Skiing in the Alps

Doug and I had the unbelievable opportunity to go skiing in the Alps on the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest ski areas in the world. I couldn't believe it. Really, me, skiing in the Alps! Friends of ours were going skiing for the weekend and we had been invited to join them. I was feeling a bit worried about my ability or shall I say lack of ability but I definitely didn't want to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity. The words "be strong and courageous" kept coming to my mind as I thought about this new adventure. I have been thinking a lot about what bravery means since my arrival in Geneva and believe bravery has nothing to do with how one feels but everything to do with how one chooses to respond. 

On Saturday Doug and I began the one hour drive to our friend's chalet. We brought my new best friend "Gen", our GPS loaded with European maps, and hoped she could get us to our destination. We wound through the streets of Geneva, passed the Swiss/French border, and entered the French countryside. The gentle sloping green fields gave way to tightly curving roads hugging the tree lined hills. The small, charming towns scattered throughout the drive seemed to beckon me towards the snow covered mountains in the distance. I couldn't take my eyes off the scenery as I wanted to see everything at once. 

Saturday evening we joined our friends at their chalet near Morzine, France and had a chance to get caught up on each other's lives. We had met them over 11 years ago at Vineyard Cincinnati where we served together on the Exploring the RoadMap team and the Shareholder team. They shared many helpful hints and tips to help us adjust to living in Geneva. We learned about the culture and customs of Switzerland, more places to visit, church, where to buy cheddar cheese, how to buy daily parking permits, speed limits and tolls, insurance policies and more.

I was so scared thinking of skiing in the Alps I could barely sleep. The biggest place I had previously skied was Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia where the 800 foot vertical drop used 7 chair lifts. I was going to a place with over 400 miles of runs, 200 ski lifts, 8000 foot summits, and oh my it's really big!

 (Evening in the chalet)

The morning greeted us with absolutely perfect weather. Blue skies, 44 degrees, no wind and beautiful sunshine. The mix of emotions once again flooded over me in a rush. Excited, apprehensive, wanting not to embarrass myself, appreciative, undeniably blessed. Marty and Irene graciously encouraged me and helped us get our lift tickets and rental skis. Riding the gondola up to our first blue run gave me a glimpse of the mountain. For as far as I could see there were areas to ski all connected by long runs and a scattering of gondolas and chair lifts. We put our skis on and we were off. About half way down I felt my left knee pull and give out. I fell and was not able to turn using that leg for the rest of the way without falling. I was so bummed. I made it down slowly and was benched for the day. I enjoyed the rest of the day reclining at the outside restaurant, sitting in the sun watching some amazing skiers, and later riding the gondola to the top to take photos. Thankfully Doug had some amazing runs during the day. 

We followed "Gen" directions back to Geneva talking about the unbelievable wonder of the whole experience.