Sarah Bourne Photography

With another beautiful day ahead of us, John, OB and I headed up Plan du Fou again. We played around with some portraits then headed down the off piste for some more action shots. The Kodak courage ended in great photos but mostly carnage on every landing! Fortunately no injuries.

We then met up with Nick who guided us on the Greppon Blanc itinerary. Starting at 2700m we skied down a huge bowl which still had surprisingly good snow in it considering it’s nearly a week since it snowed. The bowl funnels into a gully, then a road and we actually skied right through what must be a summer farming community – all closed up for the winter. Eventually we ended up more or less in the middle of nowhere waiting for a bus back to Les Masses at 1515m. Quite a lot of lifts and runs later we were back in Nendaz after an adventure of some 4 1/2 hours!

Later on I joined everyone for New Year’s celebrations Euro – style in the main square. Champagne, fireworks and DJ. Lots of fun.

Photos from today.  It was very flat light and the snow was a little wetter than a couple of days ago.  I actually enjoyed the hike and the company more than the skiing!

On Christmas day I was fortunate to get chatting with and ultimately skiing with two British guys, James and his brother-in-law, John.  James and his wife Michelle own an apartment in Nendaz and consequently James in particular has skied the area extensively and has been guided around by various friends.  It was his turn to “pay it forward’ and guide John and I today.

We really only did two runs but both of them were full of perfect, light, fluffy untouched snow.  Yet because you need to hike to both areas – just 5 minutes for the first and a very steep, scary 20 minute climb up the “Stairway to Heaven” for the second – much of the snow stays untouched by the bulk of the tourists.  Best day yet!