First day on the Slopes!!! By Jack

This is how we got to the telecabine...we just ski from our steps down the road to the lifts!

We were on top of the Berneuse by 8.50am on opening day!

The wind was blowing and it was extremely cold but the snow was like fluffy cotton balls and we had the whole run to our selves. Which was lucky because we haven't skied for a year and a half so it took a while to remember what we had to do. 

After lunch we went back up and skied some more. The weather was soooo much better! We skied on the 6km run back down to Leysin and caught the Telecabine back up to the top again.

From this weekend all the runs are now open and we can go and explore all of the mountain.

Jessie and I will get to ski with school one a week and on Wednesday afternoons with mum.

We are also going to do ski school on Saturday mornings!!! 

I love winter!

By Jack Carswell.

St Nicolas Day, December 6th. By Jessica

Today was St Nicolas Day. 

A very popular Christmas celebration by children all around Europe.

So Jack and I thought we had better check it out. 

All the children got a goodie bag filed with nuts, chocolates,fruit and bread.

We also got to enjoy a yummy hot chocolate from the pot behind me.

These are some of the horses from the stables I ride at.

They had to put blankets over the horses while they were waiting to keep them warm in the snow.

The horse and sleigh heads down to the lower village to share and celebrate with other children. 

What a nice surprise for Jack and I to be a part of.

By Jessica.

December and winter has well and truly arrived!

The village is shrouded in a glistening white coat and there is a gleaming light when it is sunny.  The blanket of snow deadens all noise so that the joyful shouts of the children and adults alike, as they pull their sledges up the hills and have fun in the white splendor can be heard all the better. When there is a lot of snow Jack and Jess like to jump off high walls landing in the soft, deep snow.  Here and there the first Christmas decorations hesitantly appear, a few candles, fir branches or wreaths.  The kids spent Sunday morning dressing the Christmas tree (thanks to Leilani and Sequoia) while it snowed heavily in the back ground. With such a mix in cultures and Christmas beliefs we thought we would stick to our roots and put the tree up in early December, and besides, its our first white Christmas.  What better way to spend the morning than drinking hot chocolates laced with marshmallows,  dressing the tree in pajamas and watching the giant snow flakes drift by the window. In the first weeks of December there is often a lot of snow, and it can be very cold. You could go skiing everywhere at this time, but the skiing season doesn't usually start until the second weekend in December.  You are all alone as the ski lifts are still closed. There is something magical about the untouched countryside covered in fresh snow.  Where the snow cannons had until now given nature a helping hand, they are now superfluous as enough snow is falling itself overnight.  The Christmas markets are also in full swing and we had the pleasure of discovering the magical atmosphere of the famous Montreux Christmas Market. With its countless attractions and more than 140 decorated chalets all overflowing with gifts and the scent of glorious Christmas fare.