"Go now or grow old regretting your reluctance."
Amidst the thousands of reasons you've pondered as to why you shouldn't ski in Europe this season (weak dollar/strong Euro, unforecastable weather, anti-American sentiment, jetlag, whatever) there is, as always, no better time. The European ski experience should never be missed. Where else could you drop most of the resorts combined in North America into one resort's terrain, as you could into the endless valleys, glaciers, and peaks accessed by one lift such as the telepherique on the Aigulle du Midi? Let's not even discuss the heart-stopping visuals the Alps provide.
So, other than money, what's stopping you from jumping a flight that likely costs the equivalent of a Kansas City to Tahoe flight so you can sink your boards into the birthplace of skiing, the origin of extreme and the undisputed capital of liberal boundaries (there are none). To paraphrase Warren Miller's eternal adage - "Go now or grow old regretting your reluctance."
So what? What?
You don't think the Eurofolk want your American pesos?
You don't think they get killer powder in the Alps?
Afraid you won't be able to gesture and mime your way through imagined language barriers?
Ha! Get real. And get a ticket.
Europe is the creme de la creme of ski travel adventure. Although a first-time trip might be overwhelmingly new and over-stimulating, the fears mentioned above really need not dissuade even the most meek from making the foray across the pond. Europeans have far greater disdain for the British than Americans. The Alps get insanely light and deep powder. And as for any perceived language problems - almost non-existent. English is the universal translator across the world and the most common denominator in places where multiple tongues converge. It does help , however, to learn common greetings and niceties in any country you visit.
At this writing, I'm still tingling from the previous day's neck-deep 45-50 degree skiing adventures above and through Chamonix's glacial icefields in the Vallee Blanche. Framed in postcard backdrops, runs stretch almost 20miles and encompass every range of capability. Think one (that's 1) lift that rises over 9,000 vertical feet, no boundaries, endless peaks and glaciers, ice caves, trains, and mountain huts in the middle of it all where you can stop for lunch and you'll start to get the picture.
Everything in the Alps is like Disneyland dropped into Valdez, only bigger and with nightlife. Considering his propensity for Bavarian architecture and the development of ski resorts, it's obvious that ole Walt was as smitten with the beauty of the Alps as anyone who's ever visited. Sharing this common range, the countries of the Alps each offer their own unique characteristics and personalities, i.e., the food of Italy, the wine of France, the precision of Switzerland, the chalets and music of Austria and Germany..
The more you realize that communication is simply a sincere effort rather than an accomplished discipline of educational diligence, the more you'll understand that polite mannerisms, a genuine effort, and a smile will cover your communication needs. Getting a meal, a room, or from one place to another will be no problem, allowing you to experience the runs of a lifetime again and again down thousands of slopes that lie waiting to make love to your skis.
Now is the time to live the life you thought was reserved only for some elite group that figured out how to speak the languages and were somehow spared the indignities of not knowing every little thing in advance. Go ahead - book the flight, travel by the seat of your pants, and ski Europe this year.
As I'm sure Warren Miller would say, " Just go!"