The French Himalayas : the Alps

“My mind is in a state of constant rebellion. I believe that will always be so.”
-George Mallory

When I was three years old, my father brought me to Val Thorens. He lives there from December to April and I had the chance to ski between two and five weeks a year with him. I loved it and quickly learned to ski off-piste. The sensation of snow under your feet is unbeatable (cc @surfermarly).

For years now, I roamed the Belleville's and Maurienne's Valleys without believing that skiing was an extreme sport; for me, it's just focus, self-confidence, and experience. Focus clears the mind, self-confidence prevents panic attacks and experience sets up automatisms, ie. saving lives during unforeseen events. I'm trying to translate these thoughts into my everyday's life.

Not that far away is French's Everest: the Mont Blanc

I'm back skiing

"Hard training makes war easy"
-Foreign Legion's proverb

This year, one of my goals is to get my ski instructor's license. I tried once two years ago but I wasn't in a good physical and mental shape yet. This time I want it bad!

So, my program is :

• Slalom training in the morning and physical training in the afternoon three days a week
• Climbing and/or swimming once a week after working at the ski rental
• Off-pistes and family time during weekends

I'd like to find some good leg exercises, and I know nutrition plays a role too. What are you guys thinking @jcudjoe ?

I'd be pleased to share more picture of the Alps, I'll probably do so next week to participate in some photo challenges, has anyone seen mountain photo challenges on steemit yet ?

Yesterdays first off-piste of the year, cheers from the snow bureau