A day of firsts

Apologies for Friday's posting, it wasn't my intention to scare the horses.

So, today started with the first experience of frost in the pipe work, all quite easily sorted out by the fan heater/extension lead system. Running water available by 9am.

Next, it was the first installation of snow chains on the campervan - 25 mins of faffing about, 5 mins driving, then 10 mins getting the stupid things off again because the road was really clear. Did I mention that dismantling them involved lying down in slushy snow?

Got to La Foux eventually and 2 chairlifts were open, lots of stylish Nicoise skiers and boarders enjoying the first day of the season. Sun was out but there was a cheeky little biting wind, blowing in irregular, but powerful gusts. I enjoyed the first run on my factory fresh Dynastar skis.

Then, I caught the chairlift up for another go and about 5 metres from the top it broke down. The 3 people in the chair in front of me got so bored waiting that they all jumped off, it was about a metre and a half for them to drop, but still looked daunting. It would have been a 4 metre drop for me so I waited instead. The ski operator (let's call him Monsieur Roblochon, because he looked like he'd enjoyed plenty over the summer), scratched his head and kicked the equipment a few times, then he paced about in the snow for a while, shouted something at me, huffed and puffed a lot and eventually radioed his mate. Matey (let's call him Superman) arrived on his shiny snowmobile, scaled up the ladder, cranked the pulley wheel round and freed it up, needless to say, Mr R had retreated to his warm shed to enjoy more cheese. So, first ski mini-drama over. It was a bit chilly up there, but I hear that last week, 15 people were stuck in a telecabine in Val d'Isere for 4 hours so I ain't complaining, honest.

I then spent a couple more hours enjoying the sun, avoiding the chilly gusts and practising my turns. Had a hot chocolate and then got all the way home without even having to think about getting the wretched snow chains out again.

All in all, a good first day's skiing.

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