In the midst of winter in the Alps, people carrying skis or snowboards are omnipresent–in the trams, in the middle of campus, and in the center of town. Everyone seems to answer the call of the mountains, from as young as three to the respectable age of 70. Mountain sports are imbedded in the culture of Grenoble. The regional museum, where my host-father is the director, has a permanent exposition on the history of downhill skiing (which was invented in the Alps). In October, there was a four day long outdoor snowboard festival to excite the sport’s followers. November saw the convention center packed every night for a week as enthusiasts watched the latest and craziest ski films. Later that month, a photo exposition entitled Les plus belles mountages du monde (The most beautiful mountains in the world) was featured in the art museum. Then in the December, the mountains opened. There begins the weekend exodus to the slopes.

Everyone is attracted to the mountains for differed reasons. For me, it is the allure of nature and sense of humbling solitude that inspires me to don my skis in -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Welcome to the Land of Giants

One of the many picturesque mountain villages

Summit Shot

Before the FIRST run of the day

This post was contributed by Jacob, an Aspire by API student who is currently taking part in a gap year program in Grenoble, France.  He will be updating the blog periodically throughout his time abroad.