Olga

(TruthSeekerDaily) There’s no denying that the world is full of cruel, evil people capable of things you probably couldn’t even imagine. We see it on the news pretty much every day. But believe it or not, there’s a lot more good and kindness out there than you probably realize. Sometimes, people do incredible things – things that restore our faith in humanity. For example… 1. When some kids left this note to track down the owner of a forgotten skateboard that they could’ve easily stolen. 2. When these parents left a $50 tip in memory of the child they lost. 3. When this man stopped what he was doing to help an elderly woman with her bags. 4. When this cyclist sacrificed his track time to give a Koala bear something to drink. 5. When these people, being the only ones with electricity in the neighborhood, shared their outlets so others could call their loved ones. 6. When this dry cleaner decided to offer their services to anyone in need – for free. 7. When this soldier, in the middle of life or death situations, stopped to take care of a kitty who wandered in the area. 8. When this man who lost his legs in battle was saluted by 4 soldiers. 9. When this girl turned around during a race to help a girl who had fallen down. That girl was her opponent. 10. When this guy brought a hot cup of coffee to a freezing homeless man 11. When this civilian brought something to drink to a soldier fighting on his own soil. 12. When this little boy brought a sandwich to a hungry homeless man on the street. 13. When this shop owner went outside to feed a disabled homeless man. 14. When these bystanders joined forces to literally lift a car off of a trapped motorcyclist. 15. When these people waited in line for hours just to donate blood to those in need. 16. When this man got off of his motorcycle to halt traffic, so an elderly man could cross the street. 17. When this man not only bought food for a homeless guy missing an arm, but let him enjoy Japanese food that requires chopsticks by feeding him. 18. When this girl stopped what she was doing to give shelter to a disabled man in the rain. 19. When this little girl was visited in the hospital by her hero, Brian O’Driscoll. 20. When this fan got to experience something he NEVER thought was imaginable due to his disability. Kindness proved him wrong. If this brightened your day, restored your faith in humanity, or just gave you a smile- See more at: http://truthseekerdaily.com/2013/11/these-20-photos-are-going-to-make-you-cry-but-youll-see-why-its-totally-worth-it/#sthash.tIHZfwwE.dpuf

Ο σκηνοθέτης Κώστας Καρύδας έγραψε και σκηνοθέτησε ένα βίντεο που μοιάζει με ταινία μικρού μήκους. Ένα πραγματικό διαμάντι που μας συγκίνησε με την αισιοδοξία και την ανθρωπιά του. Στην όμορφη Θεσσαλονίκη, ο σκηνοθέτης Κώστας Καρύδας γύρισε το βίντεο με τίτλο “Ξύπνα”. Μοιάζει με ιστορία πίσω από την οποία κρύβεται το πιο βαθύ νόημα… Το βίντεο βραβεύτηκε στο φεστιβάλ Mofilm στο Λονδίνο. Δείτε το και θα καταλάβετε το γιατί!

ωραιο μοντελο! με γεια εγω πηρα ενα κανινουργιο αντιανεμικο της Marmot και τρεχω βραδυ χωρις προβλημα πια

δεν εφτασαν κορυφη αλλα δεν εχει καμια σημασια

εχει την καλυτερη πουδρα στον κοσμο το Hokkaido - μονο 7% υγρασια...κατι σαν το αλευρι δηλαδη

Ski resorts 'exaggerate piste lengths' New research has revealed that many major European ski areas aren't as big as they claim. Size matters: the Grand Massif, which includes Flaine, is one of the ski areas accused of exaggerating its piste length Some of Europe's biggest ski resorts exaggerate the length of pistes offered by its ski area by up to 120 per cent, according to new research by a German cartographer and leading wintersports guide book. The piste length figures, in kilometres and often provided by the resort or lift operator, are central to how skiers and snowboarders decide their holiday resort. But Christoph Schrahe, a lecturer in ski resort management, has discredited many of the values offered by resorts. Using a digital mapping system, he measured the lengths down the middle of the pistes, following the slopes' twists and turns. These values were checked against information given to annual guidebook Where to Ski and Snowboard – and the majority of resorts, including some of the biggest in Europe, were found to be exaggerating the extent of their ski area by up to 120 per cent. Measured the Schrahe way, the Trois Vallées, France, oft quoted as the biggest ski area in the world, has 493km of pistes – still well above other ski areas – but 22 per cent less than official figures. The resort total of 4 Valleys, Switzerland, was found to be 198km above Schrahe's figure – a discrepancy of 120 per cent. Meanwhile, St Anton, Austria, was one of the report's saints, being only three per cent out. Schadming, also in Austria, was the only measured resort to say it's smaller than it actually is – claiming 121km, and having 131. Dave Watts, co-editor of Where to Ski and Snowboard, said: “We find it difficult to believe all these resorts are simply lying or mistaken about the size of their mountains, so we've made some attempts to find out how they arrive at these figures.” The Grand Massif ski area in France, which includes Flaine and claimed 265km, while Schrahe measured 172km. “The lift company told us it measures its pistes in much the same way as Schrahe and gets an almost identical result, but it adds 57 per cent to take account of the fact you make turns rather than going straight down the slopes,” said Watts. Schrahe's report has also been used to directly compare the size of European and North American resorts, since the latter measure their ski areas in acres. Schrahe found Whistler in Canada, North America's biggest ski area, has 252km of pistes, ranking it alongside Zermatt-Cervinia in Europe and joint fifth biggest in the world. Of the biggest areas in the US, Where to Ski and Snowboard revealed that while Big Sky/Moonlight has slightly more acreage (5532) than Vail (5289), Vail has slightly more km – 222km vs 215km. “What matters,” said a Where to Ski and Snowboard spokesman, “is that resorts should measure their pistes in a standard way.” And the editors are hopeful this might come about. The 4 Valleys is looking into the discrepancies and producing a report on its piste length, Austria's national association of lift companies has issued guidelines on how pistes should be measured, and some French resorts have also said that they would welcome standard guidelines. Saints Resort Claimed total (km) Measured total % exaggeration Kitzbuhel 164 164 0 Lech-Zurs 122 118 3 St Anton-Stuben 116 113 3 Les Saisies 185 178 4 Saalbach 200 187 7 Sinners Resort Claimed total Measured total % exaggeration Isola 2000 120 54 123 4 Valleys 362 164 120 Les Sybelles 310 141 120 Πηγη: telegraph.co.uk

για να μην ανοιξω καινουργιο topic, ποσταρω σαν στη συνεχεια ενος παλαιου που εγραψα πριν απο 3 χρονια The world's best ski runs Whether it's for their terrifying steepness, monstrous moguls, serene beauty or leg-burning length, some resorts have one run that stands out from the rest. Here are 10 of the finest. The Combe de La Saulire, Courchevel, is a fine family run when the crowds are elsewhere Photo: David Andre Combe de La Saulire Courchevel, France Grading: Red Length: 3km Verdict: Good family fun, unless it’s chock-a-block The summit of La Saulire at 2738m separates the ski areas of Méribel and Courchevel in the Trois Vallées. The classic Combe (pictured above) is the long run to the bottom station of the Saulire cable car. Its only difficulty lies in the steep start. However, this, like the rest of the run, is open and wide. You can either plunge straight into the bowl or take a slightly gentler path on the right-hand side. Once you’ve negotiated this first pitch, the whole slope is a much more gentle cruise with spectacular views. Up to your left as you head down you can see people descending the infamous couloirs – Sous Pylons, Emile Allais and the Grand Couloir – also reached by the giant red cable car. The only hazard is other people. As a main thoroughfare, it can become unpleasantly crowded, particularly over new year and February half term. If you’re staying in Courchevel, it’s best tackled first thing in the morning, before the hordes arrive from Méribel. Tortin Verbier, Switzerland Grading: Itinerary route Length: 2.5km Verdict: As mean as they come1725 Sep 2013 Take the Lac des Vaux 3 chairlift to the Col de Chassoure, and there it is right in front of you. If you don’t like what you see, this is the moment to turn back and take the pleasant red run down to Lac des Vaux. Itinerary route Tortin is marked but not maintained or avalanche controlled and when it’s icy, which it usually is, you need razor-sharp edges and a strong nerve. Most probably, you’ve never before encountered moguls quite like these in size and shape – more 4x4 than traditional Volkswagen Beetle. A fall can result in being tossed down the hill like a rag doll. You gain entry along an icy rollercoaster traverse, the further you go, the gentler the slope. Often it’s safer to dive in early, rather than risk a fall on the bumped-up traverse. Verbier: an insider's guide The Hahnenkamm Kitz bühel, Austria Grading: Red/ski route Length: 3.3km Verdict: How those ski racers do it, we’ll never know The toughest of all World Cup downhill races takes place on the Hahnenkamm mountain each winter. The name of the course itself is actually the Streif – and when not in competition use, it reverts to being plain old piste 21, a family red. You can cruise it en famille with ease, stopping to marvel at how anyone could possibly manage the humongous jumps and horrific reverse-camber turns of the famous Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante included on race day. These expert-only sections are ungroomed and unpatrolled ski routes and often very icy, but can be bypassed on the piste by any sane folk on the mountain. For races this benign red run is injected with water to make it a 3.3km sheet of ice and the top racers hit 85mph. Austrian superhero Franz Klammer, who won here four times between 1975 and 1984, once said, “Every single racer who gets to the bottom is a winner.” I once skied it – or rather, slithered down it as slowly as possible behind a guide – just after the Hahnenkamm race. Even with race-prepared skis I found it extraordinarily difficult to get sufficient grip on the ice to maintain any kind of control. “When I did the Streif last year…” is a useful conversation stopper. You don’t have to add that at the time it was in its guise as an intermediate family run and not its unforgiving alter ego. Ventina Cervinia, Italy Grading: Red (but would be blue in a more demanding resort) Length: 8km Verdict: Serene and sublimely beautiful No other slope in the world provides equal enjoyment for both a wobbly first-week beginner and a grizzled multi-seasoned expert. The joy of Ventina (just humble number 7 on the resort’s piste map) lies not in its gradient, but in its extraordinary length. From the top of the cable car at Testa Griglia (3480m) to the bottom lift station in Cervinia you travel an astonishing 8km with a vertical drop of 1430m. For a complete novice with just five days on the nursery slopes under his or her belt, this is the ultimate end-of-holiday goal – a chance to explore the whole mountain. You go home with a sense of achievement and a complete understanding of what makes the sport so addictive. For the more advanced, Ventina is boy (and girl) racer terrain – a seemingly endless, undulating slope for those with the stamina. Bombing down it in one turns even the strongest legs to spaghetti. Harakiri Mayrhofen, Austria Grading: Black Length: 600m Verdict: Its hype is worse than its bite The Harakiri piste is Austria’s steepest marked run. To groom it they have to use a piste machine on a winch. From the Knorren chairlift it doesn’t look too difficult, a wide and steep piste with a gentle run out. However, fall on the steep section and you’ll slide uncomfortably for up to 150m. The only real danger lies in other people whose bottle often far outweighs their basic technical skills. When flailing bodies are hurtling by on either side of you, the process of completing your own turns safely requires considerable concentration. The level of difficulty also varies depending on conditions. But even when freshly groomed on a blue-sky day it’s wise not to underestimate Harakiri. The sting is in the tail – just when you think you’re over the worst and pick up a bit of speed for a flourish at the finish, you’re suckered into the steepest pitch of all. Luckily there’s then a virtually flat run-out. Corbet’s Couloir Jackson Hole, USA Grading: Double black Length: 150m Verdict: Off the scale “Someone will ski that one day,” guide Barry Corbet remarked to his boss Paul McCollister in 1960, as they surveyed Rendezvous Mountain four years before the opening of Jackson Hole resort. They were gazing up at a narrow snow-covered cleft in the rock face. It has since become known as North America’s scariest slope. Local ski patroller Lonnie Ball finally conquered it in 1967, and since then thousands have stood on the lip trying to summon up the courage to take the plunge. The standard entry is a drop off a cornice that can be as tame as two metres or as fierce as nine metres, depending on the snow. As soon as you land, you must immediately throw all your weight forward and make an instant right turn around a rock. That’s the tricky bit. If you survive the turn, the couloir, which is only around 200m long, quickly opens up into a pleasant powder run. Jackson Hole: an insider's guide The Swiss Wall Avoriaz, France Grading: Itinerary route Length: 1km Verdict: “Oh My God, I’m heading off a cliff!” The Wall’s real name is the Pas de Chavanette. Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, it starts on the French-Swiss frontier. The run, which is never groomed, is definitely one for your Alpine cred, but the actual level of difficulty is entirely dependent on the conditions. The morning after a decent snowfall the run can be a purring pussycat, manageable by anyone with a healthy lashing of ability. However, when fully bumped up and coated in ice it morphs into a man-eating beast requiring more advanced skills. “Experts only”, says the sign at the top. Fear kicks in on a precarious overhang ahead of a perilous route, hidden beyond the next turn. The moguls here can be the size of vaulting horses, and to safely negotiate them you need careful, gymnastic commitment. If icy, failure to finish a turn can result in a rough, lengthy tumble. After the first 50m you reach a slope of easier gradient by traversing to the left. Alternatively, you carry on straight down into a steep, natural halfpipe full of moguls. Once at the bottom, take the Chavanette chair back towards Avoriaz or continue to the Swiss resort of Les Crosets. Triftji Zermatt, Switzerland Grading: Itinerary route Length: 1.37km Verdict: Exhilarating, exhausting This is one of the Alps’ classic mogul runs. Situated in the Rothorn sector of Zermatt’s ski area, this sits higher than 3000m, so you lose your breath quickly. Lots of snow is needed to cover the rocks in the area, and it’s not normally open before late January or early February. The entry to Triftji can be a little tricky and you need to sideslip or snowplough on to the face. The difficulty then lies in the length rather than the pitch and is dependent on conditions. If you aim to get down without exhausting yourself then sound technique is pretty much a requisite. For those with any energy left, a drag lift brings you up for a second lap. Or head down to Gant and on to the gastro hamlet of Findeln for a much-deserved lunch. The OK Val d’Isère, France Grading: Red (but should be classified black at the bottom) Length: 3km Verdict: Long, breathtaking and deeply satisfying On a good day, when the slope is near deserted, this is one of the best runs in the world. It’s named after two of Val’s racing legends, Henri Oreiller and Jean-Claude Killy. It’s a World Cup downhill course, but don’t let that put you off – when not prepared for racing, it’s testing but far from forbidding for any confident intermediate. The recreational start is at the top of the Funival underground funicular. A couple of steep pitches get the adrenalin going. In good conditions put in a short sequence of GS turns and straight-line the second half of each pitch. The run flattens out before dropping down past La Folie Douce and Le Triffolet, two popular mountain hangouts, and into a natural halfpipe. The tricky bit is the penultimate section beneath the lift pylons. A couple of easier pistes join the OK here, and the run often becomes icy. Other people hesitantly slipping and sliding can prove a bigger hazard than the slope itself. The secret is to stick to the middle of the run and turn as little as possible on the ice. Join us on a reader holiday to Val d’Isère Dave Murray Downhill Whistler Blackcomb, Canada Grading: Single black Length: 3.1km Verdict: A true test of stamina This is one of the world’s fastest downhills. It was the venue for the men’s race at the 2010 Winter Olympics – the closest competition of all time. Switzerland’s Didier Défago and the nine finishers behind him all clocked 1min 54sec. It well may take you a little bit longer. The run is named after one of the Crazy Canucks, a group of Canadian racers of the late 1970s, who blazed a trail with fearless, often reckless, skiing. Dave Murray had three World Cup podium finishes before becoming Whistler’s director of skiing in 1982. He died in 1990 from skin cancer, aged 37. Located on Whistler Mountain, the run starts at the top of the Garbanzo Express chairlift and finishes 3.1km later at Creekside at the base of the mountain. The top racers hit 92mph on the steepest section, and make just 33 turns at an average speed of 81mph. Even at half that speed it feels like you’re racing for real. Without the prepared jumps and artificially iced-up surface of race day there are no real hazards – except other people. As several runs intersect the course it’s important to keep your speed under control at all times. Take particular care at the so-called Toilet Bowl near the start, where an abrupt rollover precedes a steep pitch. The ground also falls away abruptly at the Weasel, a section near the top station of the Creekside Gondola. Πηγη: telegraph.co.uk

St Anton stantonamarlberg.com Where is it? Tirol, Austria Why go? Serious off piste and serious partying Resort 1305m Slopes 1305m to 2650m Lifts 42 Pistes 127km Six-day lift pass €235 St Anton is a big name resort, and there’s nowhere quite like it for those who like to ski hard, party hard and burn the candle at both ends. The place gets prodigious amounts of snow and usually has much better conditions than other resorts of a similar height. A bonus is that the resort is traditional in style and an attractive place to spend time off the slopes. The area boasts countless powder opportunities. The runs in the huge bowl beneath the summit of the Valluga are justifiably world-famous, and in good snow this whole area is an off-piste delight for experts. There’s more great backcountry in the Stuben sector and on the separate Rendl mountain (accessed from the town centre by a gondola). Descents of 1000m vertical are possible, including some on north-facing slopes where the powder stays deep and light. Piste to Powder is a specialist off-piste guiding school run by British guide Graham Austick, and the local St Anton and Arlberg ski schools also have excellent off-piste guides. The neighbouring resorts of Lech and Zurs which are linked to each other – and to Warth and Schröcken (see p138) for the first time this winter – are all covered by the Arlberg lift pass, and can be easily reached by regular buses. There’s good off piste in Lech and Zurs, and they get even more snow than St Anton does. Plus there’s much more intermediate cruising than there is in St Anton. St Anton’s bars rock right through from mid-afternoon until the early hours. Après starts in a collection of bars on the slopes above the village. The Krazy Kanguruh and the Mooserwirt fill up with revellers as soon as the lunch trade finishes (the latter reputedly dispensing more beer than any other bar in Austria). The Heustadl and Sennhütte are also popular. All the partying is followed by a slide down the piste in the dark. The bars in town are in full swing by 4pm too. Most are lively with loud music – sophisticates looking for a quieter time are less well provided for. Underground on the Piste has a great party atmosphere, and Base Camp is a lot of fun and attracts many of the local instructors. Later on, Piccadilly and Bar Cuba are popular clubs, and there are plenty more, including Scotty’s (in the Mark Warner chalet hotel Rosanna), Kandahar (which shows sport on TV and hosts live music) and, in the suburb of Nasserein, the Fang House. Although it is crowded, commercialised and sprawling, St Anton is full of character and its traffic-free main street is lined with traditional-style buildings. It also has a splendid leisure centre (arlberg-well.com) with pools, saunas and a steam room. But… Slopes don’t suit beginners or timid intermediates; pistes can get very crowded, sometimes dangerously so; most of the tough stuff is off piste; main slopes get a lot of sun, which can affect snow conditions; resort is spread out, with long treks from some lodgings to key lifts and bars. Chamonix chamonix.com Where is it? Haute Savoie, France Why go? Stunning views, traditional mountain town Resort 1035m Slopes 1035m to 3840m Lifts 44 Pistes 155km Six-day lift pass €230 Chamonix is renowned as an extreme sports mecca, with some of the best powder fields in the world, and there’s plenty for those looking for their first off-piste experience too. But it’s not just the varied terrain that makes Chamonix a stand-out resort – it’s worth visiting just for the stunning views and year-round mountain town. Chamonix is world-famous for the extent and variety of its off piste. A classic excursion is the Vallée Blanche, a mind-blowing 24km run through stunning glacial scenery. It is perfectly within the capability of a fit (and brave) intermediate, and is easily reached by the Aiguille du Midi cable car in town, though the walk down a ridge to the start is scary. The Grands Montets area, reached by lifts from Argentière (about 10km up the valley from town), has huge amounts of easily accessible off piste, while the Vallée Blanche and Grands Montets areas have very high north-facing slopes. If the weather’s bad you can head to Les Houches for powder among the trees. Here and the Balme area have ideal terrain for trying powder for the first time. There’s plenty of easier off piste in the vast bowls served by the Herse chair and Bochard bubble on the Grands Montets too. The Chamonix valley cuts deeply through Europe’s highest mountains and glaciers. Views of the towering, jagged peaks and tumbling glaciers are stunning, both from the mountains and the town. The best place to see Mont Blanc, the Alps’ highest peak, is from the Brévent ski area across the valley. And no one should miss a trip up the Aiguille du Midi cable car for the stunning views. As there are several separate ski areas, unless you are based next to one and stick to it, you have to drive or take a bus or train each day (free with a guest card). The Chamonix Le Pass ticket covers most of the lifts in four of the local areas, but a six-day Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, about an extra €50, covers these plus Les Houches, the Aiguille du Midi, unlimited use of the cable car to the top of the Grand Montets, Courmayeur in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland. Chamonix could not be more different from the typical purpose-built French resort. It’s a bustling town, busy with climbers in summer as well as skiers and boarders in winter. The car-free centre is full of atmosphere, with cobbled streets and squares, beautiful old buildings and pavement cafés, and a wide choice of accommodation. But… Several separate mountains; pistes in each area are quite limited; bad weather can shut the best runs; still some old lifts and queues; few good mountain restaurants; busy town with lots of road traffic. Verbier verbier-st-bernrd.ch Where is it? Valais, Switzerland Why go? Steep slopes and lively nightlife Resort 1500m Slopes 1500m to 3330m Lifts 89 Pistes 410km Six-day lift pass CHF355 For serious off-piste powder and long mogul fields, Verbier is one of the world’s cult resorts. It’s difficult to beat for vibrant nightlife too. It’s a sprawling, chalet-style resort with lots of second homes and luxurious places to stay, set on a sunny shelf facing spectacular peaks. Verbier has some superb tough slopes, many of them off piste. The run off the back of Mont Fort, the high point of the ski area, is a highlight – a huge bowl with lots of ways down through untracked powder, giving a feeling of splendid isolation. The Stairway to Heaven run starts with a steep climb before you drop into a deserted valley, which usually has excellent snow. And there are plenty of other options. Most runs that would be black in many resorts are classed as itineraries here, meaning they’re marked but not maintained or controlled, but they are used as if they were normal pistes. Two of them, from Chassoure and Col de Gentianes down to Tortin, become huge mogul fields from top to bottom. Vallon d’Arby, from Lac des Vaux to La Tzoumaz, is less popular but still quite an adventure, with patches of untracked powder several days after a snowfall. Heliskiing is available too. Powder Extreme specialises in off-piste guiding and coaching, and the British-run New Generation ski school offers all-day Off Piste Experience groups. Bruson is a small north-facing ski area covered by the lift pass and reached until now by catching the gondola from town down to Le Châble in the valley, then a bus, then a slow old chairlift. But from this season you can step out of the gondola at Le Châble into a brand new one that whisks you to the middle of the Bruson ski area. It’s well worth the trip for great tree runs that resemble Canadian heliskiing, with well-spaced trees and steep slopes. Snow is usually excellent thanks to the northerly aspect. The trees mean Bruson is a good place to be when it’s snowing and a whiteout on Verbier’s main slopes. At first glance, with its 410km of pistes, Verbier seems to rank alongside the French mega-networks as a dream resort for keen piste bashers. But the ski area is an inconveniently sprawling affair, with lots of tedious links and traversing before you get to the excellent intermediate slopes of Veysonnaz and Thyon 2000 at the far end. The intermediate pistes in Verbier’s main ski area are rather limited and can get very crowded. Better to head for the under-used Savoleyres area, where the slopes suit intermediates and are often delightfully quiet. Bruson also offers some good intermediate pistes. Verbier is as famous for its après scene as it is for its slopes. There are lots of bars and clubs, from the British-dominated Pub Mont Fort to the sophisticated Crock No Name, or the seriously expensive Farm Club. But… Snow quality can be poor on sunny lower slopes; intermediates may want to take lifts down to avoid steep intineraries; eating and drinking can be costly; piste map and piste naming could be improved. Whistler whistlerblackcomb.com, tourismwhistler.com Where is it? British Columbia, Canada Why go? North America's biggest mountain, with terrain to suit all Resort 675m Slopes 650m to 2285m Lifts 37 Pistes 8171 acres Six-day lift pass from C$391 Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains together form the biggest ski area, with the longest runs and greatest vertical, in North America. They're linked at resort level and at mid-mountain by the spectacular 28-person Peak 2 Peak gondola. Both mountains have lots of excellent terrain for every standard from beginner through to real expert. And most lifts are gondolas or high-speed chairlifts, with the first six-person chair being introduced this season. Whistler gets an average of over 9m of snow a year, and in three of the last four years it has had over 12m. On the upper slopes, this usually falls as light, dry powder, which makes the place a dream for powder hounds. Experts will love the endless variation in the vast, go-anywhere terrain of Whistler Mountain’s top bowls with their couloirs, gullies and cliffs, as well as open bowls. Blackcomb’s steep slopes are not as extensive but equally satisfying. For intermediates, there is mile after mile of groomed cruising – plus in Whistler’s most recently opened area, Symphony, there are lovely gentle slopes among widely spaced trees. The Whistler-Blackcomb ski school is one of the world’s best. It now limits adult group lessons to a maximum of four people, and runs special four-day camps that polish your skills while showing you around the mountains with the same instructor every day, a rare thing in North America. Extremely Canadian specialises in guiding around the resort’s steep and deep terrain, and offers two-day camps three times a week. Extremely Canadian also started backcountry guiding last season, and Whistler Heli-skiing organises great heli-days. Whistler started as a locals’ ski area in 1966, with a lift up Whistler mountain from what is now the smartly revamped Creekside. Whistler Village proper, a 10-minute bus ride away, has been developed since the late 1970s and is now a huge car-free area of streets lined with shops, condos and restaurants. Spreading out from the foot of Whistler Mountain, it has gondolas to both Whistler and Blackcomb. There is yet more development spread around the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a 10-minute walk from central Whistler Village and with chairlifts up the mountain. The village centres are all traffic free. The resort offers a wide range of accommodation, including top-end places such as the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Westin Resort & Spa, Four Seasons and Pan Pacific Mountainside, as well as plenty of cheaper options. Similarly, there’s a wide range of places to eat and drink, although the restaurants get very busy, so it’s best to book well in advance or face long queues at those that don’t take bookings. But… Rain at village level is not unusual; lift queues and crowded runs can be a problem; mountain restaurants are mostly functional and overcrowded. Snowbird/Alta alta.com, snowbird.com Where is it? Utah, USA Why go? Fabulous steep and deep Resort 2470m to 2600m Slopes 2365m to 3350m Lifts 24 Pistes 4700 acres Six-day lift pass $630 There can be few places where nature has combined the steep with the deep better than at Snowbird and next-door Alta. The two resorts’ linked area is one of the top powder paradises in the world. Note that both resorts offer their own lift passes as well as a combined pass – and that Alta is one of the few resorts in the world that still does not allow snowboarding on its slopes. Although the two ski areas have been linked for well over 10 years now, a lot of locals remain fiercely loyal to one resort or the other and just buy a season pass for a single area – very odd to European eyes. Both Snowbird and Alta receive an average of over 12m of snow a year – around 50 per cent more than the nearby Park City area and twice as much as some Colorado resorts. There is every type of expert terrain in Snowbird/Alta, from open bowls to trees and couloirs. It’s worth hiring a guide, as many of the best and most adventurous runs are reached by traverses that are far from obvious if you don’t know the terrain. And, unlike most North American resorts, Alta doesn’t discriminate on its piste map between single and the more challenging double black diamond terrain – so you don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for. Snowbird does differentiate between double and single black diamond runs, and there are some seriously steep couloirs on its front face. Both resorts have ski schools that run special sessions in the steep and deep terrain. Alta has Off-Trail Workshops every afternoon, which guide you round the whole mountain and show you the parts normally only discovered by locals. There are also four-day Powder Tracks clinics, run by the Alta Lodge chalet, which are aimed at teaching powder skiing and include accommodation. Snowbird runs half-day Mountain Workshops for skiers and snowboarders, which include powder skills, and occasional two-day Sidecountry Camps for skiers, described as “backcountry skiing without all the hard work”. Snowbird is a compact place and most buildings are 1960s concrete. The Cliff Lodge is the best hotel, with a rooftop pool and spa that costs extra on top of the room rate. Alta is made up of more appealing low-rise lodges, including the atmospheric Alta Lodge, opened in 1940. Salt Lake City, 40km away, is worth considering as a base for its amenities and thriving arts scene. But… Limited groomed intermediate runs; tiny resort villages; very quiet at night. Tignes tignes.net Where is it? Savoie, France Why go? A long and snowsure season Resort 1550m to 2100m Espace Killy Slopes 1550m to 3455m Lifts 79 Pistes 300km Six-day lift pass €252.50 Tignes and neighbouring Val d’Isère share the vast Espace Killy ski area, which is one of the best in the world for lift-served off piste. Tignes in particular is one of the most snowsure resorts in the world. Its main season lasts from November till May, and the glacier opens again from mid-June till early August for summer skiing and boarding. The off-piste possibilities are almost endless. The British-run New Generation ski school offers all-day off-piste courses for between three and six experienced skiers. But… Resort centres have some ugly block-like buildings; treeless setting means lifts can close in bad weather. Warth Schröcken warth-schroecken.com Where is it? Vorarlberg, Austria Why go? The snowiest place in Europe Resorts 1260m to 1495m Slopes 1260m to 2050m Lifts 47 Pistes 190km Six-day lift pass €201 If you’ve never heard of Warth and Schröcken you will soon, because a new gondola for this season is linking these two neighbouring resorts to better-known and more fashionable Lech and Zurs over the hill. Warth gets an astonishing (for Europe) 11m of snow a year – almost as much as North America’s snowiest resorts. North-facing slopes mean lovely powdery pistes and acres of fabulous off-piste powder. Warth makes a more convenient base – it’s a drive or bus ride to the lifts from Schröcken, although there are slopes back down to the resort. But… It’s quiet – too quiet for many; little to do off-slopes. Revelstoke revelstokemountainresort.com Where is it? British Columbia, Canada Why go? Challenging resort acquiring cult status Resort 510m Slopes 510m to 2225m Lifts 5 Pistes 3121 acres Six-day lift pass C$455 Until six years ago Revelstoke was a small hill for locals served by one short lift. But a gondola and two fast chairs have transformed it into a resort with the biggest vertical in North America, and it gets huge amounts of powder. Terrain is mostly ungroomed and steep. The ski school runs Inside Tracks sessions where they show you around the steep and deep, and cat-skiing and heliskiing are also available. If you enjoy adventure, put it on your shortlist. You can stay in Revelstoke town, or the developing new resort village, part of which is now complete. But… Very remote; not much intermediate terrain. Val d'Anniviers sierre-anniviers.ch Where is it? Valais, Switzerland Why go? Rustic villages, uncrowded slopes Resorts 1340m to 2000m Slopes 1340m to 3000m Lifts 45 Pistes 220km Six-day lift pass CHF280 If you like ancient, unspoilt mountain villages with small, varied ski areas attached, get to Val d’Anniviers before the big tour operators catch on. The slopes are limited but uncrowded, with a good snow record and fabulous off piste to explore. The resorts of Grimentz and Zinal have the best backcountry in the area, and the two are linked from 2013/14 by a new cable car. A long black run, Piste du Chamois, goes back to Grimentz from the top of the cable car and there are lots of off-piste options on the way. Guiding company Mountain Tracks runs five-day courses in the area. But… Very quiet resorts; lots of draglifts and slow chairs. Fernie skifernie.com Where is it? British Columbia, Canada Why go? Sheltered steeps, expert terrain Resort 1065m Slopes 1065m to 2135m Lifts 10 Pistes 2504 acres Six-day lift pass C$504 Fernie has long had cult status thanks to reliable snowfall (9m a year, on average) and steep, ungroomed terrain. It’s a superb resort for experts, as long as you know where you’re going – a lot of runs are difficult to find and involve long traverses. To get the most out of the terrain, it’s best to get a guided tour. The ski school runs two-day Steep and Deep Camps, and there’s great cat-skiing on offer. The resort village is convenient but small. Fernie town is an alternative base. But… Some slow lifts and lots of traversing; not much for less confident intermediates. Monterosa monterosa-ski.com/en Where is it? Aosta Valley, Italy Why go? Great off piste, unspoilt resorts Resorts 1200m to 1640m Slopes 1200m to 3275m Lifts 23 Pistes 73km Six-day lift pass €210 Monterosa’s three resorts (Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna, each in a different valley) retain a friendly, low-key Italian ambience and share a three-valley network of lifts and pistes which are often deserted mid-week. For adventurous experts and intermediates, powder is the main attraction. There are varied runs from the high points of the lift system in all three valleys, some excellent heli-drops and great tree slopes lower down. A huge area of fabulous off piste is served by a cable car from Passo Salati to Punta Indren, with runs down towards Gressoney and Alagna. Local guides have a deservedly high reputation. But… High winds can close links; limited après. La Grave lagrave-lameije.com Where is it? Hautes Alps, France Why go? Hardcore off-piste terrain Resort 1450m Slopes 1450m to 3550m Lifts 4 Pistes 5km Six-day lift pass €234 La Grave enjoys cult status among experts. It is a small, characterful old village with around 500 visitor beds and only one serious lift, an ancient gondola that takes you up to 3200m. This serves an almost entirely off-piste mountainside that is often coated in glorious powder. This is wild territory with glaciated terrain, narrow couloirs, cliffs, steep slopes and places where, if you fall, you may die. There are no pistes back down and only experts should contemplate a stay here. The Bureau des Guides runs daily off-piste groups. But… Poor weather means lift closure; nothing to do off the slopes. Montgenènevre montgenevre.com Where is it? Haute Alps, France Why go? Big ski area, linked to Italy Resort 1850m Milky Way Slopes 1390m to 2825m Lifts 72 Pistes 400km Six-day lift pass €231 Set on a pass close to the Italian border, Montgenèvre has a very good snow record and receives big dumps of snow from westerly storms which are funnelled up the valley. It’s not renowned as a resort for powder hounds and is all the better for it, because the off piste here remains untracked long after a storm. As well as great terrain to be explored with a guide, there’s an avalanche-controlled freeride zone of ungroomed slopes. The resort is at one end of the huge Milky Way ski area on the French-Italian border. But… Lots of slow lifts and mainly short runs locally; Italian Milky Way resorts are time-consuming to reach. Niseko nisekotourism.com Where is it? Hokkaido, Japan Why go? Light powder, fantastic food and friendly people Resort 280m Slopes 235m to 1210m Lifts 30 Pistes 48km Six-day lift pass ¥31,500 (£199.50) Niseko is the biggest resort on Japan’s north island, Hokkaido. It’s one of the snowiest resorts in the world, receiving an average of 15m of usually dry, light powder every year. Storm after storm comes in from Siberia and dumps day after day – it’s not unusual for snow to fall almost constantly from early December until the end of February. Niseko is one of the few resorts in Japan to allow off-piste access within the ski area, and there are also gates to allow you out into the backcountry. But… A long journey including a change of planes; small ski area by Alpine standards. Big White bigwhite.com Where is it? British Columbia, Canada Why go? Easy powder slopes, great for families Resort 1755m Slopes 1510m to 2320m Lifts 16 Pistes 2765 acres Six-day lift pass C$424 “It’s the snow.” That’s Big White’s slogan, and snow is what you can expect here. Even when the surrounding plains are sunny, Big White is often covered by snow clouds. These snowfalls, combined with the resort’s mostly gentle slopes, make it ideal for learning powder. The village is purpose built, with most accommodation ski-in/ski-out and an excellent Kids’ Centre. There’s also a lovely area below the main village known as Happy Valley, where you can try winter activities from snowmobiling to dog sledding. All this makes Big White ideal for families. But… Visibility can be poor; limited après. Πηγη - telegraph.co.uk

γιατι θελεις να επικοινωνησεις με ολα τα χκ?

Όχι κι η πιο φιλόξενη πλαγιά στον κόσμο - του Χρήστου Πατεράκη Κρεμασμένος σε ένα τόσο δα σχοινάκι, σα ρώγα σε τσαμπί σταφυλιού, έχω κιόλας μουδιάσει από την ακινησία. Μα που πήγα και έμπλεξα πάλι ο γρόθος… Μ’ετρωγε να σκαρφαλώσω μια μεγάλη κλασσική στον Γκίγκιλο πάνω από τη Σαμαριά, νομίζοντας ότι τώρα τον Οκτώβρη είναι καλοκαίρι και ο «τοίχος» είναι για παιδάκια.. Σχεδόν ήξερα ότι θα φάω τα μούτρα μου, όμως χώθηκα και μάλιστα καθυστερημένα. Το φιάσκο από το πρωί φαινόταν. Τα σχοινιά μας μπέρδεψαν στα πρώτα κιόλας μέτρα, τα αναρριχητικά παπούτσια με στένευαν και τα έβγαζα σε κάθε «πατάρι», ενώ ακόμα σιχτιρίζω που άφησα αυτό το λαχταριστό κέικ στο πίσω κάθισμα του αυτοκίνητο ώστε να είμαι fast and light. Παρόλα αυτά σκαρφαλώσαμε δυνατά με γενναίες κινήσεις και αυτοπεποίθηση. Δεν μου πέρασε ούτε μια στιγμή από το μυαλό ότι πάμε για μεγάλο φιάσκο, όχι ότι μου περνάει και ποτέ… Μετά τα 400 μέτρα σκαρφαλώματος μπήκαμε για τα καλά στα βαθιά, ή μάλλον, στα απολύτως κάθετα. Ίχνος ασφάλειας, αλλά ούτε και σημάδι ότι κάποιος έχει περάσει ποτέ ξανά από εδώ. Πλέον δεν έχει επιστροφή και είναι βέβαιο ότι έχω κάνει τη βλακεία μου και πάω εκτός διαδρομής. Ο βράχος απόλυτα λείος και χωρίς καμία σχισμή. Δεν μπορώ να σφηνώσω ασφάλεια πουθενά και ακόμα και τσιμπιδάκι για τα μαλλιά να είχα, δεν θα μπορούσα να το βάλω για να ασφαλιστώ. Σκαρφαλώνω με απόλυτη συγκέντρωση και ευλάβεια μην κάνω το παραμικρό λάθος γιατί αν πέσω, στην καλύτερη περίπτωση θα βρεθώ πάνω στο κεφάλι του σχοινοσύντροφου μου, και στην χειρότερη κρεμασμένος ανάποδα στην άλλη άκρη του σχοινιού, 60 μέτρα παρακάτω με καμιά τριανταριά κόκκαλα σπασμένα… Πάνω που δεν έχω άλλα αποθέματα ηρωισμού για να σκαρφαλώνω χωρίς ασφάλεια 500 μέτρα από το έδαφος, εκεί όπου ανέμελα οι ορδές τουριστών χαζεύουν τις ομορφιές της Σαμαριάς, βρίσκω επιτέλους μια σχισμή. Λες και βρήκα άγκυρα πλοίου! Τόση ασφάλεια ένιωσα, αλλά ως γνωστό αν είναι να πάει κάτι στραβά θα πάει όσο πιο στραβά γίνεται. Διαλέγω το καλύτερο και πιο ίσιο καρφί που έχω και πιάνοντας το σφυρί για να το χτυπήσω, επέρχεται διπλή καταστροφή. Τα ξυλιασμένα χέρια μου δεν αισθάνονται καλά και το σφυρί μου φεύγει από τα χέρια…Φυσικά και δεν το έχω δεμένο στην άλλη άκρη του, οπότε το βλέπω κοκαλωμένος να τα βρίσκει περίφημα με τον νόμο της βαρύτητας και να επιταχύνει στο κενό σαν τρελό. Πριν καν προλάβω να φωνάξω στο Στέφανο που είναι 30 μέτρα πιο κάτω να προσέξει, ακούω αυτό το φρικιαστικό θόρυβο της επαφής του κράνους με το ιπτάμενο σφυρί… Δε φτάνει που μου έπεσε και πρέπει να συνεχίσω χωρίς ασφάλεια, έπεσε και στο κεφάλι του σχοινοσύντροφου μου και ευτυχώς είναι (ακόμα) καλά. Φτάνω λίγο παραπάνω χαροπαλεύοντας και επιτέλους περνάω έναν ιμάντα στην τρύπα ενός βράχου: ήταν σαν να έπινα καφέ με τον διευθυντή της Interamerican κλείνοντας την πόρτα στα μούτρα του Χάρου! Έχει σχεδόν βραδιάσει και η κορυφή μοιάζει πολλές ώρες μακριά, οπότε ξεχνάμε την περίπτωση ότι θα βγούμε επάνω. Φτάνει και ο Στέφανος με μια τρύπα στο κράνος από τη “ιπτάμενη” σφυριά που έφαγε και αρχίζουμε να σχεδιάζουμε το πώς θα περάσουμε το υπέροχο αυτό βράδυ. Προμήθειες έχουμε άφθονες. Μισή σοκολάτα που την μοιράζουμε και παίρνει ο καθένας τρία πλακάκια, και μερικές γουλιές νερό. Τα πόδια μου έχουν κιόλας τσιμεντώσει και δεν φτάνει αυτό, ο Στέφανος είναι σχεδόν 10 μέτρα μακριά γιατί δεν χωράγαμε και οι δύο στην ίδια ασφάλεια. Η επικοινωνία είναι άκαρπη πλέον και με τον αέρα που φυσάει είναι σαν χαλασμένο τηλέφωνο. Βυθίζομαι όσο βαθύτερα γίνεται μέσα στο κοντομάνικο μπλουζάκι και αναθεματίζω ξανά για το λεπτό μπουφανάκι που πάλι δεν πήρα. Έχει νυχτώσει για τα καλά και τα πόδια μου έχουν γίνει παγωτά ξυλάκια, ενώ το τρέμουλο υποδηλώνει ότι η υποθερμία δεν αργεί. Περνάω «καταπληκτικά» μέσα στη μιζέρια και για άλλη μια φορά αναρωτιέμαι γιατί το κάνω αυτό στον εαυτό μου. Οι (λιγοστοί) φυσιολογικοί φίλοι μου πίνουν μπύρες σε κάνα καφενέ με μεζέδες, κι εγώ πάλι γκρινιάζω κρεμασμένος στα βράχια πεινασμένος, παγωμένος, δεμένος σε έναν ιμάντα και χωρίς να είναι σίγουρο ότι αύριο θα βγω στην κορυφή ζωντανός… Γιατί το κάνω αυτό; Αρχίζουν οι φιλοσοφίες να τριγυρίζουν στο παγωμένο εγκέφαλο μου και αναλογίζομαι τα δύο βασικά ένστικτα που έχουμε σαν ανθρώπινα όντα. Επιβίωση και αναπαραγωγή. Για την αναπαραγωγή θα μιλήσουμε άλλη ώρα (με τέτοιο κρύο ούτε σκέψη δεν περνάει) όμως η επιβίωση σήμερα είναι σχετικά δεδομένη. Δεν σε κυνηγάνε λιοντάρια στο δρόμο, ούτε ιθαγενείς να σε ψήσουν στο καζάνι. Το ότι είσαι ζωντανός καθημερινά αρχίζει να είναι δεδομένο, ίσως και βαρετό... και δεν έχει πολλή πλάκα αυτό. Ο κίνδυνος είναι ένας τρόπος να επιβεβαιώσουμε την ύπαρξη μας, να νιώσουμε ζωντανοί αλλά και να αμφισβητήσουμε την σιγουριά της βέβαιης ζωής. Δεν λέω, ωραία να είσαι ζωντανός και αρτιμελής, αλλά αν αυτό αμφισβητηθεί έστω και από δική σου επιλογή, γίνεται ακόμα πιο ενδιαφέρον. Σαν να κοροϊδεύεις και να παίζεις ένα παιχνίδι με το χάρο. Όχι, νομίζω δεν είμαι παρανοϊκός ούτε αυτοκτονικός. Λατρεύω τη ζωή και εκτιμώ κάθε δευτερόλεπτο της, όμως υπάρχει και η ικανοποίηση του να είσαι ζωντανός και αρτιμελής μετά από κάθε χαροπάλεμα.. Είναι ένα μέσο ανακάλυψης των ορίων που συνεχώς μεταφέρονται όλο και πιο πάνω, σε ένα παιχνίδι που ποτέ δεν θα μάθουμε το τέλος του. Δεν χρειάζεται άλλωστε να μάθουμε και να εξηγούμε τα πάντα, γιατί αποκλείουμε την μάθηση και δολοφονούμε την έκπληξη… Πάνω στην ώρα θα φάω απολαυστικά το τελευταίο κομμάτι σοκολάτα για να βεβαιωθώ ότι τελικά, ακόμα και έτσι, δεν είναι άσχημα Πηγη - http://cretazine.com/crete/routes/crete-in-action/item/1342-anarrixisi-ston-gkigkilo

καλυτερα Μοναστηρακι, διοτι δεν θα εχουμε αυτ

και απο του χρονου το 5-αρι θα διεξαχθει το Σαββατο

να κανονισουμε, αλλα τι ωρα? ο καθενας ξεμπερδευει και αλλη ωρα

διαβασε το 1ο ποστ του τοπικ

χαχα, εγω (με το μωβ) και ο Helbent φατσα καρτα. και ο Σταθης (Spider) πισω

μου εκανε εντύπωση ποση διαφορα εχει να βλεπεις την ταινια στο λαπτοπ η στην τιβι με το να την δεις σε μια τοσο τεραστια οθονη. ειχε καταπληκτική φωτογραφια και μουσικη αλλα αν και στη μεση της αιθουσας ειχα την εντυπωση ότι ημουν κοντα - στα 2/3 της ταινιας ημουν ζαλισμένη από την ενναλαγη της εικονας και την ταχυτητα με την οποια κατέβαιναν τα γκρεμια παρέλασαν σχεδον όλα τα μεγαλα ονοματα από την οθονη και εκει που περιμανα πολύ snowboard και αλλα αθληματα χορτασα σκι. ενταξει, το steep παραμενει η καλυτερη του ειδους που εχω δει αλλα μ’αρεσε και αυτή του καλυτερο της βραδιάς ηταν το παρτυ του snowboard.gr και τα δωρα που κληρώθηκαν. τοσα χρονια προεδρος εκοψα πιτες, μοίρασα ένα σωρό δωρα, δεν μου εκατσε ποτε τιποτα. προχθες κερδισα ένα ζευγαρι σκι και χαρηκα σαν μικρο παιδι

πολυ καλο αρθρο Αρη

εγω θα ειμαι εκει. δεν ξερω ποιος αλλος αλλα καλυτερα να τα γραψουμε στο δικο του τοπικ http://www.snowclub.gr/forums/index.php?showtopic=16489

αυριο

The Matterhorn vs K2

περαστηκα Γιαννη! να προσεχεις!!!

Μια στιγμή, ένα κλάσμα του δευτερολέπτου μπορεί να αλλάξει τη ζωή σου για πάντα, να σε βάλει σε ένα άλλο κουλουάρ του στίβου του προσωπικού σου timeline. Ο Βούδας έλεγε: «Μια στιγμή μπορεί να αλλάξει μια ημέρα, μια ημέρα μπορεί να αλλάξει μια ζωή και μια ζωή μπορεί να αλλάξει τον κόσμο». Ο Μάκης Καλαράς, που βαφτίστηκε Ευθύμης, γεννήθηκε το 1976 στο Ηράκλειο Αττικής. Από μικρός είχε έφεση στον αθλητισμό. Είχε μέσα του αυτό το αγιάτρευτο μικρόβιο του πρωταθλητισμού και με ό,τι καταπιανόταν ήθελε να είναι πρώτος. Κουνγκ φου, μπάσκετ, ποδόσφαιρο, πινγκ πονγκ, βόλεϊ, ελληνορωμαϊκή πάλη, άρση βαρών. «Πάλευα με μεγαλύτερους, πιο εύσωμους και βαρύτερους από εμένα και πάντα τα πήγαινα καλά» λέει ο καθισμένος στο αναπηρικό του καροτσάκι, ένα πολύ ζεστό απόγευμα στην πλατεία Μαβίλη. Η φιγούρα του με το μακρύ μούσι, το καλογυμνασμένο σώμα, τα τατουάζ στα χέρια και το πηγαίο χαμόγελο σε κερδίζει από την πρώτη στιγμή. Ο Μάκης είναι εύθυμος τύπος. Γελάει, λέει αστεία, κάνει πλάκες. Πριν από λίγες ημέρες, ανέβασε στη σελίδα του στο facebook μια φωτογραφία του επεξεργασμένη στο Instagram με τουρμπάνι στο κεφάλι και γαλάζια μάτια που τον κάνει να μοιάζει με τον Σουλεϊμάν από το γνωστό τουρκικό σίριαλ. «Όταν άφησα το μούσι, όλοι μου έλεγαν ότι μοιάζω με τον Σουλεϊμάν, έτσι κι εγώ ανέβασα αυτή τη φωτογραφία κι έγινε χαμός. Πήρα περισσότερα από διακόσια like. Σκέψου πως, όταν είχα ποστάρει τη φωτογραφία με το μετάλλιο, είχα πάρει εκατό. Απίστευτο με τι ασχολείται ο κόσμος». Ο Μάκης είχε άγρια εφηβεία. Από το γυμνάσιο και μετά, ενώ ήταν καλός μαθητής, άρχισε να παραμελεί τα μαθήματά του. Καφετέριες, μπαρ, γυναίκες. «Ήμουν διαολόπαιδο. Θυμάμαι ότι αλητεύαμε με τους φίλους μου μέχρι τις εφτά το πρωί και πηγαίναμε στο σχολείο με μαξιλάρι στην τσάντα για να την πέσουμε για ύπνο εκεί. Είχα πάρει και μηχανάκι και γενικά έτρεχα πολύ, αψηφούσα τον κίνδυνο, όπως όλα τα παιδιά αυτής της ηλικίας. Ώσπου μια μέρα πήγα να πάρω την κοπέλα μου και γλίστρησα, έπεσα, χτύπησα τη σπονδυλική μου στήλη και από τότε δεν ξαναπερπάτησα. Το οξύμωρο είναι ότι εκείνη την ημέρα δεν έτρεχα». Ήταν δεκαεφτά ετών. Οι γιατροί τού είπαν ότι δεν θα ξαναπερπατήσει. Εκείνος δεν το πίστεψε. «Μου πήρε τρεις μήνες να συνειδητοποιήσω ότι δεν θα περπατήσω ξανά. Όσο δηλαδή έκατσα στην Αγγλία, στο πρόγραμμα αποκατάστασης. Εκεί μου έμαθαν πώς μπορώ να τα κάνω όλα μόνος μου, χωρίς καμία βοήθεια. Μου έδειξαν τεχνικές πώς να μπαίνω στην μπανιέρα, πώς να οδηγώ αυτοκίνητο, πώς να ανεβαίνω τα σκαλοπάτια και ό,τι χρειάζομαι για να έχω μια κανονική καθημερινότητα». Αλλά του Μάκη δεν του έφταναν αυτά. Σύντομα θα ξεκινούσε ξανά τον αθλητισμό. Αρχικά στην άρση βαρών, όπου θα πάρει και την πρώτη του διάκριση (πέμπτος στο πανευρωπαϊκό πρωτάθλημα) και στη συνέχεια στη δισκοβολία, ένα ιδιαίτερα απαιτητικό άθλημα ακόμα και για απολύτως υγιείς αθλητές. Αργυρό μετάλλιο στους Παραολυμπιακούς Αγώνες της Αθήνας το 2004, χρυσό μετάλλιο στο Πανευρωπαϊκό Πρωτάθλημα Στίβου το 2005 στο Ελσίνκι, χρυσό μετάλλιο στο Παγκόσμιο Πρωτάθλημα Στίβου το 2006 στο Άσεν, τρίτος στο Παγκόσμιο Κύπελλο το 2007 στην Ταϊπέι, πέμπτος στην Παραολυμπιάδα του Πεκίνου το 2008. Ένας υπερήρωας. Στο Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο της Αθήνας σαράντα χιλιάδες κόσμου φώναζαν «Ελλάς, Ελλάς, Μάκης Καλαράς», προσπαθώντας να τον εμψυχώσουν στην προσπάθειά του. «Τότε δεν καταλάβαινα και δεν άκουγα τίποτε. Ακόμα κι όταν ανέβηκα στο βάθρο, έλεγα άντε να τελειώνουμε να πάμε σπίτι μας. Τώρα βλέπω καμιά φορά τα βιντεάκια από εκείνο τον αγώνα και δακρύζω. Ήταν απίστευτη στιγμή, μαγική. Οι καλύτερες στιγμές της ζωής μου ήταν όταν είχα το ατύχημα και όταν πήρα το μετάλλιο». Ο Μάκης Καλαράς μέσω της δισκοβολίας έφτασε στην κορυφή του κόσμου. Σχεδόν τίποτα δεν άλλαξε στη ζωή του ύστερα από το ατύχημα. «Νιώθω πολύ καλά με τον εαυτό μου, γιατί έχω φίλους, ερωτική και σεξουαλική ζωή, πηγαίνω σινεμά, σε μπαρ, για μπάνιο, ταξιδεύω σε όλο τον κόσμο. Κάνω τα πάντα και δεν ντρέπομαι για τίποτα. Απλά εκεί που ο καθένας, όταν θέλει να πάει κάπου, δεν σκέφτεται τίποτα, εγώ πρέπει να σκεφτώ ένα λεπτό παραπάνω για να δω αν το μέρος που θέλω να πάω έχει εύκολη πρόσβαση. Έχω ένα νοητό χάρτη στο μυαλό μου με τα μέρη στην Αθήνα που μπορώ να επισκεφθώ και με αυτά που δεν μπορώ. Ή πρέπει, ας πούμε, να σκεφτώ, όταν θέλω να πάω σε ένα μπαρ, αν χωράω στην τουαλέτα, οπότε πρέπει να κανονίσω να μην πιω πολύ νερό ή χυμό για να μη χρειαστεί να τη χρησιμοποιήσω. Αλκοόλ δεν πίνω ποτέ. Η πλάκα είναι με τους αστυνομικούς που με σταματάνε για αλκοτέστ. Με βλέπουν έτσι με τα μούσια και με τα τατουάζ και σκέφτονται αληταράς είναι αυτός, θα τον τσιμπήσουμε. Φυσάω και βγάζει μείον το μηχάνημα, ξαναφυσάω, πάλι τα ίδια. Γελάω κάθε φορά που συμβαίνει αυτό». Υπάρχουν στιγμές που ζηλεύει αυτούς που περπατάνε; «Μπα. Υπάρχουν όμως στιγμές που με ζηλεύουν αυτοί. Γιατί στις κατηφόρες πηγαίνω πιο γρήγορα και γιατί όταν μπαίνω σε ένα μπαρ πάντα μια γυναίκα θα με προσέξει. Με τις γυναίκες, άλλωστε, δεν είχα ποτέ πρόβλημα. Το αντίθετο. Οι περισσότερες γυναίκες που είναι μαζί μου ζηλεύουν επειδή με κοιτάνε οι άλλες. Όσο για το σεξ, πάντα υπάρχουν τρόποι να το κάνεις. Δεν είναι ανάγκη να το κάνεις κάτω από τα σκαλοπάτια ή στα βράχια, υπάρχει και το κρεβάτι και ο καναπές». Αντικειμενικές δυσκολίες δεν αντιμετωπίζει ιδιαίτερες. Έχει αυτοκίνητο που με μια ειδική πατέντα μπορεί να χειρίζεται το γκάζι και το φρένο με τα χέρια, το ποδήλατό του έχει τρεις ρόδες και πετάλια στα χέρια («κάνω περίπου τριάντα χιλιόμετρα την ημέρα»), μαγειρεύει, πηγαίνει σούπερ μάρκετ και κάνει τις δουλειές του σπιτιού μόνος του. «Είναι σημαντικό να κάνεις τα πάντα μόνος σου. Σου ανεβάζει την ψυχολογία. Όταν μαγειρεύω ή σφουγγαρίζω νιώθω πολύ ωραία. Ενώ πριν χτυπήσω θα έλεγα: «Σιγά μη μαγειρέψω, αυτά είναι δουλείες για να τις κάνει η μάνα μου ή καμιά γκόμενα», τώρα προτιμώ να τις κάνω μόνος μου. Όλα αυτά σε κάνουν καλύτερο και πιο αυτάρκη ως άνθρωπο. Τώρα, αν χρειαστεί να ανέβω σκαλοπάτια, ζητάω τη βοήθεια κάποιου περαστικού. Ευτυχώς οι Έλληνες σε βοηθάνε αν τους το ζητήσεις». Το 2008 ο Μάκης Καλαράς, και ύστερα από τις σπουδαίες επιτυχίες που πέτυχε στη δισκοβολία, αποφάσισε ξανά να αλλάξει άθλημα. Πάντα όταν έφτανε στην κορυφή βαριόταν. Είχε πετύχει το στόχο του. Είχε κορεστεί. Ήθελε μια νέα πρόκληση. Το δικό του ναρκωτικό είναι η αδρεναλίνη και μια θέση στο βάθρο. Και κάπως έτσι «ανακάλυψε» το sit ski, το καθιστό σκι, με έναν ειδικό εξοπλισμό που σου επιτρέπει να κατεβαίνεις μια χιονισμένη πλαγιά μέχρι και με εκτό τριάντα χιλιόμετρα την ώρα. Αυτό τον καιρό προπονείται σκληρά για να πετύχει το όριο και να συμμετάσχει στη χειμερινή Παραολυμπιάδα του 2014 στη Ρωσία. «Θέλω να γίνω ο πρώτος Έλληνας αθλητής με συμμετοχή σε θερινή και χειμερινή Ολυμπιάδα. Είναι κάτι που δεν έχει ξαναγίνει ποτέ και είμαι πολύ κοντά στο στόχο μου. Όταν προπονούμαι, είμαι απόλυτα συγκεντρωμένος. Την εποχή του πρωταθλητισμού στη δισκοβολία, που χρειαζόταν πολύ σκληρή προπόνηση και απόλυτη συγκέντρωση, δεν έκανα σεξ για δύο χρόνια, δεν το είχα καν στο μυαλό μου». Ταυτόχρονα πηγαίνει σε σχολεία και σε πανεπιστήμια και μιλάει στους μαθητές και τους φοιτητές για τη ζωή του. Για το παροιμιώδες σθένος του να μετατρέψει την αναπηρία του σε κάτι θετικό, για το πώς ένας άνθρωπος σε καροτσάκι μπορεί να συνεχίσει τη ζωή του ως απόλυτα φυσιολογικός, για το πώς, όταν πέφτεις, μπορείς εύκολα να ξανασηκωθείς (και να εκτοξευθείς). «Σε ένα άλμα που έκανα στη Γαλλία στο sit ski, αντί να προσγειωθώ με τα οπίσθια, προσγειώθηκα με το πρόσωπο. Έσπασα μύτες, σαγόνια, γέμισα αίματα και έκοψα τον τένοντά μου. Αλλά με επιμονή, υπομονή και γυμναστική ανάρρωσα γρήγορα και συνεχίζω το δρόμο μου για τους Ολυμπιακούς. Τίποτε δεν θα με σταματήσει».

σε μια βδομαδα κλεινω 6 μηνες από το χειρουργειο. το ποδι παει αρκετα καλα, χθες μαλιστα σε διάταση 4φαλου από ορθια θεση καταφερα να ακουμπήσω 1η φορα τον ποπό μου με τη φτερνα. ξαπλωμένη μπρούμυτα ακομα δεν το φτανω. εχω πονακια και μαγκώματα ιδιως το πρωι όταν σηκώνομαι επισης εδώ και λιγες μερες καταφερα και τρεχω 5 χλμ χωρις διάλλειμα και το άλλο ποδι στρώνει σιγα σιγα…περιμενω με αγωνια το 1ο σκι περισσότερο να δω την αίσθηση στα γονατα οι υπόλοιποι πως είσαστε? ελπιζω ολοι καλα

γλυκοζαμινη και χονδροιτινη παιρνω εδώ και αρκετα χρονια, δεν εχω δει καμια διαφορα