It’s not just the UK which has been having crazy weather with its mild winter and record rainfall. Extreme weather has been happening all over the globe with El Niño being blamed. The mild weather in Europe has meant another poor start to the ski season in the Alps after last year’s worst start to the season in 25 years. Many tourists cut their losses and cancelled their holidays to the slopes. Not us though.
Arriving in the French Alps on the 28th December it felt more like spring than winter as blue skies prevailed and the sun beat down on the mountain tops. Much of the piste in the higher areas of the Portes du Soleil resort were open but conditions were far from perfect. With no snowfall in a month, the slopes were icy and we looked for other activities to amuse ourselves.
Thankfully, we had low expectations and with my husband checking the weather forecast practically every hour, we knew the snow was unlikely to make an appearance until 2016.
Instead, we made the most of the mild temperatures. We pulled on our trainers and ran in the mountains. Jogging at altitude isn’t easy but at least we were surrounded by stunning scenery as we heaved our bodies uphill. Plus, it meant I just HAD to stop now and then to take photos!! 
While the roads were clear, we took the opportunity to catch up with friends who live in the local area. They have a young boy the same age as my daughter so they loved playing together. There were also numerous trips to the carousel in the centre of town. If we had been a little bit braver, we would have taken her ice skating.
One of my daughter’s highlights was going in the cable car and chair lift. She loved it!
When we got to the top, we were confronted with a similar scene to the one we had gazed upon in the summer.
Making our way to a mountain restaurant, Les Cretes de Zorre, we enjoyed magnificent views but not so great service from the busy staff. Not that it really mattered. We sat outside and breathed in the fresh mountain air and gazed at the scene in front of us.
We also took a trip to a local lake in Montriond. It was still surrounded by snow and Mrs T was thrilled at being able to walk in the snow and I was very glad I’d bought her some snow boots before our trip (from Jojo Madam Bebe). The lake glistened in the sun as we wandered around and I put my SLR camera to use.
New year came and went with no snow. Then it started. The much-longed for snow finally fell, transforming the Alps into a winter wonderland once more.
We donned our snow gear and went skiing, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the slopes after holidaymakers had returned to work.
Meanwhile, Mrs T thoroughly enjoyed a bit of sledging and playing in the snow – including throwing snowballs at her grandparents. 
It was certainly a very different end to our holiday. What began with us running in the mountains in shorts ended with us 1800m up in the mountains wearing our ski gear. I rather liked the holiday having two distinct sides: the sun and the snow. On our final day we were even treated to both. With more snow forecast it looks like the rest of the season is going to be good so if you are off skiing, ENJOY! 
What gorgeous photos – and I do love the shot of you in the cable car with Mrs T! I can’t believe how different it looks between the start and end as well, how great to get both and glad you managed to get some skiing in in the end. #countrykids
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Exploring St John’s and historic Antigua
Thanks Cathy! It was like having two different holidays! I loved it! The Alps are just so photogenic x
Beautiful photos and how lovely to have had the two contrasts – enjoying the sunshine and then getting to finally have some snow and go skiing at the end of your holiday. Looks like you had a wonderful time 🙂
Thanks Louise! It felt like two different holidays! X
It’s a shame that your skiing holiday didn’t quite start off as planned but it’s fab you managed to make the most of it towards the end of your holiday. Mrs T looks like she had a great time exploring in both the sunshine and the snow, such a cheeky grin on her face throughout the holiday. I’m sure Mrs T will look forward to sledging again when you next get the chance. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.
Yes, we are looking forward to going back later this year – and am keen to get her on skis as well as a sledge! Thanks for hosting #countrykids xx
What a stunning place! I would love to take my kids and do something like that. #countrykids
It’s beautiful! Thoroughly recommend x
great photos! my hubby also got back from his skiing trip to France! The day he arrived it starting snowing so he could ski in the end!:)
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Oh, yay! So glad he got snow – makes a big different to get fresh powder! X
I’m so glad you got some snow in the end as although you obviously had a great time (and a great attitude to the adverse conditions), actually getting to ski must have been very satisfying. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance, I love your Alpine tales.
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Thanks Phoebe! Love #allaboutfrance ! It was definitely good to get on skis in the end but I quite enjoyed it not being TOO cold out there!
This winter is incredibly warm. Even the places where usually don’t have any problems with snow struggled with lack of snow. Luckily, the winter showed its teeth and blessed us with snow. I’m glad you didn’t miss it and were able to enjoy some snow.
#MondayEscapes
Hurrah! So pleased the snow arrived. It was great for us to get some ski time in and fingers crossed it stays like this! x
December was a very weird month in terms of weather indeed. We spent New Year’s Eve in Egypt, but before leaving Germany everyone was complaining that they had planned skiing holidays and there was no snow!
I’m glad in the end you guys got to have some snow plus the sun, which is amazing 🙂
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes 🙂
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Thanks Allane, very glad we got some snow but I was not complaining about the warm weather beforehand! Hope your friends managed to get some skiing in. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes x
Ah yes, the old stop-and-take-a-picture-and-get-my-breath-back trick. It never fails does it? Glad the snow arrived eventually 🙂 #mondayescapes
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Such a beautiful sky at mountain alps. In such great day, you won’t even know that it’s the best place also to ski during winter. There’s just two faces of the mountain alps. Either it will have blue sky or raining with snow. Even though snow will cover the whole city of alps, it sure do give the awesome view when you’re on the top. When you stay at mountain alps, be sure to have your ski gear. You’ll never know when ever the snow will comes.