Courchevel 2014

This was our fourth visit to Courchevel in the last 5 years - Daddy and son chatting on a restaurant terrace

Opening belated birthday pressies from my Mum

Apart from Courchevel, we've also been to Vail ski resort in Colorado, USA as a family (Sean was only 4 months old!)

Note: Scarlett Grace not dressed in pink for once lol!

Barely 100 metres walk away from our loft apartment is an easy green piste with a button-lift - very suitable for Sean

Daddy giving a helping hand - prior to Sean's private lessons from a ski instructor

Bear likes to wind down after skiing all day with a glass of red, and catching up on emails

Carrying skis and equipment is not my favourite activity though - even if they are little ones! 

Our apartment has an open-plan lounge and kitchen area with it's cosy log fireplace 

Mum and Scarlett Grace takes 'The Bubble-lift" by foot, to meet Bear and me at a favourite mountain restaurant

The Bel Air restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy a leisurely lunch and drink in the sunshine 

Family hug!
I had to buy a new ski suit as I'm only three months post partum, and a stone (6kg) heavier than last year - Hopefully my old gear should fit me on our next trip!

We were away for seven nights (compared to ten last time) - We agreed that 10 is better!

Kids snuggled up in front of TV watching children's programs in French - it feels like a real home from home!

Here we are enjoying a traditional mountain dish - Raclette, at a local restaurant in the village of 1650.

The hotel provides a kids club, although we obviously didn't need that with my Mum around, who is our very own Mary Poppins ;-)

In the downstairs lobby/lounge area they provide slippers so you can take off your ski boots and come inside for a drink or two in the cosy rustic atmosphere (without going to your apartment first to get changed)

La Croisette in 1850 where we took a well deserved break after skiing for hours - although Bear was shocked to find that one beer cost 12 Euros!

My little poppet slept in a cot inside my Mum's bedroom, and to our surprise she has carried on sleeping through the night despite the high altitudes! Simply amazing!

We always rent skis as it's way too much hassle travelling with them, and the hotel has a terrific ski room where your skis and boots are ready for you every morning (and they help you put them on and take them off for you!), and put away for you in the evening - they even heat them overnight so your feet are nice and warm for skiing!

Surrounded by spectacular views!

The "Fire & Ice" bar/restaurant on the hotel's terrace is a real sun trap and excellent for 'apres ski' drinks

We had glorious sunshine on every day  - apart from one! 

I went down a tricky Red run a couple of times on my last day of skiing - very proud indeed! 

Sibling love - A sense of relaxation will envelop you even before stepping inside the luxurious bedrooms

It goes without saying, but Bear and I are forever grateful for my Mum who's making it possible for us to go skiing without having to think about child-care

Going to the gym was one of the things Mum and Sean did during the hours that Bear and I were away on the slopes.

I persuaded Bear to ski in pink lol - what a stud! 

Looking very relaxed.. - it's so convenient to be located right at the foot of the ski slopes

This place is a true little gem, we just love it and we're already making plans to return next year!