Happy New Year from Méribel

A slightly late Happy New Year to you all from Méribel. Apologies for being quiet on the blogging front recently, it's been silly season here in resort over the Festive period, plus I've prioritised my 'snow reports' on the 'merinet.com' website. I hope you've all had a fantastic time and have made it through safely. All is good in resort with recent visitors enjoying gorgeous weather and good snow conditions.

I've had a brilliant time teaching and guiding both regular and new clients. Christmas Day came and went, then the build up to New Year. As is customary at this time of year, the ESF ski school is on duty for the New Years Eve torchlight descent procession. This time I was on duty for the main show above La Chaudanne. Our rendezvous was 5.15pm at the new 'Legends' chairlift, in order to be whisked back up the mountain in twilight. This of course is a very special experience in the peace and quiet.

This winter, we were sent to the Arpasson mountain restaurant to kill some time before the show started, and of course to take some liquid refreshment for those who wanted it !?!

And before you knew it, after said refreshments, it was time to light a flaming ball - otherwise known as a torch, of which some were wooden! What could possibly go wrong? Oh, and the piste we skied down, Lievre, was a tad icy to say the least.

As far as I'm aware, we all survived the evening, and reported for duty the very next morning all fresh, bright and breezy. Day after day we had stunning sunshine which lifted the spirit even more. We discovered that skiing a long morning before a late lunch enabled us to make the most of the piste conditions.

It was such a fun two week period, and I can't wait to catch up with further regular clients over the course of the next three weeks - Mark, Mairead, Susan, Astrid, Mick, John, Chris, Judy, Helen and her bookworm friends - the mountains are waiting for you with open arms. See you soon. Live With Passion. Martin.