Winter Bargains Galore!

November's a pricey time of year if you're either living in a ski resort or just arriving for the winter season; there are ski passes to be bought, rent and deposits to be paid, new kit to be coveted, beer money to be budgeted for...

Rather than trying to buy everything new, it can be well worth checking out local second hand sales. This Saturday there are two such treasure troves taking place at local school halls.

Ecole Jeanne d'Arc is having a “Vide Grenier” (jumble sale) and could be a good call if you are looking for household bits and bobs for your new accommodation, winter clothes, books, all the usual car-boot-sale stuff... It is located on the Promenade Marie Paradis, go to the crossroads in front of the Hotel Morgan and turn in the direction of Cham Sud, follow the road alongside the river and the school is just before the bakery on the left.

Ecole Jacques Balmat will be holding a “Bourse Montagne”, which is a sale of second hand mountain gear. This is a great place to look if you are thinking of trying a new sport (cross country ski, telemark, etc) and you don't want to splash out on new kit straight away. Buy some cheap-and-cheerful seconds and then you won't mind too much if you trash them before the season's out! The school is on the Route des Pelerins, just walk past the Jekyll pub, past the hospital and carry on until you are almost at the end of the road. The school is on the left.

Let the bargain hunting commence!

P.S. Should you feel the need to go up the mountain in fancy dress at any point this season (and even if you think you won't, chances are you will) second-hand sales are often a good source of dodgy retro neon once-piece monstrosities. Not that we've ever worn one, just saying...