Beertje & Kabouter learn to ski

Our boys had never skied before and we wanted to give them the chance to learn it in their childhood as for some reason it's so much easier when you learn young.  I had to learn how to ski as an adult and I've never truly got the hang of it.  

So for years I have hold off going on a ski vacation : first they were much too young anyhow, then there was the epidemic but also the children's school duty that forces us to go in the expensive overly crowded school vacation periods.   So our short-ski end of January was now the ideal compromise: a short period out of the busy periods to see if they would love to do this.  We had given them a very short introduction in the Christmas vacation indoor to spot their first reaction. 

Because of the short ski with them arriving at the slope on Thursday, the boys were not allowed to take classes in the official Ecole de Ski Française: you are not allowed to join mid-week.  Hmm, frustrating but it makes sense I guess.  So we booked 4 mornings of private lessons for them, also by an official ESF teacher. Honestly that price was very reasonable, also considering they'll learn much faster and on their individual needs than the full week class in group. 

Kabouter went up to the lift with some excited nerves, "I am nervous, but I'm also excited. I can't believe I'll ski on this mountain in a bit".  Then we met "Matt" (short from Matthias) who took both boys under his wings, from the first walking on ski's and getting in and out of them, to the first sliding on flat...and then slowly they went up the green slope.  I also refreshed my skills on the same green beginners slope so it was so cute to see them pass and line up at the lift with us.   Since the boys sometimes got distracted by us coming by, we did try to keep our distance.  

Me making a guest appearance near the boys, spotted by Jan on the lift. (Also notice how the area was not busy at all)

In the afternoon of day one they already passed my speed on the green slope, since they didn't curve down but just slid in a big piece of pizza plow while I curve a bit back and forth.

As of day 2, they were on blue slopes , learning to make curves... right at my level.  In the afternoon we tried to repeat the same thing with Jan trying to mimic the teacher, being up front making big curves, ...Beertje who does not follow but just goes down and then Kabouter behind trying to make the curves and me way in the back cursing and doing the same thing at my own pace. 

The progress of the boys with the luxury of just their own teacher progressing exactly at their speed was amazing.   We crossed them at bigger blue descends.  

Going parallel to the slope

Due to my own accident, I missed their last morning, but we got very positive feedback from Matt on their progress and he gave him a certificate for the flocon level.    If we are back in the Chamonix area, we can always apply to get Matt back as a teacher.  We'll sure check if he's available if we return there. 

Because if it's up to the boys, they've discovered their newest most favourite sport.