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Les Karellis 28th March - 4th April 1999 - with Darmstadt & Rouen:
I thought I'd report back on the annual skiing trip to Les Karellis. It's organised by BT Labs Twinning Association’s opposite numbers the JEPTT-DA in Darmstadt and postal workers from Rouen. It’s in a small French resort called Les Karellis. The resort is ideal for intermediates and beginners. Accommodation is in a Vacances PTT hotel, with full board (good food - though don't expect haute cuisine). The hotel has "doorstep" skiing.
Although the resort is not as extensive as the bigger French resorts, and is not well known to the British, it should keep most advanced skiers happy with mogul fields, jumps, good off-piste skiing and one excellent schuss. It could do with a few more black runs to keep the masochists happy, though. But if you want to take lessons to improve your technique and have a good time, it's ideal.
Like last year, we had excellent weather - mild and sunny all week. The snow was excellent for the time of year, still very deep following the heavy falls that caused those tragic avalanches in February. It did get a little slushy lower down in the afternoons, but it was so deep there were no bare patches even on the lowest slopes. This year we were able to ski down to Albanne, which hasn't been possible the last 2 times I've been.
I took my girlfriend Nicky for her first skiing holiday, which she quite enjoyed, though she found it tough going. We drove the 730 miles down over one and a half days, though we took just one day to return. The driving is very easy, being nearly all on deserted motorways. The ski pass is for 7 days, so it's better to arrive before lunch on the Sunday to allow skiing in the afternoon. That way, if you've booked lessons for the Monday morning, you can make sure you don't end up in the beginner's class! After several years at "Classe 2" level I actually managed to graduate to a "Classe 3"!
During the week the resort hosted a European women's slalom practice session, which was good to watch. The food, free wine and accommodation was fine, as usual. The cheap bar and excellent company meant the apres ski was as good as the skiing. All in all, an excellent week! Maybe I'll see you there in March 2000. Mark Kempton |
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