My first ski holiday was almost a disaster – then I discovered what the Alps are all about
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Snowy mountains, cosy chalets, and the thrill of conquering the slopes — I’d dreamed of this for years. Sure, I didn’t know how to ski, but I was determined to learn. After spending £200 on gear and psyching myself up mentally, I arrived at Le Coucou in Méribel, ready to live my Chalet Girl dreams.
Standing on pristine snow glistening under the clear blue sky, my hour-long training session began with the basics: putting on skis, shuffling across flat ground, and gliding down a gentle slope. I surprised myself by staying upright and by the end, I was even making some wobbly turns. I couldn’t wait to book more lessons — or so I thought. A scheduling mix-up meant that a single session was all I’d get, and going solo wasn’t an option; it was too dangerous.
But I wasn’t about to let a hiccup ruin my Alpine adventure. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. As soon as I arrived in Méribel, I discovered a world of possibilities for people who prefer to stay off the slopes.
A firm favourite was snowshoeing, which involves – as you might expect – walking through snow. Our guide took us on a trek through forests and meadows, where the only sounds were the crunch underfoot and the occasional birdsong. These winter hiking trails offer sweeping panoramas, perfect for photo stops. As someone who loves capturing every moment, I was in heaven — the sky was always putting on a show.
