Getting into the groove with pre-season ski launches, lunches and parties

This year’s silly ski season kicked off earlier than usual with Helly Hansan hosting an early launch lunch at the Ice Bar just off Regent Street in late August when London was sizzling in hot and sticky weather. It was however, an invitation not to be refused especially as we had all been asked our sizes and favourite colours, anyway, Helly Hansen jackets have always been a firm favourite with me, I once owned a smart but useful all-weather sailing jacket which I wore everywhere.

This lunch though, was primarily to promote Helly Hansen’s amazing versatile new Winter sports Collection. On arrival all were instructed to go down to the restaurant in basement and handed a delicious fruit cocktail before being introduced to the Helly Hansen team and soon asked to take our seats at a long laid for twenty-four guests. Journalists had all been given pre-assigned seats where enormous red ‘goodie’ bag had been placed on each seat with names marked on all bags and over the chairs were draped a selection of winter ski jackets. I first thought they were to use when we visited the Ice Bar which purportedly was around 17 degrees below zero. Lunch consisted of a variety of tapas dishes and while we ate HH personnel explained various scientific improvements to winter outfits while showing us some of the more popular items.

When finally I bid farewell to my generous hosts I found myself not only grappling with an enormous red ‘goodie’ bag full of functional ski wear but also the winter jacket that had been draped over my chair! It was like Christmas had come early.

Next up was the Swiss Tourist Office annual pre-ski season party which this year was held in the Heritage Restaurant in Rupert Street just off Soho where many of the great and good from the world of skiing assembled for another evening of good food, delicious Swiss wine and lots of fun. Sara Rolfe tourist director of STO always has a new fun game up her sleeve to play and this year’s was no exception.

The following week I trouped off to Paddy’s Ski Travel lunch at the Tara hotel off Kensington High Street. This is where travel agents, European tourist board representatives mix and mingle with ski and travel journalist over pre-lunch drinks before sitting down to a delicious three course lunch. Journalists are given assigned tables and seats while everyone else has three tables numbers printed on their badge. As is tradition, after each course they move to one of the tables numbered on their badges. This enables everyone to meet and chat to different people attending the lunch.During this year’s dessert each table participated in a fun quizz game, some winning prizes donated by various travel organisations attending the lunch.

Finally on to a delightful breakfast hosted by the Nantes tourist board at the Worsely in Piccadilly. You might well ask how this fit in as a non-skiing destination but have to admit this was more about golf only I felt it worth a mention as it came two days prior to the Daily Telegraph’s Ski Show press day. Several invitations had already been received from various tourists boards and individual ski companies to attend drinks receptions on a different stands.This is always a fun day and once again a chance to rub shoulders with many from the world of skiing. In fact it’s rather like a proverbial cocktails party, if you stand still, the world of skiing will inevitably pass you by.

Now you understand why this is refer to as the Silly Ski Season!