Ticket booked, passport up-to-date, got sun cream, shades and enough cash to last me a week up in the Alps in Meribel. This was my first ever snowboarding trip and I was warned by a friend, with a rather serious expression on his face that I should definitely take one of the hotel pillows and shove it down the back of my trousers because I would be falling over a lot.
That is the sort of advice I will pass on to my grand children.
There was a large group of us, half boarders, half skiers. Although I love taking part in all sports, my natural ability is out of synch with my enthusiasm, so I quickly signed up for some lessons.
Once kitted out with Snowboard and boots our instructor (they always appear to be uber-cool) explained the concepts. Whilst he elegantly slid down the nursery slope I promptly fell straight on to my pillow protected arse.
Within a few hours some mates and I tackled the easier of the range of slopes and were soon enjoying the rush of air past whilst practicing our turns.
I remember the lunches at the mountain restaurants. The views are amazing, the air is clean and the wine goes down way too easily.
After a long days boarding, arriving back at the chalet all your mates are there. Tales of the day's adventures are excitedly spoken with exaggerations to match. The chalet staff have kindly made a nice cake and are busily preparing the evenings supper. Music, laughter and food, and once we've all had our fill, it's time to get ready to hit the town and spend more money per pint of beer than should be legal anywhere in the world.
After a weeks boarding, drinking and generally enjoying ourselves it's time to catch the plane back to blighty feeling oddly productive after being away on holiday. What a week, having learned and drank so much it's great to come back refreshed and with the smug tan that distinguishes you from your work mates in the office in Winter.
By John Powell
For more info visit - www.meribel.net
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