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Life is for Enjoyment and Fun |
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Date: 5th—12th February 05
Was another good year ski-ing |
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A visit this year to the French Alps to enjoy the contrast between the snowy treed, fairy tale/Christmas card scenery of Jungholz and the mountainous, rugged landscape of Alpe d’Huez.
A smaller group gathered this year, as it was intended to be a year off and the getting together of Jim and Karl who skied together as a full time job of work, several years ago. There were others of the party, who when first joined us could not ski at all - now just could not miss an opportunity to further their skills, and there was of course the proverbial non skier, which meant once again all ages and tastes were catered for. A small group evolved and everyone took off on the mini bus to Gatwick, full of excitement and anticipation.
A pleasant flight and a scenic route up through the Alps at high altitude. As we glided along the tour de France pass, we were offered breath taking views and gasps where heard from everyone experiencing the journey as we drove through the route, well filmed for the big screen and encountered the many hair pin bends with vertical drops, on this 1 hour 15 minute trip to the top, dreading what it would be like on the way back !.
We certainly seemed promised a good weeks snow. As we looked down below us, every village we passed through had become smaller on our near vertical climb, and became part of what appeared to resemble a stack of plates, one directly below the other – when would we actually reach the top ? The swerving of the coach overhanging the edge of the road with no barriers was certainly the most scary trip many of us had experienced, we could certainly see why climbing this pass was so notorious.
On arrival at our Chalet we were delighted. The chalet was traditional as was the whole of the village and so picturesque was our venue. We were central to all the slopes and other sporting activity centres. This purpose built village certainly must be one of the most idyllic places for those wishing to stay on the slopes for as long as they possibly can.
The week was spent in good snow. The views were fantastic and the Cable Cars, Lifts and Basket transport systems where second to none with the smaller pods being quick and efficient. Jim and Karl enjoyed their time together after many years. They were up, up and away at the crack of dawn, waiting for the lifts to open and had great fun in the mogul fields on the glacier. Everyone met up for lunch and those who where not in ski school in the afternoon joined the main party with Karl and Jim for free skiing. At the end of the day, swimming in the open air pool surrounded by snow was a heavenly and weird experience for a few of us, whilst others enjoyed a bit of Après Ski in the Café or Bar, and some went to the Leisure Centre. One family actually met up with their French relations, who where per chance, in their privately owned chalet just down the road and popped over for cocktails before re-joining the group for Dinner.
Time to leave and many of us were apprehensive of the journey down, but it was early in the morning and the sheer drop at the roadside could not be easily seen by the passengers – thank goodness!
On arrival at home in UK we all carried our own thoughts and memories of the holiday our own personal achievements that we were proud of, even if they were not the ultimate “ski gliding” down the mountain yet ! Everyone went their separate ways again, but all of us felt we had achieved something special yet again, and those who joined the party to learn to ski had now skied in the best of places with terrific confidence and felt no longer that they were mere beginners!
2006 will be a quiet year in the French Alps for a couple of people only, followed by a celebration of Jims 60th in America at Breckenridge with loads of people coming! |
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Alpe d'Huez, france feb 05 |
