The glint on sun on Snow. Blue sky. Fresh air. It doesn't get much better than this.

Up on the first lift of the morning, rising above the valley floor, the low rumble of the lift calms the soul. The whooshing of the cable as it passes over the pulley wheel. No other sound is heard. No bird song.

You feel you heart beat in your chest as you near the top of the lift. The doors of the gondola open to reveal the stark concrete top station. Expectations. No one else has recovered from their hangover yet, neither have you.

You step up to the exit. As you pass through the door, the sun hits your eyes and you stand there like a rabbit caught in headlights. You lower your glasses and pass through. Two clicks and you're engaged. Two thin planks are attached to your feet.

The snow is untouched, the Corduroy piste of the blue run will remain untouched until the hangover's done. You head for black untouched by machine. As you round the corner, the scenery appears. The 'Hair of the Dog' drops down.

Two turns in, your hangover disappears and elation kicks in as the adrenaline starts to flood your body. Speed increases. You're dropping like a stone.

In 10 minutes you reach the next lift, no queues. Life is good.