This morning, up we got, bright and early! Yesterday was a rain (!) day, so we hung out on "vacation" all day. However, in the night the weather changed to snow, and we have another foot of fresh snow!
We were at the lift early for us (9 or so), and purchased our tickets. I noticed at that point that the lifts weren't running; when I asked, she told me that they had to work on the lift for about fifteen minutes as a result of the freeze last night. No problem!
After a little while of standing around, we noticed a pile of other prospective skiers moving away from the lift and taking the shuttle to the neighboring ski lift point. Hmmm. Time to ask the people who know rather than the people selling tickets. I wandered around to find the guys working on the lift. Turns out that a safety mechanism on the lift broke during the night because of the freeze. Repairs? At least an hour.
After some wandering and thinking, we decided to change the pass to include the French side of the mountain. As almost everything does, it had an unintended/unanticipated consequence: we need to have our passports to ski!
We decided to go home for the hour of waiting instead of getting a shuttle, since we had to get our passports in any case. It would give us time for a snack, and so on.
And this is where the plan came unstuck.
As we were going up the steep driveway, the chains (which had struck fear in Michael's heart all week) came apart. Meaning, we were blocking the road, couldn't get up, and couldn't get down (safely). Michael wrestled with the things, teaching me some new words (fortunately the children had run upstairs to work on the hot chocolate), and sort-of-kind-of got the one back on. He went up 6 inches, and the other one promptly came off. More bad words and much wrestling later, he got that one back on. But the van did NOT want to budge.
Adding to the stress, of course, the previously untraveled road became Main Street. There were cars wanting to get by both directions. I went and chatted up the drivers, letting them know that -- as miserable as it was for them -- it was even worse for us. Everyone was very kind, and regaled us with stories of Erik's son-in-law going off the side of the cliff (young daughter in the car) while Erik casually observed them from the balcony, others sliding completely down the hill (or working for hours on chains), and so on. I'm not sure whether it helped or not, but I did feel better about blocking everyone.
Eventually, Michael determined that the chains were past fixing. Erik & Ada's neighbors (one of the cars we had blocked) were extremely kind, called around, and determined where new chains could be purchased. Not only that, they were kind enough to drive us into town. And boy, am I glad they did: while the town is an easily walked distance away (although less fun with skis, hence our driving), we never would have discovered where to purchase the chains.
We followed our guide into a bar. Yes, a bar. The hostess looked at us, our guide explained our mission, and she "oui, oui"'d us a few times and told us that she'd be right back. After serving out some more drinks, she asked for the tire information, and handed our host a pad. And here's where it became Swiss for just a moment (rather than Italian): rather than handing her the piece of paper on which he had already written the information, he wrote it out again on the piece of paper she gave him. Note: this was not a form, any kind of specialized entry device. This was a notepad!
She disappeared down a hatch that I'd not previously noted, and one arm and a leg later, we were back on our way. With chains that looked equally flimsy, I might add.
We're going to drown our troubles in the snow this afternoon...maybe we'll have easy stuff to deal with, like kids falling off of cliffs, skis coming off, and face plants.
Love,
Alexandra
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
More Skiing
Yesterday it was quite warm and it even rained a little, but last night it froze and everything was slippery. The first few runs this morning were very difficult because of all the ice on the slopes and we took it slowly at first until the snow was a little less frozen. We took a break for water and a small snack and headed back to the slopes. By then, the runs that where in the sun were much more pleasant to go down.
Later we stopped for hot chocolate and continued on for a couple more hours on some fun runs before we had to go. On the last run, we went on one of the same slopes that we had taken yesterday, but today it was a little different. There is one small part that is extremely steep and it hadn't been groomed since yesterday so it was really bumpy and very icy. After a few tried curves, we decided it would be best to go straight down. I was super fast and really fun and we stopped at the bottom and went back to the house.
There weren't any spectacular falls today, but near the end Jeremy and James had both fallen and slid on their bottoms down the hill. There was one young teenager who seemed to be trying to show off for us and he skied right next to us, but managed to spend to much attention watching us and not where he was going. I'm not sure what he did, but all I know is that he lost a ski and both of his poles trying to impress one of us. Just a tip: don't try impressing another girl or boy like that, unless you really know what you're doing.Love,
Ashley
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| There goes Florence! |
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| Aren't the Alps beautiful? |
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| The big gang! |
I'm really enjoying skiing and I can't wait until tomorrow!
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Several Reasons Not To Be A Ski Instructor
Alexandra's post, the ones with pictures of our overcast day, hinted at the tribulations of our ski instructor, Ben. I was there, so let me give you the full picture.
Jeremy and James are enthusiastic skiers, but (like many of us) still wanting on judgement, skill, and experience. They want all the off-piste bumps and jumps they can get, no matter if unseasonably warm weather has turned the snow into wet, sticky cement. Today was definitely one of those days where only the groomed slopes were skiable. What do you tell boys who are used to spicing up every run with meanderings off the side of the trail?
After we split off from the others Ben took us down a trail or two uneventfully. I needed to work on my usual pole-plant timing and keeping my weight forward, Ashley had her things, and the boys were working on rounding off their turns instead of zig-zagging like pinballs.
Then we got to the T-bar. For those non-skiers among you, or those who have never skied a resort that still runs them, a T-bar is a surface lift (meaning that you stand in your skis instead of sitting on a chair) where you and a partner have a T-shaped bar put between you and behind your rears. The bar is attached to an overhead tow cable, so as the slack comes off you are pulled up the slope.
Remember that you are still on your skis. If you cross them, or veer to the side, or generally goof off in any way, you will fall, the T will go twanging off up the slope, and you will have no choice but to ski back down the lift line in ignominy. Same story if you try to sit on the T. It pulls you by your bottom. It does not support you.
Can we handle it? Of course we can! While Ben explains the details to the boys, Ashley and I manage to load without falling. But we were only 100 meters up the slope before the line stopped. Yep, that would be James. When he did not load successfully, they had to stop the lift to pick him up and get him started. Off again...and another stop. Yup, Jeremy this time. But you know, those lifts are tricky and the only skiers that haven't fallen on some sort of lift are the ones that have never actually skied. Other than Jeremy getting off a yard short of the exit and having to struggle uphill to the slope, the rest of the trip up was a perfect success.
One nice run, a chair lift, and an unbelievable panoramic view of the Alps later, we had a long run out back to Morgins. Normally, Ben told me, this was icy enough that you could fly and it was no big deal. Today, however, we had the aforementioned wet concrete. It wasn't a big deal for me because I am heavy enough to keep moving. Jeremy and James had to keep poling, and we had to stop repeatedly to wait while they caught up. This was a long run out, and not one of the best parts of our lesson.
One more lift and run, and Ben thought we should repeat a particular slope--he had some drill he wanted to try--and that meant taking the button lift. A button lift is like a T-bar lift except that it is one person only. Instead of a T, the pull-rod ends in a disk about 5 inches across: the "button". You put it between your legs and are once again pulled by your bottom. All the same techniques and cautions of the T-bar apply, this time with a helpful "no slaloming" sign at the bottom of the lift.
Want to place any bets?
Jeremy was first on, and was off successfully. Could he hold his concentration for the whole 10 minutes? Next up, Ashley. Like a pro! Now James. No, James, you can't sit on it! He got up just in time to go flying. Ok, let's try again. Another button with Ben's help, and, "Sproing!". James went flying again, this time losing a ski. From my observation his weight is similar to the strength of the spring that is supposed to ease you up to speed, and he actually left the ground as it jerked him from standing to full speed. At this point they stopped the lift, put James together, set him up, and eased it back up to speed. Now I just had to load and follow them up the hill. What, do you think I fell? Not this time! I learned a little from watching James.
Halfway up I ran across Jeremy putting his ski back on. It seems he caught an edge while playing. All I could do was to ride on past. There isn't a way to load one of these lifts halfway up and James and Ashley would soon be waiting at the top. Well, Ashley, anyway. Three-quarters of the way up I got to James. No explanation there. By now I was resigned to our having to waste a run picking everyone back up.
A few minutes later Ben, Ashley, and I were at the top. We skied down to the cross trail where James fell off, then Ben skied down the lift line to get Jeremy while the rest of us took another trail that led to the bottom. "Very simple", said Ben, "Just take the right fork". So of course Ashley missed that and had to struggle back up to where James and I were waiting.
We never did find out what that drill was going to be, because by now it was time to make the run to the bottom to meet the others and end the lesson. Past time, even.
The last stretch down to the bottom is a road with a few switchbacks. Ben was leading the way, so he didn't get to see Jeremy mess up the first switchback--he explained that he was trying to keep his speed--and go flying over the edge. I didn't see Jeremy land because it is a dramatic drop off, but I did see the safety net suddenly sag.
Jeremy was 10 feet down in a crumpled ball with one ski through the net. Sigh. At least he wasn't hurt. Without the net he would have been 20 feet down smashed on a tree. I took off my skis, traversed over to him from further downhill, freed him from his skis, led him back across the traverse, and pulled him back up onto the slope. Slowly. Through hip-deep, heavy snow.
I am not sure that Ben would accept another lesson with us...
Michael
Jeremy and James are enthusiastic skiers, but (like many of us) still wanting on judgement, skill, and experience. They want all the off-piste bumps and jumps they can get, no matter if unseasonably warm weather has turned the snow into wet, sticky cement. Today was definitely one of those days where only the groomed slopes were skiable. What do you tell boys who are used to spicing up every run with meanderings off the side of the trail?
After we split off from the others Ben took us down a trail or two uneventfully. I needed to work on my usual pole-plant timing and keeping my weight forward, Ashley had her things, and the boys were working on rounding off their turns instead of zig-zagging like pinballs.
Then we got to the T-bar. For those non-skiers among you, or those who have never skied a resort that still runs them, a T-bar is a surface lift (meaning that you stand in your skis instead of sitting on a chair) where you and a partner have a T-shaped bar put between you and behind your rears. The bar is attached to an overhead tow cable, so as the slack comes off you are pulled up the slope.
Remember that you are still on your skis. If you cross them, or veer to the side, or generally goof off in any way, you will fall, the T will go twanging off up the slope, and you will have no choice but to ski back down the lift line in ignominy. Same story if you try to sit on the T. It pulls you by your bottom. It does not support you.
Can we handle it? Of course we can! While Ben explains the details to the boys, Ashley and I manage to load without falling. But we were only 100 meters up the slope before the line stopped. Yep, that would be James. When he did not load successfully, they had to stop the lift to pick him up and get him started. Off again...and another stop. Yup, Jeremy this time. But you know, those lifts are tricky and the only skiers that haven't fallen on some sort of lift are the ones that have never actually skied. Other than Jeremy getting off a yard short of the exit and having to struggle uphill to the slope, the rest of the trip up was a perfect success.
One nice run, a chair lift, and an unbelievable panoramic view of the Alps later, we had a long run out back to Morgins. Normally, Ben told me, this was icy enough that you could fly and it was no big deal. Today, however, we had the aforementioned wet concrete. It wasn't a big deal for me because I am heavy enough to keep moving. Jeremy and James had to keep poling, and we had to stop repeatedly to wait while they caught up. This was a long run out, and not one of the best parts of our lesson.
One more lift and run, and Ben thought we should repeat a particular slope--he had some drill he wanted to try--and that meant taking the button lift. A button lift is like a T-bar lift except that it is one person only. Instead of a T, the pull-rod ends in a disk about 5 inches across: the "button". You put it between your legs and are once again pulled by your bottom. All the same techniques and cautions of the T-bar apply, this time with a helpful "no slaloming" sign at the bottom of the lift.
Want to place any bets?
Jeremy was first on, and was off successfully. Could he hold his concentration for the whole 10 minutes? Next up, Ashley. Like a pro! Now James. No, James, you can't sit on it! He got up just in time to go flying. Ok, let's try again. Another button with Ben's help, and, "Sproing!". James went flying again, this time losing a ski. From my observation his weight is similar to the strength of the spring that is supposed to ease you up to speed, and he actually left the ground as it jerked him from standing to full speed. At this point they stopped the lift, put James together, set him up, and eased it back up to speed. Now I just had to load and follow them up the hill. What, do you think I fell? Not this time! I learned a little from watching James.
Halfway up I ran across Jeremy putting his ski back on. It seems he caught an edge while playing. All I could do was to ride on past. There isn't a way to load one of these lifts halfway up and James and Ashley would soon be waiting at the top. Well, Ashley, anyway. Three-quarters of the way up I got to James. No explanation there. By now I was resigned to our having to waste a run picking everyone back up.
A few minutes later Ben, Ashley, and I were at the top. We skied down to the cross trail where James fell off, then Ben skied down the lift line to get Jeremy while the rest of us took another trail that led to the bottom. "Very simple", said Ben, "Just take the right fork". So of course Ashley missed that and had to struggle back up to where James and I were waiting.
We never did find out what that drill was going to be, because by now it was time to make the run to the bottom to meet the others and end the lesson. Past time, even.
The last stretch down to the bottom is a road with a few switchbacks. Ben was leading the way, so he didn't get to see Jeremy mess up the first switchback--he explained that he was trying to keep his speed--and go flying over the edge. I didn't see Jeremy land because it is a dramatic drop off, but I did see the safety net suddenly sag.
Jeremy was 10 feet down in a crumpled ball with one ski through the net. Sigh. At least he wasn't hurt. Without the net he would have been 20 feet down smashed on a tree. I took off my skis, traversed over to him from further downhill, freed him from his skis, led him back across the traverse, and pulled him back up onto the slope. Slowly. Through hip-deep, heavy snow.
I am not sure that Ben would accept another lesson with us...
Michael
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
It's going downhill...
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| Jeremy, first afternoon out! |
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| Eleanor, the consummate snow bunny! |
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| Ashley, Florence, and Jeremy |
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| Do you see how crowded the lifts & slopes are? |
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| The rainbow over the village this morning |
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| The light today was extraordinary |
By the way, the last time I had stayed in Erik & Ada's house here in Morgins, I was 15. I remember only bits and pieces of it, but I can definitely tell you that that particular New Year's Eve was one of the two times in my life I've been...um...overserved. For some reason, I actually have a rather vivid memory of walking back to the chalet after the party singing Afrikaaner songs (? Maybe some Zulu songs too?) at the top of my lungs with David Korodetz, a family friend I hadn't previously met. Good times.
Love,
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Skiing
After almost ten hours or driving, we finally arrived in Switzerland. We are all safe and well. In the morning, we rented skis and ski outerwear (for Ashley and me) then we went and had lunch (it took that long, not because the shop owner was slow, but because there are so many of us). We then skied for 2 or three hours. We then arranged the next day, and when we got home, we ate snack, and I collapsed into bed and I have been sleeping since.
Ciao,
Florence
Ciao,
Florence
James's birthday
On my birthday we were in the car for about ten hours.This trip we will be skiing through France and Switzerland.We are having a lot of fun here. We have several feet of snow here. Today was the first day of skiing this trip.We played a new game today.I have a brown ski helmet and it has some leather on it and I have cool skis.
JAMES
Monday, January 28, 2013
Burns and Haggis!
I've heard of haggis. Derided as the most foul of foodstuffs, and something only the most pitiful creatures could tolerate, haggis is a mixture of oats, lamb lung, liver, and spices that is stuffed into a sheep's stomach and then boiled. And now can we understand its reputation? Perhaps...
In any case, Friday the 25th was Burns night... a celebration of Robert Burns's birthday. Apparently, the man loved the stuff, so obviously one must eat haggis in order to celebrate properly. Not only did he eat it, but he wrote about it -- an entire ode! A proper feast includes processing into the dining room with the haggis (accompanied by bagpipe music, of course) and then a reading of the poem.
While Chris busied himself with preparing a huge repast, I took care of the entertainment by finding bagpipe music (thank you, Youtube!) and the ode. Since I knew I would make a complete hash of the accent on the ode, I deferred to Chris -- who likewise made a hash of it, but less of one than I would have! In the interest of eating our dinner hot, we only put up with a few stanzas of his silliness.
Yes, we had tatties! And neeps! And cabbage! Yum. Chris had scotch, which I declined... The haggis? Well, honestly, it was sort-of okay. Unfortunately it had a flavor of something that I think was the liver, but could have been a spice that was rather strong (couldn't quite identify it) and after a while I'd had enough. So I passed off the rest of mine to Paula, who received it with glee. So, you see, some otherwise quite normal people actually do eat haggis!
Oh, and happy birthday to Robbie Burns!
Love,
Alexandra
In any case, Friday the 25th was Burns night... a celebration of Robert Burns's birthday. Apparently, the man loved the stuff, so obviously one must eat haggis in order to celebrate properly. Not only did he eat it, but he wrote about it -- an entire ode! A proper feast includes processing into the dining room with the haggis (accompanied by bagpipe music, of course) and then a reading of the poem.
While Chris busied himself with preparing a huge repast, I took care of the entertainment by finding bagpipe music (thank you, Youtube!) and the ode. Since I knew I would make a complete hash of the accent on the ode, I deferred to Chris -- who likewise made a hash of it, but less of one than I would have! In the interest of eating our dinner hot, we only put up with a few stanzas of his silliness.Yes, we had tatties! And neeps! And cabbage! Yum. Chris had scotch, which I declined... The haggis? Well, honestly, it was sort-of okay. Unfortunately it had a flavor of something that I think was the liver, but could have been a spice that was rather strong (couldn't quite identify it) and after a while I'd had enough. So I passed off the rest of mine to Paula, who received it with glee. So, you see, some otherwise quite normal people actually do eat haggis!
Oh, and happy birthday to Robbie Burns!
Love,
Alexandra
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