It is a strange feeling waking up on Christmas day in a foreign place far away from all your family and friends. Everybody back home always hopes and dreams of the clichéd white Christmas. Spending Christmas 2009 in a ski resort, I expected nothing less, and this idea proved some consolation.

So, when I woke up early on Christmas day, like an excited child, I peered out of the window expecting to see what many would consider a traditional Christmas scene, with the snow covering the trees and falling all around. Instead, as I peeled back the curtain I was greeted by sheet rain all around, which instead of meeting my expectations of a white Christmas, reminded me more of the Christmases I have been used to at home.

My disappointment at missing out on the Christmas I felt I had been promised was mounting. The rain, however quickly turned to snow, and further up the mountain into a complete whiteout, which made skiing very challenging. In terms of weather for skiing, it had rapidly become almost too white a Christmas. Visibility was extremely poor, with it being difficult to see more than about ten feet in front of you and the wind was whipping violently in your face. Nevertheless, there is still something magical both about seeing snow and also going out skiing on Christmas day.

Many of the restaurants and bars in St Anton are closed on Christmas Eve, as well as many of the ski shops closing early. The town had a strangely deserted feel, as the Austrians, as well as many of the other counties on the continent seem to celebrate mainly on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas day itself. Therefore choosing to stay out of the town. Only the English run places such as Scotty's Bar and grill were open for the traditional British night out on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day in the resort is a slightly more British affair. Everywhere in town is open as usual with the slopes being packed. One Christmas peculiarity in St Anton that is worth mentioning is the granpas. These tend to be members of the local police and fire brigade who in the weeks leading up to Christmas, come down into the town in large groups, to 'beat' the evil out of people in time for Christmas. Whilst these 'beatings' are not intended to hurt it is worth knowing that it is not a good idea to run away from them or fight back as they tend to take this tradition fairly seriously.

Altogether, I found Christmas in St Anton, a very different but an extremely enjoyable experience. The novelty of having snow on Christmas day is something that is hard to beat.