Three Valleys – 23/01 – 30/01

We mooched around Aix-Les-Bain for around 60 minutes before deciding on settling in the car park of a closed holiday camp, a quick check around the car park with the trusty mag light ensured we were in a safe and secluded location. Mark returned from the reccie looking quite shocked as our arrival had awoken some ducks in a neighbouring stream to the location-  Mark: “that scared the sh*t out of me, I thought I was getting jumped”. Needless to say the ducks didn’t take further offence and left us to a peaceful sleep for the evening.

The next morning we arrived at Grenoble to meet our next instalment of ‘Ski Friends’, Jess’ cousin Kirsty and Mark’s friends Dean, Tom, Tom, Rob and Christian.

Now, due to a pre-booking earlier in the year before this trip was planned, and not to shy away from the motorhome ski experience, Mark would be spending the week in a chalet with the boys  and Jess + Kirsty would be parked nearby staying in Maggie (Mark is writing this blog!).

Mark agreed to continue his blue job duties with regular visits to Maggie. Despite a Flot Bleu being advertised as being available at our next parking spot of La Tania, the option of any amenities were in the shape of toilets and showers located in the municipal building next to the bubble lift at the base of La Tania. NO BLUE JOBS THIS WEEK, YAY. We got chatting to some long stay campers who told us that this year the local authorities had moved the location of the motorhome parking from La Praz (just down the road) to the main coach and carpark in La Tania. This made it difficult for everybody staying there to dispose of waste as this now involved a drive, which by the state of the sardine parked-in parking, these motorhomes were staying put until everything thawed out at the end of the season.

The newly sectioned off area of this carpark is tight for space and has room for around 10 motorhomes, it was full. We parked Maggie behind some barriers at the rear of the coach area to avoid obstructing any coaches from going about their business. At 9am the next morning the police knocked on the door and told Jess that Maggie would have to leave La Tania, but after some convincing they agreed to let us stay on the condition that we moved out of the coach park. Mark was summoned to come and complete this blue job- after even more convincing on Jess’ part. On the turn of the ignition key all that could be heard was the ticking of what was clearly the effect of a dead battery. The girls, within one night, had managed to floor Maggie. Luckily, with thanks to Jess and Kirsty’s efforts and therefore redeeming themselves, they managed to enlist the help of a passing car with jump leads! It turned out, that the driver was also here in a motorhome, so was more than willing to take time out of his morning to get us going again- Thanks Jake! It took 5 of us at full strength to push Maggie slightly uphill so we could connect the leads, and then within minutes we were back in business.

Having spoken to some other residents of the motorhome fish bowl, we thought it would be fine to block them in as they were not moving again until the end of the season- problem solved!? Yet the following morning, Jess and Kirsty came to an abrupt wakening by another knock on the door. We were told to move again, this time we were told it would be fine to park in the main carpark until our departure in 5 days, oh the drama. Subsequently, each day for the rest of that week, more and more motorhomes trickled into the main car park.

With all the minor distractions out of the way, we spent the next few days enjoying the break in the weather from cloud and snow, to absolute sunshine.

Family friends back home advised us that some of their friends had recently taken over Supreme Ski, ski instruction located in the Courchevel area. Through this recommendation Mark decided to book up a ski lesson to iron out some issues he was having, as well as to pick up some new skills and pointers. Mark’s previous instructed lessons have ended in pain- 1 x dislocated knee with ESF in La Tania and 1 x broken ankle at Hemel Hempstead snow dome, yes, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD SNOW DOME!!! So naturally he was quite anxious. The 2 hours spent with Nick (Supreme Ski) were more than worth it! Within this time, Nick had managed to correct the issues Mark was concerned with and dispel previously learnt bad habits.

Nick’s instructing style was natural and within minutes it felt like skiing with a friend who actually wanted Mark to do well and improve, rather than previous instruction he’s had where it felt like a mere inconvenience to the instructor, who seemed to be just following the motions until the session was over. Huge thanks to Nick, and also to Olly who set the session up, as thanks to you guys Mark has been improving daily through your advice – We hope to share a drink with you on our way back through France!

No trip to the Three Valleys would be complete without popping into La Folie Douce…

We arrived late to catch the end of the party (due to a lost phone, don’t ask!) But in good enough time to watch all the leaving revellers attempting to ski down to the Rond Point (next bar) with skis and boards making it down the hill independently from their owners. After a trying run down in the dark, we all made it safely home, including our 2 beginners Kirsty and Tom, who we must mention did incredibly well this week!!

The Three Valleys area has something for everyone from complete beginners to more advanced skiers, and families alike. La Tania is a great base with perfect access to all of it, it has the added bonus of being more affordable than the likes of Courchevel, and with a less lively and more intimate atmosphere than Meribel. Having said this, there is still great apres to be had in Le Ski Lodge, that often goes well into the night. (We are slightly biased as Jess did a ski season here in 2012/13, and subsequently met Mark.)

If you’re looking for instruction in the Three Valleys area then get in touch with these guys. You won’t regret it…

Supreme Ski & Snowboard School Office:

L’Amoise

Rue de la Culaz

Le Praz, Courchevel, 73120

France

FR +33 (0)479 08 27 87

UK +44 (0)20 3744 1655

email info@supremeski.com