Ski like an amateur, race like a professional
THREE, two, one, the race countdown began, as my heart knocked treble-time. With my ski racing bib on, adrenalin pumping, I was staring down a steep, crisply-groomed slope, preparing to race it in my first ever downhill speed run. Then the horn sounded and I was off. I skated a few steps to pick up speed, just as I’d seen the professionals do, tucked into a bend to keep it up, just like they do on Ski Sunday, then sliced into a turn to slow down after the finish line, just like, er, Bridget Jones. Arms flailing, head whirring with thoughts of broken arms and hospital, I finally came to a safe stop and allowed myself a moment’s satisfaction.
Yes, it must have been one of the most inelegant descents of the day, but at least now I can say I’m a ski racer. And it seems I’m far from the only amateur skier with dreams of being Chemmy Alcott for a few hours. Celebrating its 10th year this year, the Three Valleys’ Enduro one-day event I took part in has grown from around 300 in its first year and will be capped at 1,500 this time round.
Competitors are in teams of three in either professional, sporting amateur or family divisions, navigating their way by ski or snowboard around the vast Three Valleys ski area in France and competing in events including speed skiing, freeriding, slalom and a jump onto a giant airbag. “Once people have done it they want to come back every year and we’re having to restrict numbers now,” said Vincent Lalanne Cloute of Three Valleys tourism. “People like the experience of racing and going on specially prepared runs, the fact that you go on all sorts of different races, they like the general ambience and the nice lunch and party afterwards.” Similarly, the City Ski Championships – well known for discovering the best ski legs (usually hidden under desks around the Square Mile) – expects to host around 220 gung-ho racers from 40 firms in mid-March at its new site of Crans Montana in Switzerland.
And although there is scope at these events for all those lycra-clad Olympic-style skiers, who neatly clip the slalom posts as they whizz by, there’s also plenty of competitive fun to be had for those whose main ambition is just to race like a professional while skiing like an amateur. I was part of a Ski Club of Great Britain team, which was just as well. On regular skiing holidays I rely on Ski Club leaders to lead me round the mountain, which eliminates the drudgery of having to take off your gloves on the lifts and pore over crumpled ski maps. It’s the ski equivalent of finding your way by Sat Nav.
Here, with just a day to scarper around Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens, almost to the border with the fourth valley, Orelle, keen navigation is essential. Crucially, my well-directed teammates also managed to lead our team to the giant Savoyard buffets – loaded with cheese and chocolate – which cropped up at the bottom of many of the competition finish lines, though unfortunately we didn’t have time to sample the giant tartiflette on offer in Meribel-Mottaret.
At the end of the day, perhaps skipping that heavy meal was a benefit, as we aimed for a light and stylish leap – or perhaps a somersault? – into the giant airbag. There I was again, lined up for take-off, though perhaps feeling a little less ambitious than at that first starting gate. “No snowplough, no snowplough,” yelled the race administrator as I tootled towards the lift-off ramp.
And with that I straightened up, picked up speed, flew into the air and sailed into the air-filled bag. It was a landing much akin to my newfound career as a professional ski racer – a very satisfying flop.
WANT TO GO? | FAST FACTS
Ski Club of Great Britain Leaders
The Ski Club of Great Britain hosts a Ski Club Leader in Val Thorens, Courchevel and Meribel (among 34 resorts in Europe and North America) from early December to mid April each winter season. Ski Club Leaders ski with members each day (except Saturdays) and offer a varied skiing programme suitable for all standards except beginners. The service is free as part of the Ski Club of Great Britain membership. Membership costs from £20. www.skiclub.co.uk/leaders
The Three Valleys
The Three Valleys are home to eight ski resorts that are linked together by a unique network of ski lifts and ski runs. The Three Valleys is the largest ski area in the world with 600km ski slopes and 174 ski lifts. www.les3vallees.com
Accommodation in Val Thorens – Pierre & Vacances
Pierre & Vacances is France’s leading holiday apartment rental company. We stayed at Le Tikal residence in Val Thorens close to the resort centre and easy access direct to the slopes. www.pv-holidays.com / 0870 0267 145
Accommodation in Courchevel 1850 – Flexiski
We stayed at Hotel Saint Louis in Courchevel run by Flexiski. The hotel is situated close to the Bellecôte piste for convenient doorstep skiing and is five minutes walk from the centre of Courchevel 1850. With flexible durations available throughout the season, Hotel Saint Louis is perfect for a short ski break. www.flexiski.com / 020 8939 0864
Flights, transfers and rental
Flights were provided by Swiss International Air Lines www.swiss.com and transfers by Three Vallee Transfers www.3vt.co.uk. Ski rental was provided by Skiset www.skiset.co.uk