Christmas Day 2007!!!

Happy Christmas!!!

A joyous day for all in resort, especially those who venture out to Val for the festive season to actually avoid the festive season!!!

After our Chalets Hosts spent the morning preparing for Christmas dinner, we all met up for mid-morning Champagne and to exchange secret Santa Gifts. Never quite sure why secret Santa is never actually secret for very long but never mind. Everyone seemed reasonably pleased with their gifts, with a 10 euro budget, finding something not entirely naff is quite a mission. Needless to say, lots of gifts of alcohol and chocolates were given, as well as more personal gifts like gloves, cake tins (?), books, computer mice, bread baskets, more alcohol, essential toiletries, cigarettes, etc, etc, etc.

Lots of Champagne flowed and spirits were high.

A few staffed ventured out on the mountain, others returned to their Chalets to prepare early Christmas dinners for all the kiddies.

I managed to miss Santa Claus arriving in resort via parapont. After yesterdays mishap perhaps he's too embarrassed to be seen in Val again. I missed it yesterday too, but by all accounts, Santa came down to Val d'Isere via the black 'Face' run and managed to wipe out in a most spectacular fashion and loose both his skis several feet back up the mountain. Poor Santa. He had to hike back up, retrieve his skis and carry on his descent. It was the talk to the town though for a minute or two.

Tonight in the traditional Christmas manner, the ESF ski school put on a display of different boarding, skiing and telemarking techniques followed by a torchlight descent which is always spectacular (picture top right!), then capped it all off with a fireworks display. All very nice. Mulled wine was offered and the sound system guys picked a most bizarre range of music to go along with all the visuals. All in all a good show though and a great Christmas day, just have to top it off now and go for Christmas dinner!!