Now here's one of those international cultural dilemmas that growing up in the US school system doesn't prepare you for.  When it ski week in Switzerland, is it OK to go and ski in France? 

Just look at our faces - you can see the angst associated with this kind of question.  But strong people that we are, we managed to put it aside and concentrate on the task at hand.  Tearing it up on the beautiful slopes of Val Thorens.

In spite of the cultural dilemma, we managed to find even more than skiing.  There were, for example, sled dogs in town.  And Im not talking about the ones in the ski parkas.

Mason joined a ski class.

And very much enjoyed his instructor Olivier.  Perhaps enhanced by the fact that we actually knew his name.  Our first year here, while the language was still a barrier, Mason was convinced that his instructor was named "Chewing Gum".  We never discovered his real name. 

Lyell found the sled track.  Face first, apparently.

And just when you think we have it all figured out, we add Oliver and Rainer - two Germans - to the mix.  Now what's OK and whats not? 

Guess we will just have to keep working to figure it out.