Les Arcs Diary: 27th December 2004 - 3rd January 2005

This New Year saw the third annual trip to Vallandry, and this time the group is bigger than ever. We booked three apartments in Crete de L'Ours, where I was living last season. Tim Barnes dropped out in the end but Ben, myself, Paul and his kids Kelly and Matt are all regular visitors to Vallandry. Also on the trip are Caroline and Pui-Yui, who came out to Tignes last season and seem bitten by the boarding bug. Also with us is Colin, who was a regular on the annual boarding holidays that started me off but who I haven't been on holiday with for three years. He's brought along his mates Lucia and Griff, and Dave and Debbie are spending a week over in La Plagne.

Boxing Day/Sunday 27th January

Caroline, Pui-Yui and I drive over together and set off from London in mid-afternoon.We meet up with Paul, Kelly and Matt on the ferry as Pui-Yui is going to help Paul with the driving through France. It really feels like I'm heading back to Vallandry when I meet Chris, Michelle, Julia and Katie in the food court. They were all seasonnaires in 2004. We drive through the night and arrive at Vallandry by 10am. I am desperate to hit the slopes so after buying my season pass I head up the hill. I arrange to meet Colin, Griff and Lucia for lunch which gives me an hour to myself. Long enough to make me realise I shouldn't be out! I haven't slept since I got four hours on Christmas night, I board like a twat and keep falling asleep on the 69 lift. The afternoon is spent in bed!

Monday 28th January

I spend the day guiding Colin, Lucia and Griff around the resort, as they've never been to Les Arcs before. All goes well after a bit of a disasterous start, when I shoot off ahead and fail to stop at a junction to make sure they are going the right. Sorry guys! The pistes are in good condition which is a relief, as I had heard there had been little snowfall so far in the season. Not much of a base off piste, however.

Tuesday 29th January

Another day riding with Colin, Lucia and Griff. I spend the evening in the Bar Mont Blanc catching up with Gaz and Gareth, fellow Planet Subzero seasonnaires last season. It turns into a bit of a late one and the shots start flowing, as do the memories! Just a shame there is no band on at the Marlu.

Wednesday 30th January

My third day on the slopes and I have yet to rediscover my riding legs. I'm sure I was a better boarder than this at the end of last season. The pistes are getting icy, despite temperatures well below zero, which isn't helping. Far too cold to get the video camera out. It's another big night as I host Karaoke in the bar with John. Our group get things going with "American Pie", though Lucia's version of "Copacabana" is my favourite.

Thursday 31st January

The highlight of the day is grabbing a couple of hours boarding with Liam and Michelle. They were here last season working in the Mont Blanc hotel. This season they are back running the place, and consequently aren't getting much time on the slopes.

In the evening we donned our fancy dress and headed off to the Mont blanc's New Year's Eve Party. As usual the place was rammed and everyone had dressed up. There were a lot of pirates and disappointingly few schoolgirls. A lot of the blokes had dressed up as women, including Liam, who seemed to be enjoying his costume a bit too much! Top marks go to the guys who came as ninjas.

Friday 1st January

It's an relatively early start today as Paul, Matt, Kelly and I head over to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express. Ben, Colin, Lucia and Griff follow and we all meet up for lunch with friends from Bristol, Dave in Debbie, who are staying in La Plagne. It's a beautiful clear, warm day but our hopes for better snow over here are dashed. As we cruise around in a group we find bare patches and rocks, and the run home is very icy. A bit hairy too when Colin misses the turn off to the Vanoise Express and we have to take a detour, nearly causing us to miss the last lift! It's a quiet night in the Blanc. We miss out on winning the quiz by a point, not that anyone fancied the prize of a pitcher of beer after last night!

Saturday 2nd January

A great day of boarding. It has snowed overnight and the whole group go out together in the morning. The visibility isn't good so we can't stray too far, but we get some powder riding in off the pistes in 1800. Everyone enjoys boarding through the trees, except Ben! In the afternoon I ride with Caroline and Pui-Yui, giving some tips whilst practiscing my switch (backwards) riding. A good day, apart from when I hit a rock off-piste, flipping onto my back on another rock. Fortunately the camcorder in my backpack takes all the impact, but not without expensive consequences!

Sunday 3rd January

It's home time for everyone except me, Paul, Kelly and Matt. They are due to leave on Tuesday, whilst I had planned to stay another week, though there's no snow forecast and the pistes are very worn. Dave comes over in the morning and I board with him and Paul for a couple of hours, before Dave and Debbie leave for home. We mess about between the trees below the 69 lift as there still fresh powder around.

Monday 4th January

Paul spends the day on skis so I am left to my own devices. It is really icy now and the riding isn't really up to much. I decide to catch a lift home with Paul tomorrow, and save my leave to come back out when there's more snow. I round my week off with a meal at the Dahu, joining Vallandry fixtures Troyboy, Charlie, Tracker and Adam.

Tuesday 5th January

Up before dawn to drive back to the UK. We make it back in the early evening, despite nearly running out of petrol just before Calais (that's what happens when you fall asleep and leave me to do the driving). It's been a fun week, despite the lack of good snow. Good to spend the week with old friends, see so many familiar faces, and meet the newbies who I'll be getting to know better over the course of the season.