Skiing in the Alps

Hello everyone!!!

Last week myself and my family drove to France for a weeks skiing in the Alps. Yes you heard right, we drove. It took a whopping 26 hours. Luckily i'm very used to these long overnight drives as we haven driven across France, drove to Italy, Belgium and Austria. Despite how long it takes, driving allows you to take almost double the amount of luggage with you (depending on your car size) than if you were to fly and when you each have your own skis, snowboards and boots, it actually works out a lot cheaper to drive. Plus you don't have to hobble around with mountains of luggage. 

Skiing is one of my favourite hobbies which unfortunately I can only fulfil once or twice a year. When some one mentions winter, I instantly think of skiing and snow and become all exited and giddy haha. 

I will run you through a typical day of skiing for those people who have never been and have wondered.

The day begins at about 7.30am. Early I know and if you thought skiing was a relaxing rejuvenating holiday, think again. Of coarse theres time to relax in the sauna after a long day of skiing but ultimately, you're there to ski, not to relax. 

When you have risen from your warm, cosy bed, I like to look outside to see what the weather is like.

Usually a sunny blue sky kind of day means its going to be extra special. When its sunny, you can see the glorious snowy mountains for what they really are. On snowy cloudy days, its sometimes rather challenging.

A hearty breakfast is definitly needed and whilst in France, taking a morning trip to the patisserie is a no-brainer. Unfortunately I didn't manage to snap any pictures of the amazing pastries and cakes but i'm sure you could let your imagination run wild imagining what they would look like.                                                                                                    

Ski school  starts at 9.00am in most resorts, so for those beginners, you would probably be in ski school for the morning. As a child I loved ski school as they make lessons so fun and exiting. Some people who are new to skiing think they will be fine not taking lessons but you defiantly have to. They teach you the proper techniques and not taking lessons, is quite frankly dangerous, not only for yourself but for other skiers and snowboarders. 

Ski lifts open at about 9.00am and so its up the chairlifts we go!!! Allez on y va. 

The views are simply fantastic. 

How cool is this paraglider. You see them a lot when the weather is good. Im so desperate to try this and have made a promise to myself that next year I will pluck up the courage to do this with someone tied to the back of me of coarse. 

After a busy and hard morning of skiing, its time for lunch. There are many places to eat on the mountains but we more than often come back to eat and have a quick nap. My favourite thing for lunch when skiing is a big bowl of thick soup with French baguette, followed by an unhealthy amount of biscuits. The pros of coming back means you can relax on a comfy sofa to gain back some energy needed to be able to ski for the rest of the day. 

Got your energy back yet? Oh good, its time to get your ski on haha. 

Skiing in the morning on fresh, unmarked snow is one of the best feelings ever. When you can make your own tracks, it makes you feel so special. Plus the sensation is even better. 

If you're unsure about the colors of each slope, i'll give you a quick run down:

Green=Beginner

Blue=Easy/Intermediate

Red=Advanced intermediate

Black= Difficult/Advanced/Expert

Some blacks are harder than others but some reds are almost equally as hard. You often see some skiers who look like they know they've made the wrong decision by coming down a certain slope and you can only hope they make it down in one piece haha. 

Trying desperately hard not to be blinded by the sun whilst having my photo taken. 

So this photo brings a close to a day in the life of skiing. The lights are so warming up on the mountains and I love to walk through the village, walking in and out of little shops. 

To end the day, we would typically head to a bar for a refreshment of some sort and to get some supper. 

I hope you've enjoyed following what a day of skiing is like for me. Its different for everyone and if you have never been and you get the opportunity, don't even hesitate to say yes. 

Thats all from me peeps.

xoxo

A.Corn