Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka

We picked Mark and his team up at Geneva airport. To say that we were a little surprised they were all 40+ boarders was an understatement. It didn’t help that our short wheel based Trafic; meant fitting all the modern, wheely bags (for boards)  in plus their goodselves was a trifle tricky but we managed somehow! Who invented those bloody wheely bags?

They demanded powder but what they got was steep, bumpy, variables. A speciality served up often in the ‘Portes Du Soleil’ and not for the feint hearted, especially if you are on a board. But these guys were definately ‘gung ho’ and new how to use their snowboards in the off-piste. We dropped off the side of Rosa and Ranfoilly in Les Gets. Howard and Keith took one look at the steep, undulating terrain and thought better of it but then group psychology and peer pressure took over – in they went. ”The next bit through the trees is quite tricky, let me go and have a look first” caused much mirth given we were already two thirds of the way down some, very variable terrain.

They also weren’t too impressed when someone suggested a drag needed to be taken to avoid the boarder’s private nightmare – long, flat terrain. ”Get a piste map” was the cry when it became obvious the draglift venture (boarder’s second nightmare) had been totally unnecessary. My only defence it’s not always easy to work out what’s good for a boarder when you are a skier.

The next day some took themselves off to explore the board park in Avoriaz. However, the hard core remained in search of  what the French call ‘La Poudreuse’. High above Lindarets, to the left of the ‘Chaux Fleurie’ chair as you descend from Chatel Linga paradise was found for Mark, Mark and Howard as they cut some big, beautiful curves in soft, still fresh snow.

There was a small incident with a tree which we wont dwell on. Will we, Howard? And some interesting navigation was needed around a stream as we re-entered civilisation close to the Lindarets lifts. But it was all worth it for those few metres of the ‘White stuff’!!

See you next year guys. (I hope!)

Bob and the Boys (Alan & John) visited Chalet Margaritka in early February (the snow was fantastic) and proceeded to ski all over the ‘Portes Du Soleil’ with great aplomb. Grand Paradis, Chamossiere, Super Chatel, Morgins, the ‘world was their oyster’. But these shots taken from the ‘Point de Nyon’, high above Morzine possibly emphasise what skiing is all about and why we love it so much! We felt like we were on ‘Top of the World’ and for those Steve Miller aficionados out there the boys said ”it was like being able to Fly like an Eagle’. What do you mean; whose Steve Miller? Soon after we were soaring high above the clouds as we ski’d some of the trails in between the piste as it winds its way down into Nyon. 

That evening the adventures and views of the day were discussed around the log fire in the chalet, enjoying a tipple or two and sampling the sounds of ‘Steve Miller’ amongst others in Glyn’s retro vinyl collection. A perfect day in the Alps!! 

I know, I know but it is a magnificent shot and deserves to be seen by all.

The police visited Chalet Margaritka in early February. They weren’t interested in exploring some of the PDS hidden secrets (Backs & Blacks) but hat’s off; Ian and Felicity showed real guts, hanging in there on a tour of the circuit in flat light and increasing snow storms. Ian said ”I only came for the exquisite lunch you promised in a traditional Swiss Buvette (in the picture postcard alpine village of Morgins)”. Every guide has a bad day and gets his timings slightly out. They did get a Pannini and a demi at a cafe at the foot of the Super Chatel Gondola. What more could they ask for!!

Ian has one of the most balanced skiing postures you could wish for given he’s only been skiing for a few years. My only defence ”He just needs to turn on the gas a bit more”. 

I’ve promised next time lunch at the wonderful, Cafe Des Sports in Morgins is on me!!

January saw the first of Chalet Margaritka’s more adventurous guests arrive. Skiing high above the Nyon bowl in Morzine, some excellent variables and even a bit of powder were found on one of Glyn’s favourite back trails.

After a hard day in the back country a more relaxing time was enjoyed skiing the wonderful  ‘Grand Paradis’ extended run down to Champery in Switzerland from Les Crosets, below Avoriaz. Adrian having recovered from the previous day’s exploits is joined by Debbie (his girlfriend), Alison and Graeme under the spectacular ‘Dents du Midi’ mountain peaks (Middle teeth) before setting off on their adventure.

The first guests arrived at Chalet Margaritka for one of our highly personalised, ski weekends just before Christmas ’09. Everyone seemed to have a good time but it was our son Alex and his friend Rebecca who stole the show……