We’re patron saints of drunken skiers...
MANY tired and emotional skiers have called upon divine intervention to help them down that final run and now their prayers are being answered.
A new Christian ski patrol is delivering help at one of the busiest party bars on the slopes, where skiers and snowboarders let off steam at the end of the day.
Will Sussman, who created Ski Angels in Meribel in the French Alps, said: “It can be carnage with people whose skiing ability has been affected by maybe a few drinks.
“We give them advice and help them down if they’re a bit the worse for wear.”
Ski Angels will be on duty around the huge La Folie Douce, one of a chain of party bars in the Alps that is a magnet for thousands of Britons every season.
An unconscious girl in the snow and a skier who had twisted a knee have been among the Angels’ recent beneficiaries.
Will, 51, who has been running a chalet business in the resort for 20 years with his wife Lara, 50, have signed up five younger volunteers for their Altitude Mission.
The Ski Angels’ major role will be outside the Folie, which attracts big crowds with DJS, dancers and party events every day through the season.
“We like to share our faith but we don’t do it overtly. We don’t bash people over the heads with Bibles,” says Will, a former
Classic FM radio producer. “It is a hard red run down from the Folie at the best of times, let alone when you’ve had a skinful. So we direct them to a green run which is a short walk away and then sweep up the stragglers.we ski in front or behind them, helping them up when they fall – and sometimes there are lots of tears.
“We had one family who strayed offpiste and the parents, who were slightly the worse for wear and not helping matters, were yelling at their teenager who had frozen in fear.
“The Ski Angel got them all down safely and they were extremely grateful. A lot of the time, people don’t realise the danger they are in.
“Every year, there are extreme cases of people getting drunk, getting lost on the way home and getting hypothermia.”