Julian E. & family - April 23

This was our first trip to Oz, to be honest it was our first trip outside of a small Swiss resort. So it was with a little trepidation that we drove out for the Easter week. It was a very easy drive and took 8 1/2 hours from Calais. We arrived around 10pm local and the instructions to get from the car park to the apartment were clear and easy to follow. The apartment itself was a great surprise, it very much has that brand new feeling with everything from the beds to the oven being high quality with some great artwork on the walls. The village of Oz has a nice feel, plenty of ski rental places, a little supermarket, boulangery, bars, restaurants etc. After some croissants from the bakery (it’s the first shop in the village, a 3 minute walk) we sorted the kids ski hire from the recommended hire shop (2G Sport) who were super friendly. We then set about buying our passes, which with hindsight we would have done on the journey from the UK as it does take a few minutes on line. Shortly though we were on the lift. Wow. What a huge ski area with plenty for the beginner to the advanced. We were here in the Easter hols which is near the end of the season, so a couple of the lowest slopes were shut, but the apartment was still ski in-able and the vast majority of the skiing was still open. The view from Pic Blanc is amazing and don’t be put off by the black run rating from the top. It’s Europe’s longest black run at 16km but only has a couple of steep bits which my 9 and 11 year olds took in their stride. Best coffee on the mountain is to be had at the bottom of said Serrenne gorge run, but they only take cash. We set ourselves the challenge of skiing one end of the ski area to the other after one lunch, Auris to Montfrais, which was great fun, only stopping to celebrate in a bar in Montfrais.  Don’t do what we did though and enjoy a second beer, thereby missing the last lift back up (4:35). The only option is to download into Vaujany then get a bus to Allemond, which would be fine as there is the Eau d’Olle Express cable car back up to Oz. Except the French had the last laugh; said bus getting in 2 minutes after the cable car stops at 6pm.  We do at least now have the number if a friendly taxi firm (30euros, cash only, so we also now know the ATM is down the lift next to the supermarket).  A weeks lift pass also includes swimming and ice skating in Vaujany which we took the kids to on a snowy day. This was great fun, though gentlemen beware; only budgie smugglers are acceptable attire (swimming not skating), though they are quite happy with pants (allegedly). Last night of the hols I enjoyed a sauna in the apartment block which again is all really clean and new, I didn’t feel the need to do a workout in the gym after a week of skiing! We then ate out at Le Poutran restaurant in the village who do a great pizza among other local specialties. I can also recommend the locals bar opposite, La Potte, but beware of Le Cheuff beer, it has been known to bite! All in all a really great holiday, fantastic apartment in a great little resort that benefits from the huge Les 2 Alpe ski area. Thank you Bees on Skis, we’ll be back.