Cookie says...
We woke to find the outside world white. In Cam McKellar's words, it had puked all night. The girls had arranged to meet Georges-Alan at Les Houches so I was happy to check it out while Pilty piked. It would be interesting to see how we all go. The girls went for the lesson and Georges-Alan sent me down a run full of fresh powder and devoid of people. Those that I did see where skiers and I found out why - the return was the worlds longest pommel lift.
The weather was pretty ordinary even if it gave the best conditions to ride. I managed to come across the girls half way down a blue run which heads to where we started, so I joined them for the last 30 mins of their lesson.
Julie says...
Today I skied through a blizzard on my way down a rather large mountain. On multiple occasions, I gaped at Georges-Alan with a "you want me to ski down there..?" look.
But, after 3 hours of thigh-burning "skiing" down the runs (I'm sure those around us would question whether we were actually skiing... maybe surviving was a better description), I felt awesome when I made it to the bottom. If could purchase a new pair of thigh muscles at the ski lift, I so would have done it all again!
Sarah says...
Everything hurts. The End.
Pilty says...
I'm not sure if I'd class today as a successful day or an unsuccessful day. While the others went off to conquer some slope a bit further down the road, I set off to reach the summit of Aiguille du Midi. I was really looking forward to experiencing temps of between -18°C and -20°C and winds between 60kmh and 100kmh, but alas for me, the cable car that takes people to the peak at 3842m was closed for the day
On the other hand, I enjoyed walking around while it was snowing heavily, making snowballs (although no one wanted to have a war with me), built a snow man and even made (or is it became?) a snow angel. It's amazing how soft and dry snow is here.
Bronwen says...
Les Houches, you had your butt kicked by B. Pyle, J. Cook and a little bit by S. Pyle. After a blizzard, the world's longest pummel ride, a red run and a couple of spectacular dives into mounds of fresh powder (with a group of French girls shouting down from the chair lift to see if I was ok...granted I was lying in a pool of snow, looking a bit dead but laughing so hard I couldn't get up), we hit the final slope back into the village. I had a feeling of exhilaration as we had made it all the way down the front of the mountain...a fist pump like I had just won a medal at the Olympics...even despite Georges-Alan telling me that I looked like a skiing chicken on the last slope. We are Georges-Alan's skiing angels!!!
Showing posts with label Ski Chamonix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ski Chamonix. Show all posts
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Day 20 - FR
Cookie says...
The promise of snow meant it was cloudy today. We had a slightly later start due to no private lesson. I saw the kiddies on the slopes for a bit (they are coming along) and then headed back up.
As expected if you went high enough, you break through the cloud but all the runs were ending in the cloud. Sometimes it was almost a whiteout and you're left questioning where you are.
I tools downed mid arvo and headed home for a late lunch. Julz and Bron sorted out dinner and after that we cracked out the cards and dice.
Julie says...
Today we tried to pretend we knew what we were doing without Georges-Alan. We spent the entire time reciting "down, up and turn" as we weaved our way down the hill. I managed ten runs down Savoy without a fall (I'm quite impressed with myself), and am looking forward to showing Georges-Alan my brilliance tomorrow - I know he will be impressed.
On a seperate note, today was the first since the trip started when Cookie failed to make a reference to Asterix.
Sarah says...
It was nice to sleep in today. Practiced so that Georges-Alan would not be disappointed tomorrow. On the short runs my technique is improving and it would be good to have more time here so that my muscles could properly adjust and I could continue to get better.
Pilty says...
Pretty successful day. Not only did I manage to ski and not fall over, I also managed to get down the slopes without stopping. I even outlasted the girls in duration. Still not sure why they are all complaining about hurting. There was only one person out there who was always in the wrong positions, and I wasn't hurting. Today was also the first day it snowed. I now know the difference between snow and light rain.
Bronwen says...
Out of eight runs down Savoy, the second was a complete disaster. As a result of a rather spectacular fall on a patch of ice, I am sporting a bruise the size of a small South Pacific nation which is the colour of a rather lovely eggplant. I am continuing to have a pain party in my pants which has been joined by a pain party in my jumper... even my bingo wings hurt. Les Houches tomorrow... may the force be with us.
The promise of snow meant it was cloudy today. We had a slightly later start due to no private lesson. I saw the kiddies on the slopes for a bit (they are coming along) and then headed back up.
As expected if you went high enough, you break through the cloud but all the runs were ending in the cloud. Sometimes it was almost a whiteout and you're left questioning where you are.
I tools downed mid arvo and headed home for a late lunch. Julz and Bron sorted out dinner and after that we cracked out the cards and dice.
Julie says...
Today we tried to pretend we knew what we were doing without Georges-Alan. We spent the entire time reciting "down, up and turn" as we weaved our way down the hill. I managed ten runs down Savoy without a fall (I'm quite impressed with myself), and am looking forward to showing Georges-Alan my brilliance tomorrow - I know he will be impressed.
On a seperate note, today was the first since the trip started when Cookie failed to make a reference to Asterix.
Sarah says...
It was nice to sleep in today. Practiced so that Georges-Alan would not be disappointed tomorrow. On the short runs my technique is improving and it would be good to have more time here so that my muscles could properly adjust and I could continue to get better.
Pilty says...
Pretty successful day. Not only did I manage to ski and not fall over, I also managed to get down the slopes without stopping. I even outlasted the girls in duration. Still not sure why they are all complaining about hurting. There was only one person out there who was always in the wrong positions, and I wasn't hurting. Today was also the first day it snowed. I now know the difference between snow and light rain.
Bronwen says...
Out of eight runs down Savoy, the second was a complete disaster. As a result of a rather spectacular fall on a patch of ice, I am sporting a bruise the size of a small South Pacific nation which is the colour of a rather lovely eggplant. I am continuing to have a pain party in my pants which has been joined by a pain party in my jumper... even my bingo wings hurt. Les Houches tomorrow... may the force be with us.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Day 19 - FR
Cookie says...
The girls (and Pilty) were off for another rendezvous with *French accent* Georges-Alan. I watched for a bit then headed back up to yesterdays field. This time I went right across to the other side and found some more fun and fast runs. One lift was closed while I had queued up due to injury evacs so I went elsewhere. When the girls were done I tried getting back as quick as I could but that was a 90 min commute.
Earlier Sarah and Bron had spied a fondue place for dinner. Entrees were escargots (snails) followed by a meat / oil and a cheese / mushroom fondue. It was soo good but soo filling. I think I had to be rolled back to the apartment. Fortunately it wasn't far (thank you Sarah!)
Julie says...
My calf muscles would like to welcome my thigh and knee muscles to their pain party. I spend so much time pushing down on my skies trying desperately to slow down as I corner that my muscles are questioning my sanity. Georges-Alan assures me that if I go faster, it will be easier...
After introducing myself to the same patch of ice three times, I spent some practice time on the slopes after lunch and I think I am getting the hang of it.
Sarah says...
So we had another lesson with our Guru - Georges-Alan. We are all improving and he is quite patient with us but extremely honest about what we are doing wrong.
Fondue was amazing!
Pilty says...
Skiing... pretty sure I should switch to snowboarding
Fondue... so good, could've eaten it all night
Snowmobiling...non existent :(
Garlic snails...impressively tasty (although probably due to garlic)
Bronwen says...
We hit the big slope today with Georges-Alan. After a very slow start (I couldn't have gone slower if I was dead), I started going about ten metres an hour and managed to not stack it on the last couple of runs down. I am having a pain party in my pants... sitting is difficult as is walking and standing still. Fondue for dinner and a lovely Sancerre helped immensely.
The girls (and Pilty) were off for another rendezvous with *French accent* Georges-Alan. I watched for a bit then headed back up to yesterdays field. This time I went right across to the other side and found some more fun and fast runs. One lift was closed while I had queued up due to injury evacs so I went elsewhere. When the girls were done I tried getting back as quick as I could but that was a 90 min commute.
Earlier Sarah and Bron had spied a fondue place for dinner. Entrees were escargots (snails) followed by a meat / oil and a cheese / mushroom fondue. It was soo good but soo filling. I think I had to be rolled back to the apartment. Fortunately it wasn't far (thank you Sarah!)
Julie says...
My calf muscles would like to welcome my thigh and knee muscles to their pain party. I spend so much time pushing down on my skies trying desperately to slow down as I corner that my muscles are questioning my sanity. Georges-Alan assures me that if I go faster, it will be easier...
After introducing myself to the same patch of ice three times, I spent some practice time on the slopes after lunch and I think I am getting the hang of it.
Sarah says...
So we had another lesson with our Guru - Georges-Alan. We are all improving and he is quite patient with us but extremely honest about what we are doing wrong.
Fondue was amazing!
Pilty says...
Skiing... pretty sure I should switch to snowboarding
Fondue... so good, could've eaten it all night
Snowmobiling...non existent :(
Garlic snails...impressively tasty (although probably due to garlic)
Bronwen says...
We hit the big slope today with Georges-Alan. After a very slow start (I couldn't have gone slower if I was dead), I started going about ten metres an hour and managed to not stack it on the last couple of runs down. I am having a pain party in my pants... sitting is difficult as is walking and standing still. Fondue for dinner and a lovely Sancerre helped immensely.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Day 18 - FR
Cookie says...
CHAMONIX! I've always want to come here (or at least since I've had an interest in the snow) and now I get a chance to hit its slopes. We headed early to meet the instructor but due to an issue at their end, it was another 90mins before one turned up. I watched them settled in and shot through.
The Planpraz gondola is just up the road from our unit and it's where I started. There's a bunch of lifts that hang off that face so I hung out there for a few hours. It was fun and I hit some runs at speed but it was pretty clear that it's been a while since I've boarded and I'm not the same shape (round vs not as round) as I was last time. As for the board, it isn't that great and for the moment I'll describe it as being adequate.
The girls had headed back to base, looking for lunch and had booked more lessons. I met them for food, we changed super market chains and it was a lot better. We headed home, hung out reading, nerding and showering. Bron's making pasta for us tonight and I'm sure the cards shall make another appearance.
Julie says...
"Hello calf muscles, welcome to Charmonix. Here you will find amazing scenery, massive mountains and a beautiful town. However calf muscles, prepare yourselves for a world of hurt... the next 4 days of sking will be interesting...
Sarah says...
So our first sking lesson under the guidance of Georges-Alan went quite well. I can now go over small bumps without looking like a complete spaz! I think the man is a genius!!!
I also completely love this town. It is so beautiful!
Pilty says...
Snow...that's really all I care about. While Cookie got a choice of boarding in 3 countries, my choice was limited to just a couple of green (easy) slopes. I had no problem going down straight, it was just trying to do the turns that I struggled with
Made the best garlic bread for dinner - lots of garlic with a little bit of bread
Bronwen says...
We have a sauntering French ski instructor...he has worked some magic on us on the baby slopes today. We are turning, stopping, going over bumps and generally looking like we are skiing not have muscles spasms on skis. Exhaustion and pain after a day on slopes is taking over...
CHAMONIX! I've always want to come here (or at least since I've had an interest in the snow) and now I get a chance to hit its slopes. We headed early to meet the instructor but due to an issue at their end, it was another 90mins before one turned up. I watched them settled in and shot through.
The Planpraz gondola is just up the road from our unit and it's where I started. There's a bunch of lifts that hang off that face so I hung out there for a few hours. It was fun and I hit some runs at speed but it was pretty clear that it's been a while since I've boarded and I'm not the same shape (round vs not as round) as I was last time. As for the board, it isn't that great and for the moment I'll describe it as being adequate.
The girls had headed back to base, looking for lunch and had booked more lessons. I met them for food, we changed super market chains and it was a lot better. We headed home, hung out reading, nerding and showering. Bron's making pasta for us tonight and I'm sure the cards shall make another appearance.
Julie says...
"Hello calf muscles, welcome to Charmonix. Here you will find amazing scenery, massive mountains and a beautiful town. However calf muscles, prepare yourselves for a world of hurt... the next 4 days of sking will be interesting...
Sarah says...
So our first sking lesson under the guidance of Georges-Alan went quite well. I can now go over small bumps without looking like a complete spaz! I think the man is a genius!!!
I also completely love this town. It is so beautiful!
Pilty says...
Snow...that's really all I care about. While Cookie got a choice of boarding in 3 countries, my choice was limited to just a couple of green (easy) slopes. I had no problem going down straight, it was just trying to do the turns that I struggled with
Made the best garlic bread for dinner - lots of garlic with a little bit of bread
Bronwen says...
We have a sauntering French ski instructor...he has worked some magic on us on the baby slopes today. We are turning, stopping, going over bumps and generally looking like we are skiing not have muscles spasms on skis. Exhaustion and pain after a day on slopes is taking over...
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