The Avoriaz ski school saga

Part 2 

When I returned from my ski season in Australia, I was made aware of the sneaky purchase of that commercial space by a handful of our associates. Filled with my youth, passion and sharp focus, I didn't think twice and became one of the lead activists.

I was not even fully certified, but was made to believe that I had what it took to be leading the charge. Immediately, a huge chasm formed between the two camps and the once fun atmosphere that prevailed among us turned into poison.

Through family and friendly ties, the two factions where about equal in numbers. At the time I was playing hard but also working hard, putting some 8 hours teaching, each day, yet I mustered enough energy to become a watchdog on the executive committee.

At the end of an unpleasant season, a new director was elected on April 21, 1972, by a slim majority and the “offenders” where sidelined. The new head of the ski school was Dominique Mollaret, also a mountain guide, while his sidekick, performing the duties of technical director was no other than Henri Marullaz.

This election result was soon challenged by the opposite faction that lodged a protest before the French ski instructor association. In a letter dated May 22, 1972, the later ruled that, if the electoral process was consistent with the Avoriaz ski school by-laws, it wasn't in accordance with the rules proposed by the association. As a result, a new vote was ordered for the following June 3, in St. Gervais, near Chamonix.

To be continued...

The Avoriaz ski school saga

Part 1

As most readers know, I used to teach skiing at the Avoriaz ski school in France.

In the Fall of 1971 a major crisis pit two halves of what used to be a fun workplace against each other. The reason for all that upheaval was that, earlier on, Edmond Denis, the ski school director, had suggested that it would be a good idea for all the members of the ski school to purchase in common a commercial real estate space, next to the ski-school, designated to be a bar, right on the ski-in, ski-out tram plaza.

For some obscure reasons, the deal was made in the summer or fall of 1971 and didn't include the whole ski-school as promised, but rather 3 or 4 of its members including Edmond Denis.

This triggered a fury from two other ski instructors, Henri Marullaz and François Baud, who both began to steer the pot in an attempt to rally opponents to what was perceived by many as a betrayal by some...

To be continued...

Moderate Islam? Think again!

The clip below is a good reminder that Islam, like most religions, is deeply perverted and that under the guise of doing good, it wants to force its views on the rest of us. In that video, the Chairman of Islam Net, Fahad Ullah Qureshi asked a series of key questions to an audience of Sunni Muslims, in Norway, that did not consider themselves as radicals or extremists.

Yet, when asked, all believed that sex segregation was the right thing to do, (both men and women agreeing). They supported stoning or whatever punishment Islam or prophet Muhammad ordered for adultery or any other crime. They even believed that these barbaric practices should be implemented around the world. This clearly tells us that extremism is part and parcel Islam.

First tracks, last ride?

This morning was one of those typical early winter, snowy days in Park City and after a wonderful ride yesterday, I decided to still get out on my mountain-bike for what could be the last ride of the season.

This would be my 68th outing, so I have managed to ride more than my age, one more season! Riding on one inch of snow is an incredible experience, I got “first tracks” all the way, and that aside from another spill (at 34' on the video) all went famously well.

It might now be wise to literally “switch gear” and move from bike to skis!

Creative power

There's something in my house that has been bothering me for a long time. I won't get into the details of what it is, but suffice to say that it's some device that had been installed in total disregard for convenience.

For years, I've been wondering how to improve it, but couldn't come up with a “clean” solution. Suddenly, yesterday, when I revisited the issue and decided to do something about it, a solution suddenly came to light, obvious, much better and totally unrelated to the various schemes I had been contemplating.

In fact it went in the opposite direction as my intuitive thoughts! It was the kind of flash that makes us say “why didn't I think of it?” You get what I mean: The wonder of creativity!

Halloween Stats

“Trick or treaters” traffic on any given Halloween night should be seen as a measure of a community vitality in particular and of the national economy in general.

Since I have no great things to measure, I've been keeping track of these numbers since 2006 and I'm glad to report a significant uptick since last year after hitting an all-years low in 2009.

What does this mean? More kids, more young family, more healthy growth, a slow but steady economic recovery, Vail Resort coming to town? All are very good reasons for a recovering Halloween Traffic Index that bodes well for Park City's future!

Life and its rhythms...

Some days are slow, with little happening, while other days are simply crazy, with tons of unforeseen events and a frenzied emotional roller-coaster ride.

Yet, the art of living is to always make the best of these vastly varying situations by never panicking or getting bored, by being either patient or planning wisely, and - at the opposite end of the spectrum - by making swift choices and setting the right priorities.

A process helped more by a deep life experience than by sheer natural talent!