Aidan and I spent Valentines Day in Chamonix France, there for a quiet weekend of
skiing. Aidan flew out Thursday morning, and I was to meet him over there
after I finished work.. but they canceled my flight and I didn't end up leaving
London until
Friday morning. Rather irritating because I missed a day of skiing, but I
got there in the end. Saturday we went with a guide to Italy (only
about half an hours drive, most of which is in a tunnel through the center of a
mountain!). We were able to ski routes that were unavailable to others
without guides, so got to see some really untouched areas. It made me a
bit nervous as he kitted each one of us out with a folding shove, folding snow
prod, and a radio transmitter.. then proceeded to give a lecture about listening
to his directions specifically, if he says to wait and go one at a time then we
need to do that.. same as when he says we must go together very quickly.. that
we need to stop only where and when he stops, etc. All this to prepare us
in the case of avalanche. Pretty scary stuff.. especially because few
people survive them, and usually only those who are well trained in what to
do. Once your buried it settles like cement around you, so you're stuck
until someone else can dig you out (hence the shovels and snow prods).
They have to get to you quick, because with snow pressed to your face, lips,
and nose you might as well be underwater. Obviously if it had been a high
risk that day, we wouldn't have been out there.. but there is always some risk
any day, it was a rather sobering idea to start the day with. Luckily it
was needless worry, and we had an amazing day of skiing off-piste.. plus
getting a bit of an education about the Italians(!).
Sunday was skiing in France
on piste runs.. it was quite good to go fast over freshly groomed surfaces.. my
legs were so tired from the day before! Another beautiful day of skiing..
and lots of fun spending time with my boy!
All in all, a most memorable Valentines Day.
