Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka

March has seen many guests coming and going from the chalet. Family, friends and one or two new guests have enjoyed skiing in warm sunshine and under deep blue skies. Some such as Alison, Mike and Lesley were on their second visit of the Winter – Thankyou!

After a month of new guests the last few days of February saw the Wings return – David and Elaine and their three enthusiastic children – Ryan, Nathan and Melissa. They were accompanied by Stewart (Elaine’s brother) and Liz (who hurt herself last time so needed to be a bit careful). It was Stewart’s second visit of the season and umpteenth visit over the last few years. We must do something right!!

They were confronted by all seasons and types of conditions across their five day stay – snow, dense mist, cloud, heavy rain and warm Spring sunshine. Indeed, the first day of Spring didn’t quite fall on March 1st but on the morning of March 3rd we were greeted by the first really warm rays this year in the village.

The pics, of course, tell the story:

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!

Old and new friends visited this month.  Paul Keech and the boys plus Kath & John Sherry (please send us a pic or two so we can include) returned for their annual visits. Mark Preston and his family and Alan Crowe – all good skiers were new visitors to our homely, comfortable chalet. Then during the last week of January the heaven’s opened and the snow didn’t stop falling!! It snowed virtually every day for 10 days – putting well over 100 cms down in the village. We’d never known anything like it!

Conditions in the Portes du Soleil will now be fantastic for the remainder of the season.

The second weekend in January saw Alan Lawless returning to the chalet with his engineer friends from upp North (Preston area to be precise). They were joined by some new guests from the opposite end of England. Margaret Turgoose and her girlfriends arrived in the chalet from nr. Exeter, Devon. They had tried to come, one time before and this time made it to ensure we all had a great weekend!!

It really can be a small, old world. Margaret, Sarah and Sam all live in the same small village of a friend who I’ve known for years, from the days we used to share a house in London in the mid 1980’s. Thanks for the recommendation Liz, I think it’s time you paid us a visit once more – insist you come with the girls next time!!

It is always great when you have two separate groups who’ve never met before gel so well together, you’d have thought they had known each other for years!!

A great atmoshere and ambiance ensued all weekend as shown by these pics!

Before Xmas we were joined by Costin Mihaila (a former colleague) and Eunice his partner. Hadn’t seen Costin for a while so it was great to do some skiing with him. We had a good time despite a lack of snow – hope you don’t hold it against us Costin?

And, for New Year the Stubbins family arrived who’ve become firm favourites with us and (we hope with them!!) plus their friends the Hawkins family and Alison Stonham and Kev Driver (also, firm favourites at the chalet!!). The guys were extremely lucky because just before they arrived the heaven’s opened and more than 30 cms of snow fell in the village alone. This meant skiing conditions became just great overnight.

The pictures tell the story – everyone enjoyed themselves!!

Some final shots of a great season. Mike and Lesley came back for a second time this Winter, as did our friends Charlie, Rosie and their daughter Izzy. The weather was good, having cooled down a touch making the morning Spring snow fantastic. A great lunch at Chez Flo one day – Thanks Mike and Lesley and a more rustic visit to Chang-a-Bang the next – Alex and Izzy loved the burgers. The vinyl got another airing with the Ramones “Rocket to Russia” leading the way – Rosie insisted, honest!! Genuinely, a really good final weekend in April.

It must be something about March. Half term weeks are coming to an end and warmer, Spring weather is in the air. So we always find new guests arriving to stay at the chalet and meet some of our loyal customers who have visited many times!!

So what do you do with the kids at half term. Well? Go skiing, of course!!

Here’s some shots of our guests and us enjoying the mountains with their/ our familys’ over the last few half term weeks. It’s always a fun time at the chalet since we have more children staying so the Tsar (Alex) of Wales comes into his element!

Not sure he counts as a child but even our nephew William turned up for the first time in 10 years (shame on you for leaving it so long!). And, just to prove skiing is just like riding a bike ie. you never forget. Within a day he was crashing through the powder with the Tsar and I.

Alison returned to the chalet just before Half Term (Feb ’14) and this time brought her husband, Kevin and friends Mike and Lesley with her – all for the first time.  Somehow, the guys managed to persuade Rita to ski virtually every day (we think) – and it looks like all had a hell of a time! Since one member of the chalet team was not there – only pictures, no words – which definitely seem to tell the story! (Some would also say that’s better!)

Infact, everyone had such a great time that Mike and Lesley booked to come again (whilst they were there) the first weekend in April! Alison is already coming back with the girls in March. We look forward to seeing you all once more.