Chris Bezamat Photo Essay: La Thuile, Italy

Views: 18944

By bez | April 15th, 2010

Photographer Chris Bezamat and the TGR crew headed to La Thuile, Italy for a couple weeks.  These photos showcase the epic powder and strong cultural experiences which were the highlights of the trip.

La Thuile was a mining community until around the 60's when the first lifts were built.
The region was a part of French Savoia until the mid 1800's; this is why the dialect of the region (called patois) is of French origin and not Italian. La Thuile throughout all history has been a strategic stronghold. All those who tried to go over Piccolo San Bernardo Pass found it wasn't easy and for the most part got their asses whipped.

Chris, Dash and Dana**The Crew: Dash Longe, Chris Benchetler, and Dana Flahr**

Do NOT go off Piste** the first day of shooting was deeeeeeep.....like dangerous deep.  In the Italian alps of La Valle d'Aosta lies the hidden jewel La Thuile, mostly north facing with it's 150 square kilometers of skiable terrain and its international ski connection to La Rosiere in France, it is a skiers/snowboarders paradise. Average annual snowfall at Piccolo San Bernardo Pass between the two resort towns is around 20 meters! **

chris benchetler tries the italian pow**Chris Benchetler tries the italian pow**

Dana gets some**Dana gets some...**

Dash lands switch**Dash lands switch**

Dash gets some air**Dash Gets some air**

Partying Italian style**Lunch time madness at La Clotze.  We had to bolt before we got tangled up.**

A new refugio**Our second Refugio**

The production crew outside the refugio**The Production Crew**

Steve Jones drops in on the local goods**Steve Jones samples the local goods.  That wooden drinking thing is called a grolla; the drink is known as Caffe alla Valdostano, made up of espresso, grappa, genepy or wine, orange rinds, chiodi di garofano, and sugar. It gets lit on fire, so its much better to use strong grappa!**

Another round!**dashiel hooks up a round of beers for the boys.....look at the guy on the left...gaped.**

we take the party back to the room.**we take the party back to the room....Moo and Pepe in a white moment of time.**

Monte Bianco**view from the ski resort, La Thuile, Italy. You can see the Monte Bianco.**

Pellissier Helicopter co. picked us up...

**We finally get up in the heli....**

La Thuile**A view from the Spa in town.**

We met some italian dignitaries**We met the mayor of La Thuile and the Marshall of the Caribinieri**

 

Gear In Video

View All