Les Arcs Diary - February

Friday 8th/Saturday 9th February

I am spending the next week working in Vallandry for Hucksters at the Hotel Mont Blanc, guiding and helping out at meal times, working with Pete Bulley and the all new hotel staff. They need an extra body as they have two college groups staying at the hotel and in apartments around the resort. The two colleges are Truro from Cornwall and Turton from Bolton. They were both out last year the second week I worked, and I have known the teachers from Truro, Andy and Lesley, since they were out during my 2004 season. I travel on the coach from Heathrow setting off from home at 5pm. Due to traffic in the UK and France the journey takes 24 hours, the longest yet and five hours longer than usual. On the plus side I miss Saturday's work, and my accommodation is pretty good. I'm staying in Praz De L'Ours with two coach drivers. They have the upstairs, I have the bunks in the hall downstairs. Also good news is that I don't have to help out making sandwiches (which means starting work at 8am) until after Pete leaves on Wednesday, it's guiding during the day and helping with serving and washing up at dinner.

Sunday 10th February

I turn up for work at 9am to find I have no clients to guide. Since I didn't get much sleep on the way over I go back to the apartment for a couple of hours kip. I return for the afternoon but there's still nothing for me to do, so I go out riding with Pete and the reps, Brynn and Tara.We manage a tour of the ski area, hacking through Arcs 200, Arcs 1600 and back through Arcs 1800 to Vallandry. They are all very quick and It's hard work keeping up. When I make it back to the apartment the drivers, who are asian, serve up a lovely veggie curry. Bonus!

Monday 11th February

Still no clients in the morning, but in the afternoon I take out Charlie and Stella from Truro College. They are complete beginners, so we spend a couple of hours on the beginner 66 slope working on their falling leaf. A bit boring for me, but by way of compensation It's a beautiful sunny day. More curry when I get home from the drivers too.

Tuesday 12th February

In the evening I head up to the Squirrel bar with Brynn and Tara for Pirates & Jamaicans night. I have no fancy dress, and the other guys put me to shame.

Wednesday 13th February

I am out in the afternoon with Charlie and Stella again. trying to teach them to turn, with limited success. They have taken the morning off from their lesson, but when we set off down the learner slopes they make it twenty yards before stopping and declaring they are tired. So am I, and hungover, so I can't muster the energy to make them do it. We haven't done much when Tara and Amy turn up on their skis and we go the beginner slope whilst the girals swap around. The skiers love the boarding, but Charlie and Stella aren't won over by skiing and quickly give up. After dinner I join Pete Bulley, Pete, Tom and Josh in the bar kitchen where we drink sangria whilst cleaning up the kitchen. Pierre, who co-owns the bar, looks bemused to find me in there mopping up! We're well oiled by the time Terranga come on in the bar to play theire second set.

Thursday 14th February

The afternoon is spent trying to teach Charlie and Stella, and Tara and Amy who are boarding for the day. It's Valentines Day, and the Blanc put on a cheesy 80s fancy dress disco with Pete (Glitch) spinning the wheels of steel.

Friday 15th February

I'm in work early to make the sandwiches, but have to excuse myself after cutting my finger early on. Ham and blood baguettes aren't too appealing! In the morning I go out riding with some of the Truro group - Clio, Andy (one of the teachers) and three of the students.We head over to Arcs 2000 where I manage to lose them, and make my own way back via 1600 and 1800. It's good to get some proper riding in. It proves to be my last, as I have to help out around the hotel in the afternoon. After talking to Chris, who runs Hucksters, we decide I should move out of the apartment in the evening. I pack my stuff up before work in the evening, and he's supposed to pick me up when he gets pizzas for the staff from the Ourson. But he can't find me and I end up staying another night in the apartment.

Saturday 16th February

It takes me a couple of hours to re-pack, clean the apartment and drap my board bag, suitcase and a vacuum cleaner up to the hotel. After dropping the keys off in the village I grab a quick breakfast at Maxim's, where Niles is cheffing this season. Then it's back up to the hotel to help out with Fiona in the dining room. It's a really hot sunny day, and a shame I can't be out sunbathing like the clients. Whilst I'm taking a break on the bar terrace Gary and Susannah - 2004 seasonnaires - turn up for a week's holiday. We sit around and chat with Tracker and Alison while I wait to get my coach home. It's a nice way to end the week. It's been a good one, despite the dissapointment of spending much of it teaching on the learner slopes. When I get back in three weeks I'll be on holiday.