Summer 22 - Morzine Source Magazine

INTERVIEW

FEATURE

de

New Places to Stay

Unmissable Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz

Resort Essentials

The Rob Warner Interview

Trending - Mountain Bike Kit

Allez Morzine!

Consistency is Key

Making Le Tour

An Evolution - Les Gets Bike Park

A Tale of Two Sisters

Trending - Road Cycling Kit

Launching the Piste X Code

Summer Events Calendar

The Home of Summer Apres

Cover Story

An Ode to Morzine

Trending - Family Kit

The Source Accommodation Directory

Refuging

Trending - Fitness Kit

The AlpinExpress

Hold on to Life’s Pleasures

The Charlie Luxton Interview

Trending - Interiors

Through the Keyhole

The Summer 22 Property Market Report

Hot Property

Building Mil8

Trending - Outdoors Kit

Ready to Advance?

Trending - Travel Kit

Long Live the Seasonaire

The Source Restaurant & Bar Guide

hello…

Welcome to summer in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. You’ve arrived in the ultimate mountain holiday destination, packed with events, activities and friendly faces. On the pages that follow, we hope to guide you to some of the most unmissable places in our villages and valleys, inspiring holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

It’s fair to say that travel hasn’t been normal for a couple of years now, but with the arrival of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets, a raft of extended lift openings in Avoriaz and Morzine hosting a rest day and stage depart of Le Tour de France, things certainly, and finally, seem normal again around these parts.

Our attention is firmly focused on summer, but I wanted to take this opportunity to quickly look back at the Winter 22 season, which began with a new round of travel uncertainty and a load more COVID chaos. Bravo to every local business that managed to weather the storm, and thank you to those of you who braved the bureaucracy to join us for your holidays. We’re sure it was worth it!

The Summer 22 issue of Morzine Source Magazine features one of our favourite faces from the world

of professional mountain biking; my interview with commentary legend Rob Warner on page 16 was certainly an experience (he was navigating a McDonalds drive-thru at the time). TV presenter Charlie Luxton was equally insightful and inspiring and if you’ve any thoughts of building your own home, head to page 64 for his invaluable advice. Elsewhere on these beautifully-designed pages there’s a stack of local property news, the coveted Morzine Source Magazine Bar & Restaurant Guide and a stack of kit recommendations too.

And then it dawned on me; the next time I write this magazine introduction, it’ll be for our twentieth issue. That’s ten years of writing nonstop about Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz, yet there’s always something new and exciting to share with you. We’ll start work earlier than ever on this extra special issue for Winter 23 and you can email me if you’d like to get involved or share your feedback with us.

Until then, having an incredible summer, Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz lovers.

Amie - amie@morzinesourcemagazine.com

Vallee d’Aulps and Les Portes du

PLACES TO

SUMMER

As you may well have noticed, there’s been a fair bit of construction and renovation across

villages and valleys in recent times, resulting in an excellent selection of brand new holiday accommodation for you to choose from. Here’s our pick of some excellent options for your future trips to Morzine, Les Gets or Avoriaz and you’ll find a full directory of

all group sizes and budgets on our website at www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

This brand new chalet sleeping up to 10 people sits mid-way between Morzine and Nyon, giving you plenty of options for accessing the ski lifts each morning, both in summer and winter. It’s spacious, contemporary and bright with huge windows and balconies overhanging the valley. Inside you’ll discover four flexible bedrooms, three bathrooms and an open plan kitchen, dining and living space with all you need for a luxurious self-catered group holiday. You’ll love the large balcony and terrace which soaks up the afternoon sunshine, there’s plenty of storage for all your summer and winter kit, plus there’s parking for up to three vehicles.

Sleeping groups of up to 12 people in five en-suite bedrooms, this beautifully renovated farmhouse overlooks the rooftops of Morzine and offers spectacular views, which are best enjoyed from the outdoor hot tub! Families will love the separate TV snug, which is perfect for children to relax each evening. There’s also a number of outside seating areas on various balconies and terraces, plus storage and a private garage too. Chalet Lumina is available on a self-catered basis with a semicatered option also available, plus there’s the selfcontained Petit Lumina, just next door which also sleeps between two and four additional guests.

Chalet Beauvallon

Chalet Lumina

Located within a small development, fusing an existing 18th century farmhouse with a truly contemporary renovation, La Morz’na can be found in Morzine’s old quarter, surrounded by charming traditional buildings and excellent links to the ski lifts. Spanning three floors and featuring an incredible roof terrace complete with outdoor hot tub, La Morz’na sleeps groups of up to eight people in four en-suite bedrooms. Available on a self-catered basis, you’ll find the kitchen is fully-equipped with everything you need for your holiday, plus there’s a pool table, private covered parking and a wood burner for cosy nights in.

Find out more: mountainxtra.com

A true mountain cabin nestled within beautiful woodland, this characterful five-bedroomed property has been newly refurbished in a bold yet cosy style. It’s located in Montriond and spans four floors, which are easily separated to become two individual self-catered apartments if required. With a large, open-plan living area, a fully-equipped kitchen in each apartment and its very own bar, you’ll enjoy cosy nights in front of the fire, or outside on the terrace, which comes complete with a fire pit. The Cabin is just a five minute drive from Morzine in one direction and the ski lifts of Avoriaz in the other, via the Ardent telecabine. Flexible bookings and arrival dates are also available at The Cabin.

Find out more: treelinechalets.com

With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large, open plan living space offering enough room for everyone in your ski group, Chalet Azobé is available on a self-catered basis and features an open fireplace, hot tub, sauna and a private garden, making it perfect for both winter and summer stays. It’s located in a peaceful spot with stunning views, yet close enough to the action and the ski lifts too.

There’s private parking for those wishing to drive, plus beautiful interiors throughout.

Find out more: emeraldstay.com

Brand new for the Summer 22 season and featuring contemporary Scandinavian vibes throughout, this townhouse property sleeps 10 people in four en-suite bedrooms and sits just two minutes walk from the bars, restaurants and shops of Morzine. The extra large terrace includes a BBQ and outdoor dining area and is perfect for warm summer evenings, while the private parking and large garage offer more than enough storage for all your summer kit. We love that this chalet includes everything you might need for a family holiday, including a washing machine and dryer, a separate TV area with a games console and a fantastic quad room too.

Find out more: moremountain.com

La Morz’na

Chalet Azobé

The Cabin

Chalet du Vieux Bois

Unmissable

Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz

Alta Lumina in Summer

This magical walk through the woodlands of Les Gets takes place each evening, once the sun has set and the stage is perfect. Alta Lumina is an enchanted 1km trail with an immersive light experience, telling the story of a hawker. He’s travelling the Alps and selling his wares from his hot air balloon, which crashes in the woods during a storm. The interactive elements are perfect for children, while the light show and sound effects are impressive for all. Alta Lumina is the only experience of its kind in Europe, it offers a peek inside the history of the village and it’s open all year round too. Each self-guided tour lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, adult tickets are priced at €19, children €10 and children under five are free of charge. Discover more and book online at altalumina.com

A Day on the River

Experience our valley from a different angle with the team at Frogs Rafting. Natalie, Jeremy and their team of qualified guides host a long list of extra special activities, beginning with white water rafting on the River Dranse, which flows through our villages and on to Lac Leman (AKA Lake Geneva). This is an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife on the way and you’ll also enjoy the rush of adrenaline that comes with the rapids. Canyoning, hydrospeeding, airboating and canorafting are thrilling alternatives but why not try rock climbing and via ferrata too? If you’re wondering whether rafting is an option during your family holiday, the minimum age is eight years, Frogs Rafting provide all the kit you need, you just need to be able to swim 25 metres and take along your towel and bathing suit. Discover the full range of activities at frogsrafting.com

Late Nights on Pleney

Trialled last summer by Morzine’s lift operating company, we’re pleased to report that late night riding returns to the Pleney every Thursday evening between Thursday 7th July and Thursday 25th August. So many of you turned out to enjoy lift-assisted mountain biking until 7pm last summer and we’re delighted to see this continue into Winter 22. These extended hours are even included in your existing lift pass price! Also on Pleney, you’ll discover that the upper section of Super 8 has been reworked for this season, just for you.

New MTB Trails in Avoriaz

The Avoriaz MTB team have been busily working on two new enduro trails ahead of this summer season, both in the Seraussaix sector. Goupil is a 1km-long technical trail while Wallabi is a 500m-long red. Both have been shaped by hand without using any machinery to be fun, natural and progressive and they link back to the bottom of the Seraussaix chairlift. You’re reminded to download the free Avoriaz Up&Down app before heading out for a full view of all trails in the Avoriaz MTB zone.

It’s no longer a secret… our valley is the perfect place for your summer holiday. Each year more of you discover the beauty of Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz during the summer season and on the pages that follow, we aim to guide you though your holiday of a lifetime. Whether you’re here as a family, a group or a couple, we’re here to help you make the most of your time in our villages and valleys.

Wake Up to Mont Blanc

The innovators of Les Gets have launched another unique accommodation experience to help you take in the natural wilderness and stunning views. We’ve previously told you about the Chéry Dôme, a six-person geodesic dome complete with a wood burner, jacuzzi, camp fire and toilets in the peaceful hamlet of La Sarre on Mont Chéry (head to cherydome.com for details). Now groups of up to four people can stay in a typical Mongolian yurt overlooking the village of Les Gets and with views towards Mont Blanc. There’s a dry toilet, water, outdoor furniture and a wood burner to create a unique atmosphere in the evening. It’s €120 for two people to enjoy a four-night stay, Monday to Thursday and €150 at weekends and during school holidays. Children under 15 years are charged at €15. Discover more at linstant-yourte-les-gets.eatbu.com

Summer Opening of the Proclou

Creating direct access between the trails of the Super Morzine, the centre of Avoriaz and beyond, Avoriaz lift operator SERMA will open the Proclou chairlift for the first time this summer. This makes it much easier and quicker for you to access the Fourmiz, Goupil and Wallibi trails before riding deep into the Portes du Soleil. The opening of Proclou also makes the previous minibus shuttle from the Ferme de Séraussaix redundant and is a much more environmentally friendly way to travel. Note that the Super Morzine telecabine is also open later this summer, operating until 5.15pm.

Bikes For All at Torico

Recognising that all cyclists are not created equal, Morzine bike rental shop Torico on the rue du Bourg has an extended range of both road and mountain bike options available this summer. Alongside their excellent Saracen, Rocky Mountain and Pivot mountain bike rental options, there’s also now an e-bike choice for those of you who prefer to go further for longer. Saracen describe their Ariel E 50 as the ‘Ferrari of e-bikes’ with a high-spec from top to bottom and this summer at Torico you’ll get to put that to the test. Road fans also have an extra choice this summer; the Cervelo Caledonia Di2 is a favourite at Torico, but this summer there’s also a collection of Scott Addict 30 bikes, perfect for beginner or intermediate road riders. Whenever possible you should absolutely, always book your road or mountain bike rental in advance at toricomorzine.com and the workshop is open every day and into the evening for all your servicing needs.

A Summer Paradise

In recent years Nyon has become a real treat for families during the summer months, hosting the ‘Monde de Jacquotte’, a tranquil, natural environment designed to educate visitors on the flora, fauna and animals that inhabit this beautiful mountain pasture. Shepherd Eric Blanchot guides you through this natural world, there’s even an educational area to study the life and work of the bee! And let’s not forget… the Nyon plateau is home to some of the most stunning views of Morzine and beyond and is a great day out, whatever the weather!

The Ultimate Mountain Wedding

As one of Morzine’s busiest wedding venues, The Farmhouse Hotel have some catching up to do this summer. The pandemic forced many a big day to be postponed and now there’s a long queue of couples ready to tie the knot in the beautiful hotel gardens; it’s easy to see why they waited! As the oldest building in our village, The Farmhouse is packed with 18th century charm and character - there’s simply no other venue like it. Weddings take place in either the atmospheric stone-walled dining room or on the beautiful lawn, where it’s also possible to erect a gorgeous marquee for your occasion. The decoration, music, food and drink are always sublime and the hotel’s 11 unique bedrooms make this the perfect base for your dream wedding. Discover more at thefarmhouse.fr

Morzine-Montriond Triathlon Returns

Launched in September 2018, this fantastic event has grown steadily year on year, enlisting the support of the local community and becoming a triathlon that’s open to people of all ages and abilities. This year, the Sprint and Olympic distances will finish in Avoriaz, just to keep things spicy and also to ensure a safe bike course on quiet roads. Registration is currently open and you’ll discover a huge volume of information on the courses, tips for your first triathlon and much more on the dedicated event website - triathlon-morzine-montriond.com

French Summer Camp for Families

The local language experts at Alpine French School have established a summer camp for families who’d like to learn French in an inspiring, balanced way. Mornings are spent in the classroom, where children and adults are matched with age and ability level groups and with teachers who bring the language to life using activities, games and songs. Afternoons are spent in the mountains with a native French speaker, enjoying fun activities and practising those new French words and phrases. You’ll return home with a new set of French skills and some great memories for your family. Find out more at alpinefrenchschool.com

Say Hello to Le R

Go As A Group

With more than 30 years experience coordinating group activity days, the team at 7Aventures are well-equipped at their huge base between Morzine and Thonon. With their 65-seater coach and additional vehicles, they host groups of up to 100 people and there’s a long list of adventures to chose from. They’ll work with you, curating a plan that includes downhill mountain biking, white water rafting, archery, climbing, guided hiking and much more. These trips are perfect for corporate groups or large families as they’re tailored to the ages and abilities of your group while taking in the very best that our area has to offer. Discover more at 7aventures.com

Bikes Go Too

Not content with providing a slick private airport and rail transfer service with their covered bike trailer, Jo and Yannick at Taxi Morzine will also operate bespoke ‘days away’ trips to other mountain resorts in the region this summer. Be it Samoens, Morgins, Pila or Bernex, they’ve space for 15 bikes and 15 riders, making Morzine the perfect base for all your summer adventures. Their daily MTB shuttle service also runs from the bus station in Morzine (behind the Dixie Bar), delivering you to Avoriaz and the wider Portes du Soleil with ease. Discover more and book online at taxi-morzine.com.

A Night in the Lil’Stash

Imagine having the treehouse, ropeways and slides of the incredible Lil’Stash to yourself… at night! It’s now possible to stay in the forest, long after the lifts have closed and the sun has set. A camping space featuring two large canvas bivouac tents has been established, each sleeping up to five people and equipped with all you need for a comfortable night under the stars. Make use of those handy BBQs already established within the tree house to prepare dinner and yes, there is a toilet too! Tents are available to book for €95 each via the Avoriaz Office de Tourisme.

This brand new deli, wine cellar and fine produce counter in Avoriaz launched during the winter season to rave reviews. In addition to top quality Savoyarde favourites such as speciality cheeses, meats, preserves and cakes, you’ll also discover a daily changing selection of homemade dishes, ready to eat in or take away. Wines from some of the best vineyards in France feature in the cellar, with an admirable range of international bottles and quality Champagnes too. Le R also provides a catering service with a handy online ordering platform. Select from a range of apero boards to share, seafood platters including oysters and king prawns or a raclette or fondue to enjoy at home with prices starting at €12. For more information head to traiteur-avoriaz.com

Petit dej et Reméde

The healing hands of the team from Mobile Mountain Massage are now available to enjoy within a dedicated treatment room at Hotel du Lac on the shores of Lac de Montriond. Between 9.30am and 11.30am each day you and a friend can each enjoy a 30 minute massage alongside a continental breakfast for just €40 per person, which is incredible value for money. Could there be a better way to start the day in the mountains? You’ll need to book your treatments in advance by emailing bonjour@ mobilemountainmassage.com.

The Ardent Telecabine this summer

We’re delighted to report that Avoriaz lift operator Serma will open the telecabine connecting Ardent and Lindarets once again this summer, following a trial last year. The lift will be open between 9th July and 4th September and the prices have also been significantly reduced too. The objective here is to reduce the number of vehicles travelling up the Col de Joux Verte road and through the goat village, which can become impossibly busy during the summer months. To further encourage holiday makers to leave their vehicles at the bottom of the mountain, the Mairie de Montriond have added to the frequency of the M line busses, which run between Morzine and Ardent. You’ll find extra services will be introduced in the peak months of of July and August. Traffic on the Col de Joux Verte will also be restricted to one way (in the downhill direction) each day between the hours of 10am and 5pm from 15th July to 8th September. This is part of an experiment to monitor traffic flow on the road linking Ardent and Avoriaz with the possibility of creating a new road which bypasses the village of Lindarets in the future.

Unlimited Access to Abbaye d’Aulps

You may not have ventured further down our valley to the stunning, ancient Abbaye d’Aulps in St Jean d’Aulps but it’s certainly with a visit! A former Cistercian monastery founded in the 11th century, the site now includes a monastic estate and features the remains of the abbey, cellars and garden, including a botanical garden of medicinal plants and a medieval vegetable garden. The visitor centre also includes both temporary and permanent exhibitions including the work of talented local artists and there’s a really lovely cafe serving local produce too. Locals might be keen to buy an annual unlimited access pass, which means you can visit the Abbaye all year round for just €10. Discover more at abbayedaulps.fr

The Nash Open

Returning for guaranteed entertainment on the golf course this summer, the hotly contested Nash Open is organised by Craig at Bar Le National in St Jean d’Aulps. The day begins with breakfast rolls at the pub before heading to Les Gets golf course for a scramble format, pairs competition, which is perfect for those without masses of golf experience. If you’ve never been, Les Gets golf course is a spectacular setting with views over the village and the surrounding peaks, creating a memorable day out. A prize giving back at the pub follows the competition, there are some excellent prizes on offer, alongside the guaranteed good times. The precise date for the 2022 Nash Open will be announced in July, the event will take place around mid-September time, you can register in the bar to secure your space or email craig@barnational.com for more details.

Be a Volunteer

Les Gets returns to the world stage this year, hosting the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and make no mistake, this is a big deal for the village. To help the organisers and the village showcase Les Gets in the best possible way, a number of volunteers are needed during the event. You’ll get to experience the unique behind-the-scenes atmosphere, meet people from the world of international cycling and be in contact with the best riders in the world. The event takes place between 24th and 28th August and you can get involved for just a few hours or a few days - everything helps! Lunch will be provided each day, you can join up with a group of friends and spend the event working together and there’s a dedicated volunteers centre too. You’ll need to be over 15 years of age (or 18 years to be a flagman), you don’t need a bike to get involved and your volunteer pack includes t-shirts, a sweatshirt, a cap, windbreaker, water bottle and back pack. Simply email benevoles@lesgets.com to sign upyour village needs you!

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10.15 - 16.45

Pre-opening

Continuous

End

9.00 - 17.30

9.00 - 17.20

9.00 - 17.30

9.45 - 16.45

Pre-opening

End

16th - Sunday 18th September

9.30 - 12.30

13.30 - 18.30

9.00 - 17.15

9.10 - 17.00

9.30 - 16.45

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The Prodains Express will open for the Pass’Portes du Soleil event between 24th June and 26th June then will then re-open continuously for the summer season between 2nd July and 29th August 2022.

The summer lifts of the Super Morzine area (Super Morzine telecabine, Zore and Seraussaix) will open on Friday 17th June 2022 until Sunday 11th September 2022.

The Proclou chairlift will open for the first time this summer, giving you fast and easy access to Avoriaz and the wider Portes du Soleil. This lift will be open between 2nd July and 29th August 2022.

The lifts in the Lindarets area (Mosettes, Chaux Fleurie and Lindarets) will open on Friday 24th June 2022 until Sunday 4th September 2022.

The Ardent Telecabine will also be open this summer between 9th July and 4th September 2022.

Morzine’s Swimming Pool

Following feedback from customers last summer, there’s a new set of extended opening hours for Morzine’s swimming pool this year. Children’s entry is €4.50, adult entry €6 or free with a Multi’Pass.

30th May 2022 – 3rd July 2022 - open 7 days a week!

Monday to Friday - Noon - 19.00

Saturday & Sunday - 10.00 - 19.00

4th July 2022 - 31st August 2022 - open 7 days a week!

Monday to Friday - 10am - 20.00

Saturday & Sunday - Noon - 19.00

Les Gets Swimming Lake

The lake opens on Friday 24th June until Sunday 28th August and is supervised between 12noon and 6.30pm. Admission is €4 per person, or free with a Multi’Pass.

Wibit Park is also open each day for extra fun times in the water! The minimum age is five years and prices start at €9 for adults and €5 for children. Note that you can book your slot in advance at lesgets.com.

Aquariaz in Avoriaz

This tropical aquatic wonderland in Avoriaz is perfect for families with children of all ages with prices starting at €7 for children, €10 for adults and children under three enjoy the park for free. Note, Speedos are not compulsory at Aquariaz!

Aquariaz is open ever day between 3rd July and 28th August between 1.30pm and 7.30pm.

Alta Lumina in Les Gets

This is an unmissable experience. As the light begins to fade over the forest above Les Gets, an immersive light show begins, telling a charming story of a traveller who’s hot air balloon crashes in a storm. The music and lights are thrilling for all ages and the setting is spectacular.

The opening times for Alta Lumina change throughout the summer season, with the first available visit getting later as the days get longer. You’ll find all the information you need at altalumina.com, where you can also pre-book your tickets too.

Morzine’s Summer Luge

Snaking down the Pleney and accessed via the Télésiège de la Crusaz, Morzine’s summer luge is great fun for families and friends alike.

It’s open each day between 8th July and 4th September with the first ascent on the lift at 10.30am and the final ascent at 6pm. Morzine’s summer luge is priced at €5.90 per go, though you can buy multiple tickets at a reduced price.

Avoriaz Golf Course

Open every day between 11th June and 25th September, this 9-hole, par 36 golf course nestled within the forest at an altitude of 1600m is the perfect location. There’s a great club house, equipment rental and coaching available too. Head to golfmorzineavoriaz.com for more information.

INTERIOR DESIGNS & FURNISHINGS

CONCEPTION DE

INTÉRIEUR

warner

by amie Henderson

Rob: “Amie, I’m just waiting for my latte to be delivered through the window at the Starbucks drive through!”

Amie: “Don’t, there’s not a single coffee shop open in our valley right now! Listen, it’s been well documented that you fell out of love with mountain biking and you didn’t ride for six years after you stopped competing. Why was that?”

Rob: “I was basically sick of it at the end of my racing career, because I wasn’t doing very well and I was just hanging around to get the money really. It’s true. I was still getting decent contracts and it’s money you’re never going to get again, but it wasn’t exactly very fulfilling turning up at World Cups and coming down 50th after I’d done well earlier in my career. So I didn’t ride bikes at all after that, then I did a Commencal shoot six years later and the first thing I noticed was how much better they’d

and discovering it for the first time. And I’m making a few quid out of it now hey! I can have Starbucks whenever I want! Hang on, I’m just trying to add brown sauce to my sausage sandwich as I’m driving my Jag around.”

Amie: “How did you end up commentating then?”

Rob: “It’s a long story! In 2006, my last year of racing and I was completely over it, I turned up in Spain and didn’t qualify. The day before I’d had a tickly cough and drank a whole bottle of cough medicine (I didn’t mean too), then I had all my hair cut off. We’d been drinking too and so the next morning I didn’t qualify. At the time I’d been to Brazil to cover an event down a gold mine for Red Bull and they asked me if I’d do X Fighters (the motocross comp), and I was like bloody right. So I took all my money from mountain biking and went to be a TV presenter and it was great. I was a co-host

“he's angrier than a man with a fork in a world of soup”

become; dropper posts, tubeless tires and enduro bikes had come along. It was exciting!

And then I thought, why haven’t I got a fucking bike deal? I’d turned my back on MTB as a rider, but then I got a deal again and it included an e-bike. Let me tell you, e-bikes are the greatest ever invention in cycling. E-bikes have brought me back in and I enjoy mountain biking now as much as I ever have, and that includes when I was 14 years old

on X Fighters (with Source favourite Ed Leigh) and learnt my trade. Then at a party a couple of years later, I met this bloke and he said to me, “Ah, you’re a TV presenter. I have the rights to the mountain biking, you can commentate it for me,” and I was like “Yes I could! I’ve done a bit of mountain biking, actually!” We started on Freecaster then moved to Red Bull. I fell into commentating and I’m very grateful for it. I was in the right place at the right time and it was a fucking lucky break.” >>

Rob Warner was the first British rider to win a round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup but 1996 seems like a long time ago for the three-time UK national champion turned commentator. He’s famous for his unscripted one-liners, but times have changed for the voice of downhill mountain biking. (He still loves a swear though).*

Amie: “What have been the standout moments so far in your career as commentator?”

Rob: “All the one-liners from back in the day. But I think the thing that I’m most proud of is learning my trade on air and I’ve become a decent commentator. I can do it as well as anyone ever will and I’m happy with that. That’s my achievement. I’ve become professional but I can absolutely still bring the noise with it. It’s not like watching the BBC on a Sunday afternoon, that’s for sure.”

Amie: “Actually, that’s my next question. Why isn’t there a mountain biking equivalent to Ski Sunday?”

Rob: “I’m amazed that it hasn’t happened already! Look at how many people ride mountain bikes! Seeing this amazing sport on national TV in the UK would definitely make it more mainstream, I’d love to see that. Who do we need to speak to to make that happen?”

“he's going to wake up feeling like his neck took a viagra”

Amie: “I’ve no idea, but you’d be the presenter, obviously. Tell me about the highlights during your racing career.”

Rob: “The three national titles I won, they were the big things for me, and they meant loads when I was getting them too, this isn’t just in hindsight. Performing well at the nationals probably meant more to me back then than doing well in any World Cup. The late ‘90s, this was a golden era in mountain biking, with Peaty and those lot, and we used to battle for it and it was never easy to beat Peaty. I’d always lift my game for the nationals, I’d always give a fuck. To win three of them, I’m more proud than winning a World Cup just because it rained. In 1997 I was on four of seven podiums that year in the Worlds, but I got pissed the night before and fucked it and ended up sixth. I was good enough to win a World Cup, I’d proved that and I came so close on many other occasions.”

Amie: “If we compare your time in the saddle to the sport right now, how have things changed?"

Rob: “The equipment - bikes are fucking brilliant now and we rarely see a mechanical in a race. Be that a flat tire or a chain off, we barely ever see a failure - so that’s got better. In my days, if you had the right kit, the right bike, you could have a massive advantage, but that’s now been levelled and everyone has good kit. In my day there were some very shit bikes. Fitness is also now a big advantage, these athletes all train really hard so I think it’s harder to compete and find advantage in this way too. These days athletes have to deal with all this social media and shit, can you imagine how distracting that is on top of everything else they have to do? I’d rather have had my career in my era than this era, that’s for sure. But this era is much better to watch, it’s fucking phenomenal now, the speed they go, the bikes are brilliant, the athletes are strong and fit and downhill has become even more specialised and it’s never been better >>

to watch. A World Cup downhill race is a pretty fucking special thing to watch. The sport has streamlined but it’s got better for it.”

Amie: “Who will win the overall downhill comp this year? Who should we put our money on?”

Rob: “It’ll be a Frenchman. I’d probably say Amaury Pierron as he has raw speed like nobody else, so if he can keep it together and not hit the deck, then he’s almost unstoppable. If not him, then I’d say Loïc Bruni because he’s just so consistently good every time. But let’s be honest, it’s fucking impossible to say because there are so many riders who could win, get on a roll, be consistent… it’ll almost certainly be French. And for the women, Myriam Nicole.”

Amie: “Do you have a favourite track to commentate on?”

Rob: “This is gonna sound weird as it’s not the best race track, but it is the best TV track - Leogang. When the tracks are short and they look good and the racing is close, then for me as a commentator, it’s exciting and easy and fun. But Val di Sole and places like that, I really enjoy as a rider as they’re longer. The short tracks are better for commentating. Actually, Snowshoe, that’s my favourite, that’s the best TV track. I view it with a different set of eyes to a rider these days.”

Amie: “How much does the atmosphere on the track affect you while commentating?”

Rob: “You’re pretty closed off in the commentary box with headphones, etc and I can see more of the crowd reactions than I can hear, but at Fort William for example, everything comes through as the crowd is so loud. But it doesn’t affect me really, I get just as excited if there’s no one watching, just like during the COVID times, which were more difficult actually. The big days make me more nervous, sometimes I have to change my t-shirt multiple times because I’m sweating so much. I think because I was a racer I know the process, so I treat a World Cup commentary like a race - it’s the same feeling! When the expectation on a race is high, I feel there’s more expectation on me and I feel more nervous but I don’t think it changes my delivery. In the commentary box we’ve all raced World Cups, we know the risks and we know what’s at stake and we know how fucked the riders are when they get to the bottom and we can relay it to our audience. I think that’s why Red Bull commentary is so successful, because they have people in there who’ve actually fucking done it."

Amie: “Regarding those famous one-liners, do you think of them in advance? Or do they come in the moment?”

Rob: “Now, they come in the moment, but they’re pretty devoid these days, I don’t really do them any more! Moving from Freecaster to Red Bull was a new era in commentary. A

“how can Danny Hart sit down with balls that big”

lot of what I’d say back in the early days on a small platform with a core audience would not be acceptable to people around the globe watching TV on a Sunday afternoon these days. Most of my one liners were very politically incorrect so for me, those times have gone for now. If I see an opportunity to have some fun I will, but I feel like the sport is a lot more professional now and the commentary has to match that. It took me a long time to accept that and to move from my original way of commentating to how Red Bull wanted me to do it. And then all of a sudden the penny dropped after I’d been to a thousand fucking commentary lessons and I started to understand it and started to really get my teeth into it. The emphasis went from being loud and outrageous to professional and that was a real skill that I had to learn. I keep learning and I love it and want to get better and better at it.

The thing is, I never really had a job before, I was just mountain biking and dicking about, so commentating is a career for me and I enjoy it and I keep working at it. But commentary has to move with the sport and it fits it perfectly now. These riders go way above, they ride a bike faster than one should ever be ridden and as commentators we’ve got to respect what the fuck they’re doing. It’s high risk and that’s why it’s so exciting and I try to reflect that. But it’s far from a joking matter.”

Amie: “Tell me your thoughts on Les Gets, Morzine & Avoriaz”

Rob: “I fucking love them, Avoriaz is wild! I heard that everyone is working hard on the trails there and I hadn’t ridden Les Gets since I was competing back in the day. But last year I had two weeks in Les Gets bike park, it was amazing, they have everything there and I can see why half the UK ends up there every year.

When Les Gets hosts the World Champs this year, fucking right I’ll be there, you try and stop me. I guess it costs a few quid to host a World Cup and the World Champs, and I think Les Gets is a destination that can get a return from that. It wasn’t that long ago that Les Gets was the only bike park in the Alps, and now there’s Chatel, every ski resort can be a bike park. It’s great to see the village host these amazing events.”

Follow Rob on Instagram for more unique MTB insight this summer! @robwarner970

- mountain bike -

There’s a great selection of new mountain bike kit on the market this year and we’re sure you’re tempted to invest in a few new goodies in time for your next holiday in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. Here’s a few of our favourites, all tried and tested by the Morzine Source Magazine team.

Everyone has a favourite belt, and the makers of ours have just collaborated with MTB collective 50to01 on three different limited edition belts. As you’d expect from Arcade, one size fits all to perfection and this belt is lightweight, durable and strong; it’s made for all of your adventures. It’s also travel friendly as there are no annoying metal buckles and it’s washable too. You’ll find a range of Arcade belts to choose from at The Woods and Slopestyle in Morzine.

Made in Europe using 90% recycled plastics, these shorts really do love any conditions as the surface fabric repels rain and splash water. They’re long enough and wide enough in the leg to securely overlap your knee pads (take note, style police), while the two large zipped pockets are perfect for your phone, keys and cash. Monserat is a relatively new brand created by two friends, both named Jens; they’re on a mission create high quality MTB clothing that’s sustainable and built to last.

As Peaty himself says, this collection of fine bike products is far from a load of random products thrown into a cheap bucket. Every element of this kit has been selected to help you take the very best care of your bike in the best possible way. It includes everything from a full litre of Loam Foam, degreaser and all-weather link lube to a drivetrain brush, bamboo cleaning cloth and even a heavy duty toolbox. Products from the Peaty’s range are available at Torico Performance Bikes on the rue du Bourg in Morzine.

On the evening of Saturday 23rd April 2022, a capacity crowd assembled inside Morzine’s Skoda Arena. Tensions were high, the stakes even higher. Could our mighty Morzine-Avoriaz ‘Penguins’ ice hockey team triumph over Toulouse-Blagnac to win the national Division 2 ice hockey league and gain promotion to Division 1? Their form this season certainly suggested a win, but anything can happen in a playoff final. 4-3 to the Penguins was the final score, the atmosphere was something very special indeed and the smile on General Manager and Head Coach Stéphane Gros’ face was unmissable. We catch up one week later, and the celebrations have only just finished…

Stéphane, how does this success feel today? And how did you celebrate?

“We announced at the start of the season that we wanted to, and above all had to, win this Division 2 championship, in order to put our club in a championship more appropriate to our abilities. We put immense pressure on ourselves. The hardest part was managing it match after match, knowing that we were of course not the only team who chased this objective.

But now that we have achieved it, it is a huge relief! And the source of great pride for the whole club. As you might expect, the party after the game lived up to expectations, considering what had been achieved on the evening of the final. The whole village was present at the Skoda Arena and this will live forever in our memories. We really felt that all Morzinois lived this rise to Division 1 with us.”

You have won so many games this season! What was the formula?

“When you start a season with a very high goal, the first thing is to make sure that every player and staff member buys in and believes in this

project. Then the daily work on the ice and in the gym was very important. In the end, we created a team with an incredible atmosphere, almost like a family, and that made the difference in the important moments of the season.

The club's fans have also played a great game this season. What is your message for them?

Fan attendance and support has been incredible all season. Obviously during the final and even in the semi-final, the ice rink was full with an incredible atmosphere, but we can say that it was almost ‘normal’, considering the crowd restrictions we have experienced over the last couple of years. What I will remember from this year above all however, is the atmosphere in the autumn when we had nearly 700 people come to support us at each match, even while the village was empty of tourists. Thank you all for this support and especially to David who took over the support group and set the mood for each outing. All of this helped us get to the top.

How is the strength of the opposition in Division 1? And how will the team prepare for this challenge? Are you going to bring new players to the team next season?

© Yoann Coppell

Division 1 is a notch above. We will therefore have to create a competitive team, because the objective will not be to simply survive, but to perform well throughout the season with the primary objective of reaching the Dividion 1 playoffs. We are going to keep the majority of this season's starting squad and add superior elements to them in order to fully succeed this first year in Division 1. The important thing will be to still give a lot of spectacle and joy to the fans of the Skoda Arena.

What does it mean for Morzine-Avoriaz to have a team in Division 1?

Previously, the HCMA spent over 10 years in the Magnus league, France’s premier ice hockey division. That is where we belong. The structure and strength of the club, the public and private partners and sponsors, the history of this great club show us that its place is in a more professional championship like Division 1.

But of course, this will bring more visibility in the media, but also in all of France, because the team will travel to cities such as Dunkirk, Brest, Nantes etc… The Hockey Club Morzine-Avoriaz becomes a great means of communication for the whole resort at the national level. Finally, all the matches will be intense, with a level of play and performance identical to that which we saw during these Division 2 playoffs, which will satisfy our many supporters.

And finally, how will you spend your summer?

First, we will have to take stock of this season (even if it will be quite easy ;) ) then build a new team and a new budget, because what awaits us in Division 1 will be beautiful but perilous if we don't prepare for it properly. And then I will take a holiday in order to arrive in the month of August (when the new season begins) recharged to the maximum for a new page in the history of the HCMA.

Consistency

IS EVERYTHING

By Amelia Pearson of Buzz Performance

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘consistency is the key to success’, and it really is. Consistency is the act of doing something regularly for a period of time. It’s also is the key component for achieving results in the realm of exercise and fitness. Without consistency, the body will not get the progressive load, nourishment, rest and recovery that it needs to make improvements. Consistency is everything, but how can you get there?

Here at Buzz Performance, consistency is the cornerstone of everything we do. Whether it’s classes in the studio at the Hive, strength improvements in our gym or regular rides around the valley or further afield, we keep our schedule accessible, fun but always consistent and with that in mind, here are our five tips to help you build consistency.

1. Schedule your training and work outs

Creating, maintaining and sticking to a regular workout schedule is the best way to achieve consistency, and consistency over time is the best way to achieve success.

Pushing your fitness in sporadic bursts increases the risk of injury, illness and burn out while also taking longer for the effects of exercise to occur.

Choose realistic days and times to schedule your workouts and develop a weekly routine.

Squeezing 30 minutes into even the busiest of days should be achievable. You could either get up earlier or go to bed later or quit your screen time for that day - imagine! If you can commit at least 30 minutes a day to your exercise routine, habits will form and consistency will grow.

2. Set goals and keep them clear in your thoughts

It is important to know your ‘why’. Why are you following this schedule? What are your objectives? Set yourself a goal, make your goal clear and set a realistic time frame

to work towards. Write the goal down and reflect on every decision that impacts on your consistency to working towards this.

3. Be hard on yourself, but not too hard

Life is busy and it’s easy for work, family and friends to consume your time, but having time to exercise is essential to your health and wellbeing. Often when we are exercising regularly, we are more inclined to eat a well-balanced diet, drink more water and get better sleep.

When the body is well nourished, well hydrated and rested we are then often more efficient at work, have more patience with our loved ones and don’t feel guilty for taking time to work on ourselves and our personal goals.

It’s important to recognise that missing a workout here and there isn’t going to mean your goals will not be achieved; things come up. An exercise and fitness schedule and a well-balanced diet should be there to enhance your life, not take over it. But we also have to put in the work to reap the rewards.

Keep showing up

This is where having plan, creating a schedule and knowing your priorities helps build the habit of exercising and helps you to make smart decisions about what to do. Sometimes it’s a matter of turning up even if you don’t feel like it. It doesn’t have to be perfect every time, even getting 15 minutes of a workout done is better than nothing.

Regularly review your progress and celebrate success

Progress is not always linear, and you won’t feel good every time you workout. You might be training for a month without noticing any differences and then, from nowhere, there is a lightbulb moment and you feel fitter and stronger than you ever have before. If you don’t stick at it, you won’t see these progressions. When you do, celebrate your success, then set yourself a new goal and continue on your journey.

The whole team at Buzz Performance love helping people be the best they can bee. Our home at the Hive in Morzine offers a place for people to come together; it’s where our coaches can share the knowledge and experience they’ve gained over many years in the sport and fitness industry. We set training plans which are realistic and achievable. We encourage you to set SMART goals, help make your training fun, set challenges along the way and celebrate together when progress is made. We offer support and encouragement. We provide accountability and guidance. Working with a coach is often the missing piece of the puzzle!

The world’s most prestigious and challenging bike race launched in 1903 as part of a marketing initiative by France’s second largest sports newspaper, L’Auto (now known as L’Equipe). Editor Henri Desgrange was a keen cyclist, yet became frustrated that rival publication Le Vélo had a higher circulation, selling a staggering 80,000 newspapers each day. L’Auto had been established by a group of journalists to rival Le Vélo, yet with stagnating sales came unhappy financial backers. It was during a crisis meeting that Chief Cycling Journalist Géo Lefèvre suggested a six-day road race across France to boost circulation. Le Tour de France was born and it has taken place every year since, except during the World Wars.

The early days of Le Tour couldn’t be more different to the event we all watch today and often the mammoth stages, spanning 250 miles or more, went through the night. Cyclists rode on unpaved roads and were

by amie Henderson

responsible for repairing their own bikes, riding with spare tires and tubes wrapped around their bodies in case they suffered a flat! Former chimney sweep Maurice Garin

won the inaugural Tour de France in front of 20,000 spectators in Paris, logging a three hour lead over the second place rider, trainee butcher Lucien Pothier. Those three hours remain the greatest winning margin in Le Tour’s history. And as for L’Auto, circulation of the newspaper soared six-fold during the race.

It was perhaps inevitable, considering the success of this brand new race and the fame afforded to the winners, that cheats would emerge. Jean Fischer illegally used a car to pace him during the first stage in 1903 while others were disqualified for riding in the slipstream of other vehicles. In 1904, fans of Antoine Faure formed a human blockade as Le Tour passed through his hometown of St. Etienne and several riders were caught hitching rides in cars during the night. However it was, according to history, Maurice Garin who ‘probably’ caught a train during a stage in 1904 and he was kicked off the race as a result.

of

billion people in 190 different countries, Le Tour de France is the world’s biggest annual sporting event, attracting the very best road cyclists in the world. But how did La Grande Boucle (the big loop) come to be? And what does its arrival in Morzine for the 21st time this summer mean for the local economy?

To keep things spicy, Le Tour has evolved over the years, setting down deep cultural routes and inspiring the cycling careers of many. The infamous yellow jersey (maillot jaune) launched in 1919, yellow being the colour of the paper on which L’Auto was printed. The yellow jersey is awarded to the cyclist with the lowest cumulative time for the race at the end of each day, while the polka dot jersey (maillot à pois rouges) launched in 1975, is worn by the rider that gains the most points during climbing stages, making him the ‘King of the Mountains’. You’ll also spot the coveted white jersey (maillot blanc), also introduced in 1975 and worn by the cyclist with the lowest cumulative time and aged 25 or under, to symbolise the future of the sport. Meanwhile, the green jersey (maillot vert), launched in 1953, is worn by the rider leading the points classification and is generally worn by the ‘sprinters’ of the race.

Fans of Le Tour love to debate over the greatest rider of all time, usually agreeing on the infamous Eddy Merckx. Known as ‘The Cannibal’ during his road racing career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Belgian won Le Tour five times and achieved

stage victories. In fact, he was so dominant that organisers asked him not to compete in 1973! Merckx is also the only rider to wear the yellow, green and polka dot jerseys during the same tour but his career came to an unfortunate end when he was punched by a fan while on track for his sixth win.

The modern day tour is usually comprised of between 20 and 22 teams with eight riders in each, spanning three weeks, around 3600km and beginning in July each year. In 2022, the total prize money pot for Le Tour is valued at €2.29million, which will be distributed to cyclists in different categories, with the winner taking home €500,000, the runner up €250,000 and the overall third place finisher enjoying €125,000. Each rider also gets €300 for each day they wear the yellow jersey, each stage win is valued at €8,000, while the overall winner of the white jersey takes home €25,000. When compared to the 20,000 French Francs (equivalent to around €3,500 today), offered to the winner back in 1903, it’s clear to see how far this marketing initiative has come. >>

Anquetil

Hinault

Hinault

In 2021 British rider Mark Cavendish matched the 34 stage wins of Eddie Merckx, which is an incredible feat for a rider specialising in sprint. The success of Cavendish and his counterpart Bradley Wiggins are widely credited for expanding the reach and popularity of road cycling as a sport in the UK. Almost 500,000 people tuned in to ITV4’s flag-to-flag live coverage of Le Tour each day in 2021, which was a significant increase on the previous year. It’s universally agreed these days that Mark Cavendish is the greatest sprinter in the history of Le Tour, though current reports from the world of road cycling suggest that he won’t compete in 2022.

Die hard Tour de France lovers spend the weeks and months preceding the route announcement in October each year, speculating on time trial locations, mountain stages and rest days. The frenzy that accompanies the route announcement cannot be overstated. For those cities, towns and villages tipped to be on the route, excitement

The ASO (Amaury Sports Organisation) who own Le Tour are an organisation of 300 people, yet just two men are the sole architects

major host cities and towns along the route each year, Gouvenou finds the roads that best connect these dots. They visit every host town and every finish line for an inspection. “When we see the riders commenting that it looks hard, then we know we did a good job,” Geuvenou told Velo News.

2022 is also significant for Le Tour and the female riders who’ve long dreamed of taking part; for the first time the Tour de France Femmes will take place immediately after the men’s Tour, serving up eight astonishing days of riding with live television coverage throughout. A women’s Tour has had many incarcerations over the years, it’s true.

Between 1984 and 1986 the Tour de France Feminin ran concurrent with the men’s race, with three weeks of stages, concluding around two hours before the men crossed the finish line each day. The race was reduced to two weeks in 1987 and then cancelled altogether in 1989. 1992 brought a new race organiser for the female riders and the Tour

is at fever-pitch. As Tour director Christian Prudhomme takes to the stage in Paris to unveil the route, Morzine holds its breath… are we on the map?

Now, there are a few predictable elements to the route of the Tour de France each year. It alternates between a clockwise and an anticlockwise circuit of France and there’ll usually be an international border to cross, typically for the Grand Départ (the preliminary stage or stages of Le Tour). We can also bet that the route will take in the most scenic and iconic parts of France, while a few logistical elements will also be considered. The Tour travels with an entourage of 5,000 people, hundreds of vehicles and millions of fans. A staggering 10-20km of fibre optic cable is required each day, just for TV broadcasts, but this is where the predictability of Le Tour ends. Recent years have seen punchy uphill finales and more varied terrain in an effort to avoid a predictable rut. So, who’s job it is it make the race more challenging and less predictable?

of the Tour de France route; director Christian Pruhomme and his right hand man, Thierry Gouvenou. While the director determines the

Cyclist Féminin launched with long, difficult stages taking in some of France’s signature climbs. Once again, the absence of much media coverage, insignificant prize money pots and overall funding scuppered the race, which ran until 2009. In 2017, the two-day La Course ran ahead of the men’s race and although it was initially praised for providing a platform for women’s cycling, this quickly turned to criticism for not being a ‘full Tour de France’. The overall goal of the Tour de France Femmes, according to its organisers the ASO, is a financially sustainable event that still exists in 100 years.

American Marianne Martin was the first women to win the Tour de France in 1984. Back then the race included the same 18 gruelling stages as the men’s race and over two million spectators lined the streets of Paris to watch Marianne cross the finish line. Her reward for a race that she’d lead since stage 14 was a trophy and $1,000; to put that into perspective, Laurent Fignon, winner of

Jacques Anquetil

Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Greg LeMond Greg LeMond

the armstrong era No winner Miguel Indurain

the men’s race in the same year, enjoyed a prize pot of $100,000 plus his salary from his team.

France is the most visited country on the planet, and to many, Le Tour is one long promotional video, showcasing tremendous chateaux, incredible coastlines and stunning mountain vistas - you seriously don’t need to be in to cycling to enjoy watching Le Tour. To have the eyes of 3.5 billion people on your village or town cannot be underestimated when it comes to the value of tourism. Each candidate town must submit a formal letter of consideration to the ASO, following which an inspection will take place. If selected to feature on Le Tour, each location agrees to pay a sizeable fee, thought to be over €50,000 or more, to host a dramatic stage finish. In excess of 250 cities, towns and villages make applications to the ASO each year; making it onto that route map is a very big deal indeed. Le Tour first discovered Morzine in 1975 and has passed through a staggering 21 times in 47 years, but what motivated Mayor of Morzine-Avoriaz Fabian Trombert to make his bid to host the event in 2022? "Hosting the most beautiful cycling event in the world is a source of great pride and also a privilege that the residents of our village will be keen to honour in July,” he told us. “Morzine is not just a village, but a preserved, natural space that does everything possible to develop and facilitate the practice of cycling, while respecting our greatest asset: our environment and our landscapes.” We’re excited to see the legacy it leaves behind.

WHERE TO WATCH:

In 2022 Stage 9 of Le Tour finishes arrives Châtel from Aigle on Sunday 10th July. The teams will head straight for their hotels in Morzine, ahead of a rest day on Monday 11th July. On these days you can expect to see team cars and trucks around Morzine, there’ll be lots of media activity too and you may even spot your favourite cyclists taking a gentle ride on our local roads. The atmosphere will be incredible! On Tuesday 12th July Le Tour departs Morzine on the Route de Morzine in the direction of Montriond, before descending on the D902 to Thonon-les-Bains and the shores of Lake Geneva. We’ll share the precise departure point, time and the best spectator spots on our website just before Le Tour begins.

If you can’t make it to Morzine for this year’s event, but you’re keen to watch live coverage from your favourite mountain resort, ITV 4 in the UK will air every stage live with commentators Ned Boulting and David Millar. Live coverage usually begins between 11am and 1pm each day, with a highlights show at 7pm each evening. The 2022 tour is extra special as Netflix have commissioned a docu-series in partnership with France Télévisions, following the progress of eight teams on Le Tour.

GETS

AN EVOLUTION

bike park

By Christophe Gressent

“Ours is the largest bike park in Europe, with 128km of marked trails. Since 1992, those who enjoy the thrill of the downhill have flocked to Les Gets, sometimes as soon as the snow melts. This is a pioneering destination and as the manager of the bike patrol team, it’s my job to maintain the high standards that our visitors have come to expect over the years.

Les Gets came to the attention of French riders when the village hosted the first Coupe de France de Downhill in 1992. Much trail development dates back to that summer, and the event gave us a taste of what downhill mountain biking might bring to a village that usually relies on winter tourism. We’ve hundreds of photos from this first event, and while the sport might look a little different these days, the passion for mountain biking in Les Gets stays the same.

Being on the world stage of professional mountain biking means our visitors are assured of some of the very best facilities and trails; we are always innovating. Our motivation is to try and create something for everyone, from beginners taking their first pedals in the mountains, to expert riders who like to be challenged. We have enduro, cross country and of course downhill trails, a freeride track, e-bike specific routes (complete with charging points!) and a three hectare jump park with bridges, jumps, forest passages and wooden features. The dual slalom track is excellent fun, while children love the mini jump park, two pump tracks and the kids zone.

To keep the bike park new and exciting, we begin work in the autumn of the preceding year to ensure perfection for the next summer season. Within our team we have many new

the top of the slopes, chasing the snow away. Of course some years, maybe this one actually, there really is too much snow for us to get to work, so we use machinery to clear snow and to promote its melting.

We have been working on a number of new projects for this summer, but of course they were a long time in the planning to make sure they are perfect. You’ll discover a new blue run on the Chavannes side of the bike park and we’ve also reworked several existing trails to bring you new and exciting experiences.

Les Gets Bike Park is one of the first bike parks to open in Europe each year. This makes the period of May critical and good weather is really important to us if we are to have the trails prepared on time. We all focus on the opening weekend, which is usually the final weekend in May each year. As the summer lifts

In the years that followed, Les Gets became world famous, hosting a continuous collection of national and international events including the French Junior Championships, the MTB World Championships, Crankworx festival and most recently, the World Cup Finals in 2019 and 2021. This summer the World Championships return and we’ll be ready, as we always are.

improvement ideas to discuss and assess; providing diversity is always our priority. Once we decide on new features, any major earth works or developments are done at this time, before the snow and the skiers arrive. This leaves the track maintenance for early May each year and we work by sector as the snow melts, usually starting at the bottom of the trails in the village and working our way up to

come to life, we know there is a big desire to start riding again and it is our job to guarantee good conditions for our visitors. Good weather helps! Then we’ll have lots of people in the park and our work really begins.

The Les Gets Bike Park team is made up of nine people during the summer season and our role is to ensure the maintenance of the tracks and

© MelCarle / les gets ODT

the safety of the people who use them. Our work is demanding but very rewarding, especially when we see people learning to ride for the first time on our trails - this is a great moment! And the feedback from the more accomplished riders is always very interesting to us. When riders are happy, we are happy. Of course there are times when the bike park becomes very busy, such as in the weeks that follow a big event - as Les Gets becomes more notorious, more people wish to experience our trails.

People always ask me if it’s possible to open new lifts in the summer season, especially since the bike park is growing in popularity, in the Ranfoilly area for example. The Les Gets lift operating company Sagets works in consultation with the town hall on this subject and for the moment, a number of options are being considered but nothing has been decided upon. I can tell you however, that it is possible that this will be the reality in the short to medium term.

The other question people always ask me is about unofficial or ‘secret’ trails within the Les Gets domain. Unofficial trails are a problem as they are not

maintained or supervised by the Bike Park team, so they can be dangerous while also passing through private land. If you had an accident on one of these trails, it would be very difficult for us to find you. So, to try and deter riders from the secret trails, we offer varied official tracks to keep everyone interested on the official routes. We’ve discovered that this limits the problem of unofficial routes as much as possible in Les Gets.

The future is very exciting for mountain biking of all varieties in Les Gets and of course, the bike park must continue to change, as it has in recent years. Bikes are evolving so much; a few years ago we saw only very big downhill bikes, yet now we see lots of enduro and e-bikes, so we’re inspired to develop what we offer every year. Children are also inspired to come and enjoy their bikes in our mountains, so we must consider this too. Les Gets is a very popular summer destination for families, so we try to offer exciting times for the little ones. We really hope that everyone enjoys their time in Les Gets bike park this summer and in the years to come!”

TALE OF Two Sisters

by amie Henderson

The warm welcome on offer as I enter the Poterie des Gets atelier is in stark contrast to the cold, dark, blustery April day underway outside. We’re half way up Mont Chéry, high above the rooftops of Les Gets, and I’m sure the views would be incredible, were they not shrouded by heavy cloud. Poterie des Gets isn’t just a pottery workshop however; it’s a boutique, a classroom, a family home and a working farm where sisters Anouk and Nathalie carefully and lovingly share their craft.

You’ll likely recognise their unique style from the tables of Le Colibri in Morzine for example, or Hôtel Crychar in Les Gets. Plates of all sizes, vases, jugs and tea pots are contemporary and whimsical, the kind of pottery that should be used every day, with pride, rather than saved and displayed on a shelf. Decorative yet useful, “these are feel good pieces,” Nathalie explains to me.

The family have been farming at Lassarre since the 1980s, “our mum was an artist and our father a goat farmer,” Anouk explains. Combining both passions, in 2002 Anouk began her pottery and enamelling training, enjoying the meditative moments that arise while forming the earth into practical, beautiful objects. She established the first pottery in Les Gets in 2008 and with the shape and form of her designs constantly evolving, sister Nathalie, a graphic designer, joined the pottery workshop in 2012, bringing along the playful, unique style that we see today. Nathalie hand paints each piece with care and attention, making them entirely unique. >>

My attention is swiftly diverted through a window in the workshop to the adjoining stable, where Anouk’s second job awaits. Multitasking between a kiln full of pottery and a flock of 55 ewes, two rams (named Ping and Pong) and 70 lambs, is entirely normal here. In fact it’s inspiring for Anouk, who also takes care of heifers during the summer months. “The changing seasons, the people we meet, our inspiration comes from all corners!” she tells me. Customised commissions for individuals and large projects for local restaurants are also very typical for the sisters, especially during the spring and autumn months when you can arrange to visit the workshop by appointment.

Despite their other pursuits, pottery is life for Nathalie and Anouk; they work incredibly hard to share their passion and inspire others to take to the potters wheel. They host free workshop visits including demonstrations during the summer season, visits commence at 2.30pm each Friday. Take the petit train from Les Gets to Lassarre, which is 3km from the centre of the village and certainly adds to the fun. During the winter months, workshop visits take place on Friday mornings at 10.30am and you can easily reach the farm on the E bus from the village. Visit in February and you may be lucky enough to meet the spring lambs too! Take note, it’s necessary to reserve your workshop space in advance via the Poterie des Gets website.

For those who catch the pottery bug from Anouk and Nathalie (and I’m sure there are many!), an introduction to pottery throwing and modelling is next. “There are no age restrictions here!” Anouk believes. “Children as young as nine months old will enjoy the feel and texture of clay in their hands” she continues. These two hour sessions take place every Monday morning from 10am during the winter and summer seasons and you’ll leave your finished masterpiece to be enamelled and fired for collection the following week. It’s just €50 to join a class, children under the age of 12 years can join with their parents and the price includes all materials and firing.

Anouk and Nathalie also host an annual Fête de la Poterie at the farm. It’s a unique, free event in a beautiful setting that combines pottery workshops, live music, local food, floral classes and a wonderful familyfriendly atmosphere while also raising funds for France Alzheimer, a national Alzheimers charity. This summer the event takes place on Sunday 24th July and you’re guaranteed a memorable experience.

cycling -

It’s true, road cyclists love kit! And each summer we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to rounding up our favourite bits of new stuff. We’d love to hear your gear recommendations too, so get in touch!

hello@morzinesourcemagazine.com

There’s a reason why Rapha is one of the most popular cycling brands around, and that’s because every single product is designed for the demands of a big day out. This Pro Team Training Jersey, available in mens and women-specific fit, is no different. Designed specifically for rides in mild to warm conditions, the lightweight, open-structured fabric on the front panels wicks sweat effortlessly and serves up unparalleled breathability while the close-knit fabric on the back of the jersey protects you from the sun. Sleeves and hem include wrap-around elasticated grippers as you’d expect from Rapha.

Because prevention is better than the cure, especially if you’ve a big day in the saddle planned, this handy pot of Cambridge Chamois anti-chaffing balm is the perfect size for your bike pack. It protects against irritation caused by friction, using a skinnourishing formula made from organic beeswax and cocoa butter with clay and essential oils, so it’s 100% natural. The emulsion is an anti-bacterial, breathable cream that actually feel nice on your skin, and can also be used to repair damaged skin and inflammation, should an unexpected area of friction occur.

The ideal gift for the roady in your life, this wallet is made from inner tubes destined for UK landfill and handcrafted by fairly paid tailors in Malawi. Inside you’ll find four handy credit card slots, a notes section and some quirky Malawian design twists too. As it turns out, inner tube rubber is more durable than leather, it’s also vegan so everyone wins. We also love that because each wallet is made from one inner tube, no two are the same, plus Cycle of Good use the money made from production to train tailors in the world’s poorest places.

Rapha

Available to rent from the Alps Bike Hire shop

Morzine’s

gym, this lightweight, agile, carbon all-rounder has been built for swift, rolling rides and to help you conquer our local peaks and passes. The specification on this bike is first rate and it makes a great rental choice if you’re in the market for a new whip this summer. There’s a highmodulus carbon monocoque frame, full carbon fork and it weighs just 7.6kg. We also love that Pearson bikes are built by hand according to your chosen specifications, making each bike entirely unique.

A computer built for the ride. Its smart features allow for on-device navigation including “Back on Track” re-routing, which will get you to your destination even if you veer off course. It’s also the first Wahoo device to include a colour screen. There’s an ambient light sensor, so the screen backlight and LED lights will automatically adjust based on lighting conditions both indoors and outdoors, and with a longer battery life, you can explore for up to 17 hours before you need to recharge. It’s on-device navigation features and powerful integrations are designed to help you roam with confidence. Available to buy at the

Performance Boutique & Service Centre at The Hive.

BY AMIE HENDERSON

A few weeks earlier, as we clipped into our skis on the first day of the Winter 22 season, something felt different on our local slopes. With my little boys sandwiched between my husband and I as we descended Pleney Piste B, I felt a nervousness that I’d never experienced before. Usually I find it quite relaxing, skiing with the kids. For some unbeknown reason, they seem to listen more and follow instructions out in the wild; certainly more than they do at home. As they pulled their weight, making nice solid turns with big smiles on their faces, it felt as though the four of us were invisible. Pleney Piste B is a blue run for those who don’t know. It’s popular with beginners, progressing skiers, families. Yet today, charged up by a missed winter season, many skiers had lost their heads, and their control. It felt like an accident waiting to happen, and unfortunately for a poor family over in Flaine, it was.

Certain that I wasn’t the only skier to have sensed this change in on-piste behaviour at the beginning of the Winter 22 season, and knowing that the relaxation in British travel restrictions expected the following day would unleash a tidal wave of hungry skiers onto our slopes, I shared the well-established FIS rules for safe skiing on the Morzine Source Magazine Facebook page. “Do us a favour and spend a couple of moments this afternoon revisiting the rules of the mountain,” I asked. You responded in your hundreds with your own accounts of being wiped out on green runs, smacked in the head by misplaced poles in lift queues and many more examples of dangerous on-piste behaviour. ‘Why can’t we look after each other in these beautiful mountains?’ I wondered, frustration bubbling inside me.

“We need to do something,” my friend Louise popped up on Facebook chat. “This situation is out of control.”

As a physiotherapist working year-round in our village, and with two small children of her own, Louise had already noticed an increase in injuries commonly associated with ski collisions. Damage to knee ligaments, including torn ACLs and MCLs, shoulder injuries and whiplash from impact with the piste, and it was only mid-January. Louise spent her days putting bodies back together again following entirely avoidable accidents, but there were many more injuries, such as broken bones and concussion, that she didn’t get to see.

At my dining table the following day, with our respective small people distracted by Paw Patrol, it took Louise and I 20 minutes to whip up the Piste X Code campaign. We’d launch in just two weeks time, with an all-singing, all-dancing, bilingual video demonstrating safe on-piste behaviour and we might as well throw in a website, some social media channels, a PR campaign and some celebrities for good measure. We’d ask a couple of local businesses to help us fund the whole thing, which would go live on the

eve of the February school holidays. As we scribbled our individual (lengthy) to-do lists, we knew we had the mother of all tasks ahead of us.

A sunny Wednesday afternoon on the Super Morzine in January was perfect for filming our launch video. George Treble, a local videographer and ski instructor, took charge of representatives from ten different local ski schools, following a story board that Louise toiled over for hours. How do you prioritise ten safety rules when they’re all important? Fortunately by this point, our campaign had been over-funded by 53 incredibly generous local businesses; we used their contributions to animate the video, print posters, create stickers and then the wonderful Ed Leigh off the telly pops up, “Absolutely Amie, I’ll record your intro.” The pace of this project took everyone by surprise, but on time and as scheduled, we broadcast a live premier of The Piste X Code launch video via Facebook at 6pm on Friday 4th February. Since then over 30,000 of you have viewed the video from start to finish and we truly hope that we’ve saved a few of you from accidents along the way.

As a campaign, the objectives of the Piste X Code are twofold. First and foremost, we want to educate - and more often than not, re-educate - all mountain users in the principles of on-piste safety. Principles such as the downhill skier or snowboarder always having the right of way, it being your responsibility to avoid them, regardless of their speed or direction, are entirely new to some mountain users. Knowing your role if there’s an accident is another really key point. We’ll continue to share our video far and wide, while also producing a child-focused safety video to help us share these safety rules. If we all take responsibility for our own behaviour on the slopes while respecting every other mountain user, there will be fewer accidents. At the same time we hope to work with those in charge of our pistes to improve signage and other visuals relating to piste safety and already, a number of resorts have come forward to support our campaign. Ultimately, we’d like there to be a team of piste patrollers in all resorts, especially during the peak weeks of the season, to monitor unsafe behaviour and penalise those who break the rules. Would you continue to ski like an idiot if it meant having your lift pass confiscated? We don’t think you would.

To the local businesses who supported this project financially, to the ski instructors who took part in our video, to those of you who’ve offered advice and experience to the Piste X Code campaign, Louise and I send a heartfelt thank you and we hope we can count on your support again next winter.

5th June - 28th October

La Mémoire du Paysage

Known for hosting fantastic art exhibitions all year round, here’s your chance to view the work of revered artist Joël Gangloff in the surroundings of the magnificent Abbaye d’Aulps in St Jean d’Aulps. Colourful, theatrical and with a nod to the beauty of the natural environment, the gallery is open each day for you to enjoy.

9th & 10th July

Downhill Kids Cup, Les Gets

Organised by the Vélo Club des Gets for children aged between 7 and 14 years, Saturday is for track recognisance followed by the actual race on Sunday, staged over two timed runs. There’ll be a prize-giving ceremony and prizes to win after the race. Contact contact@ veloclub-lesgets.com for registration details.

14th - 17 th July

Harley Days Festival, Morzine

Every other year the Harley Davidson Owners Group (HOG for short) descend on Morzine for their Bastille Day celebrations, bringing along around 10,000 prized motorbikes with them. There’ll be a huge, free rock concert featuring Status Quo in the centre of the village on the Saturday evening.

24th - 26th June

Pass’Portes du Soleil

One of the most famous mountain bike challenges in Europe, cover the 80km course across the entire Portes du Soleil in just one day using the summer lift network. Les Gets also hosts the accompanying mountain bike show this summer, featuring over 200 bike brands and an excellent atmosphere to boot. Discover more at en.passportesdusoleil.com

9th & 10th July

Avoriaz Yoga Festival, Avoriaz

Spent two days in nature, enjoying yoga workshops with like-minded people in an exceptional setting. Avoriaz hosts a number of renowned yoga teachers and experts during this unique weekend, which this year is themed around harmonisation of the soul through cosmic energy. Discover more at avoriaz.com

11th - 12th July Le Tour de France

As we may have mentioned elsewhere, Morzine hosts both a rest day and a stage start (stage 10 for your info!) of the most famous bike race in the world, under the gaze of billions of global cycling fans. Expect our village to be packed with pro-cycling teams, you may even spot your favourite rider on our local roads!

21st July Mountain Day, Avoriaz

This is a day dedicated to life in the mountains and is ummissable if you’re on holiday here. Celebrating the local craftsmen and women who’ve worked hard over generations, you’ll see behind the scenes at the farm and discover how your favourite alpine products come to life.

2nd - 3rd July

Spartan Race, Morzine

Morzine hosts 7000 spartans, all keen to tackle a range of punishing obstacles over varying distances. If you’re not taking part, this event is great for spectators too, as the course passes right through the centre of Morzine.

23rd & 24th July

Trail des Gets, Les Gets

Les Gets has some outstanding trail running and this event takes with stunning views towards Mont Blanc as you ascend Mont Chéry on one of three different distances - 11km, 21km or 35km. You’ll cross mountain pastures and tackle challenging ridge paths to make it to the finish line. Head to lesgets.com/traildesgets for more details.

6th August

Trail des Hauts-Forts

Taking in some of the most stunning views and challenging terrain in the Portes du Soleil, this trail running event isn’t for the fainthearted. There are four different trails to choose from, ranging from 23km to 50km in length and you can register in advance at traildeshautsforts.com

6th August

Feux du Lac

This huge firework spectacle returns to Lac de Montriond after a couple of COVID-induced cancellations. Settle in on the banks of the lake for a breathtaking display that echoes around the surrounding cliffs. This really is a breathtaking experience, celebrated across France with a party that continues late into the night.

20th to 27 th August

Avoriaz Dance Festival

One of the most lively classic dance festival sin Europe, this event plays host to a huge number of renowned and acclaimed dance teachers from across the globe. The event lasts for a full week and there’s a packed calendar of lessons, workshops and tutorials to help you improve your moves. Head to avoriaz.com for more details.

24th - 28th August

Les Gets is no stranger to the world mountain biking stage, having hosted MTB World Cup events in recent years. There are a number events on the programme during the World Champs, including cross country, cross country ‘short track’, E-MTB races and the ultimate, the individual downhill event, featuring the best mountain bikers in the world, on a course that’s been designed to test! Check out lesgets2022.com for the full race programme.

27 th August

Morzine-Montriond Triathlon

A triathlon for everyone! Join this friendly and rapidly-growing event which features several distances and even a kid’s race too! The route takes in some of your favourite spots on our valley, including the majestic Lac de Montriond for the swim. Discover more and register to take part at triathlon-morzine-montriond.com

10th & 11th September Alambike, Les Gets

Rounding off the summer season in style, Alambike is a team event where groups of between 4 and 8 riders compete to clock up as many kilometres as possible, lapping the 4.5km course designed for the MTB World Championships on Mont Chéry. The minimum age for this event is 16 years and you’ll be raising important funds for two local charities. Head to alambike.fr for more details.

UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, Les Gets

cover story

By RP Roberts

“I am really happy to be asked to create a summer cover, I've had such great feedback from people who picked up the Winter issue and got in touch asking about commissions and buying a print of the artwork.

I wanted to keep the style the same for this magazine cover, but bringing in the vibrant greens and warmer colours of the valley in the summer. The lush greens of the trees and fields and the warm summer sunsets for example.

The Vallee des Ardoisiere is a sublime landscape and it was very tricky to get the depth of the scene, trying to keep Morzine focal but still far at the end of the valley. Creating pieces in ink is always tricky, because if you mess up, the picture is in the bin, which is especially frustrating if you're getting towards the end of the drawing!

I’m currently working on a few private commissions for clients homes, whilst also working on some new snowboard and binding graphics for Jones Snowboards 23/24 season. I'm happy to also be creating some clothing graphics for Thirtytwo Snowboarding and Etnies, so I’m keeping busy, which is great!”

The art of RP Roberts can be viewed at rproberts.com, where you can also shop for one of the final print of our Winter 22 cover.

Your reaction to the custom artwork on the cover of our Winter 22 magazine was incredible. Discovering that you all love the work of RP Roberts as much as we do was very satisfying! And because all good things come in pairs, we asked the artists to create our Summer 22 cover too.

beers. burgers. bike wash.

BACK TO NATURE RETREATS

BESPOKE FOR BUSINESS RETREATS

The

you need an ice cold beer after a full day of sending Pleney main line, so they made it their mission to create the ultimate post ride pit stop for you this summer.

Open from 13.00 - 22.00 each day from 12th June and all summer long, you’ll discover a huge sunny beer garden, secure bike locks and the infamous Morzine food truck.

With a packed menu featuring everyone’s favourite loaded fries and homemade burgers, including the local favorite, the Jammy B*stard (a double patty smothered with delicious homemade bacon jam), there is no way they won’t fill that post ride hole in your stomach. The entire menu is available as a vegan alternative too. Pints are just €5 between 13.00 and17.00 and each Wednesday there’s a huge buffet BBQ. Everyone is welcome!

After you’ve downed that first drink, help your self to the free bike wash, or drop in to the in-house bike workshop run by the experts at Startline MTB. They are on hand for full suspension and fork servicing, E-bike, downhill and protective gear rental, or just for some friendly advice on how to get your ride running perfectly.

And on down days…

If the weather isn’t playing ball, you’ll also discover two pool tables, ping pong, bike films, video games and a relaxed, friendly vibe so you can chill indoors until the sun starts shining.

Les Dents Blanches sits just a three-minute ride from the bottom of the Pleney lift station and two minutes from the Super Morzine lift, just along the Route de la Plagne.

OUTDOOR COACHING EXPERIENCES

Caitlin

By Kieron Black

And so the seed for my children’s book The Goblin’s Blue Blanket was planted. I would like to say that I just sat down then and wrote the story and did the illustrations the day after but unfortunately, for me anyway, the creative process doesn’t work quite like that.

Truth be told, I had no idea how to write a children’s book. I had always kept a sketchbook / journal, and it was (and continues to be) bunged full of daft sketches and silly, half-baked ideas, all fine and grand but there is a vast chasm between that and a finished (never mind published) children’s book.

It was the winter of 2015/16 (the famously snowless one) that found myself, my wife Yulia and our

daughter Penny (owner of afore-mentioned rat) take up residence in the Rue Bidon in Morzine. Sick of lackluster Irish winters, we had rented a small chalet with its own bridge over the beautiful River Dranse, the comforting presence of the Pointe de Nyon visible always, and by the time the noise of the transfer bus engine had faded, we were in forever in love with Morzine.

And it was there, floating on chairlifts over the woods of Lindarets or bombing down Star Wars or after one too many Mutzig’s in Bar Robinson that I began to see goblins in the trees and suddenly the landscapes and details in my sketchbook gelled together into a story with a beginning, middle and end. The lead character Ogie and his annoying ginger cat Gerald

manifested themselves on my pages and so The Goblin’s Blue Blanket was born.

I remember sitting in Satellite Café sketching out a double page spread with Ogie and Gerald and chatting to a seasonaire waiting on his coffee. He suggested I show the sketches to his girlfriend who was an editor at a publishing house in Sheffield and then the next thing it’s 2018 and I have a book out.

It’s a great feeling, the accomplishment of getting something published. The Goblin's Blue Blanket did well, the story of Ogie and Gerald searching for a missing blanket beneath the vistas of the Portes du Soleil and I remember beginning to turn my attentions to book two in the series.

But then my mum died in the Autumn of 2019. Then Covid. Then my father drowned in the summer of 2020 in a terrible accident.

I forgot I was an author. I stopped illustrating. Lockdown was in full effect and I did my best to homeschool Penny and support Yulia but for a lot of that time I was either numb, crying, or self-medicating. I told myself to be done with travel and adventure and forget about places like Morzine.

But Morzine did not forget about me. As Covid began its second year, I got a message from a good friend in Morzine asking how I was and could I tell her how Ogie and Gerald were getting along as her friend’s young son Elliandé was a huge fan and couldn’t wait for the next goblin adventure.

‘Who’s Ogie and Gerald?’ I asked, bewildered. My friend reminded me that I had a book out.

Wow. I had needed to be reminded that I was a published author. How much else of me had I forgotten? It took a week or seven, but I made myself cut down on the self-medication. I don’t remember when it was that I picked up a pencil again but I do remember that it was for Elliandé. I wrote and drew a four-page comic just for him and sent it over. He loved it. I loved that he loved it.

More stories came. But what to do with them? My publishing house, still reeling from Covid, couldn’t help me. On advice from a friend I set up a patreon account and got some sponsors. I began telling a new story, ‘Gerald The Annoying’ on my patreon page. Soon an animation company in Belfast heard about it and we got talking and as I write we are putting together a ‘one sheet’ Ogie and Gerald animated series proposal for the European summer film fairs.

And yes, we did make it back to Morzine. Gritting our teeth against a storm of passenger locator forms, pass sanitaires, red-list country amendments and q-tips scraping at our tonsils we managed to once again hear the roar of the Dranse echoing under the dark flanks of the Pointe du Nyon. Of course we did. We’ve friends here, family, mountains, peace, beauty... and goblins.

The Goblin’s Blue Blanket is available online on all major retail platforms.To see Gerald The Annoying come to life and share exclusive insights and inspirations go to patreon.com/kieronblack or follow The Art of Kieron Black on fb or kieronblackart on insta.

...floating on chairlifts over the woods of Lindarets or bombing down Star Wars or after one too many Mutzig’s in Bar Robinson that I began to see goblins in the trees and suddenly the landscapes and details in my sketchbook gelled together...

-

When it comes to buying new kit for your family holidays, we’re a firm believer in the concept of less is more. There are endless options available to keep small people entertained during travel, but you absolutely do not need everything, especially if you’re heading for the mountains. Here’s a few things we’ve invested in as a family this summer and we’d love to hear your kit ideas too! You can send them to hello@morzinesourcemagazine.com.

Ideal for little ones who want to ride their bikes all day, this is a comfortable and easy to wear shoe option that makes the perfect first dedicated bike shoe. The outsole is Sticki Rubber, which is robust and includes abrasion resistance, so they won’t get all scuffed up and messy after one ride. The 3D Airmesh keeps little feet cool and the Velcro straps come in handy too.

Pogs is a ‘kids-only’ headphones brand dedicated to making products that grow with children and last a long time. They feature technology that allows two sets of headphones to be joined together for interactive play in pairs, reducing the social isolation often associated with kids on devices wearing headphones. They’re produced with a zero-waste production process, feature lots of recycled plastics and 10% of company profits are used to plant trees. We love ‘The Elephant’ version as it has a wrinkled texture akin to elephant ski, there’s a SafeSound volume limit, a QuickSafe cable with built-in microphone and an adjustable band to grow with your small people.

We’ve recently discovered the joy of watching the ski at night and our children can’t get enough of spotting far-off planets, shooting stars and meteor showers. Thanks to reduced light pollution, the mountains are a great place gaze up and this fine telescope will help you do the job. It’s capable and powerful enough to locate deep-sky objects and the detail on the face of the moon will blow your mind. The floor-standing mount is light-weight, making it easy to move around and the instruments are very easy to set up, even for beginners.

Gadgets for your four-legged

are as

as

them. This multifunctional outdoor dog bowl by dedicated Finnish pet brand Wolly Wolf unfolds to become two individual water-proof

but that’s OK

that are plenty big enough for food and water. Pair it with the snack bag, which features a handy drawstring closure. Both the bowl and the snack bag come with a lightweight Duraflex clip to attach them to your belt or bag while your adventures continue.

this one's for the biggest kids in your

but you never knew you needed a kindling cracker, until you’ve tried using a kindling cracker. Perfect for getting the summer bonfire blazing, charging up the pizza oven or for a warming wood fire during the winter, this

makes splitting wood safety, easier and faster. Made of solid cast iron, there’s a splitting edge

inside a safety ring, well away from your fingers. Place a log within the ring, tap it with a hammer (or another log) and perfectly formed kindling falls to the floor. This device will last forever and we also love that it was invented (and patented) by a 13-year-old as part of a school science project.

Kindling

Woodland

Chalet Roc

One of only a handful of detached chalets in central Morzine, Chalet Roc has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, outdoor (under balcony) hot tub, full digital entertainment (Netflix, Freeview, Spotify Premium, Playstation, French TV, wifi), and a modern log burning fireplace. Only a short walk from the restaurants and bars in town and both cable cars. Mention Morzine Source for a discount!

CHALETROC.COM

+44 (0) 7887 551 921

reservations@chaletroc.com

Ride & Breakfast Chalet

The R&B Chalet has a total capacity of 18 guests with 6 en-suite bedrooms (3 doubles & 3 quadruples), making it perfect for large groups of friends, family or corporate gatherings. You’ll discover a jacuzzi, BBQ and garden with beautiful views too.

Chalet Pleney

A ski-in, ski-out chalet right on the Pleney piste, just 5 minutes walk from the centre of Morzine. Thoughtfully designed for winter holidays with modern features to fulfil all your ski holiday wishes. This luxurious chalet has 9 en-suite bedrooms which can sleep 25 people. The spacious open plan lounge and dining area has a log fire and large picture windows offering spectacular views.

rideandbreakfast.com +33 (0) 6 07 45 35 18 / +33 (0) 6 11 04 28 58 contact@rideandbreakfast.com

woodlandschalets.com/chalet-pleney +33 (0) 7 68 97 59 20 info@woodlandschalets.com

La Desmeuniere

A beautiful 18th century farmhouse with traditional features and character. High ceilings and a spacious lounge with log fire makes the perfect ambiance of a classic alpine ski chalet. The 8 en-suite bedrooms sleep 21 people. There is a sauna and outdoor hot tub, which is the perfect place enjoy a glass of bubbly. The open plan kitchen allows you to take a sneak peek at what the chef is preparing.

woodlandschalets.com/la-desmeuniere +33 (0) 7 68 97 59 20

info@woodlandschalets.com

La Source

A gorgeous family owned chalet on the sunny side of the valley offering bespoke holidays for families and groups alike. Drink in the view along with champagne in the outdoor hot tub and enjoy apres ski in the unique glass-floored bar. Catered or self catered and private driver all available in this luxury Morzine hideaway just a short walk from the centre of town.

lasourcemorzine.com +44 (0) 7799 472 139 lucy@lasourcemorzine.com

Skiology Catered Chalets

Catered Chalets with a passion for good food, service with care, delivered sustainably. Our 8 and 14 bed chalets are located close to the lifts with free in resort concierge service. Discover our foodie menu this summer with unlimited Paul Boyer wine.

skiology.co.uk/morzine-summer-chalets +44 (0) 207 183 0688 stay@skiology.co.uk

Alptitude Chalets

A great portfolio of self-catering chalets and apartments sleeping from 4 - 13 guests. A choice of central village locations, and more peaceful locations away from the hustle and bustle. From comfortable to more luxurious all at great value. We provide a unique, personal service which is second to none and perfectly efficient from enquiry to departure. All clients also benefit from discounted lift passes, airport transfers and ski hire.

alptitude.com

+44 (0) 7891 021 292 info@alptitude.com

Chalet Fourmiliere

Originally an 1805 traditional farmhouse, La Fourmiliere has been re-imagined into a stunning English country house in the midst of the mountains, complete with the biggest fireplace in Morzine! Cosseted by luxurious comfort, delicious food, fabulous wines, a great bar and a vintage Land Rover to ferry you to the slopes, our mission is to make your winter holiday simply the best!

chaletfourmiliere.com +33 (0) 7 71 28 71 11 hello@chaletfourmiliere.com

Panther Snow Co

We have two luxury self-catered properties available for rent winter and summer in the Portes du Soleil. These consist of one luxury chalet in the charming hamlet of Essert Romand, Chalet Aix (sleeps 8) and one high-end new apartment in Morzine town itself, Marmottiere (sleeps 8+2). Please see our website or call Richard for further details.

panthersnowco.com +44 (0) 7836 611 076 info@panthersnowco.com

Morzine Retreats

Chalet Le Cabri with stunning views across Morzine, 5 beautiful en-suites, sleeping up to 12 people. Relax in the jacuzzi after a great day skiing, easy access to the slopes and town. We offer flexible catering in winter. Established company with 20 years in Morzine. Situated in a quiet area yet close to all amenities. Owner operated.

morzine-retreats.com

+33 (0) 6 30 79 55 15

info@morzine-retreats.com

Elevation Alps

Luxury self catered chalets in Morzine for ski and summer holidays. We have over 30 chalets and apartments in central Morzine with hot tubs, saunas and ski-in, ski-out locations. Add our concierge services to personalise your stay, such as private chefs, transfers, wine and grocery deliveries and lift passes.

elevationalps.com +33 (0) 6 50 26 70 95 kath@elevationalps.com

Simply Morzine

Family-run Simply Morzine are THE original Morzine specialists, offering truly unique winter and summer holidays since 1995. Shortlisted as ‘Best Chalet Company’ by the Telegraph, Simply Morzine boast chalets and apartments in the centre of Morzine, plus a piste-side French hotel with swimming pool. In the summer, Simply Morzine provide brilliant family alpine adventure holidays.

simply-morzine.co.uk +44 (0) 1664 568 902 info@simply-morzine.co.uk

Apex Morzine

Apex offers comfortable, relaxed accommodation in a renovated 180 year old farmhouse, close to Super Morzine lift and town centre. Choose from either our 2 bedroom self-catering apartment available on a weekly basis, (Saturday changeovers), or B&B in 5 en-suite bedrooms, with flexible arrival days. Minimum stay 3 nights. Free WIFI. Open winter and summer.

apexmorzine.com

+33 (0) 4 50 74 65 49

apexgroup@free.fr

Our guesthouse is a great halfway stop on the way to the Alps. It is ideally located 5 minutes away from the A26 motorway in a quiet village of the Champagne region. We have 5 bedrooms, 1 cottage and a heated outdoor pool. We offer you the possibility to enjoy our home-cooked evening menu which is prepared with local products.

villadelacroix.com +33 (0) 6 95 72 70 04 contact@villadelacroix.com

45 Degrees North

45 Degrees North is a family-run business based in Morzine and we have been offering cycling and skiing/ snowboarding holidays here for 5 years. At our chalets, we aim to provide a warm, welcoming and relaxed environment for your holiday where it feels like a home away from home.

45degreesnorth.co.uk +33 (0) 7 69 44 52 69 hello@45degreesnorth.co.uk

Hotel du Lac

Your adventure starts here. Nestled on the shores of Lac de Montriond, we offer an extra special destination hotel for those looking for something different.With over 40 different activities on our doorstep, contemporary, flexible, en-suite bedrooms and a lively cocktail bar and restaurant for you to enjoy, Hotel du Lac is one of the best kept secrets in the Alps. We look forward to meeting you.

lacdemontriond.com

+33 (0) 6 03 56 85 05 info@lacdemontriond.com

Les Dents Blanches

Right in the heart of Morzine, Les Dents Blanches offers an affordable option for both summer and winter in twin, triple or dorm rooms. A bike hub in the summer with an epic beer garden and less than 10 minutes walk from the Super Morzine lift, you’ll find a warm welcome and sociable atmosphere, making Les Dents Blanches an easy and affordable way to enjoy Morzine with your mates.

stayhideout.com

+33 (0) 7 68 63 48 21 info@stayhideout.com

Treeline Chalets

Award winning chalet company in Morzine with a range of catered, flexi-catered and self-catered properties. From 2 bed apartments to 6 bed luxury chalets, we have a large portfolio to suit all group sizes and budgets. With a friendly team full of local knowledge, we are here to help from the moment you book so you can really make the most of your time in Morzine.

treelinechalets.com +44 (0) 1483 220 505 info@treelinechalets.com

Villa de la Croix

Avoriaz Holidays and Avoriaz Premium offer all you need to plan a perfect holiday in the Portes du Soleil’s highest ski resort. All properties are ski-in, ski-out, bed linen is included (breakfast delivery included with Avoriaz Premium), and we arrange discounts on ski passes and equipment rental on your behalf. Here are a selection of our properties:

Chalets Hauts Forts

NEW in Avoriaz! Located in the oldest neighbourhood of Avoriaz, facing the Dromonts Hotel, discover these 2 incredible chalets. Modern, spacious and designed with high quality materials, the chalets have a capacity for 11 and 13 guests. Built in a traditional ‘alpine’ style but with all the perks of a new build, they will make you feel settled in and relaxed from the moment you walk in. Rental from 5 270€ per week.

Chalet Aspen

NEW in Avoriaz! An exceptional modern alpine living space set in a prime central location. Designed in Jean Michel Villot's iconic architectural style, upon which Avoriaz is typically built. Chalet Aspen is comprised of 5 luxury-grade triplex apartments each able to accommodate 10 to 14 people, with quality interior design and decor and 400 m2 of shared basement space dedicated to spa, heated pool and ski room. There is also a fitness room and a massage room. Apartments available to buy or for rent from 5 500€ per week.

Saskia Apartment

Located on the 4th floor of the Saskia Residence in the Falaise area, this apartment sleeps 6 people in comfortable rooms. There’s 1 double bedroom, a bunk room and a sofa-bed in the lounge. Facilities include beds made before arrival, WIFI, TV, kitchen with microwave, fridge and dishwasher. The south-west facing balcony offers stunning views! From 1 366€ per week.

Residence Kouria

This beautiful, uber-modern apartment sleeps 10 people in 5 bedrooms. It has its own private lift, a beautiful living room with a large fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen. Other features include heated boot warmers, laundry room, access to an indoor swimming pool, hammam, sauna and beautiful south facing balconies. From 4 800€ per week.

Chalet Alaya

Amazing 16 berth 340 m2 chalet on 3 floors located in the Ruches area of the resort. With an extension built in 2017, this large chalet has high-end furniture; home cinema, sauna, two living rooms, fire place and 8 bedrooms. Thanks to its central location and comfort, the chalet is ideal for a perfect stay. To buy or for rent from 8 000€ per week.

a selection of avoriaz accommodation from avoriaz-holidays.com | +33 (0)4 50 74 16 08

subscriber? are you a

A few years back, by popular demand, we launched a magazine subscription service for those of you who like to get your Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz fix before your actual holiday. And who can blame you? With so much going on in our villages, it’s exciting to stay up to date with your favourite resorts from the comfort of your own living room.

Twice a year, a few days in a advance of our publication date, we dispatch a huge pile of magazines to our list of subscribers. And because they’re posted from the UK, they often land on your doormat before they arrive here in Morzine! We also send dedicated monthly e-mails to our subscribers, including extra information on resort developments, behind the scenes information and more, making us one big mountain-loving family.

If you’d like us to post you a copy of this magazine, you can subscribe at morzinesourcemagazine/shop. It’s just €15 for two issues and they’ll arrive automatically. They make the perfect gift for family and friends who love our resorts as much as you do!

Refuging

refuge: [ref-yooj]

noun: a place of shelter, protection or safety verb: ref-ug-ing, to take refuge

Refuge de Tinderet

By Gaby Thompson of Komoot

You’re imagining hard, treacherous uphill hikes to a windswept stone hut in the middle of nowhere, admit it. And who’d want to do that? Staying overnight at a mountain refuge is for those people who take extreme hiking holidays without children, non? People who love a challenge; people who like heights and cold weather. Other people.

What if we told you there’s a great selection of easy-access, warm and cosy refuges in our valley that, come nightfall, become the perfect base for a fun family adventure that everyone will love? Don’t just take our word for it…

“On the 20th of July 2021, our little boy, Jasper, turned two years old. We wanted to celebrate by going on a little adventure that he would enjoy. As a family, we have always had a fondness for mountain huts. We often go on day hikes to refuges as a way of exploring the area, and it always feels special when you find a hut in the middle of nowhere that serves up tasty food and hot chocolate, more often than not in a bowl!

Last summer Jasper’s birthday fell on a Tuesday, which was a school day for our daughter, so we didn't set off on the hike until early evening. But the hut we had chosen - Le Refuge de Tideret - was ideal, as the hike is only an hour from the car park, perfect for little legs.

The best thing about huts is that you can travel light because a lot of things are provided for you. We packed down jackets, warm trousers and hats for the evening as temperatures in the Alps drop quickly once the sun starts to set. Toothbrushes, pyjamas and head torches

are all necessities because one of the special things about the refuge is that there is no mains electricity, instead after dark you can only see by candlelight.

To get to the refuge we parked by Lac des Plagnes, which in itself is a stunning place to visit and offers a flat walk around the lake, where there is also a marked parking area. From the starting point here you can follow a winding, gravel path which is signposted. In the beginning, you walk alongside a small river through open fields with a wide view of the mountains surrounding the refuge. You can see some of the highest peaks in the area towering up above, including the Petite Point du Piron at 2120m. The path then turns into a singletrack hiking trail where you weave your way up through the trees the rest of the way until you reach an opening where the quaint refuge sits.

On the way up we saw hikers heading home after a full day's outing. The kids were so excited as we were on our way up, and for

them it was the first time that they would be sleeping on the mountain in a refuge.

When we arrived at the hut the sun was just starting to sit low in the sky and we were surrounded by the most magical, hazy light. There were already a few other groups there, sat around outside taking in the view, with some other children playing with sticks on the grass. The guardians showed us where we would be sleeping - in the Petit Chalet, a small, separate chalet perched on a grassy bank. The little hut sleeps a maximum of 10 and has its own kitchen set up including a kettle which you can fill up from the trough outside. It’s the perfect size for a family or group of friends. The kids ran in and chose where they wanted to sleep and got their beds set up for the night.

After the hike we were hungry, so went outside where a table was already laid for us with cutlery and small placemats. The guardian came out with a huge dish full of streaming hot croziflette, a local twist on the better-known tartiflette, made with miniature

pasta instead of potatoes, and some local sausages. This is really hearty mountain food for when you have spent the day outdoors. For dessert, we had a small chocolate pot. When Jasper’s came he was so excited to see that he had candles and everyone at the hut joined in singing him a happy birthday.

After dinner the other children sleeping at the refuge all gathered around the bonfire for camp stories about the local animals, the marmots, chamois and wolves. Slowly after a few stories and some camp songs everyone started to move inside and head off to bed, we did the same. The huts were warm and cosy and everyone slept well with full stomachs and weary legs.

We woke as the sun came up and could hear the faint sounds of people walking around outside. We wrapped up and sat at one of the tables outside. We were given hot tea and coffee to drink whilst the kids ran around and played, then all had fresh bread and jam for breakfast before setting off on our hike back down.

We packed up our bags, but the kids wanted to stay in their pyjamas and since it was a warm day we let them. We were back in Morzine by 9am. We had only been away for a short time and hadn’t travelled far from home but it felt like we had been on a big adventure.”

in the centre of Morzine

for lunch and dinner

Gaby recorded Jasper’s birthday adventure on the Komoot adventure app, scan this QR code to see the journey and learn about other local hikes, bike rides or runs. You can also customise your own adventures and plan your route using the app.

DADDY’S

Refuge L’Abricotine

By Hamish Henderson (age six)

“Each year my Daddy says ‘don’t make a fuss’ on his birthday, but this year we made a big one. I’m lucky because he’s friends with all my best friends parents, so when we made this plan, I knew I’d have the best time too!

My little brother Monty (he’s three) only just learned to ski this winter, so when I heard we were skiing to a refuge in the mountains to stay overnight, I was worried about how he’d get there. We left home in the middle of the afternoon, left our car in the Ardent carpark and took the Telecabine up to Lindarets. From there we took the Lechere chairlift and I was happy that the piste to the refuge was an easy blue and Monty was happy too. We were there in no time!

It was still early when we arrived at the Refuge L’Abricotine but Gerard and Benjamin took our bags and we skied on; I was really excited to do some runs with my friends so we headed up the Brochaux chairlift. The sun was shining (Daddy’s birthday is in April, phew) and as we skied back to the refuge, we were very excited that this would be our home for the night. I

mean we’ve all had lots of sleepovers, but we’ve never skied there!

As the parents busied themselves drinking beer, pink wine, sunbathing and taking selfies, my friends and I explored our bedroom for the night. There were 26 beds in one big room… we’d never seen anything like it. We played by the stream, made a snow/slush man and entertained the refuge dog until it got a little bit cold and we noticed that the ski lifts had stopped moving. As it grew dark, the piste bashers gathered outside and Benjamin served our all-time favourite dinner. You guessed it, chicken nuggets and chips.

We didn’t even need to get changed for bed as we were all sleeping in our base layers, and I’m not sure if I brushed my teeth actually. This was handy for the parents, who were getting stuck into a dinner which featured a big plate of meat, several of those half moon cheeses (racelette I think) and lots and lots of red wine. They were so loud, we could barely hear ourselves swapping Pokemon cards and discussing who was sleeping where.

I’m pleased to tell you that the parents weren’t so loud in the morning when we all sat down for one huge breakfast. I loved the homemade jams, Monty ate all the ham (sorry guys) and there was plenty of delicious food for everyone. Obviously it only took two minutes to pack up as we didn’t really take anything with us, and we all skied off into the sunshine. Happy birthday Daddy, same again next year?

I really would recommend staying in a mountain refuge with friends as I had the best time. L’Abricotine is easy to get too, there’s lots of space for everyone and it feels very exciting to stay in the mountains at night; the stars were so bright!”

You’ll find the family-run Refuge L’Abricotine at the bottom of the Brochaux and Mossettes ski lifts, it’s the one with the orange deck chairs. It’s open daily during the winter and summer seasons as a restaurant and is available for small and large groups to prebook as an overnight refuge too.

Bostan

Overnighter

Bikes

It’s often said that there’s nothing like a new bit of fitness

to keep you motivated, so if you’re looking for inspiration this summer, here’s

round-up of

This rugged, connected GPS watch is tough enough to follow you anywhere and comes in two different sizes to fit every wrist. Packed with features including smart notifications, a 21-day battery life while in smartwatch mode, over 30 built-in sports apps and 24/7 health tracking, we’re not sure what more a watch could do to be honest. It’s even water resistant to 100 metres and is shock and heat resistant. Our favourite feature is the ‘Body Age’ function, which calibrates your actual age, your weekly activities, your resting heart rate and your BMI to

body is older or younger than you.

Once upon a time I embarrassingly told local ultra runner Edwina Sutton that I’d purchased a new pair of trail trainers because they looked pretty. “You’ve got to want to put them on,” she rationalised, and that’s why this summer I’ll be running in these Asics beauts! The outsole is incredibly grippy, even on those wet morning trails and although the heel support isn’t as firm as my old Saucony Peregrines, the mid-sole is very bouncy and forgiving. They make the perfect summer trail trainer!

bad weather, nothing is more likely to halt a fun

in the mountains than a dose of dehydration. And let’s face it, drinking enough water while you’re having lots of fun can be tricky. Pop one of these High 5 zero calorie tablets into your water bottle each morning to replace all those vital minerals with key electrolytes, sodium and magnesium, setting you up for a sweaty day on the trails. You’ll find 20 tablets in each tube, which slides easily into your back pack. High 5 tablets are suitable for vegetarians, they really do help to reduce tiredness

they taste great too.

I know, there are no shortage of ‘nutritious, delicious smoothie’ subscription services for you to choose from, honestly the list is endless. Yet, if you’re a generally heathy person with a balanced diet, it can be hard to find a specific solution that suits you. At Kencko you can tailor your own daily dose of fruits or vegetables to compliment the rest of your life. Delivered as individually portioned powder sachets, each serving includes 2.5 portions of fruit or vegetables, delivered in (very pretty) sustainable packaging each month.

Props to anyone who can work out or run using ear buds without the anxiety of losing one (or both); ear hooks are the only way forward for me! These Beats By Dre options are made for movement and are adjustable for those of us with smaller-than-the-average ears. And they do not move, at all, even when you’re proper sweaty. You get more than nine hours of listening time from one charge, there’s a five-minute ‘fast fuel’ option, generating an hour and a half of play for those times when you forgot to plug them in. You can also use the ‘Find My’ app on your phone, should you manage to lose one (or both) of them.

Kencko

By Amie Henderson

As our regular readers will know, we’ve been tackling the uncomfortable truth that our snowline is retreating and our mountain villages are getting warmer for quite a few years now.

As a supporter of Montagne Verte, our valley’s campaign dedicated to creating awareness of climate change and driving down our carbon emissions, we’re able to bring you opinions from experts on how the winter sports industry is changing, and science from those who’ve been watching this change for decades. But what is everyone actually doing about it?

Between 52% and 57% of the carbon produced by your holiday in the mountains can be attributed to your actual travel. Your car journey to the airport combined with your flight and then your transfer up to your holiday accommodation generates more carbon than the rest of your holiday put together. The equipment you use, its manufacture, the turning of the ski lifts, the preparation of the trails, the heating in your chalet, the food miles on the meals you eat; all of these things combined generate less carbon than your return journey to the mountains, which gives the team at Montagne Verte a

advantages of journeying to the mountains by train are plentiful; airports are incredibly stressful places these days, especially if you’re travelling with children. Boarding a train at St Pancras in London with a simple change in Paris is a far more tranquil way to travel. Since the pandemic, air travel has also become overwhelmingly expensive, especially when you factor in your baggage, skis or bikes. Rail travel in Europe is far more affordable and reliable than in the UK, so you’re likely to find comparable prices between rail travel and air travel. And then there’s the carbon. Your travel emissions can be up to 80% lower by choosing

in the future, and of course the pandemic hasn’t helped progress! But we’re excited and motivated to see skiers, mountain bikers, families and all those who love our mountains choosing to take the train in the not too distant future.”

The AlpineExpress Pass is a hugely successful initiative to reward those who travel to our villages by train. “We understand that taking the train isn’t always the cheapest or the quickest way to travel right now,” Alice explains. “The AlpineExpress Pass is a collection of exclusive in-resort discounts that

huge opportunity to reduce a staggering volume of carbon emissions.

Say hello to the AlpineExpress Pass, a bold and innovative campaign which hopes to revolutionise travel to the mountains by rewarding those who travel here by train. The

the train over the plane. I’m convinced, and so is Montagne Verte’s Alice de Chilly. “We’ve been looking at the advantages of rail travel for quite a while now,” Alice explains. “And there are some exciting opportunities out there to bring skiers much closer to our resorts than ever before. I think we’ll see this

save holiday makers real money, balancing out any higher costs associated by taking the train.” But what are the discounts? A range of local accommodation providers, from catered chalet companies to hotels, are offering price reductions ranging from 5% to 10%, giving you the chance to save a lot of

money on your next holiday if you elect to travel by train. You can also save between 5% and 10% on ski or snowboard lessons in the winter and mountain bike lessons and guiding during the summer months, in addition to reductions on kit and equipment with local rental companies. Restaurants, bars and cafes have joined the initiative, serving up complimentary drinks and bill reductions of up to 10%, whilst all those other extras that you know and love during your holiday, such as massages, beauty treatments, yoga and pilates also come with discounts too. Train travel never looked so good.

Lorna Endsor of self-catered accommodation company MountainXtra is just one of several local businesses supporting the AlpineExpress Pass. “The average temperature in the Alps has risen by almost twice the global average; that’s over two degrees!” Lorna explains. “For those of us who love the mountains, raise our family here and welcome guests each summer and winter, climate change is a very concerning reality. We’re delighted to offer a 10% discount on accommodation during a selection of holiday dates to those who travel here by train.”

At Hôtel & Spa Le Dahu in Morzine, the Heu family have been passionate about tacking the impact of climate change for generations and so became founding members of Montagne

train. “Air travel has become more expensive, but in reality, it will rarely be less expensive to take the train for your winter or summer holiday,” Sophie believes.

“We hope these discounts will help tourists to offset any additional costs while also staying with local businesses who really want to make a difference. With the AlpineExpress Pass, Morzine and our valley demonstrate that change is necessary and is possible with combined action.”

But how does the train journey work? snowcarbon.co.uk is the best place to search for your options, which all begin at London St Pancras. As an example, between 1st November and 30th April each year you can take a 9.22am Eurostar to Paris Nord, arriving at 12.47pm. A simple transfer to Paris Lyon takes around 30 minutes before boarding the 2.18pm TVG to Bellegarde. This is a stunning journey through rural France before climbing up into the mountains. From Bellegarde there’s a short 10-15 minute wait (usually on the same platform) before joining the local train service to Cluses.

Here, a local transport company can meet your arriving train at 6.52pm, delivering you to your accommodation just in time for dinner, smug in the knowledge that you’ve saved the planet from a whole heap of carbon emissions whilst feeling calm, having entirely avoided an airport.

Verte. Those travelling to Morzine by train enjoy a 10% discount in their spa and restaurant and a 5% reduction on their luxury 4* hotel bedrooms, which manager Sophie Heu hopes will be a compelling reason to travel by

You can discover more about the AlpineExpress Pass and the long list of discounts available to train travellers, plus the work of Montagne Verte at montagnevertemorzine.com

ON

life's pleasures

By Natalie Elvy

I’ve just started reading a book called ‘4000 Weeks’ by Oliver Burkeman. This is the time a person, lucky enough to live until they are 80 years old, has on earth. Maths whizz that I am, it didn’t take me long to calculate that I’ve already lived more than 2000 weeks, and more than 500 of them have been in the Vallee d’Aulps. Living full time in such a beautiful area, where visitors spend a small fortune for one or two weeks on holiday, I should be appreciating every second. But somewhere between now and 500 weeks ago, I stopped noticing the mountains, rivers and and awesomeness of here, and got used to it. Being confronted by just how short each of our turns on earth are, I started to wonder how to hold onto life’s pleasures for longer, rather than being so quick to take all the good stuff for granted.

Watching my dog, Scout, it occurred to me that she never takes anything for granted. Every morning she cannot believe her luck at being alive, trembling with anticipation and bouncing at the thought of croquettes or breakfast and going outside for a run. She’s 12 years old (84 in dog years) and no matter how mundane her life might be, she doesn’t tire of the good bits. Compare that to our so-called superior species, who quickly tire of routines and daily grinds and constantly strive to better ourselves. Yet no matter how much we progress, and how much better our lives may be thanks to this progress, it’s rare to see a grown-up person getting as much obvious joy out of life as a dog chasing a ball.

Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, writer of ‘The How of Happiness’, is astounded at the speed people become accustomed to new things - and start to feel entitled to the positives. It is apparently down to a phenomenon called ‘hedonic adaptation’ (also known as the ‘hedonic treadmill’) which is the process that

gradually dilutes our immediate reactions to events, and re-adjusts us to accept a ‘new normal’ to keep us striving for the next thing. I can relate to this. Once upon a time, elbow-deep in burning water with bits of other people’s un-eaten food sliding over my fingers, I fantasised about becoming a dishwasher owner. At last, I bought one. It lived up to my expectations for about a week. Then I got sensitive about what could go in it, how it should be loaded and when it could be turned on; the usual dishwasher owner pettiness, none of which I had worried about beforehand. Never would I go so far as to say I was happier without it, but my initial joy has certainly been tempered by the challenges I’ve been confronted with since I got it!

From an evolution-of-the-species perspective, this constant adaptation provokes us to continually strive and progress, stopping us falling into complacency. Sadly, it’s less good for our individual pursuit of everlasting happiness, because every time we think we’ve found what will make us a bit ‘whole-er’, we adapt to it, and promptly start looking for something else. It’s a disappointing life lesson that few things live up to our expectations. Considered in reverse however, it is in fact quite comforting. Knowing that how we feel about a set-back or disaster at this moment is rarely how we’ll feel about it in two weeks - or months, or years - can help us face challenges with more resilience, and be a coping strategy when bad things, or negative emotions, happen.

When it comes to the good stuff, the stuff we want to keep getting pleasure from, Lyubomirsky suggests that some baskets are better for storing your happiness eggs than others. She highlights the COVID-19 pandemic; we have just lived through one of the optimum ways to remind ourselves to take nothing for granted. The lockdowns and restrictions were a collective reminder of privileges many of us may have been guilty of feeling entitled to; seeing smiles, hugs with family and friends, being able to take care of vulnerable people and having the right to visit, celebrate, commemorate and live how and when we want. While those restrictions were not optional, purposely limiting ourselves to sources of happiness, or imagining that it could be the ‘last time’, are both methods of safeguarding value, emphasising that bitter-sweet balance of existing and helping us treasure moments. Lyubomirsky also recommends prioritising your ‘good stuff’; rather than keeping-up-with-theJoneses and aspiring for a new car, house or dishwasher, aspire for interactions with friends, family and pets, and experiences that remind you you’re alive. Anything that is not constant is difficult to adapt to, get used to and take for granted.

Oliver Burkeman’s objective when writing ‘4000 Weeks’ was to highlight that every experience we have is at the expense of another one; we cannot possibly ‘do it all’ because we don’t have the time. If you’ve chosen to spend one or two of your precious weeks here, rest assured that you’re probably spending them wisely. It is true that we seldom see grown ups as happy as dogs chasing balls, but the on the rare occasions when I have, they are often skiing, biking, rafting, or exploring their limits, whatever they may be. And there are few places better to do that than the Vallee d’Aulps.

Sue Neal

Local Artist

Ranging from highly detailed ski and animal portraits to large scale contemporary canvases inspired by nature and the surrounding mountains, Sue is based between Morzine and Scotland’s Clyde Valley. She has a number of exhibitions in Morzine and Scotland 2022 and is available for commissions in both locations.

Art Class

Both studio and field based, and art retreats at various locations around the world

To commission a piece of art, contact Sue Neal on

(0)6

Natalie and her husband Jeremy run Frogs Rafting, a local adventure company. Discover more: frogsrafting.com

By Amie Henderson

Those of us who’ve watched Charlie on TV for many years know that he’s well qualified to answer this question. Having hosted several engaging TV shows such as Building a New Life in the Country for Channel 5, Homes by the Sea on More4 and Dreamspaces for the BBC to name just a few, Charlie is known for inspiring self-builders to follow their dreams and also for incorporating environmental processes into their design. He founded Charlie Luxton Design in 2005 to offer a thoughtful and sustainable approach to architecture.

“If you asked me, what do I try to design into a home to make people happy, that’s a different question!” Indeed it’s true, the concept of a home is different things to different people and the definition has changed enormously in recent times. “Homes now are about light, space, warmth and storage. I’m obsessed with storage, clutter makes me anxious and unsettled”, Charlie explains. “I’m also obsessed by healthy homes, free of hot and cold spots with lots of insulation to induce a calmness. These things create a much more comfortable space to live.”

Admit it, watching ‘Building the Dream’, which first aired on More4 in 2013 and includes over 90 episodes following self-builders creating their affordable dream homes, made you wonder ‘Can I do that? Can I build my own home?’ But how easy is a self-build project >>

“A good home is something that makes you smile as you walk up to the front door,” architectural designer and television presenter Charlie Luxton answers, when I ask him what makers a good home. “A good home is a place that makes you happy,” he continues.

now that labour and material costs are eye-wateringly expensive? “ People will need to be a lot more prepared these days,” Charlie tells me. “Work out what your realistic costs are, do your homework before you start committing financially and emotionally to a project,” he continues. “The fact is, if you’re buying a house from a developer, they’ve whacked 20-30% onto your purchase price to cover their marketing costs, profit, etc. Self-building is still cheaper than buying a new build, but you need to be really well prepared when it comes to costs.” Ah, the budget; the less glamorous side of a self-build. “This unprecedented era of cheap energy and material costs is coming to an end, so we need to be more careful with our resources when building. We need to insulate better out of necessity rather than just for a planetary perspective.”

The struggle between budget and design plays out in each episode of Building the Dream, but are sacrifices always inevitable? “Self-builders need to ask themselves what personal, short-term sacrifices they’re prepared to make. Will they really live in a crappy, damp caravan for three to four years? Because that’s how long self-building can realistically take.” The series often showcases projects where design services were relegated to save the budget and we watch Charlie squirm. “Paying attention to the final design will be some of the best money you ever spend on a self-build,” believes Charlie. “Good design is really invaluable in terms of getting the final space you want, planning in efficiencies and controlling costs. A lot of people think that if they spend money on architectural services, they’ll have less to spend on their bathroom finishes,” Charlie continues. “Of course I would say this, I run a design studio that designs people’s homes, but really, quality design avoids all number of cockups that might ruin the whole process for you.”

Charlie has spoken at length about doing less, better when it comes to designing homes and we talk about some of the enormous homes I’ve seen built in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz in the last couple of years. Does he think his message to prioritise quality spaces over the quantity of spaces is beginning to resonate? “It’s a binary thing,” he believes. “There’s always a self-builder who builds really big for the sake of it. They think that’s good design. Interestingly, at the end of a project, it’s often the smaller, well-designed home with interesting architectural features that achieve a better valuation per square metre when compared to a larger, massivefor-the-sake-of-it home. And imagine the energy costs… It’s my core mantra. Do less, better.”

“I’m obsessed with storage, clutter makes me anxious and unsettled ”

© Sandra Van Aalst

© Sandra Van Aalst

© Mark Bolton

©

After the jostle between design and budget comes the balance between aesthetics and sustainability. “The two must go hand in hand,” Charlie explains. “If you build an ugly but sustainable building, then you’ve failed, just as much as if you created a beautiful but unsustainable home.” But what is beauty? “Huge glass walls and shiny surfaces look incredible in design magazines and on Instagram feeds. But are they nice to live in? We’ve become so dominated by the visual, we never ask ourselves… ‘what’s it like to be in this space?’ Is this space really comfortable? The fact is, these spaces are echoey and unpleasant, I don’t believe we want that for our homes,” Charlie concludes. I’m a sucker for an Insta interiors binge, I won’t lie. I find those little squares inspiring, the perfect form of escapism. “The reality is, if you put a big glass balustrade in, you’ll have a snot line from the dog, a snot line from your kids and finger prints at the top; three lines of constant dirt,” is Charlie’s response. “Which will destroy any feelings of calm and happiness, you’ll have the constant need to clean!”

I’d seen pictures of Charlie’s own self-built home while researching his work for this interview. Built into an Oxfordshire hillside, it’s a contemporary yet characterful family home clad in brick, ash and weathered steel, which is rusting and elemental. “The wild flower roof makes me enormously happy,” Charlie explains. “The house doesn’t photograph as well as it feels however!” “Our home is very much about context; architecture as part of a place, which I’m becoming increasingly interested in as a concept. Re-wilding projects are also increasingly becoming a part of what we do. Restoring an area of land, letting nature take care of itself, this is an incredibly important part of conservation.”

I’m not sure about you, but I could certainly do with a bit more of Charlie Luxton’s sensible yet inspiring home building and design advice on my TV screen in the future. The Great British Home Restoration, which sees Charlie follow families as they take on the transformation of unique and historic buildings, returns to Channel 4 for a new series soon.

O h l à l à !

Fall in love with entertaining Make mine a Berchen s'il te plaît www.berchen.co/kitchens

“Good design is really invaluable in terms of getting the final space you want, planning in efficiencies and controlling costs”

- interiors -

As a huge fan of professional cycling, I am thrilled that the Tour de France is once again coming to Morzine this summer (and am hoping that the weather is more akin to 2010 stage to Avoriaz, as opposed to the deluge of 2016!). In eager anticipation, I have some Tour themed interiors ideas and they’re all based around the four legendary jerseys in the race.

Scandinavian brand Muuto have created a bright and bold reinterpretation of a classic industrial pendant lamp. It is made of soft yet strong silicone, giving a quirky contemporary vibe. It is available in a host of colours, but bien-sûr, I love the maillot jaune yellow!

Slightly less well known, the white jersey is awarded to the leader of the young rider classification. Honouring this jersey, we have selected a beautiful mountain accessory - a Tibetan sheepskin rug. Soft and luxurious, this would look beautiful in the bedroom, the salon, or even draped over a chair on the terrace.

The sprinters green jersey is the favourite in the shep&kyles design household, and I am simply green with envy over our maillot vert choice. Designed by legendary furniture designer Eero Aarnio in 1963, this is an iconic statement piece.

muuto Unfold Pendant Light muuto.com

Eero Aarnio The Ball Chair aarniooriginals.com

kyles garrett interior architect shepandkyles.com

the white company Tibetan sheepskin rug thewhitecompany.com

Designed by Dutch graphic designer Chungkong, I love the simple yet stylish artwork he has created for the 2022 Tour de France. Available in a number of formats including canvas, metal and acrylic prints, this poster can also be purchased as a cushion, tote bag or even a phone case. A perfect souvenir for what we hope will be an amazing event.

Mark Cavendish Tour de Force penguin.co.uk // audible.fr

Mark Cavendish’s book “Tour de Force” tells the extraordinary story of his 2021 season - returning from illness when nearly all of the cycling world had written him off, winning four stages of last years Tour as well as the maillot vert. The audiobook version is read by Mark himself and is a joyous, moving and heartwarming listen, not just because of his achievements, but of his evangelical love for the Tour de France. Chapeau Mark!

to Cottage ceramics citytocottage.co.uk

a sofa is a little on the large side, you can still support the mountain stages of the Tour with the polka dot collection from City

Cottage. Teapots, milk jugs, sugar bowls, cups and saucers all

in

collection of hand-made, hand painted ceramics.

earned afternoon tea after tackling the Col de Joux Plane, Col de la Ramaz or Col du Corbier!

for a

ikea Klippan Sofa

keyhole

Welcome to Chalet Goldilocks and its little sister, Three Bears, a brand new and expansive property in Morzine. Three years in the making, the two properties occupy a much-sought-after spot on the Super Morzine side of the valley, basking in the sunshine and overlooking the rooftops of the village. Inside you’ll discover interior design that’s just as stunning as the views.

I imagine that it’s difficult to blend the tastes and style preferences of a property owner with the fact that a chalet will be rented to happy holiday makers throughout the year. Where do form and function meet? Fortunately Interior Designer Lisa Dodd of RS Interior Design is here to talk me through the process.

© Yves Garneau

“Our client had fallen in love with Morzine following several winter holidays over the years and after an extensive property search they came across a superb plot of land on an elevated site, close to the Super Morzine lift station. For them, it was perfect! They came to us with an interior design brief that included a Scandinavian feel, they liked industrial influences and were very averse to interior design trends that might quickly age.

As is the case with most of our UK-based clients, it’s often difficult for them to visualise the end results of their building project. Busy lives, busy work, young families; these things make it hard to develop a design direction and often there are too many ideas floating about. And of course COVID-19 hasn’t helped either! Our design studio is right here, on the ground in Morzine, so we’re best placed to follow projects and manage interior concepts. Once we’d broken down the project with our client, Goldilocks became a neutral and classic space, enhanced by the amazing views of Morzine and featuring some key pieces of furniture that really add to the atmosphere.

The dining areas are my favourite spaces in each property. The light streams in and the views from the kitchen are breathtaking. I feel it’s really important for chalets to have large, open plan, social space and here we kept it smart but cosy - perfect for relaxed family dinners. I paired the classic dining chairs with a locally-sourced living edge dining table from Sculpteurs du Lac and the bold fabric on the banquette adds a pop of colour without being too funky. The tan leather bar stools add to the chic vibe and are suitable for all seasons, rather than simply focusing on the winter.

As anyone who’s ever stayed in a ski chalet will know, floor to ceiling windows and expansive pools of light are a classic part of Alpine architecture. This presents huge opportunities and some challenges for interior designers. Selecting which windows should have curtains and which shouldn’t was key at Goldilocks at also at Three Bears. We decided to frame the windows with a light fabric so as not to interfere with the views, but also to soften down the edges of the room. High ceilings are also typical in Alpine chalet design, which means that ceiling lights are often redundant when it comes to bringing light into a room. Here, we used lower level lighting to create ambiance and a cosy hue. Of course, the classic sheepskin throws and soft sofa fabrics help to make the whole space more relaxing.

I’m often asked what one tip I’d give to people designing their own alpine home. My advice is to be concise and considered in your overall style - and stick to it! It’s often very tempting to try and include a number of different (and often popular!) design themes, then you become confused and stressed and the whole process becomes less enjoyable. I’ve seen this many times! Learning to mix materials such as stone and wood with softer textures takes time, but my advice is to give it a go. People often worry about matching wooden chair legs with a different wood on a floor for example; in my opinion this adds warmth and character to a room. On the other hand, over-mixing your interiors can be a disaster! So try and stay true to your original design brief - and of course, hire a professional designer if you need help!” !”

Interior Designer: Lisa Dodd of RS Interior Design

Chalet Goldilocks and Three Bears were photographed by renowned interiors photographer Yves Garneau. We asked him what it was like to photograph such a vast, light-filled property.

“Photographing a chalet in the winter is often a challenge due to the heavy contrast of bright white snow outside the windows and dark rich wood on the inside of the chalet. I’ve been honing my technique for many years, trying to get this balance right. I’m always learning new tricks and techniques to make the photos feel more natural.

When I started taking chalet photos there were no fancy algorithms to help blend photos (HDR photography) so I did everything manually. Sometimes it would take me up to an hour just to edit one photo. I now use a combination of algorithms (from Lightroom) and the manual techniques I taught myself to create the look and feel that I like. It still takes a lot of time to edit everything but it’s worth it because I want each photo I deliver to have a look and feel that I’m happy with.”

Lisa is the founder of RS Interior Design, a Morzine-based design studio. Discover more at rsinteriordesigns.com Chalet Goldilocks and Three Bears are available to rent as holiday accommodation via the Boutique Chalet Company. Head to theboutiquechalet.com for details. Discover more of photographer Yves Garneau’s work at g1photo.com

© Yves Garneau

blink and you’ll miss it

By gareth jefferies Marketing Director at alpine-property.com

The massive surge we experienced in August last year carried into the winter season, although it’s true that British buyers had a short wobble in December when travel restrictions between the UK and France were frustratingly reintroduced and it looked like the Winter 22 season might not begin. The Brits are 100% back in the market now and we have many sales ongoing, indeed the only potential to slow things down is a lack of new property coming online. On several occasions this winter and right now in springtime, we’re selling property before it even goes live on our website, generally to buyers who’ve registered their interest, waited patiently and who understand the pace of the market right now. Blink and you’ll miss it!

Has the war in Ukraine caused any panic in the property market? It did briefly, but that has settled down now, there’s some uncertainty

when it comes to lending from the banks who are, of course, concerned that the situation will be protracted. Our March enquiries this year were lower than last, but April has recovered and the enquiries are ahead again, we’re meeting new buyers each day who are increasingly worried about rising inflation and they want to move their funds into property.

I’m always interested in how our buyers break down in terms of nationality. As a business, and prior to COVID-19, 40% of our clients were French, 40% British and 20% ‘other’ nationalities. Right now, that combination looks more like 50%/20%/30% so we can reasonably assume that COVID-19 combined with Brexit is having an impact on British buyers. I’ve written extensively about Brexit and buying a property in France on our website (blog.alpine-property.com in case you’re interested!), but one point to note is the

If you read my last report on the pages of this fine magazine for Winter 22, you’ll remember that I used the words ‘frenzy’, ‘inflation busting prices’ and ‘busiest market in 20 years’. This trend continues; the local property market remains exceptionally busy right now.

“The massive surge we experienced in August last year carried into the winter season”

change to Capital Gains Tax when the time comes for second home owners to sell their property, though this is still being debated and clarified between the two respective governments at the moment.

Of course the big Brexit-related question we’re asked lots is ‘How long can I stay in France?’ And it’s a fair question for those of you thinking of investing in French property. You’ll want to enjoy it as much as possible, surely?! As non-EU nationals, British residents can stay in France (and the rest of the EU) for 90 days in 180 days. So, if you’re buying a French property with the intention of staying less than 180 days each year (that’s up to 90 days consecutively), then you’ve few concerns. However, if you’d like to spend more than 180 days a year in your lovely mountain home, you’ll need a long-stay via which costs €99 and comes from the French Embassy in either London, Manchester or Edinburgh. There are four categories of visa, but for each, two important conditions apply; having sufficient financial resources and health insurance. I’ve included more information on these conditions and some useful external links on our blog.

Aside from the pandemic, Brexit and the war, we’ve also seen some changes to mortgage availability too. Whilst fixed rate mortgages are still available at interest rates of 2.5%, such rates are becoming rare; we’re seeing them slowly increasing. Mortgages also appear to be harder to get in recent months, especially if you really need one. However they are very easy to source for those who have the actual cash required to buy a property outright!

Exchange rate wise, it’s worth noting that sterling is currently buying you 4% more property than it was a year ago, which is great news for cash buyers. However, property valuations are increasing too, probably between 4% and 20% year-on-year and depending on location. So, as I said previously, blink and you’ll miss it. These really are frenzied times in the Alpine property market!

“...this winter and right now in springtime, we’re selling property before it even goes live on our website”

Kangto, Les Gets

Kangto is an exclusive, boutique development of just ten turn-key lodges located within the centre of Les Gets. Reserving off plan and ranging in size from luxurious three bedroom apartments to one unique five bedroom penthouse, all properties will enjoy balconies overlooking the rooftops of Les Gets, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks and mountain ranges. This prestigeous new development, which has been inspired by the atmosphere of an intimate mountain chalet, is located just 150m from the pistes and ski lifts of the Chavannes, giving future owners a quick and easy route into the 650km Portes du Soleil ski area. Each property at Kangto enjoys allocated private ski lockers, a handy storage cellar and a muchsought-after parking space and delivery is scheduled for December 2023.

MORE

Frenzy in the local property market continues unabated, perhaps because of rather than in spite of a global pandemic and the UK’s departure from the EU. Local agents tell us that often new properties go under offer before they even make it onto their websites, such is demand to own a slice of our mountains. But don’t let the fast-paced market put you off; here’s a selection hot properties on the market in our valley right now and we recommend registering with each of the local agencies featured on the pages that follow. It’s all still to play for!

Nestled in Morzine’s sought-after Vallee de la Manche, Chalet Framboise, is a semi-detached farm that has been renovated to exceptionally high standards to produce a beautiful stylish home that also offers perfect rental potential. The setting is idyllic, with wonderful mountain views from the balcony and garden and the interior of the chalet is no less breath-taking, with every care having been taken to create characterful yet elegant living areas. There is plenty of room for relaxing in front of the fire, or gazing out of the French windows to the mountain views beyond.

MORE INFO: Ailsa Bishop - alpine-property.com +33 (0)

ailsa@alpine-property.com alpine-property.com

Chalet Framboise

Beautifully Renovated Farmhouse

This wonderful mountain hideaway in the ski resort of Les Gets has been tastefully renovated and just oozes mountain charm. Warm, welcoming wood decorates the inside and outside. The property is very spacious and comes with various outbuildings and a lovely plot of land. This beautifully renovated farmhouse offers five double bedrooms, a large living room and separate kitchen and dining area, a double garage, a large garden, wonderful decking area and even a hot tub. It would make a wonderful and indulgent holiday home!

MORE INFO: Nina McArthur - France Property Angels +33 (0) 6 07 45 15 10 ninamc.fpa@gmail.com francepropertyangels.com

Chalet Bertie

A superb chalet only 2 minutes from the Prodains Express ski lift. You can even ski all the way back to your front door! This traditional chalet has so much charm, with its beautifully designed exterior, pretty paved terrace and outdoor bread oven. The interior is set over 4 levels and has such a homely feel that lends itself to family life and evenings spent with friends. This property also represents an excellent investment opportunity as there is even a separate studio of 33m² on the ground floor, which is perfect for a holiday rental.

MORE INFO: Sylvie Payen - Century 21 Call Home +33 (0)4 50 04 94 76 ag3156@century21.fr callhome-morzine.com

Congratulations! Your chalet looks fabulous. What made you choose this chalet and this resort?

have rented chalets in Les Gets as a family of four for most of the past 20 years. We love Les Gets and the surrounding area.

viewed six properties with the help of France Property Angels, and Chalet Joux Verte was one we immediately fell in love with - its large gardens, views, and stunning deck and interior, just grabbed us. We put an offer on almost immediately, and it was accepted. We are still pinching ourselveswe can't believe it has happened!

Did you end up buying what you originally wanted?

In a way, no! We did not set out to spend so much and buy such an incredible chalet! But we were in love with the chalet, and we decided to take a risk, and buy it. In fact, we loved it so much, we offered the asking price, which I think rather surprised and delighted the seller.

What are your plans now with the chalet?

Our intention was to have the chalet for our own use, from May to September. We love walking, and Alex is a road cyclist and loves the cols. But when France Property Angels realised we are not skiers, and would not be coming out in the winter, they suggested we consider renting it out, which we are now doing through OVO Network. We have been almost fully booked for the season just gone, and are pretty much fully booked for the next ski season. Even the few weeks we have offered it for rent during the summer season are booked. It's just amazing to us.

Have you got any advice for property seekers who are just starting out on their journey?

Unless you are super confident with the French property market and process, get an advisor who is fully able to support you. We found France Property Angels to be exactly that.

to Jackie and Alex Warwick, who recently purchased a chalet in Les Gets with France Property Angels

Le Grand Cerf

A lovely 3-bed apartment with views onto the slopes, located in Le Grand Cerf, a ski-in, ski-out building in the resort of St Jean d'Aulps. With its fabulous location on the slopes and great condition, you can collect the keys and enjoy your new Alpine lifestyle. The apartment has an entrance hall with WC and bathroom, a lovely open kitchen, dining room and lounge with French doors offering a sunny view onto the slopes. There are 3 double bedrooms and another bathroom. The property is sold furnished with a cave and an allocated parking space.

MORE INFO:

Caroline Hiseman - Geranium 74 +33 (0) 4 50 38 86 30 info@geranium74.com geranium74.com

Ardent Cottage

Imagine living at the foot of the slopes of Ardent, in a beautiful hamlet within a stone’s throw of the ski lifts. This authentic Savoyarde chalet presents a unique opportunity to buy in one of the most sought-after villages. Inside you’ll discover four individual apartments, ranging in size from 4 rooms to a studio and offering incredible holiday rental potential during both the winter and summer months. Interior specifications are to a very high standard so you could move straight in or list them for rental immediately.

MORE INFO:

Ingrid Maes - Morzine Prestige +33 (0) 4 50 04 33 26 info@morzine-prestige.com morzine-prestige.com

Chalet Hastings

Rare on the market, this individual 100m² chalet has been completely renovated throughout. A cosy mountain nest – ideal as a family property or a rental investment. It is situated in the sought after area of Les Chavannes, 500m from the ski slopes of the French-Swiss Portes du Soleil area, on the ski bus route. There is ample parking to the side of the chalet and assuming the right permissions are applied for there is sufficient land to allow for future construction of a car port. Thanks to its location in a natural mountain environment, bathed in light, the chalet conjures up an intimate and enchanting ambiance.

MORE INFO: Claudia Buttet - alpine-property.com +33 (0) 18 71 06 58 claudia@alpine-property.com alpine-property.com

Central Apartment in Les Gets

This charming apartment is in a small development just off the main street in Les Gets. You can easily walk to the ski lifts and slopes and in fact ski back to even closer. The village and all of its amenities are just steps away. The accommodation comprises of a spacious entrance hall which leads to the fitted kitchen and living area with space for a large dining table. There are 3 double bedrooms, one of which is en-suite, a large family bathroom and a separate WC. A magnificent opportunity to buy a spacious, modern ski apartment in a very desirable resort!

MORE INFO:

Nina McArthur - France Property Angels +33 (0) 6 07 45 15 10 ninamc.fpa@gmail.com francepropertyangels.com

Chalet No 35

It’s love at first sight for this chalet, which has been completely renovated, furnished and beautifully decorated. It is only 5 minutes by car from the village of Le Biot and 20 minutes from the ski resorts of the Portes de Soleil including Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Chatel, Abondance and Champéry (Suisse). Just a short walk from the chalet, situated at 1230m of altitude, you can enjoy a ski area for beginners, a sledge run and many beautiful options for walkers in both winter and summer.

MORE INFO:

Sylvie Payen - Century 21 Call Home +33 (0)4 50 04 94 76 ag3156@century21.fr callhome-morzine.com

La Ferme du Planet

A new development of 4 small chalets housing 17 individual apartments in an exceptional location, just 400m from the centre of Morzine and on the ski bus route. This particular apartment, available to reserve off-plan, is located on the ground floor, includes 1 bedroom and an additional sleeping area, plus a large terrace to be enjoyed all year round. There’s also a ski locker, storage and private underground parking. You’ll also benefit from reduced notary fees. Delivery is expected in December 2023.

MORE INFO:

Ingrid Maes - Morzine Prestige +33 (0) 4 50 04 33 26 info@morzine-prestige.com morzine-prestige.com

Kinabalu Apartment 3

Your final opportunity to own property inside the coveted Kinabalu residence in Les Gets. Kinabalu is one of the finest, most prestigious developments in the village and includes an exclusive spa and swimming pool, ski shop and concierge service. The famous La Bokka traditional Italian trattoria can also be found within the residence, alongside the contemporary Vina wine bar and restaurant. The final property is ready for you to move into with ease and features 2 bedrooms, 1 cabin roon and 2 bathrooms with a terrace to soak up the views. It’s 92m2 in total, sleeps up to 6 people and comes fully designed and furnished to the highest standard. There’s underground private parking and lots of equipment storage too.

MORE INFO:

Samantha Gates - Alpine Lodges +33 (0) 4 22 32 60 96 info@alpine-lodges.fr alpine-lodges.co.uk

Seytroux Farmhouse

This large, semi-detached home is both spacious and characterful and represents an excellent opportunity for a simple renovation in a popular, peaceful village. 4 bedrooms are arranged over 2 floors and there’s a large attic area on the top floor to develop. The roof was replaced in 2013, there’s double glazing and a small patio area plus a very handy storage basement. Externally, you’ll find a large garage with a workshop or extra storage room beneath. Seytroux sits just 10 minutes from the larger village of St Jean d’Aulps and 15 minutes from Morzine, giving you easy and quick access to the slopes of the Portes du Soleil.

MORE INFO: Caroline Hiseman - Geranium 74 +33 (0) 4 50 38 86 30 info@geranium74.com geranium74.com

RESTAURANT & BAR

FROM THE

hotel mil8

By Amie Henderson

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to the development of your favourite mountain resorts. How do we balance our respect for the traditional authenticity and charm of Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz with the need to expand, level up and remain competitive?

One particular development project has really impressed me in recent years. Hotel Mil8 in Avoriaz is a triumph in balancing the bold architectural style of the high-altitude resort with demand for a luxurious, contemporary hotel; the two blend seamlessly. Here we meet its creator, architect Hervé Marullaz.

Avoriaz has an unusual yet practical architectural style. What changes have you seen over the years in the resort?

First of all, and this is remarkable, the architectural fundamentals initiated by Jacques Labro and his team over 60 years ago have so far been respected and the resort of Avoriaz remains coherent, unlike others of the same generation. New customers are still amazed when they discover it, and the "old Avoriaziens" continue to be amazed too. This heritage, fortunately, did not prevent new developments. One can easily recognise the different periods of construction in Avoriaz when one observes the buildings, both in their volume and in the weathering of the facades. The biggest change, I think, was made at an

urban level, when the last quarter, that of Amara, was created. Not being on the same side of the mountain as the rest of the station, its integration into the original concept of Avoriaz suffered. If further extensions were to come (and I question whether they would be desirable without significant prior evolution of the ski area?), they would seem to me better placed on the ‘original side’ of the resort.

Your own architectural style is contemporary and bold. How do you marry this with the traditional authenticity of our villages?

Thank you for the appreciation! The architecture of our villages is constantly evolving with its associated uses and lifestyles

and the appreciation of its ‘traditional authenticity’ is evolving too. Change is framed by more or less strict urban planning rules and these have also evolved over time. At my architectural practise here in Morzine, the projects we deal with, whether the rehabilitation of existing buildings or the creation of new ones, are part of this evolution by respecting first and foremost the place and its history. But also, by considering the constraints specific to each project – topography, orientation, environment,

the program itself –

engaging in a bioclimatic

approach. We don’t ignore the wellbeing of the users in the village, and we go through a real and personal

of the places we design. We try to bring a

approach to design, and sometimes

actually results in a small

was the

turns out that the plot on which the MiL8 is located is not part of the Avoriaz ‘housing estate’ in the strict sense, and we were therefore not subject to any architectural control by ALDA, (the Avoriaz housing association), unlike the buildings located in the centre of the resort. Regardless of this, it was obvious for us to design the hotel – only the second ever built in the resort – in the very strong architectural spirit of Avoriaz. The materials we used (mainly larch and shingles) therefore had to be adapted to the terrain and result in an architectural language that is both integrated and respectful, but also clear and identifiable. My past work experiences with Jacques Labro allowed me to approach the architecture of the project quite naturally and serenely, and, perhaps curiously. I have to say, this is one of the projects where I finally felt the most ‘free' architecturally speaking!

Meet Marine, Laurane, Frédéric & Fanny

Our Design Service

Our Showroom

What challenges did the project face?

in relation to the total

allowed for construction, and the land base of the project was relatively small. Its location, at the crossroads of different axes (roads and pistes), and forming a link

between the districts of the center and La Falaise, made it a particularly constrained and strategic location. Hotel Mil8 is the result of geometric work in three dimensions, using the force lines of the land and the surrounding town planning. When I look at it now, the building seems to have been here forever, and forms a natural link between the districts, while offering guests, from each place in the hotel, a magnificent view of the mountains and the resort itself.

Which parts of the hotel's architecture are you particularly proud of?

In addition to this geometric work and the amplitude of the views offered to customers, I would mention two further points. Firstly, the ‘vertical spa’. Contrary to custom, we did not locate the spa (essential in an hotel of this quality) in the basement, as seems to be normal in other hotels. Instead we opted for a particular positioning on the south side of the building, behind a vertical glazed facade and located between the two wings of the hotel, comprising the rooms and suites. To me, it’s a kind of fault line opening onto the HautsForts. We also planned the massage rooms above the gym, which is itself above the sauna, overlooking the swimming pool on the first floor. In staggering the various facilities of the spa over several floors, the result is that all elements take advantage of the view. Suddenly, customers in ski clothes and bathrobes naturally meet in the vertical circulations of the hotel!

Secondly, and this is undoubtedly the most important element for me, the strong symbiosis and connection between the architecture of the building itself and the interior design work carried out by Atelier Obermant which brings exceptional comfort and conviviality to the hotel.

How much do the surroundings influence you when you design a form or a structure in the mountains?

I try to rely on the environment for each project. The form this may take depends of course on the requirements of my client. For the Pléney lift station for example, it was a matter of making access to a new gondola compatible with strong technical constraints while creating an easier reception for the public and an extension of the underground parking. Above all, my aim was to create better urban integration by reducing the flow of cars in this small street. Because the Pléney is one of the only access points to the slopes of Morzine, it was necessary that it appears as such. At one point we had imagined that the ski slope could pass over the roof of the lift; that’s why initially we gave it this horseshoe shape, each of the branches connecting one side of the piste, and the skiers being visible on the roof from the village. Unfortunately this part of the project could not succeed... maybe next time!

What is the reaction from guests who stay at Mil8? Do they appreciate the architecture?

Most visitors generally appreciate the architecture of Avoriaz, and for the Mil8, they speak at the same time of the architecture and the decoration - and the induced conviviality. They like to be able to enjoy several spaces, of different size, volume and atmosphere, where everyone finds the atmosphere they are looking for. Another point often noted and appreciated is the choice of materials, which I feel are noble but not ostentatious. The quality of the finishes also set the standard of the hotel so I give thanks to the companies that participated in the project!

Finally, the part of the hotel that is the most beautiful and appreciated, in my eyes, is the view! It’s also a pleasure to hear the reactions of other visitors, for whom Avoriaz is their favourite resort and they care about its evolution. At Mil8 they have found a friendly place (the hotel bar is open for external customers!) and they appreciate the originality of the building and the fact that it fits in well.

Our mountain villages are changing. What do you think the new buildings of the future will look like?

We are all in full reflection on the current evolution, linked of course to climate change. I don't know exactly how the mountain tourism industry, which is of course the main industry for us here in Morzine-Avoriaz, will evolve, but it is obvious that at the architectural level, we will have more and more renovations or refurbishments of existing buildings. Working with what already exists, making buildings evolve, both in terms of specification and technically, is also a very exciting architectural challenge full of creative perspectives!

Are you working on any exciting new projects at the moment?

Our studio is relatively small (we are just six people) and therefore we work on projects that match our size and skill! These range from individual chalets, which might be used as homes or as holiday accommodation by tour operators, to hotel programs, whether newly built or using an existing construction. Among the exciting projects we are currently working on are a few hotel projects, including in particular a project to restructure and extend the common areas of the hotel Les Lans in Les Prodains. This involves a very interesting architectural and decorative project, which we are excited to evolve! There’s also the restructuring and extension of a hotel in La Plagne and many other projects too. We are a small but very busy team!

View more of Hervé’s projects at marullaz-architecte.com

So long, wood cladding?

Famed for its cosy, heritage vibes, wood panelling often adorns the internal walls of many local properties. Varying from sauna orange to a more contemporary wire brushed oak, wood has been used decoratively for hundreds of years. But what if we replaced our wall coverings with leather? Manu Strijker of Chalet Parquets & Stores based in La Côte d’Arbroz has partnered with famous Dutch leather brand Alphenberg to offer a range of top quality leather wall coverings in a large selection of colours which can also be used as flooring, on staircases, to clad fireplace surrounds and even as kitchen cupboard frontages. Alphenberg leather can even be used to cover internal doors, creating a warm, textured and unique effect throughout a home. “Alphenberg leather has a number of special qualities and has been very popular amongst my clients,” Manu tells us. “Leather insulates, has a sound-proofing effect, is fire-retardant and requires very little special maintenance,” he continues. Discover the range and contact Manu at parquets-stores.com

Truly unique kitchens

Pushing the boundaries once again, local kitchen design company Berchen have introduced an exciting new range of materials, giving clients more options to truly personalise their kitchen. Acid etched brass surfaces are made by forming sheets of brass around a substrate, which is then treated with acid, resulting in a truly unique finish that can be etched according to your taste; you can even go to the factory and perform the etching process yourself! ALPI is another new option of beautiful, decorative surfaces made from reconstituted wood made from Poplar, Lime Wood or Ayous and involving a process in which the wood is stripped, dyed, composited, glued and pressed in a variety of different colours, textures and grains. All wood used in the process is sustainably farmed with FSC / EUTR certification. And to further inspire you, there’s a sculptured range of sold oak cabinet doors available in a wide range of styles and finishes too! Explore the full Berchen range at berchen.co

Added

the last 12 years the team at MountainXtra have gained an excellent reputation for providing property owners with an outstanding range of services, including chalet maintenance, key-holding, landscaping and cleaning services in addition to marketing properties to holiday makers. With demand for holidays in well-managed, self-catered properties increasing each winter, the team at MountainXtra are keen to speak with new property owners and those considering investing in a rental property in Morzine or Les Gets. They’re available to help you select the right property, plan interiors and facilities if required and market it to their long list of previous guests, giving you peace of mind and access to excellent local knowledge too. Contact dom@mountainxtra.com to discover more.

trending

There’s never a shortage of gear for us to include on these pages, especially when it comes to the great outdoors. Save some space in your kit bag for these this summer.

€200.00

Perhaps the gold standard when it comes to hiking footwear, this robust, lightweight and comfortable shoe is made for full days in the mountains. There’s waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX protection as you’d expect, but the design is what makes this shoe different. The shape has been engineered to help you move faster and lighter on all terrain types, including over rocks with ankle support that is both comfortable and flexible. Overall, the Mountain Trainer Lite is a great hybrid between a full on, sturdy climbing boot and a pair of trail shoes and it comes in three different colours too.

komoot free or €59.99 per year komoot.com

Designed specifically for those of us who like to venture off the beaten track, whilst also having the reassurance that someone knows where they’re going, Komoot includes ready-built routes that really do take in the very best of our mountains. The route planning and navigation tools on this app are incredible, featuring turn-byturn navigation, off-line maps and the ability to share your entire adventure with the rest of the Komoot community. Packed with inspiration for everything from family-friendly refuge stays (see page 54 for more!) to long-distance cycle trips, there’s something for everyone. The Komoot App is free to use, or sign up for premium features such as world maps, turn-by-turn voice navigation and more for just €59.99 per year

€29.95

Featuring Stanley’s ‘Built for Life’ warranty promise, this will likely be the only camping mug you’ll ever buy. Made from tough double-wall vacuum insulation with a secure press-fit lid to prevent splashes, this Legendary model keeps hot liquids hot for 1.5 hours and cold liquids cold for three hours. It weighs just 290g, it’s dishwasher friendly and it’ll likely get you addicted to the entire Stanley range.

Stanley Classic Legendary Camp Mug | 12OZ | 0.35L

Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GORE-TEX® Men's Shoes

This rechargeable and compact multi-beam headlamp is perfect for all of your evening manoeuvres, from trail running to hiking and camping. It features red lighting to preserve your night vision and avoid dazzling your friends around the camp fire, while the reflective headband comes in handy too. The Actik Core comes with a rechargeable battery, it’s compatible with standard AAA batteries too and there are a number of fixing options for different types of helmet, making it a great option for cyclists.

Speaking of which, it’s no longer necessary to compromise on the quality of your morning coffee in the mountains, thanks to Stanley. Load your favourite medium-ground coffee into the canister, saturate with hot water and let the Pour Over do the rest! There’s no need for disposable filters, no extra gear required, just this 300g kit which is super easy to clean and obviously comes with Stanley’s Built for Life guarantee.

TO

advance?

By Caitlin Cockerton of Great Heights Pathways

My family and I moved to the mountains in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve always loved the mountains - snowboarding, hiking, wild swimming and cycling are all big hobbies for my husband and I. The majesty of the mountains has always pulled us here for holidays in winter and summer and we just love what’s on offer all year round.

Before mountain life I lived in London for 14 years, spending over a decade working in business consulting, with a focus on innovation and by all measures, I had a great career. Yet I burnt out after returning to work post maternity leave. The long hours, work travel and the constant juggle was out of balance for me personally, and my family too. I knew a change was in order. Combining that with yearning for more of a wild upbringing for our kiddo, plus Brexit, plus lockdowns enabling working from home and it all came to a head - it was the right time to make the leap! It’s now or never, we thought.

The world, and in particular the world of work, looks very different these days; it’s all been turned upside down and inside out! This has been quite a journey for a huge number of businesses, shifting to remote working practically overnight when Covid hit. I think that for those who shifted onto Zoom meetings and working from home, there have been some strong benefits. Reducing the commute, having more time for hobbies and family and undertaking less work travel has been hugely enjoyable for some. For others - those that live in a shared, crowded flat where it’s impossible to work, for example, have not been so happy with it. And of course, there’s a lot of feelings in between and a strong desire now to work out what hybrid working looks like.

Now, many businesses are in a new experimental phase, trying to work out a model of coming together and allowing people to work from home too. For me, this is exciting - and challenging - to attempt to meet a diverse workforce’s needs. I think that leaders are trying to work out what kind of work needs to be done in person and what work can be done at home. At the same time they need to grapple with the challenge of keeping a company culture cohesive and alive when people are working from home so much - and that part really is about sharing meaningful time with colleagues.

My own move to the mountains prompted a new career and business as a coach and I truly believe that where we are directly impacts how we are. Being in nature reduces stress, improves cognitive function and mental clarity, allowing us to be more creative and also boosting our immune systems. When I coach outdoors I notice that people can really let go of everyday stressors, slow down their pace of thought and get more reflective about what matters most. It’s also less confronting for people to face challenges and change, or have deeper conversations, while they are moving gently in a wild environment. For me personally, I have a calmer energy when I’m in the mountains or countryside, versus when I’m in cities.

My new business, Great Heights Pathways, curates a series of residential retreats for those looking to step away from their everyday life, slow down the pace and focus on themselves. We move away from the constraints and demands of daily life to see the bigger picture, reconnecting with what really matters. And we do this in big, open, fresh mountain landscapes. We build on that natural environment with coaching work that gets participants to examine a bigger vision, explore their values and experiment with a broader set of perspectives. People leave with an expansive mindset that allows them to make choices that feel right for them, less inhibited by the constraints and messages that keep them from a fulfilling life.

Once we’ve quieted the noise, our guests can listen to those niggling inner voices, learn from them and act with greater clarity. You know the things people say to themselves but try to ignore with busy-ness? ‘Is this really right for me?’ ‘Could I bring more value to the world?’ ‘Does this really make me happy?’ We all have this kind of inner dialogue from time to time, and we’ve all experienced wishing it would leave us alone. But the truth is, the parts of ourselves that know something isn’t right will only grow louder until they are properly listened to. Our retreats help people to get curious about what’s out of balance in

many

in making

connections, we realise we aren’t the only ones trying to work out the path ahead. And when people know they’re not alone, new forms of creativity, collaboration and confidence open up. We bring a collection of diverse views together on our retreats – people from different stages of life and across several countries – and we create a space for people to share. A joyful, collaborative and empowering system grows from there. People feel seen, heard and energised by other perspectives. That’s why many of our retreat guests go away not just feeling good about their next steps, but also supported by new friends.

Our retreats aren’t just about talking however. They’re about moving, fuelling and nourishing your body as well as your mind. Hiking, yoga, qi gong and wild swimming are all on the agenda, helping to discharge anxious energy. I’ve seen many times how a 360-degree view from a mountain summit, melting into a yoga pose that releases a tension point, or simply summoning our broader sense of courage and confidence because we feel strong in our bodies can be life changing. But this isn’t just a few days to escape with a holiday hangover that ensues. Guests leave our retreats with new tools, a shift in mindset and 1-1 coaching sessions on either end – effectively, it’s an experience that continues to work for you well after you pack up and leave the chalet.

For those managing teams whilst also facing lots of uncertainty, there are a huge range of advantages in bringing your whole team together in the mountains. There’s a lot for companies to work out right now and it’s great for leaders to take some time together and properly consider the critical changes. Equally, it’s such a huge gesture of appreciation to broader to bring people out to the mountains. This is an environment where people can share their outdoor passions, talk in a totally different way to normal workdays because the meetings are happening on a majestic hiking trail, while also enjoying a luxury travel experience in a unique setting, creating memories that really bond a team together.

Morzine and the surrounding valley is the perfect base for experiential coaching as we bring together time in nature, with group and 1-1 coaching, yoga and qi gong from the amazing Ursula (@YogaSnow), incredible gourmet vegetarian food and luxurious chalets from our award-winning partners AliKats. As a team we are so passionate about designing the right interplay between these elements and what our natural landscape has to offer at different times of the year so that our guests get the very best experience possible.

Everyone’s takeaway after a Great Heights Pathways retreat is unique but at a high level, people leave with a feeling of connection - to their own priorities and needs, to the people that matter, to nature and their passions. That’s great because it’s my biggest hope for the experiences. As one client commented, the retreat was “truly a 'working out' for body, mind and soulrevitalising to the core. The exercises Caitlin facilitated gave me new perspectives from which to interrogate my personal and work life and the yoga connected the physical to the elemental in the most perfect way. I loved connecting with the others on board and hope to stay in touch. I feel nourished from the time in nature, new connections and delicious journey from beginning to end.”

trending

- travel -

Tech for travel is big business right now. Whether it’s whittling down the size of your favourite travel bag or redesigning clothing to be truly sustainable, there’s so much innovation going on you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here’s a few of our favourite new products to get you started.

The classic yet functional style of these men’s mountain shoes will go perfectly with your journey into the forest or up the hills, and also on the streets of your favourite alpine resort. There’s a low hike silhouette, making them more trainer than boot, plus the weather-resistant upper features will keep your feet dry, even in wet conditions (yes, it rains here sometimes!). All the textiles and the rubber outsole are made from recycled products, as you’d expect from a brand like Element.

Designed and built to solve all your travel luggage problems, this 30l bag is perfect for short trips to the mountains and features a three-way carry system. It’s compact enough to pass as a carry-on bag and there’s a handy sleeve which allows you to attach it to your larger suitcase too. Inside, mesh pockets help to keep your kit organised, there’s an easy-toaccess laptop apartment and the shoulder straps are stowable too. All this comes from a brand that’s dedicated to outdoor living and you’ll discover a colourful range of duffel bags, briefcases, roller bags and more on their website.

One of the most comprehensive yet compressed first aid packs available, this pack is perfect for multi-day tours during both the winter and summer seasons. Neatly divided between five compartments, there’s everything you need from a rescue blanket to gauze bandages and compresses alongside scissors and tweezers plus much more. Handy illustrations and captions in each compartment provide essential first aid tips for when you’re under pressure and there’s also an Ortovox emergency card to help you make emergency calls. Also available in a smaller ‘mini’ pac for single day adventures, both options come complete with a built-in belt-loop too.

We’ve been

of

since we discovered

out their camping slippers!

packable and they’ll keep you toasty warm around the campfire. The outer shell is water-repellent and super sturdy to avoid rips and tears, and just look at the grip on that sole! You could climb mountains with that!

a memory

love the five

everything is made from recycled

LIVE THE

Seasonaire

It’s been a right of passage for decades, bridging the gap between education and career for so many Brits. ‘Doing a ski season’ is a unique experience, forging friendships (and frequently marriages) that last a lifetime, garnering skills, discovering new cultures and creating opportunities for generations of young people. Nothing compares to the life of a seasonaire, even if it lasts for just five short months.

IS IT ALL OVER? NO, IT’S NOT.

Despite what the Daily Mail might have you believe, it’s still absolutely possible to enjoy the full, thrilling seasonaire experience in France as a Brit. There are still a huge number of exciting jobs on offer to British season workers by French employers. You just have to be organised, and going through the process once yields a work visa lasting three winter seasons.

When the UK left the EU your automatic right to work in Europe expired. You’ll now need a work permit and a work visa to gain employment in France but don’t let these scary-sounding regulations put you off. Despite an overwhelming amount of confusion and bureaucracy immediately after Brexit, the French government have since clarified and simplified the visa and work permit process for everyone involved. Employers seeking to hire Brits have also got to grips with the requirements, making recruitment much easier than it once was.

Take note Daily Mail;

LONG LIVE THE SEASONAIRE.

THE PROCESS:

1. FIND A JOB

Nannies, chefs, chalet hosts, bar staff, housekeepers, your services are needed more than ever! Vacancies for winter positions will be advertised in various places from June or July with roles usually commencing in November or December each year. Be proactive, research companies that you’d like to work for and send them your CV. Alternatively, check the Source Jobs Board (morzinesourcemagazine.com/jobs) on our website for a long list of live vacancies.

2. THE WORK PERMIT

Once you’ve landed your dream season job with the perfect employer, they’ll apply for your work permit using a dedicated digital platform. The French government advise that this can take between 8 and 16 weeks to complete, but during the Winter 22 season employers reported that this part of the process took, on average, just two weeks. Your employer will need to provide various elements of paperwork including your Passport details, CV and any formal qualifications that are required for your job.

3. THE WORK VISA

And now it’s over to you, but you’ll find most employers can guide you through this stage. France has a dedicated and easy to use English language website for work visa applications, which you’ll make in advance of your meeting at a French Embassy contact centre in either London, Manchester or Edinburgh. The average waiting time for this meeting was three weeks, although it could be as little as one week and as many as five weeks depending on the time of year. During this process you’ll need the work permit issued to your employer, proof that you’ve secured accommodation (often this will come as part of your employment package) and payment for the €99 visa fee. You’ll also be required to leave your passport at the contact centre for processing. You’ll be invited back two weeks later to collect your passport, alongside your saisonnier work visa, which is valid for three months and should be extended mid-season.

4. YOUR ARRIVAL

Upon your arrival in resort you'll attend a compulsory 10-minute occupational health appointment with a doctor and this usually takes place at the medical centre in Morzine, followed by a chest x-ray and a second 10-minute medical check with the immigration department in Annecy within two months of your arrival, which doubles as a very nice day out indeed.

5. THE EXTENSION

Before your initial three month work visa expires, you’ll need to attend a meeting it Annecy to arrange its extension. You’ll need various bits of paperwork for this meeting, but your employer will guide you. With this comes a Titre de Sejour, also known as the freedom to stay and work in France for six months each year, as long as your permanent residence is in another country. This permit is valid for three years, which means you have another couple of seasons in the bag, should the seasonaire bug bite.

YOUR OTHER OPTIONS…

• If you’re an EU passport holder, you can discard all of the above! Your right to roam across Europe, travelling and working, remains unchanged, regardless of where you currently live and you’ve every right to feel smug about that.

• If your work contract is set to last less than 90 days, your employer can simply apply for a temporary work permit and you don’t need a visa, as long as you haven’t already spent 90 days in the previous 180 in France.

• If you’re already convinced that life is best spent in France, you can apply to become a permanent resident. This process has been simplified considerably post-Brexit and you’ll use your 90 day shortstay entitlement to initiate the process, getting yourself established on the French system and making your application for a Carte de Sejour.

Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz are packed with employers who now have experience of the process, which simplifies things for you significantly. Working a ski season remains one of the most fulfilling and exciting experiences, inspiring memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t let the admin put you off, we promise it’s worth it!

With thanks to: Andy at Host Savoie for helping with this article!

© Keno_Photographie

Restaurant & Bar Guide

SUMMER 2022

Perfect for refuelling Wild Beets Cafe

At Wild Beets in both Les Gets and Morzine, Jo has cleverly designed her menu to feature all the pre-ride / gym workout / swim / trail run fuel you’ll need for a big day out in the mountains. Breakfasts are tasty and nutritious and you can pre-order for take away. Lunch is an array of salads, poke bowls and wraps and there’s always a tremendous range of cakes and treats available too. Both cafes feature outdoor dining decks, which are perfect for a morning smoothie.

Perfect for foodies Vina

Located within the Annapurna residence in Les Gets, Vina is a chic, contemporary restaurant where the menu has been carefully constructed by Michelintrained chef Anthony Trezy. It features the finest local ingredients, the service is slick and the atmosphere refined. It’s always a good idea to book your table in advance at Vina, which is open for lunch at the weekend, and then for dinner Tuesday to Saturday evening, 7pm to 10pm.

Perfect for takeaway O’Chalet

Home of the ultimate burger menu, O’Chalet is famous in Morzine for its whopping selection of fast food, featuring everything from breakfast bagels, sweet and savoury crêpes and paninis to an allsinging, all-dancing burger menu which is available to eat in or take away. Every burger on the menu is available as a vegetarian alternative, there’s a menu for little appetites too and you can’t leave without trying the cheesy curly fries. You’ll find O’Chalet on the Route de la Combe a Zore in the centre of Morzine.

pre-order for takeaway

(0) 4 50 79 17 18

Perfect for views Hotel Mil8

If you’ve previously joined us during the winter season, you’ve surely skied passed Mil8 in the centre of Avoriaz. This bold, contemporary hotel sits on the pistes and during the summer months it’s a fabulous spot for lunch while you take in the surrounding views from the sunny terrace. The menu is creative and makes great use of local produce and don’t be afraid to take a sneak peek at the rest of the hotel, which includes incredible architecture by Hervé Marullaz, as featured on page

Perfect for a family lunch

Le Chaudron

Located at the heart of the famous goat village and offering the warmest welcome, Le Chaudron is a ‘must do’ lunch spot in the mountains. The menu is vast and delicious, offering everything from local and regional specialities to fresh salads and more, plus there’s a great children’s menu too. Dine on the sunny terrace and watch the friendly goats go about their business or take refuge inside the cosy restaurant if the weather is less than perfect.

Book in advance

+33 (0)6 61 73 98

Perfect for families Le Colibri

Located in the centre of Morzine and open all day, every day during the summer season, Le Colibri is the perfect spot for everything from a quick coffee to a full-on dining experience. The breakfast menu includes granola bowls, pancakes, cooked options (yes, there’s a full English) and eggs Benedict to name just a few dishes, there’s an extravagant brunch menu, plus a long list of burgers, salads and sandwiches. The real win here is the kids menu. There’s three different options starting at just €8 and you’re sure to find something for even the fussiest of little eaters. The sunny outdoor terrace is a treat too, as is the children’s play area!

book in advance

+33 (0) 4 50 06 18 53

Perfect for Savoyarde dishes

La Grange

Tucked away on one of Morzine’s most charming side streets and widely regarded as one of the most cosy, warm and friendly restaurants in the village, La Grange offers a menu that’s packed with Savoyarde ingredients, making it an unmissable part of your holiday dining experience. Alex and husband Fred provide a friendly welcome, there’s a great children’s menu too and the wine list is one of our absolute favourites. The sunny terrace outside is also a fabulous spot for lunch and dinner on warm evenings.

book in advance

+33 (0) 4 50 75 96 40

Perfect for a mountain lunch Refuge L’Abricotine

The setting couldn’t be more perfect. Walk the easy, rolling trail from the Lindarets bowl to the bottom of the Cascade de Brochaux and you’ll discover this charming, family-run restaurant in a sunny spot with a large terrace just by the stream. The menu is packed with Savoyarde favourites such as Tartiflette, Croûte aux Fromage and of course Fondue and there’s a children’s menu too. There’s a focus on homemade, fresh and local ingredients here and you can even stay the night in the refuge’s charming bunk room (see page 56

Booking

details!).

Perfect for a menu du jour La Biskatcha

Located in the centre of Les Gets, just across from the Chavannes and within Hôtel La Marmotte, this beautiful restaurant with its own sunny terrace serves up a freshly prepared and always delicious menu du jour, in addition to their regular a la carte menu. It’s incredibly good value and always feature seasonal, fresh ingredients. La Biskatcha is also the perfect spot for a cosy evening meal and those of you who like prompt, efficient service won’t be disappointed!

book in advance +33 (0) 4 50 75 80 33

Perfect for date night Hôtel Le Dahu

Perched on the hillside, overlooking the rooftops of Morzine and surrounded by stunning summer gardens, this beautiful, authentic hotel offers a menu packed with seasonal, regional, fresh ingredients planned by a team of dedicated chefs. This is a very special experience, which makes it perfect for a special night out, celebration dinner or anniversary.

book in advance +33 (0) 4 50 75 92 92

Perfect for nights in Bon Appétit Alpes

Bridging the gap between a big night out in a restaurant and cooking your own dinner at home, Martin at Bon Appétit has been preparing the most delicious dishes, including Indian curries, Thai curries, fish pies and beef bourguignon for several years. He makes them all by hand using fresh ingredients before freezing them and installing them in your freezer, ready to cook and eat at your convenience. You’ll order in advance on the Bon Appétit website, Martin and his team will deliver your meals the following day. It really is that simple!

to view the menu bonappetitalpes.com

Perfect for lunch on the go Au P’tit Casse Croûte

Not just a sandwich shop, at Au P’tit Casse Croûte at the top of the rue du Bourg in the centre of Morzine, Pauline and her team serve up delicious piadina (Italian flatbreads) stuffed with delicious, freshly-prepared fillings alongside tasty sandwiches and salads plus a selection of sweet treats. Stop in for a delicious morning coffee on your way into the mountains, collect a picnic before you leave for the ultimate lunch on the go. You can pre-order your lunchtime treats in the shop each day or by phone.

pre-order your lunch

(0) 4

Perfect for a lighter lunch

Satellite Coffee

Because sometimes, a long, sit-down lunch in a restaurant isn’t in order, Satellite Coffee on the rue du Bourg in Morzine delivery fresh, tasty dishes with a healthy twist alongside tasty cakes and incredible coffee too. There’s also those famous bacon and sausage baps to collect on your way to the lifts each morning. Available to eat in or take away, there’s a sunny terrace too.

view the menu satellitecoffee.fr

Perfect for apres-bike Les Dents Blanche

Set to become the home of Apres-bike in Morzine this summer, the large beer garden at Hotel Les Dents Blanche is just along the route de la Plagne in Morzine. You’ll find a free bike wash, a bike workshop with mechanics on site, two pool tables and a ping pong table too. There’s a food truck serving up tasty burgers plus a huge BBQ every Wednesday evening. follow on instagram @db.morzine

Perfect for pre-dinner drinks Le Crepu

This lively bar in the centre of Morzine is perfect for pre-dinner drinks and you’ll discover a huge range of great drinks behind the bar. Le Crepu is lively from 3pm until 2am every day, so there’s always a great atmosphere on the terrace and inside. It’s also just minutes from some of Morzine’s best restaurants too. reserve a table

+33 (0)6 70 50 91 96

Perfect for post-dinner drinks

Tibetan Cafe

This is the late night watering hole your holiday needs! Open until 2am every night and with live music or a live DJ every evening, the Tibetan is a lively bar with an enormous range of speciality gins. It’s also a great place to watch live sport with several HD TVs around the bar for your viewing pleasure. Stay up to date with gigs and sports coverage on their Facebook page.

Perfect for lunch by the lake Hotel du Lac

A rite of passage during every holiday in our valley, Hotel du Lac is the perfect setting on the shores of Lac de Montriond. Take a tour of the lake then settle in on the large terrace for the afternoon! The hotel's restaurant is open for lunch and dinner each day and the a la carte menu changes regularly with the seasons. There’s also burgers and salads while pizzas are served all day. Keep an eye on the hotel’s Facebook page for menu updates, live music events and speciality cocktails.

reserve a table +33 (0)6 03 56 85 05

Perfect for a night out Bar Le National

This lively pub in St Jean d’Aulps is popular with locals and provides an excellent atmosphere every evening. The menu includes those famous Bar Nash pizzas and a selection of other dishes too, there’s a regular pub quiz and a weekly BBQ on the sunny roof terrace, which is always really popular so we’d recommend booking your table in advance. check facebook facebook.com/barlenational

Perfect for herbal teas Abbaye d’Aulps Cafe

The tea room at the majestic Abbaye d’Aulps is a beautiful spot, in the shadow of the ancient ruin and facing the beautiful working gardens. On the menu you’ll discover a large range of herbal teas, specialist Abbaye beers, homemade terrines, sandwiches, soups, cakes and ice creams, all served in this unique, quiet spot. The team room is open each day between midday and 6.30pm. Head to abbayedaulps.fr for more details.

view website abbayedaulps.fr

perfect for something different Hideout

One of the busiest restaurants in Morzine, which makes advance booking essential, the menu at Hideout is packed with pan-asian dishes and takes inspiration all the way from Vietnam to Osaka. There’s also a list of weekly specials, in case you manage to make your way through the whole menu.

check facebook

reserve a table +33 (0)7 68 63 48 21 eat@stayhideout.com

Perfect for celebrations Apeeling Cakes

Sarah bakes beautiful celebration cakes, delivering them to your accommodation in advance of any birthdays or special occasions during your holiday. However, you don’t need an excuse to eat cake in the mountains, so Sarah also offers an afternoon tea delivery service, lovingly baking a selection of treats for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own chalet. Prices start at just €5 per person

Perfect for a party

Cavern Bar

Morzine’s Cavern Bar is the home of your holiday party with live DJs every evening and a unique, memorable atmosphere until the early hours. The Cavern is also the place to go to hear incredible live music, with touring bands regularly taking to the stage. Prepare to dance on the tables! Follow on Facebook for gig announcements.

check facebook

Perfect for lunch elsewhere

La Petite Auberge

The charming village of Essert Romand, just a couple of kilometres from Morzine, is home to La Petite Auberge, a family-run restaurant with a menu that’s sure to include all of your Savoyarde favourites. Each day there’s a daily-changing menu du jour, which is without doubt the best value daily menu we’ve ever eaten. There’s a pretty outdoor terrace and cosy decor inside, plus a warm welcome from owner Fred and his team.

(0) 4 50 37 31 96

perfect for pizzas l'improviste

Just when you think you’ve tried every variety of pizza, up steps L’Improviste with an incredible menu of both classic and new and exciting pizza toppings. This is a really cool little restaurant just along from the church in Morzine’s original quarter, where the service is friendly and relaxed. Make sure you book your table though, as it gets very busy! You can order to take away too.

order your take away +33 (0) 4 50 04 63 80.