A Wiltshire mum has made the ultimate of a nationwide competitors to win a luxurious winter vacation as she hopes to honour her late husband by returning to the slopes with their son.
Clare Edwards, 38, from Devizes, is one in every of 5 finalists within the operating to win a VIP SKI ‘Again to Ski’ journey. The nationwide competitors referred to as on Brits to share why they deserve a return to the slopes – from the nation’s oldest and most nervous skiers to these pressured to cease resulting from sickness or loss.
Clare’s story stood out amongst 300 entries, incomes her a spot within the remaining and an opportunity to be one of many first to remain at VIP SKI’s new property in La Plagne, the Graciosa.
In July 2020 Clare’s world modified eternally when she misplaced her husband Tony, then 37, to psychological well being struggles – tragically their child boy Theo was simply three weeks outdated on the time.
The couple had shared a few of their happiest moments snowboarding collectively, making a return to the slopes beforehand really feel unimaginable for Clare. However now the brave mum hopes to revisit the French Alps and create new recollections.
Yoga teacher Clare, who lives with son Theo, 5, stated: “The primary yr with a brand new child is great and hard on the identical it. It was typically stuffed with moments of pleasure or celebration – after which that realisation that Tony wasn’t there to share the milestones would creep in.”
Clare was 18 when she met Tony, of their late 20s Tony’s psychological well being struggles peaked and after a spell in hospital the couple made a ‘make or break’ choice to do one thing utterly completely different – they signed up as VIP SKI chalet hosts in Val d’Isere, in France.
Their 2012/13 ski season ‘modified Tony’s life’. The pair had been swept up within the mountain air; busy with visitors, lively every single day, assembly new individuals and in the end having fun with one of the best of Europe’s snow, day in time out.
Describing their time collectively in France, Clare stated: “In some ways the ski season got here on the good time, it was a break from actuality. We knew we wanted to attempt one thing, if it didn’t work, we must come dwelling – fortunately, we each had essentially the most unimaginable season.
“Trying again, we had been a little bit older than the remainder of the VIP SKI chalet group, nevertheless it didn’t matter, we had a lot enjoyable. We lived on the endorphins of being in stunning surroundings and being busy.
“And the snowboarding made an enormous distinction to Tony’s psychological well being. I look again on that point so fondly – it was him at his greatest – and I’ve some unimaginable recollections.”
Following the ski season the pair ran a pub for 5 years. Immediately, Clare is a enterprise proprietor of Simply Breathe Yoga in Erlestoke and met her new companion David two years in the past.
Clare added: “It’s been troublesome to ponder going snowboarding once more with out Tony, however I believe it could be great to take our son, or my new companion, to expertise the slopes – and in the end for me to have a brand new VIP SKI journey.”
The competitors now goes to a vote with the general public selecting the winner through VIP SKIs web site.
The winner of the £3,466 vacation prize will win a keep in one of many 16 suites at Ski VIP’s new Graciosa advanced in Plagne Centre, full with devoted chalet host serving scrumptious meals. Different amenities embrace luxurious lounge, bar, ski rent store, therapeutic massage room, and childcare amenities.
“There is no such thing as a higher location than La Plagne for Clare to embrace snowboarding once more. It’s beautiful to listen to how particular the 2012/13 VIP SKI season was for Claire and her husband, and it’s a narrative we’ll maintain shut our hearts too. We want Clare one of the best of luck as we open the vote,” stated Nicola Hardy from VIP SKI.
To learn the tales from all 5 finalists, and vote in your winner head to the VIP SKI website Voting closes 21 September and the winner will likely be topped on the finish of September 2025.
