Le Plannay, France

First day of the week, and the snow was still deep and only the main roads ploughed. We kept the chains on and made our way to Areches, and into the carpark. There was not many people around, we suspected they were still finding their way after last nights snow, and jams.
We needed to get skis and boots for Dom and Toby, then Steph and KT headed off with M-J, Chris and Dom up the mountain and Toby started his first lessons with me in the Car park - sounds strange, but there was a flat area covered in snow, and this was an ideal quiet place for the first steps (literally). Bryon played the observer to make sure we were OK.

After an hour we progressed onto walking up the piste beside the carpark and sliding back again .... he was managing to form a snowplough and to make his way back up the slope. so now time for an exposure into fighting the crowds on the nursery slopes at Le Plannay ...  the prize was to return to the car on the piste.

Unfortunately we had to wait for the next bus - it being lunch time there was a gap, and when it came it was really packed .. welcome to the ski crush Toby!

At Le Plannay, we walked up the side of the nursery slopes to the end of the baby lift, and then made our way back ... concentrating on the snow plough to control speed and turn.

After the first run we met the others returning for lunch, having made several runs and down this side. we completed the second and then went into meet them.

KT, and Dom joined us for the return, whilst the others went up, to descend from the top.

The promised return down the blue run started with a new lesson on how to side slip, but soon eased to be just like the nursery slopes. We got back to the car park with no problems, and followed by the other party.

A successful day one, and we retired for a team meal.