Happy Xmas and Happy New Year – Slope Style

It's always good to mix up training with a bit of fun by getting out and spending some time enjoying other incredible adventure sports. So after an amazing trip to Uganda it was time to hang up the boating kit for a few weeks and hit the slopes.

Festive Welcome at Chalet6

First stop, Chalet6 in France with Den and Lisa. Chalet6 is an incredible chalet that has just been opened in the Morzine valley by my friends Seb and Vix. With a hot tub, amazing views, fantastic hosts and some of the best food I've ever tasted It's the perfect place for a week of snowboarding and skiing adventures. I was definitely a bit rusty on the snowboard at first but it was great fun trying to remember how it was done. Switching mid week to ski's it was a really interesting challenge, experiencing a new sport as a beginner again.

Our awesome hosts Seb n Vix

Seb and Claire O loving the snow

Seb showing us how it should be done

Den in Action

Lisa crusing down the slopes

I'm a pro… honest!

Apres Ski with Den and Lisa

Did I mention the food?

After a last couple of hot tub sessions and blast down the slopes the week was done and it was time to head home to the UK for a catch up with friends and a lovely Xmas with my family.

Arriving to a lovely Xmas welcome

Happy Xmas

Eat, Drink and be Merry

Then it was back to Europe to hit the slopes once more. This this time to Austria and the Saalbach Hinteglemm resort with the Crosbie's. Driving out on Boxing Day. We arrived with a festive cheer, super excited to be back on the snow. With beautiful blue skies, fresh powder and amazing mountains all around we were all set for an incredible week.

Bobby, John and Islay

Fun Fun Fun


Claire O gives Islay a helping hand

Claire O getting air

Islay showing Claire O how it should be done


Fun fun fun

Our Austrian friend Tom Zach joined us for an awesome few days. Passing on his years of experience on the slopes and teaching us some local lingo and giving us a great insight into the local culture. It was perfect timing as we then broke in the New Year with the locals in the small ski village of Viehhofen, drinking warm Gluewein whilst watching a candle lit kids ski procession, the local brass band and a big fireworks display. Then as 2013 finished, 2014 began as we hit the slopes again. Bright and early we set the first tracks, kick starting another year of adventures and fun.

Happy New Year from Islay, Claire O and Dr Tom

and all the locals

What a great way to celebrate Xmas and see in the New Year, with friends and family in incredible places. 2013 for me was an incredible year. So many amazing adventures with so many people, family and friends, old and new, all over the world. Thank you to everyone who shared it with me and helped make it such an amazing and memorable year. Heres a copy of the book I've made with all the main highlights of all the last 12 months.

I want to wish you a Happy New Year. I hope your New Year is full of many wonderful experiences and adventures.

Heres to an amazing 2014.

Happy New Year

Claire O'