Issue 1 - Summer 2013 - Morzine Source Magazine

source SUMMER 2 013 - F REE

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The Brownlee Brothers Phil Liggett - The Voice of Cycling

Mountain weddings + plus

Events in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz Flea Market Shopping Tips

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Welcome to the summer...

Contents

There are some things you can’t help but love about summer in the mountains. The smell of pinecones.

The skin tingling freshness of a dip in Lake Montriond.

The chance to watch the sun rise and fall against a spectacularly blue sky.

The Brownlee Brothers............................................................. 4

It isn’t widely known that mountain summers can be so much fun. So if you’re here in Morzine, Avoriaz or Les Gets for an action packed holiday, for the whole summer, or if you’re lucky enough to live here all year round, then you’re in for a real treat.

With so many summer activities available, how will you choose?

This summer’s issue of Source Magazine showcases the best our area has to offer. From family activities to mountain weddings, and pretty much everything else in between, use this magazine as your guide to the perfect mountain summer. And feel free to take it home with you at the end of your stay!

Amie amie@origam-media.com

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Scan here to download a digital copy of this magazine to your smart phone Follow us on Facebook – MorzineSourceMagazine Follow us on Twitter - /MorzineSource Many thanks to the Office de Tourisme in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz Copyright – Origami Media Ltd Source Magazine is published in the UK by, and remains the property of Origami Media Ltd. All material in this magazine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved by Origami Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers.

Dates, information and pirces are believed to be correct at the time of going to print but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for omissions or errors.

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Olympic success and sibling rivalry in the Brownlee household

A Summer of Events.................................................................... 9 It’s an action packed season in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz

Let The Fun Begin.......................................................................... 12 The Team Manager...................................................................... 14 Nukeproof Bike’s Nigel Page on leading the team to World Cup glory

Fleaing France.................................................................................... 16 One woman’s love affair with the flea market

A Day on the River........................................................................ 18 Rafting on the Dranse with Jeremy Helvic

The Ellis Brigham Gear Guide............................................ 20 Essentials for climbing, cycling, running, camping, hiking and travel

Accommodation............................................................................. 26 Holiday property listings

A Mountain Wedding.................................................................. 28 It’s so easy to get married in the Alps!

The Voice of Cycling.................................................................. 35 40 times Tour de France commentator Phil Liggett

The Science Bit................................................................................ 38 Blue Peter Astrologer Anton Vamplew on light pollution in the mountains

Seeing Stars........................................................................................ 39 How the mountains inspired a new headwear brand

Summer Stylin.................................................................................. 40 Fashion blogger Yasmin Cowan on what to wear this summer

Away Days.......................................................................................... 42 Heather Garlick explores six stunning cities on our doorstep

The Snow Camp Alpine Challenge.............................. 45 Back for it’s 5th year in Morzine

Nearly Winter?.................................................................................. 46 Ten reasons why you should be booking your winter holiday right now!

Kids Corner.......................................................................................... 48 Felt tip pens at the ready...

Mountain Swapping with Snow Swappers........... 50 The property swapping site for ski resorts

Dining in France Made Easy................................................. 50 Get the most from your mountain dining experience

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If we raced all the time, we’d end up killing each other

Credit: Delly Carr / www.triathlon.org 4

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Last summer the Brownlee brothers became a household name, pretty much over night. At the London 2012 Olympics Alistair, 24 at the time, won gold in the triathlon and Jonny, 22 at the time, the bronze, making them the first British brothers to stand on an Olympic podium together for more than 100 years. Has the success and the fame sunk in yet?

Alistair, you started competing in triathlons first. How old were you and where did the triathlon idea come from?

A: I gave everything a go at school, and I would encourage anybody else to do the same, but I was never very successful at ball sports.

I think the first time I competed in a triathlon I was about ten years old. I’m never really sure where the exact idea came from, my Uncle Simon often gets the credit but I was already doing a lot of swimming after my Mother introduced me to it at a young age. I also really enjoyed running so, when I got the opportunity to do a triathlon, I jumped at the chance.

Do you think there’s one element from your upbringing that your success can be attributed to?

Jonny, is it true that you started competing in triathlons because Alistair did?

Yes, there are lots of things like that as a younger brother! If Alistair was going to the pool to swim, then I would have to go and watch anyway as I couldn’t be left at home alone, so I thought I might as well swim. Then everything else followed.

Were there any other sports on the horizon for you as kids?

J: I played lots of other sports when I was younger, and was fairly good at rugby, cricket and football. I played for the school team in all three of them, however triathlon took over in my senior years at school.

A: I think school had a huge impact. Being able to go to a school where sport was so heavily supported, and having the freedom to train on lunch times was invaluable.

J: Yes, school and where we brought up. North Leeds is a wonderful place to train and being so close to the Yorkshire Dales probably fuelled our love of the outdoors.

Triathlon is often described as the most grueling of sporting tests.

What toll does it take on you physically?

A: You don’t really see it like that when you’re actually doing it. Our way into the sport was very natural, and that element of being able to push yourself harder and harder has grown as we have developed. A lot of our training is actually very enjoyable and doesn’t seem that taxing now.

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What’s an average day like? Do you still live together?

J: We lived together until the Olympics, and then afterwards I bought my own house up the road. But we still live very close to each other. Monday to Friday we swim, cycle and run every day, and on some days we run twice.

A: Then at the weekends we don’t swim, we will just run and cycle, but for longer distances.

J: Yes, neither of us like to lose at anything. There have definitely been golf clubs flying on the crazy golf course before.

You were both quoted several times in post Olympic interviews as saying your successes weren’t sinking in. Have they sunk in now?

And how does it feel looking back to London 2012?

J: I think it probably has sunk in now. I don’t think you can truly appreciate what you have achieved until you retire from sport.

At the minute I’m always thinking about the next race, the next World Champs, the Commonwealth Games and ultimately trying to win a medal in Rio. A: I think it has sunk in for me now too. I can understand what we did achieve and reflecting on it, it does make me feel very proud. Similar to Jonny though, I am really just looking forward now, and there are plenty of new, tougher challenges on the horizon.

Following your Olympic success, most of the country now knows who you both are. How has this affected your everyday lives?

A: Immediately after the games we were incredibly busy, and it didn’t seem like there was going to be an end to it. Now we are back to some sort of normality. We get stopped every now and again but it is mainly people shouting out of car windows when we are running or cycling.

J: Yeah, there were times after the games where we would walk on opposite sides of the street, talking to each other on our phones because we realised people only seemed to recognise us when we were together! It has calmed down a lot now though, and it’s nice to get recognised sometimes.

Much has been made of the sibling rivalry between you both. Are you encouraging or competitive training partners?

A: I think it’s fair to say that we’re a bit of both. When the weather is awful outside and you have a bike ride to do, it’s very encouraging knowing that Jonny will be going out as well, and that helps to motivate me.

J: Yes, and sometimes we are very competitive in the harder sessions, but this is less common the older we become. We train together for 30 hours a week. If we raced all the time, we’d end up killing each other!

When you compete together you make triathlon look like a team sport. How important is it to have a close training partner?

J: We both know how lucky we are really. Not many World Champions can train with the Olympic Champion from the same sport and vice versa.

A: It is a massive benefit. I can’t ever get complacent, as Jonny is always right behind me.

Alistair, you’ve got a reputation as being quite a harsh competitor, with one commentator describing your style as ‘pure evil’. Do you laugh this criticism off, or do you take it seriously?

I think you have to just laugh at that, and I’m sure he wasn’t talking about me personally, just the way I race. At least I hope he was!

It’s all very well being competitive brothers when it comes to sport. Does the competitiveness spill over into other areas of your lives?

A: I’d say the competitiveness is more prominent in other parts of our lives. We are brothers at the end of the day, so Monopoly, table tennis, even whose house is the tidiest becomes a competition!

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What makes a good triathlete?

A: Without writing a book (although we have one coming out in June), it’s just consistency and hard work.

What impact do you think your joint successes will have on the future of triathlon?

Triathlon is getting stronger as a sport all the time. It’s pretty new, so there are going to be advances. Me, Jonny and Javier Gomez of Spain are certainly at the forefront of that at the minute, but I’m sure it won’t be long until someone else comes along and gives us a hard time.

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone reading this interview and thinking ‘Hmmm, triathlon. I might give that a go…’?

A: Give it a go! Once you’ve had a go at one, you’ll realise it isn’t that difficult. There are lots of shorter distance triathlons now. Having the three disciplines makes it easier as well. You can vary your training, and break up the race too.

What does the post-tri future hold for the Brownlee borthers?

because we got a good education, we will have a choice. I enjoy the atmosphere in professional sport, so I think I would still like to do something around that. I’ve hopefully got plenty of time to think about it though!

When you’re not training, competing or travelling, how do you relax? Do you go for a pint together?

J: I like to stay in normally and play on the X-Box or watch a film. We go out and eat together quite a lot.

We spend a lot of time eating!

A: Yeah I enjoy going to the pub sometimes, or the cinema. But when we are training hard, there isn’t a great deal of time to do too much.

If someone were able to get a triathlon underway in Morzine / Avoriaz / Les Gets, would you come over and show us how it’s done?

J: Why not! It’s a beautiful place. I’ve been skiing there a few times before and really enjoyed it.

A: Yeah I really enjoy the Alps. I’d like to have a go at cross-country skiing as well, so maybe substitute the run for that and we’ll come!

J: I would actually like to teach. I really enjoyed my experience as a pupil at Bradford Grammar, so going back to be a Games Teacher would be great.

A: The good thing for both of us I suppose, is that 7

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It’s an action packed summer with something for everyone in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz.

Big Trucks Competition – 22nd & 23rd June If you’re into big trucks and all things mechanical, head to Les Gets during this weekend. There’ll be a music concert in the evening and fireworks too.

Cyclosportive - Sunday 23rd June Now in its 10th year, Cyclosportive is a celebration of cycling and it’s for everyone. Both serious and not-so-serious cyclists join together to cycle on one of two designated routes, which start in Montriond and take in beautiful mountain passes and lush Alpine meadows.

Pass’Portes du Soleil – 28th – 30th June One of the largest mountain bike events in Europe, this event attracts more than 6,000 bikers from around the world. They complete an 80km circuit over one day, the journey covers resorts across the Portes du Soleil and includes a total climb of over 1000m.

Relaxation Week – 1st – 5th July You’ll find an assortment of relaxation and beauty treatments on offer in the resort of Les Gets during this week, including spa procedures and massages, yoga courses, relaxation techniques and nature guides.

Les Portes du Rock – 7th – 14th July Avoriaz hosts an X Factor style boot camp week for talented and emerging pop rock artists and acts, offering a week of intensive music coaching, private performance areas and free outdoor music concert spaces.

Morzine Harley Days Festival – 11th – 14th July It’s the forth time that the Harley Davidson owners group known as HOG have brought their largest organised meeting to Morzine. The centre of the resort will be packed with polished chrome and a lot of leather. There’ll be free music concerts each day of the festival, culminating in a performance by Italian blues-rock star Zucchero on the last evening of the festival.

Fete de la Randonnee – 21st July This small festival is a celebration of walking in the local mountains. There are themed strolls, guided hikes and stunning scenery for all levels of walker. At the end of the walk there’s a traditional celebration in a high-altitude meadow.

Lind’Art Festival – 24th – 27th July Set around the shores of Lake Montriond, the Lind’Art festival celebrates mountain resonance and includes piano concerts directed by Martine Pitte, a professional pianist.

The World of Morzna – 25th – 27th July Each day between10am - 5pm in the centre of Morzine, families with small children can enjoy street performances by enchanted characters, and lots of other family friendly entertainment such as wand making, face-painting, circus acts and other workshops.

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One Day, One Climb – 28th July The Joux Plane is one of the most famous Tour de France climbs in the local area and for one day the road will be closed to traffic in both directions. Road cyclists tackle the 12km route, covering a staggering 731m of climbs to reach the Col de Joux Plane at 1691m. Much needed refreshments are provided at the top!

Les Feux du Lac – 3rd August One of the most eagerly anticipated local events of the summer, Feux du Lac celebrates the beauty of Lake Montriond. You’ll find food stalls, live music and entertainment and a paragliding display followed by a huge fireworks display when darkness falls, usually at around 10pm.

4x4 Trials – 3rd & 4th August Hosted by the Portes du Soleil 4x4 club and featuring more than 60 individual teams, the competition is on to complete a very difficult and technical course in Les Gets. Once there’s a winner, there’ll be dinner, a free music concert and fireworks.

Morzine Looks After You – 5th – 9th August This is a week dedicated to relaxation in the mountains. You’ll find zen workshops offering yoga, ti-chi, reflexology and African dance, as well as vitality walks in the local mountains. There’ll also be beauty sessions where you can make your own health creams using natural products and makeup and hair styling lessons too.

Avoriaz Jazz’Up Summer Festival – 10th – 17th August The winter version of Jazz’Up has become one of the top jazz music festivals in France.

The summer programme includes lots of acclaimed French and international Jazz acts.

Morzine to Avoriaz Road Climb – 11th August Another famous climb from Morzine’s appearance on the Tour de France route, this grueling road bike race begins at 7.30am by the church in the centre of Morzine.

Covering a distance of 14.6km and a climb of 860m with an average gradient of 6%, have you got what it takes to beat record holder Bernard Hinault’s time of 33 minutes and 27 seconds?

Food Lovers Week – 12th – 16th August Set around the centre of Morzine, this is a week of culinary discovery. Find new local and traditional flavours on the ‘culinary train’ – an actual road train that takes you from one restaurant to another for a different course of a set meal. There’ll also be theme based walks for jam making and harvesting edible plans, as well as workshops for children.

Lounge Music Festival – 15th – 18th August For those of you not in the know, ‘lounge music’ is a mixture of jazz, funk and blues and Les Gets hosts an annual festival each summer. You’ll find the bars, terraces and restaurants of the village packed out with live bands and DJs, creating a very chilled out atmosphere.

Trail des Hauts Forts – 17th August The trails may take you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Alps, but these races aren’t for the faint hearted. The ‘small’ race is 23km and includes a 1750m ascent. The ‘long’ race covers 43km and includes a 3200m ascent through three mountain passes. Both races start in Morzine and finish in Avoriaz.

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Avoriaz Latin Dance Festival – 17th – 24th August Back for it’s third summer, this week of dance and colour in the centre of Avoriaz includes over 70 hours of dance lessons including salsa, merengue, bachata, tango, cha cha and much more.

Medieval Festival – 24th & 25th August Set against the backdrop of the Abbaye d’Aulps in St Jean D’Aulps, this weekend long festival includes medieval shows and activities on the site of an old abbey, which dates back to the 1300s. There’s also an exhibition centre, which explains how the abbey’s previous occupants, a group of Cistercian monks, used to live.

Tour de L’Avenir – 29th & 30th August Morzine hosts the finish of the fifth stage and the start of the sixth stage of the Tour de L’Avenir road cycling race, which is dedicated entirely to young riders aged between 19 and 22 years old. The Tour de L’Avenir is widely considered to be the Tour de France for young cyclists, so it’s your chance to see the yellow jersey wearers of the future.

Mont Blanc Rally – 5th – 7th September The 65th annual Mont Blanc car rally heads to Morzine for special race stages in and around the resort. The centre of Morzine is the location for the start and finish podiums, as well as the technical assistance tents and team garages.

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LOCAL MARKETS Morzine, Les Gets, Le Biot and St Jean D’Aulps each have their own weekly village market, where you’ll find a wide variety of fresh food products, clothing, flowers and local souvenirs from local producers. Each market starts at 8am and finishes around 12noon.

Morzine - Wednesdays Les Gets – Thursdays St Jean D’Aulps – Saturdays Le Biot - Sundays If you’re looking for more information on events taking place in the resorts of Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets this summer you can visit the Office de Tourisme in each resort. Or, these websites should come in handy! www.valleedaulps.com www.avoriaz.com www.morzine-avoriaz.com www.lesgets.com

Wines - Beers - Alcohol

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Fantasticable – Located at the top of the Chaux Fleurie chair lift, this zip wire carries you at speeds of up to 100km/h, suspended high above the valley floor, on a course of just over 3km. Open from 10am until 4.45pm every day between 28th June and 8th September, each flight is priced at €34, or €27.20 for flights after 4pm each day. For advance bookings call +33 (0) 4 50 81 34 83.

Paragliding – Known locally as ‘parapenting’, you’ll find a load of experienced flying clubs across the three resorts. Tandem flights with an instructor involve you admiring the stunning scenery below while someone else manoeuvres the parachute over the valley. Flights start from €70 and are worth booking in advance with a company like Aireole on +33 (0) 4 50 74 71 01.

Swimming Pools – You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to taking a dip. In Avoriaz, the new Aquariaz water park development is open every day from 6th July to 1st September between 10.30am and 7.30pm, where adults are priced at €8 and children €5. Call Aquariaz on +33 (0) 4 50 74 24 42.

In Morzine, the indoor / outdoor swimming pool combo is open between 8am and 7pm from 29th June to 1st September. Admission is €6 for adults and €4 for kids. For more information call +33 (0) 4 50 79 01 69.

Horse Riding – In Morzine you’ll find the riding centre at the Parc des Dereches, along by the river. For children aged three and over there are lessons for both beginner and advanced riders between June and October and prices start at €20 per hour. Call +33 (0) 4 50 49 20 84 for more information. Ranch du Lac in Les Gets also offer guided treks through the mountains starting from €37 for two hours. Call them on +33 (0) 6 08 18 78 54.

Ice Skating – The snow may have long since melted, but the ice hockey rink at the Palais du Sport (AKA the Skoda Arena) in Morzine is open between 2.15pm and 5.15pm every day between 1st July and 1st September. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there’s also a night session including music and lights between 9pm and 11pm. Kid’s entry is €3.50 per session and adults €4.60. Skate hire is available for €3.50 per person. Call +33 (0) 4 50 79 08 43 for more information.

Canyoning – Using the natural gorges and riverbeds of the Dranse, guided canyoning trips involve plunging and abseiling into the mountain river, slipping down the rapids and splashing into pools. Children must be aged 14 or over to take part and prices start from €55 for a half day trip.

Book with the Morzine Bureau des Guides on +33 (0) 4 50 75 96 65.

White Water Rafting – Available on both the River Dranse and the River Giffre, the snow melt produces raging torrents of white water, perfect to skim over in a big bouncy boat! A classic raft trip lasts around two hours and costs €38 per person with Frogs Rafting. Give Frogs a call on +33 (0) 6 09 30 80 77.

Hiking – The Office de Tourisme in each resort produce a walkers guide, which includes detailed tours of the local hills with varying degrees of difficulty. Hiking is one of the best ways to discover the Alps in the summer months and on a clear day you’ll be treated to amazing views. If you’d rather take a guide with you, contact Relief on +33 (0) 6 77 77 74 64 for Marmot and Chamois spotting walks and botany lessions.

Tennis – Seven hard courts and two clay courts are available to hire at the Parc des Dereches in the centre of Morzine, all summer long, usually between 8am and 8.30pm. It’s €11 per hour on the hard court and €13 per hour on the clay court.

Prices are reduced by 50% if you have a MultiPass.

To reserve a court call +33 (0) 4 50 79 08 43.

Summer Luge – Two toboggan runs of different length and difficult can be seen snaking their way down the Pleney homerun. Prices are €4.70 for 1 run, €25.80 for 6 runs or €42 for 10 runs and tickets can be purchased at the Pleney lift pass office. Access to the luge is via the Crusaz chairlift.

Call +33 (0) 4 50 79 00 38 for more information.

Via Ferrata – This is a tamer version of rock climbing, which follows marked routes and includes ladders, bridges and steps, all while you’re roped up for safety. The via ferrata site in Avoriaz can be accessed free of charge, it takes around two hours to complete and all the equipment you need is available to hire locally. La Maison de la Montagne in Avoriaz provide guides from €40. Call them on +33 (0) 6 68 93 06 79.

Let the fun

begin...

Make the most of your summer time in Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets

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Mountain Biking – The area is a mecca for both crosscountry and downhill mountain biking during the summer months.

The lift system is rigged up to carry bikes, and extensive out of season works are undertaken to make the routes as fun and challenging as possible. Local experts such as the team at Ride Ability offer lessons and guiding throughout the summer season.

Give them a call on +33 (0) 6 62 10 32 77.

Road Cycling – Morzine-Avoriaz hosted a stage (and a rest day) during the 2010 Tour de France, which isn’t surprising considering the number of challenging Cols in the area. Road bikes are available to hire in each resort and clearly marked route plans are available from each Office de Tourisme.

Golf – You’ve probably skied over the 18-hole course in Les Gets without even knowing it. The views towards Mont Blanc are fantastic and buggies are available if you’d prefer to avoid the steep walks! The Les Gets course is open from 8th June to 6th October and green fees start at €37. Call the club house on +33 (0) 4 50 75 87 63. There’s also a 9-hole course in Avoriaz, open between May and September each year, where green fees start at €25. Call +33 (0) 4 50 74 17 08 for more information.

Fishing – If relaxation is more your thing, as long as you have the right permits, you can spend hours fishing at Lac Plan du Rocher, Lac Minds d’Or, Lac Montriond or even in the River Dranse.

1 day ‘holiday’ permits are available between 1st April and 30th September from the Office de Tourisme in each resort.

© Sylvain Cochard

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Team CRC / Nukeproof made headlines in mountain bike magazines and on blogs across the globe at the end of last year, when they announced that five times World Champion rider Sam Hill had joined their team. The man behind the move was Nigel Page, Team Manager at CRC / Nukeproof, who probably has one of the coolest jobs in the industry…

“I got into mountain biking by riding with friends, then I started instructing for the Duke of Edinburgh awards at St Helen’s Council. At the end of 1996 I did a Nambs downhill race and then I was hooked on racing.

In 1998 I was second in the UK pro ranks and I won the dual national championships in 1999. I followed that up with a bronze medal at the X Games in 2000.

More recently I won the Masters downhill world championships in 2007 and I was Vet National Champion in 2012.

I joined the Chain Reaction Cycles team in 2008 and we started designing, making and racing Nukeproof bikes in 2011. It’s great to be in charge of a worldclass downhill race team after years of racing myself.

I’m still very passionate about racing and I want our team to be the best team in the world! It’s also great

Five times W orld C ham pion

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to see so many privateers on Nukeproof bikes at the races – it tells me that we’re making amazing, worldclass bikes at a price that people can still afford.

The most exciting thing going on in the team at the moment is the arrival of Sam Hill. It’s almost time for the first round of the World Cup and the whole team is excited to get it underway. Our objectives for this season are to get podiums and top 10’s and to hopefully win some World Cups. Fingers crossed, we’ll even win some championships and gain as much media exposure for our sponsors as possible.

There are a couple of challenges facing the mountain bike industry at the moment in my view. The new wheel sizes – 29” and now 27.5” – mean the whole industry is now trying to make bikes, tires, forks, etc

to fit the new trends. Also, every bike company is trying to develop new, lighter carbon frames. This often means dealing with new factories and manufacturers.

The best part of my job as Factory Team Manager is getting to the World Cup races once the winter is over and all the hard work of planning, designing and ordering everything to make our team ready and looking great is finished. When I finally see all the riders on the new team bikes with their new kit, it all seems worth it. But obviously winning races is right up there as the best part!

The worst part of my job is missing my family if I’m away for a long time. Riders getting injured is pretty bad too! I also hate having to tell riders I can’t offer them a ride on the team anymore, when we change up the team roster from time to time. That’s pretty bad.

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Unfortunately I don’t live in the mountains, so I manly ride my Nukeproof Mega TR for trail riding. For downhill I ride a Nukeproof Pulse, and for enduro and all mountain I like my Nukeproof Mega AM.”

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One of the most important elements of our team is the role that Nukeproof team riders have in developing our bikes – their input is huge. We tell the team engineers what angles and sizes we want the frames to be and the rate of the suspension to work best on race tracks. It’s great to have a bike brand that we help to develop from scratch – it gives us the perfect race bikes for what we want and subsequently, it gives customers the best bikes available, designed by the best riders in the world. The Nukeproof bikes the team race are exactly the same as the bikes that our customers buy.

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Read more about Nukeproof bikes on their website nukeproof.com and follow the team’s progress this season on their Facebook page - NukeproofBikes av e

142 Rue du Bourg, 74110 Morzine, France

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hello@toricomorzine.com | www.toricomorzine.com 15

Simone B moved to France from America in 2011. She discovered the French ‘brocante’ (a cross between an antique fair and a flea market) and a love affair ensued. Here she tells us how and why everyone should take up fleaing this summer.

“I’ve been creative and very visual for as long as I can remember and I love things that are one of a kind. So my love affair with the flea market was probably inevitable! My first trip to France changed the way I looked at things.

It was probably the ‘ah ha’ moment for me and I was addicted.

Lots of people are beginning to appreciate the quality and appeal of vintage pieces, and I think this is why the whole shabby chic or ‘preloved’ style is growing in popularity. Also, with a vintage piece you always know that your look is going to be unique – it’s not going to show up in everyone else’s home! I really enjoy having items in my home that have existed much longer than I have – it gives them a character and soul that new items just don’t have.

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Last summer I started a blog called ‘Fleaing France’, as more and more people started to ask me about my flea market and brocante experiences. I want the blog to be for everyone and those that love vintage will be drawn to it for the photos taken in the brocantes. My hope is that anyone inspired visually finds something in the images or the words to spark their creativity.

something you find, it really doesn’t matter what year it came from. You’ll find every era and style at a flea market.

People often ask me if there’s a particular frame of mind or set of objectives that they should have before heading to the flea market. You do

If you’re heading to a flea market or a brocante for the first time, making your first purchase can be overwhelming. It’s really important not to be afraid of making a ‘bad’ buy. The price you pay may not be the cheapest you’ll ever find, but if

you love the piece it will always be worth it. The pieces we’ve over paid for don’t haunt us, it’s the ones that we’ve walked away from and can never find again that we regret.

have to be willing to accept what is in front of you. It can be helpful to know what you would like to find, but you have to be prepared to appreciate what you do find. You never know what the day’s market will hold and that is part of the excitement!

I sometimes feel that every trip I make to a flea market is like a history lesson. Learning about French history can be helpful in developing your knowledge in the long run, but if you like

I’m also often asked if there is a best time of day to head to a flea. But that’s a trick question!

Arriving too early means that vendors aren’t set up and you could miss something at another

stall while you’re waiting for a dealer to unload. Of course there’s also the chance that if you arrive after the first unpacking, you’ve missed out on the best pieces. I believe that you find what you are meant to find, no matter what hour you arrive. I’ve found amazing pieces at the beginning and at the very end of a day at market. I recently found a 1700s wooden crown as I was leaving a brocante, after being there for over two hours!

The rule of the flea or brocante is cash cash cash. Credit cards are a rarity. Most dealers in France will accept cheques from a French bank but you’re always safest with cash!

www.midaskitchens.fr | sales@midaskitchens.fr

+44 7803 625 242 MODERN KITCHEN MEETS TRADITIONAL SKI HOME THE PERFECT COMBINATION

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When it comes to bargaining, everything depends on the dealer. Some are notoriously difficult and others are more gracious. First and foremost, always begin your conversation with ‘Bonjour Madam’ or ‘Bonjour Monsieur’. In most instances your time to browse through the wares of a stall will remain uninterrupted unless you choose to engage the dealer. Always ask the price of an item before you begin to negotiate. Many dealers will offer a lower price right away, but it’s better to know what price you’re bargaining from! Finally, remember that the flea market is often the livelihood of most dealers. Being courteous and appreciative of their items goes a long way when you’re working to negotiate a price.

Kitchen Design Supply and Installation Local Project Management

Of course, many of the treasures you might find and buy at a flea market may be in need of some tender loving care. If you’re new to furniture restoration, I’d suggest putting together a starter kit, including a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a spirit level and a measuring tape – these are the essentials. It’s also helpful to have a good glue, clamps or twine to hold things in place and some steel wool, sand paper or a sanding sponge to get rid of paint and what not.

It can also be useful to create a visual or physical mood board of what you like before you head out to a market. A theme will emerge in colour, style or both. Shop from the basis of your mood board, choosing items that fit your style and remember that you won’t go wrong if you buy what you love!”

Follow Simone’s flea market experiences around France and gather more tips and useful information on her blog – fleaingfrance.com There’s also a great list of flea markets across France, listed by individual departments on www.brocabrac.fr

Part of the Burnhill Kitchens Group

UK TO PORTES DU SOLEIL 17

a day on the river

The River Dranse is one of the most beautiful and important natural features in the area. Jeremy Helvic & Natalie Elvy established Frogs Rafting in 2010 to offer rafting trips and other activities to holiday makers and local people. Here Jeremy tells us about a day in the life of a river rafter.

“I was born in Normandy and I started kayaking when I was at school there. I first rafted on the Isere River while I was working as a kayak teacher. As a treat on the last day of the course we took all the kids rafting. It’s such a great way to introduce beginners to the river as they can be close to it without worrying about having to negotiate anything tricky – that’s the guide’s job!

Natalie and I decided to open our first rafting base in Morzine, as it’s right between the River Giffre in Samoens and the River Dranse. Being here means that we can easily get from one river to the other if we fancy a change of scenery. Both rivers are quite different. The Dranse is controlled by a hydroelectric dam, which means that there’s always water released, even when it’s a dry summer. We can always be sure of water in the Dranse! The Giffre is a bit gentler, but there’s no dam so we’re limited at the end of the summer if there’s not enough water to raft in.

We also decided on Morzine because, from a business point of view, the Office de Tourisme has made a big effort to promote the village as a holiday destination during the summer time, rather than just in the winter. Even in the last couple of years we’ve noticed an increase in the number of people coming here on summer holidays, which is great for everyone.

My favourite time of day on the river is in the morning, before the water released by the dam further up stream arrives at our take off point. As the water arrives you see the level and noise of the water increase little by little. It’s as if the river is waking up, and it’s weirdly exciting!

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To take people down the river in France we are required by law to hold the appropriate French certifications and insurance, and we’re checked randomly each season to ensure that we’re complying. I’ve got quite a few qualifications and certificates for rafting, and we’re also obliged to make sure all of our equipment, from the boats to the life jackets, and the helmets to the wetsuits are in good order. The French guidelines for rafting equipment are some of the strictest in the world!

Regardless of whether our customers are hydrospeeding, cano-rafting, airboating or rafting, I take a good look at the river before every trip we do. Even when you think you know the river well, it changes all the time and there can be surprises, especially if it has rained heavily and rocks have moved or branches fallen.

Assuming everything looks good, I’ll run through a safety briefing, which always includes how to swim in white water - feet first, on your back, looking downstream in case you’re wondering! I also stress the importance of listening to the river guide more than other group members in the raft! I encourage everyone to jump out of the boat and get themselves wet – this reassures everyone that falling out of the boat isn’t that bad, as the safety equipment does its job.

The number of raft trips I do each day depends on how long the dam on the Dranse is open.

While there’s plenty of water we can run three trips a day, as the

dam is open from 8.30am until 5pm. But when it’s dry and there’s less water collected in the dam, usually at the end of the summer, it opens later in the day, perhaps between 10am and 2pm. When this happens, we’ll only run one or two trips in a day, as it’s not much fun racing against a falling water level!

When people book their rafting trip with us, we ask if they are families or groups of friends. We can tailor the intensity of a rafting trip depending on who’s in the boat. For a real adrenaline trip, where everyone is over 16 and are good swimmers, we’ll suggest either the pro-rafting trip, which includes a class IV rapid, or one of our other activities such as hydrospeeding, where you’re in the water with a big float (that you lie on, a bit like a body board!) and flippers, and you follow the guide downstream

Rafting is a versatile activity and generally our customers are up front about what kind of trip they’re after! Our customers pace the trip – they are the paddlers so they are in charge of the thrills and spills!

Savoyarde Specialties and Take-Away Pizza Open from 9am until 1am every day

There’s a load of wildlife on the Dranse. I always look out for Beavers and point out any gnawed trees and their dams as we head down the river. There are all sorts of birds too, and plenty of jumping fish. My favourite birds are the Dippers. They are the little fat black and white birds and they are so territorial that you see the same ones every day. They fly along beside the raft so they can keep an eye on us, to make sure we dont go too close to their nests. The Dranse gorge is also pretty spectacular from a geological point of view.

I point out the different types of stones, the boulders and interesting eroded pinnacles, which make great obstacles in the river!

Rafting is probably the only ‘all weather’ activity you can enjoy in the mountains during the summer time. Kayakers and rafters love the rain! And what better way to be dressed on a wet day than in a wetsuit?”

For more information on the range of summer activities offered by Frogs, which also include gorge walking and rock climbing, visit their website – www.frogsrafting.com or call Natalie or Jeremy on +33 (0) 6 09 30 80 77.

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Tel: 04 50 75 78 47

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36 Route de Morzine - 74110 - Montriond 09/05/2013 17:14 www.lerocher-montriond.fr

For unforgettable holidays in chalets like no others...

my luxury ski chalets Location de standing

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info@myhomeinthealps.com +33 (0) 6 79 71 49 08

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For over 80 years, family owned mountain sports chain Ellis Brigham have been first to stock some of the most important innovations in mountain sports technology. Whether you’re a casual rambler or an expert climber, who better to recommend the kit you’ll need for every eventuality this summer? climbing BD Momentum SA Package £74.99 Colour: Steel/Lava (900) Sizes: S - XL Code 133011

Petzl Meteor III+ Helmet £72.99 Grey/Blue (906) Code 134506

BD Momentum SA Package £74.99 Colour: Steel/Lava (900) Sizes: S - XL Code 133011

Petzl Meteor III+ Helmet £72.99 Colours: Orange/Red (980 Code 134506

Black Diamond Momentum SA & Primrose SA Packages. Surely the best value harness packages on the market. Comfortable and well ventilated for summer cragging, it features the unique new trakFIT leg loop adjustment system, while the speed adjust waist buckle makes them a cinch to put on. The package has everything you need to get started on the rock, including a BD Momentum/Primrose SA harness, ATC belay device, locking karabiner, chalk bag and White Gold chalk.

This is the benchmark superlight climbing and mountaineering helmet. Made from shock-absorbing EPS foam with a tough polycarbonate shell, the Meteor III+ weighs just 235g so you can easily forget you’re wearing it! The innovative headband adjustment system creates a snug, comfortable fit while big ventilation ports let cool air flow in. A superb multi-sport helmet that meets the European standards for climbing, cycling and whitewater sports

Evolv Valor Shoes £69.99 Sizes: 6 – 11 (inc. half sizes, plus 12) Code 135705

An entry-level shoe that offers so much more: the comfort, fit and performance to take you through the grades in every form of climbing. They boast a Synthratek non-stretch upper with a breathable lining, fastened by dual Velcro straps to create a snug fit. The half-length medium stiffness insole offers good support for longer climbs while a variable thickness rand improves durability where it’s most needed. It comes complete with excellent Trax XT-5 high friction rubber. For many this will be a favourite training shoe, for others their number one outdoor performer.

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cycling

GORE Bike Wear Men’s Path W/S Active Vest £69.99 Colour: Black (901) Sizes: S - XL Code 215603

This is a classic hybrid vest. A GORE Windstopper front panel blocks the breeze to prevent windchill, while a polyamide mesh back offers ventilation and wicks moisture to keep you cool on the uphill stretches. Storage abounds, with two back pockets, side openings so you can access jersey pockets underneath and a front zipped chest pocket for easy access to essentials. Add on the reflective trim for extra safety in the dark and you have a supremely versatile biking vest.

Osprey Escapist 25 Pack £79.99 Colour: Grit (901) Sizes: S/M or M/L Code 292280

Osprey Escapist 25 Pack £79.99 Colour: Grit (901) Sizes: S/M or M/L Code 292280

The Escapist 25 maximises carrying capacity for daylong backcountry bike adventures and the daily urban commute. Comfort features include a Bio-Stretch™ ventilated harness, mesh hipbelt with ErgoPull™ closure and an AirScape™ ventilated back panel. Internal organiser pockets for bike specific tools, a LidLock™ helmet attachment, blinker light attachment and reflective detailing round out the Escapist’s bicycling oriented features. An internal zipped divider and bottom zip entry make access and organisation very convenient plus the built-in rain cover ensures everything stays dry, should the heavens open.

These are relaxed fit bike shorts in a softshell effect fabric, delivering fully featured practicality and supple comfort for long days in the saddle. The free fit outer short is made in a plaid woven stretch fabric while inside is a detachable padded liner short in wicking material. A sanitised silver anti-odour finish keeps things fresh. Two deep front pockets and two zipped back pockets hold plenty of accessories.

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running The North Face Men’s AK Stormy Trail Jkt £159.99 Colour: Koi Orange (980)

When you’re racing the most respected, most feared ultra-race on the planet, you need the most functional protective clothing. Enter the AK Stormy Trail Jkt, specifically designed as race kit for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. This superlight shell is constructed from a HyVent Flashdry 2.5 layer waterproof, breathable laminate. The FlashDry technology dramatically improves breathability and dry times, keeping you cool on hot hill climbs. Features include a reflective brimmed adjustable hood, chest pocket and reflective drop tail hem. And maybe the finest recommendation of all; it meets UTMB mandatory race kit requirements.

Inov-8 Roclite 295 £99.99 Colour: Grey/Lime (906) Sizes: 7 – 12 (except 7.5 & 11.5) Code 290056

Suunto Ambit Black with HR £399.99 Colour: Black (900) Code 681190

One of the most successful trail shoes on the planet. The 295 is light, tough and reliable thanks to its synthetic upper and nylon overlays. The Comfort last gives room for extended use and the EVA midsole bolsters cushioning. The 295 has a 6mm footbed with 9mm heel-forefoot differential, making it ideal for long trail races and training, or as an introductory shoe to minimalist trail running.

This sophisticated GPS enabled sports watch is the ultimate tool for those who live to explore. Combining specialist outdoor functions with advanced training options the Ambit is the complete package for active multisport enthusiasts.

It’s fully featured GPS, unique 3D compass and barometric altimeter keep you informed on your location, altitude and weather conditions. The Ambit also monitors your speed/ pace and heart rate and features multiple timer options, real time training effect and recovery time; making sure that you stay on track when aiming to reach new heights.

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camping Jetboil Flash Cooking System £104.99 Colour: Carbon (908) Code 288104

The Jetboil Flash features an all-in-one design, which combines burner and cooking vessel in a compact unit offering convenience, speed and safety for outdoor cooking on the go.

This integrated design provides unparalleled functionality for ease of use anywhere, anytime.

Additionally Jetboil’s FluxRing technology reduces boil times and double heating efficiency, dramatically reducing fuel consumption. Features: 1.0L FluxRing cooking cup with insulting cozy / Cozy features colour-change temperature indicator / Adjustable burner with push-button ignite / Pot support and Stabiliser tripod

Hilleberg Nallo 2GT Tent £689.99 Colour: Green (900) Weight: 2.9kg/2.5kg (min) Code 256211

white water adventures.

Call: +33 (0) 609 308 077 email: info@frogsrafting.com

This classic all-season ultralite tunnel tent is the perfect all-round shelter for any long-distance / move your tent everyday endeavours. A favourite with globetrotting trekkers, the extended porch design affords lots of space, a fast pitch process and durable materials for supreme confidence whilst far from home!

Rab Women’s Neutrino 800 £284.99 Colour: Pomegranate (950) Weight: 815g Code 208212

Chez Toi Chalet catering and private chef service in Morzine Les Gets and St Jean d’Aulps At the end of a long days skiing, snowboarding or biking do you really want the effort of going out to a restaurant or cooking for yourselves?

Of course not! We offer one off evening meals of 3 or more courses or fully catered packages for a whole week. We will cook your meal fresh in your chalet or apartment and do all of the cleaning up afterwards too.

Prices start at just 35€ per person for a 3 course evening meal with wine, coffee and petit fours.

A full week catering including breakfast and evening meals with wine start at 200€ per person.

Please take a look at our website for more details, menus and prices.

Featuring 800 fill power Goose down, the best Pertex Quantum inner and outer fabrics and a specific female cut, the Women’s Neutrino 400 is aimed at ultralight backpackers, cycle tourers and lightweight mountaineers. Utilising a tapered mummy shape the design greatly reduces weight and maximises warmth and is rated for 3-season use making it ideal for those that venture out as soon as spring appears and only retreat at the onset of winter!

Find us online at www.cheztoi.biz E-mail us on info@cheztoi.biz 23 Or call us anytime on 0033(0)649624390

hiking Arc’teryx Men’s Gamma LT Hoody £169.99 Colour: Blue Onyx (940) Sizes: S - XL Code 233214

This sleek, versatile hooded softshell has a brushed inner surface that adds a touch of warmth for cool conditions. Made in Burly Double Weave softshell, the Gamma LT is stretchy and supremely comfortable. A durable water repellent treatment gives it excellent water resistance and the hood is roomy enough to go over hat or helmet.

Features include a Vislon front zip with wind flap, zipped hand pockets, and internal chest pocket and comfy stretch gusset cuffs. A great choice for changeable conditions in the mountains.

Men’s Salomon Quest 4D GTX £154.99 Colour: Autobahn (903) Sizes: 7 - 11.5 (+12.5 and 13.5) Code 243774

Wmn’s Salomon Quest 4D GTX £154.99 Colour: Autobahn (903) Sizes: 3.5 – 8 (+ 9) Code 243776

Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Poles (pair) £89.99 Useable length: 68-140cm Code 222104

The Quest 4D GTX has pioneered a new generation of mountain footwear.

Inspired by the famous XA Series of running shoes, Salomon have applied their acclaimed trail running technologies to the rigorous demands of trekking.The result is excellent protection, comfort and stability in a lightweight, forwardthinking package. Lightweight, durable suede and textile uppers are backed by a GORE-TEX lining for total waterproof, breathable protection. A rubber power band wraps around the back of the heel while underfoot a 4D Chassis gives dynamic cushioning and all-mountain traction.

Incorporating Black Diamond’s Control Shock Technology with progressive, four-stage shock these lightweight poles absorb anything from light strikes to heavy hits. Black Diamond’s FlickLocks top and bottom provide fast and easy adjustment while dualdensity grip with lower foam extension and 360-degree padded webbing strap give support and comfort over varying terrain. Poles come with Short Flex Tips and low profile Trekking Baskets.

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travel

Craghoppers Wmn’s NosiLife Gabriella Hoody £39.99 Colour: Dark Plum (952) Sizes: 8 – 16 Code 252030

Craghoppers NosiLife clothing is engineered with a world-first permanent insect repellent that gives lifelong protection for travellers. When dusk falls and the bugs descend, this beautifully soft and versatile hooded top will keep out the chill and fend off biting insects. It is made in NosiLife-treated cotton-poly fabric with elastane for a comfy stretchy feel. All the details are taken care of – there’s even a loop to hold your sunglasses when needed.

Lifeventure Soft Fibre Trek Towel – World Words Print £29.99 Colour: World Words Print (943) Code 274910

The North Face Longhaul 30/88L £179.99 Colour: TNF Black (901) Weight: 4.65kg Code 204308

These lightweight trek towels are highly absorbent, very quick drying and have an ultra-soft texture that is comfortable and non-irritating next to the skin. Soft Fibre towels dry 8 times quicker than a standard beach towel and absorb 9 times their own weight in water. Treated with a permanent antibacterial formula that prevents the build-up of bacteria, your towel will stay cleaner and fresher for longer.

When you can’t afford to leave anything behind on that extended trip look no further than the Longhaul. Featuring a bombproof, multicompartmented construction, burly custom wheels and an ambidextrous retractable handle the Longhaul makes light work of hauling any size load.

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Chalet La Ruche

Chalet Hotel Le Boomerang

Chamois d’Or Hotel

This self-catered chalet is centrally located in Morzine and sleeps 12 guests in 6 bedrooms with 5 shower / bathrooms. It has British satellite TV, free WIFI, 50m2 south facing terrace with BBQ & secure bike storage.

The chalet is only 550 flat meters to the Super Morzine lift, 60 meters from a supermarket and 50 meters from a bar / restaurant.

Ideally situated in Les Gets village centre, with lifts only 150m away, giving easy access to the entire Portes du Soleil region. Ideal for skiing and mountain biking.

There are 14 delightful en-suite bedrooms with free WIFI access available on B&B or half-board basis. Our on-site restaurant & wine bar offer a wide range of international cuisine at a great price.

This stylish new boutique hotel is in the centre of Les Gets next to the marketplace. Recently renovated, the hotel offers contemporary interiors, excellent service and a relaxed atmosphere. Book a table at the renowned Indigo restaurant for the best modern French cuisine and enjoy live music & sports in the trendy bar. The hotel is open all year round.

Web: www.alpinenavigations.com Tel: +44 (0) 845 680 1208 Email: info@alpinenavigations.com

Web: www.leboomerang.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 37 76 12 Email: ozyalps@leboomerang.com

Web: www.chamoisdor-lesgets.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 04 29 41 Email: hotel@chamoisdor-lesgets.com

Chalet Jirishanca

The ARK

The Loft

A luxury catered chalet with outdoor hot tub situated opposite the Super Morzine Telecabine in the centre of Morzine. Jirishanca is split into 6 different levels and features 2 lounge areas with designer sofas, cowhides and lots of comfy extras. The chalet sleeps 14 people in 7 luxury en-suite bedrooms. We also have iPads, free WIFI throughout the chalet and a fantastic stereo system.

Sleeping up to 12 in 5 spacious en-suite bedrooms, The ARK features a hot tub, 2 lounge areas, separate dining room with fireplace, rooftop lounge with design fireplace, flatscreen TV and 360 degree views of the mountains, separate glass floor mezzanine with iPAD, XBOX 360 KINECT and bar / chill out space.

Centrally located with 2 minute easy access to shops, bars, restaurants and telecabines.

Featured in The Times top 15 sexiest chalets, The Loft is a well-proportioned ultra modern chalet sleeping 8 in 4 luxury en-suite bedrooms in central Morzine. It spans the upper two floors of a beautifully renovated Savoyard farmhouse & is a great family favourite.

Leather sofas, a log burning feature fireplace, flatscreen TV, UK Satellite, free WIFI & walkie-talkies, i-Pads & DVD players plus an honesty bar.

Web: www.moremountain.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05 Email: info@moremountain.com

Web: www.moremountain.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05 Email: info@moremountain.com

Web: www.moremountain.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05 Email: info@moremountain.com

More Mountain Luxury Apts

Chalet Le Couer de Lion

Chalet Tacot

Sleeping between 4 and 6 people in prime locations within Morzine town centre, some of our apartments are even ski in, ski out and feature outdoor hot tubs with stunning views. All include stylish, modern interiors, flat screen TVs, free WIFI, UK FreeSat TV, DVD players, PS3, Bose iPod docks, Egyptian cotton bed linen and L’Occitane toiletries plus some stunning Alp Chic Charlie Adams artwork.

A charming, characterful self catered chalet sleeping 10 people in Montriond, on the outskirts of Morzine.

Facilities include jacuzzi bath and power shower, large open plan living room, dining room and kitchen, UK FreeSat TV, WIFI, Nintendo Wii and large sunny terrace with stunning views. Located just 30 metres from the free ski bus stop, a local bar, shop and restaurant.

Powderdays is the original seasonal accommodation provider in Morzine. Our seasonaire chalets are spacious and have all the little extras that you would not get in an apartment, such as great locations, spacious bedrooms, Sky TV, WIFI, film and TV media stations, XBOX 360, parking, sunny gardens for spring and summer BBQs, ski, snowboard and bike workshops and all bills included.

Web: www.moremountain.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05 Email: info@moremountain.com

Web: www.snowmotionchalets.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 43 8 65 82 Email: info@snowmotionchalets.com

Web: www.powderdaysmorzine.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 78 34 19 09 Email: info@powderdaysmorzine.com

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Le Touriste

La Ferme de Marie

Le Scandinavia

Based in the beautiful and authentic Savoyarde village of Le Lavanchy, just outside Morzine and an easy five minute drive from the Ardent ski lift, we have well equipped apartments and chalets sleeping between 4 and 12 people. Available for both summer cycling holidays and winter ski holidays, we also provide free WIFI and can provide catered options too.

A few minutes from Morzine in an idyllic location, this exceptional chalet is the successful marriage of tradition and lifestyle. The living room, with its generous space, majestic wood frame and friendly kitchen radiate a warmth and speak of beautiful winter evenings by the fire. Eight en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 16 people, next winter with a sauna and jacuzzi.

Be charmed by this lovely new duplex apartment, South facing in Morzine. Four very nice bedrooms sleeping up to nine people, two bathrooms, a cozy living room with dining area and an open plan kitchen. Large sunny balcony with beautiful views of the village. Cave, ski-locker and private covered parking. Walking distance to the lifts and town centre.

For unforgettable holidays!

Web: www.letouriste.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 74 18 61 Email: mail@letouriste.com

Web: www.myhomeinthealps.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 79 45 91 Email: location@myhomeinthealps.com

Web: www.myhomeinthealps.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 79 45 91 Email: location@myhomeinthealps.com

Much Better Chalets

Hotel D’Angleterre, geneva

Morzine Retreats

Why waste hours searching for the perfect chalet? Let Morzine and Les Gets’ independent chalets make you offers instead! Here’s how: 1) Make one enquiry. We’ll carefully match your requirements with over 350 chalets. 2) The best matches reply with personalised quotes. 3) Compare and share offers on your group’s private page. 4) Book direct with your favorite. Easy!

Welcome to the award winning 5 star Hotel D’Angleterre. Enjoy fine dining and unrivalled views of Lake Geneva at Windows Restaurant, followed by live music and cocktails at the ever popular Leopard Room Bar. Individually designed bedrooms with original artwork and antiques set this boutique hotel apart.

Exceptional service ensures that Hotel D’Angleterre is always Geneva’s first choice for luxury.

From affordable to luxurious, whatever your requirements are, we can meet them. Self catered, bed and breakfast, and catered chalets / apartments in Morzine, Les Portes Du Soleil. Flexible catering options available to suit all budgets. Winter and summer.

Web: www.muchbetterchalets.com Tel: +44 (0) 117 230 2414 Email: info@muchbetteradventures.com

Web: www.dangleterrehotel.com Tel: +41 (0) 22 906 5522 Email: bookan@rchmail.com

Web: www.morzine-retreats.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 30 79 55 15 Email: info@morzine-retreats.com

Chalet Fourmiliere

MTB Morzine Beds

Ski Famille

Need luxury? Need gourmet food? Need impeccable ‘nothing is too much trouble’ service? Then Chalet Fourmiliere, an owner-run, catered ski chalet in Morzine, is probably your best bet for your next catered ski holiday. The promise is, stay with us once and you will want to return again and again as we look after you so well.

MTB Morzine Beds are pleased to provide some of the best weekly holiday and seasonal summer mountain bike accommodation in Morzine, in the French Alps.

We are able to offer all types of accommodation to suit all budgets ranging from fully catered chalets to great quality B&Bs. MTB day trips, bike hire & lift passes are also offered with MTB Morzine Beds.

Ski Famille has eight high quality catered chalets with free childcare in superb locations across Les Gets. We are 100% focused on families travelling with young children and our team will ensure you have a fun and relaxing holiday. Chalets sleep between 8 and 22 and can be booked by the room or as a whole.

Web: www.chaletfourmiliere.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 75 46 25 Email: info@chaletfourmiliere.com

Web: www.mtbmorzinebeds.com Tel: +33 (0) 6 49 05 02 27 Email: info@mtbmorzinebeds.com

Web: www.skifamille.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1252 519 239 Email: holidays@skifamille.co.uk 27

The phrase ‘white wedding’ used to be a reference to the colour of the bride’s dress. These days, it’s also used to describe a beautiful winter wedding in the mountains. It’s estimated that almost one in four couples from the UK now marry abroad and the French Alps are becomingly increasingly popular for both summer and winter celebrations.

Tempted? There are quite a few local people that can help you plan your dream mountain wedding.

The Celebrant – Kay Evans “As an English speaking wedding celebrant living in the Alps, I create unique ceremonies celebrating love and reflecting couple’s values, personalities and aspirations. The ceremonies I craft tell a story, giving wedding guests a real insight into the reasons why a couple are marrying.

Planning a wedding with a celebrant is a smooth, enjoyable and fun experience from start to finish. We discuss ideas, and as we get to know each other I compose a bespoke script for the ceremony. We walk through the choreography before the big day and using my local knowledge and expertise, if you’d like, I can advise on all aspects of a celebration, providing complete peace of mind.

Because residency laws surrounding marriage are pretty stringent in France, it’s usually easier for visiting couples to register their marriage in their home country before travelling to France for their wedding ceremony. And we talk this through too.

Outdoor ceremonies are my favourite, where everyone invited shares the magic. Whether our feet are buried under inches of snow, we’re on the shores of the lake, or bathed in sunshine in the summertime meadows, it’s amazing. The mountains provide an awesome setting; perfect for marking the most special occasions in your life.

I have one tip for couples considering getting married in the mountains – if it’s what you want, do it! It doesn’t have to be drawn out, complicated or stressful. With Always Number One it’s straightforward, relaxed and fun. One consistent comment guests often make after the ceremony is ‘how many years have you known the couple? You must be their best friend, and you’re a celebrant too. What an amazing coincidence.”

Ceremony services start from £595 with planning and advisory sessions also available.

Contact Kay at Always Number One on +33 (0) 6 20 47 96 39 or visit www.alwaysnumberone.co.uk 28

The Chef – Damian McArthur “It’s easy to come up with a delicious wedding meal here in the mountains, whatever your budget. It’s my job to make a wedding meal into a delicious, perfect celebration and I always try to incorporate local produce into my wedding menus.

A Savoyarde-themed menu to reflect the beautiful surroundings of an Alpine wedding venue is always popular. Monsieur Buet’s home smoked Salmon from his fish farm in Morzine is a particular local favourite of mine. It has deep flavours and a mouth-watering texture, making it delicious for a starter. A cheese course is also a great way to incorporate the many fine cheeses available locally.

A typical wedding breakfast back in the UK might include meat and two veg to cater for everyone’s tastes. Things have changed over the last couple of years and I work with couples to create a delicious meal that can be enjoyed by everyone, yet still stand up to the prodigious task of being a wedding breakfast. Ultimately, if a couple ask for a tapas feast, that’s what they’ll get!

I have a huge range of wedding menus that cover all tastes, and when couples ask me to help plan their wedding meal, we work together to plan a great celebration feast. From there we’ll discover what their venue can offer in terms of cooking, serving and seating space and I can produce a trial meal before they make a final decision.

It’s important to visit as many potential wedding venues as possible before making a final decision. Think about seating, views and transportation and keep looking until you find the right venue for you. Also, in many venues it is possible to hire your own chef or private catering company with enough years in the region to understand local customs and procedures. It’s always best to let an experienced team look after the food!”

Contact Damian at Dining Direct on +33 (0) 6 74 56 18 61 or visit www.dining-direct.com The Photographer – Jacquie Cutler “I often find that it’s photos of mountain weddings that inspire people to come and get married in the area. Pictures of ceremonies on the edge of Lake Montriond, or with snow-covered peaks as a backdrop usually capture people’s imagination.

I’ve photographed so many weddings in the surrounding area that my portfolio is good inspiration for couples.

When couples get in touch, the first step is usually a meeting, either in person or on Skype if they don’t live locally. I think it is really important that a couple trust me and we get to know each other a little so that on the wedding day, there isn’t a stranger in front of them with a camera. You can really see the difference in the pictures!

With each couple we compose a list of ‘must have’ photos and I go through their timings to make sure everything is achievable.

In the final week before the wedding we do a walk through to make sure everyone is comfortable with the plans. I offer four different photography packages based on the number of hours I’m required on the big day.

My favourite spot for a wedding is Lake Montriond. It captures both the lake and the mountains and can’t be beaten. I’d also suggest asking a local for help when planning your wedding as personal recommendations are really important and very valuable! Also, if you’ve invited family and friends over to celebrate your wedding with you, have them arrive a couple of days before the wedding, rather than the week before. You’ll find you still have so much to organise and it can sometimes be stressful if there are too many people around!”

Contact Jacquie on +33 (0) 6 83 08 67 59 or visit www.jcutlerphotography.co.uk The Videographer – Stewart Monk “Most wedding couples tell me that their special day passes so quickly and their wedding video gives them the chance to see parts of the day that they might otherwise have missed. Little things like Grandparents dancing, kids sneaking cake when they think no one is looking, that kind of thing. A wedding video captures much more emotion than traditional photos, especially during the ceremony itself.

Every wedding video is different and I start the process with a phone call so I can get to know a couple and vice-versa. I’ve created a few music videos at weddings starring the bride and groom, along with all of their wedding guests singing along. A particular favourite is ‘You’re the one that I want’ from the movie Greece and the results were very memorable!

My video production company Reel Wedding Films offers personalised, handcrafted films that capture the real moments and details of a wedding. We can include footage of the bridal party getting ready, guests arriving at a ceremony, shots from the reception and first dance, and much more. Our packages start from €500.

If you’re considering a wedding in the mountains, I really would recommend taking some time to come and visit the area.

There are so many great settings and my favourites include Lake Montriond, Nyon, Morzine village and the top of the Pleney.”

Contact Stewart at Reel Wedding Films on +33 (0) 6 78 09 13 26 or visit www.reelweddingfilms.com 29

The Beauty Therapist – Jax Heryet “All of the beauty and spa treatments that you might consider before your wedding in the UK are available here in the mountains – that often surprises people! I set up Indulge to bring a premium beauty and massage service to the Alps and we offer a mobile service, as well as a treatment room with spa facilities in the centre of Morzine.

It takes around four hours to get a bride in tiptop shape for her big day. Our ‘bride to be’ package includes a luxury facial and a Shellac deluxe manicure and pedicure. I’d always recommend that the facial takes place one week before the wedding day to allow any erythema to disappear. Other popular pre-wedding beauty treatments include eyebrow waxing, which should take place no later than three days before the wedding.

We also have a fully trained makeup artist in the Indulge team and she is certainly kept busy during the summer months! We plan a pre-wedding makeup trial, which includes a full consultation to understand how you normally wear your makeup – we want your groom to recognise you after all! We’ll then carry out a rehearsal application to make sure you’re happy with the finished look.

In the days and weeks before your wedding the importance of wearing a really good SPF on your skin cannot be underestimated. The sun’s rays are higher at elevation and you don’t want to burn your face before your wedding day! That goes for the groom too!”

You can contact Jax at Indulge on + 33 (0) 6 17 91 75 84 or visit www.indulgemorzine.com

The Cake Maker – Claire Symonds “I’ve been making cakes for family and friends for many years now. They encouraged me to turn my ideas into a small business, which has taken off really well here in Morzine. I tend to make cakes for all occasions, and they often have a winter or character theme to them. When it comes to wedding cakes, they are so individual and special, and couples often come to me with a lot of ideas that they’ve sourced on the internet or from a magazine. Cup cake towers are still a popular option and I’ve recently seen a return to simple elegance using edible lace, flowers and pearls.

Couples sometimes ask me for a local or Savoyarde twist for their wedding cake. It might sound strange but it is possible to have a cheese tower in a wedding cake shape arrangement, with charcuterie flowers and grapes for decoration. That’s very different! However for an actual cake, I like to include mountains and snow scenes for a winter wedding cake and fresh alpine flowers for a summer theme.

The one thing I’d encourage a couple to do when planning their wedding is to think about the cake earlier rather than later. Sometimes sourcing elements of a wedding cake can take time and I like to get things exactly right.”

Contact Claire at Cakes of Morzine on +33 (0) 6 75 95 54 56 or visit www.cakesofmorzine.com 30

Based in the French Alps, near to Geneva, Ryalto delivers ICT services and solutions for small to medium size businesses, and homeowners throughout the Alps and beyond.

Our business services include: Consultancy System Design Business Applications Hosted Services Data Networking & Security Backup and Disaster Recovery Telecommunications Business Grade Broadband Technical Support Our residential services include: Wired & Wireless networks Data, Voice, Video distribution Tablet & Smartphone Integration Media Storage IP CCTV Internet Connectivity Internet Security & VPN Technical support

The Florist – Sue Moloney “A mountain wedding can be really magical and flowers are a very important detail. Rather than just provide floral displays for a celebration, I help to coordinate an overall theme and style.

If possible, depending on location, I like to meet with a bride in person and to visit the venue and / or church. It’s also really helpful for me to see photos of the brides dress and any bridesmaid dresses so I can get a real feel for the wedding and the bride’s likes, dislikes and expectations.

Couples often think that they need to provide their wedding florist with a list of specific flowers they’d like to include in their wedding theme. Everyone has a favourite flower of course, but I’d usually suggest creating an overall look and colour scheme rather than choosing specific flowers. A popular wedding theme at the moment is a relaxed country style, but lots of couples also go for a more formal and elegant look too. The flowers I’d select for each theme are very different, and a theme is easier to coordinate than a specific list of flowers.

A budget for wedding flowers will always depend on the season and your individual requirements, but a typical starting budget would be between €500 and €800. Bridal bouquets start from around €65 and table arrangements from €28.

Our business team combines many years of experience, technical expertise (Cisco & Microsoft certifications) and excellent customer service to deliver cost-effective solutions that best meet our customers' goals and objectives.

Our residential team has proven experience in integrating ICT systems that allow the owner to harness and enjoy the full potential of their property.

Please call us for free consultation indigo.pdf 1 a10/05/2013 13:33 whatever your requirements may be.

www.ryalto.com enquiries@ryalto.com +33 (0) 427 86 81 28

Les Gets’ newest contemporary venue

OPEN EVERY DAY +33 (0) 4 50 04 29 41

My one tip for wedding flowers would be to communicate your vision, likes, dislikes and expectations to your florist, but have a little bit of flexibility too. Then your wedding flowers will be absolutely breathtaking!”

Contact Sue on +33 (0) 6 89 07 23 41 or e-mail suesannamolony@gmail.com Lunch: 12pm - 2.30pm €13.50

€15.00

Served on our sunny South facing terrace or in the restaurant.

Menu du jour, featuring modern European dishes and including a starter, main course, dessert, coffee and wine, served Monday to Friday Traditional Sunday roast carvery, including roast Beef, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings - €15.00

Dinner:

Our A la Carte menu is served in our stylish restaurant by our friendly team. Sample the freshest local and seasonal ingredients as well as fresh seafood.

Drinks:

Indigo Bar has a relaxed, sociable atmosphere with a great cocktail and wine list. Join us for live sport on our 50” flatscreen TVs.

6pm - 10pm

*Advance bookings are advisable for both lunch and dinner

Planning a wedding or celebration? We have space for up to 120 people

COME AND SEE US FOR MORE DETAILS!

826 Rue du Centre, Les Gets - next to the market square and car 31 park hotel@chamoisdor-lesgets.com | www.chamoisdor-lesgets.com

The Venue – The Farmhouse “We have had the Farmhouse for nearly 20 years now, and during that time have hosted many weddings. Each year there seem to be a few more and this summer we are hosting no less than seven!

Often the weddings are for couples who live locally, both French and British and sometimes a mix of the two. We also have couples from far away continents. On a number of occasions the weddings have been for people who first met whilst staying or working at the Farmhouse. In 2009 my own wedding was here to Di, and it was a truly memorable occasion.

We have great experience in putting together a very special event for a very special occasion. Every wedding is different and we understand that being flexible and working closely with a wedding couple is the answer to a great wedding day.

We are often asked what time of year is best to get married in the mountains. We have hosted summer and winter weddings, both of which work really well. I suppose the answer is whether you are more into your summer or winter pursuits.

The budget for getting married in the mountains is unique to every couple and their requirements. We can tailor the costs to suit, but people often find that a mountain wedding can be more cost effective than the equivalent in the UK, particularly during the summer months.

People always worry about the weather on their wedding day. If I can give one piece of advice to a couple, it would be don’t worry! You’ll have an extra special day that will never be forgotten, regardless of the weather.”

Contact Dorrien at The Farmhouse on +33 (0) 6 4 50 79 08 26 or visit www.thefarmhouse.co.uk

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The Nanny – Helen Barnett “As a nanny living year round in the local area, I tend to get involved in lots of different family celebrations. The mountains are the ideal location for couples that enjoy skiing, mountain biking or hiking, so it’s no surprise that people like to incorporate their favourite activities into their wedding celebration.

When it comes to planning childcare for a wedding celebration, my main aim is to fit around the wedding couple and help to make sure their day goes as smoothly as possible. I offer half day and full day childcare as well as an evening babysitting service, and I can also arrange pre-wedding babysitting during stag or hen pa,rties too.

When I look after children during a wedding celebration, it’s really important that kids still feel like they are part of the party. I set up a ‘kiddies corner’ with lots of age appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, treasure hunts and pass the parcel. I give each child an activity bag, which includes colouring books, crayons, sweeties, bubbles, finger puppets, a sticker book and a pot of play-doh. There’s never a dull moment! It’s also fun to give kids a disposable camera and pretend that they are a wedding photographer!

Childcare certainly isn’t the most expensive element of a wedding and parents are always so grateful for the entertainment. When someone else is entertaining your little ones, you can enjoy your big day knowing that your kids are having as much fun as you are! As a guide, a full day with a nanny starts from £120.”

Contact Helen at Morzine Kids on +33 (0) 84 06 40 98 or visit www.morzinekids.com

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Ski Resort Transfers +33 (0) 4 50 37 36 85 www.skiidygonzales.com

Explore…

Throughout the summer months we offer day trips to the beautiful villages and towns that lie just a short distance from Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz

Our prices are for a return trip with a central drop off point in each town.

Monday ........... Evian ............................... 30€ per person Tuesday ........... Yvoire .............................. 35€ per person Wednesday ...... Chamonix ......................... 55€ per person Thursday .......... Annecy ............................ 70€ per person Friday .............. Vitam Spa & Water Park ..... 55€ per person

Skiidy Gonzales

114 Taille du Grand Mas, Morzine – just off the main resort square +33 (0) 4 50 37 36 85 info@skiidygonzales.com

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We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in Morzine or Les Gets and drop you back there on our return.

There’s a €10 supplement for pick-ups in Avoriaz.

Bookings for groups of 5 people or more receive a 10% discount and trips run with a minimum of 4 people. We’ll confirm the details before 4pm on the day prior to your trip.

Phil Liggett MBE turned down the opportunity to become a professional cyclist, in favour of a career as a journalist. Since 1978 he’s commentated on nine summer and five winter Olympic games for ITV, the BBC and channels in Australia and America. Having worked on no less than 40 Tour de France challenges, Phil hasn’t been at home in the UK during July since 1973. Each year he flies around 120,000 miles and spends more than six months staying in hotels.

Luckily, we caught Phil while he was working on the Spring Classics such as Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastongne-Liege for NBC Sports Network in the USA and ITV in the UK, from his home in Hertfordshire.

35

How hard was it to turn down the offer of a pro cycling

Apart from the Tour de France, which is your favourite

career to become a journalist Phil?

race of all the classics and tours?

Saying “no” to a professional contract was the hardest, and indeed, the only decision I’ve ever had to make. I was not at the very top when comparable to the great riders of my day such as Eddy Merckx, and this prompted me to accept a job as a trainee journalist in London. It turned out to be the right decision, as I moved into commentating and was than asked to try out as a TV commentator. The move led me to covering 14 Olympic Games and 40 Tour de France’s.

The Tour de France is the stand-out race in any professional riders career, but the one-day Classics, often referred to as the ‘Monuments’ of the sport, are also coveted by the riders. For me, Paris-Roubaix is the best, covering almost 260kms and including over 50kms of cobbled and unmade roads in Northern France. You need good fortune and a strong will to survive this ancient race, which was first held in 1896 and the fans flock in their thousands to watch the “Queen of the Classics”.

As the “voice of cycling”, you’re known for your colourful

Looking forward to this year’s tour, in your opinion

expressions when commentating. Do these come to you on

should Wiggins defend the TDF title or should he support

impulse? Or do you think of them in advance?

Froome in his challenge?

My “Liggetisms”, as they have been named by fans, are always a surprise – even to me – I have no premeditated thoughts before I go on air. I just hope they keep coming. I look at the TV monitor and phrases shoot to mind.

How do you manage all those useful cycling stats and data that you’ve gathered over the years?

I love statistics and was a statistical accountant before I became a journalist, so keeping records to me is fun. I devised my own programme for every individual top rider – man and women - and also a separate one for the Tour de France. I update them every day, so I am ready for any broadcast without doing extra research before the show.

You demonstrate some pretty astounding knowledge about French landmarks along the TDF route each year.

Do you research those yourself?

Many people, especially in the UK, watch our programmes on the Tour de France for the stunning scenery and chateaux. France too, has realised what a beautiful country is has to sell and the Tour is best placed to do it.

Nowadays, the organisation produces a special book telling us the history of every monument on the route, and we do our best to tell the viewer when we are on air. The book is heavy with information and finding the right page can be difficult when our programme is live, but we know how much it is appreciated by the viewer, so we try very hard to get it right!

As part of the TDF commentary team, you and Paul Sherwen are often talking to four different countries in four different time zones within one broadcast. How do you know who you’re talking to? And does this change the style of your commentary?

You’re right. We are live to the USA on the NBCSN and also to the UK on ITV4. In Australia, it is SBS live and in South Africa Super Sports, which is CET. Primarily our main transmission is to the USA and the other three tap in to our commentary. We use a traffic light system to know where we are and when my red light in front of me to the World is off, then I am talking, only to the USA and Paul Sherwen carries the rest until I can get back. At the height of the action it can be confusing but basically it works. We try and keep updates and stories about riders to each country quiet until we know that that particular country is in tune with us.

Bradley Wiggins became the first British winner of the Tour last year. He did it over a route that suited his talents down to the ground. This year the route is very mountainous and difficult for a time trial rider of note, and for that reason alone, I think Wiggins will not defend his title but try and repay his loyal team mate, Chris Froome. Wiggins has purposely not followed his race pattern from last season, so that he could not be compared to what was an outstanding season. His eye is on becoming the first British rider to win the Giro d’Italia and if this goes well, then expect him to stand by Froome in July.

Are there any new breakthrough riders or teams that are likely to surprise us during this year’s tour?

Judging by the results of the Spring Classics, there will be plenty of room for surprise in the 100th Tour de France. Alberto Contador, Wiggins, Andy Schleck and others are not showing great form at the moment. There are young riders, especially from Colombia, who are beginning to show through while France may be able to perform better than usual and surprise us with a win – their first since Bernard Hinault in 1985.

Who do you admire most in the current pro peloton?

I really don’t have any favourites in the peloton. I like a brave and attacking rider who is willing to gamble with a win by always attacking. Riders who have not quite got the talent to win all the time, but who use their courage to attack and succeed against the odds, are my favourite type of riders. One example is the Australian Simon Gerrans who has won stages in all of the Grand Tours and the longest classic race, Milan-San Remo, because of his fighting attitude.

Do you think Lance Armstrong’s doping confessions have made an impact on the profile of the sport?

What we should remember is Armstrong’s confession comes years after the offences, and the sport has already moved on. Cycling is more popular than ever and the racing is more open. This is evidenced by the diverse results this season. The sport has become transparent and the riders of today welcome this, as gone is the feeling that one must dope to win now.

The Armstrong era must never return, but it is clear now that there was a culture of doping and it seems most of the top riders had done it at some time or other.

What’s a typical day like when you’re working on the

You’d supported Armstrong throughout his career. How

TDF?

did you feel when you learnt the extent of his drug

Our day is long and starts at about 9am on the finishing line of that day’s stage of the Tour. We spend an hour checking overnight stories and then do individual pieces to camera for the four networks. These are recorded and are “bolted” on the head of the live show, because once we are live we cannot talk to individual networks. We do a pre-show live for NBC and then move into the commentary box at 2.30pm to pick up commentary until the race ends around 5pm. After this we do a closing show for NBC and then the usual blogs and internet before setting off to drive to the next stage town finish. We usual get to bed around 11pm or a bit later. Meals are taken on the run and the three weeks fly by!

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taking? And have you been in contact with him since?

I was very sad indeed when I learnt the extent of the drug taking, not just

by Armstrong, but by his team and many of his contemporaries. It was the biggest deception in the history of sport. It was a dark period and many of the performances and results must always be regarded with suspicion.

However, the sport and pastime goes on and what happened is now a part of history. The people who took up or began following the sport because of the riders of that period, are still with us and have found a great enjoyment.

Restaurant St Jean d’Aulps

Robbie Davies | +33 (0) 6 36 61 30 51 | robbie@apresimaging.com

Takeaway €10

professional photography based in Morzine

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Call 04 50 79 66 79 to reserve a table

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I haven’t seen or spoken to Armstrong since September 2011, but it was a period of my career that, despite the revelations, remains the most enjoyable for me from a progressive and professional viewpoint. You can’t roll back time.

In your opinion, is it possible to win the Tour de France without drugs?

I have always believed that it is possible to win the Tour de France without taking drugs, but for the talented few who can win the race, most it seems have taken drugs as an insurance. I feel confident that Bradley Wiggins and Cadel Evans, two recent winners, both did so in a clean way. The sport has changed now and the top riders will have to select their races and not be expected to win every time they take to the start. The body cannot take the punishment expected of it by the public without resorting to drugs to survive a long season, and perhaps more than 35,000kms of pedaling.

For you, who has been the ultimate TDF champion?

Do you think Morzine-Avoriaz will feature on the 2014 tour route?

The organisers go to extremes to keep their annual route a secret, so I don’t know if Morzine will be on the route in 2014. It has been to Morzine 18 time since its first visit in 1975, and I have been in the lovely town every time.

It has not been back since a stage start in 2010, so it is time we returned!

Outside of cycling, and when you’re not working on other projects, how do you like to spend your time?

When I’m not following bike races I have properties in South Africa where I escape into the wild. My lodge near the Kruger Park has all of the big animals including lion, elephant, rhino, and they come right up to the house. I am a patron of Birdlife South Africa and work to help the wildlife survive. I also support the village children with bicycles as they are not as fortunate as we are.

The ultimate Tour champion has to be the legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx.

He won the race five times and then conceded his sixth attempt in 1975 because of a crash during the race. He was head and shoulders ahead of his rivals and won 525 races from 1500 starts. He was the best.

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Anton Vamplew was once the Blue Peter astronomer and he’s since written a number of books on the wonders of the night sky. His current concern is light pollution and he’s here to tell us how we can avoid it here in the mountains!

“One of the biggest problems facing most stargazers today is light pollution. This is simply caused by the vast array of lighting, together with a good dose of industrial pollution, that in the worst cases cause the night to take on an unearthly orange glow. From some places the effect of light pollution can be to virtually wash away any evidence that there is any wondrous starry sky vista lurking hide behind it. Add in a dollop of hazy weather and what you’re seeing is even worse, as the light gets bounced around even more.

Not surprisingly, the worst places for light pollution are major towns and cities, so all you lot sitting in your chalets and apartments in the Alps are probably feeling quite smug right now. You’ve left all that nonsense far behind, and while stargazing was probably not the reason for coming to the mountains, hopefully most of you have noticed how stunning the night sky is.

Even so, there still will be light-pollution around.

For example, an annoying bright light from a neighbour’s badly adjusted security light might spoil the night sky view from your balcony. So, in effect, one light can be just as terrible as an entire city when it comes to enjoying the night sky. Wherever you are, the problem is getting worse as towns spread and people feel they need more protection for their homes.

With increasing light-pollution, the grandeur of the night sky has gradually been eroded, as the number of stars you can see decreases. This is all described by something called limiting magnitude – that is the faintest star you can see on any night.

A quick note here about magnitudes before the story continues. When looking into the night sky it’s easy to see that not all stars have the same brightness - some are really sparkly, whilst many others look extremely faint. The term we give to any objects appearance in terms of brightness is visual magnitude.

The magnitude system was developed several thousands of years ago by the Greek astronomer and mathematician Hipparchus. He divided the stars into six magnitudes. The twenty brightest stars he could see were classed as magnitude 1, or you can also say “first magnitude”. Slightly fainter stars fell into magnitude 2, and so on right down to magnitude 6, which he classified as the faintest stars you could see with the eye.

In very dark locations (now with better measuring technology than the Greeks!) we know the eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.5-ish. But with more lights around, this can easily be reduced to a handful of only the brightest first magnitude stars - hence, as you increase the light pollution, the sky becomes brighter than the fainter stars.

The biggest casualty is that of the Milky Way, which stretches high over the mountains in autumn.

Practically, it has a brightness of around magnitude 4.5. This makes it accessible from darker suburban locations, but washed away from places with more street or general lighting. By definition, more people live in towns and cities; therefore there are an increasing number of people who have never seen the Milky Way. Of course, if you are hampered by light-pollution, you only need to take a short walk or hike into the mountains to find somewhere truly dark - hopefully with a nice bar to keep warm in nearby! However, just say you’re intent on not leaving the chalet. There are still some things that can help lessen the effects of light-pollution for you.

Firstly, try repositioning yourself! If there’s a nearby street or security light, try and find a place that is hidden from its view, maybe by either moving closer to a fence or wall. You’ll be genuinely surprised by how much that can change what you are able to see.

You will also improve things by making sure your eyes are fully dark-adapted before you go outside.

Just get a red-light torch ready (these don’t affect your eyes when they’re adapted), turn off the lights and sit in the dark for fifteen minutes. What fun that can be! Also, keep the apartment / hotel lights off so they don’t light up your viewing place once outside. People may think you’re going mad, and hey, that may be the truth, but you’ll be having the last laugh as you count the 3,000 or so stars that you can see with your wonderfully dark adapted eyes. Meanwhile they’ll be squinting up at the night unable to see much at all - you know the sad sort.

Finally, how friendly are you with your neighbours?

It may be their security light that streams into your chalet or onto your balcony. If you find it difficult to bring up the subject, then invite them round for a cup of warming broth and take them out to look at the night sky from your point of view. Maybe they’ll get the message themselves when they see a lighthouse shining in their face!

Good luck, and remember, enjoy the night responsibly.”

Anton

www.vamplew.co.uk

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by Kim Dekker

“I’m Dutch and I’ve been living in Morzine since 2001. A couple of years ago I went into one of the local shops to buy myself a new beanie hat. Winter was coming and all the new ranges were available. Unbelievably, despite having what I’d call a ‘regular’ sized head, I couldn’t find one beanie hat to fit me. I’d been outside in the mountains all day, surrounded by bold colours and fresh air, and this made all of the hats on offer look boring and dull. I thought to myself, ‘I can do better than this’. So I did.

Last year I launched my headwear brand Stardust Factory. I invested in all the equipment I needed to knit my own hats, and I started designing everything myself. Word spread and very soon I was getting lots of good feedback. Snowboarders liked them because they were baggy and fun. Girls liked them because they could personalise the colours and the sizes. Kids liked them because I could include their favourite cartoon character or even their name within the knit.

I think that when anyone starts a new business, their biggest challenge is learning new skills and being inspired creatively to produce something that is unique and special. Living in the mountains certainly helps to get those creative juices flowing! And the most rewarding part? Sitting on a chairlift next to a complete stranger who’s wearing one of my hats!”

Check out www.stardustfactory.eu for the full Stardust range. Stardust beanies and headbands are available to buy in Morzine at Slopestyle and Beanies Coffee, both on the Rue du Bourg.

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by Yasmin Cowan Chief of the Mountain Style Police

Alas, I shed a little tear when the winter season came to a close. But I did enjoy t-shirt skiing and posing in the park wearing my Ray-Bans and Stardust Factory beanie with a cheeky hipflask.

As one style door closes, another opens. And behind that door you’ll find bold colours and prints, stripes, minimalism, and of course the summer trend that never ends, floral. A couple of other trends this season, which look especially fabulous on swimwear, are geometric patterns and texture, in particular fringing and ruffles.

Talking of swimwear, the sportier brands (Roxy, Billabong, Nikita etc) have some fantastic options, which are comfortable and on trend.

What’s wonderful about buying swimwear from these brands is the high quality, the reasonable price, and the fact they’ll stay put when you’re diving into the water. As I know from my own unfortunate experience, purchasing cheap swimwear just isn’t worth the embarrassment you’ll face when it falls off mid-dive. Volcom’s swimwear collection is also pretty impressive this season, with some great prints.

wash you out. If you’re more olive or darker skinned, you ladies are lucky because pretty much anything will suit you. Also, board shorts like these Roxy ones are useful when you want to cover up, or for when you’re wakeboarding.

Whatever you go for in the end, please try before you buy. There is nothing worse than an ill fitting bikini and you really will regret and whilst they look good online, there might be a better pair for you in the shop!

that last minute online purchase, so get off of ASOS right now!

And as we know ladies, prints and bright colours are great for all body types and skin tones. If you’re on the paler side, then avoid pastels and white bathing suits because they’ll

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One summer essential, and not just as a fashion accessory but also for protection, is of course sunglasses. Again, go for the sporty brands as you can wear them over the winter as well as during the summer. Plus they also tend to be a lot tougher. The Wayfarer and Aviator styles are my personal favourites, especially since they’re a safe bet. SPY Optic and Oakley have sportier styles, and SPY’s Helm sunglasses come in lots of different colour combinations. If you’re more fashion conscious, then Von Zipper is worth a look.

They have some more classic styles which work in the city or up the mountain. You’ll also need to try sunglasses on because what works for one face shape might not work for yours,

The very basics every woman should have in their wardrobe for summer are: denim shorts, white t-shirt (Zara do some linen t-shirts which hang perfectly on your body), light wash jeans, brown sandals, light blazer or jacket (again linen is the best fabric for warmer months) and of course a floral dress or blouse. I love dresses in the summer but I can’t help getting a little nervous about accidently flashing people when there’s a gust of wind, or when I’m getting on and off my bike – and don’t even get me started on the fear of getting the dress caught in the wheels while en-route to the pub. If dresses aren’t your thing then try a jumpsuit and keep your dignity intact. They also work as a quick and easy beach cover up too. Lots of people think it’s quite difficult to pull off jumpsuits, but really it’s not, I promise!

You just need to find the right one for you.

If you still aren’t convinced then you can get quite loose fitting ones, which almost look like they’re dresses. If you’re looking for something a bit less girly then something strappy is your best bet. This denim Nikita ‘Badger’ jumpsuit is simple but works, and there’s a belt to cinch in your waist, which is a great way of giving it more of a feminine look by showing off your

INFO@STARDUSTFACTORY.EU WWW.STARDUSTFACTORY.EU

curves. You can wear it over your bikini or just by itself, and you can add so many different accessories like some chunky bracelets. It’s also in a light denim so you’ll stay nice and cool too.

There are loads of new t-shirt designers popping up all over the place at the minute, and you might have seen the celebrity finger moustache t-shirts by Eleven Paris, while Mode Avenue Paris also have lots of interesting graphic t-shirts. Even better, you could support some new designers. Nikki.B is a born and bred brand in Chamonix, and the designs are very much inspired by mountain life with some great skiing slogans and drawings. The “No friends on a powder day” is one of my favourites. TB CLUB do some fantastic designs, and even big brands (not naming any names) are copying their idea. You’ll definitely stand out from the crowd in one of their t-shirts!

And just one more tip for when you’re shopping. Keep the summer trends in mind, but choose things you’re comfortable in. Leave the stilettos at home and above all dress for yourself! Bon été mountain folk…

You’ll find more of Yasmin’s summer fashion must-haves on the Style Mountain website – www.stylemountain.com

Optique chevins summer.pdf

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/STARDUSTFACTORYBEANIES @STARDUSTBEANIES

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We also supply contact lenses Just 100m from the Office de Tourisme in the centre of Morzine 155, Route de la Plagne, Morzine +33 (0) 4 50 49 28 94

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Six day trip ideas within a 2.5 hour drive

Whether you’re a lounger, a mountain biker or a lake swimmer, it can be difficult to contemplate leaving the green pastures and steep slopes of the Portes du Soleil. But the area is also really well placed for day trips to many other interesting and beautiful destinations across the Alps. Though all of the towns and cities listed here are between 40 minutes and two 1/2 hours away by car, they offer a real contrast to Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. So whether you’re here for the short, medium or long term, it’s worth taking a day in one of these beautiful and varied cities. Beware - lakes feature to an almost unnatural extent!

By Heather Garlick Annecy There are few people who can visit Annecy without, at some point during their stay, emitting the words ‘I could really live here’. And who can blame them? Annecy is blessed in many ways: a beautiful old city, a chic and compact shopping area criss-crossed with canals, waterside restaurants serving fresh seafood. But what really recommends itself is the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere, a product of the city’s lakeside lifestyle. In the sun, residents of all ages assemble to sit beside the still waters and eat, drink, chat, play or exercise. Dogs are walked, rollers are bladed and glances linger across picnic sandwiches.

For those who are not content to sit and stare dreamily across the lake there’s plenty more to get stuck into in and around Lake Annecy. Waterside vendors rent out pedalos, motorboats and kayaks. There are also regular boat trips to enjoy the pretty villages positioned along the waterfront of what is rumoured to be the cleanest lake in Europe. Cycling is a big deal here as well, with an especially flat and quiet route along the west bank. Of course, swimming in the clear waters is a special treat when the summer sun has taken the edge off the Alpine tributaries.

Between June and October Annecy holds a number of renowned festivals, including the Annecy Festival of Animation between June 10th and 15th. Don’t miss the Annecy Lake Festival on August 3rd, a fireworks display set to the rhythm of music, first celebrated in 1860 in honour of Napoleon III. Annecy is about 1½ hours away by car. For more information visit www.lac-annecy.com.

Lyon Go to Lyon to eat, and drink, and probably eat some more. It’s the gastronomic capital of France, and since France is the gastronomic capital of the world, it’s pretty much heaven for anyone looking to work on the size of their waistband.

Although Lyon does boast 14 Michelin starred restaurants, the real highlights are the Bouchons – traditional eateries serving Lyonnaise recipes. Don’t expect oversized plates, diminished portions and cheffy smudges. Do expect a warm atmosphere and groaning plates of food. Bouchons tend to serve particularly meat-heavy dishes. Saucissons and quenelles feature regularly alongside cheek, brain, bladder, blood, lard and many many ways with tripe.

Lyon is also particularly well placed for wine, a stone’s throw from Cote du Rhone and Beaujolais and with a host of other wine growing regions close at hand. For a truly comprehensive understanding, it’s possible to book onto one of the many tours which leave Lyon regularly. However, for the more casual quaffer, many vineyards will be welcoming to lone rangers and the more table-based gourmet can even drink in the extensive wine lists the city’s 2,000 restaurants have to offer.

For a much more informal insight into food and eating, Lyon has lavish food markets along the banks of the Saone every morning apart from Monday. Here foodie tourists shop alongside local chefs looking for fresh goodies for the evening’s service. There is a focus on local produce but Lyonnaise producers sit alongside vendors from the South of France, Spain and Morocco, lending the market a cosmopolitan edge. For a higher concentration of local goods, the Marche de la Croix Rousse is laden with local fruit and veg and hosts an organic extension every Saturday.

Lyon is about 2½ hours away from Morzine by car. For more information visit www.en.lyon-france.com Montreux Freddie Mercury stands immortalised, gazing out onto Lake Geneva, one arm raised in exaltation. He has every right to be happy. From his stance in Montreux he is able to observe Lake Geneva from what is probably the most enviable viewpoint.

Here, the only things intruding on the top-to-bottom view of the lake are the fronds of weeping willows and the occasional mists which drift off the mountains. In the evening, the sun sets on the horizon, striping the full length of the lake with gold and silhouetting the surrounding Alps of France and Switzerland.

Aside from the stunning Chateau de Chillon – one of the most photographed castles in the world – seated waterside to reflect its glory in the lake, the big reason to visit Montreux is its world famous jazz festival. This year the festival will take place between July 4th and 21st with Prince as the headlining act. He is to be joined by greats from Leonard Cohen to Wycleff Jean with Sting and Bryan May in between. Unfortunately, many of the tickets for the bigger names sell out fast, but in addition there are many free open-air concerts.

Montreux is about an hour and a half away by car. Since it is in Switzerland, Montreux operates with CHF. It is usually possible to pay in Euros but change is given in Francs. For more information visit www.montreux.ch

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Yvoire Medieval Yvoire blows its little horn loudly. It is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and ranks as one of the international laureates of floral decorations. Fortunately, its various claims and boasts are not empty. Its steeply cobbled streets, doused in blooms of the brightest colours are enchanting. A wander down to the shore will reveal a tiny port, lined with gently chiming sailing boats and a 180° view of Lake Geneva. Activities are somewhat limited, but Yvoire is perfect for wandering and admiring.

Unfortunately narrow winding streets don’t lend themselves to the legions of tourists marching through the village every summer. A trip in August can sometimes seem like an Easyjet check-in queue suffering extensive delays. You can escape the crowds by boarding the quaint paddle steamer and heading across the smooth waters of the lake to Nyon or taking up roadside residence in one of Yvoire’s terraces and watching, as what looks like the entire population of the world passes by.

But it is as the light softens that Yvoire really shows its majesty. The tourists begin to head home and the little streets and flower-filled squares return to something closer to their summertime population of 800. This is the perfect time to be in Yvoire, the medieval streets are quiet and the sun, beginning to set across the lake, glimmers off the onion shaped tower which sits atop the church.

Yvoire is less than an hour away from Morzine by car. For more information visit www.yvoiretourism.com

Chamonix If you really can’t get enough of those mountain vistas, we are perfectly placed for a quick hop across to Chamonix.

Remember to take a heavily wadded wallet though, as even a day trip to Cham can make a massive dent in the budget.

Variously called “the birthplace of Alpinism” and the “death sport capital of the world”, Chamonix is true action territory, even hosting that Alpine chase scene in the 1999 James Bond film, The World is Not Enough. The area is pretty comprehensive in terms of adventure sports, from paragliding and white water hydrospeeding, right up to ice climbing – reserved for the truly committed adventurer. It is also possible to ski the glacier throughout summer.

If your Alpine inclinations lean more towards an ‘all the gain, none of the pain’ philosophy, check out the Aiguille du Midi, a double cable car climbing almost to the pinnacle of one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The final, almost vertical ascent to 3842m is worth braving for the stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Alps. This trip is not for the faint-hearted, agoraphobic, vertigo-prone or light of purse (a day’s unlimited Mont Blanc pass is €54 for adults). Remember to take plenty of warm clothing and slap on a high factor sun cream.

Chamonix is just over an hour away from Morzine by car. For more information visit www.chamonix.com

Evian It’s pretty difficult to think of Evian without visualising a clear bottle with a blue, pink and red label. And indeed the town of Evian-les-Bains owes most of its fortune to the widely acclaimed healing qualities of its famous mineral water.

Largely known as an elite resort, having hosted and treated various royals, Evian has a very stately air. The broad elegant streets are bordered on one side by majestic buildings, displaying a cross section of elegant continental architecture, and on the other by Lake Geneva. It’s a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, where tourists come for the healing powers of its famous waters.

The waters of the springs are well exploited in Evian-Les-Bains. There is a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic programmes as well as the normal collection of beauty and relaxation treatments. Apart from visiting the bottling plant, the most obvious thing to do in Evian is take advantage of some of the healing qualities of a spa. There are a range of luxury options available but, fortunately, there are also the more budget-friendly public baths, Les Thermes d’Evian. Luxury and relaxation excepted, perhaps the most invigorating thing to do is fill up an empty bottle directly from the source at one of the town’s little springs. Nothing tastes as good as getting something for nothing.

Evian is less than an hour away from Morzine by car. For more information visit www.eviantourism.com.

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In January this year 20 teams of brave and intrepid skiers took part in the Alpine Challenge – a 150km GPS tracked tour of the Portes du Soleil, including a 10km night hike, to raise over £50,000 for the UK youth charity SnowCamp.

In January 2014 the SnowCampers will return to Morzine for the fifth time, and hopefully their numbers will be bolstered by a load of local teams. As SnowCamp Director Dan Charlish explains “We love Morzine for the Alpine Challenge because the ski area is so huge and varied, and teams enjoy getting round all the different resorts over the two day event. Plus, the Morzine Office de Tourisme have been very supportive of us bringing the event to the resort – and this helps!”

The fifth Alpine Challenge takes place between 16th and 19th January 2014. To get involved you’ll need to be in a team of four skiers or snowboarders and you’ll need to hit a minimum fundraising target of £5,000 per team. Challenge packages, which include return flights, transfers, hotel accommodation in Morzine, ski passes, GPS equipment, meals and team bibs are available for just £1000 per team. If you’re already based in the local area and you’d like to get involved, you can sign up for a ‘Challenge Only’ package for £400 per team, which includes everything other than the flights, transfers, accommodation and meals.

In the words of Chemmy Alcott, Team GB Olympic skier and supporter of Snow-Camp, “The Alpine Challenge has got everything a great fundraising event needs – how else can you combine snowsports, a genuine endurance challenge covering a distance of over 150km in 2 days, loads of prizes and a huge party into one weekend?”

You can find out more about the excellent work of Snow-Camp and their Alpine Challenge at www.snow-camp.org.uk 45

1 - Transfer time No fewer than ten airlines fly directly to Geneva from the UK. Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz are the closest major ski resorts to Geneva, making the transfer time around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Compare that with the three hours (plus!) you’d spend on a transfer to the Three Valleys or Espace Killy and you can see why the area is so popular with families, weekend groups and everyone else too! You’ll be sipping a vin chaud before you know it.

2 - Micro climate & snow record No, it’s not a myth. Our three resorts sit slap bang between the glacial summit of Mont Blanc and the ginormous water mass of Lake Geneva. It’s a scientifically proven fact that this gives us lots of powder days. Avoriaz may be one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, but Morzine & Les Gets certainly aren’t. However, only a fool should assume that low altitude means poor snow. According to Igluski.com, Les Gets (at 1172m) and Morzine (at 1000m) had a better average snow depth throughout the 2013winter season than Courchevel, Meribel, Courmayeur and Mayrhofen. Our favourite ‘low lying’ resorts don’t do too badly at all.

3 - Price Here’s an idea. Add up the cost of five key holiday spends during one day of your holiday. Let’s go with your accommodation, equipment rental, lift pass, a meal and a beer. Last winter Trip Advisor compared these same costs in ski resorts across Europe. Using the very same criteria set by Trip Advisor, Morzine would appear 3rd on the list, with a total cost of £120.26 per day. Les Gets would be in 4th place with a total of £133.07 and Avoriaz appeared in 15th place with a total of £190.33. All three resorts were significantly cheaper than the likes of Chamonix (£209.83), Tignes (£289.68) and Val d’Isere (£290.92).

4 - Skiing for all abilities One of the best things about Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz is the variable terrain. Combined, the three resorts have 14 green or beginner runs including the ‘Premier Glisse’, a dedicated beginners area in Avoriaz, 74 blue runs, 69 red and 23 black, which makes the area very suitable for all standards of skier or snowboarder.

5 - Apres Avoriaz has always had a huge après scene, but once upon a time in Les Gets and Morzine, après consisted of a few tame beers with your ski instructor then home to bed. To say that things have changed would be an understatement. Winter Wednesday nights in Morzine have never been the same since a local DJ started the Basscamp après party at Le Tremplin, right at the bottom of the Pleney piste. The party is huge and unmissable. Le Apres Ski Bar in Les Gets started a similar, terrace shaking party last winter, bringing a whole new après vibe to the resort.

6 - Tradition & authenticity Morzine and Les Gets were both farming villages first, and ski resorts second. The charm and character of holidaying in a traditional French mountain village aren’t lost during the winter season either!

7 - Something for all budgets The three resorts get their fair share of uber-rich and you’ll find chic restaurants and wine bars in each to celebrate a special occasion.

At the other end of the scale, all three welcome an increasing population of seasonaires each winter, which means there’s a cheap burger bar or creperie at almost every turn.

8 - Links to Portes du Soleil It’s arguably the largest ski area in the world with 650km of marked piste spread over two countries, 14 valleys and 400 square miles.

The claim is contentious however, when you speak to folk over in the Three Valleys, who like to believe that their 600km of ‘linked’ piste makes them the true world champion. Regardless, Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz offer fantastic links to the rest of the resorts in the Portes du Soleil and the price of a full area lift pass knocks spots off the other large ski areas.

And so, to the

winter...

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Image copyright © G. Piel / OT Les Gets

9 - Resort facilities and services Morzine has a new swimming complex, offering indoor swimming and spa facilities all winter long. Avoriaz has its water theme park, Aquariaz. There’s outdoor ice skating to be enjoyed in all three resorts. And that’s before we mention the huge investment currently being made in new ski lift infrastructure and links between resorts. Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz truly are developing every year.

10 - Activities for non skiers To name just a few ideas, folk who don’t ski or snowboard can enjoy snowshoeing, parapenting, night sledging, ice diving, spa treatments, yoga and pilates and a good old boozy lunch on one of the many piste side restaurants that can be accessed on foot.

Get booking…!

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If your time spent in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz this summer has inspired you to come back during the winter, here are ten more good reasons to return…

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)3 Personal & flexible 36 84 childcare for local families 06 and holiday makers in the 40 98 comfort of your own home or holiday accommodation so you can enjoy a stress free and enjoyable summer

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SWAP ONE MOUNTAIN RESORT FOR ANOTHER WITH SNOW SWAPPERS

If summer is just that little bit too long for you, and you’d rather tuck your feet into a pair of ski boots than flip-flops, it’s worth remembering that it’s always winter somewhere! With this in mind, sisters Tessa and Jo Regan launched Snow Swappers, a ski property swapping website, in 2011.

and you fancy seeing how the other half live in ski resorts on the other side of the world? Or perhaps you own a ski bolt-hole that sits empty for most of the year? Using the Snow Swappers website you can swap your empty weeks for free holidays in mountain resorts without spending a penny on accomodation.

Ski chalet and apartment owners can currently list their mountain property for free on the Snow Swappers website, giving them access to a range of home swapping opportunities in mountain resorts across the world. Maybe you’ve worked hard running your own ski chalet all winter long,

The easy to use Snow Swappers website puts mountain property owners in touch with each other to arrange a holiday swap. The swaps don’t have to happen simultaneously, there are no accommodation costs involved, and it’s really simple to get started.

www.snowswappers.com

Dining in France just got a load easier France is packed full of great restaurants, and you might imagine that it’s impossible to pick a bad one. In reality British holidaymakers often feel confused when deciding where to eat in France, and intimidated when presented with a heavyweight, leather bound menu of French classics. Inspired by many dining experiences in Morzine and the surrounding area, British ex-pat and professional translator Claudette Bull-Buttay has created Dine In France – a handy website featuring tourist-friendly restaurants.

“My website removes much of the confusion from the experience of dining in France” explains Claudette. “Usually food is one of the most important elements of any holiday and the Savoie area has more than its fair share of excellent restaurants. Language shouldn’t stand in the way of a great dining experience!”

The Dine in France website only features restaurants that want to make your dining experience in France easier by translating their menus into perfect English. You can search for restaurants by area or city, the type of cuisine or a feature such as location or child friendly menus. You’ll find an accurate and useful description for each restaurant, lots of pictures, a map, contact details and most importantly, a current or sample menu in English. There’s also a load of interesting food articles and reviews on the website too.

Visit www.dineinfrance.com 50

Follow us on Facebook Bigfoots Bar Les Gets

New fun après bar in the heart of Les Gets opposite the Mt Chery Telecabine

Large sunny terrace with table tennis and live music All live sport on 5 large TV screens Curry Pots served 12 - 2pm, choose from Chicken Tikka, Lamb Bhoona or Vegetable curry with Pilua rice and small Naan ONLY €10 served on the terrace or in the bar during the summer season

Open 6 Days a week 11am to midnight during the summer season, closed on Mondays.

30, Rue du Pressange, Les Gets | +33 (0) 4 50 92 26 49

Authentic Indian Cuisine

Spice up your summer holiday LUNCHTIME MENU DU JOUR Starter, main, cheese course, dessert, wine and coffee for €14 Served between 12noon to 2pm (non Indian cuisine) Open for dinner from 6pm – 11pm every evening Advance booking recommended Read the full menu on our website - www.bombayskiclub.fr 5 4.5/ 51