Today we skied at Les Houches which, in contrast to Les Tours where we skied yesterday, is at southern end of the Mont Blanc chain of mountains. Les Houches is not particularly high, but southly facing and located right under Mont Blanc, it gets good snow that lasts well.
There's not much off-piste at Les Houches. This place is a race track. Every run is hugely wide and groomed within an inch of its life! Every year except 2009, [wouldn't you know it?] they hold a famous downhill world cup event. The race takes place on a piste called the "Kandahar" We skied this run today...what a ride!! It's a long long run, swooping down among the trees. It's steep and hard with huge rolls and rises all along the way. The competitors must be airbourne for much of the journey!! To make things interesting there's also a road (with cars on it!!) bisecting the run!! We suspect that the road is actually closed for the event ....but this is France...one never really knows?
At the end of the day, while we took the sedate route either side of the giant kicker ( we don't voluntarily "do air" at our age!), the Les Houches racer kids hit the kicker at full pelt and sailed over our heads and back on to the run below us. Quite awe-inspiring to watch. Sorry, but OZ & NZ racer kids have no chance!!
2/ The run continues below the road. You just use the kicker to jump the road....yeah right?!!
We've mentioned the cold before....but seriously, skiing in the shadows where the snow is the best = frozen nostril hair!! By 10:30am we have "besoin de" (need of) chocolat chaud and espresso. Graeme also regularly seems to need un croissant chocolat???
Today we found a lovely hotel in a sunny spot at the top of the hill! Obviously they were expecting a crowd by the number of chairs laid out? But despite their lovely welcoming manner, they were doomed for disappointment! There were no crowds at Les Houches today.
3/ Graeme was wondering "Ou, est toute le monde???"
4/ Graeme heading down to the Autoroute!! A westerly facing piste at Les Houches!
We managed to ski every run and lift at Les Houches today. While we had a blast zooming down the hard packed piste, Les Houches is unlikely to receive a second visit from us. We confess we prefer untracked snow and secret routes down through the trees than speedway piste! But we don't regret our visit. It was a fun day!
Those classic French Moments!!
Back to those little French moments! As you know we have french lessons at least twice a week. In addition to torturing our poor teacher and the odd chairlift comrade or two, I have been making good use of the internet and all its resources. One of the most interesting things to learn about the French is their "unwritten & unspoken language" that is, the "Faire Francais - the French Gesture!"
I have already mentioned the "Bof" (one of my personal favourites!!). But of course, one of the most recognisable french gestures is the "Faire la bise". Yes, that "kissie, kissie thing that they all do when they greet each other!
I frequently forget that you need to give 2 kisses. I have been accused of being "stingy" with my kisses. Personally, I prefer to call it "La Bise Interruptus!". But when reminded I always finish the task with enthusiasm! The other confusing aspect of the "Faire la bise" is, do you actually kiss? Or is it just an air brushed pucker to each side? And who initiates? The man or the woman? Oh....it's just too confusing....I like the "Bof" much better!!
For those who need further information on the "Faire la bise" go to http://about.french.com/library/weekly/aa018051f.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment