The Order of The Phils

Yesterday Natalie and i skied in the late afternoon.  The snow was slushy, crusty and icy because the temperatures have simply soared in the last few days.  It was +16C at Prodains yesterday.

My legs didn't feel like cooperating and, with the now very late sunsets, it's certainly seemingly like they're closing the resort too early.  In December we were skiing home in the dark, but yesterday the sun was still high when they were hurrying everyone off the mountain.

Natalie on the Coupe de Monde.

Since we'd parked at Prodains, we skied down the Coupe de Monde to get home where we came across two French children, at about 2300m, struggling to put their skis on.  They were clearly in distress because it was late and they were on a steep black run and far from home.  Natalie and i helped them into their skis and, in my very poor French, since their English extended only to "yes" and "thank you", i asked them if they knew where they were going.  "Oui!", came the reply, so, once they'd got their ancient skis back on, off they went.

We were suspicious so we lagged behind and their technique certainly didn't match up to the slope they were on.  We caught up with them at the point where the Coupe de Monde splits to become the Arete des Intrets.  This is a tricky intersection because the Arete looks easier from the top but it quickly, deceptively, turns into an extremely steep black mogul field and the children obviously didn't know where to go.

This time i learned my lesson and asked them where they wanted to go, and not if they knew where they were going.  There is a very important distinction.  They were trying to get to Avoriaz, which was impossible at that time of day because the lifts had all shut.  They were from Thonon and their family was waiting for them in Avoriaz.  We suggested that they follow us down to Les Prodains in the hope that the Avoriaz cable-car was still running.

So we skied down with them sandwiched between us.  What they lacked in style and technique they certainly made up for in pure speed.  This is perhaps where French driving style originates?  That must be the fastest we've ever completed the Coupe de Monde.  i suspect the adrenaline was pumping at the prospect of them being lost on the mountain so that probably helped them down too.

We were both very happy to see them safely on the Avoriaz cable-car, although a bit puzzled as to why they'd be out on a black run so late in the day with no parental supervision.

Can an independent body please decide if we deserve to be candidates for the Order of The Phils for this?  The Order was created by Siobhan for skiers helping other skiers in distress.  Natalie and Siobhan are already seconded candidates awaiting inclusion and The Phils themselves the only current members of The Order. 

Maybe i have to do more than just this to be considered but situations like this don't arise every day so you have to make the most of it.  i have considered putting other skiers (preferably boarders) in distress and then helping them out, but that doesn't seem particularly sporting.