Ski Club of Manchester Val d'Isère Holiday December 2025

Reporter: Annette Rimmer

This year’s training and development holiday was blessed with (almost) empty planes, a snowstorm on arrival followed by a week bathed in glorious sunshine. Those with European status swept into the continent on a breeze, thanking the heavens for their birthright and chuckling at the queue of ordinary Brits. Once through, an intimate group of 14 sturdy SCOM members stayed in the luxurious Bel Air chalet, looked after attentively by Meggy and Charlie. Maybe they thought us all a little crazy, but they were too polite to say so!

Although taller group members found themselves banging their heads on the bathroom roof, most of us height-challenged folk found the facilities perfectly fine. David Sh. provided the music of Sibelius at one mealtime, which triggered a conversation about ‘Star Wars’ amongst some philistines — so no music the following day! Our four vegetarians were well catered for and additional fine dining was had by those who stepped out to the Taverne d’Alsace and L’Avalin restaurants on the 2 nights we had to fend for ourselves. The Arctic café was frequented, with its healthy salads and spinach, ginger and beetroot smoothies and as usual, the Hibou pub welcomed us for pre-dinner drinks. This was where Jonquil and Barry (founders of TDC) joined the SCOM table. They send their regards to all SCOM members.

We had great snow with the pistes being in excellent condition and the off piste also in great shape. The weather was good with some great sunshine and just one day when visibility was somewhat challenging!!

Now to the skiing!

All 3 groups brought the usual amusing (and bizarre) anecdotes home each afternoon, but serious learning was accomplished. Group 1 with TDC Mike focussed on carving and all felt they had progressed massively (and were skiing with panache) by the end of the week. Whilst the group spent much time carving in the sunshine, they also found some cosy blankets in mountain cafes. By far the best was the Dacha restaurant over on Solaise. A definite 9 out of 10! Group 2 with TDC Dave Tee, focussed on ‘control whilst fast skiing.’ Apart from a couple of casualties (nothing to do with skiing ability) — all survived, improved and had great fun. Advice from Tim: Don’t carry your mobile phone in your breast pocket — it may break your rib! TDC Dave Tee is notable not only for his skiing prowess but because his main job in the UK is to teach another safe sport: sky diving! He looked after the group admirably and according to Jonathan, the highlight of the week was probably on Day 3 when Dave Tee took the group to the Grande Motte Glacier. They went via the Les Lanches chair lift doing a few mogully bits on the way and despite the long queue for the final gondola, the views were spectacular. Group 2 also enjoyed Glacier, the wide red which runs down from the top. Snow and visibility were truly fabulous. On Day 4 the DT group went down the long red, Germaine Mattis, from Datcha to Le Laisinant. Jonathan, who does not like narrow gullies, was practicing looking at his skis before the turn to narrow his stance – clearly not the place to do such a drill as he managed to go over the edge and tie his legs in a knot with not one but two trees! — a timely reminder that releasing skis in soft snow can be a real challenge. But luckily no (physical) injuries this time. Andrew didn’t like the bumps but comfortably managed the Rocs deep- rutted red from the top of Tommeuses and then joined Dave Steyne and Janet (who loves these things) in the moguls at the side of that run whilst Jonathan did a runner down the adjacent black. So all techniques were well practiced, though the group would have liked to develop more confidence with softer snow.

On Saturday, joined by Steve W, Group 2, planned for Val Claret and the Aiguille Percée but were thwarted when the Grand Huit lift broke down so, missing the recommended chocolate biscuits at the top of Chaudannes, they retreated for a nice lunch at the Taverne des Neiges — such is the tough life on a SCoM holiday!

Group 3, known as the off piste (and occasionally off snow) group, defied death with TDC Rich conquering high peaks and very hard terrains. Grateful were they for the thin rope with which Rich belayed them down across the rock. Their photos are reminiscent of ‘Manfred on the Jungfrau’. The Irish contingent (Ronan and Declan, the Irish saints of SCoM) are seen praying to the blessed virgin at the Col de L’Iseron. Despite the prayers, photos showed the challenge to be too great for some ‘fallen warriors’ with Rich carrying their skis and picking their (almost) lifeless bodies up from the snow.

One anecdote we were all thrilled to hear, was that in the 1980’s, Declan had summited a Himalayan peak above 7000 metres on his own! The group were certainly in safe hands and brave company. Aside from the jokes, this was certainly the group with expertise, experience and great humour.

And finally:

Despite the hardships involved in skiing every day in wonderful snow and sunshine, occasional use of the brilliant swimming pool and hot-tub, delicious food and convivial company — all had a great time (as usual) on the SCoM holiday. A massive thanks to our hard-working committee members, especially the holiday organisers. The final photo is of Andrew showing his prowess on the Manchester airport bus, just to show that vegetarians do have muscles!

Words by Annette & Jonathan. Art by Ford-Maddox-Brown, photos by everyone.