Category: Chalet Diary 2008

The weather has been a bit mixed since last time I wrote. In fact we have had quite a bit of rain and last week it rained every day. Its not being cold , just a bit wet. This was a bit unfortunate for the guests, the Morris family in the chalet, but it didn’t seem to put them off. They did lots of walking and drove over the Cols. They wanted to raft but were unable to due to the the height of the river with all the melt from the mountains. They went out on bikes and had a couple of BBQs and were never in. The only consolation was it was the same weather all over France.   Today we drove up to La Rosiere as we thought the Col de Petit St Bernard had opened. We soon found out that it hadn’t as you can see from the photos at the Border. It was pretty impressive though. Yesterday we visited Park Walabi with some friends. Its a big Theme Park  between Chambery and Lyon and the girls love it. It stayed fine until the back end of the afternoon and we all had lots of fun. I’ve been out on my bike and have been swimming with the school every Thursday. We are trying to get out camping but unfortunately the weather has not been too brilliant. We are trying to coincide it with some climbing too.   The Chambery flights are now out and don’t forget we are doing early bookings at this last seasons prices(see price page on website) We still have vacancies for June until 6th July for anyone fancying a break. Give us a call to discuss if you are interested. Anyway will close for now and write again soon.

  We had another hectic trip back to the UK, and had lots of birthdays to fit in and sorting vehicles out. We actually had quite good weather for a change whilst we were back so that was nice. We arrived back to Le Loissel with blue skies and sun too, and the Valley looked really green. I started gardening straight away and sorting out all the boxes and hanging baskets. We have our first summer guests 23rd May so I’m making sure we are all ready for them too. Jonny’s mum has visited us for the first time since we moved here. It was a great moment and one we have waited for for a long time.   The girls have started horse riding and seem to be loving it. Its great out here as you cannot just get on and ride you have to catch the pony, brush it, tack it up all before you can start your lesson. The girls are learning lots and of course Im really pleased as its what I love. I too am riding again and  I’m really enjoying being in the saddle again.   Jonny is out on his bike again and did a great walk with Diane when she was out. Here are a couple of pics. Will write again soon.

  It’s nearly the end of the season and what fabulous conditions we have at the moment. It’s more like mid January rather than mid April. Thanks to Debbie and Matt, Thanos and Elena and families for joining us for the 2nd time at Easter. The sun was out and everyone left with goggle marks and a tan. We had Karen, Chris and Neville in for a short break and enjoyed a day out with them in les Arcs. This week we have had Ryan and Jess, Annette and Rob here along with Cameron. Lawrence and Nicky and baby Megan joined us too. Megan is so cute and such a good baby. She did her first bit of sledging and got her first pair of sunnies. Tris and Claire came next and what a day we all had in Val D’ Isere. We skied Solaise, Le Fornet, Belevarde and over into Val Claret in Tignes. Then we made it to the Folie Douce for some tunes on the terrace. It was a great atmosphere and everyone was jigging. We even went back later for a night out, it was very Extreme Ryan and Rhian!!! We would just like to wish Rhian good luck in her new role as hostess on a boat in the South of France. We will miss you lots and especially as you are now officially a member of our family girl, so don’t you forget that!!!! We are so looking forward to seeing Ash and Cara from New Zealand and Nat of course on 15th. You lucky things the snow is going to be perfect for you!! We have more forecast this week, what an end to the season. Thanks again to everyone who has joined us this year and for making it so enjoyable for us. We look forward to seeing you all again soon, whether its mountain biking and holidaying here in the summer or next season skiing.   Don’t forget we are already taking bookings for next season and they will be held at this years prices(despite the weak pound) but only until the middle of June).We still have an odd week free in July and August for the chalet self catering. Will keep updating especially as I have a bit more time now!!!!  

  Well what a Friday! It was amazing. We had Neil and Caroline and Nigel and Sarah in too that week and it was Fabulous. Over a metre of snow fell in under 12hours. We were skiing waist deep Champagne powder on the piste, never mind off piste, it was so light it was coming up over your head and you couldn’t breathe. I personally have never had snow like that before. We skied in Villaroger and as the top lift was shut had the mountain to ourselves. It was just local people there, one big happy family. Everywhere you looked everyone had a big grin on their faces.Unbelievable. All our guests had a day to remember, even Ross im sure will be thinking that now!!! Below are pictures from the day.  

  We had more snow this week which gave Mick Thompson and his group some excellent skiing. We made it down to Italy , Ste Foy and Les Arcs and had lovely sunshine for most of the week.Nobody made it into the basin this year despite plenty of Mutsig in La Ferme.   We then had David Bingham and Ross Hugo back with their boys. They all skied hard and we had the best day of the season with them on Good Friday (D Day. ) Neil , Caroline and Harriet, Nigel and Sarah came next.

  We have had some really warm weather lately which has meant we all have brown faces and no need for thermals. We skied over to Italy the other day and it was spring like conditions. We ate at a new restaurant we had been recommended and the pizzas are so good!!!! Anneha and Fi have been on school holidays so Anneha came too. Here are a couple of pics from the trip. We had a good time with Andy and Jackie and Sue and Bob who booked very last minute. I skied with them in Les Arcs and the conditions were perfect and very quiet to say its holiday time.   Tony, Darren and Joe enjoyed the boarding although Joe hurt his knee on the first day. He did manage to board again though on the last day so hopefully nothing too serious there. We have just said goodbye to Keiron and Mel,who enjoyed lessons with Pierre, and we have Martin Andy and Mark here now along with the Weetmans, The Bears and the Buntings. Siobhan and her 4 colleagues joined us last week and they had a great day in Italy as well as skiing Les Arcs. Peter Birks has made a return visit (2nd time this season) along with 3 friends. Today it is snowing and is forecast to on and off all week. Jonny is still trying to keep training despite having a groin strain which he thinks happened whilst skinning up Villaroger the other day. He’s visited the Physio who has given it some treatment and will hopefully be sorted soon. It was Boos birthday and Harvey, Archie, Anneha and Fi made him a cake, which they insisted we put 43 candles on!!!!! Karl has arrived, for all those that know him, for his 3 week chalet boy stint!!!! Unfortunately he is not skiing as he has fallen and hurt his shoulder. He too is at the Physio as we speak. We have Jo and Mick Thompson in this week along with their friends and they are skiing the powder in Ste Foy today. Conditions are generally good, snow a bit sparse below 1200 metres, but plenty up high. This fresh today will liven things up again. We still have some availability 1st – 15th April 2008 and are offering discounted rates so give us a call if we can tempt you to come. Don’t forget this Valley is well known for late snow, so if you are thinking of an end of season trip this area is the best. Bye for now.  

  We’ve had more snow, infact its been perfect, couple of days snow and then a few days sun , then snow again and then back to blue skies. Perfect for the guests. Neil, Tom and Paul had a good 3 days and then Ian Munford and family joined us. We had a good days skiing in Villaroger in the powder with no-one around. Im still wating Rosie for the photo of Jonny the Marmott. Philip , Derek and Andrew skied everywhere, as always and we had a good Italian lunch again down at the Copapanna in la Thuile. Jonny had a trip off heliskiing last week and throughly enjoyed it.  Conditions were perfect and they did some good pitches. Here are a few photos from the trip. You can see Jonny on the right of one photo skiing down if you look carefully.   Jonny is still in training for the Haute Route in March and not drinking much……although he did have some vin rouge on his birthday, but that’s fine isn’t it? This picture was taken the other day when he was out touring. Heather, Martin, Edna, Polly and Millie came next. Must comment on Edna who is 70 but skis like a 20yr old. We were in the snow park going down the boarder cross and she kept up with us all, infact she led most of the way, Amazing!!!!!!! Sally, Peter, Pat, Clive,Joel, Sam and Lydia joined us and all the kids got on great. Mike and Alex were with us too and Andrew came mid week. The kids skied together and sledged together and are all coming again next year at the same time so thanks for that.Well done to Pat for getting back on skis again , you did really well.    Most spectacular wipeout must go to Joel that week when he came down the Boarder Cross infront of me and catapulted over the wall doing practically a somersault at the other side, very impressive!!!!   Looking forward to seeing some more return guests this next week, Tony Eldon, Paul Highton and Andy Reynard, along with their friends of course. Girls are off school now for 2 weeks so Anneha has got Ski Club most afternoons and Fi will be skiing with us. Will write again soon.