Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka

Must have been the best March snow conditions for years!! Lots of snow after the early falls in March (even down to the lake, Geneva that is) and lots of butiful sunshine. The good thing was the temps never got into the high teens so Spring skiing conditions remained fab – no heavy afternoon slush this year!

We were joined for the second time this season by Alan & Dave (of the ‘Lawless Boys’ fame) and this time they brought their charming wives Sue & Pat. A lot of territory was covered and despite some early nerves ‘The Boys’ were able to ski all day with their Wives (apparently a first for a long time) – see we do look after our guests and cherish their needs!! The first day we were able to cruise perfectly pisted, different blues – all day (my memory was tested a bit) in the Morzine/ Les Gets area, in lovely sunshine, stop for a nice lunch at ‘La Cornette’ on the Nyon Plateau and meet up with our other guests for a drink or two at the end of the day.

Judy Scott Langley and her fellow medical professionals (most of whom were inexperienced skiers) were well looked after by Rita and Judy did manage to do that Black run in the end!! They were also well entertained by Dave and his fantastic poetry recitals after dinner, enjoyed England winning the Grand Slam (well those who didn’t adjourn to the bars of Morzine, where they had a lot of fun returning to some of the haunts first sampled on St. Patrick’s night) and one night we even got the vinyl out (for the first time this Winter) but think the medical girls had left by this point. A few glasses of Whisky were drunk that night so my memory is a bit hazy.

Finally, over Easter Belinda and her very plucky daughter Amy came to the chalet for the first time. Both extremely capable skiers but alas we never made it to Morgins cos Amy had a dreadful cold but she did keep skiing into the afternoon. Hence the plucky tag:))

We think everyone had a good time and we’d love to see you again. Here are the pics:

Ellie & Judy in Nyon

Just a butiful day in the sunshine – cruising the Blues

All enjoying a bit of Apres Ski

The ‘Lawless Boys’ with wives Sue & Pat, plus Rita

We were on our way to the Nyon Telecabine – look how busy the slope was!

Everyone’s all ears as Dave recites what he’s written himself

Another evening, another performance

Judy’s medical girls with Rita before departing – we trust they had a good time

Belinda & her daughter Amy posing for the traditional shot

This is likely to be the last post of the season so thanks to all of our guests this Winter. As usual we’ve had a marvelous time looking after you – hosting, cooking, guiding, transferring, taxiing, etc. We hope you’ve all enjoyed your time with us and the Chalet Margaritka personalised ski experience and obviously we’d love to see you all again!!

All who came in March just had the most fabulous conditions and weather. After lots of snow even into the village in early March, spring sprang and all our guests enjoyed great skiing in butiful sunshine:))

Once more we had a good combination of guests who have become friends and new guests who settled wonderfully into the laid back comfort, ambience and views of the chalet. Andrew Gilchrist “I guess you take that view for granted now but it is just fantastic. I’d die to wakeup to that every morning”. Andrew and his friend Stewart just toured the whole of the PDS circuit on their boards and in the evening helped to entertain our regular guests The Brennans, Val, Cath & Alison.

Watching the England v Wales rugby match was more than a tad difficult with a chalet full of England rugby fans. On the bright side since the weather was so good we obviously had to do the tour to Morgins (twice – going different ways around) among other things. Here are the pics:

On one of my favourite runs Belle Mouille – through the trees to the Nyon bowl

Ian deliberately winding up the chalet host before the big game v Wales. Egged on by Alison – alas, England did win, just!!

Coffee stop in the sun at Chez Flo

Trad foto – Cath, Alison, Felicity & Val with the ‘Dents du Midi’ behind

On the way to Morgins – Ian joins the trad foto even though the Midi were invisible

Chocolate in the sun at the traditional Buvette – half way to Morgins

Suddenly thought less have one infront of the quaint, old church in Morgins

After a great day – the girls decide to break my ski poles. V Unfair I felt!!

Rita makes it to the infamous ‘Café des Sports’ after we ski the PDS circuit the other way around. Fabulous descent into Morgins in the Spring sunshine!

A fitting farewell breakfast for Bday Boy ‘Chef’ :)))

Many old friends visited us in early March and they were rewarded with some of the best snow conditions at that time of year for years. Cold air came in during early March and hung around for well over a week. This meant it was like the old days, snow at night and early morning with the sun then coming out to warm things up nicely. It did this consistently during the first week of March and beyond. A perfect recipe for great powder skiing and good times. Nicki, Tim, Helen and Mark plus Alison’s Angels all had a ball.

Now for the pics:

Old friends Nicki, Mark & Tim – All good skiers. Twas a great powder morning!!

Followed by a fab lunch at Chez Flo – Alison’s girls joined us & loved the digestifs!!

Fab shot from the chalet after fresh snow

Just as the sun was rising:)) Let’s go skiing

Nicki taking a well earned rest after a great time in the ‘Poudreuse’

See its not true the chalet host doesn’t fall over:))

Apparently my ski brought Tim down – saved me ages trying to find it!

Alison’s Angels – Judy, Vicky, Angela & Lyndsay

Alison’s Angels with Rita at the Ice Bar in Avoriaz

Night Off – A little R&R at the local ‘Petite Auberge’

Nicki decides to have the prawn starter for desert?

Nicki off piste near the new Brochaux chair

Where Nicki goes Tim will follow!! Rita’s in the distance

Just a fab morning in the Poudreuse:)))