About time for Alpine!

Nine years ago, I stepped into a pair of skis at Seven Springs, PA and spend the majority of a weekend either on my butt or on  the bunny slopes.  The next year, I was in Lake Tahoe and I realized that I loved the feeling of the crisp air on my cheeks as I was alone in the woods on a solitary run.  Since then, I have covered a number of mountains in North America, spent much more time upright, and even braved (and conquered) a few expert runs.  However, the oppurtunity to ski in Europe has so far eluded me....until this past weekend.

Taking advantage of Maria's vicinity to the Swiss Alps, I headed back to Neuchatel to spend Saturday at on the slopes.  We wanted a full day of skiing, so we set out in the dark for the train and watched the sunrise over Lake Geneva as the Alps grew taller with each mile.  Two hours later, we grabbed our lift tickets and rode the gondola up to the mountain town of Verbier. 

Our first stop was to the ski rental shop, as my set were safe and sound in Virginia.  Now, I love my skis and we have been joint at the boot for the last 6 years.  But the "basic" rentals were last years demo models, and they made me seriously think about upgrading sooner rather then later.  All suited up, we headed up to 2300 meters to begin our warm-up.  

An absolutly pristine day greeted us with bright sunshine illuminating the specks of glitter in the blanket of weightless, deep powder that surrounded up.  The sharp edges of the rock faces punctured the sky with a fierceness and majesty unmatched on the most picturesque postcard.   The air was crisp against the skin with a tingling chill that was mostly pleasant.  We took to the slopes and soon enough were racing down the smooth pistes with a familiar ease.  At times, the powder was like silk under the edges of my skis, and movement was effortless as the scenery whoosed by.   I could not get enough of the surroundings as we spent the morning at around 2700 meters.  

Halfway thru our day we decided to warm up with some goulash and vin chaud (hot wine).  Our legs thanked us as we enjoyed the rest-stop.  After about 45 mins, we were back on the slopes, and enjoyed some more great runs, before our jelly legs got the best of us, and we started making our way down the slopes to the base village for some apres ski (more hot wine) and some St. Bernard spottings....it is Switzerland, after all.

Our train ride back was a quiet only known to the happily exhausted with a promise of fondue and wine for dinner.  My first Alpine experience was only a taste, but I can see many more days on the slopes in Europe in my future!