For the last few years Joy has been studying for, and passed, gruelling exams to become an 'Accompagnateur de la Montagne'. During the winter this means that she is fully qualified to guide people around the mountains using snowshoes. Being motivated with this success, she was keen to advertise on the internet, which is where Canon and I came in.
Problem was, I had to wear these things for the first time to get to location for the shots. Snowshoes are short in length, they don't have releasable bindings or sharp metal edges at the side, in otherwords very different to my familiar skis. Mind you they were dead easy to attach to your walking boots. A little unnerving in the first few minutes, but I soon got the hang of it. Actually it was all really good fun (who said that, not a ski instructor surely?).
Jim and Kimberly were the obedient models for the photoshoot until...... Joy suggested everyone had a snow ball fight. "Sure" I said, "Why don't I record it all with Canon?", knowing full well I should avoid getting hit by pesky snowballs with a camera in my hand.
Little did Joy know that both Jim and Kimberly were damn good shots.
In fact I almost felt sorry for her at the end. Tut, children !?!
Anyway, back in Méribel this week the early season skiing has been fab. With mostly cold sunny weather, great snow on the top half of the mountain and very quiet slopes. All of a sudden I've got some lessons starting from tomorrow morning. I'll be meeting up with Paul, Rick and Caroline who I've skied with before. Plus I'll be meeting Lynn for the first time on Saturday who hasn't skied for ten years.
I can't wait to start ski teaching again this winter. But in the back of my mind I'm definitely going to keep a look out for childish snowshoers over my shoulder.
Martin
P.S. Best of luck to Joy O'Flanagan with her venture this winter. Thanks for the introduction to snowshoes, but my alpine skis and telemarks will just stay in front of snowshoes in the ski locker. So much fun to have each winter, in so little time.
P.P.S. When Joys website is up and running I'll let you all know.
1 comment:
Now you're talking! I've never, ever, had anything less than fun on 'Racquettes' ...
Like you Martin, I was pleasantly surprised at what a hoot trekking through the forest on these things can be.
For future reference try throwing torchlight and eau de vie into the mix! Genial!
Give Joy my best regards and maybe, just maybe, I might be able to persuade Julie to take a snowshoeing holiday in Chamonix!
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