FAQ

Here are a list of frequently asked questions posed by fellow solo travellers.  If you want
to know something that isn't here, please ask away!

Age

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.

Group size and dynamics

Depending on which chalet is being used, the smallest groups are of 10 people and the largest of 17 (mainly at Xmas)  There does tend to be a slight bias towards males in the smaller groups of 10, this is mainly due to the fact there is a mezzanine floor for 3 in this chalet and girls never book it as shared toilet!  In the bigger chalet at Xmas, there is a more even divide.  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.

Abilities and levels

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!

Flights and transfers

The catering

We are extremely lucky to retain the services of a wonderful local chef called Sophie.  British born and bred she now lives in France all year round and genuinely loves cooking for people.  Her meals are well planned and presented, as well as being nutritious and very tasty!  She does a 3 course meal and one night 3 courses plus local cheeseboard.  Chalet is catered for 4 nights out of 7, except Xmas which is 6 night out of 7.  This is for a number of reasons;

It helps to keep the costs down.  Some fully catered chalets can be prohibitively expensive, leaving only the elite and well paid who can afford it.   My way, you get to meet a much wider range of people and still enjoy good food!

We are usually based in central Morzine.  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.

The Chalets

There are a few chalets I use on a regular basis and try new ones every so often.  The Christmas chalet often has a hot-tub and or sauna but is sometimes a little way out of town.  Chalets put on a minibus service when this is the case.  Out of peak season, the chalets I use tend to be very central to Morzine town centre and a few minutes walk from either the Pleney or Super Morzine chairlifts.

The location and amenities

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.

Food

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 Grand Ourson 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!

Proximity and cheapness getting from 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.

Weather and landscape

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.

Local Townspeople

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.

Nonskiing activities

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!

Quality of accommodation

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.  I use one such chalet regularly and it is excellent for warmth, comfort, hot water and facilities.

Skiing Facilities (eg schools, hire shops etc)

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.

Lift Pass Prices, full and detailed table can be found here.

Most guests go for the full Portes Du Soleil pass, as they liked to be able to cruise over into Switzerland!

http://www.morznet.com/lift-system-and-passes/morzine-and-portes-du-soleil-lift-pass-prices-winter.htm

The coming weekend should be a fairly snowy one with a fair amount of fresh snowfall forecast for France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.

In Italy, Cervinia should receive 50cm of snow by the middle of next week. The snow should be heaviest on Friday 19th and Monday 22nd February and a dry weekend is expected. The next snowstorm should move over after Wednesday 24th February.

In Austria, rain is possible at the lowest slopes. Higher temperatures will bring wetter snow or rain to the villages of resorts like Saalbach, St Wolfgang and Ellmau. Further up, snow is expected to fall though which should make for some fun skiing.

40cm of snow is expected at Voss in Norway by Friday 26th February. Most of the snow is expected to fall next week but Sunday could see heavy snow as well.

 Further Information can be found at the BBC Weather Centre or for more detailed and resort specific information go to our partner site which is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/sports/snowsports/snownews.shtml

What is important to note, many of the chalet owners, visitors and workers in the resort, have skied for many, many years.  They don't remember what it is like when your boots pinch too much, your thighs burn from too much snow ploughing and getting on a chairlift is genuinely a traumatic experience!

They also don't remember getting so exhausted you could fall over right there, how many bruises you pick up along the way and just trying to keep up with the group.  Skiing for the first time is really hard work, but when it pays off - boy do you have something to write home about!  Just check out the photos in the main part of the site of previous Pistepals trips!

Once you nail it, you have many years ahead of you of long lazy lunches, gorgeous sunny skies and groomed pistes, Vin Chaud stops with friends, meeting new people on chairlifts, snowball fights during apres ski, learning to carve and do moguls, being faster than all your friends (even the boys!), buying a fabulous ski outfit to  match your ability, wearing big dark sunglasses, looking forward to owning your own sexy skis and boots - tailored to you, dancing in Buddha till late, still in  your ski boots, getting up really early on a fresh powder day to get the fresh untouched snow, skiing with your poles tucked behind you at 50km per hour

I learnt only a few years ago, in Morzine as well, so I understand what you are going through, sitting there at home - thinking the same things you are right now... "should I do this?"  "what if I am rubbish at it?" "I don't even know what I need to take" 

Why Pistepals Beginners Weeks?

Group of similar aged adults in a Solo skiers chalet where everyone is of the same level. 

Group gets lessons together and enjoys lunches and apres ski together too

1 full day ski hosting of best blue runs in the area plus fun race with prizes
and slap up final lunch!

Afternoon lessons, allows you to enjoy apres ski fully, without it affecting your skiing!
Also gives you the chance for a long, leisurely breakfast.  Mornings can also be ski hosted
or guided around the town's excellent shops!

Detailed insider knowledge of what is required.  I used to work in a ski shop so know all about clothing, base layers, goggles,  socks - you name it!  I can advise you what you need and the best place/price to get it.

What's included price wise

Chalet plus food/wine

Transfers

Hire, pass and lessons (6 half days lessons, 6 day lift pass)