Skiing and Snowboarding Break: Relaxing at the Thimmel and Accidents are Real

This wintersport holiday is perhaps the most dramatic we have ever had, at least for the Dutchman. For moi, it is the most relaxed.

Valloire village from the La Setaz cable car.

Accidents in the slopes can really happen

Dutchman had a few things going against him in this holiday. He fell really hard on the second day hitting his spleen with so much force with his arm that he could not breathe for a few seconds. I was skiing ahead of him and wondered why it took him so long to catch up. Unfortunately, snowboarding, as well as skiing has its own share of risks.

I was actually impressed with Dutchman’s determination, he was in so much pain yet he still pushed it, albeit going slowly and carefully because when you fall down again, the pain is going to skyrocket 10x. And helaas, he indeed fell down again. Poor Dutchman! When you are already hurt you tend to lose your stride. On the other hand, the slopes were icy and a few rocks got thrown in the middle. This is the reason why we skipped a day or two in between so he can recover.

When you hit your spleen it can actually be very bad and the best advice is some downtime.

Accidents can really happen and it does not choose who. Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, second in line to the thrown of the Netherlands died last year after a year in coma resulting from a skiing (off-piste) avalanche together with a friend in Lech, Austria. Michael Schumacher the famed Formula One (F1) legend is still in coma after hitting his head on a rock while skiing with his son in the French Alps.

Two years ago Dutchman hit his head during an impromptu sleigh ride in the dark. Read here: Torch Hike in the Alps and the Sleigh Ride Mishap. I was stricken of course, I had to wake him up every hour that night. MEN!!!

Le Thimel terrace on the slopes

The first day we did not ski it was misty so we thought that we did not really miss much. Luckily the mountain village has lots to offer so we enjoyed doing other things.

Thumbs up! A very lazy day, we did nothing much, except a visit to the sauna and steam room and now this… a little afternoon drink and snack in the terrace on the slopes.

Saw this while going up… a ski class.

More views of Valloire from the gondola.

On the second day that we did not ski and snowboard, we insisted that we go up and check out the slopes. There are 2 big gondola stations and slopes landing terrain in Valloire: 1) Cret de la Brive gondola station and 2) La Setaz gondola station. We decided to take the La Setaz gondola.

At the top of the landing terrain is the Le Thimel Cafe Restaurant and it has a nice big terrace facing the slopes.

We just want to relax really and people watch =)