We packed up the grandchildren and winter woollies and headed to beautiful Ardent. Ardent is a charming little hamlet and the gateway, by a "bubble lift" just across the road from our lovely chalet, to the Portes du Soleil's wintery wonderland. It was the perfect family winter getaway.
There was an excellent ski school - Powder Hounds - for Emmie and Chloe in the mornings with a very gentle slope to build their confidence.
For the first couple of days Emmie and Chloe spent much of their time walking up a carpet slope on skis and getting comfortable sliding down. They used snowploughs (aka pizza slices) to control their speed and then started to tentatively turn. Later in the week, as they became more proficient, the instructors taught them how to use the drag lift. We couldn't help but spy on them from time to time.
While Emmie and Chloe were busily engaged learning to ski, Jamie was thoroughly occupied by Powder Pups, a nursery programme where he really enjoyed playing with cars, etc.
At lunchtime the Family Ski Company reps brought the children back down to a Chalet in Ardent for lunch and then further organised activities in the afternoon which they loved.
The childcare team were 1st class and so enthusiastic. This meant we could ski unhindered every day of our week-long holiday, so long as we were back for the children at 4.30 p.m.
What a gorgeous sense of freedom for the parents - whizzing down sun-drenched slopes,
surrounded by jagged peaks. We gained maximum value from our lift passes and had some super lunch breaks on the mountains.
Chez Denis, Plaine Dranse, Chatel. Conveniently located at the top of the Pierre Longue chair, is this rustic old farm building. The menu is small and simple but everything is delicious with local specialities. We hung our gloves and helmets by the log burner and then checked out all the names of
Denis' cows that are etched on the wooden chairs.
Fantaski - Chatel. Again located at the top of the Pierre Longue lift. Great value food, especially burgers.
La Cremaillere, Les Linderets (Goats Village) - Ski a long morning and then settle into this fantastic restaurant in the quaint little hamlet below the Linderets bowl. Excellent food and wine.
Changabang - Avoriaz. Opposite the top of the Avoriaz cable car. Definitely the coolest burger joint in the Portes du Soleil, with its trendy décor, cool music and funky buzzer to let you know your order is ready. A favourite with seasonaires and cool snowboarders, but everyone welcome including Nanna.
And, of course, The Igloo Bar in Avoriaz is amazing. The ice sculptures are wonderful and it is a fantastic experience to drink ice cold champagne here. Just off the Stade d'Arare blue run from the TSD Grandes Combes lift.
But the most enriching and lasting memory is the final day when the girls received their ski-ing medals. The improvement in one week was amazing.
Alun and Gemma wanted Emmie to experience a Chairlift and enjoy the long and twisting blue run down.
She used snowploughs to slow down and turn and had improved hugely during the week and on her return to the Chalet and Hot Tub said:-
"I love skiing" - RESULT
Family ski holidays are the stuff memories are made of.
Very soon I know the grandchildren will be whizzing past me on the slopes!!!!!
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