Snow and Trek - Morzine

Who needs lifts....2nd December 2010

2010-12-02T12:15:00.005+01:00

The pictures say it all..............Avoriaz opens this weekend along with Mont Chery....Pleney opens 11th December along with the Portes du Soleil. 20% off all dates up until 26th December 2010. Also 15% off all remaining January dates.

1st walk in the Snow

2010-10-18T13:33:00.001+02:00

It's early but I took Harry (the dog) for his 1st walk int he snow for this winter. The temperatures have plummeted and Avoriaz is looking very snowy! More snow is forecast this week with temperatures staying low.

All change at Snow and Trek

2010-10-18T13:23:00.003+02:00

What a year.......lots of things have happened.

After a very busy winter with Adam having to chef up the chalet for 3 weeks after the chalet staff did a flit we had a great season in the catered chalet. The self-catered apartments & chalets were also busy and we have had many of you now returning each year to your favorite property.

In July we were approached by someone looking for a chalet just like ours and so after much deliberation we have accepted theie offer and so after 8 years of the catered business are now going to concentrate on the self catered and may do some B&B business - who knows!

So we have been emptying Ensoleille for the past 6 weeks! Yes it has taken that long....

Many thanks to all our catered guests who have stayed with us and special thanks to those who came back year after year.

Snowshoe walk up Ranfolly

2009-11-10T17:42:00.004+01:00

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

2009-11-08T13:44:00.005+01:00

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

2009-10-17T12:14:00.005+02:00

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

2009-10-14T08:52:00.003+02:00

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!

2009-09-13T08:14:00.014+02:00

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.....

2009-08-14T18:15:00.006+02:00

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......

2009-08-11T15:11:00.003+02:00

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!)

Winter 2009/2010 Special Offers

2009-05-04T08:53:00.003+02:00

You maybe thinking now about your skiing/snowboarding holiday for next winter. To tempt you into doing this sooner rather than later we have the following offers on for this summer....

BOOK ANY HOLIDAY (except New Year or Febraury Half Term) and receive 10% off

Bookings must be made and deposits paid before 31st August 2009

CATERED CHALET - for all full chalet bookings - 2 FREE PORTES DE SOLEIL SKI PASSES (Adult 6 day)

Bookings must be made and deposits paid before 31st August 2009

Ice Dance Show and Lots of Snow........

2009-03-06T16:57:00.006+01:00

For those who know the kids it was their annual ice dance spectacular and the photos are below....
Abigail as an Anenome

Isabelle as an Anemone

More snow ...... yes ..... and still more to come!!

2009-02-18T08:08:00.003+01:00

The Office - buried under snow!

Front garden yesterday at 5pm

Soooooo...much snow!!!!

2009-02-13T07:23:00.003+01:00

The snow at the moment is some of the best we have had in recent years. With the whole area covered and all the runs open there isn't a better time to go and visit the other parts of the Portes du Soleil.

Chatel in about 1 1/2hr from Lindarets or 2hrs from Super Morzine
Morgins (Switzerland) in about 1 hr from Lindarets or 1 1/2hr from Super Morzine - great restaurants and suprisingly cheap food..

The whole circuit will take about 3 1/2 - 4 hours of skiing and you have to stop for lunch in Switzerland of course.

Adam out of action......Race Camp...Half Term

2009-02-04T07:29:00.003+01:00

Adam is officially out of action for the season. Following a fall outside the lift ticket office - yes not even on the skis! He has compressed a vertabre and the list of things he can't do for the next 3 months includes all sport. He is hoping to do a little bit of snowshoeing but that will be it! Vicky will be doing as much of the ski hosting as possible but the service may be reduced.

Race Camp - Vicky has just dome a weeks Slalom training with BASS Morzine to assist in preparation for the 'Test Technique'. If she gets the required time on a Slalom run then she will be able to work for the ESF on a 'stagiaire' basis. The race camp was great fun and is receommend to any good skier wanting to improve technique and bash some gates!

Half Term - there is still some availability for the half term week. Please call or email for details.

Update on Conditions - 29th January 2009

2009-01-29T15:06:00.002+01:00

Well what a start to the season. With fantastic conditions over Xmas and New Year and some of the best skiing in January in a decade.

The snow base is excellent and with cold weather forecast for the next few days it looks like February could be a record beater as well.

We have still a couple of properties available for half term so if you can get on a ferry or a plane come and make the most of these excellent conditions.

If not then why not try Easter - with prices much lower than February or March and the added bonus of 20% off your lift pass after the 3rd April come and enjoy some spring skiing.

We will post some more pictures and videos a.s.a.p. - waiting for a hard drive to be repaired!!!

What were you doing this morning? - We should have been in the office!

2008-12-18T17:13:00.005+01:00

Looking good - Portes du Soleil opens 13th December

2008-12-12T15:27:00.005+01:00

Another day in the office..............

More of the White Stuff and more to come.....

2008-12-10T11:57:00.006+01:00

This is the most snow in over 40 years for this date in December according to an 'older' local!!

View of Pleney from our balcony
Garden
View from office window!

Powder and Blue Skies what more could you ask for....

2008-12-07T15:03:00.006+01:00

The pictures say it all....

Tooo much snow.............. well you can never have too much really!

2008-12-06T13:00:00.005+01:00

WOW.. WOW....WOW....

1st days skiing for Sally, Pete and Emma (Team Ensoleille) this morning. Driving up to Ardent was a little interesting and arrived to find over 1.5m of snow in Ardent village.

Up the Ardent bubble in a blizzard (photo is Pete and Sally) to find a deserted Lindarets and soooooo.....much snow. Kids were having probelms with their goggles so we only did a few runs but it should be fantastic tomorrow when the sun comes out (and we have purchsed some new goggles!).

Should be fantastic for Christmas and New Year......

1st day skiing - AbFab!

2008-11-29T15:40:00.008+01:00

Just got back from a fantastic mornings skiing in Avoriaz. Blus skies and squeaky snow - who could ask for more!

Kids were off like rockets - no waiting for the poor parents to get their ski legs!

Empty pistes, no queues, looking forward to going up tomorrow again!!

Pre-Christmas skiing looks set to be great!

Lifts to open 29th November - 7 days to go!

2008-11-22T13:31:00.006+01:00

The forecast snow and cold weather has arrived and as you can see from the photos Morzine is covered in a blanket of snow. With more snow forecast until late Monday the skiing next weekend should be fantastic!

We have some great offers for anyone wanting to come and enjoy some early powder.

20% off all self-catered properties from 29th November - 27th December.

Call Vicky or Adam on 01243 379970

Snowy Photos - 30th October 2009

2008-10-30T13:14:00.004+01:00

Avoriaz - 50cm of fresh.....

View of the Pleney from Super Morzine

More of the lovely white stuff.............

2008-10-30T09:18:00.003+01:00

We have about 10/15cm in Morzine village and Avoriaz has seen 30cm+. The forecast is for the snow to stay in Avoriaz so this is looking good for a base for the season.

Off up to Avoriaz to take the kids sledging!!!

December Bargains

2008-10-27T09:18:00.007+01:00

Looking at the forecast for the next 2 weeks December could prove to be an excellent time to grab a pre-season break at a bargain price. With +70cm of snow forecast in the next 10 days at top station in Morzine/Avoriaz this should provide an excellent base for the start of the season.

13th December - Chalet L'Ensoleille - Catered - £225 per person

All apartments 20% off for dates in December including Christmas (except New Year).

5th October First Tracks of the winter!

2008-10-06T08:43:00.003+02:00

After over 24hrs of snow Morzine/Avoriaz has been briefly transformed into a winter wonderland. With the Taylors (Victoria, Anthony, Angus and Annabelle) we took our children up to Avoriaz for a play in the snow on Sunday afternoon.

Great fun was had by all with Anthony laying some tracks on his snowboard and the rest of us trying out a snow scooter.

The weather forecast is for it to remain seasonal with snow on the upper slopes mid week.

Heres to the snow!!

1st Snow of the Winter

2008-10-04T14:35:00.002+02:00

Woke up this morning to the first snow in the village of the winter. The snowline is now middle of Pleney and it looks as if Avoriaz got about 20cm in the last 24hrs!! Lets hope this bodes well for the ski season.

New Apartments & Chalets for 2008/2009

2008-08-31T08:46:00.004+02:00

We have had a busy summer and have taken on some great new apartments and chalets for the coming winter.

Chalet Le Croix on the Avoriaz road has the most wonderful views over Morzine. Sleeping 8 in 4 twin bedrooms with 3 bathrooms and a sauna you can holiday in style and comfort.

Le Bretalet could not be better placed only 50m from the Tourist Office and a stones throw from Le Pleney with its 2 bedrooms sleeping 6 it will appeal to families and groups.

Le Chalets De Nyon is truly a ski in apartment with the slope ending just infront of the residence and the lift only 50m away. Sleeping 9 in 4 bedrooms with large living area and kitchen the apartment is ideal for families and groups.

We have also take on additional apartments in Le Slalom which is proving to be one of the most sought after residences in Morzine.

Snow and Treks New Blog

2008-08-31T08:12:00.000+02:00

Welcome to our new blog.

Here we will be posting news about us and Morzine and details of special offers available

On this site you have full access to make postings, but please refrain from posting offensive or advertising comments.