Photos and videos kindly provided by Steve and Ben
Before flying out on
5th Feb, the obligatory 10am pint and Full English at
Gatwick airport.
Our first
view of the Alps, from the plane, about to descend into
Geneva.
Our luck was in as we
arrived in Courchevel shortly after a heavy snowfall,
and the weather was sunny and cloud-free for the first
five days of the holiday.
A picture postcard view
from our chalet window...
...and the handy
snow-fridge outside our window was perfect for keeping
the lagers cool.
Hitting the blues at
Courchevel 1650 on day three, after trying to keep up
with Steve and Ben on day one (and falling over loads),
and a spot of private tuition on day two.
On the Pyramide blue
run at 1650. Linked parallel turns? No problem!
It's a bit quiet round
these parts...
...but a bit busier
below the tree line.
On the Grandes Bosses
blue, I was actually gaining a bit of confidence before
wiping out spectacularly on the half-pipe section.
Thirsty work, this skiing
lark...
At the top of the Chenus
gondola, the route across into Meribel valley via Col
de la Loze.
Somewhere between Courchevel
and Meribel...
This is as far afield
as Steve and I got, at the top of the Tougnete lift between
the Meribel and Les Menuires valleys. Ben however went
on to Val Thorens on the last day...
Stopping for lunch at
the Tougnete restaurant — 2,400m up and heaving.
The view from the restaurant,
looking into the Les Menuires / Val Thorens valley.
Meribel from the
Choucas / Escargot / Gelinotte blue run, which was my
favourite of the holiday until I went flying head over
heels on a particularly icy stretch near the bottom...
If you're looking for
something to really bring out your fear of heights, look
no further than a chairlift (the Loze chairlift back from
Meribel to Courchevel valley in this case)
The weather closed in
on the last day (plus we were a little hungover from our
all-dayer on Thursday), so Steve and I took the cable
car to the top of Saulire.
Up in the clouds at
Saulire. The altitude did not do wonders for my hangover.
Two ways down from here -- a red run or a cable car. No
prizes...
Just reds and blacks
from here -- no thanks!
The restaurant at Saulire
-- top of the world.
After coming down, we took a few videos on the Bellecote
green run...
Mmm, apres ski :) After
our initial visit on Monday lunchtime, the Bar l'Equipe
in Courchevel 1850 became a regular haunt for Steve and
I come 4pm each day. A pool table, Stella on tap, and
(probably) the best pizzas in the Alps.
On special occasions
(such as the England v Holland game on Wednesday), even
Ben made it to the pub!
Courchevel 1850, just
outside our adopted local. Still picture postcard material,
but looking distinctly wintry as the weekend's snow draws
in.
