Snowshoe walk up Ranfolly

Making the most of this fantastic weather we had a 'girlie' snowshoe walk today from Lhottys restaurant on the Col de Joux Plane to Ranfolly. There was about 30cm of snow and it was still snowing when we had finished. Although the weather is due to warm up slightly next week it looks good for a great base for the start of the season.

1st play in the snow...8th November 2009

Here we go...pictures say it all!

Vicky and Harry at top of Express de Lindarets

Isabelle and Honor
James first snowboard of the season ......

Harrys first walk in the snow

Yes we have had some snow...about 3/4cm overnight above 1400m. Snowing at the moment down to 1200m!!!! Harry had his first experience of snow this morning up Super Morzine.

1st Dusting of Snow of the Winter

Morzine had it's first dusting of snow of the winter yesterday with the Arare slopes turning white. Weather is now forecast to be cold for a week or so with another dusting this weekend.

Tour de Mont Blanc - Les Contamines - Courmayer - 40km in 2 days!

Thursday 10th September...

Up early and Adam drove Helen and I to Les Contamines where we started our walk from Notre Dame des Gorges (1200m) at 8.30am. Talk about immediate assent!!! The route follows a Roman road steeply up before coming out in some alpine pastures with great valley views back to Les Contamines. We started to then see some more fellow TMB walkers and carried on up towards our 1st goal that morning of the Col de Bonhomme at 2329m. The route was varied and with a few stops did not feel too difficult. A short stop at the top with a group from Majorca and two lovely guys from Warwickshire (Helen knew exactly where they lived and they ski in Morzine-small world). Then up again to the Croix de Bonhomme at 2479m. Here we stopped to layer up (as it was quite cold) have a snack before the last of todays up to the Col des Fours at 2665m which we reached at 1.15pm. From here it was a varied and at sometimes steep descent to La Ville des Glaciers and onwards to our stop for the night the Refuge des Mottets.

The refuge had a lot of building work going on so the charm was lost with cranes and builders. The accommodation can only be described as very cosy and with doggy 'french' toilets who could ask for more!!! After a great meal and some good wine all were in bed by 9.30pm!!

Friday 11thSeptember...

With the local farmer calling the cows at 5.30am we were on for an early start. Breakfast at the refuge was a little sparse so we were packed and off at 7.30am. The lure of a hotel in Courmayer and our husbands spuring us on!!

The assent to the Col de la Seigne was one of the best parts of the walk. We had the most beautiful morning with soft light and stunning views on the way up. We reached the Col at 2516m and Italy! around 9am. Both our phones went mad as this was the first time we had had reception since early on Friday. Helen checked in to let the hubbies know we were ok and then with the most spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif we start out descent into the Veny Valley. This was a beautiful part of the walk with marmottes everywhere!! After a couple more hours we had a decision of up or along the valley. We opted for the up which turned out to be a reasonably steep assent from 1970m to just over 2400m - I had a few 'moments' on the way up but dug in and we were again rewarded with some even more fabulous views of the Mont Blanc range. As Helen then said 'it's all downhill from here to Courmayer!'. With a short stop at a restaurant amoungst the ski lifts just above Courmayer we arrived at the hotell at 3.30pm. Two very happy and tired ladies ready for their spa!!!

Morzine & Avoriaz - indoor pool, aqua park, new cable car.....

The plans up up for all to see - yes Morzine is going to have an indoor pool complex. The first stage will see the construction of the pool behind the existing summer changing rooms. The second stage will involve the building of new changing rooms with saunas and hammans.

Avoriaz will also see a water complex being built to be called 'Aquariaz' this is being financed by Pierre et vacances who alos own Center Parcs so it should be good!!

The new cable car from Prodains to Avoraiz should be in place for December 2011 but we are hoping that it will be December 2010. The second stage will link Prodains to Morzine Centre.

Will keep you posted!!!

NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......

Adam is back to full fitness and will be back on the slopes this winter....watch out for his face plants in the powder.
The office will have a manager for next winter freeing Vicky up to spend more time with the chalet guests and ski guiding.
'Chook' will be making a return to the Snow and Trek team as a chalet assistant in L'Ensoleille..
We are getting a puppy next week - a black labrador!!!

NEW APARTMENTS and CHALETS
We have lost a few of the properties for this winter but have filled their spaces with some more fantastic 'high spec' properties.
Chalet Tara - on Avoriaz road overlooking Morzine. 4 bedrooms sleeping 8.
Apartment Le Croix - under Chalet Tara - 3 bedrooms sleeping 6.
Petit Pleney - Ski in/Out on Piste B......families will love it.

We are offering a dicount of 15% on all holidays booked this month (except NY and 1/2 term - call for a deal!)