Heading Up to the Resort: The Little Phrase of Skiers in a Hurry
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“On monte à la station” simply means “we’re going skiing,” even if it is only for a short while. The idea is not to “go up” in some vague sense: it really means heading to a ski resort, often for half a day, a quick outing, or just a few runs before coming back down. In everyday French, it could be rendered as: “we’re going to the resort to ski a bit,” “we’re heading to the resort for a short ski session,” or “we’re off for a little snow session.” For example: “We’re heading up to the resort this afternoon; we’ll be back before dinner.” Or: “It’s snowing a little—come on, let’s head up to the resort!” It is a very spoken expression, typical of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where the mountains and ski resorts are part of everyday life. It neatly reflects the practical, spontaneous side of local people: there is no need for a big speech—if the snow is good, you head up… even if only briefly, just to get some fresh air and squeeze in three more turns. Common usage (informal): it is used mainly in speech, among people close to one another, in natural exchanges. Example 1: “Here, when you say ‘On monte à la station,’ everyone immediately gets it.” Example 2: “You can simply say: ‘On monte à la station,’ and the message gets across without any fuss.” Origin / context: this expression became established through everyday use in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, shaped by local habits, oral transmission, and the region’s subtle linguistic nuances. Category: Funny expressions. Living usage: “On monte à la station” is often used to raise a smile, lighten the exchange, or emphasize a reaction with a small local touch.
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Where: Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes