I'm cooped up in a chalet in Chamonix, France all week with a broken toe so I figured I'd take the time to share about the French skiing experience. About the toe, well lets just say that when you wake up in the morning with stiff legs from skiing you better hang on to the rail. Missed a step, broke a toe and hit an ankle the day after purchasing a 6 day unlimited ski pass. I wish I had a better story for you.
The only day I skied was arguably the best weather of the week, however. At least I have some pictures to prove I was here!
One of the most obvious compare and contrast in the French vs. USA ski custom comes to light as you try to get up the mountain. You must go up and the French lift line process is atrocious. If you've skied in the U.S. you know how it goes.. Everyone lines up in groups or single lines in roped off sections, if you are a group of 3 you are joined by a single and you take turns lining up to form one line of 4 across and in an orderly fashion take your place for the next chair.
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| "Lift Line" 1 |
In France it is a free for all. If you are with a group it is likely you will eventually lose them. You need to be prepared for people to stand over your skis. To have their skis between your legs. To elbow you. To push so close on either side that your skis are practically on top of one another and then it becomes balancing act of trying to move forward and stay upright in this awkward position. Like a mass of cattle trying to fit through one gate you all move forward - may the strongest win. Of course, with the madness that ensues here, often times the chair goes up with only 2 people on it because people aren't with their group or in the right position, only compounding the crowding problem.
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| "Lift Line" 2 |
To be fair, it was particularly crowded this day, and some parts of this mountain were closed which meant it was excessively chaotic. It goes to show how ineffective the process is in dealing with the masses of eager skiers.
I just want to show them it doesn't have to be like this! We can make it better! Everyone will get to the top without bruises! It just requires some rope and some poles to string it on! If only...
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| "Lift Line" 3 |
