Yes, I know, it's October 13 and I'm telling you about my mountain vacation last April. EVERYTHING IS NORMAL.
In fact, it was while booking for Christmas that I remembered that I had forgotten to tell you about our last ski vacation.
You know how much we love the snow, the mountains, mulled wine and bowls. We try to go there – and therefore to devote a certain budget to it, I grant you – every year. The children love to ski, they now have a more than good level… ok, they almost surpass me. In April, we opted for the half-board formula at the hotel, with Madame Vacances . And really, it was a REAL holiday. No running, no meals to prepare, no chores to sum up! What happiness...
This year was also the first time without ski lessons for children. On the other hand, they started snowboarding with their father. I was for my part… much too busy working… in the sun on the hotel terrace… um…
The sunny terrace for working or hanging out, but I had to work… #pity me
Snowboard teenager
On the program:family skiing in the morning, it was so nice to be able to leave all four together on the slopes and have lunch at altitude. Then in the afternoon, snowboarding for the brave and work for me (who said the word vacation existed for self-employed people?)
The snow cover in April… yes I know it was double or nothing. But we were in the 1st zone, we took advantage of it, we bet and won. Lower price, sun and therefore pleasant temperatures (we even got hot to tell you the truth). Obviously, on the track side, it clearly left some holes and other mud from the start of the afternoon, but honestly the trackers were on top and at altitude it was really correct even in the middle of the day. Thanks to the 3 Vallées ski pass on this one, expensive, but very useful for always finding slopes that are more in the shade and therefore better preserved.
Absolutely deplorable weather all week…
A borderline landscape
A crazy world on the slopes…
No, we did not attempt to sow the children at all…
Meribel is a very nice station. In the "Mottaret" district (the highest), we were close to small shops and businesses (perfect for good lunchtime picnics).
In the village, there is a swimming pool, an ice rink (with good quality skates, I specify, because this is not always the case), a bowling alley and video games room... all easily accessible from Mottaret thanks to the free shuttles (allow 15 minutes for the journey).
Two sledding evenings were organized… unthinkable to miss it so of course, we rented two sleds! I believe without lying that I had not laughed so much for… decades. Well, I also freaked out when I went up with the Man who had therefore decided to go down "all schuss" without braking... The second evening we let the children go alone. The advantage, again, of now having "big guys". While we watched them while drinking our little beer at the bottom of the track. Meaning of sacrifice.
For those who would be tempted by this type of holiday, I strongly recommend the Hotel Le Mottaret in Méribel. Sincerely. It is extremely well located (ski in ski out), there is a whole new part with 20 large rooms (to be preferred when booking) really comfortable, a nice bar, a very pleasant lounge area with fireplace for aperitifs / games that we we love to do as a family on every holiday and of course, children are welcome! Only "flats" for our taste:the bedding! I didn't like the mattress...I missed my bed. Also, the ski room is very outdated. It’s a detail, but there is no locker… well, I imagine that it will be upgraded very quickly, since they are doing a lot of work in the hotel these days! A little mention for the outdoor jacuzzi (I'm not a fan personally, but I'll tell you) and for the rental of equipment, it's quite simply... next door! Ideal I tell you.
Finally, keep an eye out for Madame Vacances offers, because children's stays are often free , even during school holidays, which allows you to "treat" two connecting rooms ! And if like me, you have a Capital Koala account, you will have up to 5.5% refund on your reservations! Enough to treat yourself to many mulled wines! Oh no, thin, it's for children savings. Oh it's ok, I'm kidding huh!
Ah and so, for the curious, this winter, skiing will be for the first time in the Pyrenees, at a friend's house! (like what is the point of CHOOSING your friends WELL)
