Great start to the season

11th December 2011, by Dave Watts

Powder just off the Creux run in Courchevel on Saturday

I arrived in Courchevel on Thursday evening and checked in to one of Le Ski’s five luxurious new chalet-apartments in the Scalottas Lodge in 1650 to which the finishing touches were still being put. No expense has been spared in fitting them out with top quality décor (solid wood floors, walls and doors), furniture (comfy leather chairs and sofas) and fittings (remote controls for the bedroom lights, Jacuzzi baths, swimming pool, hot tub). And the living rooms are spacious with big windows with wonderful views of the mountains and wooded slopes.

The slopes had been transformed from bare grass and rocks the previous week to snow-covered winter by a big snowfall in the previous few days. The locals were grinning with delight. On Friday we had great skiing from La Saulire down to Courchevel 1850 – the only lifts open. On Saturday, the rest of the 3 Valleys opened and we were one of the first groups up the gondola from 1650 and down to Méribel – all on basically very good snow with just a few thin patches and stones on the lower slopes. There was even a foot or snow of powder to play in just off the groomed pistes. And the slopes were deserted – not a lift queue to be seen. Sunday was more of the same but stones and thin patches were on the increase.

More snow is forecast for next week, so it could be a great start to the season and Christmas and New Year skiers could be in for a treat. The rest of the WTSS team arrive in La Tania on Sunday night for a couple of days celebration on the new snow. Watch this space…

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