Risoul 2007

The Ski trip (Feb 4th - Feb 11th 2007)

This is a very brief account of the holiday, if people want me to add pictures or if you wish to add to the post then please don’t hesitate to comment and I’ll add your thoughts.

Lozzer, Polly, Pip, Pala, Nic, Avon, James, John, Paddy, Alison, Chas, Lorna, Giles, Justin, Abby & Tom

http://www.skiplan.co.uk/varspiste800.htm (Piste Map)

Risoul and Vars are part of La Forêt Blanche, one of the largest ski areas in the Southern French Alps which boasts a good snow record and a marvellous sunshine record. Hotel Le Morgan has a superb location in the heart of the resort, virtually opposite the bottom of the ski slopes and ski school meeting point. The hotel has a warm and friendly atmosphere and is a great base for a ski holiday.

An early start on Sunday 4th as we set out from Snozzle @ 0030. Nic drove to Bristol with myself and Pala Bright aka sleepy head. We met the rest of the Bristol contingent and boarded the plane in good time. The flight was non eventful although I did get an extra sausage for breakfast due to Nic being a Veggie.

1.5 hrs later we arrived at Turin and boarded our coach for a 3 hr transfer to Risoul. Again the transfer was non-eventful except for Pala waking briefly to ask if we were there yet, which we weren't, so she promptly returned to sleep. Most of Sunday was taken up with travelling and we finally arrived at Le Morgan very tired and in much need of rest and recuperation.

It was a strange night and the mix of tiredness and excessive amounts of alcohol proved a good mix. I eventually retired at 2330 and the last image I saw was of Laurence gurning with an ox harness around his neck, the stuff dreams are made of.

Monday greeted us with bright sunshine and everyone was eager to hit the slopes, so after a hearty breakfast which consisted of a traditional Continental style affair with the usual meats, cheeses, yoghurts or cereals or the even more traditional English breakfast which consisted of mainly fatty pig based products, yum yum, we proceeded to the slopes.

The pistes were in good condition, but a little icy in places, we skied all morning and regrouped at 1230 to meet up with Polly, Lorna and the people having morning lessons, mainly Abby & Nic. We spent each lunchtime meeting up with everyone and it was an enjoyable part of the holiday, especially on the days when we could sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.

After a full days skiing we returned to the hotel and were greeted by afternoon tea, a mix of cakes with tea or coffee, which were more than welcome. The evening meal was served at 1930 every night which allowed us about 3 hrs to relax and play cards or table football. All of the meals at Le Morgan we frankly quite astonishing, there were always three choices for each course, one of which was always vegetarian. As fussy an eater as I usually am I truly enjoyed every single meal at Le Morgan and I doff my cap to the kitchen staff.

On Monday night we ventured past the Hotel lobby, by at least 30 metres, to Risoul’s world famous Irish bar, probably the most un-Irish bar I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in. We didn’t stay too late, and I was tucked up in bed by 2330.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were snow days, 6cm was forecast for each day but we probably received a good deal more than that. The dump of snow was just what the resort needed, and Friday proved to be the best conditions I think I have ever skied in.

I’ll not talk too much about the skiing, but it is fair to mention that Risoul has some really good runs and when you team it up with the resort of Vars there is some truly great skiing to be had. I enjoyed the resort immensely and would certainly pay a return visit. The only criticism I have is down to the lack of black runs to challenge the more adventurous amongst us, but this is far outweighed by the numerous good points of the resort.

Wednesday night was Paddy & Alison’s unofficial stag / hen night. We enjoyed a meal for 16 in one of Risoul’s fine eating establishments. There were several stag rules to be observed all of which involved a drinking penalty. Lucky enough for Paddy & Alison, Laurence managed to fall at every hurdle of every game, therefore drank his own body weight in wine, schnapps’ and crème de menthe.

After spending 600 Euros for the meal we proceeded to hit the night life of Risoul, which mainly included the Irish bar, along with a Dutch bar half way up the mountain. Most people managed to get home at about midnight, with the exception of Nic, Pals, Abby, Avon, James, Giles and Justin who all managed to samba the night away until 0337. Poor Pals paid the price the next day by only managing one ski run all day, and that unfortunately ended in an on piste chunder session.

As I mentioned earlier Friday was to be an exceptional day in both weather and ski conditions, along with the company it proved to be my best day of the holiday, and to top it all off there was a pub quiz in the evening, things don’t get much better than that I can tell you!!!

Saturday came and went and I was probably a little too over cautious in making sure I didn’t break my leg, but it was still a very enjoyable day. An early night was had by most as the alarm was set for 0430 to start the journey home.

The damn Bristol flight was 4hrs late, apart from that it was pretty cool.

Big thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable holiday.