Season Gets Better!

The first couple of weeks of the season were sweet! Being back on the slopes felt awesome, and the December snow was some of the best I’ve experienced. The job also started out pretty well, with the management even tolerating my being late 4 days in one week. But, after one of the girls got sacked the day shifts and 46 hour working week started to limit my mountain time.

Unfortunately the job didn’t turn out to be as sweet as I first thought it would. Apparently the nightlife in 1850 has died down a little and a change in the bars management has brought about a shift in atmosphere. Although it was a lot of fun at the bar, my employment didn’t quite last the whole season. I recently moved down the mountain to Courchevel 1550, where the beer is cheaper, the atmosphere down to earth, and there isn’t a Russian millionaire in sight.

On the down side, it isn’t as fun riding home now, as there is not much snow left down in 1550. Apart from one or two epic powder days in December, Courchevel has not seen much snow at all. This might have lessened a few peoples enthusiasm to ride, but the non-stop sunny days have resulted in a few insane goggle tans.

Ash’s visit early on inspired me to pay for an upgrade and get a pass for the whole three valleys. This meant I could visit the bigger parks in Meribel and the plentiful snow in Val Thorens. Coincidently Meribel and Val Thorens also have a couple of cool places to party after skiing.

Rond point has some nice live music, and admittedly the biggest name on the bill has been The Feeling, it is still a welcome change from cheesy cover bands. Not so nice for Sam though, as one drunken apres ski in Ronnie’s resulted in a hospital vista.

Val Thorens on the other hand has La Folie Douce, which is pretty much unrivalled as the best place for apres ski in the three valleys. Due to the commute I have only been able to do the Folie Douce properly once so far, and that required a hotel for the night. The only room available in the resort included a fancy five course dinner. With only my ski gear to hand, I had to buy some new trainers just to eat. Even worse, strong wind meant the lifts were closed the following morning. Another day in VT would have been okay with me, but Ambre had to be at work by two. So we took a couple of buses home. All money well spent though.

The Folie Douce might have been the partying highlight of the season had it not been for our recent visit to Tignes.

 I turned up with a few beers, some clean underwear and a toothbrush. But no real plan, or any accommodation. Luckily we met Sam who offered me her floor for the night. Luckily, as three of the lads had to spend a cold night in their car. The following day things got even better as amber turned up and her friends had the luxury of a spare bed!

The snow was good in Tignes and there was even a little fresh powder. We got to see some of the worlds best riders and even witnessed the first British skier to get on the podium at the X Games. However the highlight was undoubtably the Thursday night, when 2 Many DJ’s played a banging DJ set. Free to all and on the piste. Boozing, dancing, ridiculous crowd surfing, snowball fights, all of it was insane! I wish it was the X Games every week.

Apart from drinking, working and boarding, I haven’t done much else. There were a few fun sledging sessions during mid winter. Not so fun for Scotty though, who injured his back sledging of the roof of a bus stop. This did leave Dan as the only member of kitchen staff without injury. Until he kicked a piece of furniture and broke his foot. Classic.

 As spring rolls in the warm weather and slushy snow might mean we take part in a few other activities. We recently took a little snowshoe/hike to a mountain refuge for Rachel’s birthday. I have to admit being a little apprehensive about the departure from our routine, but the road beers and good company mean we had a really good laugh up there. All topped off with a big fondue and snake wine. Nice!

So far the experience has been heaps of fun, and I still have a festival and a few weeks of spring riding in Val Thorens, Three Vally Rally (kind of ski/drinking race) and end of season ball to look forward too.

Beyond that I have to decide my next move. Which is either my snowboard instructor course in New Zealand, the sensible choice. Or party time and surfing in the Philippines followed by some festivals and brothers 21st Birthday…