Last few days

Picked up Sophie from the station on the 27th and spent the next couple of days at Guzet teaching her the basics of skiing. She picked it up pretty quickly and was soon pootling up and down the blue slopes. Yesterday we headed to Ax les Thermes for some skiing at a bigger resort with Justin and Emily - never skied there before and was pleasantly surprised (some fresh snow the night before helped) but by early afternoon it was absolutely heaving (ski hell). The piste started to break up exposing nasty rocks which left my skis in need of some serious attention.

An evening meal with Justin, Emily, Pat and Kev before heading for Massat for New Years Eve at the opening of a new bar (not really my thing). Got at home at 2.00am then up early again for a hastily planned snowshoing trip with Sandrine, Philippe and Sophie. We headed up towards Pic Cour Vic (where I ski-toured a few weeks ago) but actually went right at the col on to Pic de la Banque (2105m). Amazing views of Mont Valier from the top. Not really enough snow to ski up there anymore but there's more snow on its way. Click here to see more photos.

Couloir Faustins - the next challenge for the winter