This year we spend Christmas at home, and after consulting all different agendas agreed to go skiing straight afterwards. The morning after the last dinner we drove with Paula, Dorien and Lars to the house in France, for a full week of skiing. Also niece Romy, with her partner Thijs, Paula's study and climbing friend Tim, and lastly Jasper turned up, so in the end there were nine people, who skied in various compositions. Everybody had a great time, and we managed to ski together for most of the time, as everybody's level was quite similar.
The weather was stable, with low hanging clouds and sombre, grey days in the valley, but with continuous sunshine in the Alpe d'Huez ski resort. Piet and Mary only went up for three days, as Piet had to return early for work, and both needed to watch their bodies. The advantage was that both Lars and Jasper could use Piet's material for several days. As usual Paula was the most fanatic, trying to ski until the last lift closed, and clocking the most days.
Even after many years New Year's Eve in the village is a surreal experience, with lights out at 10 PM. They warned the students not to bother with nearby town Bourg d'Oisans, where a similar schedule is maintained. We played games, had a glass of bubbly at midnight, and then straight to bed. 2019 had started!
Traditional: warming up walk along the Romanche
Dorien and Lars
In the Chalvet chairlift
Mary is ready to descent to Alpe d'Huez
Skiing in during sundown, Mary has the Chamois piste to herself
Paula, Romy, Thijs, Dorien and Mary, returning from the Sarenne piste
Skiing above the clouds near Villard Reculas
A sea of clouds covers the valley
The Villard Reculas chairlift emerges from the clouds
