Still waiting for snow!!! Nonetheless we’re having a lovely time in the mountains and enjoying lots of sunshine. Jonny, Beth, Rosie and Tilda arrived for a long weekend and we headed up to Ste Foy where they have skied before and absolutely loved. Luckily the UK half term was over and the resort was fairly quiet, ideal for getting the ski legs back. We were definitely not going to lose the girls as they modelled Beths ‘retro’ Nevica ski suit – a touch of irony on the slopes! We all had a lovely day on piste enjoying the gentle slopes and an excellent lunch at 1580. The family continued to enjoy Ste Foy over the next few days whilst we went in search of some more off-piste, hoping to improve our fitness ready for our ski tour in Italy.
Sadly our favourite skinning routes at low altitude around Villaroger, Ste Foy and La Mazure have almost completely melted and our ascents were marked by lots of walking on grass and tarmac. We waved farewell to the Hastings crew on a rainy morning so we had our fingers crossed for some snow at altitude. We spent the last week skiing in Tignes and Val d’Isere but the promised snow was really only a light dusting. It’s still French school holidays and incredibly busy so we’ve been trying to avoid the crowds by doing some of the familiar off-piste routes.
Today was our last day in Ste Foy as I return to London and Jonathan goes to Andermatt for the annual ‘off-piste’ trip. We headed up to Le Fornet and set off on one of our favourite tours over the Col des Fours. Amazingly, there has been a narrow band of snowfall in just this area and, as we arrived at the col, a vista of untracked powder opened up. We had one of the best descents of the season and celebrated in the time honoured way – stopping off at a lovely mountain restaurant on the descent below Refuge des Fours. Snow is forecast for next week so fingers crossed that we have a few more days like this – fabulous!!
Snow: hurrah! Xx