Feb 10 23 |
Laurence and Maddie have come out to Chamonix to learn to ski.
They arrived at Geneva on Saturday afternoon, so we just had enough time to get the skis, boots, poles and helmets from the hire shop before dinner.
Sunday morning came early, an Alpine wake up call of 7.15am. Shocking!
We drove to Les Houche where Laurence and Maddie would be having lessons. We decided this would be nicer because the slopes are gentler than Chamonix and so they should have more fun as beginners.
It seemed like chaos as about 200 children were organised into groups and taken up in the bubble lift to the beginners slopes. Laurence and Maddie were soon getting used to their skis.

Laurence and Maddie getting used to their skis

Les Houche ski slopes
After three days of lessons I decided it was time to check out their progress. They’re doing pretty well, and skiing pretty fast, keeping in control during their turns and managing to stop without crashing. Tomorrow they’ll be using their poles.

Maddie in a snow hole

Laurence and Maddie getting ready to show me how it's done

On the chair lift
I took this video from a chair lift.
Just in case you thought it was all ski, ski, ski, there’s also the delights of French food to be had.

Crépe aux chocolat
Series - Learning to Ski
- Laurence and Maddie Learn to Ski
- Ski Medals
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13 Responses to “Laurence and Maddie Learn to Ski”
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Managing to stop without crashing? You mean there’s another way?!
And as for the delights of French food, I hope that was for pudding after Double Orients all round…
We have just had ‘Americans’ all round for dinner. Maddie managed half, but the rest of us coped just fine. Laurence was sure he’d manage a Double American, but when he saw the single he said “hmm they are a bit big aren’t they.”
How do the Americans differ from the Orients? Not that I intend to break from tradition you understand, just curious… Less needless salad perhaps?!
The Orients have the spicy sausages and the Americans have the burgers (with bacon and cheese options). Both are
, and both are stuffed with fries of course. The American has a little lettuce and tomato, for aesthetics, I’m not sure what the Orient may have.
That should have filled a void!
Pretty sure the Orient is salad free, as all good burgers should be (unless you count Tommy K – I do!)
Wow! Looking good after only 3 days!!!
And the snow looks great!
Wow – Brilliant!!! That slope looks pretty steep too. Can’t wait to see more.
The way forward is the double orient

We once encountered one American in Chamonix and that was more than enough!
Gotta disagree Ian; the Americain is much tastier than the Orient!
It’s all a matter of taste…
I think Grim’s referring to the “Gee guys, I wouldn’t park it there” incident. Apologies to any over-the-pond readers, but I guarentee you wouldn’t have liked this guy either!
Double Orient all the way…
Maddie writing
…

we put on too many layers
I haven’t heard of an Orient before, but they sound yummy
It was really cold skiing sometimes, especially yesterday
But it was also a bit too hot the first two days.
Lovely pictures. Very jealous.
Looks like you’re having fun!!