Ramping Up The Amplitude

Hi everyone, and a very warm welcome back to another post from your favourite blogging Méribel Ski Instructor, this time direct from Méribel. I'll be honest with you, I had every intention to write another post before leaving Leamington Spa, but life stuff got in the way and I had to prioritise. However, the big  (and sometimes tricky) cheerios took place around the country to various family members and friends. The huge drive down through France to get to Méribel was negotiated, and then it was time to have a relaxed settling in period. Fat chance of that, it's been dumping down with snow since I got here. An absolute bonus for setting up the mountain this early in the winter, however a tad tricky to function at times. Mountain life!?!

I cannot begin to tell you how fantastic it is being back in resort again, especially after the nonsense of the last couple of years or so.

You may have noticed that the title of this blog post is 'Ramping Up The Amplitude', and thought what the hell are you talking about Martin? Well, let me try and explain. Time to rewind back to last summer, and in particular the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics (in 2021)! I guess like many of you, I try and catch some telly coverage of the games whatever the sport. Because let's face it, there are so many sports that we normally follow and love, but there are also others that we know very little about other than when we see them at the Olympics. There was one evening when I suddenly recognised the commentator's voice, and it was the one and only Ski Sunday's Ed Leigh. You know him, the lovable snowboarder chap that works alongside Graham Bell and Chemmy Alcott. Yes, with the mittens and the baggy jackets.

Permission for a quick 'CLANG', I met him in person here in Méribel a few years back during a charity event. After chatting to him (and grabbing a quick snap), I can confirm how lovely he is. Just like how he comes across on the telly on Sunday afternoons in the winter. Anyway back to my Summer Olympics viewing experience. Actually to be honest, I now can't remember what sport Harriet and I were watching at the time, when his overly excited tones exploded out of the TV set. Could've been skateboarding, BMXing or any other young cool street thing............

I'm sure if you watched that same evening, you would've heard a whole list of comments he shared with us. In fact I started to make a list of them at the time. Maybe thinking I could use them on this blog page through the winter season, making myself sound so young, hip and trendy. In hindsight, perhaps not.

Anyway, let me list some of what he came out with that evening when commentating; 'Ramping up the Amplitude', 'Stratospheric', 'Inflight served on that Flight', 'Flipping his Peanut', 'Giving it up', ' Going beyond 17th Gear'.

What in God's name was he talking about? I haven't got a clue. But you know what, it didn't matter. He was showing such passion and excitement for whatever was happening. So what's this got to do with skiing and this coming winter? Absolutely everything.

Let me explain. When I went for my first ski of the winter this week how did it feel? Did I 'Flip my Peanut', 'Give it Up', did I 'Go beyond 17th Gear' or heaven above did I 'Ramp up the Amplitude'? No idea, but my goodness was it good. Clicking into my ski bindings, using a ski lift, and then sliding down a mountain was quite exquisite. The thrill, the buzz, the feeling of freedom was just amazing. Plus the (very) early season snow conditions are fantastic right now. Oh and by the way, as I'm tapping away on the keyboard here in Méribel Town, I'm gazing out of the window and it's absolutely thumping down with snow again. Can't wait for tomorrow, time for some more Amplitudage.

Soon I guess I should start talking about ski technique and improving ski performance being a ski instructor. But please forgive me, now it seems like a great time to just live for the moment. Live With Passion. Martin.