Ski holiday without skis

Yes, we are off again. This time to the Italian Alps. Hubby has been wanting to go skiing again for almost 15 years now. But life sort of got in the way and it hasn't happened until now. The slight fly in the ointment is that I lost my nerve a number of years ago and so I am quite happy not to slide down a mountain with planks of wood strapped to my feet. So here we are in Courmayeur which despite the French name is in Italy. This is a very pretty alpine village at the foot of Monte BIanco ( Italian again). There are a diverse group of adults in the party. Neighbours, neighbours friends and relatives, twelve in all. We are in two chalets and ours has a stunning view of the mountains. The down side of that is to get such a view the approach to the chalet is up a very steep slope. I have to stop 3 times before I can get to the top but I am putting this down to the altitude, not my general un fitness.

Luckily there is another lady in the group who also does not ski. We have been here two days now, and between us we have been trying various coffee shops. They have all been very good so far. No one makes hot chocolate better than the continentals. We did travel up the mountain to meet the rest for lunch today. That is the thing I miss about skiing, being in the mountains. Hopefully on the next clear day we will make it up to the very top.