Val d'Isere Winter 2009/10

After a long drive through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and France again we arrive in Val d'Isere and pick up the keys to our apartment for the winter. Tired but very excited we unpack and marvel at the traditional little cabin that we will be calling home for the next 5 months. Our timing has been perfect as this is the best conditions to the start of a season for over a decade. The village of Val is white and the sky blue with the sun christening the slopes with an early morning sparkle. Slopes still empty apart from the occasional seasonaire on a day off !! Kate and I will try to do some work out here but i will keep my blog to the freeride experiences and monster tumbles that will define my winter. couldn't fit another sock into the jeep.

Update on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 06:11AM by Mark Bender

My first day on the slopes. Lucy and I ski hard and fast for most of the day. Up the funival and then race the Womens Downhill before ending the day with a few runs down Solaise. My legs ache and I vow a monastic abstinence from red wine and cheese until i am ski fit.

Update on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 06:15AM by Mark Bender

This evening Kate and I decorated our Norwegian Fir Xmas Tree with baubles, angels, chocolates, tinsle and lights. The magic continues as it snows heavily all night and the local chapel in le fornet, built in 1630, turns on its christmas tree lights too. Several chalets are well lit. We are in the middle of a winter wonderland.

on the seventh day of xmas...blue skies, empty slopes and lush snow conditions :) :)