By now the wind is blowing so hard it’s a struggle to hear. My goggles have steamed up, so I can’t see – and we haven’t even started yet. I take them off, wipe them and put them back, but if anything it makes them worse.

‘The terrain isn’t too difficult but in these conditions it’s important to take it slowly. I’ll lead – to start with, at least. Try to stay close behind me. There’s no rush; obviously I will go at your pace,’ Cameron says.

‘We’re not a couple of old ladies!’ Adam booms. ‘We can keep up. Don’t worry about that.’

He nods. ‘Fine. Shall we go then?’

We set off. Cameron leads, too slowly, while another guide in the same jacket who has joined us hangs back behind. Adam quickly overtakes so that he is in front of us all. I am happier taking it at a leisurely pace – the snow is deeper than I’m used to and the visibility is almost nil. A couple of minutes later, the second guide whizzes by me, and half a minute later I find Adam and Cameron waiting on a bend.

‘So. This next bit’s steeper. You’ll need to take it easy. I can see you like speed,’ Cameron says to Adam as pointedly as you can when you’re having to shout to be heard over the wind, ‘but there are two things you should know about that: it’s dangerous to go faster than is suitable for your ability, and skiing accurately is much more important than skiing fast.’

I smirk – neither of them will be able to see under my various scarves and layers. That little reprimand will have pissed Adam off no end. He can’t stand being told what to do or having his skiing ability questioned.

‘Got you,’ Adam says, not bothering to hide his irritation.

‘Right,’ says Cameron. ‘I’m going to lead – please watch where I go and don’t overtake me this time. I know the route very well and it’s dangerous for you to race ahead off-piste in these conditions when you don’t know the terrain. Understood?’

‘Got you, like I said,’ Adam repeats, even more irritably. Cameron nods and skis off, slick as anything.

‘For fuck’s sake, was there really any need for him – whatever his name is – to speak to me like that?’ Adam grumbles.

‘It’s what ski guides do – try to keep you safe. It’s their job.’

‘Try to patronize me, more like,’ Adam retorts. He uses his poles to push himself off, not as fast and not nearly as slick as Cameron, whatever Adam might think. And then, on his second turn, he falls.

I watch in horror as he tumbles down the slope and both skis ping off. It’s pretty steep here and it’s snowing so hard that soon he is out of sight. Fuck.