Lovely day for a picnic.....not!

Wild weather

January definitely ended in a more traditional way weather wise than it started. According to a local newspaper the first 10 days of the month were the hottest on record, the last 10 days probably didn't break any records but it was certainly cold. On Saturday we ventured over to Val Thorens, ready to take advantage of the empty slopes and hoping to be able to walk straight on to the Cime de Caron lift without waiting. As we skied down into VT we had a stark reminder of how weather conditions can change dramatically from one valley to another. 

We left Meribel under blue skies and light breeze, as we were half way down the Pluviometre piste we could see the clouds of snow rolling down the main pistes in VT. The top lifts were closed but we were able to make it into Orelle - the Fourth Valley - where even though one lift remained closed the skiing on the freshly blown snow was a dream. The facial exfoliation we had to endure to get around the top of Col de Rosael was worth it and Orelle was all ours, we have skied the area in quiet conditions before but never in such solitude.

Top of Combe de Rosael

Cime de Caron did open at lunchtime which allowed us another jaunt into Orelle and the the inevitable happened - we became hungry. Most days we take our lunch and a flask of hot chocolate with us. Aside from the cost of eating and drinking on the mountain taking your own lunch means you can stop when and where you want or at least it does unless it is blowing a gale and freezing cold. Those January days just a few weeks ago of sitting in glorious sunshine enjoying a picnic have gone so thank goodness for the increase in the number of "picnic areas" in the Three Valleys many of which provide shelter from not so nice weather. The size, standard and facilities vary, the one we used on Saturday is semi-open but definetely an improvement on being completely exposed.

Lunchtime - top of Plateau drag lift VT

One of the most recent additions to the picnic areas of The Three Valleys is the Chaudanne Lounge in Meribel. Situated at the Saulire Express 1 this really is more than a picnic area with a section of comfortable lounge seating, free WiFi and Microwaves. Ideal as a meeting point as well as a very warm, comfortable spot for lunch or just a rest. 

Special mention is also deserved by Plan des Mains at the base of Mont du Vallon. This is both a Restaurant and a sandwich spot where they have generously provided an area of deck-chairs for those bringing their own lunch. All they ask is that you use the bins provided to keep the are tidy, not too much to ask really.

Picnic areas are marked on the Piste map with a picnic table sign, worth checking out even if just for a 5 minute breather between runs or a handy meeting spot.