February saw new guests arrive at the chalet to enjoy near perfect conditions!! The snow was deep and plentiful, the sun sun shone brightly under deep blue skies and in places you could still find good powder as temperatures didn’t climb too high. Plus we revisited some old favourite restaurants that had gone off the boil a touch. But, they were now under new management so we wanted to see how things had changed!
-
- The world famous Sherpa bar in Morzine and it’s new ice bar (wall) – so much snow fell, early in the month!!
-
- Tom Fenton and his pals arrived at the chalet. Some of them dared to be boarders but it was ok we found some good off-piste.
-
- After a great morning skiing in Switzerland – sun and some untracked powder. We stopped at the traditional Buvette half way down the Grand Paradis run to Champery. And, guess what the food has got much better! So we stopped a bit longer than just for a chocolat chaud.
-
- The views are still stunning – ‘Dents du midi’ from the terrace of the Buvette.
-
- Had to include this one! After all the times I’ve travelled to Geneva airport – I finally got a decent shot of the fountain.
-
- Maggie Penman and Darren Scoley. Not only the first time at the chalet but Darren had somehow never ski’d before. The boy did exceedingly well!! A natural.
-
- More new guests – the Beavans and Morgans arrived for half term. Rita and the Tsar joined them to for a good morning’s skiing.
-
- Not all the Beavans were there! Chris and Julie had slipped away for a little snooze after we covered quite a lot of territory, quite quickly.
-
- The whole chalet descended on Mont Chery one day with the Borehams (Paul and his two daughters, Jess & Becky are regular visitors) joining the Morgans and Beavans for a great days skiing on relatively uncrowded pistes, despite half term. A good lunch was enjoyed, outside in warm sunshine at the Chanterelles (nr the Col de l’Encrenaz) which has new owners.
-
- Yep, you’re right that was the Mont Blanc Massif in the background. The views from Mont Chery on a sunny, cloudless day are just fantastic.
-
- Tis what happens when discipline goes towards the end of the day when people are a little tired. Ian Beavan had to go and rescue his son Thomas’s skis and encourage him to walk back up the slope so we could get to the van. He and his sister had missed the turn off. The Tsar did the honourable thing and helped Amelia as well!! Both seem to be struggling a bit.
-
- Ian looking very relaxed towards the end of his stay. Truth is he wore cool, shorts and a t-shirt most evenings. We like to think it was testimony to the natural warmth within our chalet!!
-
- Simon and Rob came for a whistle stop tour at the end of half term. They were greeted with some fresh snow which just topped up conditions nicely. It also gave us the opportunity to go on the new lifts in Chatel connecting Super C to Linga and to visit the must hyped Chez Babette in Plaine Dranse for the first time. The new (double) two way chairs get the thumbs up! Although, it’s a bit white knuckle on both descents – views of Chatel are stunning!! The jury is out on the Babette experience – I know some of you out there just love the place. I’m sure I’ll warm to the experience.
-
- Old friends the Wings and the Reads joined us towards the end of the month. They experienced all kinds of conditions – snow, rain (1st time for over two months!!) and the emergence of Spring:)) Here Stewart and Ryan are with the Tsar high above Lindarets and Montriond – tis a really good off-piste run!
Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka 