Yesterday was probably one of the bigger days in a string of big days… As Rachel and I were waiting on the parking lot at La Flégère, minutes after 11 am, there was movement in the cable car.
We about choked when a spitting image of Craig, my boss in Snowmass, opened the door. However it was Manu, my new boss in France. with a kind accent, but fluent english he extended the most warm welcome to Rachel and me. Without any further adieu up and away we went and rose up from the shadows of the valley floor to the top of the cable way station.
Within seconds we were drenched in warm rays of sunshine which the resort of La Flégère is well known for, whilst at the same time our visual cortex were on overload: the views of the Chamonix valley and the backdtop of the entire Mont Blanc Massif leaves any pokerface in total awe. It is breathtaking, extreme, humbling and inspiring all at the same time.
The Patrol HQ felt cozy, a similarity of acoustics and ambiance that locker rooms a world apart seem to share. Downstairs is snowmaking office and snowcat barn with the familiar melange of diesel and axel grease making me feel right at home.
After meeting the mountain manager Jeannot, I know how much I am already looking forward waking up before my alarm clock, like a boy on Christmas eve, jonesing to go to work.
A plan was forged for lunch in downtown. In great Savoie-an style we were treated to lunch on the deck of le Bocclatte, Canard was the plat du jour, but tartare de boeff was also available.
I feel like I could not have been set up better for success then I am, with the love of my life, my wife Rachel by my side.
Soaked by the first impressions of the sneak preview of what’s to come for the season, we drove off to meet up with Caroline in Les Houches to go for a quick hike around Lac Vert.
And, as if our worlds hadn’t been rocked enough right next to the lake was the take off on Plateau d’Assy for a sunset flight into the valley under the ever watchful auspices of the towering Mont Blanc.
It was time for sunset because there is only so much ones senses can absorb in one day.
To be continued.
