Ski Blog: It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it
Tim Wilson, Erna Low Holidays resort manager in the French resort of Les Arcs, describes his start to the season.
After driving the length of France and finally getting into the apartment that will be my winter home, I was pleased to find Arc 2000’s free wifi still functional. I was doubly pleased to find an email from the Arc 1950 ski school, Spirit, inviting me to join them the next day on a helicopter trip to Tignes.
The Alps have seen some great early snowfall and cold temperatures and I awoke to a crisp, fresh day with clear blue skies.
After a quick instrument check we were up and taking in the bird’s eye view of Arc 1950. It was my first time in a helicopter and I couldn’t help but grin… all the way to Tignes.
It’s about a six-minute ride with exquisite views on all sides. Mont Blanc, Villaroger nature reserve, the dam and the lake on the way intoTignes, glaciers all around… superb. We surveyed the villages of Tignes before a heart-stopping banked turn, dropping down to our landing spot.
In Tignes, we sat at a café sipping hot chocolates watching the skiers and boarders. I’d almost forgotten that in the Espace Killy the lifts have already been running for a good few days.
Panoramic helicopter tours are available for around €45pp for five or six people.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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