10/5/12- Snowboarding in Scotland

Skiing and snowboarding in Scotland in May. Wow. 

The Caringorm ski hill (which we've been to before) had a terrible winter season with hardly any snow due to rain.

They have been getting snow recently, and we just had to check it out.

Top of the hill- took a bit of climbing to get to. Nice snow.

Mid-station. Yikes! We had to do some walking here. No snow.

From the second photo you can see the funicular mid-station on the right. When the hill does have snow you can ski from here all the way to the bottom (can just see the car park in the middle of the photo). 

(Yes, I've not been blogging for a month, I know...Apologies to my readers). 

29/2/12- Snow

Last week we took a ski/snowboard trip to The Three Valleys in France. The Three Valleys are the largest linked ski area in the world. The world...

Villages included in the Three Valleys are: Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Brides les Bains, Les Menuires, St. Martin, Val Thorens, and Orelle. 

The area gives you 600km of skiable piste (or 600km of 'runs') and that does not include all of the off piste, which is basically everywhere. I didn't understand the sheer size of this place till we arrived and started making our way around each area. 

If you are from home and you know the size of Sunshine. I'd say each of the village's area are around twice the size of Sunshine's skiable area. Insane. 

The Three Valleys also has this Escapade pass. It is a good way to see all areas of the Three Valleys, and a good challenge too. There are 18 checkpoints around the hill which when you scan your lift pass is tracked that you've been there. Once you've hit all 18 lifts you get a certificate and pin. It forced us to go all the way east and west, to the highest and lowest points on the hill. (Our chalet hosts were very impressed that we achieved this!)

Lots of scenery photos were taken, so I've shared just a few below. We couldn't get enough of the amazing views and stunning scenery.

I see a second visit to The Three Valleys one day. 

Day one. We were at one of the higher points in the valley, hence the blue sky. The rest of the skiing area is below all that lovely white cloud. One of those ski days where you couldn't see a thing.

On day two, we could finally see where we were going! The temps got to +15 by our final day! It was blue skies and sunny all week. (Except for the first day of course).

Apres ski- This chairlift goes through the village of Val Thorens, and over some mighty fine apres ski area. (See the hot tub?)

The view from 10,600 feet. 

4/1/12- Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Lots of solid time spent with family and friends over the last week or so. (My excuse for the lack of blogging).

Soon life will resume to normal, and I will be on here regularly, with my weekly posts like Taste of Britain Tuesday and Cycle Sundays. 

In the meantime, there will be more skating, snowboarding and enjoying the season. 

19/10/11- Rockies!

Flying over the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Calgary. 

I mean, how amazing are they! I do miss seeing them everyday, and am loving seeing them each morning now that I am home. Can't wait to get on them with the snowboard as well!

12/12/10

The chill of the outdoors has sent me into a bit of a lazy state with the blog. That and the fact that these days its too cold to stop and take photos around town, one just needs to keep moving! When comparing the difference between Canada & England one thing that came to mind is snow. Yes, Canada gets snow, however the difference is how the two countries deal with the snow.

Its laughable here how the country shuts down when its snows, panic ensues, and no one can deal! I understand that the country may not have snow like we do at home, and do not have the equipment to deal with the snow like we do, but its a bit absurd at times. I think we need a Canadian consultant to aid the Brits when the snow starts to fall.

Day 140- 20/2/10

A day at the hill in Aviemore...

Warm, gooey, macaroni and cheese....
Once the hill started to get busy, the lift (t-bar) lines started to go up the hill. It was just silly and odd. Someone needs to teach the Scots how to run lift lines. There was more than one run-in with people jumping the line.
There is always one with jeans on!

Day 95- 6/1/10

Waiting for the road to be cleared so we could drive up to the hill.

We couldn't get enough of the beautiful trees!

The sun came out for a couple runs before lunch. The best two runs of the week-visibility + fresh snow.

Day 94- 5/1/10

The second day of snowboarding was CRAZY. It had been snowing throughout the night, so the snow was bound to be good. The visibility was zero as this first photo shows. I am looking down the hill to my riding partner, but can't see much further than that, and at times didn't know which way was was up! The snow off piste was at least 5 feet deep.

The snow fell all day long. By 10:30am they had closed the road up to the hill because of all the snow. The snow fell non-stop and though we couldn't see too far, the riding was amazing.
At 3pm they closed the hill and we were "evacuated". They wanted to get everyone out of the parking lot and down the hill before it got dark. Only in Scotland would you close a ski hill because of too much snow!

Day 93- 4/1/10

The amazing trees on the way to the hill-day one of snowboarding!

Save the snowbadgers!

Day 92- 3/1/10

Looking forward to the snowy hills...Hoping for snow in Scotland, we weren't sure what it would be like. The drive took us around 7 hours.

Welcome to Scotland!
Yup-lots of snow! Arrival in Aviemore.
What would be out little home for the next week.
Who would have thought Scotland would look more like Canada when we arrived?!

Day 91- 2/1/10

It snowed here last night, something I've been waiting to see. It was only a light dusting, and sadly the rain washed it away today. The snow made it feel like Christmas was still happening, and the shopping in Birmingham added to that feeling. I loved the look of these coloured chandeliers and the peacocks in the Bullring. (The large shopping center in Birmingham).

We are off snowboarding for the next week in Scotland. The hill we are going to has received over 120cm of snow this past week-it looks to be amazing. I will try my best to post photos throughout the week if there is wireless, if not I will be back on here in about a week :)

Day 84-26/12/09

The majority of my boxing day is hanging here at the airport, as my flight back to England has been delayed for 4 hours. Took these photos of the frozen tundra driving from my Aunts house, home this morning. I do miss seeing those mountains on a regular basis I do admit.