Flew back from Ireland and packed for going skiing!!! There were meant to be 6 of us going on the annual trip. Me, Dad, and dad’s friends, Neil, Ian, Debbie and Aiden. Due to ‘a series of unfortunate events’ it ended up just me and Neil (my Godfather) going and Ian was flying out to join us after two days.
Dad drove me to the airport, and we picked up Neil on the way. Had a bit of a wait in Genera airport as there were communication issues with ATS. Finally got picked up and arrived in Argentiere, Chamonix, at la Boerne around midnight.
The first day we stopped off in Argentiere at Stamos sports for my skis, boots and poles, Le Tour was closed due to windy conditions so we headed for Les Grands Montets which is THE place for skiing and free riding in Chamonix. Did a few blue runs to get back into the flow of things again, and Neil gave me some good pointers about the position of my shoulders, where the weight should be over my skis etc ... it wasn’t long before my feet were killing as I have problems with my arches. So I had to stop and take my boots off to take the pressure off the bottom of my feet. This kept happening through the whole of the trip, but got slightly better as the days went on and from mornings to afternoons. Had a bit of lunch then took the lift up the Bochard (2765m) for my first red run of the season.
Got back to the gite in time for tea, before stopping off for some tea and buiscet supplies in Argentiere. The lady cooked us tea and we had a good conversation about skiing and climbing for about 3 hours.
On the second and third days we went to Le Tour and did a mix of blue and red runs again as Brevent – Flegere was closed. Neil taught me how to carve and was impressed by my sepecatulat 180 degree jump turns. I only manage a few as its hard to do it on sloped less than 30 degrees and the slopes at Le Tour weren’t that steep for long sections. Ian joined us on the third day but got all got mixed up as to where one another were and ended up at slightly different ski resorts for a while.
On the last day, we went back to Les Grands Montets for some extreme skiing! Took the Herse lift up to 2595m and skied the red run with all my improved skills put into practice. We then went off-piste for a bit and worked on small jump turns over the lumps and bumps (I only ended up hugging a tree once this time!). Neil and Ian had to leave soon after lunch as they were off to Samoen (I’ve been there!) for a few weeks of ski touring. I stayed for a few more hours and did a few more runs and wet off piste for a bit too. Ended the trip in style by coming down the valley run right from the highest point on the mountain (2765m) down the Bochard and then the valley run its self, keeping speed all the way (apart from stopping for my feet hurting like crazy a few times) with some pretty nice carving, well finished turns and a huge grin on my face =]
Returned my skis in Argentiere, back to the gite where it was full!! Nice to meet a few more people! Met three guys who were planning on a good three weeks of ice climbing. I was able to give them some advice about snow conditions etc, and we got chatting over tea about all things mountains. Up early (again) the next morning and took the bus in to Chamonix and had a wander around and bought a few bits and bobs. ATS picked my up at about 2:00 and took me to Genera airport. Spent the journey chatting with Joe and practically exchanged life stories about dancing, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing ... and figure skating (although thats a secret). Anyway got back to Liverpool airport at 7ish, got home, had tea, and back to Lancaster!!
I’m very proud of what I achieved although next time I plan to be insured for off-piste to I can ski the Vallee Blanche (had a play around with some crevasse rescue toys I may need), and I only had one minor accident where I got taken out at high speeds and it all ended in broken skis ... my leg is now black.
I think a big thank you is due to Neil and Ian too.
(Pics up soon ... seems to be some problems with that at the moment)
Dad drove me to the airport, and we picked up Neil on the way. Had a bit of a wait in Genera airport as there were communication issues with ATS. Finally got picked up and arrived in Argentiere, Chamonix, at la Boerne around midnight.
The first day we stopped off in Argentiere at Stamos sports for my skis, boots and poles, Le Tour was closed due to windy conditions so we headed for Les Grands Montets which is THE place for skiing and free riding in Chamonix. Did a few blue runs to get back into the flow of things again, and Neil gave me some good pointers about the position of my shoulders, where the weight should be over my skis etc ... it wasn’t long before my feet were killing as I have problems with my arches. So I had to stop and take my boots off to take the pressure off the bottom of my feet. This kept happening through the whole of the trip, but got slightly better as the days went on and from mornings to afternoons. Had a bit of lunch then took the lift up the Bochard (2765m) for my first red run of the season.
Got back to the gite in time for tea, before stopping off for some tea and buiscet supplies in Argentiere. The lady cooked us tea and we had a good conversation about skiing and climbing for about 3 hours.
On the second and third days we went to Le Tour and did a mix of blue and red runs again as Brevent – Flegere was closed. Neil taught me how to carve and was impressed by my sepecatulat 180 degree jump turns. I only manage a few as its hard to do it on sloped less than 30 degrees and the slopes at Le Tour weren’t that steep for long sections. Ian joined us on the third day but got all got mixed up as to where one another were and ended up at slightly different ski resorts for a while.
On the last day, we went back to Les Grands Montets for some extreme skiing! Took the Herse lift up to 2595m and skied the red run with all my improved skills put into practice. We then went off-piste for a bit and worked on small jump turns over the lumps and bumps (I only ended up hugging a tree once this time!). Neil and Ian had to leave soon after lunch as they were off to Samoen (I’ve been there!) for a few weeks of ski touring. I stayed for a few more hours and did a few more runs and wet off piste for a bit too. Ended the trip in style by coming down the valley run right from the highest point on the mountain (2765m) down the Bochard and then the valley run its self, keeping speed all the way (apart from stopping for my feet hurting like crazy a few times) with some pretty nice carving, well finished turns and a huge grin on my face =]
Returned my skis in Argentiere, back to the gite where it was full!! Nice to meet a few more people! Met three guys who were planning on a good three weeks of ice climbing. I was able to give them some advice about snow conditions etc, and we got chatting over tea about all things mountains. Up early (again) the next morning and took the bus in to Chamonix and had a wander around and bought a few bits and bobs. ATS picked my up at about 2:00 and took me to Genera airport. Spent the journey chatting with Joe and practically exchanged life stories about dancing, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing ... and figure skating (although thats a secret). Anyway got back to Liverpool airport at 7ish, got home, had tea, and back to Lancaster!!
I’m very proud of what I achieved although next time I plan to be insured for off-piste to I can ski the Vallee Blanche (had a play around with some crevasse rescue toys I may need), and I only had one minor accident where I got taken out at high speeds and it all ended in broken skis ... my leg is now black.
I think a big thank you is due to Neil and Ian too.
(Pics up soon ... seems to be some problems with that at the moment)
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