First day of Skiing 2011 Season (30 November)

This has to be the best snow condition I've ever seen so early in the year. The photo was taken as darkness was falling and I was the only one on the mountain skiing back to Val d'Isère from Tignes, but despite the falling snow, wind and fading light the pistes were in excellent condition and a pleasure to ski.



No serious skiing today - just a gentle slide to get used to being on skis again and ease the body back into it. Actually the best thing about skiing at this period of the year is that you have the mountain to yourself - it feels very special. You don't have to watch over your shoulder ever for some out-of-control idiot charging straight down the hill and cutting you up. If only skiing could be like this all the time.