She is leaving Karibuni at the start of January when she will be returning to New Zealand for a few months training in her new job before being posted back to Wales in the summer.

We will miss Trudie immensely, as I’m sure many of you will too, but wish her the best of luck in her new job – Full On’s gain is Karibuni’s loss.

Meet the Team
A new winter brings new faces to the Aravis Lodge in the form of our Ski Team. This winter you will be well looked after by Alex, Coral and Simon in the Lodge as well as enjoying guiding with Anne, although Simon and Alex will also be enjoying some time on the slopes with you too.

Alex is a Kiwi looking to compare and contrast Europe’s slopes to the New Zealand ski fields.
Simon is a budding engineer – ask him about the racing car he recently built – and then crashed!
Coral has just returned from travelling in Australia and is a very keen horse rider – hope we can find her somewhere to ride in the snow!
Anne is a very experienced skier who is looking forward to spending a lot of time on the slopes this winter – as well as renovating her flat in La Clusaz.
Finally we’re also pleased to have Tom on board who’s joining the office team for the winter season taking on Trudie’s role. It will probably be Tom who answers the phone to you when you call. A water sports enthusiast, Tom is looking forward to learning to ski this winter too.

Many of you will remember our chefs, John and Jacqui and their black Labrador Louis who are returning for another season with us. Jack and Sheila are also looking forward to seeing you over dinner or for a pint of Beamish in the bar (well, Jack anyway!) and Jess and Paul will be alternating time in the office with as much time on the slopes with you as possible this year!

Snap up your last minute Christmas holiday now!

Are you a Christmas Orphan?
Unusually we’ve still got a couple of places left for Christmas this year. So if you’re far away from home and family then why not spend Christmas with us? If you’re quick you may still be able to snap up a Christmas week or a long weekend if you’ve got limited time. We’ve picked out our trees and are decorating them this week – come and join in! For more details see http://www.karibuni.co.uk/ski_holidays/shared/specials/christmas_week.htm or email us at info@karibuni.co.uk

Christmas Present ideas
Struggling to find the ideal present for your family or partner? Why not buy them a trip to one of our fantastic summer UK social days.

With a choice of Epsom Derby weekend or Royal Ascot week in June or Henley Royal Regatta, Ascot Diamond Day or the popular Cartier Polo in July, there’s plenty of choice.

All these events are glamorous occasions – a great place to see and be seen! We include transport to and from London, entry to the event, chilled bubbly on arrival, delicious buffet lunch with red and white wine and the full services of an experienced Karibuni team to ensure a fun and well organised day. Visit our website on http://www.karibuni.co.uk/uk_adventures/uk_adventures_index.htm to learn more about the specific events.

Of course if you’re really looking to wow your other half, why not book them a ski holiday for their Christmas present!

Email us now on info@karibuni.co.uk for hassle free present purchases - and we guarantee you won’t have to endure jangly Christmas music too – a refreshing change when Christmas shopping!

Travel news
EasyJet top tips
Many of you are regular travellers – but these days everyone is entitled to get slightly confused with what is and isn’t acceptable on easyJet flights – particularly those in and out of London airports – so here’s a quick checklist of things to remember when flying with easyJet this winter:

· You are entitled to one piece of main luggage and one piece of hand luggage per person
· Luggage weights are 20kg per person (although if one piece of luggage exceeds this and you check in with another person who has a much lighter bag they will sometimes take the luggage weight as an overall weight. This is a goodwill gesture however and they aren’t obliged to do this so pack light if possible!) Extra weight is charged at £5 per kilo.
· Skis, boards and boots are charged at £15 an item as easyJet have to outsource the handling of all ‘sports equipment’ to a separate handling company when loading the plane.
· You can now take liquid on flights in hand luggage BUT only in 100ml containers and making sure the containers are in transparent plastic bags. Consequently makeup items, medicines etc are ok but you still can’t take bottles of drinking water.
· Any liquids bought after checking in and security – i.e. in shops in the duty free area – are ok to take on the plane so this is the place to buy a bottle of water for the flight.
· Although you will be holidaying in France with Karibuni you will be flying into Geneva in Switzerland meaning you can take advantage of non-eu duty free items!
· EasyJet have finally started recycling – so pop your papers into their green bags at the end of the flight rather than throwing them out as rubbish in the orange bags brought round mid-flight.

EasyJet are starting to announce their summer timetables already – meaning that it is now possible to book Easter flights but only from some airports. The full range of Easter flights should be out in January if you can’t find the flight you’re looking for now.

Environmental snippets
Recycle, recycle, recycle!
Just a quickie this time - Christmas produces lots of waste and excess packaging. Remember to recycle as much xmas paper, cards and empty bottles as possible after the big day. But don’t forget - always check card envelopes first – there’s nothing worse than recycling a £10 note accidentally!

Global Gossip
A Wichita man called 911 to report he was the victim of an armed robbery. The theft? A pound of marijuana worth about $1,100 that he had been trying to sell at his home.

The victim told police that a buyer had pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and stole the drugs. Police brought in a drug-sniffing dog to the house and located more marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The victim was booked into Sedgwick County jail on several charges, including possession with the intent to sell drug.
The thief has not been found
(Yahoo News)

Well that’s it for now! We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and maybe we’ll even see one or two of you over the Christmas period to share our festivities.
Bye for now