The 38th Mallock ski holiday January 09
This year we decided
to go to the world-renowned massive ski area of the three valleys in France. While taking advantage of the
prestigeous Courcheval 1850 location we managed to slightly jib the system by staying at Courcheval 1550, which was significantly
cheaper.
18 of us flew
from four different starting points. The hotel has a fantastic location with only a hundred yards to the lifts. The food was
excellent with full cooked breakfast and five course meals. We did not have to have big lunches, which was just as well as
the prices were horrendous!!
It had not snowed
since Christmas so we were a little concerned but the day we arrived - bingo it snowed ! The second day we took advantage
of the free ski guide from Ski Power, our host. He took us across the mountains but generally speaking it was up to Mike
Evans to do most of the guiding.
One highlight
of the week was a very hairy floodlit toboggan race down from 1850. We had three goes - I was absolutely useless and crashed
five times on each run. Jack and Marcus were brilliant. Michelle's skiing continued to improve and she would not look out
of place on Ski Sunday. Recent addition, Sam, Michael's wife, was busy keeping up with Michael and enjoyed her first
taste of off-piste. Rodney's skiing continued to improve and he is determined to crack it. Elaine and Bobby had a mammoth
walk in deep snow up to 1850 and all without snow-shoes!
One particular
magic day after fresh snowfall, with the sun beaming down, Mike and I found some really steep deep powder and we managed to
get down with not a lot of style but a really great feel-good factor. Returnee Barbara, Tony's wife, had another go at skiing
but she confessed that she still preferred shopping......
Mid week, the
whole group went out for a massive meal at the local restaurant having a most enjoyable "hot rock" and had the
inevitable snowball fight in the street with the French using the foot of snow on every car roof.
One day Sue and
I had a day off from skiing and tried out our new crampons. Its like having four wheel drive!!! We strolled down into Mirabel
for dinner and thought we would get back over to the other side of the mountain to do some more leisurely walking but the
lift attendant would not let us aboard the chairlift without skis on, much to our frustration. (Trop dangereuse....!?) The
next two hours was most gruelling with a 45 degree slope at 7000 feet above, climbing along the side of the piste. Fortunately,
as we arrived at the top, the Osborne/Millbank gang appeared. I cadged a lift off Jack and Sue did the same with Tony
standing on the backs of their skis, getting up to 30 mph. It was a bit hairy but a good laugh for all watchers.....
We eventually
ended up at the Kalico Bar and arguably after too much vin chaude Roy, Sue, Michelle and I started dancing - not easy with
ski boots on, but it seemed to entertain everyone. Free drinks appeared - but just for Roy!!? Must have been something to
do with his brilliant yodelling, I suppose...
The last day the
temperature rose to plus 2, with a very high wind and visibility down to 50 yards. I, to my shame, gave up, but Sue, Marcus,
Susie, Mike, Mike and Michelle managed to wheedle their way into the World Polo Championship hospitality suite. You are
supposed to pay a 50 euro entry fee, but Susie managed to convince the guy on the gate that Mike D was a potential sponsor
of a little known polo team from Clitheroe. And for the next two hours immersed themselves in champagne, caviar
and smoked salmon. Apparently the game was quite entertaining as well.
Already thinking
of next year and the momentum is towards our old favourite Sauze d'Oulx which currently has great snow. It is basically cheap
and cheerful but we have had fantastic times there. So look forward to seeing you all at the 39th event.....
All the best
Dick
