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Based in a hotel at the foot of the Sainte-Marie
Olympic run, ready for our New Year Party but with gentler places
for the beginners or the rusty amongst us. Rooms have private facilities
and TV's if you want to get away, but with a large reception area
with its bar and lounge a pleasant place to spend entertaining
evenings. .‘Les Escondus’ has a lively ‘piano
bar’.
Vars is only 2km away for those that want to visit noisier bars
and clubs but there is a quieter social scene in the village.
There
is even a pool table for the competitive.
This is my favourite ski area of all time! The
skiing suits every level of ability around the four valleys in Risoul
and Vars. Beginners can enjoy gentle tree lined runs into Risoul
and intermediates have a variety of blues over the hill in Vars.
The more adventurous can enjoy extensive mogul fields and off-piste
in bowls and tree lined gullies! There is a specialist 'Surfland'
for boarders and a Flying Kilometre for the speed freaks. You'll
never have the same day twice and like me you'll want to come back
year after year!
A genuine French speaking resort at 1850m with extensive
skiing in 5 valleys. There are miles of blues to cruise and endless
possibilities for off-piste skiing in tree lined gullies and open
slopes.
If you skied with us in Risoul you will remember
blue skies, social meals and perhaps bouncing in the Yeti Club or
watching Manchester United in the Guinness Bar! Some of you may
have been educated to Gordon’s ‘ambient music ’
or ‘goldfish gargling’!
To help you with your memories of Risoul a
copy of the pictures I took of each week is on it's way to you
on CD. I hope there are pictures of everyone socialising, eating
and
skiing! Some became addicts to the elusive perfect shot of ‘Big
Air’! Dan, Charlie and Satpal owe me loads of beer for their
pictures! Nick and Josh are just lucky! For those that didn’t
ski with us have a look at the website
to see what you missed.
As one of our group was heard to exclaim,
“Wow! This area has massive potential,
better than the Trois Vallèes.”
I don’t intend to emulate Stalios just simply
to make skiing fun and sociable for past and future good friends.
Guests seem to value the personal attention that I can give to groups
so tell everyone of the special personal service. Not everyone would
carry Ellie’s skis when she is late for the Skidoo! The youth
element, who had just left school, seemed to appreciate the balance
between having fun and being encouraged to get up and ski!
The Hotel Le Vallon looks a good base for New Year
and is available on other dates. New Year will suit those who are
restricted by school holidays as Easter is late next year. We discovered
this hotel at the foot of the big chairlift in Vars St Marie giving
easy access to the slopes. The Hotel is in a small typically French
village with 4/5 other hotels. Vars is only 2km away for those that
want to visit noisy bars and clubs but there is a quieter social
scene in the village. There is even a pool table for the competitive.
Emma and I are the local champions! Denis the manager is happy to
run groups to Vars but you have to make your own way back!
If you didn’t discover Skidoo riding at
night you’ve missed out on a real treat. We did this twice
and Jacques the leader is a fantastic guy who knows the mountain
well. It’s just as well. Pete may let the throttle go next
time!
The Chalet Joie de Vivre is now available for a
bare charter for those groups who want to self cater. The apartments in Risoul are also good value.
They range from 2 beds to 8 beds so they would suit a small group
of friends.
Best wishes for a great Winter - with the Adventure
Club, naturally !!
Ian |
