Racer Val | Welove2ski
Ski Holiday

Ski Racing In Quarantine

But how was he permitted to race, when even walking up the slopes is banned?
Racer Val | Welove2ski
Winner. Photo: © John Yates-Smith/YSE.

Here’s Jean-Pierre Bazile, victor of yesterday’s Classique du Nial slalom in Val d’Isere, raced every April on wooden skis and leather boots.

But how were they permitted to race, when even walking up the slopes is banned?

And we’re only allowed out for an hour…

And gatherings of more than two people are banned?

First, because Jean-Pierre is from an old Val d’Isere family…

Secondly, because he was the only competitor…

And thirdly because he cheated slightly, and was standing on the roof of YSE’s Chalet les Gnellets!

Racer Val | Welove2ski
The Reality. Photo: © John Yates-Smith/YSE.

About the author

John Yates-Smith

When former Olympic skier Fiona Easdale teamed up with long term Val d’Isere resident John Yates-Smith in 1991 to form YSE, they started with a dozen chalets and a mailing list made up of friends and family. After 35 years in Val d'Isere, YSE now has 20 chalets with 75% of their bookings coming from people who've been before, or their friends.

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