WINTER 23-24:
Might this be our last season?
Already we are thinking ahead and making plans for sailing next year. Those plans include a (provisional) idea to sail across the Atlantic for a season in the Caribbean. If that comes to fruition, it will severely truncate our skiing next winter, as we will likely be in the Caribbean from January all the way through to May. All the more reason to make the most of this winter. Snow has fallen early, raising the tantalising prospect of a great winter, and our fingers are crossed!
The Blog posts (click on the pictures to read and see more)
17th April 2024
Poor weather forces us to turn our attention away from skiing. We are becoming adept at changing bike tyres, and have been making preparations for the coming sailing season and our planned Atlantic crossing
23rd March 2024
We attempt some ski touring in the Vanoise National park – tricky with such unsettled weather, but we have some great days out. Back home we celebrate St Patrick’s day at our local, complete with live band.
16th March 2024
The social theme continues with friends and family staying. In the middle Jono heads off to St. Anton for the “off-piste trip” with old friends, and some terrific descents in great snow conditions.
25th February 2024
Lots of socialising over the last couple of weeks: Ray, Claire and Lily – old friends from Cornwall – joined us for a few days, when we also met up with Nick and his family (also from Cornwall), then moving seamlessly to a week with Anna and Alex, friends from Plymouth and from sailing. Despite all this, we have even managed to find a bit of time for some skiing.
10th February 2024
No fresh snow in a fortnight, so we switch to day touring, and even abandon the slopes for an eventful cycle ride around Lake Annecy
27th January 2024
A week with Gary who, as usual, worked his magic to bring us great skiing conditions. We had a fantastic day back in La Rosière skiing powder, as well as days in Val d’Isère, Tignes, walking around Villaroger, and a trip to Italy.
21st January 2024
Jono is left to fend for himself as Cate returns to the UK for a few days. Fortunately, the conditions are perfect for touring and I have been making fresh tracks on touring routes in Bourg St Maurice and Val d’Isère. I have even managed to fit in a couple of days skiing with friends in Chamonix. On Cate’s return we’ve got some more touring in, including a terrific descent from Ste Foy through the old village of Le Monal.
7th January 2024
A quiet Christmas: just the two of us, and trips to Italy, Villaroger and around the Mont Roup in Val d’Isère. For New Year Ros and Godric join us and, amongst days of poor weather, we have two magical days to enjoy pristine off-piste conditions in Ste Foy and around the Tour du Charvet with Chris and Suzanne from Alpine Experience.
22nd December 2023
We have survived the “Pre-Christmas trip” – a holiday in Val d’Isère with friends, and skied in conditions from rain to crisp snow and sunshine. The conditions have allowed us to explore touring routes much earlier in the season than usual, but also kept us indoors on the bad weather days. Today is Cate’s birthday – Happy Birthday Cate!
4th December 2023
The season has barely begun, but we are already getting some of the best snow in years: real “champagne powder” – and untracked as the resorts are yet to open and the only access involves walking up the hill!
12th November 2023
An early start to the skiing as the Tarentaise benefits from lots of snowfall! Before that, though, we celebrate Jono’s Dad’s 90th birthday at his golf club in Chislehurst, enjoy a “mini break” in Lyon, and work our way through lists of jobs as we prepare for the ski season ahead