Last week's 3 day dump turned into 10 days of solid snow! Over 1.5m up top and close to a metre of fresh at resort level. Les Arcs is back to looking like it should - and with so many trees to help visibility, there's nothing to stop us getting out to play in it.

Mostly we've been hitting the slopes hard all week, but Wednesday was a massive night out in Arc 1800, with nearly 30 of us descending on Le Bowling and L'Avalanche for the usual carnage!

Ripcurl Freeride

Friday was the start of the Ripcurl Freeride in Les Arcs (the last stop on the IFSA freeride tour), with some of the world's best skiers, boarders and telemarkers competing for the gnarliest line down the front face of the Aiguille Rouge.

For a laugh, I decided to take part in the amateurs, which went surprisingly well - managed to stick to my line and do all the technical bits without a hitch (you'd be amazed how hard it can
be to pick when you're standing at the bottom of the slope, then find it when you get to the top and it looks entirely different) Unfortunately I hit a wind drift in flat light on the final stretch and
somersaulted with true style so didn't get a score! Still, it was an amazing experience - not least for being the first person in a week to ski down the Varet face.

The final will be held Monday due to bad weather forcing cancellation over the weekend. Big bonus was getting to spend Friday afternoon skiing with some great riders and
showing them round the best spots in 'our' resort. Definitely cool to see so many surprised faces at how much good terrain Les Arcs has to offer!

Toby's Birthday

Friday night was a massive one to celebrate John's last night in resort and Toby's birthday. Starting in the chalet with Dave on tequila duty and Katie plying everyone with mars bar vodka (2 mars bars, one litre of vodka, on a gentle cycle in the dishwasher - works like a charm), it didn't take long for everyone to get into the mood. By the time we got up to the Mont Blanc for their first School Disco of the season we were all pretty much worse for wear.

John held up well through downing several pints, then stumbled at the evil concotion Toby came up with to see him off (literally). Rick failed to pace himself and had to be nursed by Jola. And, Rhod, now out of hospital after fracturing his eye socket, celebrated in his usual style and had to be carried home too. No idea what was going on with everyone so pissed up, but it will definitely go down as a night to remember!

Snow news ...

After 10 days of pretty solid dumping, the snow is officially gorgeous. Although the visibility hasn't been the best, not having the sun on it has kept it in pristine condition. Plus now the school holidays are over, there's no-one around (apart from 60 pro skiers and boarders in the freeride!) to track it all out.

The trees around Vallandry and the Rock Garden (Arc 1600) have done us proud. Waiting a few days for it to settle before we hit the serious stuff as the avalanche risk is 4/5 just now. Goes without saying BE CAREFUL!

Helicopter trip into Italy planned for Tuesday ... been waiting for this all season - can't wait! :o)

Happy riding!
Steph

Report from Steph Lightfoot - Natives Resort Reporter in Les Arcs

To find out more about seasons in the snow, check out www.planetsubzero.com

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