“Skiing is the dance and the mountain always leads.”

~ Anonymous ~

There have been plenty of books written on the joys of skiing and the camaraderie the sport fosters - place 100 skiers in the same room and everyone departs with new friends for life. It’s an unwritten rule, but observed around the world without reservation. Some even get married at a later date as was the case with my mom & dad.

It’s an amazing process and one I look forward to every ski season. The simple fact of having one thing in common bridges any perceived distance in age, geography and occupation. In short… it’s pure magic.

The outdoor lifestyle may play a vital role in this theory as well. Science has confirmed spending time outdoors has a direct correlation with increased levels of happiness and better mental & physical health. Happiness leads to smiling and this leads to crows feet. It’s a chain reaction in which I affectionately refer to the creases in my eyes as “Miles of Smiles.”

Getting to Club Med - Val Thorens (France) this year was a blessing in disguise. There’s good & bad outcomes in every situation, but I think this vacation worked in our favor. Originally scheduled for winter 2021, Covid ruined the ski club plans… along with the French government.

In the early part of 2021, most of Europe was closed to American tourists. This provided a ‘definite possibility of a maybe’ we would be allowed to land in Geneva, cross the border into France and ski in the Savoy region.

Another small issue pertained to the fact the mountains were deemed open by the French government, but not the chairlifts. “Huhhhhh?”… said the confused skier. Does this mean we hike up the hill and ski down or request a refund on our prepaid lift tickets?

Sitting in holiday limbo for months, Club Med finally cancelled our reservations two (2) weeks before departing. A refund and/or credit was offered for another vacation to be used within a two (2) year window of time. I opted for the refund as I didn’t know when I would re-schedule the trip.

For anyone who’s gone on a Club Med holiday, you’ve experienced the “Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart Baby)” entertainment theme park environment. Ironically, this song by Sway hit #7 on the music charts in Canada in 1987. Just thought you might want to know! The lively culture is supported by great employees, plenty of entertainment, live music and a plethora of food & alcohol that comes in an all inclusive vacation package. Suffice to say, you aren’t going to burn the amount of calories you consume on the slopes and/or dance floor.

In closing… the three (3) year hiatus was worth the wait. The slopes of Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel lived up to the accolades as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Vive la France.

Until next time…

Cheers.