Road Trip To Méribel

Having arrived back in Méribel a couple of days ago for the winter, I thought that I'd squeeze out another article before starting with the full-on skiing blog posts. For our late summer holiday this year, Harriet and I decided to break up our big drive to Méribel by stopping at a couple of towns new to us on the way down (click here for the link). It was really fun seeing parts of France that we hadn't before, sometimes it's all too easy blasting down the autoroute in eagerness to get to the mountains - this is something that I've been very guilty of in the past. I was determined to repeat our summer experience as best I could, but with just one stop this time. I chose Beaune, in Burgundy.

Situated 400 miles south of the channel tunnel, and 5 kilometres off the autoroute, it seemed like a good place to stop. I arrived in the dark and had a short walkabout after checking into the hotel, and immediately liked the place. Then the next morning after a massive continental breakfast, I waddled around the Centre Ville soaking up the sights. And yet again similar to Laon and Tournus when I was with Harriet a few months ago, I was blown away by the ageing, yet well-maintained, architecture. Granted, being the wine capital of Burgundy, I guess there is history and an incentive for the town to stay in tip top condition. Even so, very impressive, and a great re-introduction back into France.

When I checked out of the hotel, the lovely lady at reception asked me if I was there for some wine tasting. My French isn't up to making quick jokes about being always up for tasting wine.... so I explained where I was heading, and that I work as a ski instructor every winter in Méribel. And she said that explains why my French was better than most of the British guests she has stay at her hotel! I wasn't sure if she was being serious, however I didn't see any obvious sign otherwise. Gosh, and I thought I was rusty. Madame explained that she had many British guests through the winter months who then head down to the Alps. It was time to say 'au revoir' to the Hostellerie de Bretonniere.

Since arriving in resort I've been running around in circles with unpacking, and doing all sorts of chores in preparation for the start of the season. I popped into the ski school today and picked up this winter's lift pass, always a nice chore to tick off the list. I can't quite tell yet how the mountain is looking in terms of snow, it's been mostly cloudy here since I arrived. From a distance I have seen some huge piles of man made snow under the snow cannons. I'm hoping to go for a ski in the next few days over in Val Thorens whose lifts have already opened. Meribel's lifts open on December 7th, can't wait. I'll report back soon. Live With Passion. Martin.

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