The Story behind Ski4Mum

My stepmother, Susan Armitage, dedicated 20 years to this region as a Labour Councillor and former Mayor. Following her brief battle with secondary cancer last year, I am undertaking a gruelling endurance ski challenge in early 2027 to honour her legacy of service and raise vital funds for Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

The event - Ski4Mum 2027

Skiing the height of Everest every day for 57 days straight at Les Grand Montets , Chamonix.

📍 Why Grands Montets Makes It Even tougher

Grands Montets is known for:

Steep

Technical

Often firm or variable terrain

Long sustained descents (especially the Argentière side)

🔥 What Makes This Brutal

1. The Terrain Isn’t “Cruiser Vertical”

This isn’t groomer mileage.

Steep pitches

Glacial terrain

Variable snow

Long sustained quad burn

10k at Grands Montets feels harder than 10k at a wide intermediate resort.

2. Altitude Factor

You’re starting near 3,000+ meters repeatedly. Over 57 days, that repeated high-altitude exposure adds subtle fatigue.

3. 57 Days with No Rest

This is the real monster.

Tendon adaptation lags behind muscle recovery.

Even if you feel strong week 1–2, overuse injuries typically appear weeks 3–5.

Knees and lower back become the limiting factor, not lungs.

Why Lindsey Lodge?

Lindsey Lodge provided Sue with immense dignity and peace in her final days. As an independent charity, they must raise £3.7 million annually to provide specialist end-of-life care. Less than 20% of their funding comes from the NHS, making local support from businesses like yours essential for their survival.