Kids first ski trip!

Christmas was approaching, thoughts were turning to Turkey, crackers and who's family we were going to be with on the big day! My travel-experience-seeking brain started to scheme about getting away and the possibility of reaching the Alpine slopes began to become a reality!

Naturally, I didn't want to take the easy way and book us onto (very expensive) flights to the French Alps but thought that driving all the way there from Bristol would be fun. And cheaper. So, I started to plan our route. We decided to opt for self-catered accommodation on the slopes, as there are some lovely apartments which are very good value. I booked snow chains, ski passes, ski school and equipment hire and off we went.

We set off the Friday before Christmas, the car brimming with essentials. Three and a half hours later we boarded the cross-channel ferry for the short crossing to Calais, a good opportunity to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat before a long drive the other side. I had booked us into a quirky bed and breakfast at Aube, about three and a half hours from Calais. As we pulled up, I found myself looking at an imposing old chateau set back from the road. The lady who answered the door spoke little English, and I little French, but using a combination of signals and smiles we got through and up to our lovely bedroom! What a gem of a place! We all slept so well!

After a lovely traditional breakfast, we were off on the final leg of the journey, racking up those miles on the French motorway. Now, I love a good road trip, but even I have to admit that the drive down from Calais to Lyon is a tad dull. There is not much to look at, so much so we were even struggling to play I-spy! Thankfully we did eventually arrive in Plagne 1800, having stopped at a supermarket on the way to cram more food and drink into the car. The apartment was a winner, it was spacious and well-equipped. It was also conveniently right by the ski lifts, right by the ski hire shop and best of all it was right by the ESF ski school. We could take the children to their lessons in the morning and then be on the lift for a couple of hours skiing across the large La Plagne area.

The skiing was great, a fab resort for families with lots of blue runs. We also hired a couple of two-man sledges to use after the pistes were free of skiers. This was great fun and the kids loved it! We also took them swimming in an open-air pool, with the snow falling on our heads, what an experience! The best part was the opportunity to take our children skiing in the afternoons, and wow they learn quickly! The eldest one was bombing down by the end of the week, me behind her, yelling 'slow down'. The youngest took a bit more encouragement (in the form of chocolat chaud) but did get there and did a good amount of independent snow ploughing by the end!

Skiing on Christmas Day was special, and I booked a lovely restaurant for lunch, then subsequently ate too much cheese fondue! We found that it was beneficial to go back to our apartment for lunch most days, it was good to get all the kit off and warm up, before heading out in the afternoon. Dinners were easy too, with a SPAR shop in the village that was well stocked.

Then came departure day and it was all going so well. We had managed to clean the apartment, put the chains on the car and were ready. It had snowed a considerable amount for the previous 24 hours, so I was very glad we had the chains, and as we headed out of the garage we realized why you need them. The roads were piled high with snow and tractors everywhere trying to get them clear, as this was changeover day in resort! We gingerly made our way down the road, very slowly as we were skidding and sliding all over the place! Down the main road off the mountain we went, joining other cars making the same journey. We got near the bottom of the mountain when it all went wrong, and we found ourselves stuck in traffic that just wasn't moving. The snow had caused such a problem and could not be cleared quickly enough. It took us six hours to do the next 10 miles. I'll say no more. Except that I am glad we had no flight booked, we would never have made it!

The journey in reverse was long, but the miles do pass, as does the time, and we made it to the accommodation I had booked for the way home at around 10pm that evening, having set off 12 hours earlier! Another lovely property and just the right amount of comfort, we slept like babies. Next day to the ferry (which was delayed) and then home was in our sights and I have to say I was glad to pull up outside our house!

All in all, a success. I'd drive again. Bring on next season!