Paradise on the Piste

Snow started falling on the windshield just as the cab driver switched gears to ascend the windy back roads of the Savoie region in the French Alps. I'm minutes from Val d'Isere and anxious as a kid at Christmas to experience skiing on the best mountains in the world.

"Welcome to Paradise!" announces my driver Francois. In true French fashion, Francois jumps out of the cab to graciously open my door for me and escort me to my funky hotel by the name of Eagle Hotel. The hotel has a perfect carefree ambiance; stone walls and fireplaces, tree stumps for coffee tables, candle lit hallways, funky colors and unfinished wood tables. There's a party of 20 college age kids toasting their wine glasses in the corner and a piano player belting out American classics. This is perfect. I'm too tired for words but manage a 15 minute stroll through the town stopping off for a Crepe pizza with champignons (mushrooms), oeuf (egg) and fromage (cheese). Tres bien!

Dragging my tired body back to the hotel I'm in need of major Zzzzz's to keep up with the sun tomorrow. And it comes earlier expected. My wake up call jolts me back to work at 8am this morning with camera in hand and tripod in the other. We're off. It's 45 degrees and no need to bundle up. Skiers are mounting their boards and opting to go glove and hat-free for the day. Book readers and tan worshippers lounge on chaises soaking in the sights. Kiddies are everywhere taking in instructions in French, Italian, German, English and every other language this resort caters to.

The chalets glisten with heavy snow drifts collecting on the stone roofs while the birds whistle a morning tune. Oh, yes, this is paradise and it's nearly drawing me to tears it's so beautiful. Better I don some sunglasses if I'm going to get this choked up in paradise.