Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka

After the trials and tribulations of New Year with little snow. Things got back to normal in January with Old friends like The Keech Gang, Costin & Eunice and Kath & John Sherry  spending time with us in the Chalet. There were also plenty of new guests to arrive as the snow conditions got better and the sun came out as well!

It was generally an eventful time with the lights going out all over the village due to a storm one evening, some good skiing and fantastic Wi bowling contests and table tennis matches. Seems Robin who arrived from Amsterdam became the latest Wi champion much to the chagrin of Costin. Here are some of the pics:

New Guest Lionel looking cool in Avoriaz

Lionel plus the Keech gang minus Alan who’d gone missing

Yep, a big storm one night put all the lights out – Just butiful & cosy

Paul Keech and Graham relaxing in the bar

Alan (we found him) and the other Paul (Boreham)

Costin, Eunice and friends (Robin & Kasia) on the run down to the Fys chair, Morzine

It was just a beautiful day – lots of sunshine and crisp snow

Susan and Matthew Hancock – the guys really could ski

Trust you enjoyed the guiding!!!

First week of January saw our regular guests the Stubbins family (plus Shaun) and my nephew (William) and his girlfriend (Katie) arrive. As usual their luck was in – it snowed most of the week. Well, until that snow turned to rain lower down and then we had all kinds of weather!!!! Think it maybe a curious Winter.

Not sure what was more competitive though – the skiing or the Wii games in the evening?

Everyone had a great time (we think)!! Here are some of the pics:

The Tsar (Alex) and Big Willy high above Lindarets and Lake Montriond

If you look closely you can see the lake in the distance

Big Willy in the back country!! Well, Piste B – the run down to Morzine. Yep, there was no-one on it – cos it was shut

Glyn, Katie & Rita on Piste B

Yep, it’s still Piste B :))

A goo evening at ‘La Petite Auberge’, Essert Romand

Katie and Kelly show off their hats

Think the hats might look better on the Tsar & Mike!!

There may have been a lack of snow but this didn’t dampen the hearts of the Dingwalls (inc. Olly), Horners and Sarah. They made the best of the conditions and achieved considerable progress on both skis and boards.

It’s a while since we’ve run a full week at New Year. And, there’s no doubt we must do it more often!! Everyone had a good time and now we’ve been introduced to the cardboard box game. A quaint little affair where you have to pick the box up with your teeth off the floor (no hands allowed – to help or support your weight). As it gets smaller and smaller, (each time you are successful – you rip a piece off) it just gets harder and harder! Don’t think anyone has had so much fun for NY’s Eve with just a simple, cardboard box. Luckily, no injuries either!! Although, one or two of the older gentlemen were coplaning of sore hamstrings the next day!!

Here are some pics of the fun they had:

“Good morning world” said Mr. Dingwall (Gary)!

Morzine looking great from the top of the cable car

Outside Chalet Margaritka before another day on the slopes

The view just after we arrived! How could we be too disappointed there’s a lack of snow

A cheeky Vin Chaud to end the day!

Another sunny day on the slopes, and look there is snow!!

Someone looks like the hada great day – Milly!!

A fabulous Alpine sunset above Avoriaz

The Tsar & Rita join the Horners. We were able to show them some runs they probably wouldn’t have found

Who said we couldn’t get above the clouds?

In the Lindarets bowl for lunch

A fab night at ‘La Chaudanne’

Morzine looking great from the top of the cable car

Outside Chalet Margaritka before another day on the slopes

Paul & Brandon after a hard day on the slopes

Some old friends returned for Easter. We had a great time with Chef, Felicity and the Foxes! And, young Wills Fox made his first appearnce in the chalet, as well. Sailesh and his son Nick (after they got over the shock of how sociable we all were) fitted in brilliantly, too!!

Alas, the day we wanted to get to Morgins the weather closed in high up so we never made it to the magic ‘Cafe des Sports’. It was just a question of a village too far!! We did have some fun on the Tee – Bars though. And, the day before we did manage to find a run the guys hadn’t ski’d before – ‘Grand Paradis’ to Champery. So I was quite proud. Don’t think Nick and Sailesh will ever forget the bottom, road bit!! Believe Sailesh really enjoyed the vinyl in the evenings though and Felicity helped him and I (of course) polish off Chef’s Jura whiskey as we listened, whiled away the late evening and reminisced.

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!