Les Arcs Diary - 26 January - 12 February

Most of January was spent checking the snow conditions on the internet. I was planning to go back to Vallandry on my own, so I was free to go whenever I wanted, as long as I could fit it in before my four weeks with Planet Subzero in March.

On my last trip I'd spoken at new year to Pete of Hucksters, who run the Mont Blanc Hotel, to see if I could work during half term. He took my details, and sure enough the call came. Once I had re-arranged my work schedule (ok, got out of a meeting) I was free to go. A few days later I found myself on a luxury coach (those who have been to the Alps by coach won't believe this, but it was very comfortable) for a two week working holiday. No pan scrubbing for me either, I was going to be guiding and helping out as and when needed.

There was more good news when I arrived. They had forgotten to sort me out any accommodation, so I spent the first week in an eight person apartment just behind Noz Sports, all to myself.

The first week proved to be very easy. Nobody turned up on Sunday for my first day guiding, so after a couple of hours of snow clearing I was free to board. I had the day off on Monday, so was quite pleased when some clients actually turned up for guiding on Tuesday. I had three skiers from London. Not very good skiers, but good company, and I was able to practice my switch riding. After hosting karaoke with John in the evening, I had no more duties for the week. Plenty of time to ride with Liam, Michelle, John, Tom and Alex - my co-workers. I also got to know some of the Planet Subzero guys, and went out riding with two of them, Adam and Ed.

The snow conditions weren't the best. The off piste was still dangerous, but the extremely cold weather meant the snow that had fallen kept the piste in good condition. The lack of freeriding opportunities proved to be a blessing as I worked on my switch, buttons and 180s off the side of the piste. The park was taking shape and Liam, Alex and I spent some time sessioning the fun box.

The evenings were very chilled too. On Wednesday night I joined all the other hotel staff for dinner at The Dahu, a very good restaurant run by my friends Joel and Saskia. I spent a couple of evenings watching DVDs around Liam and Michelle's, and was home from the bar early on the other nights.

It was the calm before the storm, however. On Saturday we had 120 guests arriving, including 80 students from Bath amd Bath Spa universities. Work started at 8.30 when Leah, who works back in the UK office but was out helping for the week, and I set off to clean apartments and make beds. I spent the afternoon helping out at the hotel where I could, and helping move the students in to their apartments. Myself, I was moved to an apartment in the hotel sharing with a couple of guests, Fran and Rolph.

It was to be a much busier second week for me. On Saturday 120 guests arrived, including 80 students from Bath amd Bath Spa universities. Saturday was spent cleaning apartments, making beds and moving clients into their apartments. A long day, but I finished work in time to see Wales beat England in the Six Nations in the bar, along with fellow Welshman Andy, Baz and Adrian. A group of six skiers turned up for guiding on Sunday, part of a big party of BT workers and friends from Ipswich. All pretty good skiers, good company and keen to stay out all day. A bit of a challenge keeping up with them riding switch. Perhaps a bit too much, as I got my only bad injury of the season wiping out riding switch at full speed, much to their amusement!

I ended up guiding them all week, except Wednesday which was my day off, and drying dishes in the kitchen at dinner time. I felt like a genuine season worker, especially as I kept being asked by clients what I did in the summer! Thurday I took Fran and Rolph to La Plagne for the day and did the runs above Plagne Centre, where I spent my first week boarding in 1997. For once the snow was better than in Les Arcs, and it was good to explore some unfamiliar territory. A good day was rounded off when Charlotte and Paul, friends from last season, came out for a week and - at last - snow started falling.

It was still falling the next afternoon when Paul, Charlotte and I went out for a ride around Vallandry. It was great to be riding with them again, and in fresh snow on piste. Paul is a very good rider so it was good experience for me, copying all the spins and tricks he was pulling down the side of the piste. A good afternoon's boarding to finish with, as I spent all Saturday working, stopping an hour before I got on the coach back to the UK. A shame to leave just as friends and snow had arrived, but it had been a good two weeks.