The art of skiing

Yes, Emily went skiing. It was wonderful! Snow and sunshine, could one ask for more?


As one can see in this photo taken by Paola, my Italian mom and ski instructor, I don't have my poles. She took them from me to practice better balance and more independence. Without poles, it's true, you learn to ski better. However, when one has to travel a certain uphill distance, or even a flat distance, those poles are invaluable.

So, getting around was difficult. Getting on and off the little conveyor belt to up the slope was the worst. I had to launch myself by pushing off the gate, which created more embarrassing episodes than heroic. I either staggered just before landing on the belt, leaving me teetering on the edge with nothing to push off to complete the job or pushing too soon and running into the person in front of me. Sandro, my Italian dad, when working with me alone pushed me himself to help me out. Though that was just just 1/4 of the time. The rest, I was solo. Goodness did my arms hurt the next morning from pushing =)
Then getting off was another situation. I couldn't balance myself to re-arrange my skis should someone had stopped right in front of the conveyor belt, preventing my exit. When free of persons blocking the exit, I had to make sure I could control the skis to turn to get to the slope.
First day, I got off with Paola. I took 2 steps and just fell over. Must have been the snow... I started laughing.
"Emily..." says Paola.
"Paola," I begin as I right myself up and stand upright, all by myself and no poles (I had that trick down!) "You must know, I'm talented."
"Yes, VERY talented," she replies with sarcasm.
We laugh as we travel, her much easier than I since she has poles and have none, up the little hill to get to the larger baby slope.







Ahhh, how did I get up here--on the scary ski lift one has to jump off?
Paola.

I skied for 2 days on the baby slopes. Took the Ostafa (half the mountain) on the 3rd day by the balls and defeated it. 4th day, I did the Ostafa in half my first time. Paola congratulated me when we reached the bottom.
She started to take off her skis to go again up the mountain.
"Oh, you're going again," I ask, innocently.
"Yes, WE, are going again," she replies.
"Oh."
"I have a special program in mind for you."
I smile. "Ahh, really?"
"Yes."

We jump on to the 'egg' ski lift and start up the mountain. I'm thinking she wants to teach me something new on the Ostafa. Nope.

"Emily, are you ready?"
"For...?"
"The top."
"The top?"
"Yes, we are going to the top. You are ready."
"Paola."
"You can do it, I know it!"

Imagine me telling you this story in person. After her last comment, I give you the 'raised-eyebrow' look. Got it? Good.

In my mind I'm thinking, I want to survive. My mom wants to see me again.

We reach the Ostafa and put on our skis and ski to the other ski lift.

She tells me not to worry. She'll take good care of me.

(raised-eyebrow look for you again)

Remember that story about me falling just by walking off the conveyor belt thing? I'm talented. Never forget that--I don't.

She takes my poles as I pass through the gate. She tells me when to sit so that I'm on the bench on time in the right way.

We start our way up to the top of the mountain. I take pictures, give her trouble for leading me to my death. SO, she starts pointing out the ease of this slope. She points out a rather flat area.

"Look, Emily. This is very flat and very easy."
Emily looks. Following the path. It led to a steep drop.
"Paola! Yeah, 'look...this is very flat and very easy' but you don't point out the straight drop down that follows it. Paola!"
She laughs.
Son of a...

We reach the top, take pictures with the mountain animal (tradition). I'm all smiles before...

We start the way down, slowly but surely (a new phrase for them about me that they like).

We make it down. Cute ski instructor arrives with a rather terrified student. Poor things.

We continue on, making our way down, legs killing me because of the constant slow bent position I have them in, snowplow position, as a friend described it to me.

Eventually we cross paths with the cute instructor. He congratulates me on my progress. We share a 'ciao' as I'm in complete focus during my life or death situation and cannot say anything else.

I see our last stop before the end and point it out to Paola. She sees the sun in my happy, lit-up expression from such a grateful view.

We make it! I SURVIVED A MOUNTAIN a 2800 m MOUNTAIN!!!!!



Check this out: My first video on my blog and it's of me skiing =)
I'll give to you play by play:
Emily takes it slow down the baby slope.
Enters the arches with caution, but steadiness.
Concentration is written all over her body. Complete focus.
Conquers each one with skill.
However, the last one proves to be tricky. Honestly, it moved on her. She's confused.
She pauses, assesses the situation, and fixes it with the great amount of knowledge she possesses.
Ahh ha! She makes it! Baby slope with arches: dominated.

Christmas Holiday in Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Ahh, so I had a great time in northern Italy, as far north as one can go! Literally, if I wanted, I could go into a valley within Switerland, then hop the ski lift for Italy, and travel further west for France in a third valley. Didn't, but could have.
This is the little village, St. Jacques, we stay in. It's adorable, has everything needed, and if you need more, the bigger village is just a 5 min drive away.
I decided not to ski on the first day, but just walk around and understand the area I was in better. So, I put on my green corduroy pants, expensive looking brown boots and black northface jacket--stylish of course ;)
I walked 1 km, not bad, to the next village, Frachey, and took pictures along the way. It was sunny, beautiful, not too cold, and snow was everywhere!! I loved it! Goodness knows I'd love to live in the mountains.
One of the photos is of the village's church. It's the smallest church I've ever seen and is really cute. It doesn't look small from the outside, but it's similar to a large bedroom...
I won't write descriptions for all the photos, just enjoy the view.


This is one of the ski lifts in to a valley I didn't venture in. You reach it by this train, which was cool to watch go up and down. Maybe in a few weekends I'll try it...