3.29.2015

moriond conference (la thuile ski week)


We loaded all our ski gear onto the bus taking us from Cern to La Thuile, Italy for the Moriond conference. By the time we reached the hotel, the rain had become snow, a good sign for the upcoming week of skiing. 

The week started with fog, but the snow kept falling too. After a morning of presentations, we joined friends for an afternoon of downhill skiing the first day. The slopes were empty, the snow was pretty good, but we had to follow each other closely, slowly snaking our way down from the highest runs in white-out conditions. I hadn't ridden a chairlift yet this season, and although I missed skinning, it was fun to take run after run downhill. 


Derek gave his talk on Monday morning, and once that pressure released, we decided to try a skimo route I found. After a long walk with our gear, we knew we wouldn't reach snow for an extended climb on the south facing slopes, so we started making our way up a closed piste at the resort to a nice high point above the lifts.


The next day, back to downhill. I spent the morning skiing with Jess, and after racing down for a quick lunch, joined the guys for the rest of the afternoon.


Wednesday was foggy again and still snowing, so we decided to skin up through the forest after the morning session, and have a late lunch before the ski down. While Derek attended the evening talks, I made it out for my only trail run of the week, up switchbacks, in the rain, and a fast downhill finish. 


For the first time, we had sunshine, and we spent the whole day, Thursday, on the slopes.


After lunch in the sun, we joined the conference slalom race. 


Our last day in Italy was sunny, but windy. The wind blew snow over the pistes, and actually improved the conditions. 


We started to feel a bit tired from the week of skiing, dining, conference-ing, but we were still able to stay out one more late night for karaoke and some friendly competition.


I was surprised how stable I felt on my downhill skis all week, compared to the toothpick-rando skis. It's been fun to speed down the steep slopes over and over, but I need my skimo days in between, and wanted one more skin up before the bus departure Saturday. I had everything packed and ready so that I could race up the mountain one last time in the morning. I made it up quickly, and even had time to recline on the sunny patio with a coffee before my final (slushy) descent. 

We all rushed to load our equipment onto the bus and ride home from a great week of meetings, skiing, making new friends, and celebrating time with close ones.


3.19.2015

last day at vattay


I've never been so sad for the end of winter. Given the option, I would take a few more months of it this year. Cross country skiing has become a new favorite among some of my gal pals, and we have been enjoying it as often as we can. Laura and I went out for our last loops together at Vattay before I am off to Italy, and then the station closes at the end of the month. 


We enjoyed warm sunny trails with good snow in the morning. When we returned, I changed to shorts, made a coffee, and enjoyed some afternoon warmth in the vineyard grass. Such a treat to have winter and spring in the same day.


3.18.2015

post run picnic


After today's run, I took a picnic lunch. It felt so good to sit outside and stretch...in shorts!


3.17.2015

spring running


I'm building up the running more consistently now that the weather is changing, but still skiing every opportunity I get to ease the transition. Increasing frequency, distance, and speed have all been challenging, but it seems to be coming back and my fingers are crossed for a good season of trail racing. Hard and fast intervals are giving me a good push right now on road days while looking forward to some higher trails in the coming weeks. 


3.16.2015

xc fun


We had another great outing at Vattay. Laughing and racing along the trails. Sun, sludge, some ice and après ski with accordion music. Perfect.


3.15.2015

xc weekend


We spent the weekend at Vattay. Saturday, we tagged along with Xavi and Roc as they started exploring the trails. 


Sunday, we took advantage of the ski bus to for more winter fun. Since we are running low on ski days this season, we decided to take the Noir de Divonne 18km loop, the last remaining trail at Vattay that I hadn't yet skied.


3.13.2015

via ferrata at fort l'ecluse


We are between the seasons now, not much snow to ski, but enough melting and refreezing to cut up your ankles running the trails. Via ferrata called to us this morning, so Laura and I decided to brave the cold metal rungs and make our first climb of the season. The start was chilly in the shade, but we made our way up into the sun warming with the lizards on the rocks. 


3.12.2015

signs of spring


I needed a little break after adding some kilometers yesterday, so I went for a walk around town to see the blossoms and enjoy the blue sky.