No one said it would be easy

We never thought it would be easy entering into a totally new industry, as that would have been terribly naive.  But this first month, of what you could say is a more lifestyle choice than career choice, has been a total crazy one.   After having many, many months off walking into a ski season has been a shock, but probably just what we needed.

The training program was intense. A training program which spanned from advanced driving, to avalanche survival to customer service. The low down on how to successfully complete a hospital corner to the fanning of a cornishon to dealing with the must outraged of unhappy customer. Lets just say most days are certainly full as there is always something to do.   The guests though, so far, have been real fun characters. The local work team we find ourselves in is magic. Within the team there is a great mix of ages, characters and outlooks with some from countries stretching out as far as New Zealand.  We have all gelled together and have become real close through many mind bending days.

So to the sound of piste control crews setting off dynamite charges, the lifts are today shut again today for the second consecutive day, guys and girls who are desperately trying to groom and make safe the absolute masses of snow that's been constantly falling over the last 36 hours. Well over 3 metres of snow has dumped in 40 mph wind drift conditions, a storm that has torn right through the valley and out the other side. Mountain village conditions that temporally closed the entire village, no movement in or out, resulting in some hotel guests being evacuated to avalanche shelters. A situation that has only occurred 4 times in the past decade. All because already this year, on week two of the official season opening, there has been more snow than the whole of last season!

This morning between sunrise and breakfast I managed to slip out to try and catch some of the conditions through the camera lens. One wrong footing and I would have been up to my waist in fresh powder snow.  Hopefully you can see the gods are doing there best to set up for a great season of mountain living.

As for the rest of the day, well all I can say is that all eyes are peeled on the constantly updated Val website giving live forecasts, mountain webcams and lift operation status.  At last, at 2pm 20% of the lifts were open.  Once the riggers had polished off Fe's orange cake they were out like a shot.  It might be pretty hectic out there but will be mucho smiley....