Entry 2

Sunday 8 January
Had lots of changeovers this weekend, so lots of changing and making beds - hard work! All the guests are now staying put for the next couple of days which makes it easier for me. It's stopped snowing which is quite nice, snowboarded yesterday in lots of snow which was fantastic - would be nice to go out on a blue bird day though, haven't seen one of them since I arrived. I've been here 10 days now and to be honest I've been feeling fairly lonely. I thought I'd be meeting more people than I have and I guess I didn't expect the chalet to be so isolated. Also I'm not really going out that much after work because of finishing so late. 

Keeping It Going

I really want to keep this specific blog going as snowboarding is now a real passion of mine - thank you Morzine! 


Because I didn't manage to keep my 'Diary of a Chalet Hostess' blog up to date (using internet was difficult out there) I had a hand written diary instead. I thought it would be a nice idea to share it with you and to write each post with the date of when I wrote it when I was out there. Here's the first:


Friday 6 January 

Kitchen/Living Room Bedroom!

It's been snowing a lot here over the past couple of days, I've been told visibility on the slopes has been bad and lots of lifts have been shut today. I didn't finish work until 1pm today as I had to take down all the Xmas decorations, including the tree which coincidentally dropped all  its needles over the floor I had just hoovered! Richard (boss) was in a pretty foul mood which didn't make the morning go any faster. I think the hardship and organisation of running the chalet is getting him down, and we ideally need more staff. Hoping to get out on my board again tomorrow, been out quite a lot considering I only arrived a week ago and having to get used to work/hours. My aim is to be at a good solid standard by the time I leave. I've had lots of compliments though that I'm a lot better than what people expected which really boosted my confidence - exactly what you need on a snowboard!

My Accommodation

Morzine

I fly off to Morzine tomorrow for the season! I've pretty much done all my packing now, yay, so I'm glad that's out the way. Flight's at 6.30am so I'm sure I won't be getting any sleep tonight! I'm so excited to go, mixed with other emotions...I'm going to miss Sam and my girlies...and everyone! I will be making and keeping a different blog to this one, updating it as much as I can with photos and news of how everything is going, so you will hear from me next when I'm there - bye bye England.

Chalet Host

So, yep, my plans have changed...visa stuff with Whistler was never going to work, and by the time it would have been sorted I wouldn't realistically be out there until March! I had to make a decision about what to do so I applied for lots of last minute chalet girl jobs and bar work. Due to a friend that's out in Morzine at the moment she kindly helped me out with links to forums which had jobs advertised, and that's where I got into contact with a guy who runs a big family run chalet who needed a waitress/housekeeper/cleaner. So to cut a long story short, I got the job and fly out on Thursday! Literally over the moon! I know it's going to be hard work (60 hours a week!!) but it'll be worth it, at least I don't have to do any cooking, I get to do lots of boarding, meet up with mates who are already there/going out at the end of January and whenever else, woop woop! Big smile! 

IEC

Heard news today that the IEC visa has now opened for 2012 applications...meaning as of now I can officially apply for the visa I've been waiting for. It was weird I thought I'd be super excited when I heard this news - but instead I found myself going through all kinds of mixed emotions - happy and sad. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a worrier anyway, or because I know it's something I've never done before. I also think it's because I'm at the stage in my life now where I just want to move forward, get a job with a salary and have proper independence. Really can't wait to get away from home, definitely feeling the pressure still living with the parents. When everything is confirmed and my flights are booked I'm sure I'll feel better about going, but at the moment I'm upset to leave. 

Chill In The Air

The weather has certainly turned colder now, and I absolutely love it because it means layers and lots of warm woolly clothes! I got given an ear warmer headband from a friend for my birthday and I adore it. Would really recommend getting one girlies. I've seen a lot of people wearing fur ones which look funky. Not only perfect to wear fashionably around town, but ideal for on the mountains too. 

Here's mine....> > > >

Finally!

I have news!!! Visa info for IEC has finally been released! Even though I don't know the date I can send it off yet...I'm able to fill everything in and have it all ready so when they notify me I can just send everything off. Boom...Canada here I come then! (hopefully I'll be eligable... :S, fingers crossed!)

France or Canada...?

I'm literally in such a dilemma about what I should do season wise...sooo, I'm going to weigh up the pros and cons for each country:


Canada Pros:

• Lotttttsssss of snow and pow pow!
• Language won't be a barrier
• It's a bigger and better resort
• Can visit Vancouver
• I've never been before
• Longer season

Canada Cons:

• Expensive
• Harder to find jobs/accommodation
• Need a visa
• Far away
• Busier

France Pros:

• Cheaper
• Don't need a visa
• Easy to find accommodation/work
• Could book it asap if I wanted to

France Cons:

• Can't speak french
• Shorter season
• Unreliable snow

Ahhh...people please HELP ME decide!!!!

Chopping and Changing

My plans are literally all over the place at the moment. Canada visa dates still haven't been released and who knows when they will come out...I have a bad feeling it won't be for a while yet as they have been changing the whole system recently - meaning bad news for me and my 'plan' to go out there for the end of January. I'm starting to think now that a more realistic option for me would be to go to a European resort - I hope my friend is wrong when she told me that there is going to be a crisis in the alps because of the lack of snow that's expected...errr that's certainly not what Whistler is experiencing, apparently 3rd snowiest November on record for them! So we'll have to see what happens but I know I'll be excited whatever, just can't wait to be living in the mountains for a few months being able to board whenever I want... :D . Bought myself a snowboard wheelie bag today, almost have everything I need! 

Jealous!

So...I've heard Whistler is having some absolutely sick snow fall lately...well jel! But...I'm so happy because thanks to a friend who has some vouchers left I get to go snowboarding at MK again on tuesday! Woop! Feel so comfortable on my board now and as it's only been in snow domes I've ridden on it, cannot WAIT to shred up some proper runs come end of January. Hellloooo Whistlerrrr...although will be really sad to leave :( 

Tunes

Been listening to a fair few songs from the Art of Flight recently, not only a sick movie but has a great soundtrack to it too. My favourites:

• Young Blood - The Naked And Famous
• No Way - The Naked And Famous
• Intro - M83
• The Three Corners of The Earth - The Fire Shall Devour Us

I really want to find out what kind of music people listen to when they're on the mountains shredding it up...would be interested to know :) thinking about creating some play lists...

Blues

Ahhhh deary, massively getting snowboarding withdrawal! Especially after seeing all the pictures on facebook of beautiful snow which is rapidly covering Whistler, season begins on the 24th! Still no word on dates of when the IEC visas are going to be released. Until then I get to stare some more at my board which is propped up in the corner of my room and hope some snow will fall here during December...hmm, will that be likely?! 

Remember Them

I know this has nothing to do with snowboarding, but I just wanted to write a little piece on Remembrance Day, as it's important for us to think about all the troops who lost their lives fighting for our country in 1918. I think it's incredible that we had, and still have, such heroic people out there who are willing to put their lives at risk to save what they love most.

Apres-Ski Fashion

D&G 2010 

'Apres-ski' the swanky way of saying 'after skiing' makes it seem like after a long day on the piste you go back to your chalet and prepare yourself for the night ahead. Now in a girls world this would include: taking a long hot shower and scrubbing from head to foot, straightening or curling your hair with immense precision, then the long haul procedure of immaculately applying make-up before picking out something sophisticated to wear for the evening. The image of sophisticated evening wear for a mountain resort I am imagining right now is this.....>>>

But how unrealistic this is. Maybe there are some people who make a real effort and look like this, maybe in Gstaad, but the apres-ski 'fashion' I know is the board/ski pants you've worn that day or jeans, with high tops or moon boots and a T-shirt or hoodie with a flat peak or beanie hat. So pretty casual compared to the above!

Mountain Fashion

Alpe D'Huez - 2001

Another thing I love about being in a mountain resort is observing all the different people and the gear/clothes they wear whilst on the piste and apres-ski. 

I can still remember the first time I ever went skiing, I was 11, and sported my mum's 25 year old vintage orange all-in-one ski suit which incidentally had a massive 'A' (for Anne) stitched onto the right bum cheek, probably from where she'd fallen over so much! 

When I had grown out of that I followed the more modern trend and bought something a bit 'cooler' seeing as I was at that awkward teenage phase, so I moved onto red pants with a purple and white jacket. 

Cardrona (NZ) - 2004

Les Carroz - 2011

I find it interesting to compare the importance of labels when you're older and more fashion conscious, as it was something I seemed oblivious too when I was younger! Now I own matching black, white and grey pants and jacket by Nikita. Within the snowboarding world especially it's all about the good makes, like Burton, DC, Oakley, Volcom, Westbeach...the list goes on, and I am very aware of the vastness of these brands when I go to a resort and observe what people are wearing. Our world is full of advertising, and I sometimes wonder why? Most people everyday are completely unaware of the fact that they are a walking advertisement from simply buying and wearing a pair of Nike high tops or Levi jeans for example, even high street clothes. It is a vital way in which the word spreads and trends start. 

I remember last year it was all about the fluorescent colours and trying to be as bright as possible on the slopes, I thought that was an awesome look. I wonder what this season will bring, and how many people I'll count who will be wearing those funny hats with what looks like brightly coloured hair protruding out the top! 

Horror

If you're thinking of watching a scary movie tonight, seeing as it is Halloween, why don't you watch 'Frozen'. It's a skier and snowboarder's worst nightmare about 3 teenagers who get stuck on a chair lift. Haha, it's a shockingly crap movie as far as scary movies go and pretty predictable, but there are lots of parts which will make your toes curl...enjoy! 

Always Dream Big

When I first decided to put skiing behind me and take up snowboarding it didn't go well. I had my first few lessons on a dry ski slope in the middle of Wales in a group of 15 and was pretty much ignored, then I decided to go to France and try it out there. It was only a 10 day holiday anyway, and I spent the first few days on the baby slope over thinking how to turn because on the proper runs I could only pendulum down them and felt like I was holding my friend up. This resulted in (and I'm not exaggerating) a bum that was black and purple from falling over so much. I was fuming from frustration and decided it was best for me to just ski for the rest of the holiday - I felt like I had failed. 


Even though those first few experiences of starting out boarding weren't that great, I got back on the horse so to speak, and decided to get a proper lesson after uni...it all seemed to flourish from there, and now I'm confident for the season ahead. 


I know from experience that taking up a hobby and sticking at it is the hardest thing to do. I've tried endless things from playing the clarinet (got to grade 3 then quit to my dad's disappointment) to ballet and tap. But I do really regret giving everything up that I was good at and not succeeding further with it, so I guess with snowboarding I want to stick at it and dream big. I have so many people that inspire me, and it would feel like a great sense of achievement if one day I could be someone's inspiration. 

Me skiing in Les Carroz

Bailey

Oh my goodness, came across this on youtube today and had to mention her. This little girl is 5 years old and is jaw droppingly incredible at snowboarding! She started when she was 4 and already has a sponsor (Eternal). What an amazing role model to young girls out there, even I'm inspired by her! She's going to go far...check out all her gear as well, cute little DC pants and her tiny Burton Board...what a ledge! 

Tricks

Went to Milton Keynes snow dome again yesterday. I'm feeling really comfortable on my board now, so thought I'd try some little ollie's - to my amazement I landed some, although I did manage to take someone out on one of my attempts! Oopsy! I also tried spinning 360 whilst slowly moving which went surprisingly well, and buttering (putting all my weight on my back foot and lifting the front foot whilst moving)...was a really successful day all in all, especially as I tried all of this and came back in one piece! Managed to devour a whole chicken at Nando's afterwards too! 

buttering

Cross Country Snowboarding

How mental is this....don't really know if this is a joke or not?! 


Dude at 2.11 has literally made my day! haha...check it out...

New favourite word - Skootch!