Day job

After work on Saturday I met up with friends Martin and Jez. Martin has been mentioned several times before on this blog, he is also a full time ski instructor.

To schedule our skiing together can take some effort, we have to double check each others lesson commitments and also check our own energy levels. So to bump into Jez , pictured above, just before we sat on our first lift was a real bonus.

I haven't skied with Jez for a long time. Last winter he unfortunately broke his leg badly whilst training for his final ski instructor exams. He was taking it easy on purpose on Saturday, trying to gradually ease himself back into skiing. It was great seeing him back on skis again after such an injury.

Back to the photos, Martin Jeffers is dressed in black from shoulder to toe. Jez is in black and blue, and I'm in red as always.

We took it in turns to be ski models and take the photos. It's actually really tough posing, ie trying to look athletic, dynamic and beautiful at the same time. I soon got in a huff and sulked deeply until I decided enough was enough. "I'm going to ski as normal and not force any stupid poses". So there !?!

We all had great fun, and stopped for an apres ski beer at the Rond Point afterwards. I didn't realise until later in the evening that Jez doesn't actually own any photos of himself skiing. Perhaps we will meet again for another session. One thing is for sure though, I'm not going to give up my day job to become a ski model.

I drive to Geneva tomorrow to pick up Harriet who is flying out on holiday for a few days. Hopefully my 'huffs and sulks' will disappear in time for her arrival.

Martin

Favourite things

During a lesson the other day with Hazel, we were on a chairlift when she asked me 'What is your favourite type of skiing?'.

What a great question. We continued the discussion for some time, and went through our own lists individually. Hazel's list included bouncing around on bumps, plus powder skiing. How lucky were we because it had snowed a little the previous evening. I woke up earlier that morning only to find a centimetre or two of fresh snow in the resort, but higher up the mountain there was plenty of the fresh stuff to play around in.

Our first route was off piste down to Saint Martin de Belleville. Although we found some lovely powder, there were also many turns where let's just say it was a little challenging. Half way down I encouraged Hazel to be a little more patient when turning the skis. It's very easy to try to rush the turn in powder, which can easily lead to losing balance ending in a tumble.

Let's face it though, how many times does it snow during your holiday in order for you to practice this technique in the deep stuff? Hazel made some great adjustments to her powder skiing during the afternoon, especially with making smoother, rounded turns which assisted rhythm and flow.

We were able to find a different pitch with better snow, which we went back to for a second time, trying to avoid other sneaky skiers following in our tracks. Hazel had taken her first of many Ski Instructor training courses last winter which had clearly helped her understanding of better technique.

After our last powder run, we headed back to the Méribel valley for the final ski home. Skiing on piste after being in the powder took some adjusting. The perfectly groomed pistes that you get first thing in the morning, one of my many (long list of) favourite things of skiing, was a distant memory.

Yesterday lunchtime after work I met up with friends, we went free skiing and took several photographs. It was a fun afternoon with us pretending to be professional photographers and models on skis. Here are just a couple of shots that we were taken of me. More to follow on the next post.

Martin

P.S. Have you made your list of favourite skiing things recently?

Throwing flowers

Here's another French idiom I've come across recently, "Jeter des fleurs á quelqu'un". Which translates as "To throw flowers to somebody".
This means to speak highly of someone, or to sing the praises of them. Which is exactly what I'm going to do about Phil, Jenny, Martin, Katie, Malmer and Sam. From Portsmouth to Méribel on Saturday, they soon picked up their lift passes and hire equipment ready for the next day. This is where I came in, cleanly shaven, smiley face and highly motivated. After the introductions it was down to business, with me 'pretending' to ignore the nervous body language.

Step by step, turn by turn they all gradually acquired confidence and technical skills to be able to slide down the nursery slopes, and then green slopes. You should have seen their visible sense of achievement. Sam said today 'I don't believe it, I'm actually skiing down a green run and enjoying it!'. A fantastic effort team, well done. I can't wait for our final session tomorrow morning together. Cue, flower throwing.
Just before I started with Phil and the others, I too became a beginner again. Last Friday I was reading the brilliant autobiography of Austrian skiing legend Hermann Maier, on my balcony in the sun. Then I heard Mike Harrison, a friend and colleague of mine, shout up from the street below, 'Hey Martin, fancy going cross country skiing this afternoon?'.

'Err, sure, why not?' I replied. Although I've never been cross country skiing before, I thought that my snowshoeing, alpine skiing, telemarking and ski touring skills were bound to help me master cross country!?! Hmm, not quite, but I have to say it was a real laugh on this different flimsy kit.

To be out in the mountain wilderness, with nobody else around is always a treat, let alone having fun with friends.

Work is chugging along nicely at the moment in very fine conditions. It's due to snow a little more again this evening. Friday afternoon I'm booked off work to go skiing with Martin Jeffers. We plan to free ski and play with our Canon cameras, always great fun. Fingers crossed we will manage to take plenty of photos.

Martin

Cockroaches

During my French lesson last night I learnt a fantastic idiom, 'Avoir le cafard'. This translates as 'to have the cockroach'.

Which basically means 'to have the blues' or 'to be down in the dumps'. There is plenty of moaning amongst my colleagues at the moment down at the school, because there are hardly any lessons around, ie little work. All ski instructors are self-employed so little work means little pay, an issue of course. We do live and work in an amazing environment however, so being an optimist I quickly phoned around some friends in resort to make the most of these quiet times. I had an afternoon whizzing around with my mate and fellow ski instructor Martin Jeffers, pictured above. Then I contacted Rick, pictured below looking rather moody.

Just over a week ago I introduced Rick to a different skiing discipline, telemarking. Telemark skis are similar to normal alpine skis, but the boots are different with the bindings only attaching the boots at the toes.

Each turn requires the telemarker to bend down on one knee!?! It's like doing constant lunges all day long. Rick is an expert alpine skier, so for him to go back to learning sliding again from scratch was a shock and a challenge. However, he has picked up the skills and knowledge really well and has pledged to continue practising in the future after his muscle aches have disappeared!

On Sunday I'm going to meet Phil and his friends, who will be my first complete beginners of the season, and I can't wait. Phil has been emailing constantly to keep asking questions about all sorts of things skiing related. He sounds as though he is about to explode with excitement. Learning to ski is one of those experiences that most people never forget. Mine was at the Tonbridge dry slope in Kent before heading out to Bulgaria for the real thing. I love teaching beginners because it's just such fun for everyone, and very rewarding for me to see them all succeed as well.

Do check in next week to find out how they all got on. Oh, try and stay away from any of those pesky cockroaches as well.

Martin

Coeur Blanc Challenge

How many lifts would the average skier use in a single day?


I guess it depends on the standard of skier, what time they start and finish, how many drinks stops and how long a lunch was had. Maybe the count would be between ten and fifteen lifts.


How about taking part in the Coeur Blanc Challenge in March, where the task is to use all FIFTY THREE of the lifts in the Méribel valley on the same day? It's the equivalent of skiing a descent of 15,000 metres, just short of two Mount Everests! Is it possible, yes if the weather and conditions are favourable, but only just if attempted non-stop. Would you like to take part in this exhausting charity event?


The Coeur Blanc Challenge was dreamt up and organised by Méribel regulars Rory and Pierre. The previous challenge two years ago raised £180,000 for a Leukaemia charity. The 2010 Coeur Blanc will raise funds to create a National Melanoma Information System.


Two years ago I was invited to guide a team of four overseas visitors who travelled specifically for the event. Brett and Guy came over from Australia, with Paul and Jack coming from America. It wasn't until after I'd happily accepted the invitation from Rory, that I was told Jack had for several years competed. 'Competed at what?' I asked. He was a member of the American World Cup team, touring the world on the FIS circuit, and had competed in a Winter Olympics. Rory continued to tell me with a smile, that Jack was the last American to beat the Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba. Enough of the name dropping, sorry. We all had an amazing day, especially me listening to Australian and American accents and banter. I loved sharing the chairlifts with Jack, asking him about his experiences years ago and hearing about his continued passion for skiing. And yes, he could still ski rather well and very fast!?!

This year's event takes part on Saturday March 13th and is being fully supported by the Tourist Office and the Piste authorities. Please have a quick look at http://www.coeurblanc.eu/ for further details. This week I've taught several different sets of people, including Gerda and Natalia from Moscow who were in resort celebrating the Russian Orthodox Christmas.


During my first lesson with them we skied across to Courchevel and looked at the basics of skiing. They were both able to ski down blues and some reds, but didn't quite realise how they were able to do this, and more importantly what they should be doing. I soon noticed that metaphors worked well, so I got them to start thinking about spiders, South African wine and winning Russian lotto tickets !?!

I don't have much work at the moment for this week. So it's a great opportunity to start plotting and testing the route for this years Coeur Blanc Challenge, but not all in the same day. Enjoy the snow in the UK.

Martin

P.S. Competition time again. Can any of you regular visitors to Méribel name the lifts photographed. Be careful though, there's a couple of curve balls. One of the lifts is on the Courchevel/Méribel border, visible from the Creux piste!

Silver-lined clouds

The weather last week was constantly challenging with most days cloudy and with flat light. This made it difficult to see the pistes and most importantly the nature of the gradient. Plus the freezing level bounced around a little which meant we had a mixture of rain, mucky sleet and then finally snow.

But when it did snow, we were all in for a real treat with perfect, light, fluffy, ego-massaging champagne textures. I immediately introduced Arthur, Tess and their brothers and sisters to this experience.

You should have heard their screams of joy and delight. They all had great fun, but I heard comments like 'I love this snow, but it's really difficult skiing'.


I did my best to give them technical assistance. For instance keeping their arms forward, staying balanced over their skis, and making smooth movements whilst turning. But deep down they were just happy to go and play in the fluffy stuff.

My job was to find areas where they could practise these techniques, and then experiment in a safe environment, without getting over excited.

Occasionally there was the odd slow motion pain-free tumble, immediately followed by un-controllable giggles, especially from me!?!

We even got to ski within the depths of the forest.

I was so pleased that they all had a great day, they deserved it after the challenging weather earlier in the week.


It was one of those days that they will all never forget. I'm sure that you have similar memories from your skiing holidays, it's what keeps you coming back every winter isn't it?

Martin

P.S. Thanks to Arthur's and Tess's parents for allowing me to take these photos and using them on this blog. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do.

P.P.S. I'm really chuffed at how much both Arthur and Tess improved over the week, especially again because of the conditions that they had to deal with. Top effort.

The Noughties

It seems that everyone is looking back on the 'Noughties'. Harriet and I were in the bar the other evening doing the same thing, thinking about our last ten winters. Then it dawned on us, why shouldn't I write a little about my skiing experiences, since 2000, on my blog? Here goes.

With ten European winters in Méribel and two winters down in New Zealand, sooo much has happened this decade. To become fully qualified as a ski instructor at the highest level, one of the hardest exams to pass is the 'European Speed Test'. This is a giant slalom race that has to be completed within a set time. Very tough if you have never raced (like me) or even if you have (plenty of French candidates struggle with it too).


I needed many Autumns on European glaciers and two winters down in New Zealand just to train for this one exam. Most mornings meant heading up to the mountain in the dark just before sunrise, to be ready in position for our first training runs.

Awesome experiences, but really tough at the same time. Our training squad was often joined on the mountain by the Austrian and US world cup squads on their own summer camps. See the photo of a nervous Martin alongside the super-chilled Bode Miller.


Some of the time that I was training to get fully qualified in the early 'Noughties', I was also able to teach here in Méribel, as a "stagiere"or trainee. But occasionally silly fun would be had with friends. Like jumping off the roof of a mountain hut.

And getting the landing slightly wrong !?!



A few years ago I finally completed the gruelling process of becoming fully qualified as an internationally recognised ski instructor, plus even more importantly gaining 'Full French Equivalence'. A massive relief after such an effort. This then meant my ski teaching future in France was guaranteed, and I could throw myself into full time ski teaching.

Does this mean work replaces fun on skis? NO WAY. NOT A CHANCE. I really look forward to the start of each winter. To feeling the sub-zero temperatures when the early season snow cannons are switched on to create massive piles of man-made snow.


Each time a major snow storm invades the mountains, I can't help but stare out of my apartment window to see thousands of snowflakes falling, feeling excited. Then the next morning popping down to the boulangerie in fresh snow, regularly looking at my watch just to double check I won't be late for my first lesson and ski lifts.



During the 'Noughties' I've met hundreds and hundreds of eager beginners, intermediates and expert skiers. They've been motivated, nervous, shy, athletic, sometimes hungover, sometimes out-of-shape, cosmopolitan, even tearful (!), usually excited to be on skis. All ready to share some of their precious holiday time with me. Some days I have no idea who I'm going to meet and what will happen.


An awesome decade. So what on earth will follow the 'Noughties'? No idea, but I can't wait to continue having the best job in the world, and to continue meeting more of you all in what I believe is sheer paradise.

Martin

Happy Christmas

Christmas greetings from Méribel. I hope you all had a fantastic time yesterday; Harriet and I certainly did.


My last post stated that I was quiet with work this week, silly boy, how wrong was I. Loads of work came in via the school and I've had some great fun. I've taught a US Naval Officer, an Australian physiotherapist, another Australian this time a chemical engineer, a Serbian architect, an English IT guru and then back with boy racer Robbie again for some amazing powder skiing on Christmas Eve.

For the first time in twelve winters, I booked off Christmas Day. Harriet and I pootled around, opening presents etc (thanks for my new helmet and goggles Harriet). Later in the morning we prepared for skiing: Harriet on normal alpine skis, but I opted for my telemarking kit. We then skied to one of our favourite mountain restaurants for a slap up Christmas lunch with a bunch of friends. A lovely way to spend the day, especially with it snowing off and on, a real white Christmas.

Later this morning I'm skiing with Robbie's sister Olivia, who is also rather impressive on skis. Then I'll be looking forward to skiing with Arthur and his family next week.

Harriet and I would like to wish you all the very best for this festive period.

Martin

Regulars

Over the last five winters I've had the pleasure of skiing with Chris, Helen, Robbie and Olivia several times each winter. It's been satisfying to observe Robbie and Olivia develop their skiing, which is now geared towards race training. But at the same time helping their parents to continue working towards their own goals in a less competitive manner.


Today Chris, Helen (pictured above) and I skied together and re-focused. They spoke about what was going through their minds in the last couple of days when freesking with Olivia. They commented that as soon as I was skiing in front of them this morning, their performance and focus immediately changed. We went to work on double checking that old bad habits were gradually being wiped out. The Japanese call this process 'Kaizen', and is best translated as 'constant and never ending improvement'. Phew, Hemsley, that's a little intense !?!


On Saturday and Sunday I skied with their son Robbie. As mentioned in the previous post, he had an unlucky accident last winter which resulted in a major knee operation. So my responsibility was to ease him back into skiing. Hmmm, a 15 year old ski racer easing himself back, on perfect snow, empty pistes and accompanied by a well-motivated instructor. Let's just say that we skied miles and miles. However, being a perfectionist, Robbie soon got frustrated by the occasional weaker turn like this.


Although it may look impressive as an action photo, if Robbie skied in this same way on a steep icy race course he would soon lose the racing line and precious time. So we spoke about having a stable robust body position, required for these speeds. Incidently, positioning the body over the sweetspot of the ski is exactly what we aim for whatever our level, a snowplough skier, a parallel skier or a budding ski racer. In Robbie's case it looks a little more extreme that's all.


You should have seen his beaming smile after nailing together a few of these turns. It was the same type of smile that Lynn had over a week ago when overcoming her green and blue piste fears.

So what's happening in the next few days? Most importantly my wife Harriet is flying out from Stansted on Wednesday. Or I hope so anyway, I've heard that it's been nippy and a little snowy in the UK recently that's affected a few things !?!


I have very little work now until the weekend, so maybe Harriet and I will get to ski together over the Christmas period, and bump into the odd stunning 'Dali' sculpture on the mountain. Have a great festive period.

Martin

P.S. Thanks to Robbie's parents for allowing me to take and use these photos.