Blue Skies & Snow Storms: Two Faces Of The Alps 

It’s not just the UK which has been having crazy weather with its mild winter and record rainfall. Extreme weather has been happening all over the globe with El Niño being blamed. The mild weather in Europe has meant another poor start to the ski season in the Alps after last year’s worst start to the season in 25 years. Many tourists cut their losses and cancelled their holidays to the slopes. Not us though.

Arriving in the French Alps on the 28th December it felt more like spring than winter as blue skies prevailed and the sun beat down on the mountain tops. Much of the piste in the higher areas of the Portes du Soleil resort were open but conditions were far from perfect. With no snowfall in a month, the slopes were icy and we looked for other activities to amuse ourselves.

Thankfully, we had low expectations and with my husband checking the weather forecast practically every hour, we knew the snow was unlikely to make an appearance until 2016.

Instead, we made the most of the mild temperatures. We pulled on our trainers and ran in the mountains. Jogging at altitude isn’t easy but at least we were surrounded by stunning scenery as we heaved our bodies uphill. Plus, it meant I just HAD to stop now and then to take photos!! 

While the roads were clear, we took the opportunity to catch up with friends who live in the local area. They have a young boy the same age as my daughter so they loved playing together. There were also numerous trips to the carousel in the centre of town. If we had been a little bit braver, we would have taken her ice skating.

 One of my daughter’s highlights was going in the cable car and chair lift. She loved it!

When we got to the top, we were confronted with a similar scene to the one we had gazed upon in the summer.

Making our way to a mountain restaurant, Les Cretes de Zorre, we enjoyed magnificent views but not so great service from the busy staff. Not that it really mattered. We sat outside and breathed in the fresh mountain air and gazed at the scene in front of us.

  
We also took a trip to a local lake in Montriond. It was still surrounded by snow and Mrs T was thrilled at being able to walk in the snow and I was very glad I’d bought her some snow boots before our trip (from Jojo Madam Bebe). The lake glistened in the sun as we wandered around and I put my SLR camera to use.

New year came and went with no snow. Then it started. The much-longed for snow finally fell, transforming the Alps into a winter wonderland once more.

We donned our snow gear and went skiing, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the slopes after holidaymakers had returned to work.

Meanwhile, Mrs T thoroughly enjoyed a bit of sledging and playing in the snow – including throwing snowballs at her grandparents. 

It was certainly a very different end to our holiday. What began with us running in the mountains in shorts ended with us 1800m up in the mountains wearing our ski gear. I rather liked the holiday having two distinct sides: the sun and the snow. On our final day we were even treated to both. With more snow forecast it looks like the rest of the season is going to be good so if you are off skiing, ENJOY!