 Poster: A snowHead
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| AndrewBailey wrote: |
| That’s a lot of snow. It was a rubbish Christmas, a decent Feb half term. Now wondering whether an Easter quick trip is worth it. Saw the traffic on the other thread. Ouch. |
Easter skiing is pretty nice I do like it then. Yes the traffic was awful yesterday - back to normal today!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Back to the sunshine
The weather is bouncing around like a crazy thing this week and today proved that... at first light this morning it looked really quite similar to yesterday with some wind and snow and clouds... I was a little disappointed as I got the bino's set up as I knew there could be some fireworks to see from here in LA Daille through them of the PIDA work.... alas the thick cloud meant all we could do was hear them. Oh well.
It had been a pretty chilled start to the day and we all enjoyed special Sunday breakfast before Olivia headed out to club... she was having her last SL training session before her SL race in Villaroger next weekend. Anyway she headed off, Clare headed out to teach her lesson and I was with Ben.
We went swimming and there was a new friend for him to make there (the son of someone from Tignes I know who is an instructor there who had driven over for the swim as the pool in Tignes doesnt open until later in the day) so there was lots of using the floats and toys in the pool to have a really fun time. The pool overall was not that busy but it was a fun hour non the less.
We made sure we were home in good time to have lunch ready for when Olivia got in from skiing and we had a nice lunch... all before Clare got back!
Of course I made sure I watched the ski racing on TV and watched the poor performance by Englands white ball team in Bangladesh.... doh!
Apart from that and with Olivia skiing again this afternoon it has been a pretty relaxed afternoon. Slowly but surely the clouds and snow / wind has fallen away and it has turned into a really nice day out there. I kept the bino's set up and Ben and I have spied some skiing from after and it has even been pleasant enough this afternoon to sit on the balcony bench for a cuppa. The weather for the rest of this week is really bouncing around and the temps with it too... so I think it will generally be quite nice but there may well be a decent amount more snow coming mid week again - we shall see.
The roads and traffic have corrected themselves today nicely and things seem back to their normal mid Match selves! However with the avalanche risk of 4 out there some of the lines people have been skiing is quite insane I must say.... I have been able to spy quite a lot of skier / boarder triggered slides out there. Please stay safe and with this temperature rising massively and then dropping again tonight it will hopefully stabilise somewhat but there is still going to be the massively weak layer down there and it will be a few more days before we can safely assume its relatively safe.
Tomorrow its back to work and this week and next is relatively up and down business levels wise so its starting to fill up nicely but there are some spots available!
TTFN
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Steve Angus,
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...before Olivia headed out to club... she was having her last SL training session before her SL race in Villaroger next weekend....
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Guessing altitude just above Villaroger about 1500m?? Hope for lower FL by weekend, or a race draw that puts her on early, before the course gets mashed.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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They reverse the running order so hopefully should all be ok either way! Thanks. Fingers crossed hope she has fun.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Back to Winter
For some reason Ben went sleep walking last night and ended up waking Olivia up (got in her bed) and that in turn woke us all up so that broke the nights sleep somewhat.
Anyway when I opened the curtains this morning it was a lovely scene - no wind and a break in the weather (heavily overcast lets say) with perhaps 10cm of snow on the ground. However it had obviously been relatively warm as the snow clinging to the trees was thick heavy snowflakes!
The kids were off on the school bus on time and I headed to the meeting point. I made sure that I waited as long as possible in the cover under the Sun Bar as I could sense the snow coming out the sky (thick and fast again by action time) was heavy wet flakes that would make anyone quite wet before too long down low. I could also tell that as the short ski down from the Rond Pont to the actual meeting point was certainly 'sticky' snow. However that sort of snow is really good for the pistes - not so great for the off piste and amongst other impacts it pushes the av risk right up! Today was 4.
My team were slightly early so we got ahead of the crowds and headed up Solaise as I knew it would give us better options today for working on their technique. We were first up more or less and the vis was OK initially at the top and there was not a breath of wind... with about 15cm of snow on the pistes and much lighter than lower down it was quite nice skiing through it.
Of course many people probably didnt bother on a day like today or made (perhaps foolishly - perhaps not) the mistake of trying to stay low where the pistes got bumped up massively and quickly and the snow was a LOT wetter etc.
Anyway it was lovely and quiet and we got some great technique development in on the Madeleine as well as Glacier runs - it really was rather nice. Later on in the morning the wind started to get up / the snow storm really started to take hold so we skied a little more conservatively and ultimately went back to the Madeleine. However as expected one of the biggest issues was dealing with the unseen lumps and bumps out there - always keeps you on your toes.
I headed home at lunchtime (Clare has been mainly on the magic carpet with 3 year olds all day - I suspect she has had a pretty tough day!!!) and managed to get some work done as I have watched the snow storm rage out there. The actual amount of snow that has fallen out there is hard to gauge especially with the wind that has progressively shut down lifts one by one today and now closed the links between Val and Tignes totally. I suspect we have had about 30-40cm of new snow but in some places that will be a lot more. For those slopes that have recently slid in the last few days it will be be semi dangerous tomorrow and for the next few days as the temps rise but for those places that have NOT slid it will mega dangerous when the sun comes out - be careful out there folks!
So I am about to head into town for a ski school meeting and then need to get the kids from Judo / homework club so it will be a while until im home this evening.
Tomorrow the weather should really come good and I am back on a full day of lessons tomorrow and then its a couple of days of off piste back to back after that until the weekend.
TTFN
I loved this photo that YSE got this morning - so have used it.... thanks YSE!!!!
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@Steve Angus,
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I loved this photo that YSE got this morning
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Brilliant photo. Is that by their chalets in La Daille, on the opposite side of the piste to the big apartment block?
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Yes and yes
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Steve Angus, we must have just missed you the s morning.
Am incredible day, wonderful snow, and sore arms.from polling up the Madelaine ramp.
Skied like a god, so happy, knackered.
Were delayed 20 mins at the bottom of the Datcha lift while someone one was medivaced in a chopper.
The professionalism of all was a privilege to watch
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
@Steve Angus, we must have just missed you the s morning.
Am incredible day, wonderful snow, and sore arms.from polling up the Madelaine ramp.
Skied like a god, so happy, knackered.
Were delayed 20 mins at the bottom of the Datcha lift while someone one was medivaced in a chopper.
The professionalism of all was a privilege to watch |
That sounds like a great day. Yes watching the pisteurs at work always fill one with pride I think. Must have just missed each other as you say.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Ill have a look thanks.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Well I thought I knew Val D reasonably well but you’ve lost me there, after Cugnai and Datcha 
Whatever, it looks and sounds as though you’ve had a fabulous day.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| PeakyB wrote: |
Well I thought I knew Val D reasonably well but you’ve lost me there, after Cugnai and Datcha
Whatever, it looks and sounds as though you’ve had a fabulous day. |
I'll translate:
- 'Datcha' = area off to right as u go up said lift
- 'nose super l' = anywhere off to left as you go along mattis path road (but usually come off the path real early)
- 'orientation' piste is the red from top laisenant lift towards signal restaurant. Went skiers left today
- 'signal' drag (hope u know where that is)... As you go up then the area to the left of it
- 'grand vallon' the area to left when you get to top of that drag.... We went hard left back along the ridge today
- 'Col Pers'.... As you go up Cascades chair look to 9 o'clock - the little low point is the entrance... Grand torsai is a big landmark when you go down there to avoid the impassable gorge which you don't want to be near at the moment.
- 'sunny bowl' - top pyramids chair and the bowl straight ahead of you
- 'danaides'.... Imagine you were skiing down from top piste L.... It's the area sort of up above u to the left coming down to the L piste... Avoiding the cliffs etc of course.
Hope that helps.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Steve Angus, thanks...yes, just looking at map and it makes sense now. Yes, of course I know Signal, jus missed that on first skim through.
Wishing I was there now. Well, once it gets light, anyway.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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PeakyB indeed. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Bit of local knowledge!
The kids were up, eaten breakfast, dressed and full of the joys of Spring long before I got out of bed this morning.... hmmm strange. No real reason for it I dont think. Anyway didnt really have a negatives impact on getting ready for school - just meant they had a LOT of time to kill before the school bus - haha.
So I headed into town nice and early mainly as needed to record my weekly snow report... however I had a panic as thought had left my phone behind which would have been a disaster on a day when needing to record the weekly snow report. Anyway luckily having borrowed a friends phone on the bus to call Clare remembered that (after Clare called my phone to find it at home) it was in another pocket I normally dont use - doh!
So with the sun shining etc I recorded my weekly snow report and other social media bits and then my client arrived. A fellow SH (not even sure of his username I dont think) who was booked in for a mornings guiding off piste. The remit for the session had been to ski couloirs but finding some nice pow was also very high up on his agenda.
Solaise beconnned and as we went up the options were either 'stick' and go straight for L'Avancher couloir and then maybe Prime S or something like that OR 'twist' and hope that Cugnai would finally open - as it has been several days since it has been open - has been the amount of work that has been needed digging out the top station amongst other things. I was pretty sure it would open on time and having done a tiny snow test on the way to the Glacier lift and having seen the (Small) queue of knowledgeable local guides and instructors having the same thought pattern as me, we headed over to Cugnai and it literally opened in front of us. With all of about 20 people in front of us the second bit of local knowledge came out... I knew that all 20 of the people in front of us with their various guides etc would be aiming to get off the back of Cugnai into the bowl. So the plan came together... get off the lift and rip back down just off the side of the piste in wintery untouched pow snow whilst the bun fight to get off the back started. By the time we had done about 100 pow turns and came back up the lift for a second time the fight was over so we could enter. YES we had about 40 people (by this time) ahead of us but there is so much space it was not going to be a massive issue out there. The first pitch was not that nice - took too much heat yesterday so heading over to hug the cliffs we had a HUGE depth of dry and light pow.... yes please - dont mind if I do! It was epic. We went around the corner for the flatter 'garden' option and that was lovely too. So very very nice.... you gotta be in it to win it eh!
There was a big grins all round I can tell ya. Wow.
Having done that we needed to tick the couloir option off so we made our way to L'Avancher via Danaides. The top section was slightly heavier than yesterday (probably the 1100 heat today was not helping now either!), the wall was excellent, the flats better and then the couloir itself was getting REALLY heavy snow. The lack of re-freeze at lower altitude had worked against us. Anyway the couloir was OK snow wise all in all just needed a lot of effort to get down it. However the bottom part had a big slide across it which meant we had a very interesting and unplanned detour through the forest etc to get around the carnage which was knackering.
By the time we got back to the meet point there were heavy legs but big smiles. Mission accomplished.
I had lunch and a drink at Tartine - nice, good value snack food from there before heading to the school as I was down to be the adult helper (well one of them) for the kids 'PE' ski lesson. This was to be the last of the two weeks of afternoons the kids had for skiing!
After suiting and booting the kids at the school and then all getting on the school bus to the snow front we were off. I was with Ben, my sons, group and his instructor for the week, Harold (from the ESF) who just also happens to be my daughter, Olivias, coach when he is Club des Sport coaching. Anyway the 6 of them, Harold and myself went for a blast about - a really blast about. The lower face, ski from top of the mountain via the snow park and through the trees to La Daille. Then a few more jumps and blasting about up top again before skiing the full distance of the Face from the top again! Pretty cool! They all did very well - so impressed with them all.
So having finished all that and got Ben home it has been a pretty chilled evening. Im shattered so tomorrows lesson being more of a beginner will be a nice energy saver thankfully. Olivia had been to an after school play date with a friend so whilst Clare collected her I got dinner sorted.
So thats about it for today.
Looking forward to my bed to be honest.
TTFN
P.S. STOP PRESS - the L piste opened (I think for the first time this season) today!
Ben in the blue trousers and green jacket - just hanging out casually on La Face - as you do as a 5 year old!
Danaides wall.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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A small break
After being flat out (and will continue to be that way for quite some time to come) for so many days / weeks now I really enjoyed some down time this afternoon... I managed to have a snooze whilst the kids watched a film - blimey how lucky am I.
I was the last out of bed this morning and it seems as if everyone had been awake for ages - not quite sure how or why but anyway it was a Saturday (of course), Clare was not working this morning, the kids not skiing so just me to get out the door - simples.
So my morning was with a long standing clients cousin. He had done a few hours on a dry slope but was otherwise self taught. Its always a tricky one getting people used to the speed of snow / its feel etc and also undoing the bad habits when you have hacked your way down a slope (anywhere) and especially when you are in your mid 20's and perhaps lacking in much fear. After starting on the small magic carpet we slowly increased the difficultly and exercises etc and ultimately did a fair few laps on the Madeleine. Hopefully i have now given him the tools to not only enjoy himself but also stay safe!
The sun was once again shining so it was very hot out there... it was the first time that I had really noticed the snow properly turning - Spring is here for sure! However it could get a little cooler later this week which will help.
Anyway I headed home at lunchtime and as I walked in Clare headed out for her afternoon lesson! All good!
So this afternoon I have mainly been chilling with the kids, watching the ski racing (wow Marco Odermatt is good eh) and as a I said above having a snooze.
Tomorrow Olivia has her final ski race of the year down in St Foy and I am one of the helping parents so we are up before 0600 to get going on the coach there. It is slalom. She is a little nervous but watching the ladies SL today from Andorra she got her mojo I think! Should be a long but fun day... lets hope Val get another clean sweep and with some luck Olivia will be well up there results wise! We shall see - as long as she has fun that will be the most important thing.
Then it will be the start of another busy week on the work front.... go, go, go.
TTFN
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@Steve Angus, Friday sounds like you had a fantastic day!
Looks like best low-vis lens goggles needed for St Foy today. Good that it’s got plenty trees.
Lovely area and, as you say, if everyone has fun that’s the most important thing.
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@Steve Angus, good luck today, hope Olivia has a great day.
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Good luck today Olivia!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Steve Angus, ha, spotted you in the crowd this morning sporting the TDC jacket in the sea of children.
Hope Olivia was happy with her performance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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A
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Well done, Olivia!
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Well done and it looks so much better than standing by a muddy football pitch in drizzle.
So pleased with the first ‘result’ having been puked all over before leaving Tignes early one morning with 2.5 hours to Geneva still to go.
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You know it makes sense.
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Well done, Olivia!
Eurosport in a few years from now 
@Steve Angus, wanted to say hi but you were surrounded by a bunch of kids, felt strange to interrupt.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I've just skied Santons for the first time. (It's either been closed or I've had boarders with me on previous trips).
It was pretty cut up, with a lane of hard pack down the right hand side of the bottom section created by the many people side slipping.
I'm genuinely amazed it used to be blue and now understand why a ski instructor once told me that when he retired he was thinking of setting up a divorce lawyer business somewhere near the bottom
Also fairly obvious why it's often closed as it's a massive terrain trap. I'm amazed how many people I've seen in the past ducking the rope when it's closed.
I'm now sitting having a snack at the Sun Bar, after recognising the name from Steve Angus's posts.
If anyone is around and fancies a pootle around, I'm skiing on my own this week as my partner is injured. I'm staying in Tignes Val Claret but can easily get across to Val. I'll ski all reds and the occasional black, albeit the speed and grace might be lacking at times.
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Poster: A snowHead
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"And next out of the gate... Great Britain's Olivia Angus." Does have a good ring to it
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well done Olivia, I look forward to Nick Fellows reminding everyone that Olivia is English but Ski's for the French team
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| russ_e wrote: |
| Well done Olivia, I look forward to Nick Fellows reminding everyone that Olivia is English but Ski's for the French team |
English????
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Opps 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well done Olivia, you and Clare must be so proud Steve!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
I've just skied Santons for the first time. (It's either been closed or I've had boarders with me on previous trips).
It was pretty cut up, with a lane of hard pack down the right hand side of the bottom section created by the many people side slipping.
I'm genuinely amazed it used to be blue and now understand why a ski instructor once told me that when he retired he was thinking of setting up a divorce lawyer business somewhere near the bottom
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My wife (and now) sister-in-law were taken down Santons as a 'graduation' run by their ski instructor at the end of their first ever week on skis in 2005. We weren't married at the time so divorce wasn't ever on the cards but the wedding nearly didn't happen.
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@Dr John, Good link. Done.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I wish they had something like that about whether Club Med should have been built!
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Frosty the Snowman / Hurtle / PeakyB / mooney058 / moosepig / russ_e / franga
and yes PeakyB - re Footy pitch etc.... never my scene that anyway! We have had plenty of puking over the years this end with the kids on the road! mooney058 - perhaps you never know! Yes was totally kidded out by the end of the day that was sure! moosepig - that has a ring to it yes. Sounds nice! russ_e - yes im SURE that would be put out there EVERY time. If the French effectively get her through the system then she can ski for France - perhaps after she has won many a race she can defect to Team GB when she is earning enough to pay back the French - haha! Kenzie - you mean as opposed to Scottish? Im only technically Scottish - dont consider myself such.... totally happy to be referred to as English! Queue the hatters now!franga - bursting with pride - she was actually 2nd for her age group in the 2nd run - amazing.
sugarmoma666 - yes its an interesting run thats for sure - I SOOOO rarely ski it these days. However love the idea of a divorce business at bottom - brilliant! Hope Sun Bar was a disappointment.!philhitch - claims another!
Dr John - voted. gixxerniknik - TOTALLY! Know how I might have voted on that one!
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