As I wrote in my blog previously, I’m based in Bariloche, Argentina, this summer, skiing and training. The local ski resort, Cerro Catedral, received some above average snow falls early in the season, followed by a long spell of blue bird weather and warmer temperatures. I spent a lot of time on race skis which did my technique a lot of good and jumping in the park. Then it started to rain with freezing levels just below 2000m – almost all the way to the top – and conditions got really bad. There has been some snow these last days at higher altitudes, just in time for the Red Bull Beyond the Line competition – a male only freeride and freestyle event. As I watched Day 1 of the competition yesterday I really felt like skiing the venue, called “Laguna”, which offers some amazing lines with airs from top to bottom and easily reachable after a 30 minute boot pack (hike). Unfortunately, the 4-star Freeride World Qualifier in Chile I was planning to go to this week had to be cancelled due to a lack of snow. That’s super bad luck since it would have been a great opportunity to get a good head start to the comp season. I’ve been using my time lately working in the gym on a daily basis, especially since my knee – the old tendinitis in my patella – has been playing up again lately. Some time off snow did me a lot of good and I’m becoming an expert on learning how to tape my knee, which I find helps a lot to keep my kneecap gliding as it should.
Seb Michaud is arriving in Bariloche tomorrow with his camera team to film with Niki Salencon and I – we’re planning on spending some time skiing the beautiful mountains using our skins around the refuge “Frey”, best accessed from Cerro Catedral. I’ve heard so much about the beauty of this area and the many lines on offer that I just can’t wait to go there. Hopefully we’ll find some good snow! Fingers crossed!
