Last Sunday we decided to go snowboarding at Vallter2000, a small ski resort two hours north of Barcelona, in Girona’s province, near Olot. Actually the intention was to learn to snowboard, as my friend Eva and me had only tried once in our respective lifes!
We went with Pierre, my boyfriend, and a friend of hers, who used to be snowboard’s instructor when he was younger. As we arrived at Vallter2000, we discovered that the resort was closed, whereas on their website it indicated that it was open until the next day, the last day of the season. We went to the bar which was the only place open, and the guy told us that they decided to close the resort because of the wind. It was windy, but I can tell you that I went skiing in much worser conditions. I suppose that the staff had celebrated the end of the season and that the wind was a good excuse not to work on this special Holy day!
Vallter2000 – We just discovered that the resort was closed because of the wind
Struggling against the wind
We were really disappointed and I really craved to learn snowboard, as I am in a period where I want to learn new things and to stimulate my adrenalin! So we wanted to rent boots and use the boards of the guys we had on the car’s roof. But the shop was also closed. Thus we decided to go back to Camprodon, at 20km away, to rent some boots. But we were lucky as at the small village of Setcases, at only 9km from the resort, we were told that there was a new ski shop and luckily it was open.
The guy was doubtful about renting us snowboard material, as the resort was closed, but we told him that we would just try on the nursery slope and go up the slope walking. Maybe he didn’t believe us, but after having asked his boss, he let us rent the boots.
In fact, the wind went down after half an hour and we had a great weather and almost nobody on the slope, apart from families entertaining themselves sledging with or without children (there is no age to have fun!). So, apart from the petrol, which is by the way everyday more expensive, snowboarding costed us 6€, the price for renting the boots! Of course it was really tiring as we had to walk up the slope, but when you really want something, you can do it whatever the obstacles!
And now some photos of our exploits!
Ready for the first run!
Walking up the slope
Pierre teaching to Eva
And now our style!
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/40186570]
PS: I dedicate this post to my 3-year old nephew who couldn’t go skiing last March as he was sick, but I promise that if it it’s not next year, it will be another, and I crave to pull him up the slope with the sledge!
