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Published: January 11th 2009
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Scary huh!?
This was improvisation measures with my buff as I hadn't brought my face mask out (my jacket was done upto the top but had to be undone to take my camera out) I eventually arrived safe and well it just took me 37 hours door to door!!!
I was able to get my flight out the next morning with no problem. I was met in the airport by Guy the course co-ordinator and he took me off to the resort and my temporary home for the night. Basically we had temporarily been put up in a chalet until our home for the next 10 weeks was ready today. I have to say that as we drove to the resort we turned a corner and the resort came fully into view and Guy just looked at me and a big beam appeared on my face.
So we dropped my case off and I emptied my ski bag of all items except my skis i.e two skis jackets, two salopettes and a couple of jumpers. I also had a nice note from the US customs advising me they had had a route around in there too..... We then headed down into the resort where I dropped my skis off in the locker room and we then sorted out my season ski pass. As is the way with ski instructors we went for a
beer in the hope we may meet up with the group which didn't happen however I did get to meet a load of other instructors including one of the guys who will be teaching me during the week, Pat.
Pat ended up giving me a lift back to the chalet and as we turned up the group arrived so we all got to meet properly and have a chill and chat over some food and a couple of beers. There are seven of us on the course the others are Niki, Kate, Sam, Tom, George and Dan. We also have Marie-Eve living with us who is going to be our other ski instructor and I also get to share a room with her. We have a twin room (both double beds) with tv and ensuite bathroom.
Our house is a 15 minute walk from the slopes however I was in luck as this morning Marie-Eve was going to the gym so dropped me off on her way through. I was on my own as no-one else in the group was up so Marie-Eve dropped me off and sorted out the settings on my skis, reminded me of the
slope colour system over here (since they are different to Europe) and off I went . I got onto the slopes just after 9 and have to say the snow conditions were perfect. Its a great resort and the pistes are really wide with no-one on them which I was surprised at as everyone had been telling me in the bar that this was going to be a busy day!!! Whilst the resort doesn't seem much on the attached photos believe me it is more impressive in real life.
There is a but in all this though and that is that its bleeding cold out here!! Yes I always knew it was going to be cold but maybe didn't appreciate how cold it would be in reality. Today I went out prepared for it to be a bit colder than Europe so added an extra layer on my top half but its now duly noted that I need to defo put at least one pair of long johns on (I've never needed to before ever!) I will also need to have four layers on as well as my jacket. To be fair it was -16 today although we have
been told its going to be -23/26 on Tuesday! I have a feeling that the best Christmas presents I got this year are going to turn out to be my face mask and glove liners.... I have to say that you can't even consider going outside without being fully dressed up with hat and ski gloves and thats even just to go to the shop!
I will say that I already love Canada I just wish I could understand and speak a bit more Canadian French.
Have I had any second thoughts about being here - NO WAY.
Is it real yet? - sort of but I don't think I have really understood yet that I get to stay here for 10 weeks and play like this everyday if I want to!!!
For those who are interested Charlie is alive and well but hasn't ventured outside today. He may venture on the slopes one day soon......
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Rachel
non-member comment
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow it looks fantastic :) Can see why Father Christmas would live there. . . It doesn't sound like you are roughing it with ensuite and double beds. . . (Be careful on the slopes if the colours are different - At least I'm not there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) Speak soon Rxx