Pistepals Holiday FAQ's
Pretty much the most common question, but hardest to answer since each group is different and we won't know till everyone is booked on! So far though, most groups are comprised of ages ranging from 30 to 45 with a few on either side. Usually, if there are much older people on the trip they tend to be excellent skiers and fantastic company. There are never any young party animals on the trips either, anyone below 28 tends to be mature, interesting company and quite relaxed.
Depending on which chalet is being used, the smallest groups are of 10 people and the largest of 17 (mainly at Xmas) 99% of Pistepalers are relaxed, easy going, good company, not out to get battered every night but enjoy a knees up at least once in the week, love a nice glass of wine with dinner and good food.
They are great banter on the chairlifts, over a vin chaud and in the apres ski bars! Some are very go getting and will get you to try more challenging runs or new pistes, others are quite happy to follow on behind, even through the off-piste in the trees in low visibility!
Snowboarders and skiers get on well in these groups, the divide varies from week to week, but everyone welcomes each other with open arms and occassionally there are bladers and even a telemarker one trip! Friendships form easily and sometimes more, a couple met on my first Pistepals Xmas trip and are now married as well as several existing long term relationships! I am still friends with many of the people from my trips and enjoy seeing them come back year after year, bringing friends with them too!
Although Pistepals isn't just for singles skiing, we had a couple meet and marry from this trip! How exciting for you single skiers and boarders!
Most skiers on the trip can get down blues easily. If after the first day they are struggling, I often suggest a quick and cheap private lesson to get their confidence up qnd rejoin the group. ESF charge 35e for 1 hour private, really worth it! The majority of runs we do are blues, easy reds, hard reds and a small element are hankering after the blacks and the off-piste! At least half the group try the Swiss Wall even just once. If you are an improver and still want to come, it is more than acceptable to get half day lessons and hook up with the group for lunch and for apres ski. You will see them all in the evening anyway!
Pistepals trips are always DIY flights to Geneva (try www.skyscanner.net for flight info) or get to Morzine any way you see fit. Some have taken the bus, driven or taken the snow train. It is entirely up to you.
If you do decide to fly to Geneva, all we need are your flight details in order to organise your return transfers. These are 70e return - payable in resort.
We will be in touch about the transfer pick up times - due to the fact you are picked up one at a time - there's an element of fluidity regarding the transfer arrangements until a few weeks before. It allows the transfer company to have the best visibility of incoming flights to ensure you are picked up with minimum delay at the airport.
On the day of arrival you will be able to leave your cases and go out to ski if you have arrived in time and on departure day - there will be a place to leave your cases and you will be able to use the communal areas to have a cup of tea before your transfer bus arrives. You can leave your hire skis at the chalet and they will be picked up.
The chalets offer 6 nights catering out of 7 - this is standard "chalet board". There's an example menu within the "Our Chalets" pages but you can look forward to tasty staters, wholesome and balanced main courses and something yummy for dessert. This is followed by a cheeseboard and port and during your meal you are provided with free flowing red and white wine.
Your breakfasts are provided each morning - lots of tasty patisseries, crusty breads and jams and plenty of cereal, fruit, yoghurts and juice, tea and coffee. This is complimented by a hot option, something like scrambled or poached eggs (rather than a full english as we'd be struggling to get your into your salopettes in the morning) If you have any dietary needs such as gluten or lactose allergies please let us know so we can provide an adequate choice for you at breakfasts.
For the one night, mid week that the chalet staff have off - we usually hit one of the local resturants. There a good number of excellent local Savoyard restaurants in the town so it seems a shame to sit in every night when there is amazing local wine and cuisine to be trying! Some of the favourites are Racelette (served dripping with local meats and salad), Tartiflette (like a Potato Gratin but much better!) Fondue, Creme Brulee.
I use Morzine as a base for most of my chalet holidays for a number of reasons;
Pistes and facilites
From Morzine, you have access to 650km of pistes, stretching across two countries (France/Switzerland) There are an outstanding selection of blues and reds, as well as some challenging blacks and off-pisting if you know where to look. One of the top hardest runs in the world is on your doorstep (The Swiss Wall) as well as the world famous Burton Stash (snowboarder heaven) If jumps are your thing, there are 4 boarder cross parks within easy reach.
Proximity to Geneva
On a good day, a straight transfer from Geneva should only take 50 minutes. Although picking up and dropping other people off can make it a little longer. There are a multitude of low cost and premium airlines flying to Geneva, as well as the option of taking the snow train or driving from the UK. Transfer from Geneva can be as low as 25e each way, versus the hell that is the 3 Valleys or Tignes, 3-4 hours and about 80e each way.
On the mountain, it can be a little expensive to eat and the portions are huge! Sometimes it is worth asking if someone will share! Either that or we roll you down the mountain on the way home!
Some of the best places are Le Grande Ourse (Big Bear) on Mont Chery (run by a Cornish family and has the most epic views!), Pointe de Nyon (has a lovely large terrace for sunny days) and Petit Lindarets in the little goat village south of Avoriaz central. Very quaint. The restaurant at the top of the Swiss Wall is also worth a visit, even if only to gawp down the wall and surrender to a hot chocolate instead. The scenery is amazing, on sunny days they have sun loungers with duvets and the cutest family of boxer dogs who are really friendly and love a game.
Added to that, the practically infinite number of Vin Chaud and Hot Chocolate stops available, as well as more snacky-type food, you are spoilt for choice!
Morzine is situated in an area called the Portes Du Soleil (Doors to the Sun) This is a pretty apt name, as the sun shines quite a lot here and temperatures are never really lower than -10 in Jan and can get up to 6°C in March/April. The scenery is visually stunning as you have the omni-present Mont Blanc in the far distance, ringed by the mountains leading over to Switzerland. From the 3 highest peaks of Nyon, Chamoissiere and Ranfolly, you can gawp for ages at the majesty of the Alps.
Morzine/Les Gets benefits from many tree lined runs, so when it is cold you can shelter a bit! They are also very pretty to ski through, you feel quite connected to nature! Up in Avoriaz and into Switzerland you are much more closely connected with the sheer rock faces and steep mountainous inclines. An excellent cross section.
Morzinoise don't consider themselves fully French, the term is Savoyard. If you have taken a dislike to French people in the past, please discount it when thinking of travelling here. The people here are very helpful, friendly and happy to communicate in English. The local restaurants are used to non-French speakers and the shop owners will help you out as much as possible. Added to that, there is a large English speaking seasonaire population, so you are bound to hear an English speaking voice every now and then.
There are many things to do in Morzine when not skiing or boarding. I have included a small list below but there are plenty more if you can find the time!
Shopping - Cheese Factory, Chocolate, Cow Bells, Ski Gear, souveneirs
Bars/Restaurants, including the famous Buddha Bar!
Sports Centre, Gym, sauna etc, Ice Hockey on Saturday and Wednesday nights - local team
Tourist Office Organised Activities eg Grand Odessey Husky Racing, Horse and Cart around town
Relaxation - massage, spa, jacuzzi, sauna, facials, manicure and coiffure!
Unlike some of the more purpose built resorts, Morzine is a real thriving town and as a result, is extremely pretty.
It benefits from a high number of owner run independent chalets. These are often of a high standard and made from the local wood, with very pretty "Savoyard" style furnishings. You can see the current chalets we are using through Host Savoie Ltd by clicking on "Our Chalets"
Underfloor heating, warm boot/ski storage and lots of hot running water and cosy full sized beds are all essentials in your chalets but you will also find Chalet Perrier has a sauna. There's always plenty of tea, coffee and tasty fresh cake available.
Morzine's original and best ski school, the ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais) is well regarded and can offer an outstanding lessons package for beginners, which includes a lift pass for 209e. They also offer the best priced private lessons at 35e per hour. Avoriaz Alpine Ski School can offer an intermediate clinic taught to a small group in native English, as well as back-country hosting and Park and Pipe lessons.
There are a number of ski hire shops, the best being Francois Baud. I have the pleasure of knowing the family and the guys who work in the shop and they are far and away the most knowledgable and competent technicians in the region.
Most guests go for the full Portes Du Soleil pass, as they liked to be able to ski over into Switzerland and back all in the one day!
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