Rob Freeman claims he's never had a ski holiday, just a series of work trips that happen to involve skiing, checking out runs, restaurants, bars and spas for newspapers, ski and flight magazines, books and websites. He labours uncomplainingly – if it's a crime to be dedicated, he says, he pleads guilty as charged.
He learnt to ski many years ago in Les Arcs, where a skiing cousin told him that ski boots had to be so tight it took three grown men to force the clips into place each morning. It took three hours each evening for any feeling to return. His boots are much more comfortable now.
He's been lucky enough to have skied many great resorts, following the tracks of many great skiers including downhill superstar Franz Klammer and powder guru Josef Mallaun. From them he has learned much – most importantly, he says, to respect the mountains and savour every moment on the slopes.
Rob is a qualified ski instructor and was for many years years a senior journalist on the Daily Mail. He still writes frequently for The Mail’s travel website. Now he travels more frequently than ever from his Buckinghamshire home to the ski slopes. He has recently had a book on Austrian resorts published. His main dilemma is juggling his love for skiing with that for football – their seasons so inconveniently clash.