Happy Xmas from The Alps
Thursday December 24, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

As the festivities get under way it's a pretty good time to be out in the mountains. We've had cold temperatures, some snow and now it's time for the celebrations. It is a WHITE CHRISTMAS!

PlanetSKI is going on hold for a couple of days, unless of course there is a major news story.

Our reporters are having some time off - some are back in the UK visiting family others are out in the mountains skiing/snowboarding, celebrating or sleeping it off.

If you want to tell us here at PlanetSKI how you spend Xmas Day then we'd love to hear from you so please let us know via the comment box.

Merry ChristmasChristmas is for sharing after all so let others know how you have been celebrating. 

If you want to see a few pictures of Xmas round the mountains then do take a look at the photos of the week on the home page and we thoroughly recommend a little nose round the other pages on the site too as they are well worth a read.

Unless you look every day you may wel have missed something of interest

Also our content editor, in his blog, observes that Christmas in the mountains is not quite the sure seller it once was

We'll be back with our usual up to the minute news service in a couple of days.

We wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

We hope he brings you what you want

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the spirit of the mountains.

So how are you spending Xmas out in the mountains? Do let us know.

PlanetSKI reserves the right to edit any comments. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.

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We have just arrived here for Christmas and about to go to a church service before opening our presents, my husband is Swiss and we celebrate things on Christmas eve. It is so beautiful here in the Alps. Merry Christmas planetski and thank you so much for keeping me informed and entertained about life in the ski world in equal measure.
June Craig, Saas Fee


Conditions are the best that I remember pre-christmas here at Cairngorm, with the whole ski area white and powdery (hero snow!), and lots of boot-top powder runs to be had. Cairngorm is closed Christmas day but we are all back up on boxing day, and forecast are looking good with it staying cold with bits of fresh snow which should just top it up.

Knackered as spent whole day skiing. Got to go home and spend all evening wrapping presents – joy! Day off tomorrow so first (and last) lie-in for a while! Can’t wait.

Mike, Carrbridge


As always Christmas is a bit bizarre when you're working in the mountains - it feels like Christmas, but without the whole family thing/Queen's speech/brussel sprouts it's somehow not quite right...

But to keep as Swiss as possible we're having Cheesemas tonight - a Fondue somewhere in town - followed by the full Christmas Lunch tomorrow with friends.

And a few pints at almost any opportunity (got tomorrow off work) as well as some skiing (conditions here are great).
Guy, Verbier, Switzerland


Christmas is about snow (!) and there is plenty of it here in Yorkshire. I just moved a foot of it off the cars today. Mountain gear meant I could get out today in the car and buy more food, as we were running short! Well if you call a fridge full short!
Xavier Adam, Harrogate, North Yorkshire


Christmas in the Alps is always magical in so many ways. I've just got back from a torchlight decent and firework display and off out for dinner tonight. In France Christmas is celebrated on Christmas eve so the celebrations, I am sure, will go on long into the night. There were countless people skiing with santa hats and outfits on today...i'll be joining them tomorrow! Lets just hope for some more snow!!! Merry Christmas everyone!
Ben, St Martin de Belleville, Trois Vallees


I have just woken up to a snowy christmas verbier. Just about to have our christmas breakfast... scrambled eggs and salmon and open our presents yay ! Probably head out for a bit of skiing after as it looks great!!
Flora Gardner, verbiedr


Everyone dreams of a white Christmas and I was fortunate enough to spend Christmas this year in Banff. I have been living and working here for a number of years and have to say I am hooked on the place. This Christmas was a particularly great one.

We are, of course, pretty much guaranteed to have white Christmas here but this year gave us great snow conditions as well as clear blue skies and sunshine. I work in Banff as a Guide for a company called Discover Banff Tours who offer a number of different tours throughout the winter. For me every day involves a different activity, hiking, snowshoeing, sightseeing, we offer lots different experiences to complement the extensive skiing and snowboarding that is available here.

For me Christmas day this year involved a trip to Lake Louise with a group of 9 guests. The temperature was about -15, we received fresh snow a couple of days ago and the skies are clear blue, not a cloud to be seen. Perfect conditions for some snowshoeing on The Lake. The drive takes about 45 minutes along the beautiful Bow Valley then we have an hour to spend enjoying the Lake Louise area, time for snowshoeing, ice skating, picture taking and a walk around the ice castle. After spending time at The Lake we take a short drive to a local tea house which provides us with hot chocolate and apple pie. It's the best apple pie in the valley.

I am in a very fortunate position, I love my job and am able to share some great experiences with people in the outdoors surrounded by some fantastic sights. I'm pretty sure I'll have a hard time topping this next Christmas.

lyndsey webb, canada

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