Training Log Archive: AC

Last day of skiing holiday. Dropped Freya off at her lesson and then took the cable car up the hill to try out some of the runs up in the main part of the ski field. Gorgeous sunny day with perfectly groomed slopes after the heavy snowstorm. Snow was perfect. Feeling reasonably confident after spending the previous five days on the training slopes and my two hour lesson. But stood at the top of the blue run and it looked perilously steep. Everyone seemed to be whooshing down without a care, so I was a little nervous when I launched myself down the run. Took it very easy and tried to remember the tips and techniques I had been working on all week.

Survived the experience without mishap but it wasn't much fun as was very worried about falling and hurting my thumb and ribs and so was very tentative and nervous. I tried another couple of blue runs before I decided that I would be pushing my luck to do any more. Then took the cable car back down to the safety of the green training slope, which felt very safe and straightforward after the perils of the higher slopes (goodness knows how people get down the red and black slopes in such style). Freya finished her lesson and then refused to stop skiing so we did a bunch more runs down the training slope before heading to lunch.

A great week of skiing. Longest I have been up in the snow in one hit. Had a nice variety of conditions - sun, white-out, snowstorm - and the snow was plentiful and great for skiing. Excellent to see Freya move up the levels and to pass the "Flocon" level with a badge and certificate. Looking forward to next year's skiing trip when I hope that I will not have any broken bones to contend with. Had to dig out the car from under 3 feet of snow before the long 7 hour drive back to Paris in pouring rain.

Post-lunch ski with Freya. Just did a few runs down the hill because the snow was very heavy and deep and slow, making it hard going for her light frame. The wind started to pick up quite a bit and made it much less pleasant as well with driving snow in the face on the downhill runs.

Enjoyable morning ski at Le Tour Balme (again!). Heavy snowfall overnight meant a good 10cm of fresh powdery snow. This made for slower skiing, but was perfect for me to practice my new-found techniques from yesterday's lesson. heavy snow kept faklling during the morning, but it was very pleasant and visibility was good.

Skiing lesson. Figured I might as well invest some cash in a private skiing lesson so as to improve my appalling skiing technique. Well worth the money as it made a dramatic improvement to my skill level. Not exactly a pro skier yet, but certainly getting down a hill with a bit more style now!

Morning ski. Glorious sunny morning with fresh snow. Stunning day for it and really enjoyed cruising around the slopes.Ventured off the green training slope and onto a blue slope (a bit narrower and slightly steeper in parts). Stayed upright and just enjoyed the morning.

Afternoon ski with Freya. Saw some chamois (mountain goats) just off the ski track through a small forest. Very interesting sight!

Afternoon skiing with Freya. Stayed on the baby slope and just went up and down the baby t-bar a gazillion times. She progressed very well and is really enjoying it.

Morning skiing while Freya had her lesson. Great fun to be out, although it was white-out conditions. This made it very disconcerting when you couldn't see more than 40-50m in front, and more importantly, couldn't tell where the snow stopped and the cloud started. Really strange thinking that you are standing still, but you are actually sliding slowly downhill! Suited my very cautious approach to skiing while injured though.