Lunch was at the recommended Ski Lodge in La Tania close to the nursery slope. Lunch consisted of Ski Lodge burger and chips, washed down with the complementary carafe of wine. Thanks @la_tania. As the weather seemed to be coming in with the snow getting heavier we decided to head back to Reberty. From La Tania it was up the bubble lift La Tania then the Dou des Lanches chairlift to the Col de la Loze. Ideally with better piste conditions we could have skied into Meribel from here but unfortunately the only way back to Meribel was via the Saulire. We reached Saulire by sking the Lac Bleu (blue) and Loze Est (green) to the Biollay chair lift then down Super Pralong cutting onto a green to the Suisse chair lift. Visibility was gradually declining but still far from being a white out. From Saulire we headed down the long Marcassin and Aigle red run into Mottarat, where we got the Plattieres bubble to the 3 Marches, enjoying some well earned Haribo on the way. It was once again down the Allamands red run but this time stopping for a vin chaud at the Chalet des Neiges mountain restaurant. This is a great new mountain restaurant with table service, and almost unheard of toilets on ground level, no stairs to fall down in ski boots! Instead of heading back to the Ski Famillie Chalet Katie 2, we decided to head up to the Col de la Chambre via the chair lift Mont de la Chambre. Here we skied the fabulous blue run Mont du la Chambre, then joining the Boyes blue back to the chalet.

As promised snow finally fell over the 3 valleys today, falling heaviest in Meribel and Courchevel. As I scribe this post it is still snowing in Reberty. With the help of the already over worked snow cannons and the light snow fall predicted for Saturday, anyone coming out to the 3 valleys for Christmas should have a good weeks skiing regardless of the fact there hasn’t been any heavy snowfall over the past 2-3 weeks. Forecast is for snow Saturday and then brightening weather conditions from Sunday.

They travelled the world to find the perfect powder, but failed to find the perfect accommodation. Niklas Moller and Johan Edin are the Swedes behind Ski Lodge Engelberg, a concept hotel for the true skiing connoisseur.

Johan and Niklas had travelled most corners of the skiing world map before settling down in Engelberg, Switzerland a year ago. As former competitive alpine racers and freeskiers, they have seen many mountain ranges, from Russia to Argentina to over 100 resorts in the Alps and North America. They found many great mountains, but never ever the perfect hotel. One that really understands what the new breed of skiing cosmopolites are looking for. 

Ski Lodge Engelberg has only been open since last December, but already has attracted major attention among media, ski companies and the it-crowd when it comes skiing. The hotel is also voted #1 on Tripadvisor.com as well as being “Our Pick” in the new edition of Lonely Planet Switzerland. All within its first year.

 “We want to create the ultimate mountain hotel, where passion for skiing is mixed with top-notch service, great wine and food and a personal boutique feeling. The biggest difference between us and other hotels? We are here for the same reasons as our guests – the love for the mountains”, says Niklas Moller, CEO of Ski Lodge Engelberg.

So what is Ski Lodge Engelberg? A place where every member of the staff knows the mountain like the back of their hand, (Many of them compete in extreme skiing besides knowing which Amarone that goes with your lamb racks!) an on-location boot fitting, and a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. Aside from quality food, a long wine list and individually designed boutique-y rooms of course.

And how about Engelberg as a ski resort? Well, it’s a well-kept secret in the middle of Switzerland and has been a regular destination for skiing connoisseurs from all over the world for the past ten years. The mountain boasts one of the most impressive vertical drops in the world, with over 2000 meters to rattle your legs. Engelberg is also known for its massive amounts of world-class powder, measuring over 15 metres of accumulated snowfall last year. Fancy to stay on-piste? No problem, Engelberg is the largest ski area in central Switzerland with 82 kilometres of pistes and 24 lifts. And they even have a children’s area where you can drop off the kids!

Visit their website for more information http://www.skilodgeengelberg.com