The weather was due to improve in the afternoon but it didn’t. Our first run on Les Lanches (covered bubble lift) proved to be a bit too unpleasant for Derin so she was given more grace than usual to play in the snow (also taking into consideration that it was her last day).
After Les Lanches then warming up and cleaning off the snow indoors we remained on the Bollin for the rest of the afternoon. For Derin this is heaven because she has a long term affinity for this short piste and I usually refuse to stay there. We worked principally on pivoting and short turns with some skating turns on the flats. When Derin was cold she was asked to take her skis off and run uphill for a bit – to get her temperature back up. I had a lot of clothes on personally – with extra layers today – but could still feel the cold. After that Derin refused to admit that she was cold again – and she refuses consistently to take hot drinks to warm up internally. Derin’s pivoting is greatly improving and this is fantastic to see because very few people today are able to do this properly. Carving skis have become all the focus of modern teaching and more important skills are being lost because of this trend. Derin’s love of the snow and being in direct contact with nature and the elements is impressive – which is why it seems so important to allow her to play – in reality it goes far beyond playing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so in tune with nature. She is a born artist and I hope she never grows out of this quality.
