We arrived in Val d’Isère late that afternoon and all of us were spread out around the lovely old world village. It’s the town where the renown Olympic Medalst skiier Jean–Claude Killy was raised.
We were extremely fortunate to be assigned to the Hotel Samovar which was right across the road from the timing shack for Olympic level races. The hotel is three stories high and had no elevator. But for skiers, it didn’t present a challenge.
The Inn Keeper was Roger Machet (Olympic coach from the Tahoe Olympics)
Our room was on the third floor and had a beautiful view of the ski run above the Furnival funicular. Each morning we gathered for breakfast with the other four USRSA skiers at the hotel and decided which runs to tackle for the day.
The first day we came down the mountain for lunch and decided to go to an Inn further into the village. We sat at a table near the bar and within a few minutes I heard an argument in French, going on behind me. I turned around to see what was going on and decided to walk up to the bar. The woman who was arguing with the Inn Keeper and was obviously frustrated.
“Would you like to join us?” I asked her.
“How did you know I needed help? You don’t speak French do you?” she responded.
“No, I don’t speak French, but I thought it sounded like you weren’t very happy with the Inn Keeper.” I smiled and led her to the table.
“They wouldn’t allow me to sit at the bar and eat as a single woman.” she explained.
She introduced herself as Jacqueline.