n° 37 - winter 2011
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30° degrees, the Swiss magazine of sports and recreationTRANSCRIPT
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Sport White gold in the land
of the Samurai Dry tooling,
scaling rock and ice Society
Mountain chalets: building a new future Bamboo Everywhere!
portfolio A new take on climbing!
conteSt Win a week in Thailand. 22 holidays up for grabs!
GreenlandSubtle, fleeting
magic
T H I R T YD E G R E E SI S S U E 3 7
W I N T E R2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
,The last lingering leaves have fallen. The golden hue on the vines has faded. The north wind has begun to blow. Winter is back.
Finally! Soft, lovely winter. That white cocoon full of snowball-sized snow-flakes that blanket the sky before exploding into millions of tiny cotton-candy stars. At last comes the season of icicles as long as swords, dangling off rooftops as they sparkle in the winter sun. The season of pine trees better powdered than the duchesses of times gone by. Everything appears more beautiful when seen through the eyes of love, doesn‘t it? And at 30°, we love winter. So, are you ready to join us as we playfully frolic through the pow-der? Are you ready to feel life and freedom well up inside you while shivers run down your spine as the descent steepens? And down below, a merry time awaits, with jolly wreaths and warm hearths. Sweet Noël, with its twinkling markets, Advent calendars and candles. Special moments shared together, exhilarating stories to tell.
And so it is that 30° prepares to light candles of its own—those of its tenth anniversary. It was in June 2002 that we first launched this magazine with a single desire in our hearts: to share our passion for life, the thrill of disco-very, as well as pictures beautiful or rare, that spark our curiosity, that leave us trembling with fright or quivering with desire. Our editorial line? Inven-tiveness. Vitality. A desire to keep moving forward, to discover, to attempt, to explore, on land or at sea, in crowded metropolises or desolate wilder-nesses. And all the while, our sights remain set on a world that is constantly moving, changing, reinventing itself, becoming our home of tomorrow. Our cake? The peaks that rise over Switzerland like a frosted crown. Our candles? The fires burning within that make us want to scour the world to find yet more things that will astound, surprise and enthral you, our readers.
30° can be enjoyed digitally as well, on the web or your iPad — with many extras!
Christian Bugnon | editor-in-chief
contentsissue 37winter2011-2012
A word from the editor 03
SPORT Kitesurfing and snowkiting: One kite, two sports 24 Portfolio with Mammut: Forget everything you’ve ever heard about climbing! 50 White gold in the land of the Samurai 74 Seb Michaud and friends 80 GiantXtour’s crystal anniversary and golden age 88 The Freeride World Tour: Freedom without borders 90 Dry tooling, scaling rock and ice 92 Climbing: The Anthamatten’s fraternal ties and bonds 94 Glen Plake, a living legend of freestyle skiing 96 Swiss climbers reach new heights in India 100
LIFESTYLE News 10 A modern-day odyssey 16 Greenland: subtle, fleeting magic 30 Woman’s review: Stylish winter sports 62 30 degrees & Amazing Thailand contest 22 holidays in Thailand up for grabs! 63 Movies: Uma Thurman, the voice of freedom 65 Movies: Watch out – this winter’s going to be hot! 66 Music: Ed Sheeran - a real “+” 68
SOCIETY Mountain chalets: building a new future 40 Bamboo everywhere 46 Liu Bolin: the invisible man 70 When design goes to work for technology 103 Will smartphones leave any room for PCs? 105 Trends 107 30 degrees’ address book 113 Post card: Hong Kong 114 Impressum 114
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Ski – Florent troillet, the returnWell, that didn’t take long! In mid-November, after a year in retirement, Florent Troillet (30), the sensational ski mountaineer from Valais, announced his return to competition. Since the 2010 ski mountaineering single race world champion is starting his preparation training late, he will be skipping the World Cup and European Championship events. However, he will be on the starting line of the Patrouille des Glaciers, an event he has already won twice. Competitors, be forewarned! www.troilletski.ch/ski-alpinisme
livre –Sur leS traceSdeS héroS de l’alpiniSmeL’ouvrage intitulé «Les grandes aventures de l’alpinisme» (aux éditions White Star) voit haut, très haut! Richement illustré, il retrace les grandes dates de l’histoire de l’alpinisme, de l’Everest au Mont Blanc, de la Patagonie aux Dolomites. Des expéditions dans toute leur grandeur…
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Freeride – nendaz or St-moritz—the paSSion StayS the SameThese two Swiss sporting events may be several hundred kilometres apart, but they share the same passion for the ride. Nendaz Freeride will be held March 16-21, while the 10th Stimorol Engadinsnow in St-Moritz will take place from January 26th to February 5th. Another common thread shared by these two events is that they are the only qualifying events in Switzerland for the Freeride World Tour. More details on www.nendazfreeride.ch and www.engadinsnow.com
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kl – the verbier-nendaz XSpeedSki event awaitS
a new recordThey will be speeding like
bullets down the legendary run of Mont-Fort. “They” are the best “KL” (kilomètre lancé
- speed skiing) skiers in the world, who will be taking part in
the 9th Xspeedski competition, to be held in Verbier-Nendaz on
April 14-21, 2012. 800 meters long, 400 meters of vertical
descent. Current record: 219.28 km/h. Who knows, perhaps this year’s slope will propel someone
to a new speed skiing world record, currently at 251.40 km/h!
www.xspeedski.net
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travel – what iF nature had only Seven wonderS? What are the seven wonders of the natural world? That is the question posed by the Zurich-based New7Wonders foundation to web users around the world. The replies have poured in and yielded some winners (provisional until January): Halong Bay (Vietnam), the Amazon, the waterfalls of Iguazu (Brazil, Argentina), Jeju Island (South Korea), the island of Komodo (Indonesia), the underwater river of Puerto Princesa (Philippines), and Table Mountain (South Africa). But … isn’t that narrowing things down a bit too much? www.new7wonders.com
conteSt – two honda ScooterS wonGabrielle Stucky from Geneva and Manuel Bächler from Zurich are the happy winners of the Honda–30º contest, and take off on their new Honda Vision scooters. Congratulations! www.hondamoto.ch
mobile – like a dolphin in waterEver wanted to know what it feels like to be a dolphin, shark or killer whale? All you have to do is order a Seabreacher. Once in this odd-looking watercraft made in the USA, you can speed underwater, skim along the surface, and even propel yourself into the air dolphin-style. The most powerful version, with a shark-like body, sports a 260 hp engine and reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h on top of the water’s surface and 40 km/h beneath it. Of course, your fantasy ride doesn’t come cheap. $81,000 anyone?www.seabreacher.com
environment – bagS made From ... kite SurFing?Kite surfers may ride above the waves, but Arlette is riding a wave of her own off the shores of environmentally-friendly design. Her Lausanne workshop breathes new life into kite surfing sails by turning them into bags, with models for both men and women. Called “Slurpy”, the bags are washable, rain resistant and handcrafted, and can even be custom made based on customers’ wishes. With “Slurpy” recycled materials take flight once more! www.slurpy.ch
clever – “chainmail” hatOn the surface, Ribcap looks like your traditional, elegant cap. But under this hat’s cotton fibres hides a flexible structure made of viscose which, research shows, greatly decreases cranial damage during a fall, whether it be off a bike or while on skates, skis or a mountain trail. This Swiss invention, born in 2005 and available in models named after famous singers (Dylan, Björk, etc.), is already a hit in the Netherlands, and is starting to be seen around Switzerland too. www.ribcap.ch
invention – an air helmet For cycliStSHats off ! The complement was never truer than for this latest Swedish invention, which keeps your hair style intact with its “invisible helmet”. The “Hövding” provides an intriguing alternative to your typical bicycle helmet. Quite simply, it’s an airbag in the shape of a large collar, worn around the neck. At the slightest impact, it inflates with helium in one tenth of a second to surround the head and protect the skull. During a fall, a sensor sends a signal to the gas inflator, deploying the “helmet”. A great idea that’s not just hot air! (Priced at around 400 francs.) www.hovding.com
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SurF – another crown For kelly Slater In November, the American Kelly Slater was proclaimed surfing world champion not once, but twice in four days! (The result of a calculation
error the first time.) It was in San Francisco that the 39 year old from Florida finally secured his title of world champion for the 11th time! A living surf legend, now more than ever.www.kellyslater.com
Sport – Jumpline, a new urban SportA cable is strung between two urban structures. Its purpose is not to restrict access, but to create a new one—in the air! Jumpline is a new urban sport which consists of performing acrobatic jumps on a line. Check out the footage of these modern tightrope walkers on the 30º iPad app.
FeStivalS – a cruiSe For heavy metal FanSThis is not your grandma’s cruise. In fact, the “70,000 tons of metal” tour is about as far from “Love Boat” as one could imagine. The “Majesty of the Seas” will be hosting nearly 2000 heavy metal fans from around the world. For 5 days and four nights (January 23-27, 2012), 40 bands—including Coroner and In Extremo, who have already confirmed their participation—will be rocking the boat on this luxury liner as it sets out from Miami to George Town (Bahamas), the Cayman Islands, and back. A “heavy” time guaranteed! www.70000tons.com
motorcycling – electric and all-terrain Off-road biking and the environment are not exactly bedfellows. But the all-electric Freeride E, made by KTM, strikes a pretty good compromise. It marks the first time that a major bike manufacturer has veered off the beaten track to offer an electric model for those bumpy rides. www.ktm.com
FuturiStic – a perFume to SwallowIn a few years’ time, you’ll still be spraying your favourite scent onto your skin, right? Not so fast. Maybe you’ll be swallowing it instead. That is, if Swallowable Parfum has their way. The concept is that after ingesting a capsule of this new type of perfume—still in the experimental stages—its odour-bearing molecules are released as the body perspires. “The potency of scent is determined by each individual’s acclimatization to temperature, stress, exercise, or sexual arousal,” explain its Dutch creators. We already know about inner beauty; why not inner scent?
urban – green graFFiti getS itS bearingS on the StreetS The spray paint is gone, the vandalism too. These days, a new generation of graffiti is gradually making its way to our walls and sidewalks. And it’s completely environmentally-friendly! The “green graffiti” toolbox includes stencils, which are placed on a surface and then blasted with high pressure water. As the grime is removed, it gives way to a new design. And since the procedure is completely legal, green graffiti has also become a marketing tool, used by Domino’s Pizza, among others. Have a look onwww.youtube.com/watch?v=ElmiBw8n0gE
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16 | thirty degrees
Best Odyssey is one Homeric adventure. This unique, long-running expedition has brought elite kitesurfers, surfers, scuba divers, sailors and paraglider pilots together on a catamaran criss-crossing the oceans of the world, transporting them to breath-taking locations and leaving them free to pursue their sporting passions. After the best part of five years the marathon voyage has just come to an end.
odysseyA modern-dAyThough they occasionally got a tow from the boat, more often than not the Belbas brothers (in the picture, Stu) would begin their flights over Mozambique’s sandy coastline by launching themselves from dunes.
17 | thirty degrees
the Andaman islands, and from Polynesia to the shores of Mozam-bique. Carefully selected for their dreamily remote and often virgin locations, and their magical beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters and flanked by multi-coloured reefs and vast, majestically sculpted wave-like dunes, these earthly paradises provided a tailor-made backdrop for the board and water sports experts who made their way on to the boat’s deck.
Ulysses’ happy disciplesdon’t go thinking this is some kind of hollywood production though, trampling everything in its path. the Best Odyssey’s participants took great pride in preserving these stunning locations and respec-ting the local communities they met along the way. “in tonga we came across a little island where the community was made up entirely of children,” explained the Verbier-based paraglider pilot Mike Belbas (see inset). “the adults had set out to sea, fishing for several weeks. We spent some time with the community and showed them photos and videos of the places we’d been to.”the emotions felt were nothing but genuine, the pleasure palpable. their photos and videos reflect that, telling the story of how an expe-dition underpinned by human and sporting values unfolded. these wayfarers are not Ulysses. they haven’t emerged from a greek epic playing out before our very eyes. they are athletes who make for memorable images not because they’re playing their sports but because they’re living out an incredible odyssey. though champions in their respective fields, they are, more than anything else, enthu-siasts caught up in the moment and the unique circumstances of their coming together.
www.offshoreodysseys.com
Text°°° serge greter Fotos°°° Jody Macdonald
,there’s an epic quality about the suitably named Best odyssey. there’s something surreal, not to say anachro-
nistic about it too. As the pace of modern life quickens, slipping your moorings for an adventure lasting nearly five years seems like some kind of sweet utopia. except that is, if you’re the crew of the discovery. Between January 2007 and October 2011 they sailed the planet’s turquoise seas on their catamaran measuring nearly 18 metres, journeying from the Marshall islands to Micronesia, from tonga to
i Paraglider Gavin McClurg flies over the sand dunewhile enjoying the spectacular view s Flying above The Bazaruto Archipelago looking downat the shifting sands and a local fishing boat sailing by.
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A local fishing boat locally known as a Dhow sails along the
edge of Banguerra Island
VerBier twins sail the seas
the founders of a paragliding school in Verbier, twins stu and Mike Belbas were regular voyagers on the Best Odyssey expedition. Mike tells us about his ama-zing experiences.
How did you find your way on to the Discovery?i met the girlfriend of the founder when i was skippering a boat in the Carib-bean a few years back. she was a client of mine and she let me know when the adventure got under way. And that was that.
How often did you get on board? Quite a bit. Apart from the first year in the Caribbean, we joined the crew twice a year for five to six weeks at a time, in the spring and autumn, when we weren’t working at Verbier. Our sponsors, Kaenon sunglasses, stumped up our expenses in exchange for promo photos.
You and your brother were the first people to paraglide over Tonga, the Andaman Islands, the southern atolls of the Maldives and Mozam-bique. You also paid a trip to Mada-gascar. Which place made the biggest impact on you?i’d say the Maldives. it was truly magi-cal, with the most beautiful surf and kitesurf waves we found along the way. We saw a lot of sea life every day there too, like manta rays and dolphins.
Any more unforgettable memories?We tracked a pod of whales off the Azores for three hours and then we swam with them. Just amazing.
o Paragliding instructors in Verbier, Mike (in the green jacket) and Stu were frequent travellers on The Best Odyssey.
i Pilot and Captain ofThe Best Odyssey, Gavin McClurg exploring the duneby paraglider.
f The catamaran «Discovery» explores the reefs edge.
s Pilot Stu Belbas flies over the turquoise waters of Tonga.
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one kite, two sports
Ramseier performing an indy grab on the Col de la Bernina, in Les Grisons, one of Switzerland’s first snowkiting locations.
Kitesurfers ride the waves, while snowkiters surf the slopes: two fully fledged sports in two different settings. Marc Ramseier, a skilled practitioner of both, gives us the inside view.
Kitesurfingand snowKiting
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Text°°° frédéric rein
,Blue seas lapping the shore and mountainous slopes covered in powdery snow – two very different backdrops for one
burning passion: kiteboarding. One man who has made his name in both disciplines, kitesurfing and snowkiting, is Marc ramseier. hail-ing from the swiss city of Biel/Bienne, ramseier is a well-known figure on the professional scene and an artist on water and snow, skimming their surfaces with his board, leaping into the air and floating back down to caress them once more. he spoke to us about the allure of kitesurfing and snowkiting.
Marc, what appeals to you about kiteboarding on sea and snow?With kitesurfing, especially when you’re freeriding, you can really play with the waves and feel the force of the ocean welling up from the depths. As for snowkiting, it’s a like a new way of looking at the moun-tains, of opening up new horizons. it’s a revolutionary way of riding on snow, both downhill and uphill.
How different do they feel?you’re being pulled along by a kite in both sports, but the feelings you experience are very different, except when you’re snowkiting on pow-dery snow. snowkiting feels a lot more like skiing and snowboarding than it does kitesurfing, which is itself more like surfing and wake-boarding. that said, the kite gives you this incredible sense of freedom and enjoyment, no matter what shape it is, because it lets you play with the wind and gravity and with the waves and slopes.
The clothes and the locations are obviously different. What about the equipment?the inflatable kites you use in kitesurfing work just as well in the mountains, which also means you don’t have to spend any time get-ting used to them. A lot of snowkiters use them, and it’s also easier to perform tricks with kitesurfing kites, though they are more technical. if you spend a lot of time on the snow and if you are the kind of person who hikes in and out, then i’d recommend getting a paraglider-style foil kite. they’re smaller, which makes them better suited for the mountains, they’re quicker to put away and they make landing and taking off easier too. the foil kite’s also a safer option. it’s more stable in the air, and can be depowered whenever you want, which means you can stop in all weather conditions.
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Ramseier kitesurfing a big wave in rough seas off Indonesia.
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So why can’t you use a foil kite on the water?it would be the perfect thing if it never fell in the water. When you’re on the waves you need an inflatable kite that floats on the water and lets you take off again. you can’t do that with a foil kite.
Which is the easier of the two sports for a beginner to learn?snowkiting, because the kite’s just there to help you move, not to stop you sinking like in kitesurfing. it’s less technical too, and in switzer-land the snow cover is amazing.
Why do you snowkite with a snowboard rather than skis?it’s just a preference of mine and i’m a better snowboarder too. snow-boarding feels more like surfing and you’re in a more natural position in relation to the kite, whereas on skis you face the direction you travel in. the flipside to that is you’re more mobile on skis, which makes it easier to correct mistakes when steering the kite on hard snow, where you need to stay on the same course. i’d strongly advise beginners to start on skis. After that, the choice is yours.
So which do you prefer, snowkiting or kitesurfing?Kitesurfing. i feel right at home on the water.
www.mkiteboarding.com
i Ramseier executing a top turn at an Indonesian surf spot, not far from where
he built his second home.
p The Swiss boarder has spent six months a year in Indonesia for the last seven years
and has made a lot of friends there.
f The icy slopes of the Bernina are some ofRamseier’s favoured haunts.
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Subtle, fleeting magic greenland
Icebergs are almost exclusively composed of fresh water and
have always represented a very important source of water for the Inuit population. The cold
produced by the icebergs raises oxygen levels all around them,
attracting lots of animals, such as fish, seals and polar bears…
Most people think that icebergs are made of ice. In reality, icebergs
are made up of compacted snow, and trap the gasses found in the
air during their formation.
f The east coast of Greenland measures 2600 km. Along this extremely jagged coastline there are just two small towns and 7 villages, with a total population of 3500!
i Greenlanders inhabit a land which is largely inhospitable. With options for setting up home being highly restrictive, houses are often very isolated from each other.
s This hunter is called To-bias. Alessandra Meniconzi
followed him during a hunt. He advances very slowly and approaches his prey
with great care: he must kill it with a single blow.
Text°°° Raffaella CaRobbio photos°°° alessandRa MeniConzi
,When erik the Red left iceland in 930 with his drekar (longship) and his crew, he had no idea what he was about to
discover. he followed the routes of traditional tales and legends which spoke of unknown, mysterious lands. the green coasts of this enormous island located at the summit of our planet made him believe he had discovered an earthly paradise. the grassy green valleys and forests made the name of “grøenland” an obvious choice. According to this saga, erik the red returned to iceland, then travelled back to greenland with other settlers and their families (of 25 drekars, only 14 survived the trip). the Vikings inhabited and farmed the south-western part of the island for five centuries, then disappeared without trace. What happened? the most likely explanation is that a “little ice age” caused the ice cap to expand southwards. the impact on agriculture probably obliged erik the red and his men to abandon this now inhospitable land. today, if you look up greenland in an Atlas, you will see a gigantic island – the largest on the planet, with 2,166,000 km2 – covered in ice and snow. Almost 80% of its surface is located under a layer of ice 1500 m thick! And even the coasts are not, despite appearances, suitable for cultivation, due to permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil – ed.). Only the south escapes this, hence the presence of the majority of the population (57,000 inhabitants) in southern and western regions.
While images of the North Pole still excite our imagination with their fairy-tale colours, its wildlife and its people are in disarray. We report from a beautiful yet uncertain world.
Icebergs react to the light and change colour, mysterious and magical… but the Inuit people
also know how dangerous they are. Age old Inuit beliefs explain
that they help Nerrivik, the sea goddess who leads men into the
other world.
less iCe, MoRe Co2For several decades, greenland’s climatic conditions, linked to global warming, have increasingly resembled those encountered by erik the red on his arrival. Currently, summer temperatures in the south of the island climb as high as 20 to 25 degrees. At that level, can greenland really be consid-ered an Arctic country, that is, a place where the summer temperature does not exceed 10 degrees? the greenhouse effect suffered by the earth has a particularly strong impact on the Polar and Arctic zones, where the ice fields reflect the sun’s rays. the heat then releases the earth and sea from the ice in which they have been trapped. As it thaws, the frozen ground releases micro-organisms which produce even more CO2! Furthermore, in the spring, thinning of the ice cover impedes hunting, by polar bears as well as by man.the island has been through this before… Way back in the 10th century, erik the red had already discovered ruins in greenland. the inuit had once lived there, before having to leave, due to a rise in temperature which deprived them of caribous and seals.Nowadays, they have been colonised by the danish. they have been forced to abandon their nomadic lifestyle and, increasingly, their tradition of seal hunting. As well as the nutritional aspect, it is their cultural and social heritage which is sadly melting away like ice! eco-system upheaval is also bringing profound changes to marine wildlife. the altered rhythms and temperatures are harming people, animals and plants, and their natural balance.
i Ice is less dense than water, which is why ice-bergs float. The submerged part of an iceberg is 7 to 10 times taller than the visible part. When
we consider that some icebergs stand around 30 metres above the water it is easy to see why they are known, literally, as “ice mountains”.
o From time to time the Inuit hunter will climb up an iceberg and observe the sky and its colour… he knows how to predict storms, how
to listen to the ice and the wind.
p Polar bears sometimes have to abandon the ice floe when it becomes too thin. They there-
fore stay on land, where they are unable to find sufficient food.
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High-altitude homes are increasingly adopting modern shapes, far from those of the traditional chalet. Is contemporary mountain architecture scarring the Alpine landscape ? Or, on the contrary, giving it a welcome new look ?
Text°°° Frédéric rein
,The hills are alive with… ultramodern chalets! Not the kind you might expect to see on a picture postcard, lending the
scene a traditional, pastoral feel, complete with symmetrically arran-ged rows of geraniums. No, we’re referring to the kind of buildings be-loved of glossy magazines and design books. High-altitude homes with a futuristic feel, deliberately different. They often favour transparency, facilitated by the use of double or triple glazing. Oblong, rectangular or square glassy ‘eyes’, always wide open and looking onto the panorama that is perpetually repainted by Mother Nature as the seasons progress. The outdoor scenery can be enjoyed in great comfort from the confines of these snug homes. As on the plains, contemporary mountain architecture is often keen to omit the standard sloping roofs, innovating instead with clean lines and cubic forms. While wood remains a ubiquitous material, concrete is just as likely to be seen. “We’re currently entering a golden era in which technical progress is enabling us to move beyond the cons-traints associated with severe climatic conditions, high altitudes and unstable land. Which means we can achieve remarkable architectural projects”, observes Noëlle Bittner, author of “New mountain chalets”. In her book, the French journalist presents twenty modern chalets – newly built or renovated – located in various parts of the world, around half of them in Switzerland.
A narrow chalet made of dark wood in Niseko, on the Japanese
island of Hokkaido.
Mountain chaletsbuilding a new future
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For interior designer-architect An-drew Bell, the interior design of this Japanese chalet, located in Niseko on the island of Hokkaido, had to be pared down to its essence—to fulfill its purpose while obstructing nei-ther view nor space, with a zen-like nature inspired by the purity of its lines and the quality of its materials (granite, cyprus, elm parquet, etc.).
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energy eFFicienTThis new form of construction naturally has its critics, as does any ra-dical change. Reworking the traditional image of the chalet inevitably feels and looks wrong to some people. Is our cultural heritage at risk? Are these new-fangled chalets carbuncles on our mountain landscape? Or do they, on the contrary, enhance and renew it? Opinions differ. One thing is certain though: they often represent an ecological advance. Modernity goes hand in hand with energy saving options, or even energy self-sufficiency. Solar panels abound, rainwater is collec-ted, insulation is optimised… So is MINERGIE® construction certification – promoting rational energy use and wider adoption of renewable energies – now in greater demand for chalets? No statistics are available in Switzerland for the moment, but it certainly seems likely, as explained by Tess Sapin, marketing & communications manager with the French-Swiss Miner-gie agency: “One of the advantages of this kind of certification is the “bonus floor space index” offered by some local authorities, under which owners are entitled to construct a building with a floor space slightly larger than if they were constructing a non-certified building. It’s therefore more common to see chalets being built in accordance with MINERGIE® standards in areas where land is expensive to buy”. So modern chalets are starting to spring up on our hills. And who knows, one day all chalets may be made this way…
iiThis room with picture window walls can be found under the roof of a chalet built at nearly 2500 meters high on the slopes of Colle Bercia in the Italian Alps.
iPerched on the slopes of the Rigi, this chalet with sober, cubic lines looks down on the snowy peaks of the Bernese Alps. Photo by Gaelle Le Boulicaut.
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Furniture, flooring, bikes and even underwear – this gigantic Asian grass is forging its way into everyday products. It seems this is only the start of a beautiful ‘ green ’ love affair.
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Bamboo is a kind of grass, not a tree, and
matures within 4 or 5 years. Its stems renew
quickly when cut.
thirty degrees | 41
Text°°° Frédéric rein
,Graceful bamboo stems with their everlasting green leaves have long added an exotic elegance to european gardens. But
they have found a new, unexpected place to set down their roots: in product development and the textile industry. A little nipping here, a little tucking there gives this material surprising new shapes and uses. Kitchen furnishings, flooring, bikes and cosmetics are just some of the products making use of bamboo. Migros even sells four styles of underwear made of bamboo viscose.
Bamboo really is everywhere. And it’s not by chance, as designer Antoine Fritsch confirms : “ Bamboo is a material with many outstanding properties. it can be used in a number of fields. ”Fritsch, head of the French agency Fritsch-associés, is no stranger to bamboo, having designed a bicycle for hermès 15 years ago using the plant. the designer extols bamboo’s uncommon mechanical resistance and interesting grain pattern. “ you can have two surface aspects : smooth and regular, punctuated by “ knuckles ” if you use bamboo in its natural state, or very regular and light coloured in strand-woven form, where bamboo fibres and adhesives are combined under pressure. Bamboo has a refreshingly original quality about it. it’s increasingly used in product development. the only drawback is that it needs to be varnished so it doesn’t absorb moisture, which can lead to cracking,” admits Fritsch.
it’s a Grass, not a treeFritsch also mentions the environmental advantages of the plant. “ Because bamboo is a grass, and not a tree, it matures in only four or five years. rhizomes (underground stems that help the plant grow by sending out shoots and roots) that remain in the ground after harvest
allow stems to be renewed very quickly. As far as plants go, it has the fastest growth rate – the record is nearly one metre per day for some of the 1200 species in the world. Bamboo requires no fertilizers or pesti-cides to grow. Apparently, bamboo, which may bend but never breaks, can produce up to 25 times as much ‘ wood ’ as a forest. ” Fritsch also touts another impressive ecological advantage with regards to logistics. “ Because many products are often manufactured in Asia, and because bamboo is found in large quantities in this region, it makes things easier. Oak, for example, has to be sent from europe to Asia, to then be shipped back to europe. ”
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Under the brand John Adams, Migros sells a line of four undergarment products made from bamboo viscose, all FSC certified.
This Iris kitchen, designed by Antoine Fritsch and Vivien Durisotti for Mobalpa, kickstarts the conver-sation between ecology and technology, fluidity and modularity. The design, with its facades of natural bamboo—renewable and ecologically friendly—evokes a sense of serenity.
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so is bamboo really a Green material ?Can bamboo become the green plant par excellence ? A team of dutch researchers com-pared the carbon footprint of steel, concrete and local and exotic woods to that of bamboo – imported from Costa rica – in construction work in the Netherlands. Bamboo came out the hands down winner. the WWF, symbolised by its iconic panda logo, a lover of bamboo, remains wary. “ No-thing is really black or white, ” says Pierrette rey, Media director. “ Many factors need to be taken into account, especially cultivation methods, transport and the transformation of wood according to the products used. ” greenpeace has also stated in one of its bro-chures that because bamboo could potentially replace wood, it could alleviate some of the
the plant that can do anythinG
in Asia, bamboo has long been a plant that can do it all. it is easily transfor-med into materials for construction or scaffolding. it has been used to build bridges, make bows and arrows, calli-graphy brushes, musical instruments, and steamers for cooking. its shoots can be savoured as a delicacy; its silica has poison antidote properties and alle-viates joint pain. in Asia, bamboo plays a central role, both economically and culturally.
pressure on forests and contribute to fighting poverty in rural areas. however, they say, its use risks encouraging overexploitation of natural resources and the destruction of other forests.
Consumers should always look for products labelled FsC (Forest stewardship Council), which defines environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forestry management practices. Unfortunately, says Françoise Minarro, spokesperson for the Biodiversity and toxic Pollution divisions at greenpeace, “ too little bamboo is FsC certified and produced in our areas. ”
One thing is sure : bamboo’s rapid growth is just starting.
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p These Salomon Origins Bamboo 2012 skis for women have a wood monocoque core with a double layer of bamboo and a double titanium laminate 400.
fs The B2O, signed Fritsch-Durisotti, is a highly eco-friendly bike. Its frame and fork are made entirely of bamboo fibre—strong, natural and quickly renewable. To top things off, bio-ma-terials were also used for the assembly and the finish.
PORTFOLIOWith MAMMUT
On the girder of an abandoned factory, along a cable-car line, inside a lift shaft, in a car scrapyard, and even on a crane! Utterly different and exceptionally daring locations for interna-tionally renowned mountaineers and climbers, more used to making their way up sacrosanct, immaculate mountainsides, far from any rem-
nants of urban life. So they now find themselves in unknown territory. The contrast is striking, and offers a surprising perspective on their disci-pline. The types of summit may have changed, but the technique remains the same, as does the mindset! This is what attracted them and saw them eagerly embrace the chance to break away
from the usual typecasting.In the end, the initiative of the Austrian pho-tographer Rainer Eder and Pascal Brönnimann, sponsorship director at Mammut, produced spectacular shots, with deliberately heightened colours, of sheer artistry. High art, indeed. Truly dizzying…
Forget everything you’ve ever heard about climbing!ExcEptional, spEctacular photos from an EntirEly nEw pErspEctivE
Austrian Anna Stöhr, World Bouldering Champion, skilfully picks her way through a junk yard in Switzerland, clearing dozens of car skeletons before reaching the perfect spot for a photo.
Austrian David Lama, age 20, is perched at 70 metres in a blast furnace at the Landschaftspark in Duisbourg, Germany. This iron smelting plant was operational until 1985. Today, it is open to visitors. But until now no one has had the chance to admire such a breathtaking view of the Ruhr district and the Bas-Rhin – no one, that is, until this junior World Champion got there.
Christina Schmid, multiple-time Swiss Bouldering Champion, climbs through a cloud of climber’s chalk in a 120 metre deep elevator shaft at the Grimsel Hospiz Hotel. Because of strong wind currents, the chalk remained suspended in the air and could not settle as usual, staying with Schmid throughout her climb.
In Bern, Norwegian Magnus Mitboe climbed up a 38 metre high crane facing the gorgeous landscape boasting the Eiger, Mönch, and Junfrau mountains. This exceptional 23-year-old climber seems to like the view.
Thirty-nine year old Swiss extreme mountaineer Stephan Siegrist, who made the first winter ascent of the Torre Egger in 2010, ventured along the Kessiturm Oberaar’s cable car cables, 25 metres above ground, using his ice axes. This cable car covers 3491 metres and provides a breathtaking view over the snow-capped summits of the Grimselwelt.
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Text°°° SaSkia Galitch
,Following on from the major trends this autumn, winter styles remain retro with an almost Mondrian-like
minimalism. So this year we have ski couture, a sober new remake of the styles of the sixties and seventies. Raf Simons for Jil Sander is inspired by Vadim’s “ Liaisons dangereuses 1960 ” while Phoebe Philo for Céline presents seventies herringbones and the Marc Jacobs col-lection boasts pre-disco neoprene. So, if you want to make sure you’re on the right piste style-wise, just follow our advice on this season’s must-have garments.
Ski pantSOnly those over the age of twenty will fully grasp the symbolic nature of wearing ski pants, but this season they’re back with new, more elegant shapes, yet they haven’t lost any of that ever-so-comfortable feel. Several brands carry them and prices are wide-ranging. How to wear them ? They go best with short mountain style cable knit or jacquard patterned pullovers and sweatshirts that emphasise the “ sporty ” style. Footwear : Sensible moccasins (if it’s not too cold), lace-up boots or snow boots. Go for a short hooded anorak with or without belt, with faux fur for a sixties look. Tip : Avoid ski pants if you have either a pear shaped body (bottom heavy) or on the contrary an inverted triangle (top heavy) shape.
pulloverSThe ski couture style means fairly short pullovers in plain primary colours (yellow, red, blue or grass green) with jacquard or geometrical patterns, round-neck or roll-neck or even with a hood. Tight-fitting jumpers are also back. How to wear them ? Plain jumpers can be teamed with multi-coloured skirts or trousers. Jacquard prints or multi-coloured tops go well with plain bottoms. Tip : The famous Irish cable knit jumpers that Marilyn Monroe loved are very much in fashion this winter. There are plenty of mostly short styles, in a wide array of colours.
anorakSThe 2011-2012 season anoraks come in several fabrics and colours, ranging from mat to shiny, from discrete grey to Klein blue. These anoraks sport zip-on hoods, often a faux fur trim and some come with belts. Thanks to technological progress, they provide maximum protection against the cold but remain feather light. How to wear them ? As mentioned above, they look great with ski pants. You can also team them with slim-fit trousers, skating skirts or jumper dresses. Tip : Short puffer jackets with straight cuts and thin padding suit all, including those on the curvaceous side and/or with small frames. As for colour, it all depends on your hair and complexion and you should also account for the main colours in your wardrobe.
The retro style is still very much with us, with designers proposing a new take on the “1960s skier” look.
StyliSh winter SportS
fRaf Simons for Jil Sander, inspired by Vadim’s «Liaisons dangereuses 1960».
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photo contest
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Fiercely independent and open-minded, the American actress will be back on the big screen in 2012 in an adaptation of Maupassant’s “Bel Ami” and in Oliver Stone’s new film, “Savages”.
Text°°° SaSkia Galitch
,Uma is the name of the tibetan goddess of light and beauty. While some names may be chosen at random, hers came
about as the direct result of a rather interesting family background. Her German-born father, Robert A.F. Thurman, was a professor of religion. In 1964 he was the first American to be ordained as a Buddhist monk, af-ter studying with, among others, the Dalai Lama. Her Swedish mother, Nena von Schlebrügge, is a psychotherapist, a profession she turned to after working as a photographic model and following her divorce from the “father of LSD”, Timothy Leary, to whom she was introduced by none other than Salvador Dali! So it’s not hard to imagine that Uma grew up, alongside her three brothers with similarly Tibetan names (Dechen, Ganden and Mipam), in a wonderfully permissive and post-hippy atmosphere…
From modellinG to actinGAt just 15, Uma set off, alone, in search of freedom in New York. Im-mediately signed up by the agency Click Models, she began a career in modelling. But her heart was elsewhere… in the magic of cinema. In 1987 she won a part in “Kiss Daddy Goodnight”, then in the comedy “Johnny Be Good”. Next came “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen”, featuring Thurman as a brazen and rather scantily-clad Venus, then “Dangerous Liaisons ”, directed by Stephen Frears, in which she played the naive – and magnificent! – Cécile de Volange. The role brought her widespread praise; Uma Thurman the actress had arrived. Thanks to her undeniable charisma, her memorable face full of presence and mobility, her sublime and slender six-foot figure, her open-minded approach and wide-ranging abilities – Thurman embod-ied role after role with real flair, and then found true fame with “Pulp Fiction” in 1994. This success allowed her to pick and choose her projects, alternating be-tween small auteur films and Hollywood super-productions, while also responding to the occasional call from cinematic genius Woody Allen for films such as “Sweet and Lowdown” and more regular requests from Quentin Tarantino, whose muse she became. Her virtuoso and violent appearances in both volumes of “Kill Bill” brought her superstar status. In recent years she has devoted much of her time to Maya Ray and Levon Roan, her two children with the actor Ethan Hawke, but she is soon to be back on the big screen in “Bel-Ami”, directed by Declan Donnellan, and in Oliver Stone’s “Savages”, both due for release in 2012.
UmaThurmanKe
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the voice of freedom
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MillenniuM Rescued fRoM disasteRWhen the news of another “Millennium” series film adaptation was announced, this time with an American touch, most of the fans of the Swedish trilogy were scepti-cal (fearing a pathetic disaster), and some were even irritated. Yet, we must admit that fiendish David Fincher rose to the challenge. This director, who also graced us with “Seven”, “Fight Club” and “Zodiac”, has no trouble grasping the meaning of “tenebrous”. Hence, against a perfectly rendered lugubrious backdrop – true to Stieg Larsson’s novels – cynical viewers leave behind their hesitations. It is with a rather perverse pleasure that we follow the misadventures of Mikael Blomkvist (interpreted by the ideally unsavoury Daniel Craig) and zany hacker Lisbeth Salader (played by a convincing Roony Mara), who embark together on a search for Harriet Vanger, who disappeared forty years prior.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, David Fincher, 2011. Starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgard and Goran Visnjic.In cinemas: 18 January 2012.www.dragontattoo.com/home/ (photos: Sony Pictures)
eleMentaRy enteRtainMentSo, a film is a success…what then? Elementary, my dear Ritchie…. make a sequel! And before you know it “Sherlock Holmes 2 - A Game of Shadows” is released. Laden with action scenes, stunts and eccentric veiled messages, this co-lossal, free adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle work lets viewers enjoy their rediscovery of Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr Watson. The remaining cast will pleasantly surprise you as well, with the hilari-ous Stephen Fry (as Mycroft Holmes) and the tantalising Noomi Rapace (as Sim), known for her stunning performance as Lisbeth Salander in the 2009 Swedish adaptation of the “Millen-nium” trilogy. In short, the film’s producers hope that the public will not disappoint, and that this second Sherlock Holmes opus will not be Downey Jr.’s last Sherlockian performance...
“Sherlock Holmes 2 – A Game of Shadows”, Guy Ritchie, 2011. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Noomi Rapace. Announced release date: 22 December. http://sherlockholmes2.warnerbros.com (photos: Warner)
Text°°° saskia Galitch
WATCH OUTTHis WinTer’s gOing TO be HOT !
CinemAAction, emotion, suspense,
thrills and spies: it may be cold outside, but on the big screen,
it’s going to be hot, hot, hot!
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Clint Eastwood’s “J. Edgar”, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts. In cinemas: 11 January 2012.
Steven Soderbergh’s “Haywire”, with Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor and Michael Douglas. Announced release date: 8 March 2012.
“360”, by Fernando Meirelles, with Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Anthony Hopkins. Announced release date: 7 March 2012.
James Cameron’s “Titanic 3D”, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Release date: 5 April 2012.
“Star Wars - Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace 3D”, by George Lucas, with Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman and Jake Lloyd. In cinemas: 8 February 2012.
hoot with deliGht...Based on a true story, “We Bought a Zoo” tells the misadven-tures of a heartbroken widower who buys a failing, southern California zoo in an attempt to put some joy back in his life. With the help of his children and a small team that is as loyal as it is competent, he gives it his all and faces overwhelming chal-lenges. Will he succeed in overcoming adversity? This film’s lovely family (and animal) storyline will make fans of Matt Damon (adorable) and Scarlett Johanssen (yes, she is even sexy dressed as a zookeeper...) hoot with delight.
“We Bought a Zoo”, Cameron Crowe, 2011. Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning and Angus Macfadyen.Announced release date: 28 December 2012. www.weboughtazoo.com (photos: Warner)
once a spy, always a spy!It’s no secret to anyone: when you are an intelligence agent, it’s for life. Just look at George Smiley, one of Britain’s greatest spies who, instead of serenely enjoying his retirement, must go back to work at the request of the Prime Minister. Why? No big deal....it’s just that a Russian spy has infiltrated central London intelligence… how shocking! Smiley is in charge of identifying the mole among his former colleagues. Did you say standard sto-ryline? Perhaps. However, looks can clearly be deceiving...and the plot that unfolds is less predictable than you may think... Moreo-ver, the performance of the entire cast is exceptional. Thrilling...
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, 2011. Starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch. In cinemas: 8 February 2012.www.tinker-tailor-soldier-spy.com (photos: Ascot Elite)
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This twenty-year-old redhead is one of the rising stars of the English scene. His new album, “+”, alternating pop-soul ballads and rhythmic hip-hop tracks, hits Swiss stores in January.
Ed ShEEranA REAL « + »
Text°°° Frédéric rein
,The emergence of english singer ed Sheeran is a real plus. He has a certain something which makes you want to
listen to him again and again. And his compatriots certainly seem to agree : “ The A Team ” and “ You Need Me, I Don’t Need You ”, two tracks from his latest album – out in the UK in September 2011 and awaiting its Swiss release in January – were both top 10 hits over there. The record, entitled “+” appears to anticipate the future. More concerts, more exposure, and the kind of recognition which this twenty-year-old tousled redhead, born in Halifax, has been aspiring to for several years, having released his first EP, “ The Orange Room ”, back in 2005, followed by a further series of recordings which went equally unnoticed.
A YouTube SenSATionIt was only in 2010 that Sheeran began to make a name for himself on YouTube. His reputation has continued to grow ever since, making him one of the rising stars of English music. He himself defines his music as “ acoustic soul hip-hop ”. First we hear a gentle, sensitive ballad highlighting his sweet vocals against the backdrop of an acoustic guitar. Then a few more rhythmic, R’n’B influenced tracks, with a steady flow, even a bit of beatbox. These highly varied styles are handled and blended with real skill by the young guitarist and singer-songwriter. His long-cherished dream of “ being a successful musician ” is now coming true. He attributes this success to a close relationship with his fans and the large num-ber of concerts he plays. Ed Sheeran is now setting out to conquer new territory beyond Britain, guided by his fundamental ambition : “ To be able to do what I love for a living ”, something which shines through in all his work. www.edsheeran.com
cenTre STAge
James Morrison will be performing on 21 March 2012 at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. The English singer will be playing songs from his recently released third album, “ The Awaken-ing ”, and most likely a few of his older hits, such as “You Give Me Something”. www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com
The beautiful Italian singer Laura Pausini is back, with a new album, “ Inedito ”, as well as two shows in Switzerland: at Zu-rich’s Hallenstadion on 10 April, then at Geneva Arena the next day, 11 April. www.laurapausini.com
“ Like a Hobo ” introduced him to the world, and Charlie Winston is back in November with a new album in a similar vein, “ Hello Alone ”, which he will be supporting on stage on 6 March 2012 at D! Club in Lausanne and 27 March at Kaufleuten in Zurich. charliewinston.com
The new album from Jamaican musician Sean Paul is one of the most hotly anticipated releases due in early 2012. Dropping in January, it is sure to delight fans of ragga dancehall, and is likely to include his duo with Alexis Jordan, “ Got 2 Luv U ”, currently a massive hit. www.allseanpaul.com
Warner MusicDisque OfficeWarner MusicUniversal Music
www.outlet-aubonne.ch
The InvIsIble Man
lIu bolIn
This artist’s urban camouflage images are as entertaining as they are impressive. But by allowing his surroundings to swallow him up, he is actually leading a silent rebellion. Bolin uses his work to criticise the role of man in modern society. 30° talks to him about his approach.
Liu Bolin standing in front of a bulldozer in Beijing.
71 | thirty degrees
s The Chinese artist becomes “invisible” in front of the magazine covers of a Parisian newspaper stand!
Text°°° Frédéric rein Photos°°° courtesy oF the artist and Galerie Paris-BeijinG
,he melts into the background and becomes a part of the image. At first glance, you may not even see him. But when
studied more carefully, his silhouette takes shape. Liu Bolin is there, hologram-like. Look closely, and you’ll find the 38-year-old Chinese art-ist, covered head to toe in “ make-up ”. straight as a board, feet slightly apart, arms at his sides, eyes closed. he is unchangeable, like a statue, fixed for all eternity. But he only stays long enough for a photograph, the everlasting proof of his performance.depending on the chosen background, Liu Bolin becomes a movie theatre chair, a portion of the great Wall of China, bottles of soda in a supermarket aisle or a London telephone booth. “ i always choose very symbolic locations, related to politics, the environment or culture, ” explains Bolin, a native of the eastern province of shandong who studied sculpture and today lives in Beijing. “ the painting is done by my assistants and takes an average of four hours, although sometimes it can last as long as eight. We have two working methods. either we paint on-site where the photo shoot will be held, or we do it in the studio, if being on-site isn’t possible. in that case, we take a photo of the scene and then do the make-up. ”
“ PeoPle are destroyed By modern society ” to best recreate the depth of these strange creations, his body repro-duces the ever-present emptiness found all around, whether in plain daylight or in the shadows. Both visible and invisible, present but also somewhat absent, Liu Bolin plays the magician to cloud our sense of perception. Paradoxically, camouflage has become the way he express-es himself. the mimicry is part of an acerbic criticism of the role man plays in his environment. “ human beings are constantly destroyed by modern society. Although our standard of living is improving, we are not sufficiently considered as individuals. it’s as if we were lost in the rat race to quick development. the system swallows us up. that’s why i chose to hide in various urban settings to denounce the situa-tion. in this series, called “ hide in the City ”, i hope to show people that society makes us transparent, turns a blind eye to our individual personalities, refuses to give us refuge!” does he believe there is a way to change the outcome? “ A single individual is nothing compared to the world. that’s just the way it is, but we can take a stand by rejecting consumer society. ”
an aPolitical artist Liu Bolin is committed to his work, but remains apolitical. he says, “ i do not want to be considered as a political artist. My work simply questions the status of human beings within today’s society. And while people may be more oppressed by the system in China than in europe, i’m sure that each of us can feel a certain uneasiness in some way or another. i’m not the only one ! ”it’s an uneasiness Bolin felt strongly in 2005, “ after my workshop and those of other artists were closed by the local government to make greater profit from the real estate. ” if this anti-establishment artist admits that he’d been mulling over the idea of an invisible man since 2001, it was this incident that allowed it to “ materialise ”. his first photo was taken in front of the ruins of his studio. in 2009, he became known on an international scale. today, Bolin’s images – which sell for $6000 to $12,000 each – do not go unnoticed.
View the entire “ hide in the City ” series by Liu Bolin at http://www.parisbeijingphotogallery.com/main/hide_in_the_city.asp
i One man cannot hide a forest.
s Liu Bolin takes a seat in an Italian
movie theatre.
THE SAMURAIIN THE LAND OF
WHITE GOLD
Romain Grojean speeds down the
slopes of Hakuba, with Shirouma-
dake in thebackground
(3000 m peak).
Text and photos°°° Andy PArAnt
,Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, is at the same latitude as the French Alps. Factor in the cold air blowing
across from Siberia and you’ll understand why this destination is renowned for the quality of its snow. And that was all it took for French skiers Romain Grojean and Damien Chailloux to decide to spend a month exploring the slopes of Japan.Their journey started in Hakuba, in the Nagano Prefecture on the Island of Honshū, just three hours from Tokyo. In this huge region – well worth the few days spent there – a short walk was all it took to hurtle down powder-covered slopes in a distinctive setting, framed by the peak of Shirouma-dake (3,000 m). In fact, this part of Japan is famed for its treeless slopes with the sheerest drops in the whole country. With a 360º view atypical in Western countries, in one direction, the horizon extends before you, dotted with tree-covered hills, while on your other side, mountains rise to 3,000 m, towering above you and underscoring the fact that this is an ideal location for skiing.
fRomain Grojean barely avoids «drown-ing» on the volcano of Asahi (2290 m)!iiThe unusual one-man ski-lift of
Tomamu, with RomainGrojean underneath.
iRomain Grojean enjoyingthe Niseko powder.
oRomain Grojean carves up Hakuba against the imposing backdrop of
Shirouma-dake (3000 m).
Standing 3,776 meters tall, Japan’s Mount Fuji offers you the chance to ski through powdery snow on volcanic slopes. You could also head towards birch forests, or opt for the beautiful bare slopes of the Japanese Alps. One thing is sure: in Japan there’s something for everyone.
Skiing down A mountAin of fireAfter coasting down the slopes used for the Nagano Olympic Games, Romain and Damien decided to head to the northernmost island and its famous volcanoes. Upon arrival at Mount Asahi’s cable car (2,290 m), they were surprised by the omnipresent smell of sulphur. They set off, walking along a fumarole in search of virgin snow, seeking the thrill in the paradox of skiing on a mountain of fire.Don’t expect to find wide open slopes on Hokkaido. The mountains are covered with trees and drops range from 300 to 900 meters. However, this didn’t stop Romain from demonstrating his talents, carving away with the speed of a Formula 1 racer and throwing in every imaginable aerial manoeuvre.
In Niseko, the slopes face Mount Y ūtei, a magnificent volcano 1,898 me-ters in height which strongly evokes images of Mount Fuji. From atop the mountain, the two skiers headed through a gate controlled by ski patrols to enter a large field of powdery snow. In Japan, off-piste skiing is allowed, but nobody takes safety lightly.One day of skiing followed another, each awesome landscape blanketed with soft, abundant snow.During the trip back to France, Romain and Damien couldn’t help reliv-ing their journey through Samurai country. Heads in the clouds, they thought back on every encounter, on the complete change of scenery, and above all on the unrivalled snow which brought them so much joy. One thing is sure- those mountains will be calling them back again.
iDamien Chailloux effortlessly clears a path through incred-ibly light snow in Asahidake.fTokyo lightsby night. p«Family portrait» in Asahidake, with our guide, Toshi.
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Seb Michaud aNd FRieNdS
81 | thirty degrees
Seb Michaud does a back flip against the vast expanse of Valle
Hermoso, Argentina.
o The full team taking part in the 2011 “Seb Michaud Invitation”.
f Jérémy Prévost at the end of the run and the end of the day. Tough guy!
Texte°°° Serge greter Photos°°° tero repo et Dom Daher
,every summer, French freerider Seb michaud sends out an invitation to experience unbridled freedom, an invitation
to cut straight to the quintessence of the sport, to the total thrill of soaring through the air and hurtling down pristine slopes. the inter-national riders he invites – both skiers and snowboarders – are brought together for the primal goal of experiencing sheer pleasure in a place far from the stresses of competition and the fight for the podium. And the environment always lends itself to splendour. indeed, in August this beautiful world took wing for the Andes, the southern hemi-sphere’s freeriding mecca.the third edition of the “ seb Michaud invitaçion,” which brought together twelve participants – including three women – took place atop the peaks of the Argentinean Andes. the team set up their solitary “campo” at an altitude of 2200 meters in the Matensila massif, an isolated spot only accessible by cross-country skis and snowmobiles. And for eight days in a tent and eight nights around the camp fire, the freeriders experienced unparalleled bliss as they flew across the untouched snow.the founder of this film project, which has been backed by several important brands, shares with us his unforgettable experience.
The third edition of the event again took place in the Andes. Why do you return to South America every year ?the location is awe-inspiring and the slopes stretch out across the ho-rizon until they slip out of sight. Another reason i decided to head back to the southern hemisphere is because one of the organizers of “ La Michaud,” serge Cornillat, has spent the last 15 winters in the southern hemisphere, criss-crossing the hidden valleys of the Andes.
Every year, French skier Seb Michaud brings together internationally renowned athletes for the “Seb Michaud Invitaçion.” Incredible days on the snow-covered slopes of the Argentinean Andes give rise to pure pleasure as the skiers experience freeriding in all its grandeur.
The event takes place at an off-peak time and is conveyed through images, making it a good way to give voice to your sport through film and photography. Does this also bring riders together ?you could say so. Most of all, it’s a great way to spend a fortnight with friends who are crazy about skiing. No rankings, no competi-tion, just pure pleasure. But it’s also impor-tant to know how to manage this beautiful world so that there’s no jealousy, to know how to give each of the guests the same amount of time. After all, a rider’s always a rider!
How would you describe your event ?it seems quite appropriate to me that the seb Michaud invitaçion has a south American feel that fits the place. this is back to the basics: riding, friends, meat, and a good old “campo” to sleep while freezing our buns off !
Are you the only person on the freeride circuit who invites your friends along with you ?As far as i know, this is the only freeride event of its kind which takes place abroad. however, i should clarify that the word “ invitation ” is not the whole story, since every participant has to find funding from his or her own sponsors. this means that the people who come are deeply committed to the event and are motivated to bring back images which we will use in putting together videos and photos.
p Pia Widmesser has a blast on “Face C”.
s The skiers are pulled up to the peaks with a
snowmobile.
What was special about the 2011 edition ?For our third edition, serge and i decided to camp at a high altitude in order to have a better snow base. And luck was on our side : we were able to ride through 50 cm of fresh snow. to add a bit more charm and a common thread to tie our adventure together, i also invited along an illustrator pal of mine, Pierre Amoudry. he sketched for the whole trip, and ended up with more than 140 illustrations.
What stories won’t be in the film ?Well, since i invited people like enak gavag-gio, the trip was filled with jokes and dirty tricks. some of us crawled into our sleeping bags to find a rabbit’s foot at the bottom of it. yes, we went hunting and caught a rabbit. there are plenty of them in the area, and besides, it was delicious!
Is a 2012 event already in the works ?2012 is both a long way off and just around the corner. We are planning on holding the event, but haven’t confirmed it yet. it’s not easy to turn something like this into an annual event. i think i’ll be able to pull it off, but every year we have to change riders, come up with new ideas for the film, and not go around and around in circles. We’ll see… For now, we’re just enjoying the success of the wonderful event we just held.
i Mati Imbert checks his line one last time before pushing off the starting ridge.
p Enak Gavaggio finishes his run in a big loop.s Pee break, somewhere between Mendoza and San
Rafael, while Marion Parizet gets an eyeful!
you can see the films about this adventure atwww.zapiks.fr/mi3-part-1.html
and www.zapiks.fr/mi3-seconde-partie.html
GiantXtour/Nendaz
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This national, interscholastic snowboard (Snowboard Cross and Big Air) and ski (Ski Cross and Big Air) competition will blow out its fifteenth candle in 2012. And there are many reasons for the competition to continue to aim high.
Text°°° Jean-Marc Sueur
,They themselves would never have bet their tasselled beanies that they would join together in celebration on March 17,
2012 in the mountain pastures of Leysin in the Vaud Alps. In 1998, this handful of pals floated the idea of bringing together some 80 found-ers who were attracted to the idea of putting their two feet on a single board. At the time, Didier Cuche still had hair and nobody would have guessed that this small competition among friends would grow to at-tract more than 2,000 participants 15 years later.Snowboard Cross, the pioneering sport, was joined by Big Air (ski and snowboard) in 2003 and Ski Cross in 2005, powered by an exuberant soundtrack and a Gymnaestrada-inspired ambiance (pleasure before competition), a recipe which paid dividends on its path to winning over German-speaking Switzerland.Initially meant for schoolchildren from French-speaking Switzerland, the Rivella GiantXtour by Dakine – which has been renamed numer-ous times – promises to unite Switzerland’s 26 cantons. 24 of them have already been won over, representing more than 320,000 potential students, who will be whittled down to 128 finalists ready to participate in the finals in Leysin on March 12th.And since the GiantXtour isn’t ageist, it also features the Open Pro, which lets any person who can stand atop a board join in the party.
In fact, events in Grimentz and La Lenk will give a chance to anyone who has already had his or her driver’s license for a good long while to qualify for the finals.
ProTecTing an ecological heriTageA new kind of skiing comes with a new way of thinking. Indeed, pro-tecting the environment and natural heritage have long been one of the values the organization has taken pride in upholding. Just a few of its many initiatives include promoting shared transportation and power-ing staff vehicles using natural gas. In addition to the pleasure of a job well-done, the organization has set its sights on the Ecosport prize, with Philippe Wenger, the father of the event, at its helm. The idea is to show that you can be young and dress and talk differently, yet still show the “old folks” that the length of your pants is not inversely proportionate to your degree of open-mindedness.
The program for the celebration, including the big festival on March 17, featuring sound by Couleur3, is available at www.giantXtour.ch. And if the word “safety” is something that really speaks out to you, check out the information at www.thefreeday.ch.
GiantXtourCrystal anniversary and Golden aGe
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freerideworldtour.com / Christophe Margot
Le Freeride WorLd Tour
FREEDOM Without borders
Get ready for an exciting ride! The 5th edition of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) – a 30° par-tner for many years – is about to begin. Here’s a brief overview of the 2012 event, which, in a new twist, will end with a match-up between the best European and American riders.
How to qualifySo you got skis or a snowboard for Christmas and are interested in the FWT. What should you do? Be one of the best participants from the previous edition; participate in as many events as pos-sible at the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) – and remember that only your three best scores will be considered; or pray that being really nice to one of the organizers will score you one of their few wild cards.And if you’re really unlucky – you get poor weather conditions or your skills aren’t up to par – you can always come along to the party! Strap on your boots and head on down to Chamonix, Fieber-brunn or Verbier. Get ready to be amazed by the “FWT villages,” enormous exhibition spaces bringing together anything and eve-rything related to the world of freeriding. Who knows…you might even find the gear you need to qualify for the 2013 edition!
Text°°° JEaN-MaRC SuEuR
,trends don’t necessarily imply anarchy. that’s why the rapidly growing discipline of freeriding – which
fills a clear need for freedom in the world of mountain sports – is on the verge of becoming one of the best organized snow sports. In addition to the GiantXtour, whose early years in French-speaking Switzerland have given birth to a country-wide event, over the years the FWT has gained international clout. Four European events (in Chamonix, Roldal, Fieberbrunn and Sotchi; see the inset box for more information) and more than 35 qualifying rounds, including two in Switzerland –the Nendaz Freeride and the Stimorol Engadinsnow in St-Moritz – give the best skiers and snowboarders the right to square off at the final event, the legendary Verbier Xtreme.This alone would be enough, but 2012 is adding a new twist to the mix: just like football’s Intercontinental Cup, where European and South American champions used to face off, a sixth match-up will pit the best of the Old World against the crème de la crème of the US Tour in the ultimate challenge. Will it be Alaska or British Columbia – the US or Canada? Tensions are rising in the heat of the event. Weather conditions, hard negotiations in diplomatic circles and fate itself will together determine who is better placed to pull off the biggest 2012 event in worldwide freeriding
Want more information? Check out the 2012 FWT season calendar at www.freerideworldtour.com Et, au fil de la saison, des bonus vidéo sur le site de 30° et sur l’iPad.
Jean
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drytooling
scaling rockand ice
Introducing dry-tooling, a sport that combines the
technique and safety of rock climbing with the agility
needed to tackle ice.
Jean
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Text°°° Serge greter
,As the cold blows in, rocky cliffs don their fine winter garb. Like stately coquettes, they clothe themselves in
finely-jagged gowns of ice, and stalactites hanging like dazzling strings of ephemeral jewels. Their slender white limbs beckon to dry-tooling enthusiasts, inviting them out on a date—a date less gallant than one would presume. Dry-tooling, you say? It’s a charming blend of rock climbing and ice waterfall scaling tech-niques; a mixed sport that provides climbers with stretches of both ice and rock; a time and place where ice axes and crampons share the spotlight with rope and harness. These mixed vertical formations, often set at dizzying heights and sometimes includ-ing sections which run perpendicular to the slope, demand of climbers not only endurance and strength, but also the agility needed to hook on to the ice.
SAfe! It is an appealing alternative to ice waterfalls, whose steep sec-tions are often few and far between. Dry-tooling also requires a wider range of techniques and skills, while at the same time providing a greater degree of safety, since unlike ice climbing, bolts are generally fixed into the solid rock rather than into towering blocks of ice in perpetual motion. On top of which, the development of unleashed dry-tooling axes, with ‘trigger’ grips that provide a variety of different holds up the shaft—makes things easier for «dry-toolers» by simplifying the moves required for the climb. In all, the sport provides climbers with everything they need to tackle these impressive rock walls and their winter capes.
In winter, when crag becomes cloaked with tremendous icicles, a perfect playground appears, providing mixed climbing enthusiasts with the ideal conditions to test their mettle. Let’s take a closer look at this highly technical sport.
Being athletic is a must; but fixed bolts make the climb safe
Beat
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fraternal ties and bondsthe anthamatten’s
Simon, top, and Samuel Antha-
matten, reach the Zmutt ridge on the Matterhorn.
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Text°°° Jean-Marc Sueur
,In some situations, the expression “ to be attached to someone ” takes on a whole new meaning. Like when you are half
way up the Jasemba (7350m, Nepal), which had never been climbed before on the southern face until these two did it in 2009. Not only were they attached with a rope, but there were family ties too ! Simon (28) and Samuel (25) share both a name and a passionate love of climbing. In the Anthamatten family, everyone climbs. The two brothers accom-plished their feat on 29th October 2009, along with Michi Lerjen, another pure bred climber from Zermatt. It remains their most spec-tacular climb to date. Yet their career has been eventful, with expeditions to the Matterhorn (where a route is named after them), the Mount Hunter in Alaska or El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley in the USA. “ Climbing with your brother, whose every movement you know by heart, makes things much easier. The only downside is for our parents : they worry twice as much... ” says Samuel
and a thIrd…So, is mountain climbing a family tradition ? “ Not really, considering our parents never encouraged us to do it. ” Yet a third Anthamatten, Martin (27) is also well-known in mountain circles, but in another discipline : ski mountaineering. He won the well-known Patrouille des Glaciers in 2010. “ There’s just our little sister, Marillia, who’s 21 and hasn’t followed in our footsteps, although she does do a lot of sport ”, says Samuel.Simon climbs in America, but Samuel, with less experience than his fellow climbers, is content to guide his clients around the Swiss moun-tains. “ I’m still a young guide… ”, he says. Samuel earns his living ski-ing but as the season is short he also sometimes takes the opportunity to do some carpentry, his initial profession. Whatever he does though, he has the same aim : to reach the top !
www.anthamattens.ch
Aged 25 and 28 years respectively, Samuel and Simon represent the up and coming generation of Swiss climbers. Family ties !
Simon (in red) and Samuel Anthamatten on the top of Mount Hunter, Alaska.
www.protrek.eu
PRG-240-8ERCHF 349.–
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AuthenticStephan Siegrist and Pro Trek
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GlenText°°° Stefan SchieSSer / SaLeWa
,With so many self-styled experts around these days, it’s important to be choosy when dishing out the title “living
legend”. There are only a select few who deserve just such a billing, and Glen Plake is one of them. Never seen without his trademark dyed Mohican haircut, the American is regarded as one of the founders of freestyle and big mountain skiing. Larger than life, carefree and always bursting with energy, Glen is an outstanding ambassador not just for extreme skiing but for the sport in general.
a Lifetime devoted to Skiing Glen Plake’s passion for the sport was ignited when he wore skis for the first time at the age of two. That early experience made a huge impact on him and his love of skiing has remained undimmed ever since. Taking part in Alpine skiing competitions as a youngster, he then tried his hand at moguls, a discipline that allowed him to hone his technique. Glen then made his way into the US national mogul skiing team, becom-ing a three-time world champion. After setting up at his adopted resort of Chamonix, he discovered big mountain and extreme skiing, throwing himself into his new passions with typical commitment and chalking up a string of firsts in South and North America, Europe and Asia.
aLcohoL, drugS and doing timeLife as a freestyle ski punk has not been without its pitfalls for Glen. Leav-ing school at the age of 16, he adopted his famous Mohican a year later, much to the disgust of his parents, who threw him out of home. As a pioneering professional freestyle skier, he has lived life to excess. Now a wiser man following his brush with alcohol, drugs and prison, he remains as passionate as ever about his skiing, his status as the most unorthodox and best-known Mohican on the freestyle skiing scene still unchallenged.
plakea livinG leGend of freestyle skiinG
i The freeriding punk scaling the Glacier de la Noire, Chamonix.
f Though well into his 40s, Glen Plake
remains a master of the iciest slopes.
A pioneer of extreme skiing, the Californian maverick is still hurling himself down sheer icy slopes despite being the wrong side of 40. Then again, Glen Plake has never been ‘conventional’.
Yves
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a founder of free-Ski mountaineeringNow into his 40s, Glen remains as sure-footed as ever on icy 60-degree slopes at 6,000 metres altitude and spends half his time on skis, no mat-ter the time of year. An ambassador of free-ski mountaineering, he has also formed part of the international SALEWA alpineXtrem Team for the last year. Glen knows most of the world’s freeride spots like the back of his hand, and prefers the kind of peaks and descents that are inaccessible by cable car, snow bike and helicopter. A disciple of the Climb2Ski philosophy, he has a global concept of mountains, making use of crampons, ice axes and a range of belay techniques to carry out ascents in demanding Alpine conditions, while making descents down sheer faces, couloirs and steep, virgin slopes, some of them untouched by man – just the kind of places where Glen likes to play. In 2006 he took the spirit of free-ski mountaineering all the way to the Indian Himalayas, negotiating slopes packed hard with snow and angling to up to 60 degrees, the kind of adventure that has secured him a lasting place in skiing history. “Ski ya later”, as the man himself says.
Skiing’S mr coLourfuLA genuine living legend of freestyle and big mountain skiing, the Califor-nian has given pleasure to skiers around the world with his unforgettable appearances in films such as The Blizzard of Aahhhs, A Fistful of Moguls, License to Thrill and The Edge of Never. In 2006 Powder Magazine named him the Most Influential Skier of its 35-year history, and in October 2010 he was inducted into the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. An unmistakable figure with his Mohican, Glen has made an indelible and colourful mark on the world of freestyle and big mountain skiing over the last two decades.
i Glen Plake, in a couloir on the Vallée Blanche sector of the
Glacier de la Noire.
o You can’t hurtle down the slopes of the
Glacier de la Noire without climbing
them first.
p With his trademark Mohican, it’s hard for Glen to go unnoticed!
Yves Garneau
Neuf himalayistes en herbe genevois, encadrés par deux guides helvétiques, ont ouvert cet été trois sommets vierges au cœur du Zanskar. Récit.
Texte°°° Stéphane Schaffter Photos°°° alpineSS 2011
,le 1er août, nous nous réunissons à leh, en inde. Il y a neuf himalayistes en herbe genevois, menés par Pauline Masset.
Avec un confrère guide, nous allons les encadrer. A ce petit groupe s’ajoutent l’incontournable officier de liaison, des cuisiniers et deux amis sherpas. Trois jours et quelques pistes arides plus tard, Reru est atteint par Kargill et Padum. Nous optons alors pour la rive gauche de la vallée de la Reru Nala, qui doit nous conduire en 3 jours à notre camp de base. Et là, première surprise. Nos yaks et nos chevaux, effrayés par la difficulté du terrain, refusent de s’y engager. Marche arrière, autre rive et arrivée au camp de base avec deux jours de retard. Les choses sérieuses peuvent commencer…
red apple peak (6070 m)Poussés par l’enthousiasme de certains, nous dénichons un passage dans les moraines afin d’atteindre le glacier de Katkar, étalé sur plus de 10 km.
Des alpinistes suissesjouent les pionniers en inDe
Sous le Red Apple Peak, dos à un panora-ma de montagnes vierges, avec au loin les
Gurdhav/Menthosa et le Kaotal Jot.
Une équipe satisfaite sur le Red Apple Peak, à 6070 mètres d’altitude.
Progression délicate au-dessus de
Katlar Lake, dans un monde encore
immaculé.
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Gavin McKaySpot: Verbier (CH)
Photographer: Yves Garneau
Au lendemain de ces violents efforts, à 4983 m d’altitude, la neige se met à tomber. L’occasion pour nous de nous reposer et de nous acclimater avant notre première tentative d’ascension du Red Apple Peak, pour l’heure invisible.Convaincu de réussir, un petit groupe – Laurence Di Fiori, Fred Dupraz, Greg Trollier, Jiri Minar, Olivier Messerli et moi-même – s’élance quelques jours plus tard à l’assaut de ce pic. Il ne faut pas traîner, car la mousson venue du sud nous guette. Mais la météo nous force à battre en retraite. Nous restons bloqués 3 jours au camp 1. Le 17 août, un bout de ciel bleu se dessine à l’horizon, et nous décidons de forcer le destin. La couverture neigeuse dissimule les crevasses, et la progression dans ce champ de mines joue avec nos nerfs. Près de 10 heures d’efforts plus tard, nous atteignons une énorme corniche, en prenant soin d’éviter les possibles avalanches sous le sommet. Dans cet univers de cimes vierges, le panorama est exceptionnel.
Gocook peak (6050 m)Ce même 17 août, la deuxième équipe – composée du guide Yannick Flugi, de Yannick Coquoz (finalement contraint à l’abandon), de Sébastien Colsenet, de Marc Rouiller, du sherpa Pekma et du cuisinier Gokul – quitte également le camp de base, pour partir à la conquête du Gocook Peak. Les pentes, souvent à plus de 50 degrés, rendent la progression délicate et le danger d’avalanche omniprésent. Mais l’expérience de Yannick Flugi et des Népalais est précieuse pour conduire le groupe jusqu’en haut. Les instants indicibles savourés au sommet ne font toutefois pas oublier la descente, souvent fatale aux alpinistes. Mais tous reviendront sains et saufs.
tonG’a miduk ri (6040 m)La veille du retour, Fred Dupraz et Olivier Messerli s’envolent vers une dernière conquête, le Tong’a Miduk Ri. Un dernier exploit qui conclut parfaitement cette expédition, tout en faisant honneur à sa devise: «Utiliser respectueusement son expérience alpine pour servir son plaisir…»
Plus de détails sur cette expédition sur www.expe-alpiness.ch
Avec la neige fraîche, les efforts consentis sont encore plus importants pour atteindre le Gocook Peak.
Innovate: this is the key word for our consumer society, and especially, the multimedia sector, where functionality is combined with aesthetics to create exceptional new products. Demonstration.
When Design goes to Work for technology
Text°°° Eric rivEra
,combining advanced technologies with modern design helps endow high-tech products with new functionalities. Apple
is a textbook example of this, but other brands are also pursuing the route to combine beauty with power.The Cupertino-based company was on target with its MacBook Air, and the PC world is integrating the general aspects of this strategy into ultrabooks. Like the Asus UX21, ultrabooks are meant to be as light as they are powerful, and have a solid battery life. With their competi-tive prices, they should be on the list of those star products during the year-end holiday season.Some brands excel in transforming standard multimedia objects into works of art, like Loewe with its Art Led televisions. Thanks to pearl-
TECHNOTECHNO
escent microparticles embedded in the finish, these televisions go well with all types of wood and interior lighting. They also include the latest technologies, like VOD and social network connection capabilities, in perfect harmony with the latest trends. Selecting your first Smartphone can force you to pit duty against desire. Why not opt for the new Sony Ericsson Xperia ray ? It is very powerful, and can host the same functionalities as seemingly more complete Android models, like a high quality, 8.1 Megapixel camera that allows you to film in HD. Its elegant and sleek design, small size and attractive price should make it hugely successful.In an attempt to capture special moments with as much style as func-tion, Canon has a gem to offer: the PowerShot S100. This compact digital camera has a 12.1 Megapixel sensor with enhanced low-light
performance and successfully combines an equivalent 24 x 120 mm focal length with a f/2.0
aperture at wide-angle and a stabilized 20 x zoom – all in an elegant casing that weighs a mere 7 ounces! It has a Full HD video mode with 9.6 fps capability and a geolocation function thanks to its integrated GPS.
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Text°°° Eric rivEra
,Even though it was the iPhone, with its touch screen and user-friendliness, that introduced the general public to a
universe previously reserved for geeks, all manufacturers have now entered the market, with varying degrees of success. Android, Google’s operating system for smartphones, has even beaten out Apple in terms of market share. Android thus becomes the new Microsoft for mobile platforms and can be installed on a very wide range of smartphones, just as Windows can accommodate nearly all electronic components (processors…). These processors, which have been optimised to con-sume as little as possible, largely outclass the processors that equipped
Led by Apple’s iPhone, the smartphone market continues to expand…And these veritable pocket-sized computers have even more surprises in store for us...
our computers ten years ago. The addition of HD-capable video sensors provides easy access to augmented reality. American police officers even use this process to analyse the potential risk for crime to occur in a given neighbourhood in real time.
as a rEPlacEmEnt for laPtoP comPutErsNothing seems to stop the evolution of these virtual multitasking ma-chines, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to live without them. According to manufacturers, the next step in their develop-ment will take place in 2012, when flexible screens with looks that have been unthinkable until now (not unlike the Kristian Ulrich Flip Phone concept, which is not all that eccentric after all) will be launched… In the long run, it is easy to imagine smartphones replacing our laptop computers. The Motorola Atrix demonstrated the feasibility of this concept by combining a telephone with a laptop casing. For standard office tasks, a simple desktop dock that links the phone to a keyboard, a mouse and a screen does the job perfectly. The only question left in the dark is whether or not manufacturers are ready to swallow up the low-price laptop computer sector, which has already been eroded by tablet PCs...
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Will smartphones leave any room for pcs?
THE TROLLEY: AIRLINE CONVENIENCE IN YOUR OWN HOMEStanding 103 cm tall, this little piece of mobile furniture has an exotic look to it, which is probably because it’s based on the trolley you see wheeled up and down airplane aisles. Reworked into a bar, mobile bookcase or kitchen unit, it comes in blue, grey or the corporate design of your choice, and retails for about the same price as a business-class flight: 1,500 CHF for the standard model and 1,850 CHF for the twin unit. www.easy-trolley.ch
WINTER PASS: HALF-PRICE SKIINGWith the Winter Pass, 12 ski resorts off the beaten track will be even cheaper than usual to ski at this year. Simply pick up a copy for 35 CHF and you’ll get a 50% discount on your day pass at Arolla, Villars-Gryon, Loèche-les-Bains, Ovron-naz and Leysin/Les Mosses, not to mention the other featured resorts. In all there are 500 kilo-metres of half-price runs for you to enjoy. With a limited number of copies available, you can get your Winter Pass at www.winterpass.ch and at selected sports stores, listed on the site.
SOREL MAD BOOT LACE BOOTS: GENUINELYVINTAGESorel’s Mad Boot Lace boots combine the label’s cult features with a modern, functional design, looking both chunky and stylish. The full grain leather uppers are easy on the eye, feel reassuringly comfy and keep your feet bone dry, while the aggressive saw-tooth outsole is a nod to Sorel’s 1980s Pro Flex snowboard boots. The vintage look in all its splen-dour. www.sorel.com
LOGITECH® MINI BOOMBOX: SMALL SPEAKER, BIG SOUNDThis little speaker makes for an ideal Christmas gift for anyone looking for great sound on the move. Mobile, wireless and ultra compact, the
Mini Boombox connects to smart-phones, tablets, notebooks and other
Bluetooth®-enabled devices, and is the perfect companion for music, films, games
and calls. www.logitech.ch
By CHRISTIAN BUGNON
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KARI TRAA: WOOL CLOTHINGWITH FAIR ISLE PATTERNS Following the success of last year’s collection, Kari Traa is back with a bright and colourful 2011/12 range. Quintessen-tially feminine, this seamless, knitted pink sweater will keep you warm and dry, and is soft on the skin too. Also featuring polo-neck and zip tops, as well turtleneck tops and tights, Kari Traa clothes are made from double-knitted Merino wool to keep you comfortable and warm, but not too hot.www.karitraa.com
BEOSOUND 8: MUSIC, BANG & OLUFSEN-STYLE Bang & Olufsen is marking its 86th anniversary with an unprecedent-ed success story: the BeoSound 8. Fusing stunning sound perfor-mance with elegant design, these speaker docks for iPad, iPhone and iPod are already a best seller, with 50,000 units sold in little over a year. www.bang-olufsen.com
SOS: WRAP UP WARM AND STYLISH THISWINTER Classic lines and a hood with faux fur trim: this women’s jacket by Sportswear of Sweden (SOS) will help you keep the chills out this winter, while remaining ever so stylish. www.sportswearofsweden.com
JASMINE: WELL-BEINGNEVER SMELLED SO GOODSubtle aromas and immaculate de-sign: that’s the Jasmine scent diffuser. Looking like a simple bowl, it silently releases your favourite fragrance. You can even set it to perfume your room at 20-minute intervals throughout the day. Fill it with water and add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice, and Jasmine’s ultrasound technology does the rest, creating an ultra-fine mist that fills every corner of the room. Further info at:www.stadlerform.ch
FREITAG: YOUR IPAD2 SLEEVEProtect your cherished iPad2 with the new Freitag sleeve. Made from recycled truck tarpaulins, these snazzy cases boast a magnetic cover providing instant screen access with a flick of the wrist, and can be folded into four dif-ferent positions. www.freitag.ch
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SALEWA VASAKI POWERTEX 3LAYER TROUSERSMade of three-layer PTX Ultimate material, these trousers are stretchable, soft and tough with it, their modern, comfortable and ergonomic styling rounded off by colour-contrasting fabric inner lining. Developed in conjunction with freeride legend Glen Plake, Salewa Vasaki Powertex 3 trousers have been designed to re-spond to every situation, in both ascents and descents. Complete with practical full-length side zips offering good ventilation, they also feature an adjustable waist-band, integrated gaiters and reinforcement inserts on the inside leg. www.salewa.ch
MAMMUT: SAFETY FIRSTMammut has extended its Snow Safety range with the all-new Ride Airbag anti-avalanche Removable Airbag System, developed by the Swiss company Snowpulse SA. Available in 22- or 30-litre versions, the airbag inflates to a size of 150 litres in three seconds flat thanks to a 300-bar disposable compressed-air cartridge. It is activated mechanically by pulling on a reusable handle located in the shoulder strap. www.mammutsportsgroup.ch
DYNAFIT TITAN ULTRALIGHT: THEBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEINGThe revolutionary new Titan Ultralight is the lightest freeride touring boot in the world. Offering the same rigidity and descent performance as its Titan predeces-sors, it comes even lighter, weighing in at an incredible
1,750 grams, helping you maintain your energy levels and stay in control on steep off-piste
slopes. The super-stiff Pebax material mix and carbon heel reinforcements make this one comfortable and effective boot when you’re ripping down mountains. www.dynafit.com
JULBO ORBITER: GOGGLES FOR THE 21ST CENTURYBig mountain freeriding has a new cutting-edge in the shape of Or-biter large-format goggles. The ventilated Zebra or Camel spherical photochromic lens offers category 2 to 4 protection and peripheral vision of the whole mountain. No matter what the light conditions, nothing will escape your eyes. www.julbo-eyewear.com
COLUMBIA BASELAYER:20% MORE HEATForget everything you’ve ever heard about performance underwear. Columbia has taken innovation a step further by offer-ing cold-sensitive souls the very latest in bodymapped sportswear. Using similar technology to NASA survival blankets, the Baselayer range features Omni-Heat thermal reflective dots to retain body heat where it’s needed most, not to mention Omni-Wick technology to wick away perspiration and keep you dry all day long. www.columbia.com
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By CHRISTIAN BUGNON
CORUM ADMIRAL’S CUPSEAFENDER 48 CHRONO CENTRO
As its name suggests, in an endless quest for innovation and originality, Corum has set
about rewriting its codes of watchmaking with this timepiece, positioning the seconds hand
on the same axis as the central hour and minute hands, rather than on the conventional smaller
counter. Water-resistant to 300 metres, the Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Chrono Centro comes with a textile-look leather strap with yellow stitching and a titanium
tongue buckle. www.corum.ch
AUDEMARS PIGUETROYAL OAK OFFSHOREFew watches are as regal as the Royal OakOffshore. This prestigious range features three new chronographs, each sporting an outsize 44mm case, a refined, modern dial, and powered by the Manufacture 3120 automatic movement.See the collection for yourself at:www.audemarspiguet.com
TAG HEUER MIKROTIMER FLYING 1000This devilishly precise mechanical chronograph is the first in the world to measure and display thousandths of a second, making it 125 times more accurate than most of its rivals and ten times more precise than the Heuer Carrera Mikrograph 1/100th of a Second chronograph. It was also voted Sports Watch of the Year at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2011. www.tagheuer.com
OMEGA PLANET OCEAN 45.5Equipped with OMEGA’s exclusive 9300/9301 coaxial movement, this timepiece boasts a striking stainless steel case measuring 45.50 mm across and comes with a matt orange aluminium or matt black ceramic bezel, matching the black dial. The magnificent minute and hour counter completes what is an intuitive user interface. www.omega.ch
ALPINA STARTIMER CLASSIC COLLECTIONA new collection that pays tribute to Alpina’s treasured heritage and its commitment to making reliable, tried-and-tested timepieces, something it has been doing for a century now. A habitual innovator, Alpina has remained loyal to the values that underpin its reputation, continuing to craft daring, elegant and refined designs synonymous with reliability, now and for always. www.alpina-watches.com
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Creativity, originality, unique ambiances and classy concepts are thankfully not lacking among us. In this column, 30º cracks open its urban address book and shares some of its favourite spots.
Now, at a spot Near you!
MaNoraA plethora of choices! It’s a formula that works like a charm for the largest restaurant (seats 800) of the Manor chain, near the Geneva train station, with a terrace that’s open year-round and overlooking the roofs of Geneva with a view of the water fountain. Pizzas can be enjoyed alongside sand-wiches, salad buffets, sushi, steamed fish and grilled meats. Not to men-tion the bread, made on location, and an array of fruit juices and pastries. This self-service restaurant serves 2500 to 3000 customers daily, and they do not come by chance. Every day, more than two tons of fresh food—80% of which is sourced locally—is prepared by professionals under the watchful eyes of their customers. Ice cream aside, frozen foods are out along with canned goods. The decor is predominantly brown, brightened with green and orange. It’s a modern setting, which also includes a corner lounge. A chain restaurant like few others.Restaurant Manora, rue de Cornavin 6, 1201 Geneva, 022/908.66.00.Closed on Sundays. Open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except Thursdays(9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.).
L’INdécIsShall I, shall I not? Despite the name (meaning «undecided» in French), there was no hesitation in crossing the threshold of this Lausanne estab-lishment located near the train station, where on sunny days one can dine at the tables on its terrace. At L’Indécis, the indecisiveness begins upon opening the menu, which is based on seasonal products. Will it be fish a la plancha, glazed lamb shanks with port, or beef with chocolate-garanoir sauce? Or, perhaps, one of the variety of house burgers. The latter can also be eaten at the bar or ordered to take away, though it would be a pity to miss out on the locale’s setting, with an atmosphere that is fresh, colourful and warm.L’Indécis is also a place where, having overcome menu-inflicting indeci-sion, a bottle of wine can be amply enjoyed. But then again, which one? Decisions, decisions. At least it’s all for a good cause!L’Indécis, av. de la Gare 10, 1003 Lausanne, 021/323.74.80. indecis.vpweb.ch. Closed on Sundays. Open Mon. 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tues./Wed., 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Thurs./Fri., 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Sat., 6 p.m. - 12 a.m..
Le coq eN pâte This restaurant is located in the Maison Supersaxo, considered by some as the most magnificent building constructed during the Renaissance period in the Valais. On the upstairs floor of this historic residence, built in 1505 in the heart of Sion, you will find two dining areas, as different as night and day. On one side, walls and stone archways are well rooted in history, while on the other, the decor is firmly planted in the present, with earthy shades of brown and white. On the ground floor, the bar serves wines from the Valais region, and when the weather turns fine, you can eat in the lovely open courtyard or on the second floor mezzanine. Chef Jean-Marie Théler blends gourmet delicacies with seasonal produce to create tempt-ing fare. You’ll be sure to find something that will hit the spot. Le Coq en Pâte, passage Supersaxo, 1950 Sion, 027/346.22.33. www.coqenpate.ch Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11.30 am to 3 pm and 6 pm to midnight.
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Photographers (in order of appearance)Germain Arias, Keystone, Hövding, Ribcap, Seabreacher, KTM, Rabejac, Jody MacDonald, www.marcweiler.ch, Alessandra Meniconzi, for Odin Property: Sakai Koji - Parida Lim - Parida Lim, Valentin Jeck, Gaelle Le Boulicaut, Marie Flores, Rainer Eder, Jil Sander, Warner, Sony pictures, Ascot Elite, Pathé Monopole, Fox, Tero Repo, Dom Daher, GiantXtour, freerideworldtour.com / Christophe Margot, Jean-Marc Favre, Beat Perren, Archiv Anthamattens, Christoffer Sjostrom, Yves Garneau, Christoffer Sjostrom, Alpiness 2011, Christian Bugnon.
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,Façades blanketed with fiery red, green, yellow, and multi-coloured neon lights, criss-crossed with brand
names and ideograms. On the spacious pavements of Kowloon a tightly-packed crowd hurries along, bags in one hand, cell phone in the other, eyes at times straying to the shop windows and catch-ing glimpses of gold and jade, accessories and the latest fashion-able outfits. High heels and rubber boots grace the legs of ladies on shopping sprees, dressed in short skirts with high waistlines, sporting oversized sunglasses and brand-name shoulder bags - certainly either Vuitton or Ferragamo. Hong Kong never slows its pace: devilishly urban, blissfully flashy, and consumerist through and through. Never avant-garde, yet always on the lookout for the latest trends.Seeking a sanctuary in the heart of the brouhaha? A doorman opens ageless Chinese-style double doors adorned by lion heads and a hundred slightly surrealistic bells. The scene is set: at the Luxe Manor, the walls are black and the furniture red (or vice-ver-sa), and both are often oversized and always creative. In a nutshell, this is design from head to toe, from the chandeliers above to the armchairs below. Dali would never eschew this boutique hotel - he basically invented it! Be sure not to miss the spellbinding and utterly surreal Dada Bar - a hotspot of molecular mixology – where you will discover sculpted horse heads and fluorescent cocktails – with a different colour for every day. Take a sip and relax on a heart-shaped love seat while listening to the sweet strains of live jazz. The only thing you won’t find is a giraffe on fire!
www.theluxemanor.com
Made in Hong Kong
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