It was another blue bird day....brilliant sunshine, turquoise skies and no wind...c'est magnifique. The mountain was busier today than on Monday...lots of Italians, Australians and Brits. Their is a definite international flair here and in Chamonix as well. In fact, starting this weekend there is a World Cup competition in Les Houches...downhill and slalom. Bodie Miller was to compete, but Nico said he pulled out at the last minute. There is a buzz about town as many teams are arriving for the event. We saw the Swiss team tonight walking through the town. There is a large area in the town where tents and a staging area are being set up as well as many exhibition booths. Would have been great to have an extra day to see the World Cup.
The skiing has been wonderful despite the fact that it hasn't snowed in weeks. Having a
mountain guide has been great...not having to look at a trail map and to follow the most skillful and elegant skier around the mountain has been a time saver as well as a lot of fun. He leads us to the best areas in the morning where the sun shines, to slopes that are on-piste and groomed, makes reservations for lunch at quaint mountain-hut restaurants, picks us up and drops us off at the hotel, and has shared with us the history and lore of this incredible part of th Alps. Nico is a fourth generation Chamonix native. His father and brother are also mountain guides and instructors. There a deep love for the mountains and the way of life here that is evident when talking to the local people who live here... they realize this is a very special and magical place. It is really even more than I imagined...unlike any other mountain town or 46 ski resorts I've experienced.
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