"Oh be Jesus", part 2.

It's time to own up. This blog isn't a one man band operation. In fact Harriet my wife has a very important role to play in the running of it.


The reason being that my spelling and grammar is often atrocious. So each time I type a post, it's really important that she is able to check everything. This happens sometimes before a post is published, but often it's after. Basically, Harriet is the all important 'Chief Editor'. This evening I received a call from her, and I could tell she was being very serious.


"Martin, have you developed Tourette's yourself just like those Dublin ladies? Why have you published the word Feck?" Hhhmmmm, I was worried about this. Both last winter and last week when teaching Mary and the others, I was constantly interrogating them into the severity of the word. They kept assuring me that is a very mild form of expression. But being English, ie not from Ireland, I found it tough to believe. But asking around, it seems to be true. Unless of course it's the wind up of the century on me.


Swearing or not, I have to admit to having a lovely birthday with them all yesterday. Thanks for the Champagne at lunch, I had a 'grand' (surely that's a safe word to use) time.

Martin

"Oh be Jesus"

This winter continues to provide us with regular snowfalls but also sunny conditions. It seems that every three or four days yet another weather front happily gives Méribel a top up of fresh snow. Temperatures are bouncing up and down recently, but the pistes continue to stay in great condition.

A couple of months ago I received an email from Mary in Dublin, Ireland. Since then I've been looking forward to this week. I taught this same Dublin team during their two skiing holidays here last winter. Let me introduce them to you pictured above, from left to right, Rohiyah, Mary and Fiona.

Don't they look all sweet and innocent? As usual at the start of anyone's holiday, I asked them what their individual goals were. Rohiyah replied "I just want to learn how to stop away from the snowplough position". Fiona said "I want to avoid falling over too much, especially ending up in one of those blood wagon things".

And finally Mary answered, in her strong Irish accent, "Martin, it seems that people label me with having skiing Tourette's, I know I get frightened and all, but I want to cut down on my swearing when getting scared on skis". Both Rohiyah and Fiona chuckled when they heard this, saying out aloud "Oh be Jesus".

So over the course of the next six mornings my focus was to somehow help them all meet their individual goals on various green pistes. I would like to think that not too many people on the mountain were offended by Rohiyah's shrieks of delight, and also Mary's loud Irish swearing when she (rarely) lost her confidence and control.

I also enjoyed meeting other clients this week, little Oscar from Kent, four Russians from St.Petersburgh, another three Russians from Moscow and then Yoke from The Netherlands.

Yoke, pronounced 'Joke', yes honestly.... I can't deny that at first I found it difficult being serious talking to someone called Joke. Anyway, what a lovely and quite fascinating lady. After recently celebrating her fiftieth birthday she has decided to have a career change. She is currently studying to become a respected helper and social co-ordinator within the Dutch local care community with the homeless, drink and drug affected population. How's that for an enlightening conversation on a Méribel chairlift? During our four lessons together we looked at keeping our skiing technical thoughts simple. My usual 'squashing spider' technique was mentioned, but also carrying Champagne glasses. Proost (cheers) Yoke.

Next week I'm looking forward to meeting up with Karin in Courchevel who I skied with last winter, and Marion who I last skied with back in 2007. But also early next week I'm deserting the Alps for the first time in my twelve winters. I'm flying back to London to see Harriet, for a well deserved couple of days rest before heading straight back again at the end of the week. I'll post again at the end of next week.

Martin

P.S. The Dublin team have kindly invited me to lunch with them tomorrow after the morning lesson. It's my birthday, so I hope they respect my no swearing policy whilst eating. It will be like sharing the dinner table with the cast of the hit Irish tv comedy series 'Father Ted'. Feck, I can't wait !?!

Half term excitement

This week I've had heaps of fun skiing with the Joneses again.


Their high standard of skiing means we can whizz around the massive three valleys with ease, planning our routes together to avoid the crowds on the pistes. Meeting early just before the lifts open enables us to stay ahead of the rest of the holiday visitors.


We were able to mostly select lifts that don't get clogged up with the masses. But if there are lift queues, then of course we all slide into the 'ski school channel', ignoring filthy looks from those stuck in the lift queue.


This week with the Joneses we've been joined by their friends Mark, Zoe and Bev. We've made the most of the brilliant snow conditions at the moment, by visiting one of the Three Valleys each day. We even skied down the off-piste itinery of the 'Lac du Lou' yesterday morning with great visibilty and conditions. And then after a hearty lunch worked on our technique, phsychology and tactics on a couple of black slopes in between Courchevel La Tania and Méribel.



Each morning we talk about the current Winter Olympics in Canada. Whether it's ski racing , the luge, the bump skiing, half pipe snowboarding, or even the weather and snow conditions over there. I of course still try to remind people that Méribel hosted some of the events during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympic games.

The Olympic torch still stands proud at the foot of the slopes down at Chaudanne.
In fact both Olivia and Robbie have raced this week on the Olympic race piste. Olivia took part in a 'fleche' giant slalom race the other day gaining a creditable 'silver' award.


And then this evening, under floodlight, both Robbie and Olivia participated in the 'Méribel Cup' giant slalom race. We inspected the race course together, spoke about tactics and ignored the fact that the Olypmic race piste was super icy. Robbie raced really well and achieved 13th position out of over a hundred and ten participants. In fact didn't Chemmy Alcott finish in 13th position last night in the Olympic downhill race? Respect. Here's Robbie racing under floodlight, race bib number 108.


Enjoy watching the Winter Olympics.

Martin

P.S. Whilst writing this post, Britain's Chemmy Alcott placed 11th in the 'combined downhill and slalom' event in Canada, awesome.

Catsuit parade

Méribel is right in the middle of the biggest ski area in the world, that's quite a statement. Advanced skiers are kept happy with the massive choice on offer with pistes, couloirs and accessible off-piste. Intermediate skiers can drown in the overwhelming network of blue and red pistes. And beginners don't even realise how good they have it, with nursery slopes and green pistes, until they visit other ski areas. But it's often forgotten that back in 1992 Méribel part- hosted some of the Winter Olympic games events. With another Winter Olympic games starting this weekend in Canada, let's quickly remember what went ahead here in Méribel. Most of the Ice Hockey games, plus the Alpine Skiing womens speed events finished down at Chaudanne.


The infrastructure is still in use, especially the Olympic race piste. A few days ago we were treated to a FIS Europa Cup mens giant slalom, and slalom. I'm not even going to attempt to describe what all that means, let's just say that some of the world's best ski racers were here before flying over to Canada.


There was a buzz about town; most alpine ski teams were here with their umpteen coaches; flags were flying, and yes the catsuits were super-tight pressed against the ripped athletes !?!


As usual I had spare time this week, so Canon and I sneaked up the Olympic race piste lift to have a poke about and take some photos. The area was strictly closed to the public. So my uniform 'just' allowed me this privilege.


The standard was jaw dropping of course. It was Ski Sunday in the flesh, but it hit home even more. Here is Great Britain's Noel Baxter.


The usual emotions appeared on cue. If only I had started skiing at the age of three instead of eighteen. If only I had the talent of these guys, blahh blahh blahh. Get a grip of yourself Martin, they are some of the world's best. There's no way I'm going to complain, I have the best job in the world after all.


I've had great fun this week in the mornings teaching a bunch of kids from the respected family tour operator, Ski Esprit. I've had seven complete wobbly beginners from the age of five up to nine years old. They've all picked it up really well, and it's great being part of their enjoyment and improvement. Future Olypmic champions, why not.


With the brilliant snow conditions at the moment, I'm really looking forward even more to catching up with the Joneses again next week. Mind you, the temperatures are freezing cold yet again. Good thing the boy racers aren't here anymore, because they would freeze solid in their flimsy catsuits !?!

Martin

Super Gran

Some mornings I'm able to sneak in a very quick ski before my first lesson. This morning was one of those.


I decided last night that I was going to go for it. Military precision, commitment and a stubborn atitude was required after an earlier than normal alarm call. I nearly gave up right at the beginning though. Because as soon as I looked out of the window before breakfast, I could hardly see anything, yep heavy cloud. However a quick look on the webcams on http://www.merinet.com/ gave me hope.


The high altitude panoramic webcam showed breaks in the cloud at different altitudes above resort level. Was my effort to be rewarded? Oh yes. The first photo shows Canon and I looking down on Méribel Village about to be engulfed in the sea of cloud. The second photo displays the beauty of early morning light kissing the ridges and clouds below. But is it only the views that makes the early morning effort rewarding enough? Nope, empty groomed pistes are the icing on the cake. Being able to turn up for my 9.30 lesson with a huge smile on my face is a real perk of the job.


I'd like to introduce to you another of my clients, Sue. This post is all about her. She is a 'Great-Grandmother', yes that's right, a 'Great-Grandmother'. How cool is that?


Last year we skied together briefly, but this winter we had three wonderful mornings all to ourselves. Her goal this year was to progress away from the nursery slope and tackle a green piste. Now, to most of you that probably sounds easily achievable. But, it's actually a big deal.


Because in the protected environment of a nursery slope, one is able to practise skills and build confidence within a comfort zone. Perfect. But as soon as the big 'plunge' is mentioned and then taken, all hell can sometimes be let loose. Why? PEER PRESSURE. From within yourself, from friends you are on holiday with, from colleagues at work, or even from within your own family. Let's just say that Sue had 'a moment or two' when we first left the comfort zone of our nursery slope.


Time for a 'team talk'. Sue loves playing tennis. She regularly plays with friends at least a couple of times a week, plus still has tennis holidays. She used to play in club/league matches, and follows the professional tour especially our own Andy Murray. I asked if the physical action of Andy Murray's serve differs between a practise session and playing in an Australian Open Final watched by millions of people?


The physical movement will be the same. It's just that Andy Murray has the ability to stay focused unlike most of us. As skiers we often get distracted by others on the piste around us, we can be distracted by snow and weather conditions, and we can even get distracted by the sounds of laughter.


Sue progressed really well, and this morning she admitted that she had exceeded her own goals for the weekend, fantastic. We said goodbye to each other for another winter at lunchtime. I then went for another ski with Canon, because yet again work continues to be thin on the ground.

Whilst skiing this afternoon, I couldn't help but worry about the lack of work available this winter. I also seriously thought about finishing my ski season early to go back to the UK and re-start early with BSM as a Driving Instructor. Strong thoughts. But then suddenly Canon and I opened our eyes and caught this image of the ever changing weather here in the Alps.


A tough choice, continue trying to find work in paradise here in the Alps, or keeping an eye out for uber charged 'Super Grans' every time a learner driver and I go past tennis clubs?


Martin

Powder hounds

Let me introduce Mark, a G.P. from Windsor in his mid-fifties who's as fit as a fiddle. I skied with him for three sessions at the end of last week.

At the start of our first session I asked him what he wanted to do. He answered 'Martin, I skied like a demon on the piste yesterday in the sun, but as soon as I go off piste it often goes to pot. So I would like to learn how to cope better off piste.'

This was quite brave bearing in mind the fact that the snow conditions at the time off piste were challenging, plus the visibility was poor the majority of our time together. However, we got straight to it and started to break down how to ski in the fluffy stuff. We looked at getting better balance, plus we worked really hard at effective turning in variable snow conditions.

The last morning together climaxed with perfect, light, deep, fresh snow. The problem was though, the visibilty remained poor as captured above. However, Mark was buzzing from skiing in such lovely snow with his much improved skills. It took a while for the mountain to gradually open up, due to the ski patrol working hard to make the area safe. But I was able to talk to the lift operators to stay informed, because I was determined to be ahead of the rest of the folk on the mountain to get fresh tracks. It worked a treat: we managed to be the very first up the Roc de Tougne lift to be able to ski down the un-tracked Lagopede piste. In fact, the second descent gave us about three minutes of semi-decent light.

We managed three rotations up and down Lagopede with hardly anyone else around us, mainly because no-one could physically see the lift running and piste open. It was a great way for Mark to finish his holiday, with a massive beaming smile.

I would like to introduce someone else to some of you, my wife Harriet. She is a Mechanical Engineer in London, and forty something. Harriet is an experienced skier who couldn't believe her luck with the snow conditions during her long weekend here in Méribel.

She also loves skiing off-piste in fresh conditions, so it was great for us to make the most of the snow conditions after Friday night's storm.

We ventured over into the Belleville valley just as the lighting improved. The nature of off-piste skiing means that every turn feels different, some turns feel amazing in the light fluffy stuff. But other turns can feel a struggle especially if some tricky invisible bushes get in the way !?!

We had heaps of fun exploring the area, skiing in-between shepherds' huts and through back gardens. The snow conditions are at their absolute best at the moment; it's very cold and there's more snow forecast in the next few days as well. The powder hounds should be smiling for quite a while yet.

Martin