It just gets better! - Day 2 at Les Grand Montets

Apologies, not much in the way of photos today. We were too busy skiing!! Both of us benefited from an early night and a good sleep, and although we didn't quite make a "crack o' dawn" start we did manage a respectably prompt start. The Autoroute was dead quiet and it took us just 40 minutes to get to Argentiere for our second day skiing at Les Grand Montets.

To get an idea of the lifts take a look at http://www.chamonix.com/page.php?page=63&r=domaines_skiables_grands_montets&ling=en. But the map really doesn't do justice to the immense size of the mountain. There were only 3 lifts open but the length and variation of the terrain is incredible! We were also blessed with fine and clear weather all day. Cold temperatures and a light dusting of snow overnight meant the snow was still in terrific condition. We did some ripper runs down through the trees and found pockets of untouched powder. It was a little tight between the rocks, trees and shrubs and we were getting some funny calls from the chairlift which was above us. Maybe this meant that we shouldn't have been skiing this run? Certainly the coverage was not great - but hey! We've skiied much worse -ie., Matukituki Bowl at the end of the season. I guess the Europeans are a little more discerning about what they consider to be a skiable run?

In the afternoon we met up with a delightful couple from Belfast - Ken & Pat. They own 4 apartments in Argentiere and are regular Grand Montets skiers. We truly lucked it! They showed us all their secret runs. Like us, they shun "the piste" and prefer to head off to find new lines. Fortunately for us, they too were on their second day out and liked to stop 3 or 4 times down a run. Thank goodness - otherwise we wouldn't have been able to keep up! At the end of the day, Ken & Pat invited us for a drink at their apartment about 200m from the cable car. Their other apartments are literally on the piste in front of the cable car!! Their own apartment is in a gorgeous 200 year old farm house that has been converted into apartments. These chalets all have a unique style with timber features everywhere. We enjoyed skiing with them and we have swapped emails in the hope that we might be able to catch up with them another time. There is nothing like having a local show you their field.

Tonight we are officially tired little bunnies!! Tommorrow we start our French lessons!! Wish us luck.

For our NZ friends - see photo above. The European Kea equivalent - Ravens..lurking, lurking, lurking......