Les Deux Alpes
Wednesday, 25 December 1991


Weather

Great weather, blue skies and sun.

Conditions

Beautiful.

Overall

Christmas Day is little different to any other in a ski resort, and we had paid for our lessons.

The lesson started on "Cretes" but the cold once again forced us back down to the resort level. We spent most of the morning one one ski or skating .. improving technique.

After our Christmas lunch of burgers and chips it was back to skiing and back up to "Toura".

After a couple of runs, a problem. John fell; turning sharply to avoid him, I caught a ski which windmilled into my face leaving a rather nasty cut on my right forehead. I sent Jenny down to tell Sue that I would need stitched but otherwise everything would be OK. Unfortunately, John got there first. "Dad did three cartwheels. He is lying in the snow with blood everywhere and a big hole in his head!"

Everyone around was terrific. Other skiers provided tissues and even an foil cover to keep me warm. Ski patrol came and wouldn't think of letting me ski to the bottom. "Treat as fractured skull until proved otherwise" was their clear instruction.

So I was patched up, strapped to a stretcher and taken down at some speed to the flat area near the bottom of the "Toura" lift. From there, it was a helicopter off the mountain and an ambulance to the local clinic, where I was X-rayed and stitched up.

Meanwhile, Sue found out where I was and by the time the doctor was finished, she was there to make sure I could get back to the condo. It was a long walk in ski boots!


Mike after treatment at the clinic

Mike with bloodstained ski-suit

Mike with a plaster covering the stitches.

Chrismas Day and Game boys

We did at least have a Christmas Tree


The end to a perfect Christmas afternoon was digging the car out from the snow (which had turned to ice). We were advised that the car had to be moved or would be town away. So, after much shoveling, chipping and help from several other people we managed to move it.

Finally, we had a superb meat fondue meal, the local specialty. My headache didn't spoil the evening too much.


Last updated: 20 Nov 2003