Above the clouds.

On Saturday, I went skiing/snowboarding with some friends in Crozet (they ski, I snowboard). Crozet is one of the next towns over from us, and only about 10 minutes away by car. (I honestly had no idea we were so close to the slopes.) It was grey and foggy in the morning,but after taking the telecabine through and up above the clouds, it was beautiful, sunny and warm.


Due to the fact that spring has hit us about 2 months early here in France, they've had to make some fake snow to allow for skiing/snowboarding conditions...hence the distinct line above of where the snow ends and the dead grass begins.


[Swiss Alps off in the distance.]

Saturday was also my first time on my snowboard since I took a snowboarding gym class at Penn State - which I just realized was back in January/February of 2002! It was scary at first to re-learn and remember how to ride, but after about an hour or so I started to get my bearings back a bit. I'll also mention, for the record, that back in 2002 I had only just learned how to turn on my snowboard, and could just barely make it down a Blue slope, so it's not like I was coming from an illustrious snowboarding career to begin with. That being said, by the end of the day I was able to make it down a pretty steep blue slope without falling, and was loving every minute of it.


The hardest parts of the day? Dealing with my bindings. I have step in bindings that are supposed to be easier and faster to get your boot locked in, but instead I spent half of my time trying to do so. I also fell twice as much on that task than I did actually snowboarding. Maybe it just takes time to get the system down, but I remember always having trouble with it. Le sigh. Any suggestions from anyone else who may have step-in bindings?


I had a blast on Saturday, and despite the fact that I'm still having trouble moving my arms I hope I get another opportunity to use my board this season. Thanks to Maura over at Pardon my French and family for putting up with me for the day!

A la prochain friends...