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April 2006 and off I went to Beaver Creek / Arrowhead to stay with my friends the Wills (Philippa and Nick) at their house on the slopes and to go skiing. Very nice. A ski- in and ski-out house right on the slopes. It was a lovely time, with great skiing on very exclusive and uncrowded slopes, stopping off to eat lunch and have a hot chocolate in the various 'members only' restaurants and cabins up on the slopes. The way to ski !
When not skiing it was socialising time. Lunches and dinners with a variety of the Wills' friends - from the right wing realtor (estate agent), Don, who thinks that whatever the US does it must be good, to the very jovial priest from the local church whose parish encompasses the very privileged and the Mexican workers who look after them.
The only downside to the whole week was getting in to and out of the US. Immigration, customs, searches etc. etc. make it very tedious, and the Americans are not exactly friendly when you present yourself at immigration - almost as if they are doing you a great favour letting you in. I had a particularly nasty experience leaving with a customs official who was just simply nasty.
But all that pales in to insignificance when compared to the great skiing, generous hospitality of friends and the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful time in a great place.
(use the slider to see pictures; for a larger view click on the thumbnail )