Xmas Skiing in Chamonix

This year we have gate-crashed my sister’s Christmas holiday and joined them for skiing in Chamonix.

The weather has been unseasonably mild, and there hasn’t been a great deal of snow, but there was enough for us to first get our ski legs at a very quiet Le Brevent and then at a more busy Les Grand Montets. Here we bumped in to Ali and Steve who we first met on our way up to Raise, next to Helvellyn, last year. We had great fun from the top station where the cold air kept the snow almost powder-like. But the slopes down to the bottom of the valley were becoming like sheets of ice and sharp edges were needed to prevent us from skidding all the way down.

The sky was blue and we were hoping for more snow, but the forecast remained sunny and warm.

Meanwhile, my sister and her family collected their kit and warmed up at a crowded Les Planards.

On Monday night, there was a traditional parade with music in the centre of Chamonix, with Father Christmas making an appearance. We were really looking forward to this, but it wasn’t quite as much fun as we had seen in previous years. There were ice angels on stilts, and a folk band, but I think this year Father Christmas had had either a little too much of the free mulled wine that was on offer, or he was just ‘very tired’, as he sat down for most of the time and we could’t really see him. Oh well. It was a lovely atmosphere, as usual, as people wandered along the streets carrying bags full of goodies.

The next day we decided they needed more of a challenge so we took them to Les Houches. This was their first real outing on a bigger slope and I think it gave them the opportunity to really get to grips with their turns. The slopes were still very quiet, despite half the resort being closed due to lack of snow.

We finished the day by taking James and Oli down to the valley while Nick and Saskia took the lift…

… and at home we had waiting for us some lovely bite-sized cakes from our favourite shop.

On Christmas morning we woke to a very grey day. We could see that snow would be falling higher up, but in the valley it was a bit wet. We decided to get out on to the fresh snow before opening any presents, so we headed up the Le Brevent.

Again the piste was very quiet, but the fresh snow was great, although a little heavy. We didn’t take any photos this time because visibility was so poor, but techniques were improving… bend the knees, chest to the valley, up down, up, down.

The wet snow was making us all a bit cold, and presents were calling, so we made it a short day and headed on down to open presents and prepare for a fine feast of traditional Turkey and Christmas pudding.

An now it has snowed for nearly 24 hours. The controlled avalanche explosions are sounding around the valley and we’re contemplating where to go…