The Vaujany Experience Part 17…….I am Hooked!!

I loved every minute of my time in the Alps. I am now totally hooked on the lifestyle within a ski resort and can’t wait to do as many seasons as I can, chasing the winters between the hemispheres. In those 5 short months, I can without a doubt say that I was the happiest I have ever been and I am so grateful for being able to find a lifestyle which is so suited to me. I am incredibly proud of myself and can now look back and see the steep learning curve I have come out the other side of. Teaching myself to ski and becoming a chef, cooking a 6 course meal each night for 28 people within a chalet is an incredible achievement.

I now can truly say that my life has been enriched because of the decision I made to leave Australia and see the world. I now feel, more than any other time in my life, that I could do anything I put my mind to. Life has become all about the next adventure, the next experience and place to explore. I have been so lucky to be able to find one amazing experience after another. I am not sure when my luck will run out but until it does I am going to continue to find amazing people and places to experience. Life is there to be lived and I honestly can’t imagine leading my life any other way at the moment. I am hungry for more and can’t wait to see what is around the next corner for me.

The Vaujany Experience Part 16…….Kick Ski Forever in our Hearts

The Kick Ski team by the end of the season was a tight nit family. We had all been through so much and formed such incredible friendships and bonds, that when it came to say goodbye it was with great sadness. Matt, Sophie and Jack all departed on the 22nd of April and while Darren drove off down the hill and Jack had his last “woop woop!” out the window, I felt as if a part of my family were leaving me. I sat outside Franrick Lodge and cried with Phil and Wendy, trying to take stock of what had just happened. The season was truly coming to an end and I couldn’t quite bring myself to come to terms with it.

Phil and I stayed on until the 27th helping Wendy and Darren with the final closedown of Franrick Lodge. We were the last remaining seasonaires left for the 08/09 season in the village. The Ski Peak crew had all left on the 23rd and only locals remained now. Most of our goodbyes had been said and we now had the whole place to ourselves.

Darren, Wendy, Phil and I all skied for the final time on the 25th of April. The day before the lifts closed. We got on the first lift and rode right to the top of Pic Blanc just one more time. And when it was all over, my heart broke just a little bit as I handed over my beloved skis back to the ski hire boys. They had given me so much over the season. My first pair of skis had taken me to heights I had never reached on foot and had given me the time of my life. So it was with great affection and love that I accepted them back into my life when the ski hire boys returned them to my hands and said to keep them.

Rather fittingly as Phil and I took our final drive out of Vaujany towards Grenoble train station the village was blanketed by snow one last time for us. It has snowed overnight probably for one of the last times of the year and with a dusting of powder covering the mountain and village we said our goodbyes and took our final views of the place which had given us so much and become part of our lives forever.

Sadly Kick Ski will not be in operation next winter. The Global economic crisis has certainly taken its toll on small tourism operators and Kick Ski is just one the latest victims to fall. Some of the team will be returning to Vaujany and working for Ski Peak. I however have decided to chase a new challenge. I am going to go in search of a new resort to experience and some new ski terrain to explore. You will have to stay tuned to hear all about where the next adventure will take place. The job offers have been coming in thick and fast and hopefully ill have made a decision soon.

I can’t wait for winter to arrive and for the fun to begin all over again. Lets face it….If the snow never melted, we would never leave this wonderland!