Nike ACG Team Blog : News from the snowbard team

Waking up to the rhythm of rainfall clashing against the tiled roof of our chalet was hardly the best introduction to our third day. We had been expecting fresh powder that had been forecast the previous night however the rain was now dissolving a lot of the snow that was left stranded on the ground.

Nevertheless, our altitude at our residence is over 1,300 metres lower than the highest peaks of the resort and we were confident for some fresh powder at more elevated destinations.

We set off in search of some fresh lines. However, the drizzle still persisted and the powder of the previous day had transformed into heavy snow that was almost impossible to negotiate, even for the professionals.

There was only one thing for it and we all agreed that the hot springs would be our next destination to relax from the exhausting task of 30 minutes filming. Heated by the active volcano that is one of the peaks of the mountain range, the thermal springs were incomparable to anything that we had seen before in our European cities. The natural pools looked tempting as the clear blue water swelled and bubbled up in front of us. It even seemed to urge us to jump in. However we resisted our cravings, safe in the knowledge that there would be other opportunities for entertainment during this trip once the snowfall has increased.

However, after being told that the Copahue Volcano has erupted three times over the last 16 years in 1992, 1995 and 2000, it suggests that we are perhaps more overdue for an eruption of ash…although an increase in powder would certainly be more than welcome.