(Sadly, as I now realise...) I came late in life to skiing but to be honest I reckon you can’t have much fun with your clothes on doing anything else! And those that know me, and my dedication to climbing, will recognise the enormity of what I’m saying...

 

So here’s the skinny, as they’d say over the pond. We’re just back from a week skiing in La Haute Alpes; Risoul to be exact, which is down in the south of France. And what a week it was! The snow was amazing – easily the best we’ve had in the last three years we’ve been going to the area. Piste boards that should be at head-height were down at foot level; the powder off piste just kept going beyond your pole; the moguls were deep but soft – it was almost a joy to fall over!

 

La Floret Blanche, as Risoul and Vars are collective known, are perfect for a those looking for skiing without the hustle and bustle (and expense...) of a named resort. There is après ski available but it’s not in your face. There’s click after click of pisted runs (180kms to be exact), with pretty decent lifts and snow parks and natural pipes thrown in, there’s plenty to do for most skiers. What’s not t o like?

 

I’m minded to upload a gallery at some stage but meanwhile here’s a few shots to check out...

 

 

Risoul 1850, so-called because it is at 1850 above sea level, dates back to the Seventies when it was purpose-built as a ski resort

 

One of the lessor tree-covered slopes high at La Floret Blanche

 

Tools of the trade. Agh by the way, much of Risoul is ski-in, ski-out – our latest apartment was about 20m from the nearest lift – great when you are skiing with kids

 

Wot not trees! The view from TS Razis heading back up to Pt de Razis (2571m)

 

Easy tiger – airbourne exit out of a natural half-pipe

 

Boarders home from home in Risoul’s White Park

 

More White Park action