Reasons To Be Cheerful!

Well the season is off to a slow start and there’s no denying that we could do with more snow. By all accounts the British Press – predictably enough – are speculating hysterically about global warming etc etc.
I’m not trying to suggest climate change is a figment of the imagination but Joe and I have been in this business long enough to know these things are cyclical and just as last season’s fabulous snow and arctic temperatures did not turn out to herald the dawning of a new ice age (in fact we are still in the throes of the last one apparently) we are taking all the predictions of gloom and doom with a pinch of salt.
In fact, in our experience all our best seasons have kicked off late – so take heart all you snow lovers, it’s not over ‘til the fat lady snowboards!! Meanwhile despite rumours everyone in resort seems to be coping fine.
Anyway, with all this in mind Joe and I could well understand if we had been getting the butt end of some disgruntled clients. On the contrary however, without exception Joe has found them all a pleasure to work with, and going by the feedback the experience has been mutual!
Which leads me to muse on the advantages of taking lessons in marginal conditions. Naturally, I believe taking lessons is a good idea for everyone regardless (I would wouldn’t I!?) but there are a few factors to focus on in present circumstances:

• It helps morale: It’s easy to let bad weather get you down but once you’re up the mountain nine times out of ten conditions will be far better than expected (as I’ve found so far this season) and if you have a lesson booked it means you are committed to go. Even better if it’s a group lesson as it will give you the opportunity to network with others of a similar standard and find out what options are available. Huddling in the café with the other diehards as you warm up for your next foray is all part of the ambience.

• It gives your day structure: Most Brits are used to not having enough hours in the day to achieve everything they need to do, so when they are left with nothing to do it’s surprisingly unsettling (and where kids are concerned the devil definitely makes work for idle hands)! OK, only the diehards would insist on skiing all day everyday despite unforgiving conditions. But once you’ve made the effort to turn out for a lesson you are much more likely to get into it and stay on for those few extra runs. It’s also great for your skiing to experience all kinds of snow!

• Local knowledge: People book tuition for all sorts of reasons, not just technical input and any instructor worth his salt knows that. Choosing appropriate terrain is key to a good lesson, so a good instructor will take you to the slopes you are likely to have most fun on. Of course this applies no matter what the conditions but it becomes much more significant when choice of terrain is limited. Don’t forget that limited terrain can mean congestion on the lifts too, so having priority in lift lines is a major bonus!

• Safety: If you’re nervous anyway crowded slopes and unforgiving snow don’t help your confidence! Statistics prove that there are far fewer accidents among clients skiing in classes than clients skiing without professional guidance.

Happily all of Joe’s clients so far appear to have realised these things without having them spelt out and have been ready & willing to be guided by his suggestions. Flexibility and good communication (what did we ever do without mobile phones!?) enabled the Christmas & New Year holidays, which are peak weeks in our calendar, to go without a single hitch. No injuries, no cancellations and no grumbles! Just the opposite in fact…..
“Just a small note to say thank you Joe for the teaching and coaching in Morzine and Avoriaz.It made a tremendous difference to my trip and my skiing.Regards
Kieran (and Snowflake)”

“Back in the UK after our week in Les Gets and just wanted to say that the lesson Luke and Hope had with Joe was the highlight of their holiday – they loved it.
Thank you
Jane”

“It was great to see you last week……Just to confirm, we are coming over at Easter, albeit we are not arriving until Sunday 8th. Could I, therefore, confirm slots with you…
Nigel”


Thanks to all of the clients who have skied with Alpine Learning Curves thus far, we hope in this sense we’ve started the season as we mean to go on!
Now I’m off to do a snowdance –
See you on the slopes!