Au Revoir

Au revoir and merci beaucoup Travel Designers for a fantastic ski experience at Club Med!

Smell the cheese..!

Montenvers Mer de Glace (1913m)

After one too many cable cars today, we climbed back down into a giant glacier (the biggest Glacier in France!) to experience the most magnificent ice caves - La Grotte de Glace...

On route to the Ice Caves!

Last Day!!

We decided to take a rest from the slopes today to take the tourist trail around Chamonix. First stop was Aiguille Du Midi (3842m from Chamonix 1035m) by cable car - from there we could view Mont Blanc, if you are scared of heights this one is not for you!!! Absolutely amazing views though...

Day 5 Ski School - Sarah did the blue run!

Sarah with ski instructor Annie, she has been a teacher for 40 years!! Annie was fantastic, had lots of patience and let us play on the slopes...

Lunch in the mountain chalet

Lunch in the mountain chalet

View of the Chamonix valley & Mont Blanc from cable car

Sarah's ski class

Day 5 Ski School - Mark's Adventures @ Le Tour

Mark with Ski instructor Luc, in the bar after a hard days ski!

Day 4 Ski School

Sarah had escaped the ski school today (tut tut!) in search of some relaxation...swimming in the outdoor pool in the snow and hanging out in the hotel spa was just what she needed to recover from the mighty hangover from last night!

Whilst Sarah was being pampered, Mark soldiered on up the mountains, only to face the red run of Grand Montets, but there was salvation at the top in the form of a French feast of beef bourginon (as if he hasn't eaten enough on this holiday).

Winter Wonderland

Night out in town with the locals...

Grand Montet Powder Snow Day!

Day 3 Ski School

Caught bus up to La Tour where we sampled the crunchy, deep, fresh snow today. Visibilty was poor but fantastic powder snow all around. Sarah learning to parallel ski tomorrow - very excited! Met up with Steve & Nicky tonight for nice meal and drinks in Chamonix Town .

Day 2 Ski School

Injury update!! Sarah has her first fall, and a snow storm forces an end to Mark's lesson in the mountains....eat, sleep, eat and more sleep....the Club Med buffet is endless!

View of Mont Blanc from our hotel room

Ski School Day 1

Woke up to a lovely sunny day in the Alps after a decent snowfall yesterday. Sarah headed off for her first ski lesson ever and really enjoyed it. Mark headed up into the mountains with his intermediate group and forgot to apply sunscreen. Tonight Matthew I'm Simply Red.

Weather report day 1

Arrived to fresh snow dump up in the mountains. Chamonix town is mild(ish) with temperatures of 7 degrees C. Looking forward to hitting the slopes tomorrow am. Hotel fabulous - thank you Travel Designers!

Steak and frittes. Boots and ski's fitted. Classes booked for 9.30am, we are ready to rock!

The eagle has landed!

Arrived in Geneva this morning along with Patsy Palmer (Bianca) on easyjet!!!........and yes we were very tempted to shout "RICCCKKKYYYY" but we didn't.

T minus 3 days till touchdown.....

Good news and bad news ce soir,

The snow is on the way (see below) but Mark still hasn't got any ski pants (or goggles)......a last minute trip to TK Maxx could be on the cards !

http://www.chamonet.com/snow_report.php

Sarah has been busy learning a novices guide about Ski Etiquette; Don't ski on closed trails, Practice good etiquette in the gondala, Keep your speed in control....what does all this mean?!

Mark's Daily Weather Report

http://www.chamonet.com/snow_report.php

Tuesday 23rd March - Slightly worrying weather report today. Seems to have warmed up over the Alps and has been raining up to a height of 2,400m! Coupled with the Foene Wind (a warm dry wind that blows down northern slopes in the Alps) a.k.a "the snow-eater", we might need to do a snow dance come Saturday evening. I blame global warming. Au revoir.

6 days to go.......