Claviere - Day 6 - Penultimate day of skiing

Another morning of skiing in cold, windy conditions. We managed to get up on the lifts before the other schools which have us a good run on the slopes.

Today was all about building confidence on the slopes and just concreting our progress. It was bitterly cold on the he mountain. 

The ski lifts are long and the wind forced us to take a break and shelter from the weather with a hot chocolate.

In places then snow was so thick you couldn't see your skis and barely your boots and they sunk into the soft powder.

The amount of hot chocolate that must be consumed in the mountains is staggering. We were far from the only ones taking shelter here with most of the tables in this bar full with ski schools doing the same.

Once back outside the weather was clearer and slightly less windy but still really cold. Which meant by the time lunch came around we were all happy for another break. 5 days into skiing really is exhausting and we are all feeling tired and achy.

In the afternoon we spent some times as the teachers having a ski ourselves. Still near all of the groups but just having a chance to a have a short ski ourselves. This was interesting as a minor collision left me attempting to do the splits and just stretching my hip further than it really likes to go. Not the first time I have had this and I didn't feel bad enough to not ski for the afternoon. So we went on the last couple of red runs that I hadn't been on previously and this was a mistake. My right leg was struggling more than I had expected and I just couldn't make headway at all. The thick powder and a leg that didn't want to do exactly what I wanted it to meant a rapid succession of falls, face plants, skiis popping off and an unplanned walk down part of the mountain.

This was when it got into my head. Whilst knowing I had an injury I struggled with putting it all back together and taking on the last bit of the run which was designated blue, which I had done previously was also challenging. My personal fear was real at this point and it really knocked my confidence. Time was now going against us as our students were already heading back and we needed to get back to the meeting point for the end of the afternoon session. 

During what felf like the longest ski lift ride, I knew I had to get my head straight and take the slopes back down sensibly. We agreed that the other two would go off ahead and get back for the kids and I'd get myself back and call if I needed any help.

The slopes back down were familiar now as we had tackled them so many times. Visibility was better and the slopes were in good shape so as I took off I managed to keep up and really fly down the mountain. My leg held together and allowed me to ski better. Half way down my fear had gone and I was really flying. I got back just after everyone else.

Getting back on the proverbial horse is really important. Our kids have been doing it all week in their various levels as we have scooped them up and got them going again. It isn't always easy and even with external encouragement it still needs to be a journey we take on ourselves. I am really looking forward to putting onthe skiis tomorrow and enjoying the final day.

Dinner was yet another feast with pasta, salad, pizza, meat, soup, potatoes and a delicious pudding. We are so well fed in this hotel, I can understand why there are always people coming for dinner who aren't hotel guests and enjoying the hospitality this place has.

Our evening entertainment for the kids was a snowman/snowperson competition which I wasn't sure exactly how well they would take to it, but the enthusiasm was astounding. It was fairly clear how the group had split themselves up with the older boys making what was clearly a snowman, and the others who were mainly girls making clearly a snowwoman, but with far more dignity than the boys effort. We had another entry which was a beautiful snowangel. There was obviously the attempts of sabotage by the teams but I was so impressed with the engagment level that they all showed.

Once it was judged the kids were quite happy to go and get ready for bed and all was quiet very early!

I got to bed and hoped that I wasn't going to be too uncomfortable in the morning and be able to enjoy the last skiing day.