PICTURE PERFECT PISTE

After a decade away from the slopes Janet Brice finds her ski legs in val d'arly, a hidden gem in the shadow of Mount Blanc

- After a decade away from the slopes Janet Brice finds her ski legs in Val d’Arly, a hidden gem in the shadow of Mont Blanc

Look up,” shouted Hervé my ski instructor. I did and there in front of me was Mont Blanc glistening with a fresh sprinkling of snow. This awe-inspiring sight suddenly came into view during my first-morning skiing in Val d’Arly, a hidden gem of an Alpine resort where I was hoping to find my ski legs after a decade.

The pure joy of skiing in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Alps overcame all my nerves as I navigated my first red run of the day. Following a night of heavy snow, the summit shimmered in the sun, offset by a sapphire sky. There was no time to waste, I had to get a photograph before the light changed.

Instinctively I schussed through the virgin snow until I arrived at the best vantage point. Surprisingly, I came to a dramatic stop creating a spray (almost like a seasoned pro) before grabbing my camera to capture the moment. It’s amazing how quickly you find your ski legs when there’s so much sightseeing to be done.

Spirit of Christmas

From the imposing presence of Mont Blanc to picture-perfect villages and fairytale woodland runs, this is the most scenic resort I have ever experienced. The luxury of space makes it a top choice for those of you seeking a family ski holiday or weekend break with safe social distancing.

The scenery is so magnificent there is a distraction at every parallel turn

Nestling between Aravis and Beaufortain, Val d’Arly is made up of four villages: CrestVoland/Cohennoz, Flumet/ Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, NotreDame-de-Bellecombe and La Giettaz en Aravis. The first three are part of the extensive Espace Diamant ski area while La Giettaz en Aravis links to Portes du Mont Blanc.