Problem Feet and Hangovers

The weather has varied over the last few days, which has resulted in an amazing slide show of cloud formations. Work wise, this weekend I was involved with another 'Corporate' booking. I've taught Larry, Mark and Graham at different times. They've all been burning the candles at both ends, as is to be expected, with perhaps Graham going beyond the call of duty sometimes. Meet Graham. Oh dear, I don't think he's looking at his best right now, something to do with toffee vodkas. We'll go back to a photo of him a little later. Graham first put skis on last August, in Chile of all places. He had three days as a complete beginner over there, and I took over to help him progress on and beyond the green pistes. However, he had a major problem, incredible pain in his ski boots. It stems back to a few problems in his youth, plus breaking his foot when running to a meeting in London. Instead of jumping up to mount the pavement he instead swiftly whacked the kerb with full force, hence the broken foot. Cue wincing from all readers. Two operations later and his feet now look like this.....

This photo was taken on Mark's iPhone. On the second day, Graham said to me at lunchtime "It's no use Martin, I can't cope anymore with my feet, where should I go to buy some boots, who do you trust?" A quick text was sent to Helen, a highly respected boot fitter in Intersport below the Barometer bar, an appointment made and a few hours later Graham was the proud owner of some shiny new boots.

More on Graham later. At the end of last week I also taught Carmel, from Dublin. She is a retired school teacher, in her sixties. It was her first ever skiing holiday and was just loving the experience.

We had three fun sessions together, with the main focus of staying safe. However Carmel also developed her balance skills, perfected her snowploughs, and then fine tuned her turning/steering to the point that we were both happy to move away from the comfort zone of the nursery slope, or baby slope as she called it.

To many people it's a massive step to take, and the achievement is worth celebrating. Carmel was really pleased with herself, and couldn't wait to tell her friends and family how brilliant this sport is, at whatever age. I hope they all read this blog and see how chuffed she was. Respect.

Martin

P.S. Let's catch up with Graham again shall we? "How are your new ski boots Graham?"

"Boots (discreet burb) are absolutely brilliant Martin, feet are great, that's not the problem though, have you got any paracetomel (discreet burb) cos I'm really struggling here, I dropped my last two down the plug hole this morning !?!" Graham was looking a little yellow.

Hang on, the evergreen Carmel want's to make a comment... "What a light weight, you English can't hold your drink, chuckle chuckle" Oh, that's a bit harsh don't you think?

The Bigger Picture

I absolutely love it when the weather changes in the high mountains. Watching how cloud formations develop and swirl around in the sky; seeing how it affects the lighting, colours, humidity and temperature and even the mood of people. It's fascinating to observe.

Quite often I hear people state with conviction: 'that cloud over there is the start of a snow storm', or 'I heard a local say the other day that the winter isn't over yet'. Another I heard last week when on a chairlift over in Couchevel - from a scary looking character - was 'I always come out for two weeks and this same week in March is invariably awful weather, I'll guarantee it!'

Poppycock. Unless half the population has suddenly qualified with honours at High Altitude Meteorology, it's a very difficult science to understand. After more than thirteen winters, I'm not close to being able to understand the weather.

Pah, 'You Ski Instructors should be able to sniff a snowflake from a hundred miles' I hear you cry. Not at all, but I do love the benefits of a few snowfalls, which is exactly what we've had over the last few days.

Every day last week was different. Some days were lovely and sunny, others gave us poor visibility but precipitation. With the temperatures bouncing up and down like crazy. But the quality of the snow for skiing has improved hugely since last weekend, especially on the top half of the mountain. So, who have I been teaching in the last week? I started with Maria and Vivian over in Courchevel at the start of the seven days. Then Sarah from Cork midweek, followed by Megan from near the Irish Republic border. Spot the Irish theme here, something to do with St Patrick's day Thursday I think. And finally I skied with Lexy at the end of the week for three mornings.

I first met Lexy this time last winter along with her boyfriend, now fiancé, Nick. I met Nick again along with his brother a few months ago in December as well. It was a last-minute booking this week which instantly got me excited because I remembered how much fun they were. Lexy lives and works in New York over the pond, with Nick based in London. Needless to say that whenever they meet up it's such a high energy atmosphere.

We all had a brilliant time together both on the pistes, relaxing on the chairlifts, impromptu stops in mountain restaurants, and sharing experiences with wedding planning.

What were they talking about whilst I took this photo? Does anyone remember the 'Carry On' films? The subject matter was similar, with Nick performing an amazing Kenneth Williams impression. I can tell that whoever their Wedding Photographer will be in New York later in the summer, they will have to be prepared for constant fits of laughter. Good luck guys, I hope it goes well.

My work is looking thin on the ground this week, so who knows what I'll be rambling on about again on Sunday?

Martin

Bumps Addicts

Last week I probably skied the most bumps on black pistes than I have since training for my final Ski Instructor exam several years ago - a shock to the body, but what amazing fun. I taught two sets of people, first of all James; then Gilly with John. James was visiting Méribel on a corporate trip, and often skis in the States, especially Utah where he loves the powder snow. Although he enjoys skiing on-piste, he relishes extra challenges and we soon realised that bumps were his new favourite thing.


We used the black piste, Bartavelle, for training. It's steep but with light fluffy snow it proved to be the ideal training piste. People often ask me how they should ski well in the bumps, and to be honest there is a list of things to think about. But with James we kept it simple and thought about how and when to turn the skis helping the all important speed control, and using our arms to aid balance. He loved it and was always looking for other pistes with bumps to practise his technique.


James and his colleagues were also visiting Méribel to enjoy the best mountain restaurants; they were 'Foodies', and it was an important part of their Corporate get together. So where else to visit, but the sublime La Bouitte in St. Marcel next to St. Martin de Belleville. It can be found in the Michelin guide, with two stars, yes that's right, two stars.


I rarely get to eat in gastronomique restaurants close to this lofty standard, but what an amazing experience. The service was impeccable, the quality of the food was beyond anything I'd eaten before with subtle tastes, and of course the wine was.......... well I'd better stop banging on about it now. Let's just say that we all had a very enjoyable lunch that extended late into the afternoon.


I was introduced to John and Gilly many winters ago at a drinks party held in Méribel by one of my clients, who is also one of their senior colleagues. This recommendation wasn't forgotten, and we finally got to ski together last week.


At the start of our time together I asked them what they wanted to achieve during their lessons together. Gilly replied "I feel as if I've reached the Intermediate Plateau which is frustrating, and I hate feeling like a muppet when it gets difficult". John then replied "I like challenges, and I want a workout at the same time, oh and by the way I have donor tendons when I blew my knee apart playing football, oh and I want to ski the Grand Couloir one day !?!". Whilst John gave me this answer, I saw out of the corner of my eye Gilly shaking her head. Two very different answers required quick thinking on my part to enable me to form a plan and aim for success. No pressure then.


We immediately looked at the basics of ski technique, balance, pressure control and quality of steering. John and Gilly responded brilliantly, so I decided to gradually ease them into trickier terrain, ie off-piste and bumps. Gilly was constantly smiling because she couldn't believe how well she dealt with this previously alien territory. And John was more than happy because he was getting his workout, and throwing himself down things in a blokey, but controlled fashion.


One technical focus we had in the bumps was to always keep our skis in contact with the snow, this ensured continuous friction between the edge of the skis and the snow, hence speed control. We also looked at other 'tools to have in our toolbox', or as Gilly preferred to call it 'Apps on your iPhone', to call upon in sticky situations. For example diagonal side slipping to lose height off-piste. Why? John didn't realise I was scheming, but I was aiming to help him achieve his goal of skiing down the Grand Couloir in Courchevel, especially after conferring with Gilly.


The Grand Couloir is no ordinary black, it's very intimidating, and I have to say dangerous if it goes wrong. It has an awe about it, and quite rightly so. However skill levels had been improved, and permission had been given. So off we went. Did John survive? Here he is at the bottom.


Both Gilly and I were relieved, and after John's heart rate dropped enough to speak, he explained that he was a little scared at the start, but he loved it all the way down. Job done. I posted a comment on Facebook the other day that I love my job even more, now you can understand why.


Martin.


P.S. Gilly at the end of the week said to me "I don't believe it, I've become a bumps addict". That's quite a statement when sometimes the bumps were as big as her.


P.P.S. Meanwhile back at La Bouitte, the cheeseboard has just been wheeled out. Good job I've been skiing so many bumps this week, to burn off all of the calories.

Diplodocus, Friends and Ghosts

Last week I returned to the UK for a brief break from work, and met up with Harriet in London. We had a few days together and made the most our time by visiting both The Natural History Museum and The National Portrait Museum. As soon as you enter The Natural History Museum you walk straight up to a massive sauropod dinosaur called Diplodocus who has been on display there for over 100 years.


It's an impressive sight that stops you in your tracks. Diplodocus has a few friends for company: here's one, a Giant Sloth.


So why did we visit the Museum other than to look at old fossils and skeletons? To view the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. We both love and appreciate amazing photos, especially wildlife in its natural habitat. It was all quite a shock to the system, coming from the stunning high mountains in Méribel to be immersed within one of the busiest capital cities in the world though.


The contrast in scenery couldn't have been greater. Coming from twee, secluded, quiet, rustic Alpine Savoyard achitecture to suddenly being underneath The Lloyds Building was quite a shock. Even other (less ugly!) high-rise office blocks within the City seemed to affect me. Not sure why, was it being down at sea-level again? I remember feeling like this last winter when I left the high-altitude environment and was suddenly dropped briefly down in London. Is it similar to 'The Bends' I wonder? But I swear I saw ghosts sometimes!?!


Anyway, a strong coffee in Starbucks, and a stiff talking to myself pulled me out of such nonsense. I put on a brave face and decided to continue enjoying the experience. Harriet and I were really keen to see 'The King's Speech'. Where else to go and see a film when in London, the West End of course. But before we went to the cinema, we visited The National Portrait Gallery nearby. Inspired by what I saw in the Gallery I pretended again to be a pro-photographer again at Trafalgar Square. Harriet being the willing model of course.


We still had plenty of time before the film, so we popped down the road to have a look at No.10 Downing Street, and then the Horse Guards.


I wish I understood what was going on with men wearing odd uniforms and funny helmets. However, it all felt very British at the time.


Hang on a minute, what the hell is going on here? Canon was trying to capture some of this Britishness when a ghost appeared behind this chap with a wonky helmet. Was it a ghost? Must have been, because what normal person in their right mind would spoil such a photographic moment?


It was no good, I suddenly reached my limit of being at sea level. I legged it to the nearest airport, and flew straight back to the mountains just in time before hitting the self-destruct button.

I've had a brilliant time back at work since escaping. I've already had a couple of days' skiing with John and Gilly, who work in a place called London (!), and today I've been with James who works from Bermuda. Can't wait to tell you all about it in a few days time. In the meantime I need to visit a psychiatrist pretty soon, or perhaps the high altitude will continue to provide a natural cure.


Martin

Doppelgangers

Last Sunday Méribel enjoyed another very welcome snow storm, along with low temperatures. For the first time in three weeks (thanks to plenty of pre-bookings and then the hectic school holidays) I had a free day. I couldn't believe my luck that neither Mike nor Lara were working either.


It's often difficult to squeeze in free skiing, especially with colleagues, and in particular with brilliant fresh snow conditions like this.


Some people will shy away from skiing in poor weather, but hey, without this weather how else do we receive perfect powder snow, albeit in white -out visibilty as you can see. Guess who came along as well? Yep, my mate Canon.


Before we jumped on our first lift together of the morning, we agreed to avoid bombing around the mountain at full 'ski instructor pumped up super charged turbo macho' speed that can sometimes happen when free skiing with colleagues from the ski school.


Why was that? It's nice just sometimes to go for a casual ski, especially relaxing in the environment that we all love. And yes, a coffee stop was included as well, how very civilised.

We were all keen to have some photos taken of each other, not because of vanity, but because we are keen to improve our websites.

So what photos are needed for a website? Well I'm no expert on this yet but a mixture of action shots of holiday makers, action shots of ourselves, gorgeous scenic shots, happy smiley people on holiday and portrait shots will always be a winner.

Canon and I couldn't help with all of these categories, but we did our best. I was pretending to be a pro-photographer for the morning, with Mike and Lara busy role-playing as supermodels !?! The result, you can decide.

Even Mike took control of Canon briefly to take a rare photo of yours truly. Not sure what Lara was doing here, she said she was trying to sniff out some farm yard smells. Hhhmmmm.

How are you doing with placing the Dopplegangers, yes there are two? Think out of the box, think Ski Sunday and you might get there. First correct answer in 'Comments' will win an unthinkable and invaluable prize !?!

Martin

P.S. I got back from London late last night, the next post will show a strange mixture of friends, will post early next week.