"The ultimate high...This is Courchevel."

Hey there Natives!

Finally! After three weeks of training and a week of solid toilet cleaning and the like, our first guests arrived last Saturday and the season finally began.

But first, a quick introduction. My name is Simone and I've returned to Courchevel 1850 as a chalet host for Skiworld after a very painful and abrupt end to my season last year. After two months of skiing and the inevitable partying, I managed to break my leg one cold, dark day.

Although very impressed with the leg gymnastics I performed whilst breaking both my tibia and fibula, I was absolutely gutted to be flown home two weeks later, and my friends were less impressed with having to listen to me endlessly droning on about 'bad taste' night in Gringos Bar and the beautiful panoramic views from the top of Saliure Mountain.

So, now I'm back, still limping but certainly looking forward to another great season and of course, getting back onto a pair of skis (or maybe I should start boarding?).

The snow situation until a couple of days ago, has been quite sparse. Lots of ice and rocky patches. We had a massive dump on Boxing Day all throughout the night, which made for some good powder this morning but lifts were busy and the snow has been packed. If you're heading out here, be careful on the slopes, as a few of our guests have sustained minor injuries. Also, a lot of equipment is taking a battering; my resort rep is particularly gutted after taking a chunk out of his brand new board.

As for the nightlife, the first theme night was 'Back to School' night and it rocked! Seasonaires and guests alike converged onto Gringos and TJ's for a night of Mutzig fuelled madness! Schoolgirls, headmasters, caretakers and even a school bus danced to Wham and the YMCA before finishing up in Le Kalico.

Suffice to say, it was a grand night, especially for my fellow workers who had the next day off. I unfortunately, was working and had to serve a hazy breakfast with my pigtails still intact and last night's make up still on. Judging by the effort everyone made dressing up, it's going to be a spectacular season and I'm ridiculously happy to be back here.

New Year awaits after a very family orientated Christmas, and hopefully another dump of snow. I'll be back soon to keep you updated on the entire goings on, skiing, boarding, weather conditions and après-ski. In the meantime, enjoy the following piece beautifully written by my fellow host Patrick Hearne, he was having a 'life moment' and has captured beautifully the feelings we experience every time we look out of our windows. Have a fantastic New Year, safe skiing and boarding……

Powder Dreams
by
Patrick Hearne

The azure blue sky stretches down from the everlasting heavens, not a cloud in sight, meeting the sun-kissed mountains that still show the earthy browns of Autumn.

The occasional patch of pure white snow embellishes the jagged, south-facing peaks, greeted by the tree line as the conifers fight their everlasting battle to gain a foothold just that little bit further up the mountain. For what reason, I can only speculate. Perhaps they strive to be closer to God. If there really is such a deity then only he (or she?) would know the answer.

As the dwindling light of the sun dances across the ancient rock faces to bring a new dawn to a foreign land, the shadows encroach upon everything, there is now escape. Dark as it may seem, it is still a thing of beauty. One which could only be surpassed by the arrival of a sparkling blanket of silent white,

A powder drug
An intoxicating elixir
The ultimate high…. we wait patiently.
This is the life that many only dream of.
This is the start of the season.
This is Courchevel

Report from Simone Down - Natives Resort Reporter in Courchevel

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