Thursday 4 June 2009

Reflections on an Alpine Adventure

The following photos are a selection of my favourite views from my apartment, and on the slopes in and around the Chamonix valley during winter 2008 and spring of 2009.

A halo above the beautiful Mont Blanc mountain range - a view from our local park.

Bottled "Natural trouble"... the advertising couldn't be more correct... (well, in truth 'trouble' means 'cloudy' in French, but it caused us no end of amusement!)

One of our famous Alpine BBQ spreads

One thing I learned from living here is that dogs are the most important possessions of any self-respecting Chamonix resident. All shapes and sizes, dogs rule this town, without a doubt.

Taken on my way down the Grand Montet chair lift after the Boss Des Boss ski contest.

View from the Grand Montet chair lift, possibly my favourite chair lift due to these stunning views.

View from Grand Montet chair lift

Goodbye Vin Chaud, hello Xante. Easily my new favourite apres ski beverage.


Apres ski smiles with Vicky.


Apres ski smiles with Sophie.


A stunning sun-set above Mont Blanc, a view from our living room window.


Another stunning sun-set view from our apartment window.


The only charity shop in town had a hefty supply of classic and retro one-piece ski suits, which my friends and I utilised to the max. Here we are assembled for a 'one-piece extravaganza' and picnic at Grand Montet.


The 'Cham Bubble' after a hefty dusting of fresh snow.


Easily my favourite view/apres ski location up the mountain. Le Tour, I love you.


Iris and I after a successful day's skiing at Le Tour in the sunshine.


The Ice Bar at Le Tour.


One of the best day's skiing of the season - fresh powder, blue skies and no one on the piste! Blissful!


My ski gear. Such a difficult decision to choose a colour scheme... I thought fresh green would work well with the approaching spring...


Sun rise over the mountains, again a view we were privileged enough to witness every day from our apartment.


The approaching sun casting an eerie mist over the edge of the mountain - a view from our living room window. I still can't believe we were so very lucky to see scenes like this every day.