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The past week has offered continuous snowfalls over the Chamonix valley and there is another 99 cm :-) forcasted until Friday! Last weekend the Grand Montets ski area partially opened and judging from the smile on everyone’s faces, the skiing was really good!
Check out these amazing pics of Steph and Asmus enjoying some nice turns in Vallorcine after skinning up. If you want to see more pictures from their day, visit the facebook page of local mountain guide Asmus Nørreslet.
He's done it again. Another extremely beautiful film by Chamonix local mountainguide and filmer Seb Montaz.
If the previous post of Kaj and Sverre's film didn't get your adrenaline pumping, we guarantee this 14-minute preview of I Believe I can Fly (flight of the frenchies) will!
Some would say that right now is the most beautiful time of the year to visit the Chamonix valley. Clear cold mornings, perfectly warm days, sparkling colours and no tourists!
These pictures taken from the Balcon nord traverse between Plan de l’Aguille and the Montenvers station, really shows the contrast between the trees, mountains, glaciers and sky which is exceptional for this time of year.
Want to experience autumn in Chamonix while improving your french? Insted is running Intensive courses, Conversation courses and Evening courses all the way to Christmas. Contact us for more information.
Don't miss La Fête de la Musique - the world music day in Chamonix tonight. Every year on June 21st in France, an all-night music celebration of the summer solstice is held. Check out the program of tonight's celebration on the streets of Chamonix.
This Saturday (June 18), PGHM Platoon of Alpine Rescue Gendarmes in Chamonix open its doors to the public. Every year Insted's students are invited to see how Chamonix's mountain rescue service is operating so we know it will be interesting and worth the visit!
Where: Helicopter field, Les Bois - Les Praz
Visit PGHM's website or call 04 50 53 16 89 for more information.
We are much looking forward to Summer now! This beautiful photo was taken by photographer Pierre Jacques on a camp and climb weekend in the Lac Blanc area last summer.
Saturday April 9, +24°C, trailrunning balcon sud, Chamonix Mont Blanc. Skiers up the mountain, runners and bikers on lower altitude. Paradise on earth!
Insted students after French course activities. Filmed by student Erlend Nesbjör in Chamonix a sunny day in March. You can vote for this video if you go to http://www.facebook.com/ChamonixFans?sk=app_100705116678403 and select video no 3!
Who said Chamonix doesn't have good snow still? We didn't! If you're unsure of where to find it, enroll to a French course at Insted and we'll share our secret spots with you ;-)!
Need some proof? Check out the Daily Dump Snow report videos.
To celebrate 8 weeks of our French intensive courses and the upcoming March holiday, we arranged with a special Fondue night for all our teachers and students at La Caleche. As many as 35 happy students and teachers joined us, but it was only the teachers and the Insted staff that dared going for the delicious fondue. The rest played it safe and ordered something less cheesy.
We wish all students and teachers a happy holiday!
To celebrate next week's holiday, we have booked a table at La Caleche, authentic Savoyard restaurant with the one of the best cheese fondues there is in the valley.
Don't like cheese? Don't worry, there are some tasty options to choose from.
Here in Chamonix the snow line is already dropping and we're getting fired up about what the old timers are predicting will be the biggest winter ever. With all the excitement we've had loads of enquiries about our winter 2010 courses.
Want to receive a 10% discount on our classic winter course 2011, come by and see us at the London Ski & Snowboard show, October 20-24. You will find us at the Chamonix Pavillon. See you there!
Insted's autumn courses kicked off this week with many local students who have decided it's time to get to that level they should have been at years ago. Could the same be said about you? :-)
Don't wait any longer, you can still sign up. Places left on the standard intensive-, as well as the semi intensive evening courses if you want to join them.
Call us on 04 50 53 03 66 or email study@insted.com
In April we posted a short description of the short hike to Chalet la Floria. It takes less than an hour and is a perfect walk before French class. Two pictures are worth a thousand words!
Difficult to choose a climbing route among the hundreds of possibilities there are in and around Chamonix? Or do you have half a day free cause you have French classes in the afternoon?
Only 10 minutes walk from the Index lift at la Flégère you find three excellent beginner climbing routes from 5 to 6 pitches, which can easily be done in half a day. Description found in the Aiguilles Rouges topo. Three routes to choose from: Mani Pulite, Nez Rouge or Modern times (max 5b+ level).
Fancy coming over to Chamonix this summer to improve your French and experience some great hiking while you are here? Book a course and accommodation in central Chamonix with us and get hold of the book "Mont Blanc Wanderings" by Natalie Jennings.
"Mont Blanc Wanderings" is a collection of Natalie's favourite hikes and treks, amassed over ten gorgeous summers spent traipsing the land with her faithful map and camera in hand. The author wanted to create a book that not only picked out the prettiest, most enjoyable and picturesque routes, but also served as a beautiful photographic souvenir of the region. Plus she has added her own hints and tips about the best places to find blueberries, spot marmots and encounter wild chamois!
Natalie was born in the Welsh Valleys and first came to Chamonix in 1999 on a week’s holiday. Within a fortnight of returning to the UK she had handed in her notice at work, packed up her bags and left Britain to make Chamonix her permanent home as she expresses it "as anyone who lives here already knows, Chamonix just has that effect on you!" (Insted's note: Yes, we know!). Natalie is passionate about hiking, trekking, walking, generally being out in the mountains and she also enjoys taking photographs. From the moment a friend led her up the Lac Blanc path ten years ago she was hooked. In her own words: "the amount of accessible walking trails and routes within the Mont Blanc range is truly astounding. Plus, with the network of cable cars and chairlifts available, people of all ages and ability can experience the joys of high altitude mountain walking, without the need for ropes, crampons or an ice axe!"
When searching for "biking Chamonix" on YouTube you will find this fabulous clip by Insted photographer friend/ filmer Thierry Donard, creator of the Nuit de la Glisse films. Here he catches absolutely amazing Danny McAskill in the streets of Chamonix. Wow!
Previous, current and future Insted students, don't miss the opportunity to win a 2 week french course, accommodation and the opportunity to live your dream in Chamonix, Mont Blanc!
Insted students often climb in Les Gaillands in April. Les Gaillands is one of Chamonix's most easily accessible rock climbing areas, only 2 km from the town centre. Opened in the 1930's as a place where alpinists could learn to climb. Today there are around 130 routes. More nice photos on Insted's favourite blog Les Garcons.
Chalet de la Floria is a popular destination for hikers who want a short walk of less than an hour. La Floria is open summer time and is a perfect spot for refreshments and breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc and Mer de Glace. At this time of the year: bring your own refreshements, no flowers, but the view is the same.
Altitude: 1337m
Walking time: approx 45 minutes
Start from le Brévent car park, les Nants or from les Praz via Paradis des Praz.
Kelly Aikins and Alpine Yoga holds daily yoga- & pilates classes at the Insted school in Chamonix. Canadian Kelly is not only a great and inspirational Yoga teacher, in between classes she is seen skiing steep runs or climbing many of the granite walls in and around the Chamonix valley.
Kelly is also an ambassador for the Choclo Project, founded by Roland Wimbush. Take a look at this teaser, Yoga for skiers, by Kelly and the Choclo Project.
Don't we all love this time of the year when you can choose between ALL activities Cham has to offer! The "balcons" are dry and you see runners, bikers and hikers back on the trails. It's warm enough to go rock climbing at les Gaillands. And what about the skiing? This video by talented Seb Montaz, Chamonix Guiding, will tell that there's for sure some good skiing left.
Il y a eu un peu de pluie mais ce n’était pas grave car l’ambiance était très bonne. Les profs ont donné des missions à faire dans la ville, nous avons fait beaucoup de photos.
Aujourd’hui, la vieille ville n’a plus de secret pour nous. A refaire !
Les Amis du Cinéma – Chamonix, présente le film “BOY A” de John Crowley dans le cadre du cycle “Un Livre, Un Film”. Le film est signé John Crowley, d’après le livre “Jeux d’Enfants”, du romancier Jonathan Trigell résidant à Chamonix.
Enfin le rallye de l’Insted! Par équipe, vous allez visiter Annecy en suivant un parcours que nous vous avons préparé. A la fin du parcours, les 3 meilleures équipes gagnent un prix.
Rendez-vous à l’Insted à 7h50, départ en bus à 8h. Retour prévu à 14h à Chamonix.
Sortie gratuite et obligatoire, c’est une activité pour le cours de français.
Insted’s Yannick Leriche is not only a very passionated French teacher at Insted. He is also a writer. In his book K-aZ – Recueil de textes, Yannick presents a collection of his poems and short stories. If you are interested to hear Yannick read from his book, stay in touch with the Insted blog. An invitation to a poetry night at the Insted school will be posted within short.
Meet student Davide De Masi who is attending a 15 week French intensive semester course at Insted this winter and combines it with his passion for skiing, climbing and photography.
Davide was born in 1985 in Chicago, but moved to Utah when he was 12. He went to the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and Bellingham, and explored the incredible natural setting of the American Northwest. It was here he expanded his photography and skills as a climber and skier.
Davide spent last year in Val d’Isere and says he is extremely attracted to the beauty and culture of the alps. He thinks that the European attitude for the mountains is much more liberal than that of the Americans and that especially Chamonix has the most incredible access to the most amazing mountains he has had a chance to ski in.
With an Italian father he did not have to travel to France with a student visa. Instead, he is lucky to hold an Italian passport and can travel freely all over Europe. Davide came to Insted and Chamonix in January this year and is, beside his French studies, shooting and competing in various competitions for the Nissan Freeride World Tour.
Why Insted and Chamonix, Davide?
I chose Chamonix for several reasons. One being it is actually a town. Last year I lived in a small ski village that was very isolated. I feel Chamonix is very international and yet it retains a small-town feel. It has a lot to offer for such a small town, yet it still rests in one of the most beautiful natural sites in the world with phenomenal ski lift infrastructure and a lot to offer off the slopes. There is simply no where else that I know that offers a mix of lifestyle and culture as well as incredible access and infrastructure in the mountains.
I decided to study French in order to prepare for a Master’s program that I am planning on attending in Switzerland this fall. I felt Chamonix offered a good balance of play-time and proximity to resources to support my lifestyle. It also allows me to explore my passions of climbing, skiing, and photography while studying French. It’s a good place to stimulate the mind on all fronts.
Check out his fantastic photos in the slideshow Images des Montagnes.
If you want proof of your French level, make the TCF test.
The TCF test is held every year in April at the Insted school. The test is not only available to registered students at the school, but also to the public.
When: April 20, 2010 Price: 59 € obligatory part, or 81 € including the optional part
What is the TCF?
TCF – Test de connaissance du français is a French language test awarded by the French Ministry of Education:
TCF assesses a person’s level of French language for general purposes. It is intended for people who are not native French speakers and who, for professional, personal or academic reasons, wish to have their competency in French assessed and certified simply, reliably and quickly.
The TCF is a standard graded test designed by the CIEP, a language tester and member of ALTE, based on an extremely rigorous method that makes it a valid means of assessing language skills.
All candidates receive a certificate of results that grades them at one of six levels (from A1 to C2) on the competency scale defined by the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This means that it is not possible to fail the TCF. Contact us for more information and registration.
Cinema Vox Chamonix "Printemps du Cinema" is in full swing. Tickets are only 3.50€ today and tomorrow. Insted recommends “Invictus” by director Clint Eastwood tonight 21.30, original version. Check out the program.
Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africas rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africas underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.
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