The ups and downs of ski resort life

Many people ask me "what's it like living in a ski resort all year round"? My normal reply is "it has its ups and downs".

No, really, it does have its ups and downs, so I'll try and give you a potted insight into my life in the mountains....

'Up' number 1: Les Gets is where I've lived for the last 20 years and clearly there's the obvious advantage of having winter sports on the doorstep - a two minute drive and I can be booted and heading up the Perrieres Express chairlift. Skiing was the first and most important attraction for me, but what else do I get up to?

'Down' number 1: Cycling, that's my other passion. As soon as there's a bit of warmth in the air I like to put my bike in the back of the car and drive down to the valley floor to start getting some early summer miles in the legs. Nothing too challenging for the first few weeks but it's amazing how different cycling and skiing are and how long it takes to wake up the biking muscles!

'Up' number 2: As some cycling fitness starts to return it's time to stop cheating and leave the car at home. Yep, the bike rides are going to have to start including that long slog back up from the valley at the end of most rides.

'Down' number 2: The snow's long gone and I'm getting into my summer job which includes a lot of gardening. As you can imagine, there aren't many flat gardens around Les Gets (although I do look after a few lovely English style lawns) so most grass cutting involves scrabbling around like a mountain goat strimming steep banks. Some even require the use of crampons to prevent me from falling down.

'Up' number 3: True, the weather in the mountains can be variable but what I don't miss about living in the UK is that kind of non-descript gloomy weather. Generally with us, the sun is either up with clear blue skies, or it's chucking it down with rain/hail/snow with some cracking thunder storms thrown in to help clear the air. That said, it is a little gloomy today!

'Down' number 3: Great to head down to Lake Geneva for a waterski, sail or swim. A bunch of us had our (now annual) camping trip to the shores of Lac Leman this August which was a great laugh. Early morning waterskiing when the water's like a millpond is just awesome!

'Up' number 4: I love that first early winter snowfall - usually when you're least expecting it - the child like excitement has stayed with me and I hope it always will! The first snow normally arrives well before any lifts start to turn so it's a great time to do some ski touring to propel us up the mountains - boosting fitness levels and enjoying some early season turns.

'Down' number 4: We receive enquiries and bookings for ski and board lessons throughout the year but up until Sept/Oct it tends to be just a steady trickle. After the schools go back at the end of the summer, enquiries step up a gear and it's now time to get down to more office work.

There you go, that's some of my ups and downs of ski resort life. It's not everyone's tasse de thé but I love it. Bring on the winter.....and a whole season of ups and downs!