April | 2012 | Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka

Archive for April, 2012

Never turn down an opportunity!

April 29, 2012

In late April I was invited to attend a Global conference in San Francisco. Ski season hadn’t finished but I just had to go. SFC is a great city, completely unlike New York – much more laid back and almost, European like. Infact when we were on the boat trip (see below) it reminded me of Istanbul; built on many hills connected by dramatic suspension bridges. One thing most people don’t know is an eerie fog rolls in off the Pacific each day to shroud the city in mist – also causes the temperature to drop 10 degrees so it becomes very un-mediterranean like. Bear this in mind if you’ve not been and you get a chance to go there. We visited Google (office is like a university campus – eveything feels like a laid back, place of learning), Facebook and Yahoo amongst others.

We also went on a boat trip around the Bay area one evening, luckily no fog that day. Here’s a snapshot of the best pics:

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Final guests but what a great season it was!!

April 29, 2012

Chalet Margaritka’s final guests of the Winter arrived in early April and over Easter. The weather was good, pistes relatively quiet and the skiing just fantastic. Infact, it just kept snowing all Winter – even in April, after most international skiers had disappeared the weather cooled and the snow returned. It has even kept on snowing after Avoriaz closed on 22nd April – every day you can see snow half way down the Super Morzine mountain which is visible from the chalet.

: Snow returned to the Alps over the Easter weekend, falling as low as the village for a few days. Irrespective of conditions Graham had his own individual style. No slope phased him – straight down (no turns) he went!! I just kept on thinking its a good job his wife can’t see this. Think his sister Helen was always slightly worried but this had no influence. Graham – hope the back is ok.

: Joel Lister’s family (Nicky, Sam and Emily) came for a first experience of a chalet ski holiday over the Easter weekend. He brought Graham, Graham’s wife, Helen sometimes known as Josephine (Graham’s sister) and Remy (Helen’s boyfriend) with him. Outside the Pointe de Nyon restaurant in the Nyon sector. Alex and Rita are in there somewhere.

: Springtime and the warmer weather always gets Rita on to the slopes. Lots of skiing was enjoyed by all members of the Chalet Margaritka clan this Winter.

: Rita and Alex joined the Gallant girls for a fun day skiing in Morzine/ Les Gets.

: Judy had visited the chalet in February. Judy and her friends helped us discover the fantastic La Paika restaurant in the La Turche sector of Les Gets. She liked her visit so much she brought her husband Neil (an experienced skier) and children Ashleigh and Holly to the chalet just before Easter. Look at that Blue Sky!

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March – Its been like reaquainting ourselves with old friends!

April 1, 2012

Lots of repeat guests came to the chalet this month. It is one of the best things about running a small ski business. Every year you simply say ”hello” to old friends.

: I can’t lie the snow did get a bit heavy in the afternoon! But still perfectly skiable. Nothing like a couple of beers and a few Z’s to recharge the batteries – this time of year you can sit outside in the village (in the warm, sun). SIMPLY PERFECT. See you again guys – Great weekend.

: Early afternoon on Chamossiere we found some beautiful Spring snow high up. Pistes were generally uncrowded whilst off piste there was no-one apart from a few adventurous souls like us. Had to work the fantastic lunch at ‘La Paika’ (La Turche area of Les Gets) off somehow.

: Nicki and Tim dropped in on some old friends of mine who were staying in the chalet in January. Having enjoyed the weekend so much they left their boots and skis with us meaning they had to come back! And so they did to check out what the Spring skiing was like, persuading Rita and Alex to go out with them as well. Not difficult – it was beautifully warm (not hot) Spring conditions and a great lunch at a new restaurant (to us) was offered. That’s the Mont Blanc Massif in the background.

: A great morning was had regaining Becca and Alexs’ confidence on the Proclou run, Super Morzine. A wonderful, gentle blue just under Avoriaz – made for perfecting those parallel turns.

: The Taylors and some of the Meades having a bit of fun. David & Ben came to the chalet last year and liked it so much they brought their whole families with them this time. We all had a great time – even the Tsar (Alex) made some guest appearances over dinner. Not sure who won the table football championships?

: After playing in the powder a little bit of refreshment was needed. They’ve reopened the quaint, ‘oldy worldy’ cafe on the route to Morgins. Great views, seems to always be in the sun. Perfect, watching the brave off piste skiers descending the steep slopes high above.

: Confirming their adventurous reputation by agreeing to a little experiment in ‘la poudreuse’ on the way to Morgins. Most enjoyed it – I think! Well no-one attacked me or gave me too much verbal abuse. Sally and Cat, of course, were nursing rather large hangovers but still did marvelously. Where did that tree come from by the way?

: The girls interrupted their tour of the PDS for the traditional shot with the famed ‘Dents’ in the background.

: The ‘Grand Paradis’ run to Champery is a great way to spend a morning. You have to stop for a welcome hot chocalate at the traditional Swiss Buvette opposite the ‘Dents du Midi’.

: Lorraine, Elizabeth and the ‘girls on the run’ enjoyed another great weekend of skiing in fabulous weather. They were joined by two new recruits – Sally and Cat who settled in seamlessly to the frivolity of it all.