Mountain escape

An eventful day. After heavy snow all night, the ski conditions at Morzine were excellent this morning with lots of fresh powder snow. I made good progress in a skiing lesson with a very considerate and encouraging ski instructor.
Then the wind got up, the air was suddenly filled with a blizzard of ice granules and conditions became very difficult. We took refuge in a mountaintop restaurant for lunch, where we were told by the ski instructors that the prevailing conditions were among the worst they had experienced for 20 years. All the ski lifts were shut, and we and others had to be ferried down the mountain in skidoos that usually transport provisions and garbage to and from the restaurants.
It was good to get back to the warmth and safety of the chalet. Tomorrow we drive to Geneva for the motor show press day.