Bevelled Edges
Brian the (other) Seppo called me last night, suggesting we ski the Valeé Blanche today. I was hesitant for two reasons: 1) death getting down the arret (mostly in my mind), and 2) my skies are sort of cached from hitting so many rocks in the last month or so. I begged off this time around, but now that the arret is doubly roped off, I’m going to get up there several times by season’s end.
I did go over to Les Houches to check the snow conditions, since I have guests coming in on Thursday. Houches is skiable—just so—but a bit icy. I quickly realized that not going down the Valeé was a good idea, as the edges on my skis had become bevelled. I had barely any control on Houches’ icy runs. I thought this was just me, maybe my legs were tired, boots loose, or I just sucked today. But then I watched a guy zoom past me and take sharp, grooved turns in the same ice that I was completely spastic on just moment ago.
I got off the mountain immediately, dropped my skis off at the shop, and asked them to sharpen the edges till they cut like razors.
