Day 1 on the slopes!

It has begun! Avoriaz was open today as predicted and I got up there as soon as I could to have an explore. Carolyn drove me up to the Prodains lift to give me an easier time of it since I was taking a solo trip. Got up to the top and realised I didn't pick up a piste map, I know now I could have just got one from the top of that lift but I thought lets make things interesting and just get a lift and see where I end up. Of course what doesn't help is when you get to the top of that lift to find all the sign posts frozen over with thick ice, hurumph. Anyway I went up the Lac-Intrets and first of all took a ride down the Stade d'Arare which was a beautiful wide blue run, just what I like! The snow is just right up there now, it's crisp, dry and plentiful. A couple of funny falls later and I made it to the bottom alive! I went up again but this time I cut down into Bleue d'Arare for a bit of practise on some thinner piste sections. I'm definitely in need of some practise but as it happens I'm getting a lesson with some other seasonaire's on the 14th Dec at 12 - 2pm in Avoriaz at the top of the Plateau. It'll be a great chance to get to know some more boarders my level and a brilliant chance to learn the piste.

There was a small bit of off-piste that I took on just coming in towards the Prodains lift, the snow was so deep and every time I fell I vanished! It made me giggle though and that's what matters, face diving in front of a group of people never gets boring! I'm not going up tomorrow as work call's but I may get some time Monday afternoon, we shall have to wait and see!

 We are expecting more snow Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, lucky us!!!

Settling in

I went for dinner over at Chalet Amelie last night and the food was absolutely amazing. Pate with melba toast, hake with two kinds of risotto and a whiskey poached pear with chocolate mouse cake MMMMM!!! I hope I get invited back to sample some more, Howard is a magician in the kitchen. We all went out to Dixie's afterwards where I met a tonne of new face's. The Super Morzine lift should be opening up on Saturday so maybe I'll spot some farmiliar face's on the slopes then.

I tagged along for a walk today around Lac de Montriond with Chris who I will be working with in Chalet L'Ubac. We took Roxy out for a run since she's naturally a very hyper little thing and needs a decent amount of knackering, which turned out to be a complete success. The snow was very thick up there with a decent amount of mist. One lap around the lake and we were done! My feet were a tad soggy too because all I had was my Etnies OOPS! I might be investing in some boots while being here or at least borrowing some from the chalet. I had a great tour of the valley thanks to Chris too so I'm feeling like I have my bearings a little more now.

The snow here has been very encouraging so far. I'm guessing Avoriaz must have about 60cm by now it's been doing very well. Morzine has had a bit but has just melted away over the past two days from the crazy rain yesterday and bluebird skies today. My lift arrived pass today thanks to the hard work of Carolyn and my board is being serviced by friends of the company in their workshop so..... things are good! Bring on Saturday!!!

I made it!

I took my first ever solo flight which was a tad scary especially when we had to go to gate 13, then I sat in row 13....I thought I'd doomed myself. Got to Geneva without a hitch though, found Paul holding up my name and away we went. We also picked up a group of ladies under the name of 'Ting's Tour' that we took to a different chalet on the way to ours, apparently I'm going back there tonight to shadow the hosts and find out what I'm meant to be doing when our first guests arrive. Then tomorrow I'm back at Chalet Amelie to be on the guests side and be served so looking forward to that. I have found out since getting here that this company is one big family, lots of new names to learn and friendly folk to get to know. The room I have in Chalet L'Ubac is nice, half of it is a bed so who can complain about that! We also currently have a resident boxer dog named Roxy who is as everyone describes 'mental' but wouldn't hurt a fly. She's snoring next to me as I write this, awww bless.

The snow has finally arrived here in Morzine too, we are expecting about 12cm today, but quite a bit of rain tomorrow so looks like we'll be back to square one. It's a good sign the real stuff is on its way, bring it on! I took a couple of photo's from inside the dining room over looking the balcony.

I'm going into town today with Carolyn in order to pick upessentials for the chalet but also the tooth paste and shampoo I didn't pack. I'l take a few snappy's and upload them later on if your lucky  :)

6 days to go!!

My time at The Lab came to an end last week which was a shock to the system. We had a couple of great nights out, played some Just Dance (AMAZING!) and at the end I got a huge card full of lovely leaving messages as well as a new beanie and buff. Thank you so much guys! My sister Jenny also made me a 'Bon Voyage!' tray of brownies THANKS! I'll have muchos fun chomping that down this week.

I finally made it home to Somerset yesterday, but it wasn't easy. I first had to get from Reading to Ilford in order to see my registered doctors and get a medical letter, me and my uncle were doing so well on directions there until the road we needed was closed. We drove about a bit whilst referring to a good old fashioned A-Z, and when we eventually found the right road I realised I could have looked the whole thing up on my phone.....the wonders of technology when you remember it's there. I was poked and prodded for 10 mins before doc decided I was ok, urgh. With that done the next step was to head for Granny's in Fleet where she gave me a cup of tea and a piece of brownie, lovely. Dad then took me the rest of the way home, making the whole round trip about 9 hours. Thanks to all who were involved on this adventure, I'd still be walking to Somerset without you.

I got into my bedroom and was confronted with a tower of boxes full of clothes I want to sift through to take to France. Ummmmm the only trouble is I can't remember what is in what box anymore, so tomorrow's mission is to take apart this monstrosity and find my clothes! If this is my last blog, it's because the giant game of jenga went horribly wrong.

I'm glad I have this week to sort everything else out that's needed, seems I'm not missing much in Morzine through lack of snow. Come on Frosty show yourself!!!

21 days to go!

So here we are, my very first blog EVER how exciting! I'm planning to update this as often as possible so watch this space!

I'm going to be working for a lovely company called Cornish Snow as a chalet host. I'll mainly be based in Chalet L'ubac but may have to jump ship to Chalet Andrew if we get really busy. This company have already shown themselves to be brilliant, Carolyn (owner) arranged to have my board bag picked up by her husband Paul at my parents house and took it out to Morzine for me. It's one less thing to worry about and one less thing to carry so it was smiles all round and big fat thank you's to these guys.

As for packing, well that's been tricky. Half of my gear is in Reading with me whilst the other half has gone home to Somerset, in two weeks I'll be reunited with all my junk and hopefully find what I need to pack. Since that's out of the question at the moment, I'm getting to grips with my new toy, GoPro HD Hero2. I've never had a helmet cam before but I thought for a winter season it was a must! Hoping to make some really good video's with this EEEEEEEEP!