| As a young boy growing up in Maine, all I wanted to | | | | Europe's highest mountain. |
| do when I grew up was to have the chance to ski in | | | | The skiing is super and caters for all levels from |
| every ski area that I could dream of. The Rocky | | | | beginner to expert, and even in bad weather you can |
| Mountains were a must, as was Europe and | | | | still ski as there are the trees all around. This place is |
| especially, France. During my University years, I | | | | like a fairy tale, full of Alpine charm, and is a pleasure |
| taught skiing on weekends in Breckenridge and after | | | | to ski. The slopes are perfect and extremely well |
| graduating from the University of Denver, I taught in | | | | groomed, the people are friendly - even if you can't |
| Vail for five seasons at Gold Peak and Mid Vail as a | | | | speak the language, and the food is out of this |
| full-time, private instructor. | | | | world, with restaurants dotted all over the place, |
| Skiing and working in Vail during the 70's were some | | | | catering to all tastes, and to everyone's purse size. |
| of the best days of my life. For me, skiing the back | | | | From Megeve there are 6 ski areas within a 30 |
| bowls in deep, ultra light powder, with snow flakes | | | | minute drive, offering a variety of terrains and |
| the size of a quarter falling throughout the season, | | | | different atmospheres. I also take clients from |
| was simply out of this world. The quality of the runs | | | | Megeve for day trips to ski the Italian Alps, which |
| and the professionalism of the resort personnel | | | | are only a one hour drive from Megeve through the |
| ensured that the slopes were maintained in first class | | | | Mont Blanc Tunnel. If you drive for another hour, you |
| condition, were amongst the best in the world. | | | | have the opportunity to ski in both the Swiss and |
| However, as we all know, things change, and today | | | | Italian Alps, all in the same day, at an altitude of |
| the valley is developed to the maximum. The last | | | | some 3883 meters, returning home with wonderful |
| time I drove through, everything was lit up like a | | | | pictures of the Matterhorn. |
| Xmas tree from the Town of Minturn to East Vail | | | | We start the season on 1 November, with our "Early |
| and the start of Vail Pass. | | | | Bird trips" to the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. The |
| I have been out of Colorado for over 22 seasons | | | | ski season in Megeve starts around the middle of |
| and I believe myself to be extremely lucky to live in | | | | December and finishes in the middle of April. On |
| France, in particular in the delightful village of Megeve | | | | completion of the season in Megeve, we offer high |
| in the Department of Haute Savoie. In a little over six | | | | altitude glacier skiing in the Italian and Swiss Alps at |
| and a half hours, Americans can also have the | | | | the foot of the Matterhorn. This includes helicopter |
| opportunity to live the experience by flying into | | | | skiing for those powder hounds. Ski passes and |
| Geneva, driving for one hour, and suddenly finding | | | | private lessons in all these areas are much less than |
| themselves in a village a world apart from those back | | | | the current Vail prices, and out of bounds is legal |
| home. | | | | here - although make sure you go with a fully |
| The Village of Megeve, is over a thousand years old, | | | | certified French Ski Instructor or Guide! |
| has cobbled streets and even horse drawn sleighs. It | | | | I would always go back and ski with clients in the |
| boasts everything from Michelin star restaurants and | | | | Rockies as it has undoubtedly some of the best ski |
| luxury 5 star hotels, even a trusty MacDonalds! | | | | areas in the US, however, over the years I have |
| Megeve still has over 40 family operated farms, | | | | noticed that once people have skied in Europe, they |
| making some of the best cheese you have ever | | | | inevitably come back for more. I look forward to |
| tasted, and has stunning views of Mont Blanc - | | | | welcoming you in Megeve. |