BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh is susceptible to pleasure. And never solely on the subject of his exuberant and controversial commentary on the Sochi Winter Olympics.
We’re within the resort of Lenzerheide within the Swiss canton of Graubunden, on our first chairlift of the day. Forward of us, slopes stuffed with pristine energy glisten within the good early morning daylight.
When he has a snowboard strapped to his toes, wide-eyed Ed simply cannot cease speaking.
Purple haze: Lenzerheide is one among Switzerland’s most beautiful – however least identified – ski areas
‘Take a look at that run!’ he shouts. ‘Drop in there, make one flip in opposition to that snow financial institution and open it up, straight into the heart!’
Our information Dave Blackburn, a Briton who moved to the valley eight years in the past and runs native vacation firm Snow-motions, raises an amused eyebrow.
‘There is a truthful quantity of avalanche hazard, so we’ll must watch out, Ed,’ he says. ‘However we’ll nonetheless discover some good snow. That is the fantastic thing about this place.’
Underneath Dave’s professional steering we’re quickly having fun with an thrilling descent from the highest of the two,546m Urdenfuerggli peak all the way down to the valley flooring greater than 1,000m under. It is a long term, however the terrain is forgiving, whereas the snow is the stuff snowboarders fantasise about.
Hollering fills the air – and that is simply from Ed. A former skilled, he is nonetheless a strong snowboarder, and this can be a enjoyable break from a busy schedule, which incorporates his present gig at Sochi.
It’s a hectic life-style, particularly as Ed lives in New Zealand for a lot of the 12 months.
So, he is introduced the entire household with him. They’re staying in The Lodge, a chalet simply down the valley within the satellite tv for pc village of Churwalden.
All downhill from right here: Lenzerheide presents effective ski terrain (left) – to the delight of BBC presenter Ed Leigh (proper)
However why select little-known Lenzerheide over another resort in Europe?
‘I got here right here final 12 months after I had a couple of days off,’ says Leigh over a fast plate of chips on the backside of the Heimberg carry. ‘I could not consider the standard of the terrain.
‘Plus, there by no means appears to be anybody right here, which implies the snow stays in actually nice situation for days after a storm.’
Lenzerheide additionally has lots to supply those that choose snowboarding on piste. Snow cowl isn’t an issue, whereas a brand new hyperlink to neighbouring Arosa means you have got entry to a powerful 220km of pistes.
‘It is intermediate heaven, with a number of user-friendly accessible terrain and ideal pistes. There are hardly any black runs, so it’s forgiving,’ says Blackburn.
If you would like wild partying, Lenzerheide will not be for you. However there aren’t any carry queues and it is supremely household pleasant. Bronze medals all spherical!
