Bib Draw – Contest Sunday

As people filled the main square of Chamonix, a band played, and blankets of snow fell from the sky. The scene was beautiful and just what we needed two nights before the competition. The snow forecasters are predicting upwards of 40 cm which might be enough to heel the south facing competition venue.

I spent the day inspecting the face and trying to guess where the best snow might be. As I said before the venue is south facing and has been heated many times over creating an almost bullet proof crust. In my opinion, not the best conditions for a competition. There is an east facing side to the venue that holds much softer conditions. The issue is that it is almost impossible to find a line that flows on the east face. The best features are on the true south face of the venue.

Much of the snow on the south face has rotted out around the rocks and it is hard to tell if it has crusted over. Many of the competitors are hopeful that because the venue has not been skied in the last month that the snow will still be good. I am undecided. “It’s hard saying, not knowing.”

I was hoping for a late start and that is exactly what I got. I will be starting bib 48, second to last female skier. With the conditions as they are, I have not found a line I am totally in love with. I would like to ski the south facing side of the venue, but am worried that the snow is just too funky. I could play it safe and ski the east face, hitting small features, a guarantee to stay on my feet. I think it is too early to decide. I will sleep well tonight and see what mother nature brings us in the morning.