Some would say that I don't learn from my mistakes and others might say that I love a challenge... but for whatever reason I am back on those slippery white slopes again... Day 1 and I survived... no crashes and no crying... I call that a triumph... Don't you?
I have had a long soak in the bath since all that schussing and now I can move my frozen fingers and I can walk without an obvious swagger... Yet, compared to my last time in the winter wonderland, I'm feeling a whole lot better...You might ask why do I do this to myself when I am obviously not a gifted sports woman?... There is no need for me to be coy here... one look at my sporting prowess in this arena and you would know that the fast paced moving stuff is not my forte... I console myself with the thought that I can try and excel in the finer art of aprés skiing... The reason I persevere, dress up in ridiculous clothing and hurtle down mountains at alarming speed is that I live with a passionate bunch of skiers... They all love it and worse still... they are really good at it..
Today, bright and early I was ready. Did I mention that not only am I the slowest on the slopes but I am the slowest off the slopes. I decided that this year I would refuse that honour... All gear checked and accounted for the night before... I was not the one they would be waiting for... I had my leggings, ski pants, ski socks, (dare I admit.. knee guards... oh yes... they work a treat) thermal tee shirt, fleece, neck warmer and ski jacket on in record time... The ski pass, tissues, glasses, area map, a little cash and a lot of sunscreen were strategically placed in the pockets of my favourite jacket. Helmet, goggles and mittens were ready and waiting... you can see that I am telling the truth by my photograph... I was seriously race-ready at the appointed time... I could tell that my gang were all impressed... I am even expert in doing up the clonky ski boots without breaking all of my fingernails and asking for help... All in all a perfect start to the week... Except... As I leant down to clip the last buckle and fasten the boot straps the zipper to my ski jacket broke... and like the walls of Jericho.. it all came tumbling down... I needed to change and fast... That meant a dash back upstairs to the apartment, a quick empty of the pockets (after all that careful planning) and a new jacket... In record time I threw on another parker, re-stuffed the pockets with the bare necessities and hightailed it to the ski lift... I made it... not first but not last... I felt pretty good about that... A successful turnaround... Except for one small detail... the new jacket... it was more about style than performance... I should have been wearing this and this... Let's just say that I have had a mighty chilly ( could say frozen) first day on the slopes... but there is no way I am telling my ski pals that... xv
image - vicki archer
Ah, good for you, Vicki! Yes, you look very, very stylish.
ReplyDeleteTres slope chic! :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne xx
Jus so you know, the Mistral is roaring and it is freezing here too! Ok, not the same I know, just trying to make you feel better. :) It is only because we haven't been able to afford it that I have so far, after ten years with a honey who was a former Chasseur Alpin, managed to avoid doing what I have no idea how to do. It seems like my number is going to be up in March so I will learn from you!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of a private beginner lesson at Mount Tremblant...I failed to get off the chair lift at the ski run with my instructor. I am sure he is still telling that story!!
ReplyDeleteAs I was so nervous...my instructor asked me to "glide"... not a bad lesson for life.
Enjoy!
Hilarious and a much braver soul than I! That said, next year I am wanting to try snow boarding!!! Will be good for a laugh or several.
ReplyDeleteJo x
I admire you for being so well-prepared and 'so' on time! And you are brave. I stick with the Nordic skiing myself! Much less dangerous for a klutz like me! One of these days, i will again try the clunky boots and the downhill 'thing'. I swear i will! :D I must say, though, i am excellent at the apres ski. Every once in awhile my husband and i join friends at Timberline.. (Mt. Hood, OR) for a little of that.. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteWell bundle up and stay warm this time, Vicki! My hat is off to you for your perseverance! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
xoxo
Well, dear Vicki, if you read my new post, you will understand why I now have to write that you are the a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e. b.e.s.t. s.p.o.r.t. i have heard of lately! I hope your "ski pals" appreciate you and will reward you with a good bottle... of something tasty [preferably sparkly] when this is all over! ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteAh Vicki, you are no doubt not as bad as you think! I love to ski and am usually the first one down the mountain, but as I get older, I'm starting to take my time and enjoy the gentler slopes. There is something about just being out there in the fresh air and being in the mountains that I find so invigorating. And of course, the apres ski stuff makes all the effort and hassle worth it! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHello! I have recently found your blog and I love it. You talk about the things I also like: movies, books, houses, family, fashion, and France of course. I have also so enjoyed your two books.
ReplyDeleteThe skiing sounds fun; I have yet to try it myself, a Florida girl.
Oh Vicki way to go...I'm appalling on the slopes, avoid it like the plague! Such a shame about your jacket.
ReplyDeletexxx dj
putting on all ski gear really takes too much time (atleast in my case) but i still loves the feeling of rolling over ice any ways thanks for sharing a great experience
ReplyDeleteHa! It is way better to LOOK you know what you are doing than actualy do!
ReplyDeleteI remember that as the mantra of many clients I instructed as a ski instructor...I would LOVE to be in your place. And, FWIW, there is no lost admiration of ski partners whose only job is to keep the chairs warm by the fire!
Crumbs Vicki, just remember to take off the helmet if you need to dash into a Swiss bank for a quick withdrawal. I'd hate to see the headlines 'French Essence author blogs from Prison'. Make sure you get the avant:apres ski ration right.
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
Good luck and be careful out there on the powder!! Most of all HAVE FUN!! ;-))
ReplyDeleteJe vous félicite, car moi et la neige, grrrrr... je n'aime pas beaucoup ça! en plus je n'ai pas de relief!
ReplyDeletegros bisous
I can so identify with your skiing woes...For years, I skied with a most athletic husband. I 'remained calm' and kept up most of the time...I looked so good and you know...'going for it' when I just should have stayed 'low and slow' like some of my friends. Then, after years of skiing a lot, I was having the time of my life, fresh powder and oops, skied right into a hole that was full of powder, came to a screeching halt with a very broken leg. Haven't trusted myself to ski since. Apres ski has it's merits...but nothing beats the memories of fun times with husband and friends! I tip my furry ski hat to you! Ski until you can't!
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki, can so relate to everything you describe. While I love the experience of being with my family and friends outdoors, I seem to find it so stressful. They however always seem to be so relaxed. I don't think I will ever reach that level of comfort on the slopes I aspire to. Enjoy your trip, you do look very glam in all that gear. Sally-Ann x
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki - too funny, I was going to write a very similar post - perhaps I still will!! I am the slowest and least able in a family of excellent skiers - my husband being by far the best. Good luck, be careful and have fun - are you in Switzerland or France?
ReplyDeleteWe slow gals need to stick together. Can't they make a slope just for us???? Or is that what the bunny slope is for? Whoops!
ReplyDeleteNever mind the jacket.............your helmet is way too cool! You know what I think about all these outdoor sports but then I am not built for agility but I am betting you are doing wonderfully. Soft landing.............if it happens. XO
ReplyDeleteVicki you go girl!! I love your ski gear and am so sorry about your broken zipper, not good!! I would say at this point you are a much braver woman than Moi!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
So funny! I can relate to how you feel! Many a time, I've asked myself why.. am I spending all this money to be cold and sore! I admire your spirit ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave Vicki!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and take care :)
Bises,
- Irina
The main idea is to always look good + you do! Sorry about your zipper. Kudos to you, dear vicki. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! You sound just like me! My husband is a surfer, tennis, player, golfer and skier which he does fast and well...our son has been into extreme skiing for several years jumping over rock faces down to snow at crazy speeds, skiing on ice under waterfalls, helicopter skiing....his wife does the same...one of our daughters is a grand prix jumper, radical skier and snowboarder and the other is an excellent slalom skiier...then, there is me....sigh....because i am just s tiny bit competitive (understatement), i try to fit in, at great risk of bodily harm....it is either that or extreme humiliation and being left out of the 'fun'....here is to survival for us both and inclusion in the family for hopefully, a little longer, without injury! Peace...Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh God! Another blog to be obsessed with! You are my newest hero!
ReplyDeleteYour description of the layers and the process is just perfect. So much to consider ! Though I lived in Aspen for a dozen years (and skied several days a week all winter) - every day required planning and constant adjustments. Hope you're enjoying a wondrous winter sojourn . . ...
ReplyDeletejudith
p.s.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see your self portrait .. .
jjj
Oh Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI am full of admiration. I don't think that I would be so keen ! Whenever I have been, I concentrate on getting the finer points of apres ski right !! haha.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful time and....be careful ! XXXX
cool watch
ReplyDelete