New 365 pages

One month around here in Tignes! Trying to find those extra hours every day to fit in a full time job, university, French and not to forget, the need to eat and sleep too. 

Last Saturday's snowfall blocked the roads, was my day off, so we did some powder runs and avalanche rescue training. Sunday morning still barely anyone in the village, because of traffic trouble, and the slope conditions were AMAZING! Burned my legs to the stage of jelly!

After that it turned out to be a crazy busy week. It was nice, it was fun, it was sunny, but I'm so glad it is also over. I am really looking forward to my absolute day off (no training!) tomorrow! For New Year's eve had a fabulous dinner with other instructors, can't understand the paper ball spitting tradition though, haha! 

Today skied down La Face, the slope we used to think was abnormally steep. Last time I was on it was 9 years ago and let me tell you, the difference was just as enormous. Went down top to bottom in one go, feeling even a bit disappointed. 

More skiing to do tomorrow though, really excited for it! :)

Two weeks in

I've been so overwhelmed these days, it's hard to even explain! It's been exactly two weeks since I'm here. The language barrier still makes me feel like an alien, but it is improving. Despite the weird fact there is somebody not speaking French working in the ski school, everyone's being really kind to help me get into it! 

Yesterday morning I finally went over to ski in Val d'Isere, last time there was 7 years ago! For a while it felt magic. Unreal, I didn't believe I'm in this place again. It's just hard to describe, but when you've learnt to ski in one place and then eventually it turns out that skiing becomes your lifestyle and your job, it really feels magic to get back to where you started. 

Getting used to the long hours on the mountain, almost double the amount that I would do in Austria in one day. I know by now already that evening job here is not possible (especially when you are in Uni and need to do loads of assignments!) because the day is so long, once I get back home the only things I'm thinking of is stretch, eat, have a hot bath and sleep.

Uni assignments are getting done slowly. One by one, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel, haha! Also went to the library and got some children books to read in French.

Looking forward to the upcoming week, very busy, but for sure will be very fun!

P.S. Check for picture updates on Facebook.

Tignes seasonaire

Who would've thought it'd come true? 

About 8 years ago one of my instructors Bastian said I could become an instructor. One part of me didn't believe him back then, but the other one asked questions about what are the steps. Also I remember saying back then that I want to do a season in Val eventually. And we kept on talking about it and the thought was always somewhere with me. I knew that eventually I could do it.

And here I am today. In Tignes, starting the winter as an instructor in the area where I began skiing 14 years ago. First day up on the mountain today, a few wobbly turns after a long summer break and just minutes later I was confident and motivated. Spotted a perfectly shaped mogul run and the very same moment I knew that's where I'll be spending the day! Began the new season just where I left off the previous one. Just changed the country from Austria to France. 

A new language challenge ahead. Currently in the stage of a slightly retarded dog that understands some parts of it but can't reply anything yet. Motivated to learn, though once again to all of you complaining that French don't speak English..... Yes, they do! It must be one of those Murphy laws, when you want them to speak French they go for English and vice-verso. 

As this is a new experience for me and I'm out here all on my own I decided it's time to blog again too keep those interested updated. 

'Hello Autumn' Comp

Just as the autumn knocks at the door there was an open competition last Saturday. With 5 ladies on the start I was last off the dock so I knew exactly what I had to do to win. However this was no exceptional competition and I fell and fell on the tricks I usually don't mess up during trainings. There was only one run so they made it '3 falls allowed', and this was a lifesaver, because only after the second fall I realized I have to get it done NOW!

As I stood up I had just enough time to do the two tricks I fell on and I did. Even though it was a small event, I'm still stoked about the win!

Video footage Sep 21

September

Still haven't posted about Poland. I placed 6th, but I was really disappointed with my runs, because I was never able to do a stand up pass and fell on what normally should be easy tricks. Never mind that, it was a fun trip and seeing so many good riders at one place gave me the motivation to keep working hard.

Anyway, since I'm back home been training a lot of spins. Finally getting somewhere with TS 3's wake to wake and those BS 1s should be there as soon as I stop letting go off the handle.

Here's a video of the most flat session I've had this year, I had my dad driving and my mom watching and a friend filming. With the sun out it just felt good and I got everything down. Would have wanted to get the other 3s on film, but I ran out of power!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9GFEDGUL4

Qualification

800 km took me 12 hours of driving. Split it in 8 hours, sleep at a hotel during the night, then doing the rest down to Warsaw to pick up Roberts and further to the competition site. We made it just in time to register and the trainings were on.

Nothing close to the real competition scenery, but I was happy to get in the water after all that long sitting. And I never realized how boring it can get when you're on the road on your own! Can you tell, haha?

 Rode the qualification today first off the dock in the Open Women category. Just realized it's my first time out of Jr. Women. While the boat was getting the speed up I tried to get over the fact how huge the wake behind the 2013 X-Star is, it was about twice the size I had ever ridden on! Did some parts of my run good and some parts not so good, unfortunately a double fall where it shouldn't have been. The second pass was directly against the wind and sun and I just stood there not willing to cut out because it was so rough. Nailed one trick, but fell on the second. LCQ tomorrow, I just hope it's less windy and I can really focus on doing my best and finishing the run I had planned.

Competition time

Tomorrow I'm driving off to Poland for the E&A Championships. Really excited about it and looking forward to a week full of inspiration and fun! Knowing myself around competition the only goal I've set is to finish my two passes without freaking out and messing up the easiest tricks.

 Had a tryout run yesterday and today and they went well, so hopefully I can put my brain together and do the same thing with the bib on! 

Fingers crossed for a good start and I'll keep you updated!