Feb 2003 ski holiday in Meribel-Mottaret, part of the three valleys in the high French alps

All about Nice...

Ski from Nice >> Mottaret Feb'03

Skiing in Meribel-Mottaret, Feb 2003

our 9-strong ski party, Mottaret 2003, click to enlarge

Chalet for 8 in Mottaret

transfers Geneva-Mottaret

The motley Mottaret crew Feb '03

ski passes - Mottaret

ski lessons - Mottaret

click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge

Mottaret is the highest resort in Meribel, linking Les Trois Vallees with Courcheval and Les Menuires in the Rhone-Alps, about 2 hours' drive from Geneva airport.

The cost of flying directly to Geneva from Liverpool for the Feb half-term holiday is prohibitive and we saved 600 pounds for the three of us by flying to Nice first and then flying from Nice to Geneva (about 10 pounds return each). Ok, we have our own flat in Nice but a cheap hotel would still save money.

As usual at this time of the year Geneva was a mad house with delayed flights, busy roads etc so next year we are going to hire a car from Nice and drive to Mottaret directly.

If you get the timing right, it only takes about 5 hours to do the trip from Nice to Mottaret, but use the motorways and don't be tempted to cut north through the mountains- I know it's shorter as the crow flies but I promise you it will take much longer - listen to the voice of bitter experience!

How do you like the daughter's new 'Poivre Blanc' outfit?

we're a clever bunch getting our first stars - modest too

My lovely new jacket and goggles (not Prada!). If you want Prada's new ski-goggles you need to go to Courcheval 1850

All smiles after the tortures of esf ski school. Oh it's all worth while now we've got our premiere etoiles.

the three heros at the top of Plattieres

The daughter (centre) with two school friends at the top station of Plattieres.

daughter plus portable heated chair