Arosa - Sun & Ski (well partially)

After two snowy, overcast days in St. Mortiz, the crisp morning sunshine over the Julier Pass was more than a change in elevation. The fresh snowfall had caressed the Alps with voluminous, undulating snow pillows on the lower reaches. The craggy stateliness of the peaks were a panorama of awe.

We had departed St. Mortiz early, hopeful for a half day skiing in Arosa. It is a mere 65 road miles from St. Moritz to Arosa. With narrow roads and massive changes in elevation (up and down), it took 2 1/2 hours to traverse the distance. We arrived well before noon, check-in to our luxury hotel, squared away rental skis for Brian and Anne, secured afternoon ski passes and headed to the Weisshorn tramway in brillant sunshine and warming temps. Connecting via the Bruggerhorn lift, we arrive on piste for a planned warm up run.

Warm up immediately morhphed to wipe out. The start of the piste was a steep pitch, with massive moguls. We all struggled. After a few wild pony turns, my skis slid out and I was down. Anne skied slowly and looked in control. We regrouped and skied on to Weisshorn tramway. We agreed it was an unadultrated ugly run. Anne decided to take the tramway down. Brian was in a self sauna, over heated and perplexed his skis did not seem to want turn. I was in a serious funk, skiing like a wobbley beginner, questioing was it my boots, my skis, or alas moi. Brian and I made a brotherly bravado decision - ski to the bottom. We met Anne at the bottom and retreated to the hotel for recovery and a fresh start in the morning.

After yesterday's ugly run and the white out run in St. Moritiz, Anne opts out of skiing; she favors a trail hike and to let 'the boys' pursue the pistes. With physical recovery from our misadventure the previous day, Brian and I had 2 days of delight on white in the Hornli area of Arosa. Brian suggested on the initial gondola ride up that since I had done a major adjustment to my boot settings and checked the tuning on my skis, that only left my mind space to adjust. I agreed. We then made 8 progressively better runs over the next 3 hours in sunny skies and softening snow; a final top to bottom run ended in wet, but skiable conditions. Next day, more improvement. Brian is skiing strong, smooth and stylish. My skis seem to have finally found full rhythm. 6 fast runs in 2 hours, with a hydration stop and a final run to the bottom before a heavy afternoon cloud cover arrives. We are tired, happy and at the end of this ski adventure.

The weather in Arosa has turned foul, giving rise to a bittersweet decision to leave a day earlier than planned and take the train back to home base, Lausanne. Anne and Brian graciously give me a lift to the Arosa train station. It is a joyous and sad. Our dynamic 2 week ski tour is over. I am deeply grateful for Anne and Brian's companionship and support in my 'en Suisse' adventure.

With my departure this morning, I have realized one of the primary 'en Suisse' objectives, namely to connect up in Switzerland with my two siblings (Susan and Brian) that were also in a Swiss boarding school for their high school years. Next up, more skiing. After a week of regrouping in Lausanne, Zermatt beckons.