Weather!

It is the beginning of February and we can see the grass in our garden again. The igloo the boys and I made has melted and we have little snow on the lower parts of the mountains, at least on the south facing slopes that is not man made. It has been a month of almost no fresh snow falling and worse still, no more is forecast for a few weeks at least.

But before I get depressed that my imagined winter of unending powder days has not eventuated, a few thoughts.

• Last night Australian time Queensland was hit by a Cat 5 hurricane, the biggest on record. The damage is as yet unknown but will undoubtedly be huge.
• Queensland already suffered floods in January that killed dozens of people, made thousands homeless and were the most costly natural disaster in Australian history inundating an area the size of France and Germany put together. Victoria in Australia's south was also flooded.
• Australia has a heatwave going on in the south-east just now and more than 50 fires are burning.
• We don't have much fresh powder in the Haute Savioe.

Kind of puts it into perspective doesn't it!

 

So rather than get annoyed by the lack of snow I am going to appreciate the good things about it.

1. We have had a month of sunshine. Lately it has been cold, but it is dry and sunny and still feels warmer at -3 here than I felt in the UK at +2 due to the grey skies, damp air and winds there. The mountains look stunning and inviting to play in them each day.

Iced water at Sereval!

2. The roads are free of snow and ice. We haven't had to dig our driveway out for over a month and it is easy to get around again. I even decided to take my bike out for a ride on Sunday on the roads rather than face a 3hr home trainer session. It was cold but wonderful to be out there. I was well dressed so came home absolutely humming from the fun 90k later after riding down to Annecy around the lake and back up one of the lower cols on the way home.

3. Resort skiing is fun on piste. OK so I may not be known for skiing on piste by choice often, but it is perfect for the kids. Liam and Jackson are becoming good little skiers with lots of opportunity here, good snow that is not too icy yet thanks to snow making and a decent base higher up. In addition we get to take them out in consistently lovely blue sky, windless days. Lately we have been enjoying taking a break for lunch and picnicing on the snow it has been so nice. Rob and I are loving teaching the boys and seeing them thrive and never feel the need to go rip a few lines through the trees thanks to the rocks and hardened crud we would find there.


Liam, in the nordic groove

4. The cross country trails are in great condition. Although the alpine skiing is a bit limiting for Rob and I, we haven't been limited much in nordic skiing as most trails are open and have been kept in good to great condition. I have loved improving my skate skiing and greatly appreciated the free pass La Clusaz provided me this year for training on the 60+kms of groomed trails through forests, valleys and up to high plateaus with jaw dropping views including the main Aravis Range and across to Mount Blanc and the Massif.

5. Running is easier. I have been able to run much more easily on the roads now they are free of snow and ice. The forest paths are pretty tricky in places though as there is lots of slippery clear ice making the trails difficult to maintain decent rythm and pace through and a place that risks injury. I like running on trails but have had to stick to the roads more to train more consistently at target efforts/paces.
 

6. Training is a pleasure. I have not been distracted by powder to skip out on or squash in my training now I am back into a properly structured program and 20 weeks out from my first big race of the coming season. Actually I am loving training and really enjoying both the discipline and physical feedback as I rebuild my fitness and strength.

So, no great waist deep powder yet this season, but lots of great experiences and generally stunning weather with no floods, heat waves, fires or cyclones to endure.

I hope you are enjoying the weather wherever you may be, and you have not been affected by natural disasters in Australia or elsewhere.

A bientot
Christine