10 weeks in Chamonix, France

I had spent several winter seasons in France before, all in La Grave, and this was my first in Chamonix.

I still remember, like most skiers, the first time I saw the Blizzard of Ahhh’s and the magnificent peaks of Chamonix.  I was 15 the first time I visited and saw the magnificent Alps.  When I walked out through the ice tunnel and out onto the arête off of the Aiguille de Midi, my life was changed forever.  I finally returned to the place that gave me true passion in the mountains. 

I had been skeptical about spending a season here because I like to avoid crowds in the mountains.  However, I discovered that while the city is very busy, it is incredibly easy to disappear into one of the several groupings of peaks that surround the chaos.  Once out away from the lifts, Chamonix was just as, if not quieter than La Grave, which was a pleasant surprise. 

It was a great pleasure for me to meet the Plake’s on this trip, and discover that Glen and Kimberly are not only fantastic skiers, but they are even more fantastic as people.  My entire childhood and adult-life, before skiing a line with my brothers, one of us would say “Are you going to ski it?” and the response would be “Oh, I’ll ski it for sure.”  Just like in our favorite ski movie.  Being up on the arête with Miles and Glen one afternoon, I whispered to Miles, “Are you going to ski it?” just as we were passing the Poubelle couloir.  Miles gave me a big smile before responding, “Oh, I’ll ski it for sure.” 

The snow was powder in December, and then a high pressure set in for most of January and February.  This was perfect for me because I had come to explore the ski mountaineering that this mecca offers, and explore it I did.  My last two weeks were filled with more powder, and I was thrilled to tail guide the Steep Skiing Camps that my brother runs.

I learned a lot in these past 10 weeks.  Things about the mountains, technical skills, thresholds that I hold, family and friends, and of course, life itself. 

Let the Ahhh’s continue.

Below is a selection of photos from my trip.  For more check out ErinSmartPhotography.com