We are now in Putney as we have come home to look after the grandchildren while the daughters and their husbands go skiing. On Monday we led the Unthank Ski Club which was great fun. It was a lovely day, blue sky but cool. Our group wanted to have lunch at the Radaz but though we got there at about 12.15 it was full. They have fewer tables than before so you have to get there early. We went to the Javen and sat outside in the sun. Sadly the food was not up to scratch.
Yesterday we skied for 2 1/2 hours with a guest. Steve, who has an Austrian ski instructors qualification.
We got the first lift at 8.45 and got back at 11.45 to get the transfer to the airport. We skied all our favourite runs on Mont D'Arbois at speed. Two Mont Rossets, Blue Princess, then over to the Epaule ridge, then Gouet and Clementines and back via Communailles, Ideal and Belle D'Arbois. It was a bit like skiing with Gordon, Gordon's son Charlie, and Neville, though with the boys all I can see is a pair of yellow trousers (Charlie) and orange (Neville) disappearing at a great rate down the piste. I can't see Gordon as he wears black, unless his boots are visible, which are bright green.
So we are now home, in the rain, until next Tuesday.
Yesterday was odd. In town we were covered in grey cloud, but half way up the mountain the sun had burned through and it was beautiful. The down side of that was that everyone had come out to play. Normally we don't expect to have to queue for a lift. But this weekend we had to share our pistes with others. Even so, the wait to get on the Mont Joux chair was probably only about 4 minutes, so one can't really complain.
Today I skied the Rochebrune ridge as John was doing a transfer. He said the Princess car park was packed and cars were parked on the road, so I think I made the right choice. Its the nearest Megeve car park to Geneva and people come for the day if its a sunny Sunday.
I got out early so skied to Cote 2000 without any queues, though the Lanchettes queue was building up as I got on the lift and the Petit Fontaine chair was busy. I skied for about four hours and then came home for lunch, which one can do if you're out for the whole season.
We are very lucky that most of the time we have the pistes to ourselves, so I mustn't complain too much when others want to share my fun.
The last two days have been lovely, sunny but not too warm. Yesterday we went to Jaillet. This is a view of me skiing down a deserted piste from the top of the Giettaz chair lift with Mont Blanc as the backdrop. We had lunch at the Bonjournal which was busy as usual. Gordon's son, Charlie, is out for the week and it's a bit disappointing there is no powder for him. He and Gordon were hoping to find some spring snow this afternoon, but it involved skiing through the trees which might have been challenging.
Today we spent skiing on Mont D'Arbois. We started off skiing down to the Mont Rosset chair as those pistes get the sun first thing. Eventually we moved on to the ridge at Epaule which was busy (for Megeve - so more than half a dozen skiers!). I think people are finding it much easier access with the new lift. Also our new find for mid morning hot chocolate has been discovered by others, and this morning we were not the only people there. It's the new restaurant just at the end of the first steep pitch on the Epaule ridge. We haven't eaten there but if the food is anything like as good as the hot chocolate it will be a find. Lunch was at the Alpage at Communailles. We chose to go there as Charlie said that he had to sit outside, and we thought it might be warmer than the Gouet as they have heaters. However, it has changed hands and the new owners have enclosed the outside area with a tent, so we didn't sit in the sun after all. John and I shared a croute but it wasn't nearly as good as the croute at the Gouet.
The weather has been all over the place. As you will have seen, we've had piles of snow. But then the temperature rises and the snow turns to rain, and then snow again. It has been very weird.
Today, for the first time for days, we saw the sun. It started off a bit grey, with some fantastic views of Mont Blanc appearing out of the clouds. Then the sun burnt through and we had a beautiful sunny day. We even had lunch outside at the Auberge du Mont Joly.
I haven't been skiing for a few days as I tweaked my ankle. I went to see the osteopath who asked if I had had an accident as my left ankle is much more flexible than my right. I tore the ligaments very badly in my left ankle over twenty years ago, walking in the Lake District, and now that old injury is catching up with me. It is very tedious.
Yesterday we were planning to meet up for lunch with our friends, David and Jane Redwood, who live just outside Argentiere. On Sunday evening they said that the road from their village to Le Tour at the head of the valley had been closed. On Monday morning, the only road to Argentiere was closed. Some years ago an avalanche came down across a stretch of the road, so I am sure the authorities are playing safe. But not much fun when you can't even get out to go skiing!
Anyway, the pistes in Megeve are open, they are in great condition with a huge amount of snow, AND the sun is shining.
Whether your idea of a holiday is getting active in the sunshine or relaxing somewhere tranquil, Megeve has all you need for an incredible time away!
Summer in the French Alps features lush, green valleys full of beautiful flowers, the picturesque chalets of Megeve bedecked with overflowing flower boxes… and the towering white mass of Mont Blanc dominating the background promising an adventure playground of hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, white water rafting or of course relaxing by mountain lakes and watching the world go by with a drink in the medieval village square
New this summer, a chance to enjoy our superior catered chalet Les Clochettes, at non-superior prices! There's a plethora of mountain activities to enjoy in and around Megeve and we will transport you for free to local destinations Or just relax and enjoy the wonderful, summer mountain ambience! Prices start at just £450/person/week bookable on a room by room basis or exclusively for 10 guests
150m from the Rochebrune cable car for mountain biking & hiking
5 minute stroll down to Megeve village square
10 minute stroll to the sports centre with swimming pool, climbing wall, tennis etc
Canyoning, white water rafting, guided hiking & mountain biking and many more bookable through our partners Evo 2
Great for road biking with lots of Tour de France routes on your doorstep.
Free local transport including St. Gervais, Sallanches, Combloux & Flumet to access more hikes, mountain bikes, swimming lakes, high ropes courses etc. One return trip per chalet group per day.
The chalet has a wonderfully spacious sitting area with luxurious leather armchairs and deep comfy sofas
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Sauna to sooth away post adventure aches and pains!
5 comfortable en-suite twin/double bedrooms all with balconies
Crisp white linen and plump duvets and french complimentary toiletries
Delicious cakes and 3 course meals with wine home cooked by our friendly chalet staff.
Our Hotel Rond Point is a small friendly 2 star hotel situated in the centre of Megeve, just a couple of minutes walk from the central square and the sports centre. Perfect for those who want to maximise their time enjoying the picturesque town centre as well as the beautiful mountain scenery. It has 13 comfortable bedrooms, each with en-suite shower or bath and WC, hairdryer and homely furnishing. Downstairs you can relax in the attractive lounge area with a log fire should the evening turn a little chilly. In the summer, our hotel is run as a B&B with continental breakfast being offered every morning. There is a games room in the basement, equipped with English satellite TV (free to view channels), video player and board games. The chalet has free WIFI. The Hotel Rond Point is a 10 minute walk from the Jaillet and Rochebrune cable cars and there is a bus stop outside the front door that will take you to Mont d'Arbois or Jaillet/Rochebrune. Prices start at just 70€ in a single room per night!
The Sylvana is perfect for those who prefer a slightly quieter location but still just a short stroll to the centre of the village and only 150m from the Rochebrune cable car. This chalet is a favourite with our winter guests and for the first time, we are opening it in the summer as a B&B hotel to give our summer guests the chance to sample it's rustic charms. The chalet has 15 comfortable bedrooms decorated in the Savoyard style with simple and homely decor and each one has a small ensuite bath or shower room. Downstairs you can relax in the cosy lounge area with a log fire. There is a terrace running along the back of the chalet which is ideal for BBQ's and sunbathing. There is a washing machine and drying room in the basement and a television room for the children.There is plenty of free parking outside of the chalet and free WIFI throughout. Prices start at just 50€ in a single room per night!
Private Flight * Hot Air Ballooning * Paragliding * Helicopter Ride
I think it's fair we've certainly given you something to think about, but don't leave it there... Give us a call on 01603 477471 or email info@stanfordskiing.co.uk and make your thoughts a reality!
No mates on a powder day so there we were, John, Neville and me at the bus stop for the first bus so we were on the first bubble up Mont D'Arbois. Gordon, John Cox and Paul Dennison were at the Princess lift which was having technical problems, so we skied Voltiguers and the black Princess before they made it up the mountain. It snowed all day and the visibility was not too good, but we had the most brilliant skiing. And my feet were DRY! We skied the off piste on the Princess lift and then went over to Mont Joux. It looked brilliant under the chair but it was thin and wind blown so we headed off to Etudiant and skied that about four times. We then headed off-piste to Planalet, and went the direct route which we don't usually do as you have to ski back along the road. Today the road was snow covered and no cars so you didn't have to ski the crud thrown up by the snow plough. We got the bus back to Mont D'Arbois and headed up to lunch at Chez Tartine by the intermediate station of the Princess lift.
Gordon, John and I were all wearing our ponchos, which are a bit like skiing under sail but keep you warm and dry. We met with some amusement in the restaurant.
After lunch we headed over to the Epaule but that was closed so we skied the Croix de Christ, which was nice, even though a bit tracked. John and I then decided to head home via Planalet, and Gordon and Neville came too. This time John and I skied our normal route through the trees and were first down. It was fantastic.
At the bottom we met two teams of huskies and realised that it was the day of the Odysse, which is a husky trek round the Haut Savoie and takes about two weeks.
Here is a photo of one of the teams. We rounded it off by skiing the Calvaire back into town. What a day!
I am just about to get my fourth pair of ski boots in abut five years. When I first complained of wet socks, my husband told me I had sweaty feet. It was not until John Cox proved that my boots were leaking that he believed me. So I bought another pair for half price from Davide (who had sold me them) as I had only had them about two years. At the end of last season these started to leak, so I went to Socquet Sport and bought a very expensive pair. And these are now leaking! I have just gone back to Socquet Sport who said they will replace them and send this pair back to Salomon. But it does mean that I have to spend the best part of an hour tomorrow morning having the insoles fitted when I could be skiing. What is it about me and ski boots????
Dave Watts, the co-editor of Where to Ski and Snowboard, has been staying with us for three nights. We spent Friday skiing the whole of the Mont D'Arbois sector from the top of Mont Joly down to Chattrix and Bettex. We had lunch in the Gouet (where else?) On Saturday we skied the Rochebrune ridge and then got the bus to Jaillet. We skied all the way down to Combloux and then made our way over to Le Giettaz. We stopped off at the Bon Journal which was extremely busy. John had booked a table and Gordon and Neville joined us. They had been doing some exciting off piste stuff. We were sat next to the log fire for which I was grateful. Skiing the Rochebrune ridge had been cold as it was in the shade. Lunch took rather a long time so we only had time to do one run in Le Giettaz before heading back.
Today John drove Dave to Chamonix as he has four nights there with some other journalists. We had a lovely two days with him. He is great company.
The snow was perfect and though it was sunny, and all the locals were skiing, the pistes were not busy. More snow is forecast this week.
Yesterday we woke up to a sprinkling of snow in town, so I took the wrong pair of skis. That was mistake number one. The second mistake was that I misunderstood Gordon"s plan and thought he and Neville were going to Cote, so I got on the bus, found the chair at Cote wasn't running, rang Gordon who said he was just going up the Princess lift. So I spent the best part of an hour sitting on the bus. Gordon and Neville were skiing untracked snow on Voltiguers and Bridans and this is a picture of Gordon at the top.
I skied Voltiguers and decided that the snow at the top was better than further down, and decided to head higher. I went off to the new Epaule chair and noticed that one person had been down under the chair, so obviously that had to be done, twice. I then skied over the back down to Chatterix. I was having so much fun I had been ignoring my mobile but eventually checked it and found that Gordon had been trying to contact me. So the three of us eventually met up at the Epaule chair, by which time the Mont Joli chair had opened. So off to Mont Joli we go and ski that twice. By that time my legs were feeling very well exercivbsed and it was getting tracked out, so I came home. The others did a run under the Epaule chair and also called time. So what a brilliant day, with an unexpected fall of fresh powder.
Today we went over to Jaillet, and John comes too. There had been a little sprinkling of snow but yesterday's snow had scarcely been skied. We decide to ski off the back of Christomet, and then walk up a knoll and ski down to La Giettaz. This is a picture of John toiling up the slope; I am miles behind and Gordon and Neville are already at the top. The first part of the ski down is great, and then the snow gets a bit thinner and slightly more rutted. However, we congratulate ourselves that none of the Chamonix guides have been down it. And then we find out why. The path along the stream is horrendous. It is narrow and rutted in places, but underneath the trees it is ice. I have never felt so relieved to get to the end of the track in one piece and without falling in the stream. I am not sure how many calories I burnt off today, but Christmas dinner seems like a distant memory!
Sorry not to have blogged before. It's been rather eventful. We spent Christmas in Norwich with Elizabeth and her family, plus Caroline and her family and my sister so there were 11 of us in all, together with two dogs. Caroline's dog, who is younger than Elizabeth's. bullied poor Rufty in his own home, trying to eat his food before he got to it. Caroline's elder daughter, Anna, spent Christmas Day in bed, throwing up, Caroline then caught it two days later and they had to postpone their return to London, whilst the rest of us left to go to Megeve. Caroline and Anna suffered the most.
We had a bit of a nightmare journey as Stansted was closed for part of the day, and then it took hours for the de-icer lorry to get to our plane. Anyway, we got here at last and had some lovely skiing. There has been a huge amount of snow. The team at the Sylvana have spent the last week digging out the drive in the morning, and then having to do it again in the afternoon and evening. Even so, the car park is about half its usual size. We had it cleared professionally but it's still smaller than usual.
The Alpage restaurant has changed hands but still has the same menu, the Radaz is open and they have opened up the whole bar/restaurant area which is a big improvement but there is no tartiflette or spaghetti bolognaise on the menu. We had lunch also at the Gouet and the Bonjournal, both of which are as good as ever and the management is unchanged. The resort has been very busy, not surprisingly, which is great for the local businesses but it is quietening down now and next week I expect the pistes to be deserted. I am now trying to update the restaurant guides so they are ready for when you all arrive!
