twenty eighth December 2023 | James Cove, Les Arcs.
PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, is spending Xmas within the Alps together with his household. Quite surprisingly none of them needed to be snowboarding this week – in Les Arcs or wherever else for that matter. NEW
Now don’t get me improper, as a household we completely love snowboarding and can go just about wherever at anytime.
Simply not at Christmas.
The snow might be unreliable after which there are the crowds, the queues and the costs.
The Cove household prefers to keep away from ski resorts at the moment of 12 months.
Final 12 months we opted for Morocco slightly than mountains.
This 12 months we had booked to go to Eygpt for our household Xmas – for diving, snorkeling & usually chilling, however the battle in Gaza & the state of affairs within the Center East modified our minds.
And so, we discover ourselves in Les Arcs for Xmas .
We switched our TUI vacation to Hurgada in Eygpt to a Crystal Ski vacation to Arc 1800 in France – Crystal Ski is owned by TUI so we may switch comparatively simply.
A few of my preconceptions had been met on the primary day with big crowds and elevate queues with survival mode snowboarding on a number of the busy slopes.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
However with a little bit of planning it’s doable to keep away from the crowds.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Don’t go away at 9 o’clock when ski college begins and head to the less-crowded areas, are two of my pointers.
Take an early or late lunch is one other.
Les Alps, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Get to the deck chairs first within the afternoon.
Les Alps, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Any worries in regards to the snow weren’t wanted this 12 months as at altitude there are a number of the finest Xmas situations in current reminiscence.
Right here’s my first PlanetSKI video snow report report filed on Xmas Eve that provides you a flavour of the snow situations:
The next day we headed to rejoice Xmas at one in every of my favorite areas in Les Arcs – Arc 1950.
The village is the other of a number of the different Arcs (1600,1800 and 2000) with an actual centre and village-feel.
Arc1950, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Arc1950, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
It goes out of its technique to rejoice Xmas with a give attention to households:
Xmas Lunch for the Cove Household was at Le Chalet de L’ Arc.
Arc1950, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
There was (fortunately) no turkey on the menu so we loved different Xmas treats.
Lamb shank, ravioli truffles, seasonal rooster and naturally tartiflette.
Myrtelle tart changed Xmas pudding.
Rounded off by genepie, slightly than brandy.
Arc1950, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
12-months in the past the Cove Xmas lunch was in Agadir in Morocco.
Agadir, Morocco. Picture © PlanetSKI
Boxing Day was a belter as we toured the total Les Arcs ski space, slightly than simply lazing round by a pool with our toes up.
Agadir, Morocco. Picture © PlanetSKI
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
On Boxing Day +1 we headed over to La Plagne by way of the Vanois Categorical.
La Plagne, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Fabulous situations awaited.
La Plagne, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
With critical quantities of snow.
La Plagne, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
And right here’s the subsequent snow report video filed because the day drew to an in depth with my new Xmas buddy, Rudolph.
Although the Xmas queues in La Plagne had been a number of the worst I’ve ever seen.
La Plagne, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
It’s a well-liked spot:
Not like Eygpt there was no snorkeling, diving or camel rides on supply, however the apres ski in France is undoubtedly higher than Eygpt.
From the Folie Douce to L’ Arpette above Arc 1800.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
On our holidays we like a number of ‘excursions’.
In Africa for our Xmas treats it was camel rides and a spot of golf.
Agadir, Morocco. Picture © PlanetSKI
Agadir, Morocco. Picture © PlanetSKI
In Les Arcs this week it was a ski tour – to get away for the crowds and benefit from the easy pleasure of heading uphill below one’s personal steam within the mountains.
We picked up touring skis from the native Intersport store because it opened.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
My daughter, Tashie, has by no means been touring earlier than.
She connected skins to the bottom of her skis to have the ability to slide uphill.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Then we set off.
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Les Arcs, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Tashie will likely be posting a full article about her ski tour expertise later, so look out for that one in case you surprise why we love ski touring, and extremely advocate folks to present it a go.
So, subsequent winter will the Cove Household go for one other vacation nicely away from the mountains, or be heading to a ski resort?
It’s going to be a tricky one as this Xmas week in Les Arcs with the household has been really, really fantastic.
And the vacation isn’t over but.
Do examine again for extra about Xmas in Les Arcs as we spherical issues off on the weekend with a full replace.
Les Alps, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
