Les Arcs Diary - March Trip Week 1

Saturday 26th February

Less than two weeks after leaving I am back in Vallandry. This time it is for a four week stay courtesy of Planet Subzero, staying in one of two dedicated apartments in the Mont Blanc. I arrived after a 21 hour coach journey and spent the afternoon hanging out with Liam and Michelle, before joining the other Welsh boys in the bar to watch the France v Wales Six Nations game. A surprising win was followed by predicatble celebrations. Chris, my flat mate during March last season, arrived late prolonging the party. When I finally make it back to my room I find one of my two Aussie room-mates, Corey, has pinched my bed leaving me the top bunk. Again.

Sunday 27th February

A day of recovery. It's cold, icy and overcast outside and it seems I'm not missing much by failing to go out boarding. I'm not the only one suffering, Corey's hangover is not helped by having lost his wallet during he night. The state of the room wasn't helped by him pissing on his mate's board bag in the middle of the night. The room is in a state, and it's direcly over the Subzero living room, somewhat inappropriately called the Sky Lounge, and scene of noisy post bar antics. When Chris offers me the spare bed in his room, in the adjoining apartment, I don't think twice. Despite the fact the room is barely bigger than the furniture, a bunk bed and wardrobe.

Monday 28th February

An early start today as Chris and I head out with some of the other Planet Subzero crew. The conditions are much as I left them, having missed the biggest snowfall of the season when I went back home. The pistes are firm, with occasional icy patches. Sadly skier Russell falls victim to one, an inoccuous fall causing him to twist his knee and resulting in a trip to hospital. Damaged knee ligaments are diagnosed which will require surgery. End of season for him, but he's determined to stay out here until it finishes.

Tuesday 1st March

Chris, Matt from our apartment and I are go out riding in he morning. They are both good skiers so there is no hanging about on what is another cold, but sunny day. The highlight of the morning is the visit to the park. Chris decides on a baptism of fire over the black jumps, launches himself and pulls a 540 over the first one and huge straight air over the last. Very impressive, I think I was more worrid than he was. It's not all good for him today though, his wallet drops out through a rip in his trouser pocket during the afternoon.

Wednesday 2nd March

Chris and I spent the day riding around Les Arcs, checking to see if his wallet has been handed in. No luck, but it's a beautiful sunny day which we take at a leisurely pace. The day features a mid morning break at Arcs 1950 and lunch at the Jungle cafe in 1800 and some leisurely riding. When we get back we pop down to the village to book a table for dinner. Whilst there Chris tries the resort office one last time, and miraculously it has been handed in. All the cash has gone but not his cards. The drinks are on him!

Thursday 3rd March

A new bar has been opened in Plan Peisey this season by Fabien, formerly of the Squirrel Bar. Chris and I join the Mont Blanc hotel staff for an evening out at the Shiva for Pete's drum and bass. We all have a few drinks in the hotel dining room, listening to cheesy music and watching Tom's crazy dancing, before piling into the Land Rover and heading up to the Shiva. It's a good night out, with Michelle dancing up a storm and me inventing a new dance - the "electric shock". I'm not sure how it came about, but I think Liam spiking my drinks had something to do with it!