Downhill desperadoes

The largest local mountain (Ylläs - 718m) is a pretty extensive downhill ski area that we have studiously avoided for the last 21 years. 

Today we succumbed to the lure of fashion and glamour, clad ourselves in the latest hire gear and took the easy way up the hill. It certainly has its attractions on a sunny day in a resort where you never spend more than a few minutes in a queue, the snow is deep and fresh, and the pistes extensive and varied. But somehow I don't think we'll be passing up our lightweight cross-country kit for stiff plastic boots and short sticks on a regular basis..