As a young boy growing up in Maine, all I wanted to do when I grew up was to have the chance to ski in every ski area that I could dream of.
The Rocky Mountains were a must, as was Europe and especially, France.
During my University years, I taught skiing on weekends in Breckenridge and after graduating from the University of Denver, I taught in Vail for five seasons at Gold Peak and Mid Vail as a full-time, private instructor.
Skiing and working in Vail during the 70's were some of the best days of my life.
For me, skiing the back bowls in deep, ultra light powder, with snow flakes the size of a quarter falling throughout the season, was simply out of this world.
The quality of the runs and the professionalism of the resort personnel ensured that the slopes were maintained in first class condition, were amongst the best in the world.
However, as we all know, things change, and today the valley is developed to the maximum.
The last time I drove through, everything was lit up like a Xmas tree from the Town of Minturn to East Vail and the start of Vail Pass.
I have been out of Colorado for over 22 seasons and I believe myself to be extremely lucky to live in France, in particular in the delightful village of Megeve in the Department of Haute Savoie.
In a little over six and a half hours, Americans can also have the opportunity to live the experience by flying into Geneva, driving for one hour, and suddenly finding themselves in a village a world apart from those back home.
The Village of Megeve, is over a thousand years old, has cobbled streets and even horse drawn sleighs.
It boasts everything from Michelin star restaurants and luxury 5 star hotels, even a trusty MacDonalds! Megeve still has over 40 family operated farms, making some of the best cheese you have ever tasted, and has stunning views of Mont Blanc - Europe's highest mountain.
The skiing is super and caters for all levels from beginner to expert, and even in bad weather you can still ski as there are the trees all around.
This place is like a fairy tale, full of Alpine charm, and is a pleasure to ski.
The slopes are perfect and extremely well groomed, the people are friendly - even if you can't speak the language, and the food is out of this world, with restaurants dotted all over the place, catering to all tastes, and to everyone's purse size.
From Megeve there are 6 ski areas within a 30 minute drive, offering a variety of terrains and different atmospheres.
I also take clients from Megeve for day trips to ski the Italian Alps, which are only a one hour drive from Megeve through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
If you drive for another hour, you have the opportunity to ski in both the Swiss and Italian Alps, all in the same day, at an altitude of some 3883 meters, returning home with wonderful pictures of the Matterhorn.
We start the season on 1 November, with our "Early Bird trips" to the Swiss, Italian and French Alps.
The ski season in Megeve starts around the middle of December and finishes in the middle of April.
On completion of the season in Megeve, we offer high altitude glacier skiing in the Italian and Swiss Alps at the foot of the Matterhorn.
This includes helicopter skiing for those powder hounds.
Ski passes and private lessons in all these areas are much less than the current Vail prices, and out of bounds is legal here - although make sure you go with a fully certified French Ski Instructor or Guide! I would always go back and ski with clients in the Rockies as it has undoubtedly some of the best ski areas in the US, however, over the years I have noticed that once people have skied in Europe, they inevitably come back for more.
I look forward to welcoming you in Megeve.