Category: Chalet Dairy 2009

The weather has been very cold in the past two weeks which has kept the ground cold. We have had quite a bit of fresh snow and Villaroger opened this week. We have been busy during the last couple of weeks, and Xmas week has been really enjoyable and even busier. The dinner went down really well and Andy was chief carver of the turkey. My dad came out for Xmas and we went to Villaroger for a ski yesterday and a drink at La Ferme. We skied powder as the runs were covered in fresh snow and the girls were wearing their new outfits from the Ski Club. The best snow has definitely been in Les Arcs over Xmas , or Val and Tignes. We went to Villaroger square for the live nativity and Santa’s visit. It felt really christmassy and the children loved it. Jonny has just returned from a good boxing day ski in Les Arcs. The pistes were empty and in good condition. The stag came into our garden today , and we fed him some bread. He was so close as you can see. Here are some photos from the week.                     

The season has started and we had guests out this last weekend. Here is a video taken this weekend of the boys staying with us, as you can see conditions are good, Tarenataise Valley has some of the best snow in the Alps at this moment in time. Click here to see the video.  Last minute bookings for Jan 10th -21st only £55 pp pn fully catered including all drinks.  

Les Arcs opened yesterday so we went skiing for the day. The weather was beautiful in the morning, clouding in a bit in the afternoon. It was really only 3 lifts in Arc 2000 that were open, with the TransArc fom Arc 1800 bringing people up to ski. Everything will be open from the 12th Dec 2009. The pistes were not busy, no queues on the lifts, and good snow conditions – Millionaires skiing actually. Snow coverage is good and the resort is looking good. We took the girls and my mum’s partner Tony. Afterwards we went to the bar to watch Andy and Ritchie play in their band. The chalet is almost ready apart from the final clean down, to take our first guests on the 12th Dec. Im planning the menu as we speak, lots of new dshes, and the outside terrace is now ready. The wine has been delivered and Reah arrives Tuesday this week. We still have availability , last min deals on 10th Jan onwards. Please give us a call to discuss. Long weeeknd, short break, 10 days!!!!! Here are a couple of photos from yesterday’s ski in Les Arcs, as you can see there was not a lot of people there so we had the pistes to ourselves some of the time.                                                      

Its snown all day today, started around 6 am this mormimg and continued all day. We have had in the Village around 6″ and up high a couple of foot. Its due to carry on overnight, and fair up during the day. Everywhere looks beautiful  as it snowed right down to the Valley bottom. The christmas tree in the Village went up today, and the lights will be put on tomorrow. We have some new lights too on our roof , so we will be easy to spot when you come into the Village. The girls will be very excited on Wednesday as my mum and Tony arrive for a visit, but we have kept it a surprise. We cannot wait to see their faces.  I will take a photo tomorrow of the snow!!!                                                      

We have been busy altering the outside terrace to make extra storage space under the Hot-Tub. Its now made the Hot- Tub higher so the view is even better of the Mountains. We have got all the logs in for the season and had a good tidy round this weekend as first guests are due to arrive on the 12th December. The girls have been helping too. The weather has been a little milder this week but snow up high has been forecast for this week. Apparantly the Glacier in Tignes is in great condition at the moment and you can ski all the way down to Val Claret. My new skis have arrived and I cannot wait to get out on them. They are Scott Rosa’s the womens version of the Scott Missions. Great graphics and good all rounders so I will be on them most of the season. Jonny has gone for Scott Pures for the powder days. Les Arcs is due to open on 5th December to coincide with the European Film Festival. We are still have dates to fill  during the season. January dates that are left we are now discounting, 1 room left for half term , and lots of other weeks still have free rooms so please call/mail to discuss further.  

Its snown and we have had lots high up. Infact in Arc 2000 they have had up to 80cm, which bears good news for the coming season. Thats more early snow than we have had over previous years and after a very hot Summer could well mean a cold Winter to follow. Here is a photo I took this morning of Ste Foy showing snow down to around 1300m                                                           We are all on countdown now for the start of the season. We will have Reah to help us this year, loves cooking and desserts are her speciality appartently so we will all have to just ski harder. Arc 2000 is hoping to open 5th December, fabulous news for those of you wanting to get an early ski in and its Millionaires skiing Pre-Xmas, no queues, slopes to yourselves, perfect. Hence why the phone has started ringing already.with this new snow too. We have had a trip back to the UK, the girls have been on holiday so its good to see family before the Season starts. We have altered outside on the terrace of the chalet. The Hottub is now higher and means a better view of the mountains whilst you drink your G and T. We still have availability throughout the Seasn, so give us a call if you would like to come. Don’t forget our prices are fully catered INCLUDING ALL DRINKS. My new skis are due to arrive this month, Scott Rosa and Jonny will be on the Scott Pures. Cannot wait for the first powder day to really try them out. Will keep you updated re the Snow !!        

The mountains are changing and although its still lovely weather it is a bit cooler in a morning and evening.      We went over the Col D’Iseran this week and there was fresh snow up high , so from now on if it rains we can expect snow at high altitude. We are all starting to get excited about the Winter arriving. We are busy collecting our wood, stacking it up and also making more storage for this coming Season. We have both ordered a pair of new skis and cannot wait to get on them. Ive gone for the Scott  Mission Rosa and Jonny the Scott Pures. Here is a little video, taken last season, to get you in the mood – (click here) If you would like to book for next season please get in touch.  

Jonathan Booth and John Cook returned to the Chalet for a week of Mountain Biking in Villaroger and Les Arcs. They also biked Val D’Isere, Tignes, Ste Foy, La Rosiere and Italy. They took a guide who showed them some amazing routes. I just wanted to add these photos to show you the excellent Mountain Bikng in this area. The boys have ridden all over the World and said we had some of the best single track they’d ever ridden anywhere.          

It was the Fete de Villaroger on the 15th August and I was helping all day aon the Cake and Crepe stand. I must have cooked about 100 Crepes , I didn’t want to see another crepe or hotdog for days. There was dancing, donkey rides, trampolining, confetti fight, fishing, zip wires to keep everyone entertained. Afterwards there is always a Ball at the local hall.     Our Village did a float, as always. This year’s theme was 70’s Disco as we had all the outfits as our friend Fiona had an Abba party at the end of the season for her 40th. I think we shocked the villagers as we were quite bright and loud, a bit of a difference to the other floats. The weather was superb again and the day went very well. The Trophee des Rouelles(Mountain Bike Race through the narrow streets of Ste Foy Village) was held this last weekend. The race actually goes through Le Monal Bar and competitors take part from all over the area.  Jonny rode  along with 4 guests who are here to Mountain Bike. They all did well, with Jonathan Booth and John Cook finishing 15th out of 36 teams. Well done boys.       The guests  had a great day out yesterday mountain biking with a guide. They started from Val D’isere at the Bellevarde lift and rode to Val Claret Tignes, then, Tignes Le Lac, Les Brevierres, La Gurraz, Villaroger, down to Bourg St Maurice, up the Funichular, round to 1950, then back down Single Track from there into the Village and here to the back door of the chalet. AMAZING. Around 70kms in total, that is some ride. Jonny the girls and I met up with Chris and Lesley who are on their holidays at the moment and had  a perfect Sunday afternoon at Chez Marie Restaurant, Le Miroir, Ste Foy. Only 10 mins from us its one of our favourite restaurants especially in the Summer. Its got its own swimming pool, so after a beautiful lunch in the garden you can then go for a swim and relax. These pictures were taken there this weekend.     Only 9 days until the girls are back to school. Then we will be winding back up for the Winter. Bookings are coming in so please get in touch if you would like to come this next Season. Bye for now .    

Jonny has completed the Tour de Mont Blanc with |Mike and Alex and had great weather all week except for the last day which had a little rain. The walk which circles Mont Blanc, passing through France, Italy and Switzerland is around 170 km’s and should take between 7 – 10 days. The boys did it in 7 which was good going as Alex was only 14. Sleeping in Mountain refuges, and carrying all their kit  themselves in rucksacks, it is an experience of a lifetime. Here are a couple of photos from the trip.       My sister Nat visited us for a week and we had a wonderful time. The weather once again was superb and we fitted lots in. There is so much to do here in the Summer and we could have done with another week to show them eveything.The Chalmers Family were next door in the Chalet  and the children got on so well, they were playing out until bedtime most nights. Le Loissel didn’t know what had hit it with 8 children having fun. Ive added a couple of pics of the kids doing the activities.                                                      Mountain Bikers can be seen everywhere at the minute. They are loving the single track back to the Village and the new thing in 1800 is the Inflatable bag where the MB’s can do tricks and land safely on a big bouncy dustbin bag, or the likes of. Its fantastic!!!! Here’s Phil, Mick and the boys in Le Loissel and then one taken in Arc 1800.   Will write again soon with pics from the Fete in Villaroger and the Mounain Bike Race in Ste Foy.