Zoe Skiing

Today was the second day of Zoe's ski lesson. Her first day went a little poorly: according to the instructor, Zoe cried for the whole lesson! Chloe told me that despite this, she did very well. I was on call at work, so could not go. Today, however it was my turn (Chloe had PTSD from bringing Alex and Zoe on Saturday). Anyway, after convincing Zoe that she just had to go for long enough for me to take pictures so that I could get send them to Nana and Jicha (who I promised would be really impressed), we drove up to Meaudre. It had been absolutely dumping snow all night long, so it took a while to remove the snow from the car and the roads in St. Egreve were a bit of a mess. The road up to the plateau was, however totally clear. I guess they keep it well cleared for all the ski traffic. After Lans, we made a right to go over the col du Croix Perrin. This road was totally unplowed and very slippery, but no match for driving slowly, four snow tires and traction control. Some complete morons stopped in the middle of the road -- 10 meters from a chain turnout) to put their chains on, nearly causing accidents in both directions. This was right at a bend in the road! It is vacation time now, so there are a lot of clueless drivers about. Anyway, we eventually made it to Meaudre, which is a tiny town with a tiny ski resort. On the walk to the lesson, Zoe was already beginning to get apprehensive, but the prospect of showing off for Nana and Jicha (and a lollipop) changed her mind. The instructor put the bib on and off she went.

In France, there is an organization called the ESF: It is an organization that molds floppy and unwilling babies into stylish hot-doggers. I was a little worried that it would be the Ski version of Les quatre cents coups, but it was awesome. The lesson is only an hour and a half long, so I stayed at the side after being reprimanded by one instructor for coming too close. I took pictures and watched the pros at work. The instructors have a very effective and amazingly child adapted lesson plan. There is always something new for the kids to try, but at the same time (unbeknownst to them), they are learning the fundamentals of balance and movement on skis.

Observing the instructors, you could tell that this system has been extremely well thought out, and that the instructors have been well trained. When things started going wrong and a child started melting down, they would respond gently but quickly, and with more patience than I could muster after picking up the hundredth kid with skis going in opposite directions and bawling. I saw one kid making a daring escape, only to be chased down by an instructor and coaxed back to the group. The little one had made it an impressive distance towards the exit and had even managed to remove one ski! Instructors here are not like the average US instructor: they are not here just for pizza money and a free season pass, but for a lifetime career in the ESF and it shows.

Anyway, I got to see Zoe master the top tow:

Skiing through obstacles

and then proudly finding her daddy at the end of the lesson


She is in the "Piou-Piou" section. There will be a test at the end of the week, which if she passes will qualify her for the Ourson level (which also has a test)… then there are a bunch of other levels like Flocon, etoile etc etc. I think i might be more excited than Zoe for the Piou-Piou medal!