The Funky Site - Meribel 2008

Meribel 2008

Created 19th March 2008, last updated 19th March 2008.

As in previous years, winter saw us heading for Meribel in the French Alps for a spot of snow sports. This time the gang was 16 strong, mainly due to our superb organiser, Kerry 'Facebook' Rider! Some drove themselves overnight , some caught the Ski Meribel coach (I even managed to miss the coach at Victoria by five mins so had to literally catch it up in a cab!), and some took the snow train with it's infamous disco carriage and we all met up nicely for pizza in Meribel Village.

Unlike previous years we'd opted for a couple of catered chalets, so food and drink were constantly provided by the very attentive Fish and Pips staff (thanks Hans, Jenny, Holly and Pippa!). The chalets were spacious with log fires and even our own outdoor terraces, which on the day or arrival turned into a sun deck including sun loungers...

Our motley crew

Our chalet

Home sweet home

On our terrace in the sun

Sarah in the sun

Joe does product placement

Kerry our illustrious organiser

It's not all about the snow

Hans supplies the drink

The chalet at night

Chilling in the evening

For the first couple of days the snow was OK but was becoming a bit slow and slushy by late afternoon. Luckily there was a decent dump of snow on Monday night which topped up the slopes nicely and also turned Meribel Village back to it's picturesque best. Having opted for better than average accommodation, Kylie and her cohorts decided that a normal snowman wasn't acceptable, so built a 'snow hound' instead - 'Snowy' was mighty impressive!

Meribel Village

Meribel village with snow2

The picturesque village

Fresh snow

Kerry on a photo mission

Chalet in snow

Sun lounger anyone-

Snowy the snow dog

Ed's favourite place

Sunbathing on the slopes

After the snow came the rain (!) which dampened not only clothing but people's spirits - all that lovely snow ruined! On the plus side it was followed by plenty of blue skies and warm weather which meant sunburn and beers with lunch...

Looking towards Meribel centre

Lunch on the mountain

It's not all about the snow

Looking up the mountain

Top of the mountain

Lunch with a view

Looking towards Courcheval

Looking into Val Thorens

Super

Ed and Sarah

Susie

What a pose!

Sarah in motion

On our final day there was a Magic in Motion 'Big Air' display which involved both skiers and boarders doing some pretty impressive jumps. The more expectant of our group thought it should have been better, but we figured the contestants were just regulars not pros, in which case they did pretty well.