Yes, as many of you may have noticed The Nextmen turned into The Nextman for the opening nights of the Winter Sessions Alpine Tour. Unfortunately one half of the Nextmen duo ‘Dom Search’ aka Dominic Betmead was struck with illness and couldn’t make the trip. So it was up to Brad Baloo to fly the flag of the Nextmen ship and do that he did.

The décor was funky but low key and a very welcome addition to the Winter Sessions House. The crowd was a delightful mix of ye old faithful and wicked new blood that made the night feel as busy as it’s ever been in the newly kitted out Podium.

As for the music, Brad nailed the evening till the wee small hours with his inimitable mix of funk, soul, hip-hop, breaks, and more with that trademark Nextmen stamp. Reports have come out of both Meribel and Val d’Isère that much the same went down on their side of town, and a massive thank you to both Omar (Meribel) and Fraser (Val d’Isère) goes out for their part in putting on the WS Tour.

Exiting times ahead for Winter Sessions are just around the corner, with Jon Kennedy making his way to Chamonix to welcome us into 2011. New Years goes off in Chamonix, and I can say from personal experience that I’ve never experienced a better New Years than here in good old Cham.

A special thank you to everyone for coming down and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WS CREW

We are looking for a snowboard image with a twist to use for the advert. Think: motion, lighting effects, blurs, close-ups, action, day or night and most importantly a sense of ENERGY!

The winning entry will be published in the January issue of Whitelines (on shelf 24th Dec) with a full photographer credit AND two free tickets to the Winter Sessions Christmas Launch Party on the 21st December @ Le Podium, Chamonix.

Submit your best images by Sunday the 5th of December to promotions@worldsessions.com

The winning entry will be chosen by Tuesday 8th December and announced on here!

www.wintersessions.net / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winter-Sessions/173958619297810

Good luck!

This special little (pre) NYE blog comes in the middle of the festive season when absent minds and saw heads are collecting their thoughts and making final judgment on where best to spend the all too often anti climax that is New Years Eve.

It may seem obvious and perhaps a little biased of me to tell you this, but I shall carry on anyway – the best way you could possibly spend your evening is down at ‘Le Podium’ for the Winter Seasons NYE special, but after that all important 3, 2, 1.

And this is why:

For once the doors at ‘le podium’ don’t open till 12:00, which allows everyone to get down to the square in the centre of Cham and get all ‘up and ante’ for that New Year countdown. Hate countdowns, Love countdowns, or can’t remember countdowns I promise you this will be one of the best you’ll ever experience.

Personally, I’m utterly bored of hearing people talk about New Years being a let down. It’s high time those of you who have never experienced what New Years Eve is like in Chamonix found out.

Explosions in the Sky –

One thing you can say about the French is they love Fireworks (and let’s just say there not quite so on it with the health and safety issues we’ve got going on in Blighty). The benefit of this is that you feel like your right in the middle of so sort of beautifully choreographed blasting that seems to turn everyone into exited little children.

This is one of the few times in Chamonix where you really feel the whole valley has come together. There are locals, holiday makers, seasonaires, and anyone else in the valley all just there to have a good time. The atmosphere here last year was something very special and I can honestly say It’s something I’d come back too every year after.

Jon Kennedy and Colin ‘Russ’ Read:

Now I like to get down and get a jig on with the rest of you. Sometimes I like a little something heavy and sometimes I like to see something a bit different, but for New Years Eve I want the warmest vibes and something fresh like a little bit of one step two step. Satisfy this need will be Grand Central brainchild ‘Jon Kennedy’ and ‘Colin Russ Read’, catering for the funk, soul and disco loving crew amongst you. There’s guaranteed good vibes and a serious party atmosphere that will seamlessly bring you into 2011.

Promotions:

Le Vert are running NYE Buffet that includes wine + bubbly + entry to Winter Sessions at ‘Le Podium’ (shuttle busses included) for the small sum of 50 € (reservations recommened).

Those doors swing open at 12pm, and close 5 hours later.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love Love the WS Crew x

Occurring in the early hours of December 21^st on the day that is the shortest of the year, one of nature’s natural phenomenons will take place. A total lunar eclipse.

Quite fitting that this is the same day we launch the ‘Winter Sessions Tour’ in Chamonix. Strange things happen around the time of full moons, as I’m sure you’ll agree. Excitement is rife, and lots of busy heads are making ready for the ‘Tour’. Basically, everyone knows it kicks off for full moon parties. All the more reason to be very exited to welcome ‘The Nextmen’ for a night of music inspired madness.

Indeed this is more than just a full moon It’s a spectacular that won’t occur again for another 3 years and at it’s height will produce a dazzling orangey red moon for approximately an hour. Unfortunately the best spot to be for this fine occasion is North America, however the beginning of the eclipse is clearly visible from Northern Europe so those of us dwelling in the mountains can still appreciated it’s wonder.

Full moons are always cool. So is Winter Solstice (it’s like a mini victory for those of us who love longer days and warmer rays). So get your fangs out, watch out for werewolves, and be ready for some mischievous behavior and a sprinkling of wonder at Le Podium as the Winter Sessions Tour begins.

After much hype and anticipation the time is upon us to make ready for the Winter Sessions Tour to head into town. After many a conversation and deliberation we decided that something had to be done to ‘Le Podium’ to make it extra special for the coming tour.

Le Podium offers us the space and the license to throw the party, and this year we’re going to town on turning the venue into a magical haunt of fun and wonder.

Gone is the vastness. In is the Bling. Split Rooms, Comfy Seats, and exiting little treats for those who take a closer look.

what’s changing for 2011….?

Just Like our Facebook page!

Yep that’s rite! Just find our Winter Sessions Page (or follow the link on this page) and give us a big thumbs up. One of our lucky Fans will soon be strolling into the Podium with a pair a free tickets to see the most exiting DJs in town.

Winner will be announced this friday!

http://www.thenextmen.com/blog

Don’t miss out of the Season Pass offer! Get your passes before The Nextmen come to town and save 30 notes.

With the biggest hitting mountain web presence, Chamonet/Merinet/Valdinet.com spreading the message accross all three valleys we’d like to think that everyone knows we’re coming. Just in case this isn’t enough keep yours eyes posted and ears to the ground for all the latest Winter Sessions information. Not to mention the rather stunning Dicks Tea site – www.dicksteabar.com

Kicking off where Winter Sessions 2010 left off? We think so.

www.chamonet.com

www.valdinet.com

www.merinet.com

Here’s our own Winter Sessions Clarence Pegrum getting very exited with the new men behind Dicks Tea Bar -

At this time of year we can all be forgiven for having those creeping thoughts of post Christmas blues…

Considered by some to be the most depressing time of year, we at Winter Sessions decided to enlighten you with some up and coming Chamonix spectacular. Chamonix is the one place in the world where that January drain doesn’t seem to exist, especially when you get to see things like this..

The Nissan Freeride World Tour comes to Chamonix in January and just shows what an amazing, and spectacular place it is. Norman Jay MBE is starting his Winter Sessions tour on the 19th of said month and will be playing in Chamonix the night before the ‘Nissan Freeride World Tour’ starts. On top of this the Winter Sessions Weekender line up is ready to be released to the world… but perhaps we’ll keep you guessing a little longer. Or perhaps we’re waiting to coincide the release with our Whitelines feature later this month. Eyes on the prize.

Another bit of interesting and delightful news to warm your hearts is that – curtesy of a very well timed ‘Royal Wedding’ those of you who live and work in the UK can take 3 days of work, and get an 11 day holiday for the same price. I’ll repeat. You only need to use 3 days of your holiday time and in return get an 11 day stretch where you could be basking in spring sunshine, nodding your heads to the likes of….  as I said before, we’ll keep you guessing just a little longer. I personally cannot think of a better way to mark this day of nation celebration than by taking a trip to France to be part of the Winter Sessions Weekender.

Here’s to waking from your festive slumber and looking forward to a very bright future.Book that flight. Forget about it, and then experience a lovely little glow every time you remember your off on a alpine adventure. Treat.