Ski lesson ROE - Return On Enjoyment

Last year was my 24^th year of skiing.  For the past 5 years Elaine and I have skied most days each week of the Northern Winter. 

Like a lot of older folks we took ESF French ski school lessons when the clear and loud ….possibly only guidance to those at the back of the class was to BEND ZE KNEES TO TURN ZEE SKIS.   The madness of continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different outcome became clear and I drifted away from ski lessons for a long time and became self taught or “DIY” obsessed.

However you eventually realize that you reach a plateau of what you can do with self help books and ideas from mates. My own reservations about feeling short changed from past experience on lessons drove me towards investment in tangible things like new boots or new skis to drive improvement.  In hindsight the best kit in the hands of an average skier was not the best idea.

Winding the clock forward and today living in a village where a fair proportion of neighbours and friends earn their living from ski instructing it very quickly became apparent just from watching how they go about things that my skiing lacked much of what they did,  seemingly unconsciously.   I was in short:

•         Clock-work in motion rather than flowing and natural
•         Quite quick in my own mind but often not completely in control on steep, narrow or icy pitches
•         Somewhat prone to close scrapes with others on the slopes
•         Recognizable by others on the slope for my somewhat interesting style

Getting more from my skiing was becoming really important.  We live in the biggest and arguably the best ski resort in the world.   I somewhat reluctantly chose to take my first step in becoming a better skier by organizing private lessons.  My going in thinking was that I might get a few decent tips but overall my skiing needed a bit of tuning that’s allJ

How wrong I was! My skiing was technique needed to be reworked, not quite back to basics but definitely not just tuning.   I’ll never be a great skier but by golly the improvements from a small annual investment in lessons has transformed my skiing -  relative to the thousands spent on latest gear – yes I am a gear freak. I’m much more confident and get a real buzz out of big turns, bumps and floating through fields of powder.  

On reflection I have spent the preceding twenty odd years of my ski life thinking I had the skills to do this but without the coaching that a lot of us accept is part of our right in the workplace you just can’t break through barriers imposed by poor technique, which you are nearly always blind to yourself.

 So why say all of this you may ask.  Well it’s a call to action for lots of people like me who still spend lots on gear and expensive holidays but don’t take the necessary steps to get so much more out of their skiing.  This is what worked for me so far:

•       A pre vacation recommendation from your chalet or hotel proprietor on a named ski instructor who might fit in with your personality comes in handy. 
•       Finding a ski coach with whom I have been able to establish a strong rapport – someone who sees my strengths and my shortcomings as a skier
•         Set up a private lesson(s) to get an honest assessment of your level, your strengths and a plan for improvement, which they can guide you towards.  The plan must be based around realistic objectives of what you both agree can be achieved.
•         Ask the instructor for details of the drills that they practice to become better and find out why these drills make such a difference
•        Practice these drills on the easier slopes, where it is less crowded or on the way home.   An hour or so in a busy ski day as part of what you are doing pay’s dividends for me.   
•       Decide together how you will measure progress to becoming a better skier.  This might include technical video analysis, feeling much more controlled, having the time to look 3 steps ahead whatever the terrain.
•        When you feel you have reached an objective get back together for more lessons – change the terrain, find more difficult snow pack etc. 
•         Don’t let bad old habits slip back in – repeat the lessons to avoid reverting to type

Still not convinced then think about it differently:

•          The best ski instructors get lessons from each other.  You are never too good to learn.
•         In your own walk of life ongoing professional development may well be important to your career.  It’s the same for skiing!
•         How much better does a craftsman / artisan made piece of furniture look compared to DIY attempts at producing the same.  You might get there eventually with DIY but it is a much slower process

I hope my journey to improvement inspires one or two of the people who read our blog to take heart and invest in the ski tuition / training necessary to make a breakthrough in skiing technique and increase their ROE (Return on Enjoyment) in the ski fields this winter.

Doesn't it get boring?

This is one of the questions we get asked when we tell people that we ski on average 5 days a week for weeks (and weeks) in the Three valleys area. The answer is of course a resounding "no, not at all"

Every day is different in the snow, the weather guarantees that but we are also spoilt of course by the sheer size of the Three Valleys area. Yes there are runs that we do almost every day, we have our favourite home run down to Meribel Village timed of course to allow time for a hot chocolate from the bakery before the bus arrives. Our home run aside we aim to ski in different areas each day depending on the conditions and weather.

In the Three valleys the other weapon we have against boredom is that every year something is new, a new lift, a new run or a slightly changed run. Improved facilities, better signage, new après activities. It keeps life interesting. So what is in store for Season 2015/16? Well the award for the "most changed area" looks like going to Mottaret where the area directly above the centre is undergoing a huge transformation. Lifts will be removed, a new lift will be installed and runs changed which will hopefully make the area safer and more enjoyable for beginners. We will no doubt miss the lifts which are being removed, it's always sad to see an old faithful like the Table Vert Chair disappear but the changes to the runs look good, take a look for yourself:

 

Video showing changes

Back on line…...

It's been a long time since we posted but normal service has now been resumed. Nothing dramatic just a busy end of the season and an even busier return to non Chalet life.

Over the next few posts we will catch up on what has been happening at Chalet Vache Bleue and news from the Three Valleys and some treats to look forward to next season.

Season 2014-15 was certainly an interesting one. In terms of Chalet Vache Bleue we had over 90% occupancy through the season and welcomed guests from all corners of the world. One of the nicest things about meeting so many people who have skied all over the world is getting the low down on other resorts - especially when they say The Three Valleys and specifically Meribel top them all. 

So what do people like about our slice of heaven? Overall it would have to be the variety of runs and the efficient lift system. Regular visitors also appreciate the improvements which are made every year including re-shaped runs, faster lifts, better facilities (including more on-mountain toilets) and more extensive entertainment programmes.

Last season will not be remembered for an abundance of snow but as usual the superb Piste maintenance team in Meribel made the best of what we had. Many resorts in France had limited skiing available and some were forced to reduce ski pass availability to prevent overcrowding on the few slopes they were able to open. We haven't heard the long range forecast for next season yet but we know that with the altitude, direction of slopes, man made snow making and the great team who work every night in Meribel there will be plenty of snow to slide around on. Why not come and see for yourself?

Snowy walk around our Village January 2015

When 3 really means 4

The Three Valleys is actually four valleys thanks to Orelle being part of the ski area. Often forgotten or perhaps considered too far/difficult to get to this gem of an area tucked away beyond Val Thorens really is worth a visit and is not as had to reach as it may appear from looking at the Piste map. A glorious sunny Saturday morning skiing the area a couple of weeks ago reminded us that Orelle is a great part of the Three Valleys area and well with a visit.

How to get there:
Once in Val Thorens take the Grand Fond Telecabine, at the top exit on the right hand side. A short ski will then bring you to the top of the Rosael Chairlift from where you can take a red piste or a blue piste into the Orelle bowl. Both these runs are long and sweeping, the blue is often less crowded just be careful as it crosses the red piste in several places. 
There is also a black run which can be accessed from the top of the Cime Caron Telepherique. Follow the red piste at the top of the Telepherique and look out for the Combe Rosael turn on your left after the first drop. This run can be beautiful and horrid depending on conditions and once you have committed to it at the top there are no alternatives. If you like your skiing consistently pleasant maybe access via Grand Fond and take a look at the black piste from the other side before committing to it.

Access via the black piste from the top of Caron. Use the access from the top of Fond for a more gentle approach.

How much terrain is there in Orelle?
In terms of marked runs there are a couple of reds and a couple of blues. Not huge and definitely scope for more to be added. In terms of Off Piste Orelle is the start/end point of many routes including the Galcier du Bouchet. The ESF team in Orelle specialise in Off Piste trips and have an office next to the Rosael chairlift.
The recently established highest Zip Line in the world takes off from the top of the Bouchet chairlift in Orelle and ends in at the top of the Funitel de Thorens. Nice easy way back to Val Thorens if you have the stomach for it.

Can't be bothered to ski back all the way? There is always the Zip Line.

What makes Orelle different from Val Thorens?
The most marked difference is there is no accommodation in the bowl itself, the town of Orelle is via a telecabine with no access via marked runs. This gives a feeling of isolation which can be hard to achieve in the other valleys where accommodation buildings can almost always be seen. The bowl can be wind impacted but on a sunny day there is nowhere else quite like it, there is a reason that the sun features on the Orelle logo.

Next time you are over in Val Thorens don't forget about Orelle, definitely a bit different from the neighbours.

Avalanche

Whilst the snow conditions in most of Europe are not currently conducive to off-piste activities we recently witnessed an incident which reminded us of the reality of an avalanche. Making our way to Courchevel on the Chanrossa Chairlift we saw an avalanche triggered by an off-piste skier. Luckily in this case the skier managed to escape by skiing away but the speed and size of the slide resulted in gasps from those on the chairlift who were helpless to do anything.

Whilst all ended happily in this case it did make me think that even if you don't ski off-piste it would be good to know what precautions you can take to protect your safety and that of those around you. This week we attended an Avalanche Training session led by Parallel Lines Ski School which was packed full of useful tips including:

• the essential equipment you should have with you and how to use it
• what to look out for before venturing off piste, how to spot potential danger areas
• how to check that your equipment is working
• how to organise your selves if the worst should happen 

During the session we got a real taste of not only what to do but the reality of how difficult it can be trying to locate a victim in difficult snow conditions. The main take out being we all need to practise so if the worst should happen the we have the confidence and ability to act quickly. We highly recommend taking professional advice such as the sessions which Parallel Lines run and making use of the transceiver and search practice areas the Lift Company have established.

Appreciating how close to the snow you need to be to pinpoint the location of the victim

Learning how to use the transceiver

Success - victim (backpack) located

Busy Bees

At this time of year there is an air of "busy busy busy" throughout Meribel. Chalets are being completed, shelves are being stocked, snow tyres being fitted. At Chalet Vache Bleue we always try to allow a few weeks pre-season not just to open up the Chalet but to add and improve where we can. It all adds up to being busy which made me think about Bees.

Bee keeping is becoming very popular in Australia especially in the cities where rooftop Hives are appearing.We buy Honey in Brisbane from a local who explained to us that as land is taken up for development there is less room for Bees so these Hives appearing in the City are helping to keep Bees alive - and producing Honey of course. It all makes sense to me, warm weather, plentiful sunshine and a great product at the end, what I am surprised about is Bee keeping in and around Meribel.

I have always associated Bees with warm weather and to be honest thought that the Hives we see around the Villages would be out of use for the winter. Apparently not, the Bees are largely unaffected by the cold. Wet damp weather they do not like but cold and snowy - no problem at all. As we ski past the Hives on our way home to Chalet Vache Bleue I have a new appreciation for the many creatures great and small who share this space with us.

Bee Hives in the snow

I hope they have at least a little bit of insulation as the temperature drops. This morning it is minus 3 in the Village, maybe that's why Bees like to keep busy, it's a keeping warm strategy.