Q&A
good boarder. I try to leave him for dust, but whenever that happens it’s more through luck than skill.
You’ve both been involved in organising Méribel Live. How did that come about? richard was in a band called Superfly that was later re-christened as The Feeling. Superfly had a number of residencies in Méribel during their formative years, playing cover versions of songs to skiers and boarders during aprés sessions. Once they became successful the band decided to go back home to Méribel to play a few secret gigs and it grew from there.
On the chairlift with...
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR
Best known for her music, including 2001 hit, murder on the dancefloor, singer, sophie ellis-Bextor, 32, also works as a model for cosmetics brand rimmel. she helps to organise a music event in the alps, méribel live, with husband richard Jones, bassist from the feeling
You’ve described yourself as a bit of a newcomer to skiing. when did you first try it and where? I really am almost a complete novice. My first time on snow was two years ago when I arrived to play the Little World Festival, now called Méribel Live. everyone said let’s go for a quick ski, so I got the gear on and just launched down the slope – it was like Bambi on ice, without a safety belt. not to be recommended. But now, having had a few lessons, I really enjoy it.
who got you interested in skiing? My husband richard is a keen skier and boarder – he is the one to blame entirely.
How would you describe your skiing style in comparison to his? I sort of charge down the piste while richard is much more skilful – he’s a really
nothing compares to the terror of that first unfettered downhill dash
How would you describe the event? There’s music for all tastes, from power pop to rave djs to the more melodic end of the scale. We’ve had 10cc, avant garde French bands, Squeeze, The Feeling and Freemasons – plus me of course. There are four
or five different events every day, with concerts in the auditorium, a live stage on the piste, gigs in the pubs and clubs and late night dance sessions. It’s great because you can see artists that you might not know, or see a really big star just jamming in a bar.
which of your tracks usually goes down best with the crowds? Well the old classics never fail: Murder, Groovejet and Take Me home get the big boots a-tapping, but there are new songs like Starlight that always seem to hit it off. Also, it being France, some of the dancey
Above: Sophie smoulders on her latest album cover. Above right: Sophie and husband Richard – the car had red tyres. Right: Rocking the mike at Méribel Live
numbers do well. I’ve had a few hits in France that haven’t seen the light of day in the uK.
do you get much time to go skiing with your family during the event? My seven year old, Sonny, loves skiing so we go pretty much every day. My other son, Kit, is only two and a half so he’s still a bit too young. The beauty of the festival is that you can ski by day and then enjoy the music in the evening. It’s very civilised, if you call watching a rock band in the wee hours civilised.
does your modelling background make you conscious of looking fashionable on the slopes? I love the gear. Last year we discovered beautiful jackets by Perfect Moment, but really it’s about getting out there and doing it. The mountains, the air, the blue sky – that’s the real beauty.
where else will you be skiing this year? Just the Trois Vallées – we really feel at home there, know loads of people and have a great time. We also love the ski school Magic in Motion, and have individual and family lessons. They have english-speaking teachers who are so patient.
what’s your favourite resort and why? It has to be Méribel but my dad has skied in canada quite a lot and we’ll definitely try that sometime. But for now the Alps are perfect – the flight is right too, for the boys.
Have you had any funny experiences skiing together with your family? every descent brings another story but nothing compares to the terror of that first unfettered downhill dash. After a day on the slopes I nearly always end up with a big smile on my face. Skiing is such fun.
This season’s Méribel Live, featuring Sophie ellis-Bextor and The Feeling, takes place 19 to 23 March 2012. Further details from
www.meribel.net.
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www.metrosnow.co.uk
words henry druce
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