Some morning snow gave the tracks a fresh frosting but not enough to assuage the packed conditions beneath. We started with the boys on the Ecole de Ski hill called Les Planards - I think it must translate to "the plains" as they weren't too steep or long - good for learning I guess. The boys jumped up a group and are now with a couple other Aussies and picking up new skills quickly. Jen, Cynthia and I did our best to attack the new snow and then took the boys across town for an afternoon ski on the hills adjacent our hotel. It's a massive ski area linked by a gondola and terrain not dissimilar to Whistler - runs a bit shorter. Problem was we were in a bit of a low pressure system and clouds were hanging to the slopes leaving us with very limited visibility at times. Jen, who needs her vision to help with balance, struggled to stay upright, while Aidan - who remains a cautious skiier (unlike his brother), had his fears overcome him on one run where visibility was limited to your hand in front of your face, had to be coaxed down the trail. Needless to say, we ended the day early and whilst Jen and others took the kids sledding, I headed into town for some needed supplies and a look around. It's a beautiful little town with very narrow streets and a section dedicated to pedestrians only. Lots of old historical looking buildings and French-style chalet motifs. At the grocery store or "super marche" there were posters advertising Australia Day festivities at some local bars - inclusive of Australia Day Shots and Anzac Cookie chasers! There were numerous Chocolatiers, cured meat and cheese artisans, and then all your typical retailers (even Billabong, Quiksilver and Roxy have outlets). I naturally hit L'univers de Bon Bons (a shop I'm sure my brother would love) and took home a mix of assorted lollies to the kids - sampling a few on the way of course. After my evening conference session on Hyperbaric Medicine and Toxicology we trussed up the kids and joined some other conference goers for a meal at a local fondue restaurant - La Caleche. It was getting quite late for the kids as we got into the meal and by the end of this cheesy, meat and potato feast, both Cole and Piper were deeply asleep and required cartage back to our residence - 4-5 slippery blocks away. "Heavy lump" almost characterizes them both when they are fast asleep and both Jen and I definitely got some good weight training in hauling them home. Not sure where we'll be headed today - perhaps to the other end of the valley or an afternoon of sightseeing instead of strapping on the boards? I have my first session today - am talking on Dermoscopy - wish me luck - hopefully all will go smoothly!
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