Crop circles

The Oxford English Dictionary defines phenomenon as 'a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially in one whose cause is in question'.

There have been many been dropped jaws, shrugged shoulders, and conspiracy theories going around resort in the last couple of days. Two 'crop circles' have apppeared from nowhere underneath the Cote Brune chairlift high above Méribel Mottaret. Produced by bored pisteurs, out-of-work ski instuctors or friendly alien visitors? Who knows, but they are very precise!?! And no it's not April Fools Day.

The Joneses are back in town this week. Robbie, the son, is busy being bored because he is unable to ski due to an ACL operation next week. Olivia, the daughter, is busy training in the ESF Competition group. She has so far picked up a silver award in the Chamois slalom race, and a vermeil award in the Fleche giant slalom race, well done. Which only leaves Helen, Chris and I to go searching for spring snow conditions off piste.

Spring snow is where the snow is still frozen from the overnight cooling, it then transforms into softer smooth layers just before turning into stodge as the sun and air temperatures heat the crystals. If caught early enough it provides lovely delicate sensations. We worked on sensitive pressure control, and how to use both of our feet as one unit for steering the skis. Helen and Chris described it as 'like skiing over pillows'. A new description that I haven't heard before, but I just smiled, nodded and agreed with them!?!

Don't tell anyone, but I'm slowly getting photographic geek tendancies, where most evenings I take all my kit to a secret location to take sunset shots. Each evening, in a geeky fashion remember, I capture mountain images each one different depending on weather conditions. The other evening my solitude was rudely interrupted by a piste basher, captured below in a blurred fashion, but I don't think I was spotted shuffling behind the tripod to hide.

Easter is suddenly busy with work, in what is bound to be stonking spring weather again. Have a great Easter weekend.

Martin