Uphill skiing!

No! I'm not crazy!

But I try to re-think many things of my life... and for instance the satisfaction of reaching a goal myself. For years, for instance, it's been rushing downhill on my skis, or doing nice curves while going down. And of course, enjoying skilifts to go back... uphill!!! It was time now to discover the satisfaction of "deserving" skiing downhill!

This Winter I decided to get a new ski-gear (mine was old, bought in 1996!), and I picked some material to go uphill skiing: special shoes, special "skins" (originally seal skins, but now nylon stuff) to stick under the ski, special bindings that allow the heels to be free while going uphill, and fixing it to the ski for a "regular" downhill ski. The material is much lighter than regular downhill ski, but I chose an "allrounder", because I still am going to enjoy skiing with the kids on regular slopes!

Yesterday I had a day of introduction to this sport. I had done 2 outings the week before with a friend of mine, so at least I knew how to stick the skins under the skis! And how to use the different heel levels, depending on how steep the slope is. And go down on a short slope without falling... almost (try to ski downhill with the "skins" there...)

We "climbed" approx 3000ft (from 3000 to 6000) in the "pre-Alps" yesterday, under a beautiful blue sky. We were a group of 7, plus a mountain guide who led us and taught us how to save our energy to be the most efficient (you don't want to go too fast, you want to save energy for the downhill which won't happen on flat slopes, but in deep snow!). I simply loved it. It was awesome to go up a mountain (actually, my being afraid of heights prevented me from going to the very top, but I still could enjoy a nice view from where I was).

At the end of January, I'll go for a 3 day tour with the same guide. My friend told me she'd watch the kids during that time. Aren't I blessed?

The Summit is called "La tête à Josué (Joshua's Head)" or "Les Arpilles"

I stopped not far from the summit, as I was getting afraid of heights.

But look the fantastic view I still could enjoy! (looking West)

and that was on the way down...