The Season

Les Arcs & Tignes

A little under a year ago I was on holiday, spending the week over new year snowboarding with my mates in Vallandry, Les Arcs. After karaoke night in the Mont Blanc Paul and I set off to Jimmy's Bar for some serious drinking. We covered a few topics that night but mostly Paul spent his time trying to convince me to give up my job and do a season with him.

It seemed no more than idle wishful thinking at the time, but it soon became apparent I would be leaving work towards the end of the year. With the prospect of a decent pay off, and time to save, the idea took hold. Although Paul wouldn't be joining me, I had been presented with a golden opportunity.

The season started off with a week in Vallandry, Les Arcs, over the new year. I drove out with Paul and his kids Kelly and Matt on Boxing Day, and stayed in an apartment with Rich, Tim and Martin. Dave and Debbie came out later and stayed in the nearest town Bourg St. Maurice.

For the rest of the season I have stayed with Planet Subzero, who provide season and long stay accommodation in a variety of locations in the French Alps. I originally planned to do the whole season in Vallandry, but despite booking in the summer they had run out of room. However, they did have availability in Tignes, the next major resort up the valley, so a new plan was formed.

On 4th January I transfered to Tignes, where I stayed in a 4 bedroom apartment in a modern block, right in the centre of Tignes le Lac, with seven fellow boarders and two skiers. Only a minute's walk to the lifts, the shops or the bars ... in the centre of Europe's most famous ski area - l'Espace Killy. A great way to get into the season, plenty of riding when the weather allowed, and a great bunch of people to live with.

On 7th February I transfered back to Vallandry, Les Arcs. During February and March I stayed in an apartment with one or two others, three minutes from my favourite bar - the Mont Blanc. A smaller place, but a bigger social life and plenty more people to ride with.

On 7th April I returned to Tignes for the last two and a half weeks of my season, which ends when I set off for the UK on 24th April.

This site contains a diary and pictures documenting my season. If you have been looking I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I've been up to. It's been a great experience, I've met a lot of great people and my snowboarding has improved pretty much as I'd hoped, if not as much as it should have done. Come back in a few weeks and hopefully I'll have some video clips to prove it!

Tim Miller - 23rd April 2004