenario throughout the N. French Alps very well)! Areas of hardened windslab, caused by recent strong NW to W winds, still persist in high mountain areas, despite recent cold nights. Just a slight load is enough to trigger them. There are other areas of very brittle slab around, consisting, at least partly, of faceted snow. These accounted for a lot of the natural avalanches which occurred on Tuesday above 2500 m on NW to NE to E through to S facing slopes, which were sometimes full-depth avalanches. These brittle slabs are still causing concern in that they could release spontaneously or be triggered by the passage of one or more skiers (especially above 2500 m on cold NW to NE slopes, where the sub-layers are weak, and also on leeward E to S facing slopes, where large snow accumulations have sometimes built up).

With the milder temperatures and sunshine we will also probably see some natural slides or avalanches of humid, heavy snow. These will mainly occur on SE to SW facing slopes, especially on slopes under rocks.

Tip of the Week

Avoid steep slopes with accumulations from recent snowfalls and wind events - if you can’t, then be ready to trigger a slab avalanche!

We’ll be updating our blog as much as possible, if conditions start to look unstable, or if we have some nice photos from a great ski on www.henrysavalanchetalk.com/blog also on Twitter @HenryOff_Piste and Google+ and Facebook

Henry’sAVALANCHE

Talk

8

EVERYDAY - DRINKS DEALS & MOREMoris Pub: Happy hour 4pm-6pm + 9pm–11pm, 10 for 20e Flavoured Vodka shots, 5 for 15e jager bombs, Daily burger and drink dealsUnderground: Happy hour 5-8pmBananas: Happy Hours 6:30pm-7:30pm 10:30pm-11:30pm €3.50 Big Beer, €2 Small Beer, €3 Glass of wine €2 Shots.Doudoune: Happy hour and Free Entry from 12:00-1:00amCocorico: APRES SKI - Live Music, DJ & Entertainment HAPPY HOUR 2pm - 4pm on beer & SodaCafe Face: Hourly beer prices. Starting at 4pm, going up 10cents every hour. Free nibbles. Le Graal: Free shuttle bus & burgers from €7 until 5am.Dicks Tea Bar: Apres: €4.50 Pints 5-6pm, free nibbles & beer pong!Pacific: €13 Jugs of Beer or Cider for Beer Pong!Le Petit Danois: Free popcorn & free shots with every drink at apres!Le Lodge: Happy Hour 4:00-7:30pm €3.50 for large beer €2.00 sodaVictors: Happy Hours 16-17 and 22-23.30. 2 shots €5 2 glasses of wine €6 2 pints €7 2 drinks €8.Bananas: Happy Hours 5pm-6pm and 10:30pm-11:30pm€3.50 Big Beer / €2 Small Beer / €3 Glass House WineBlur Note: Free Nibbles and cheap beers at apres (3-6pm)Bar Jacques: 3 pints for €10 at happy hour.

SATURDAY 10thLe Petit Danois: Live DJ Charlie Love from 22hMoris Pub: Moris Breakfast Club 12-4Le Graal: Hip Hop trap reggae drum by

dj NEP! and guestsBananas: Cheese Night: Playing the best hits from the 80s and 90s! 3€ Jager Bombs, 18€ Seasonnaire Menu: 3 courses plus a small beer or glass of wine!The Fall Line: Saturday Fun Club Doudoune: Saturday Val Fever - DJ Philippe CosteCocorico: Après Ski with DJ Niclas KarlsonLe Lodge: Dj k2 plays house at the lodge every Saturday from 11:00pm

SUNDAY 11thDicks Tea Bar: “Charlie Love” who has played all across Europe comes in to jump on the decks.The Fall Line: LIVE MUSIC with APE HOUSE from 10pm!!Moris Pub: Moris Champagne Sundays Breakfast Club 12-4. DJ Lucius Brave and an evening of extreme TOSS THE BOSS.Le Graal: SPECIAL UK DJSLe Petit Danois: Killerbeez live apres music 17:00pm, DJ Charlie Love 22:00Bananas: SUNDAY ROAST! Roast dinner with all the trimmings plus 10 Flavoured Vodka Shots for 15€ in the barDoudoune: For The Love of House - DJ Philippe CostePacific: SUPER SUNDAY - Live Football and RugbyCafe Face: Soirée Kitch/Cheese (best of the 80’s to dance your night away)Victors: Live music from 4pmNext Bar: OUSEDITE serious techno musicCocorico: Après Ski Live Music with Ed (MULLIT) + DJ Phil GarnerSaloon: The Famous George More Apres 5-7!!

BAR & EVENT LISTINGS

9

10

MONDAY 12thLe Graal: WASTELAND PARTY Doudoune: Ladies Night - Bubbles 3.5€/glass for the ladies! DJ Philippe CostePacific: OPEN MIC, bring yourself, come watch or play and sing with Sophie and Theo. From 22h30.Moris Pub: Apres with KILLERBEEZFire Kind rock the Moris till lateThe Fall Line: DJ Pocket Sized Dave from 9pm.Bananas: Toss the Boss 8:30pm-10:30pm. Roll the dice and beat the bartender to win your round free of charge!Next Bar: KABBASELECTA and friends ,Ragga Reggae Dub Music Cocorico: Après Ski Live Music with FIREKINDLe Petit Danois: The Harbour Band live apres music 17h, DJ Charlie Love 22h.Bar Alex: TROC: Buy, Sell & Trade your old gear!

TUESDAY 13thDicks Tea Bar: FDVM are in for the first time this season, come check out this awesome duo. Saloon: €15 jugs all night €15 House shooter trianglesLe Graal: GUIM’s rockingBananas: Dolls Night! 4€ House Spirit Mixers, 2€ Glass Wine and 2€ Flavoured Vodka Shots for the ladiesLe Petit Danois: The Dominoes live apres music 17h, DJ BATTLE from 22hDoudoune: Guest DJs - KATANAS - Hip Hop / UK Garage / Drum’N’BassMoris Pub: A melodic après with Daisy B & Tom then The Elements in the eveningThe Fall Line: Live Music with the amazing Pete Leakey from 10pmCocorico: Après Ski - Live Music with Ed (MULLIT) + DJ Phil Garner / Silent Disco Inside

WEDNESDAY 14thDicks Tea Bar: Free Chicken wing Wednesday for apres so come check out Lucius Brave. Our After Dinner Club with musicians Dan Blaxx on sax and Sofia Landgren on electric violin.Moris Pub: 241 1080s and The Mikey Gray Show at après then The UK DMC Champion JFBLe Graal: ELECTRO GRAALBananas: €5 FreestylersDoudoune: Premiere - COCOLOCO - Guest DJ Lando + Phil Garner - Deep TechLe Petit Danois: Dutch Courage live apres music 17h, DJ Charlie Love 22hPacific: Wed Jan 7th: 6PM Ed Mullit acoustic set + free nibblesCocorico: Seasonaires Big Après Ski - Live Music with FIREKINDThe Fall Line: Hot Choc Apres - 5 Euro alcoholic hot chocolate 3-6pmSaloon: The Famous George More Apres 5-7!! Joss Night!! 1 Joss €3 - 10 Joss €25!!

THURSDAY 15thDicks Tea Bar: Tapas Thursday during apres. Luna night with guest DJ PAPYS

HANSON for his first LUNA appearance.Saloon: Thisty Thusday - €15 Jugs of Long Island all night!!!Le Graal: BARBAPAPA SHOTMoris Pub: The beautiful B-TRIX Kiddo. A treat for the eyes and the ears!Le Petit Danois: Twin Peeks live apres music 17h, DJ Pocket Sized Dave 22hBananas: Guys Night4€ Big Beer, 4€ House Spirit Mixers and 2€ Flavoured Vodka Shots for the fellasDoudoune: Clarisse Snowmob - Guest DJ Charles RamirezNext Bar: DJ TWIX the reggae party of Val d isere The Fall Line: Wine and Cheese night with LIVE MUSIC from the Unbelievable Sofia!!Victors: Live Music from 10pmCocorico: Après Ski - Live Music with Ed (MULLIT) + DJ Phil GarnerCafe Face: “From Russia with love” vodka specials from 10pm.

FRIDAY 16thDicks Tea Bar: After Dinner Club showcase with ADC residents Dan, Sofia and Joakim.Saloon: Jagerbomb night! €3.50 Jagerbombs all night long!!Moris Pub: The legends of après Mike and Richie. Find out what all the fuss is about it’s THE DOMINOS.Cafe Face: Fluro Folie Friday @ Face - it’s going to be colourful!Le Graal: AKMA ON THE DECKSBananas: FISH & CHIPS FRIDAY PLUS DJ LUCIUS BRAVE!! Fish & Chips in the restaurant and DJ Lucius Brave busting out beats downstairs from 11:30pm. Hell to the yeah.Doudoune: RDV - DJ Philippe CosteThe Fall Line: Whisky ClubCocorico: Après Ski - Live Music with The 45’sLe Petit Danois: George More live apres music 17h, DJ Charlie Love 22h

11

12

SATURDAY 10 JAN 13H45 SUN’LAND V LIVERPOOL15H40 CARDIFF V LEINSTER16H00 CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE16H00 EVERTON V MAN CITY18H30 PALACE V SPURS

SUNDAY 11 JAN14H30 ARSENAL V STOKE15H00 TREVISO V ULSTER17H00 MAN UTD V S’HAMPTON17H00 OSPREYS V DRAGONS21H00 BARCA V AT MADRID

TUeSDAY 13 JAN20H45 W’HAM V EVERTON (REPLAY)21H00 ST ETIENNE V PSG

THURSDAY 15 JAN20H00 REAL MADRID V ATH MADRID

FRIDAY 16 JAN20H45 RANGERS V HEARTS20H45 LEICESTER TIGERS V LLANELLI SCARLETS19H00 DENMARK V ARGENTINA ***HANDBALL***

SPORT LISTINGS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PACIFIC BAR

13

ENGLISH MEDICAL CENTRE Dr. Alan Griffiths - In the MEDIVAL Building, opposite the Spar Petrol Station04 79 40 26 80

PISTE SECURITY / SKI PATROL Put these numbers in your phone right now!Val D’Isere – 04.79.06.02.10Tignes – 04.79.06.32.00

POMPIERS (Paramedics / Firefighters) Dial 15 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone

POLICE MUNICIPAL (Local Police)04.79.06.10.96

GENDARMES (National Police)04.79.06.03.41

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCEPoint Auto, La Daille 04.57.55.50.28

AVALANCHE SAFETYHAT run weekly avalanche safety talks as well as excellent beeper training courses - 06.29.21.33.00

SKI SCHOOLSProgression Ski & Snowboard School - 06.21.93.93.80 www.progressionski.com

New Generation - 04.79.01.03.18 www.skinewgen.com

PIZZA DELIVERYFlash Pizza - 04.79.41.96.06 www.flashpizzavaldisere.com

PHYSIOTHERAPY / REFLEXOLOGYMASSAGE / PILATESProgression Physiotherapy and Massage - 06.21.93.93.80

RADIO/TV VAL D’ISERE 96.1FM and online www.radiovaldisere.com - 04.79.06.18.66

SWIMMING POOL / SAUNA / GYMClLIMBING WALL / YOGAThe Aquasport Lesiure Centre at the bottom of the Face. 04.79.04.26.01

MOBILE PHONES / SIM CARDS / DVD & HEADCAM RENTALPhilips Shop, near the tourist office - To hire DVD’s or headcams you ‘ll need to bring your passport and pay a deposit.04.79.06.05.64

TOURIST INFORMATIONOffice de Tourisme, located at the main roundabout. Open 7 days a week from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm. - 04.79.06.06.60

LOCKSMITH/KEYS CUTAndy @ Prestige Renovations - 06.74.73.92.41

ACCOMODATION Pierdor - Accomodation by the week, month or season - 06.80.47.11.70

AIRPORT TRANSFERSEurope Transfer - 06.29.52.37.50

STVI (Lift Pass offices)04.79.06.00.35

WHEN CALLING FROM A FOREIGN PHONE ADD 0033 AND DROP THE FIRST 0

14

15

16

The human race has been performing despicable deeds in the name of religious zealotry since at least Good Friday, 33AD, and probably long before that. While most religions were founded along similar lines: worship god(s), live a good life, don’t sin (or eat certain foods that might have killed you a couple of millennia ago) and generally treat your fellow man with respect, there are sadly a few crackpot ones out there with some crazy beliefs… like Scientology. Any religion taken to its most extreme form is generally dangerous; just ask Katie Holmes. While some of Charlie Hebdo’s cover illustrations could be described as risky, given the reputation ISIS and al-Qaeda have for lacking a sense of humour about these things (together with largely ignoring non-violence being a principle tenet of Islam), no cartoon could possibly justify the senseless attack on the magazine’s office in Paris which left twelve dead on Wednesday morning. The attack, by three hooded men armed with Kalashnikov rifles, has been denounced by world leaders and senior religious figures across all faiths, with President Clouseau declaring it ‘an act of exceptional barbarism’. The hunt for the perpetrators continues, with France observing a minute’s silence on Thursday in memory of the victims.

The first salvos of the UK general election campaign have been fired, with the Tories accused of being unable to control immigration, Labour accused of being unable to control spending and Nick Clegg advocating a strong centrist coalition like a loner in the school playground hoping

someone will play conkers with him. Red Ed said he wanted his followers to have four million conversations with voters before polling day; he couldn’t even get one with Angela Merkel on her UK visit. David Cameron, at his press conference with the German Chancellor, said he is convinced he can fix the EU problem; unless he’s got a spare €400bn to pay off Greece’s national debt, the choices are cut the welfare state to disincentivise benefit tourists or leave.

Buckingham Palace has denied that Prince Andrew slept with a seventeen-year-old girl, procured for him by Jeffrey Epstein, a multi-millionaire subsequently convicted of soliciting underage girls for prostitution; presume that’s on the basis that he hasn’t paid for anything in his whole life, except, metaphorically speaking, for marrying Fergie. An escaped emu has been filmed weaving between cars on an Israeli highway; no word on whether there was a coyote chasing it with various Acme gadgets. A breastfeeding prostitution ring, where men go to ‘milk bars’ and pay to suckle lactating mothers, has been busted by police in China; bitty. A Florida man smashed up his psychic girlfriend’s car after she predicted he would dream about his grandmother using a sex toy on him; repressed memory anyone?!?

And finally, police pulled over a man riding a space hopper through a Dundee underpass in the early hours of New Year’s Day; good to see Alex Salmond is enjoying his time off. Until next week, I’m off for an organic milkshake.

World NewsWITH BEN PRYOR

17

Route du Parc des Sports, 73 150 Val d’Isère Tél: +33(0)479060652 E-Mail: Victors@langley.euKeep skiing, keep it simple and spend your nights at VICTOR´S

FANTASTIC

This week I wanted to talk about chest injuries and the problems associated with them. How do you know if you have really done yourself a serious injury? Let’s face it, they all hurt a lot, so what can be done to prevent these injuries?

What exactly are we talking about? When you fall on to your chest, or your back, your ribs stop you from damaging your internal organs i.e. your heart, lungs and to a certain extent, your liver and spleen. The classic injury is a fall on to the snow, ‘winding’ the victim and leaving significant pain on movement and inspiration thereafter. This can often happen if you land on an arm that is tucked into the chest (usually in snowboarders), which can lead to a good going rib fracture. If you’re really unlucky, to add insult to injury, your board or skis may come up behind you and collide with your head: The classic Scorpion.

Back to chest injuries, the spectrum of damage is limitless. We see these injuries most days. The majority have suffered a tear in the muscles between the ribs. These are called the intercostal muscles and help you to breathe in. Unfortunately you can’t take a rest from breathing so this hurts a lot, especially as they have a rich nerve supply. Next up is the broken rib. This is a diagnosis made on examination and not on x-ray as most people believe. The majority of rib fractures do not cause problems and are difficult to see on x-ray film, so they are not routinely done. The treatment is good painkillers, rib strapping which takes the pressure away from the injury and instructions to take deep breaths regularly. Yes, this hurts a lot but it also keeps the miniature passageways open, discouraging bacteria from growing, because if you start coughing, that injury will really hurt.

“Have I popped my lung?” is a common question we get asked. The answer is usually no. So what is a popped lung? Excuse the analogy, but imagine that your fist is a lung, now put your fist into a half blown up balloon. It is now surrounded by two layers, right? These are called the pleura. If the outer layer is speared by, for example, a fractured and displaced rib, then suddenly air can enter the space between the layers and cause your lung (the fist, if

you are still following) to shrink down. This is called a pneumothorax or collapsed lung. Usually, it’s not a problem, if you are young and fit, then it will re-inflate spontaneously over days or weeks, but a large one will cause you to feel breathless, contribute to pain and may need intervention in hospital (about four percent). Smokers are at greater risk of this injury.

The liver (right) and spleen (left) are also protected by ribs. However these ribs are called floating ribs as they are only fixed at the front but not the back. A blow to the left or right hand side, typically because of an overlying arm or by landing on a rail can damage these organs. They are delicate and have a very rich blood supply. They are each surrounded by a capsule which stems the bleeding in an accident, but once this bursts, the result can be fatal. If you notice a pain in the upper left or right of the abdomen (lower chest) then think about going to see the doctor. A racing pulse is another indication.

How do you prevent this from happening? Well, short of becoming a better skier/snowboarder, avoid carrying objects such as phones/keys/wallets in pockets around the ribcage. Avalanche transceivers are often a problem due to the strapping system, try to have these in the middle of the abdomen away from organs. In short, the difference between a muscle or rib problem compared to a collapsed lung is often a feeling of shortness of breath, so get yourself looked at. Abdominal pain or racing pulse as described above should also be investigated. If you are worried about an injury, always go and see your doctor.

By Guest Columnist Dr Alex Cockroft

18

gET iT OFF yOUR chEST...

19

20

CHEESE SPECIALITIES

- FRESH AND LOCAL

PRODUCTS

- BOOKING STRONGLY

ADVISED :

04 79 06 02 00

- UCPA BUS STOP

- SPECIAL OFFERS ON

FACEBOOK.COM/HOTELLAVANCHER

Genuine and charming

DICKS TEA BARLocated in the centre of town, does this place really need an introduction? Open from 4pm to 5am with great (read: sexy) staff, an amazing lighting and sound system as well as a cosy amibance during apres. Drinks promotions every night from 11pm – 12pm. Book ahead for VIP tables. 06.77.03.61.20

LE GRAALOne of the smartest nightclubs in town complete with a flashing dance floor. Free shuttle bus 11pm - 5 am: see following page for details. Free wi-fi and an all-night burger bar make it a great place to hang out before the crowds show up (about 10:30pm-1am) or a great spot for a late night snack.

MORIS PUB25 seasons old and still going strong with the chalet girl’s favourite drink, the 1080, live music every après and evening there is plenty on offer at the Moris. The Home of Val’s Best Gourmet Burgers, homemade & huge. The Brave take on the legendary doubledecker Moris Burger. Also offering up veggie choices as well as massive portions of wings & nachos. Come hungry...

SALOONLocated on the slopes and in town at the same time, this place is a good meeting spot during the day and party spot at night. Après ski is wedged in the middle with live music and even a ski attendant. Keep an eye out for their epic theme parties!

DOUDOUNE CLUBDoudoune Club opened 2008 and has since then brought some of the biggest nights to Val d’Isère.World class residents Phil Garner & Phillippe Coste will together with weekly guest DJs give you a clubbing experience you won’t forget! Located under Cocorico - Apres Ski. Open daily from midnight - 05.00. Free pick up 06.01.45.69.07

RiZE COFFEE BARLocated at the front of the Portillo. Serving freshly ground Baristo style coffees, smoothies, yummy paninis, homemade cakes and soup. A selection of great beers and wines also available! Open daily, 8:30-19:00. Chilled, comfy and cosy!

FLASH PIZZABetter known for its delivery and take out service, it also offers an eat-in service with a relaxed atmosphere, super friendly service and wine bar. It is located next to the Galerie des Cimes in the centre of town. 04.79.41.96.06

THE FALL LINENewly renovated after being bought by 3 of Val d’Isere’s most legendary barmen, you won’t recognize the old Bar la Foret. A great cocktail list, reasonable prices, an abundance of chalet girls, plus Handsome Giles and Charming Timmy behind the bar, what’s not to like?

BAR L’ALEXANDRALocated near the post office and run by the fanatic Kiwi Phil. It’s the best

21

pool venue in town. There’s also a top level sound system so Phil and his antipodean friends will be throwing some loud parties. Great for big groups. Check the listings for live music.

BLUE NOTELocated next to the hotel Omelune, opposite the ESF office. Serving up all your classic drinks to a mixture of jazz and funk. Atmospheric and friendly with free nibbles and specials at aprés (3pm-6pm). They also have a pool table as well as table football and show main sporting events especially boxing due to owner Matt’s armchair obsession.

COCORICO - APRèS SKICocorico is a new Après Ski concept in Val d’Isère opening its unique terrace for the season 14/15. Open every day 2pm - 8pm. Live Music, DJs & Entertainment daily. Ski in, Walk In, Bus In!

LE PETIT DANOISOffering good all round service and live music at apres. Will create your hangover at night with the highly intoxicating Red Erik and scandie fun but cure it the next day with a full English breakfast. Open for food all day from 10am to 10pm serving traditional breakfasts, the Danois also serves pies, great wraps, salads, curries burgers, and steaks. Located in the centre above the bus stop roundabout. LOOPLocated at the foot of the slopes in the centre of Tignes Le Lac, Loop is a perennial favourite for tourists and seasonnaires alike. Great DJ’s & live music at night. When the sun shines, there is no better place than the terrace overlooking the lake and peaks to kick back with a gourmet burger and refreshing beer.

PACIFICJust past the second roundabout in the centre of town. Well known for its

huge selection of cider, live music during apres and in the evening, plus the raffle every Thursday where you can win yourself a pair of Salomon skis/board. There’s Beer Pong on the go all the time plus fee cheesy nachos and 12€ jugs of beer and cider at apres. All live sports shown, hand ball, footie, rugby, F1, cricket, superbowl....... you name it.

UNDERGROUND CAFEA sleek basement bar situated right in the center of town it’s got a modern New York feel, great DJs and has some of the best cocktails in town. It’s sister restaurant is just above it on the corner and features a great selection of burgers to eat in or take away.

FOLIE DOUCELocated on the mountain on the OK/Orange, this ‘daytime nightclub’ creates one hell of a party up there with live DJ’s and singers mixed together. The mountain restaurant offers a full range menu in a luxury environment. Eat inside or out and soak up the party atmosphere!

CAFÉ FACELocated in the centre of town, this is a cosmopolitan bar with live music from five. Hourly beer prices from 4pm going up 10 cents an hour until 10pm and free gastronomic finger food.

P’TIT CREUXAlways our favourite pit-stop on the way home from a long night out P’tit Creux is open all day serving tasty cooked-to-order takeaway pizzas and kebabs. The fact that we’ve spotted a famous 3 Michelin star chef walking away with one of their kebabs speaks volumes.

LE LODGERight in the centre of town this is a great place to eat in a vibrant atmosphere. It’s always busy so book ahead. It’s fondue is pretty much the stuff of legend, and the

22

23

24

bar downstairs has a great happy hour and chilled house music. 04.79.06.02.01

TIGNES CUISINEBased on the slopes at Tignes Le Lac you can ski to their south facing terrace for fast and fun asian cuisine. They steam fry their dishes to ensure the fresh ingredients remain healthy and tasty. Look out for some super-tasty new menu items this year.

4 SEASONSSituated in L’Alexandra (next to the post office), this restaurant offers a great alternative menu, including Wraps, Curry, Thai, in a fresh relaxed atmosphere. Eat in and take away, it’s open for lunch midday till 2pm weekdays and open for dinner 6:30pm till 11pm 7 days.

BAR JACQUESIn the middle of town Bar Jacques is a great, cosy, family run restaurant with a menu focusing on food from south-western France and the Savoie. Fantastic Foie Gras and the best Cassoulet you’ve ever tasted. 04.79.06.03.89

DANS LE JARDIN DES ALPESVal’s newest restaurant in the end of the Gallerie des Cimes features a unique concept with a deocor that brings the countryside indoors (think massive trees and a starry sky), an upmarket sandwich shop (featuring the cheap and HUGE Hunger Breaker) and a chef who puts his own touch on mountain classics - not one to miss! 04.79.07.93.04

VICTORSLocated above the Spar supermarket. If you enjoy good cocktails and being surrounded by attractive Scandinavians this is the place to be. starts out with excellent cocktails and finishes off with full on craziness. The restaurant offers food until 11pm, some say it’s the best value for your money. 04.79.06.06.52

ARBRE DE VIE‘The Tree of Life’, one of Val’s newest

restaurants located in the Galerie des Cimes opposite the Bus Station. Manu, Caro, and the rest of their ‘Fab’ team welcome you with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Open every evening, as well as at midday on the weekend, their chef uses fresh quality products to bring you Alpine specialities with a touch of world flavours. 04.79.06.17.97

BANANASLocated steps off the snowfront, Bananas is back in full-swing! A great little Tex-Mex influenced restaurant by day serving up Fajitas, Tacos, Steaks, Salads, Burgers and more. Now featuring Fish & Chip Fridays, Sunday Roasts, and affordable 3 course menus for seasonnaires on the weekends! At night it turns into a great little basement bar with an amazing ambiance famous for bringing in chalet girls by the truckload. 04.79.06.04.23

L’AVANCHERThis hotel/restaurant is a piece of Val d’Isere’s history, first opening in 1958. Now operated by a young, ambitious team for the second year running, its reputation is maintained by the quality of its Savoyard specialities and the fresh, local products used, but you can also enjoy a large variety of main dishes, including the Chef Tom’s famous hamburger! Located after the UCPA bus stop towards the Fornet. Reservations are strongly advised. 04.79.06.02.00

NEXT BARLocated kitty-corner to the bus station underneath the famous Tocade Burger, you’re in for a nice surprise if you’re popping in to Next for the first time. A cosy decor, pinball, pool, games on the tables, and one of Val d’Isere’s most passionate barmen make it an ideal place for a Belgian beer or great cocktail with ingredients made in-house. They’ve also got a nice little menu on offer as well as live music/DJ nights a couple times a week.

Tignes Cusine

25

With all the sun (and lack of snow) we’ve been enjoying lately there are few places in the world better for a long lunch on the mountain with your mates.

Serving up super-fresh and tasty Asian inspired dishes and wraps, in huge portions, for not a lot of money, it’s easy to see why this place turns in to little Val d’Isere at lunch time. If you’re ever late up the hill due to work or

a hangover you can pretty much just ride straight to TC and you’ll find a crew to shred with ready and waiting for you.

Our top-tip for you is to try the Momo Fuku: sticky-sweet slices of pork belly in steamed Chinese buns. As a bonus, the name sounds a bit rude so it’s fun to order.

26

The

WEEKIn

PICTURES11:45pm Sophisticated SaturdaysFun in the sun!

Russian Monkey & Cocktail!

12:01am Slutty Sundays

27

28

29

Sunset Sons Rocking Moris!

Bukkake?

30

31

32

The 45s Rocked Danois - Check them out!

PDA?

33

When the Fire starts to burn!

PDA?

34

Dont be this guy/girl...

With our shiny new web site getting quite a few hits and a bit more time on our hands now that Xmas and New Years are over we’ve decided to start a new project: The Echo Army.

Essentially, it’s going to be a very loose (in every sense of the word) collective of current and ex-seasonnaires who like doing rad shit. We’ll be releasing the first edit this week and will hopefully have new edits coming out every couple of weeks for the rest of the season.

The team includes everyone from an ex-British champ, a monoski world champion, sponsored riders, chalet boys, and tour-op reps. If you’re interested in getting involved just drop us a line at val@echomag.co.uk, there’s no real structure

A couple of the crew are going to Japan for a few weeks towards the end of the month (and one already lives there) and another has just left for Whistler, but the first edit we drop is, of course, going to be based right here in Val D.

So, without further ado, let’s introduce a few of the boys we’ve been riding with this week!

35

Name: Simon Jones, first of his name.Age: 25 years old.From: The mean streets of Guildford, Surrey.Number of Seasons: 4, all in Espace Killy. Discipline: Snowboarder and part time Monoskier.Job: Head rep for Skiworld Val d’IsèreSignature trick: Laid-out backflip.Favourite food: Roast dinner.Something you didn’t know: Fluent French speaker. [We find this funny as Si’s not usually fluent in any language when we see him out.]Favourite place to party: Moris pub for a bit of UK breakdancing

Name: Theodore Patrick Royce Jennings III [We laughed too.]Age: 25 years young.From: Oxford, England.Number of Seasons: 4Disipline: SkierDay Job: I work for SkiWorld. Signature move: Naked back flip. Favorite food: BBQ pulled pork..Favorite place to party: EIP, biatches!

Name: James Barnes. Age: 20 Years old.From Brisbane, Australia. Seasons: 4, all in Val d’Isere. [First season at 16, half way around the world? Respect.]Disipline: Snowboarder.Job: Kitchen Bitch.Signature trick: Tamedog Frontflips.Favourite Food: Tocade Burger.Summer time: A boring uni student.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page (facebook.com/themountainecho) and our website (www.echomag.co.uk) to catch all the edits!

36

RIdER: JAmES BARNES / PHOTOgRAPHER: THEO JENNINgSNExT WEEk IT cOUld BE YOU!

Each week we host a photo competition sponsored by our favourite homegrown brand: PLANKS. It’s free to enter and the winner gets to grab themselves a beanie

from their fresh new 2014-15 lineup.

Think you can do better? Prove it. Send your entries to val@themountainecho.co.ukThe Fine Print: By sending in a photo in you’re giving us the right to publish it, crop it, and generally use it in any way we want to.

Kind of like your mum. Prizes must be collected in person at the Planks store in Val Village.

37

F

TROCTROCTROCTROCTROCTROCTROCSKIS - SNOWBOARDS - VETEMENTS

LUNDI JANVIERA PARTIR DE 19H

12

38

facebook.com/moris.pub

MORIS STAGETHE

Takes

CHAMPION2 TIMES UK DMC

The

This Wednesday

TUESDAY |Apres- Daisy B & TomNight- The Elements

THURSDAY|Night- B-TRIX Kiddo DJ SetFRIDAY |Apres- Mike & Richie Night- The Dominos

39

Don’t Trust the ‘Kind Man’ Family come in to a well known ski hire shop Monday morning to rent skis. They are all about 2 to 3 week skiers. On the FIRST run of the FIRST day they decide to ski the Face. They get halfway down and one of the daughters decides she can’t cope and starts crying. Along comes a “kind man” (her father’s description) who says don’t worry I’ll ski down with your skis on my shoulder and you can walk, I’ll leave them at the bottom for you. Surprise surprise when she gets down to the bottom there is no sign of either the kind man or the skis! Confused.com Katie (chalet host) was being briefed on what to inform guests about ESF lessons and ability levels:Manager: “For advanced skiers the lessons will include skinning up and skiing down”Katie: “Are the ESF allowed to let them skin up and ski down? Isn’t getting high and skiing illegal?”

Know how to treat your womenJack (Mountain rooms) took a not so lucky lady home this week, being the true gent he tried to carry her but unfortunately slipped on the ice dropping and then accidently headbutting his poor princess on the ice… They still managed to have a good time despite Anna having a black eye for work. – Good luck explaining that one!

TipsGeorgia (Snowberry) was treated to a bottle of champagne and then a bottle of vodka from a guy in Dicks, she repaid the generosity by putting him up for the night… only to receive an extra 50e tip on her bedside table in the morning.

Keep em on! India (Doudoune) during her photoshoot this week: India: “Shall I take my bra off?”Echo Team: “No.”(Bra comes straight off)India: “I’m bored of Val d’Isere, everyone keeps telling me to keep my clothes on!”

Fell at the last hurdleLotta (Danois) Was about to leave with her lay before he smacked her on the arse and said “Back to mine then sweetie”. She was so unimpressed with this behaviour she told him to do one and carried on partying.

Worst Guests Ever!Stig (chef) got back to his chalet to find a guest passed out on the sofa but when he got up for breakfast service the guest was naked on the opposite sofa now accompanied by a fowl smell that the guests endured during breakfast. When the chalet host started cleaning and drew the curtains she found the source of the smell – we wont go into details but needless to say the guest in question clearly didn’t find the bathroom. Even better we found him in Moris the next night (see right).

Rekindling an old flameWe heard Suzy (Moris) on hearing one of her accomplishments from last season was back in resort, emailed her best friend from home to tell them “James is back, and he’s gonna get it.” Lets just say shes a women of her word.

New RulesWe have a new rule to add to the Val d’Isere seasonaires rule book. It’s been introduced by the Aussys. If you pull but fail to seal the deal and have a night of spooning three times in a row you are then deemed the King Spoon and must carry a wooden spoon with you at ALL times until you next get laid. Anytime you get caught without your spoon you buy your flatmates a round.

Simple.

As usual, nothing printed in the Rumour Mill has been properly researched and everything should be taken as fiction rather than fact.

If you’ve got any questions or comments, or just want to spill the beans on your mates shenanigans, please feel free to contact us at val@echomag.co.uk. Don’t forget to throw us a like on facebook.com/themountainecho too.

40

Alex aka The Ginger NinjaDicks

A Gestapo OfficerWWII

41

42

The LASTWordSo, last week American comidienne Chelsea Handler went heliboarding in Switzerland. Topless.

As part of the #freethenipple campain, she posted the pics to Instagram, where they were immediately taken down (but not before half the internet took screenshots). Her stance is that women should be able to do anything that men can do, including showing their nipples to the world.

This, along with some other things falling in to place, has led us to launching the first ever ‘Women’s Issue’ next week. Guest curated by Franco-American journalist Justine Mulliez, we’ve got interviews with some amazing athletes who also happen to be female, and I’m sure Justine will put in her 2 cents about Chelsea Handler.

Traditionally, we’ve censored out female nipples in The Echo in an effort not to appear overly vulgar, but in the wake of what happened in Paris last week we’re not really in the mood to curtail someone else’s freedom of expression. Even in the bubble of Val d’Isere, we are all Charlie. KE

43

PIZZA BY NIGHT COMING SOON!!