"Frozen pipes and broken femurs"

After a pretty seedy start to the season, with praying for snow taking up most of everyone's time, we now finally have reason to celebrate and remember what we're doing here. As I write, the white stuff's falling outside (and hopefully, fingers and toes crossed), it's set to continue for most of this week (or at least tomorrow). 30cm predicted tonight ...

Unfortunately for most seasonaires in the Arcs, they still won't be getting to take advantage, as the lift pass office have refused to let any companies get their season passes until the 6th January (full paying guests have priority on the ice and snow cannon stuff), so for the next few weeks, we (lucky?? non tour operator working seasonaire types who have paid full whack for passes) can only wave from the chair lifts ...sorry guys - but in all honesty, it's not worth going up yet. Apparently, this is the worst start to the season ever in Bourg hospital, with broken femurs (thigh bones - so pretty difficult to break) hitting an all time high. So far only injury (touch wood)
has been to my bases due to extreme rock skiing on the green run back into the village.

Aside from the exceptional lack of snow, extreme cold (-25 at night) and a lot of frozen pipes (EDF have taken up permanent residence at the Skiworld chalets), not much to report. The Mont Blanc hotel in Vallandry has a beautifully painted new ceiling (thanks to yours truly, among others), and a very entertaining opening night. Arc 1800 was buzzing with students last week (congratulations, Neil, on an exceptional performance making up for lost time last winter), and overrun with small dogs and children this week ... and Christmas was a bad karaoke night in the Mont Blanc and a drunken, if not snowy, evening, courtesy of Eddie and co in Benjy's.

This week's drink of the week - Surfers on Acid - ideal for banishing those lack of snow winter blues and lots of vitamins against colds too. One part Jagermeister, one part Malibu, pineapple juice (and optional vokda) to taste. Sounds gross, isn't.

Report from Steph Lightfoot - Natives Resort Reporter in Les Arcs

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