This Christmas break, our surf camp crew together with a group of summer surf holiday guests took to the snow-capped Avoriaz in the French Alps for this year’s Transition Festival. Between the 13th and 19th of December, the resort felt like a winter wonderland with ideal surf, oh sorry, snow conditions, world-class DJ’s and amazing surf camp company to make, once again, unforgettable memories with!

We started our trip recapping stories from the summer, catching up on everyone’s surf trips since the summer and welcoming new members to our surfing family. We all felt a little like being back in France’s surf camps. Welcomed by clear blue skies, bright sunshine followed by a golden sunset, we couldn’t help but think, “Are we sure we’re not on a surfing holiday in our favourite surf camps in the sunny south of France?” And, we could’ve been mistaken!

But all reminiscent moods aside, we had swapped our loved surfboards for snowboards and put on our woolly hats ready for some fun in the snow and a week that turned out to be the best early Christmas present we could’ve wished for! With no cars on the roads, the only ‘vehicles’ we had to look out for were old fashioned-styled horses pulling sleds between brightly decorated fir trees and wooden shallots, and that we could ski in and out of our accommodation was just the cherry on top!

Avoriaz had a wide range of slopes for all levels and, despite it being early in the season, nearly all slopes and lifts were open. The resort is also the highest of all Portes du Soleil resorts which meant plenty of snow, few crows, some completely empty runs and no queuing at lifts! Almost as perfect as arriving at your local surf spots, the swell’s pumping and you’re the first to be in the water and get  barrelled. All we really had to think about was whether or not to follow Liz off-piste, what restaurant served the coldest beers and hottest Jagertee and what team to support at one of many lunchtime snowball fights.

Once skiing and other mountain top activities were over, our route back to the hotel began with a stop at some crazy après ski party where ski boots and attire were a must, just as finding something elevated to dance on. After a camp-cooked dinner in the evening, we were truly spoilt for choice and headed out to acts such as Bondax, B Traits and an unforgettable performance by Dizzee Rascal on the open-air stage – how lucky were we to have a balcony overlooking it?!

This year’s Transition Festival had everything we could’ve wished for and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us for it!

We really can’t wait to see you all again for the 2016 summer surf camp season, enjoying your surfing holiday together, surfing France’s amazing waves and making memories on the beach once more!

Keep surfing, you Legends,

Robbie & the Star Surf Camps Team