The terrain of the alps is varied, from the empty white slopes of the peaks of Mont Blanc to the tree filled valley’s and quaint villages. The Alps have something for everyone. One of the most unique areas of the region is the lake situated between Switzerland and the Aiguilles. The big hydroelectric dam and the steep forests and lonely snow covered villages serve as points of interest around the frozen boy of water. We followed freeriders Ruben Bosman (Black Crow Nocta 122mm) and Ami Glimore (Black Crow Atris Birdie 108mm) for a weekend around the lake to explore, never seen before lines and amazing scenery.

I met up with Rubin and Ami in the small lakeside village of Eison. There is maybe nothing more Swiss than this village. The houses are wooden and the snow banks rise high around the streets. The church spire appears to spear the clouds when they come too low and the single house by the lake is lonely and derelict. We spent the night in a small inn, enjoying the local cheese, meat and wine and hearing stories about lines around the village. One of our hosts mentioned that, just above the village, under the massive rocky face of the peaks above lies a colouir of legend. The hole in the wall.

It was therefore, only obvious that we would find this colouir first thing in the morning. As soon as the sun rose we hiked through the snow filled streets of the village and above the avalanche barriers. Under the steep rocky face above the village is a hole carved out in the rock, a few trees adorn the area next to it and a steep entry makes the hike demanding. I was the first to ski the line and stopped just shy of the hole to take pictures. Ruben came second and the 60 degree entry propelled him through the hole with only a few large turns, he then had to instantly shut down speed to not hit the avy barriers. Ami and i followed suit enjoying a line of legend.

Ruben Bosman skies through the hole, Eison and the lake in the background

As the sun rose in the sky we made our way around the lake and to the village of Barberine in the Aiguilles. The village is larger and more less remote but the trees are large and widely spaced. After a good lunch with some of the fame homemade wine, we made our way inside the forest. This location offer plenty of options for day touring and the playfull terrain just above the village serves as the perfect playground for skiers like Ami whose technical ability and playfulness lit up the forest. After a few runs through the glades, we decided to set up for some pictures. A large wind-lip gave enough pop for Ami to send a fat 180 safety, late spin.

Between the trees above Barberine

The day drew closer to its end as we skinned our way up the gullies South of Barberine. Here steep spine zones and exposed fields of powder lead into the lake are the gold standard, and under the gold light of the winter sunset they make for one hell of an image. The cold winds from the mountain came down the slopes above as we skinned above the lake, there are a few lines here but one takes the cake. A long spine adorns the center of this unique section of the lake. From the top, the forests of Barberine can be seen and to the skiers from, the blue ice of the lake. Each turn on the top of the line is exposed, standing over a 300ft cliff and the steepness makes the sluff fly down the face. At the top of the line we taped our poles and skied down the line with the light of the sunset turning the snow into gold.

Ruben Bosman Sunset shred above the Lake

After the long sunset runs we packed our bags and headed to the Emmossons Dam on the South side of the lake. We camped next to the massive concrete structure and looked up what to do for the next day. This half of the lake is pretty boring on lower elevations, however two massive jumps under the RedBull Natural would be the first feature of the day. So with the first light of dawn we skinned our way above the massive jumps. Both Ruben and Ami are very skilled and it would be an understatement to say i was excited to see what they were about to throw down. Ami hit the first jump (South) and spun and massive dual cork 1620, a trick which is only performed in Big Air competitions. What a side to behold! Ruben decided to make his way higher onto the face and hit the Jump to the North. He skied down a few gullies and came in guns blazing to land a face-melting quad back-flip off from the massive kicker.

Ami sending it big above the dam

Ruben touching the sky!

As the morning sun made its way higher onto the sky we skinned our way towards the large town of Evoline, which serves as the base of the Switzerland Lift. On our way, we noticed the small peninsula situated in the lake. The untouched powder of its slopes was calling us to ski it. The low incline and the small size made the objective trivial and the skiing probably boring, but the views would make it worth it. As such we made our way onto the small peninsula, our skis diving deep into the untouched powder with every step. At the top of a small slope, i made my way down and readied the camera as Ami skied maybe 4 turns before she made it into the flats. Each of those turns however, were graced by the soft powder, and the sapphire blue of the lake.

Ami skiing above the lake

As we made our way up the peninsula and closer to our final destination, Evoline, it became clear to us that this place was magnificent. No area other than this, encapsulates the sheer beauty and diversity of the Alps than this lake. At each new ridge you summit, it calls you to explore different area above the lake. Maybe it was the color of the lake that made us fall for it, or maybe it was the snow. But i posture it was both! Sadly our trip was close to coming to an end. The town of Evoline and its impressive cable tram could be seen as we hiked above the lake, our final destination was close. We had not planned to do anything around the town, there are no impressive colouirs or runs close either, and as such, Rubin decided to spice up our final day. As a final farewell shoot, Rubin instructed me to make my way up the gondola and catch him skiing down the snowfilled streets of the town. I did as instructed, taking pictures of him as he jumped of the roofs of houses and the snowbanks around the streets.

Rubin sending it in Evoline

By the end of the day i was on my way back home to Chamonix. But i will not forget this trip. The vibrant blue of the lake, the steep colouirs, the big jumps and the warm sun will remain in my memory library forever. Some pictures will make their way onto my wall. Maybe even to the cover of a magazine. But this place has already made its way into my heart.