Issue 5 - Summer 2015 - Morzine Source Magazine

SUMMER 15 -

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win

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Ben Fogle - What makes an adventurer?

Project : BASE human rights Human flights for

Claudio Caluori

MechaniSed or Motorised? + plus Resort activities, news & events Tried & Tested local recommendations

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BILINGUAL TEAM | 70 PROPERTIES IN MORZINE & SURROUNDING VALLEYS STEP BY STEP HELP THROUGH THE BUYING PROCESS | CALL OR POP IN FOR A CHAT

www.geranium74.com info@geranium74.com | 00 33 (0)4 50 38 86 30 Geranium Immobilier EURL, 1796 Route des Grandes Alpes, Saint Jean d’Aulps, 74430, France EURL au capital de € 5.000, Immatriculée au RCS de Thonon-les-Bains N° 515 135 341, TVA intracom FR 95515135341, Garantie financière € 120 000.

Carte Professionnelle Transactions sur immeubles et fonds de commerces Numéro: 1608/74 délivrer par la Préfecture de la Haute Savoie, le 12#loveavoriaz janvier 2010. #lovemorzine #lovelesgets

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So good, you might forget to go skiing...

Food for foodies Winner of Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014

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Beautiful surroundings

Attention to detail

Winner of Source Magazine’s Best Food in Morzine Award 2015

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welcome

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There’s never been so much adventure packed into one issue of Source Magazine. Cue: scorching hot summer days by Lake Montriond. Cue: pounding mountain storms that you simply can’t outrun. Cue: mountain bikes. Everywhere.

For reasons that should become obvious as you turn the pages, we’re dedicating this issue of Source Magazine to the summer of adventure. Adventure comes in all shapes and sizes across Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz - regardless of the weather! From BASE jumping to alpine golf courses, 170 km mountain bike rides to picnicking with a view, we’ve got all bases covered.

Ben Fogle is perhaps one of the UK’s best-known adventurers and he’s on the hunt for the next great adventurer. Could it be you? Find out more on page 10. We also caught up with downhill World Cup legend Claudio Caluori. The hardest working man in mountain biking he may be, but he’s also pretty entertaining too. Read what he’s got to say on page 38.

And of course it wouldn’t be an issue of Source Magazine without all the regular features, news, events and resort information you’ve come to expect from us. This issue is packed full of usefulness to help you make the most of your summer in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz.

Go forth and enjoy…

Amie postings amie@morzinesourcemagazine.com

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Copyright - Origami Media Ltd 2015 Source Magazine is published in the UK by and remains the property of Origami Media Ltd. All material in this magazine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved by Origami Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers.

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

Any correspondence and advertising enquiries should be directed to: info@origami-media.com or visit www.origami-media.com Design and reprographics by Cuttin Edge Solutions Ltd: www.cuttin-edge.co.uk / info@cuttin-edge.co.uk Printed in the United Kingdom by the Magazine Printing Company Front cover graphics copyright Morzine Source Magazine Many thanks to the Office de Tourisme in Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz & Portes du Soleil

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The incredible resort of Chamonix now has its very own copy of Source Magazine! If you’re heading there this summer, look out for your free copy. Or if you prefer the high altitude resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isere during the winter, look out for Tarentaise Source Magazine!

Contributors Rob Purver

Source Magazine Group Editor RACHAEL STALLWOOD

Chamonix Source Magazine Resort Editor Chloe Hardy DAN BROMLEY PHIL SMITH

Contents #SummerofAdventure......................................................................................... 6 Ben Fogle......................................................................................................................10 Project: BASE ............................................................................................................ 14 Les Gets Golf Course......................................................................................... 16 Mechanised or Motorised ............................................................................ 20 Summer BBQ’ing........................................................................................................24 Look Good, Feel Good......................................................................................26 Chalet Envy, Resolved.....................................................................................30 The Source Awards ............................................................................................. 34 Accommodation Guide......................................................................................35 the evergreen endurance........................................................................... 38 picnic like a local ...............................................................................................40 Claudio Caluori .................................................................................................... 42 How to build a Skatepark ............................................................................. 44 Eat Green ..................................................................................................................... 48 The TMB............................................................................................................................53 A Truly Special Day...............................................................................................58 Statistical Nightmare.......................................................................................60 Summer Ski Guide ....................................................................................................66 Waiting for Winter .............................................................................................. 68 Win A Skateboard................................................................................................. 70

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For regular summer visitors to Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz, the awesomeness of the surrounding area is no secret. Less beach holiday in the Med, more action packed, thrill-seeking adventure, a summer holiday spent in the mountains is one to be remembered for a lifetime.

To celebrate the variety and quality of the area’s summer activities, we’re dedicating this entire issue of Source Magazine to the #SummerofAdventure and we want you to get involved. Whether your stay is long or short, you’ve absolutely no excuse. You’ll find adventure at every turn across our three resorts and we want you to share your experiences with us using #SummerofAdventure on social media.

If, like Ben Fogle on page 10, you fancy your chances in some of the most adventurous places on earth, consider our little corner of the French Alps as your training ground. We’ve crafted a #SummerofAdventure scorecard to help you collect adventure points. Download it from our website and compete for a spot on our adventure leaderboard. Think you’ve got what it takes? Head to morzinesourcemagazine.com/summerofadventure and let the fun begin!

# s u m m e r o fa d v e n t u r e score card

y did you do?

3 Point Adventures – how man

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Your Name: Your Age:

y did you do?

1 Point Adventures – how man

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Swim in Lac Montriond or Les Gets lake Ride on a Telepherique lift (Prodains or Pleney) Speak French to a local Eat Fondue in a restaurant Complete the circuit at Les Gorges du Pont du Diable

y did you do?

2 Point Adventures – how man

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Ride on a chair lift ets Take a deep breath at the Goat Village in Les Lindar rant Eat frogs legs in a restau Downhill mountain bike on a green run Go horse riding on the Dereche

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White water rafting on the Dranse Eat snails in a restaurant Complete the high ropes course on the Dranse Downhill mountain bike on a blue run Ride the summer luge on the Pleney

y did you do?

4 Point Adventures – how man

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Hot dogging on the Dranse The Fantasticable The Via Ferrata in Avoriaz Downhill mountain bike on a red run Complete the Cascade Adventure course at Nyon

y did you do?

5 Point Adventures – how man

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Tandem parapente flight Canyoning at Nyon Climbing at the Elephant’s Head in St Jean d’Aulps Attempt the Mont Chery Airline on your bike Downhill mountain bike on a black run

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Your Passport To Adventure

The best pop rock bar in Morzine playing music from the 70’s ‘till now

It’s an absolute must-have during the summer season across Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. The Pass’Portes du Soleil MultiPass offers discounted and free access to a huge range of local activities.

That’s right… once you’re in possession of a MultiPass, your opportunities for adventure are unlimited!

Open from 9pm - 2am every day

Tuesday Wine-Down Buy one glass, get one free

Between 13th June and 6th September, MultiPass card holders staying in MultiPass affiliated accommodation can enjoy over 50 fun activities and use the entire 21 lift network across the Portes du Soleil for just €2 per day.

Mojito Wednesday Buy one cocktail, get one free Live bands each week, live DJs every night, all sports on large screens

In Avoriaz CHAIRLIFTS - Prodains Express, Zore, Chaux Fleurie, Lindarets & Mossettes FREE ACTIVITIES - Tennis, petit train, mini golf DISCOUNTS* - Deep Nature Spa, bike hire at Maison de la Montagne Avoriaz

In Morzine CHAIRLIFTS - Super Morzine, Zore, Pleney, Pointe de Nyon FREE ACTIVITIES - Swimming pool, ice skating, tennis, petit train, Balad’Aulps bus service DISCOUNTS* - Aero-bi parapente school, Indiana’Ventures (high ropes course, etc), summer luge

In Les Gets CHAIRLIFTS - La Pointe, Mont Chery, Chavannes Express FREE ACTVITIES - Swimming lake, mechanical music museum, tennis, petit train, library, mini golf DISCOUNTS* - Les Gets Parapente, Aventure Parc, Montagne’Arc Ask your accommodation provider if they’re part of the MultiPass scheme! If they’re not, you can still buy a MultiPass for €8 per day.

Season passes are also available for €65 per person. MultiPasses are free for kids aged 5 years and under.

DISCOUNTS* = A minimum of 20% discount is offered on these activities for MultiPass holders

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Read what our customers say on TripAdvisor

You’ll find our most up to date events, live music gigs and drinks offers on our Facebook page Follow us on Facebook - /Tibetan-Café-Morzine Follow us on Twitter - @TibetanMorzine

+33 (0) 4 50 75 90 84 www.tibetan-café-morzine.com /MorzineSourceMagazine

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RESIDENTIAL LANGUAGE HOLIDAYS FOR KIDS Combining language lessons and fun alpine activities, a new summer programme developed by local language experts Alpine French School is now available for kids aged 11-17 years.

The holidays include morning French or English lessons, followed by afternoons, evenings and weekends spent enjoying fun local

activities and excursions.

Residential courses are available here in Morzine between 28 June and 22 August and classes are taught by young, dynamic teachers, who know how to keep learning entertaining and lively.

There will be sporting, cultural and social activities to keep everyone

interested, and the package includes lessons, activities, airport transfers from Geneva and fully catered accommodation in a modern specialist study residence.

For more information visit alpinefrenchschool. com/teenage-french-summer-camp or e-mail info@alpinefrenchschool.com

LE TREMPLIN’S TERRACE GETS EVEN BETTER! Last summer, Le Tremplin, situated at the bottom of Morzine’s Pleney cable car, had a bit of a facelift.

They doubled the size of their terrace, added a load of new furniture and a stage for live DJs and bands, in addition to a huge outdoor bar. Proving that owners Sophie and Gilles aren’t shy of

a bit of investment, this summer sees more exciting additions.

A full terrace-side barbecue set up will bring a new twist to the locally sourced menu, while parents can relax on deck chairs and kids can enjoy the huge bouncy castle and other games, including Mexican Loco.

Early morning yoga sessions on the grass are also planned; follow Le Tremplin on Facebook for more information on dates and times.

RUDE LODGE AND FOX HEAD EUROPE JOIN FORCES Rude Lodge in Morzine has joined forces with with arguably one of the strongest brands in European mountain biking, Fox Head Europe.

In a partnership that’s likely to see some of the industry’s top talent riding our local trails, Rude Lodge, has already hosted local lass Tahnée Seagrave, along with Kyle Forte, Francisco Pardal, Myriam Nicole and Remi Thirion as part of a Fox Head and Pinkbike video shoot.

During this summer’s Pass’Portes challenge Fox Head will take over Rude Lodge, packing it with pro riders and industry folk and they’ve promised a huge party at Le Paradis on the Saturday evening. More events and competitions are planned throughout the summer season.

Tahnée Seagrave and Loïc Delteil have also joined the Rude Team Rider Programme and they’ll be part of Rude Lodge’s Pro / Am MTB custom week, backed by Fox Head between 12 and 19 July this year.

Here at Source we’re keen to see how a big action sports brand affiliation helps to raise awareness for our beloved resorts. Continue reading to page 60 to see why!

For more information on the Rude Lodge MTB custom week visit www.rudechalets.com #lovemorzine

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TORICO TO STOCK PIVOT BIKES Torico Performance Bikes, located on Rue du Bourg in Morzine, have announced they’re switching from the tried and trusted Nukeproofs of the last few years to a brand spanking new fleet of Pivot Cycles mountain machinery.

with position-sensitive, anti-squat pedals, it accelerates and handles like nothing else for aggressive trail riding conditions. The standard model will be upgraded with a KS dropper post to make the ups and downs even easier.

They’ll be stocking the Mach 6, a lightweight all-mountain slayer and the Phoenix Carbon, a highspec downhill devastator.

The new Phoenix DH Carbon also features 27.5 inch wheels, an ultra-lightweight chassis and DWlink suspension. The combination of the wheels and DW-link design allows the bike to be longer, lower and slacker than ever before, resulting in a chassis that instils high speed confidence and control on the steepest descents, all while out-pedalling any other DH bike on the course.

The Mach 6 features 27.5 inch wheels, slack head angle, short chainstays, low bottom bracket height and incredible suspension performance, making for a stable, confident bike at speed, which raises any rider’s ability in order to conquer insanely aggressive terrain with ease. It has 6.1 inch (155mm) travel, next-generation DW-link suspension design and

Both models are available to rent from Torico. You can either visit the shop or book in advance online at toricomorzine.com

white water adventures. call: +33 (0) 609 308 077 email: info@frogsrafting.com

SPINNING CLASSES IN MORZINE Buzz Performance, the training and fitness company started by local triathlon experts Joe and Amelia Pearson, is set to open an official Spinning facility in Morzine in October 2015.

Spinning started in California in 1991 and it’s now available in over 80 countries worldwide; naturally Joe and Amelia are very excited to be bringing it to Morzine. They told us: ‘Coming from backgrounds in professional triathlon and the RPM programme, we were inspired when completing our Spinning instructor certifications.

The philosophy and delivery of the programme is outstanding

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and we are excited to be able to bring Spinning to Morzine’.

The Spinning programme welcomes participants of all fitness levels, offering energising, road cycling-inspired rides with inspirational music and a unique mind / body philosophy.

But Spinning offers more than just a great workout – it creates a sense of community, shared purpose and lasting lifestyle change. We can’t wait to get involved!

For more information on Spinning in Morzine visit facebook.com/buzzperformancemorzine

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interview By Amie Postings

Adventurers are ten-a-penny these days. Every new reality TV show spawns another new daredevil, desperate to make a name for themselves by doing something crazy. If you’ve watched Joey Essex in Africa you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Do they inspire us? Unlikely. Will they last? Probably.

We were first introduced to Ben Fogle in Castaway 2000 – TV’s original reality series set on the remote, uninhabited Scottish island of Taransay. Lasting a full year, thirty-six men, women and children were tasked with building a sustainable self-sufficient community as part of a bold millennium experiment, filming everything themselves along the way. The Big Brother house this was not. The community reared their own animals, built a wind turbine and a hydro-electric dam, and lived in turf covered eco pods.

There was no winner, no prize, and no magazine deal at the end of Castaway 2000. But for Ben, a successful career as a television presenter and genuine adverturer beckoned.

A real life adventurer might swim with crocodiles, row 3000 miles across the Atlantic, run 260km across the Sahara Desert or race across the Antarctic Plateau. Ben’s ticked all four off his adventure list. But what really makes an adventurer?

Ben, here at Source Magazine we’re calling this the ‘Summer of Adventure’, which chimes nicely with your quest to find Britain’s next great adventurer. Tell us about your involvement…

I have teamed up with Mumm Champagne, Land Rover and Canada Goose to find Britain's next adventurer.

I belong to a club of adventurers, climbers, sailors and mavericks who have excelled in the art of adventure and we wanted to help someone else off the starting grid.

(If you provide the winning idea for the competition, Ben and his team of fellow adventurers including Bear Grylls and Sir Ranulph Fiennes will provide the expertise to make it happen this year.)

There’s a real appetite for adventure these days, amongst people from all walks of life and all backgrounds.

What do you think is the catalyst for this?

I think that the evolution in technology has created an increasingly static, cocooned way of life.

People are looking for ways to escape the conformity and consistency of modern day life.

All of your adventures include quite a l arge chunk of risk. Is risk an important ingredient in adventure travel? Or is the ‘risk’ part optional?

There is no adventure without risk. Adventure is merely a form of taking yourself out of your comfort zone, which inevitably entails a degree of risk. Apart from that, it is up to the individual to decide the degree of risk and it's important to manage that risk through planning and preparation.

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images - © ben fogle

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evolution in technology has created an increasingly static, cocooned way of life. People are looking for ways to escape the conformity and consistency of modern day life. /MorzineSourceMagazine

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Many of our readers will be in the mountains as they read this interview, many on family holidays. Having a young family of your own, can you give us your top three adventure breaks with kids in tow?

We just returned from a family holiday in Tanzania. Camping, safari and epic landscapes. Ludo is five and Iona is three, but they loved it. It gave them a little window into another way of life. We have also taken them to Mozambique. They loved the simplicity of island life. I plan to take them all to Iceland this winter, I've just returned from there and I fell in love with the place and the landscape.

When you volunteered to take part in Castaway 2000, did you anticipate that it would be as life changing as it was for you? And do you keep in touch with the others from the isl and?

It was the first of the reality shows and I had no idea it would lead to all the opportunities that it did. It's 15 years since I was marooned.

I returned with my wife for our honeymoon and we had a reunion five years ago. Sadly, the island has since been sold.

Rowing the Atlantic was arguably the most challenging but trekking across Antarctica was the most rewarding. I never thought I'd have the chance to visit Antarctica and I've since returned to make a documentary about Captain Scott's hut.

Do you have any fears?

Has there been a time when you’ve thought, ‘nope. That’s a step too far’?

Of course. I would be doing something wrong if I never felt fear. Fear for fear’s sake but also fear of failure. I am terrified of heights.

Jumping out of an aeroplane the first time on my own during a solo skydive was pretty scary.

Scuba diving with wild Nile crocs in Botswana was also pretty nerve wracking.

If my other half were about to row 3000 miles across the Atl antic or dive bet ween tectonic pl ates in Icel and, I’d likely feel a lit tle anxious. How does your wife cope with your thirst for adventure?

Our marriage is founded on trust and respect.

I proposed to Marina shortly after I had rowed

During the series ‘New Lives in the Wild’ you visited some fascinating pl aces. Did any of them inspire or tempt you? Can you see yourself relocating to the Swedish Arctic Circle, for example?

Or farming coconuts in the Philippines?

I'd love to move to a remote wilderness. In all my travels I am still yet to find my own wild utopia. I have always loved Northern Europe and Scandinavia. I have a romantic idea about building my own little cabin on a Norwegian fjord or a Swedish island.

Here’s a few facts that our readers might not know about you. You made your acting debut in Hotel Babylon. You have a wax work at Madame Tussauds.

What else don’t we know?

I was once in the Royal Navy as a Midshipman officer.

What and where’s next?

Of all your amazing adventures, which did you find the most challenging?

And which was the most rewarding?

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across the Atlantic so I think it's fair to say she knew what she was letting herself in for.

Occasionally she will put her foot down. I've suggested climbing Everest which didn't go down well!

I am off to Cuba, then Laos, Costa Rica, Canada and Botswana. That will take me to June!

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Until recently, wing-suit flying was pretty much unheard of outside the close-knit aerial sports community. For parachutists, jumping from an object that wasn’t a plane was the next logical step in the evolution of their sport. BASE jumping – parachuting from a fixed structure - was born and began to gain popularity and exposure over the ‘80s and ‘90s, establishing a much more ‘extreme’ attitude than its somewhat safer and generally more legal older brother.

During BASE jumping’s rise in popularity, a new and even more extreme method of falling started to appear on the fringes of the aerial extremist society. In 1994 Frenchman Patrick de Gayardon designed, built and flew a prototype fabric wing-suit using the ‘ram air’ design of modern parachutes. His design and his ground breaking flights over the subsequent years - notably the first proximity flight, passing a few meters from l'Aiguille du Midi’s terrace in front of journalists - firmly returned flying-man fame to France. Their previous historical claim to wing-suiting happens to be the first non-mythical flying man on record.

Back in 1912 Austrian Franz Reichelt leapt from the Eiffel Tower in a winged suit.

Unfortunately for poor Franz, material science and aerodynamics were still many years from perfection and he made quite a startling, yet somewhat

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intriguing mess across the streets of Paris.

It also marked the first of many attempts to achieve the godlike feeling of unpowered human flight.

With the pressing need of the everyday aerial extremist to push the boundaries of reasonable behavior, wing-suiting has been adopted all over the world. But since good old Patrick de Gayardon’s early flights, this fledgling sport has been deeply rooted in the Mont Blanc region.

The art of flight in a wing-suit comes down to four things: weight, lift, thrust and drag.

There are many designs available, but they generally follow the same basic three-wing design first developed by Patrick; a sheet of material from each hand to hip much like a bird’s wing, and a large triangle of material mounted between the pilot’s feet, joining his legs together, again, not dissimilar to a bird’s tail. Smaller, simple wings would be used for aerobatics and flocking (multiple pilots in formation), while larger examples with complicated ram air systems will typically be used in mountainous environments such as ours. These pressurise parts of the suit and provide the rigid control needed for higher top speeds, better lift and the generally improved flight

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performance needed for the challenging aerodynamic environment associated with proximity flying.

Today the sport, which is still surrounded by an air of danger and risk, continues to gather a huge following with more and more adrenaline junkies progressing to wing-suit flying from other aerial sports like paragliding and speedflying.

PROJECT : BASE Chamonix is home to a huge number of extreme sports. With great altitudes achievable via the lift system, the valley has always housed a vast number of skiers, mountaineers, climbers and in more recent times, experienced BASE jumpers and wingsuiters, two of which include Sam Hardy and Nathan Jones.

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The British-Australian duo share a passion for flight and the two friends work intuitively together in their airborne exploits.

As is generally the case in all high-risk sports, BASE jumping has been subject to some heavy criticism over the years. Project : BASE however, is a program created to help others. Inspired by the exploration of human flight, Sam and Nathan aim to bring support, medical care and education to those less fortunate than themselves by working with charitable causes across the globe. They're using BASE jumping to raise awareness and effect positive change.

Sam and Nathan have worked with charity A Glimmer of Hope to get the project off the ground. They’re now raising money through events and donations, and everything they raise goes towards providing people from disadvantaged areas with basic luxuries, such as clean water and medicine. Several events have already been held in Chamonix with the support of local businesses, who have donated everything from their time to a pair of ZAG skis.

To raise awareness for Project : BASE, the pair produced a video of the first wing-suit high five. They couldn’t have predicted the amount of coverage they would gain from it; the clip went viral and was shown on news channels worldwide. It was then they realised the difference that could be made with the following of a global audience.

MISSION : ETHIOPIA 2015 Jumping in the Simien Mountains, a protected national park in Ethiopia, was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Sam and Nathan, due to the potential disturbance to local wildlife. The pair were shocked by how underdeveloped the country was and were inspired to make a change. Problems gaining the necessary permissions and permits however, continued until two days before jump day. After hours of waiting and deliberating the permission slip was finally issued, the jump was on. Two days later, to raise awareness for the 44.5 million Ethiopians who lack access to clean water on World Water Day, Nathan and Sam would be the first people ever to BASE jump in the Simien Mountains.

With a crowd of around 50 people watching in anticipation, the team stood at the exit point and waited for the wind to drop.

At 10.30am, just as they’d planned, the

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weather was perfect. Sam followed Nathan on a perfect jump: chutes inflated and the time from jump to landing took just 60 seconds. Once their feet were safely back on solid ground and after some celebratory back slapping, the pair began the hike back to their starting point. Roughly 2000ft of elevation and already at 8000ft above sea level, it wasn’t for the faint hearted. Yet after the world’s first BASE jump in the Simien Mountains, nothing was going to stop the pair from doing it again.

The jump wasn’t their biggest achievement in Ethiopia. Sam and Nathan raised $11,000 to benefit the local communities near to their BASE jump location. The funds were used to construct a water well for the Amhara region, providing clean water for around 350 people.

They’ve also been inspired, along with local contact Nick Crane, to raise $1000 so local workers can make wooden furniture for schools and then raise the additional money required to fund the installation of a water well in the town of Miligebsa. It’s incredible to imagine that such a dangerous sport can be used to help desperate communities in some of the poorest counties on earth.

The pair hope to return to Ethiopia in November this year to see the benefits that their project has brought to the people of the Simien Mountains.

If Project : BASE inspires you to help improve the lives of poor communities in Ethiopia, then you can make a donation at projectbase. eu. Here you can also watch videos of Sam and Nathan’s jumps and find out more about the positive changes they’ve made.

image credit - © Hampus Jerkfelt

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interview By rob purver

Many winter visitors are unaware that beneath those thick layers of snow at the top of the Pleney lies Les Gets Club du Golf. Or that the Avoriaz Proclou plateau transforms into a nine hole course during the summer months.

Dozens of other great courses are within a couple of hours’ drive.

In fact, the golf scene is thriving up here in the mountains. We’ve pinned down Alison, who, when she’s not driving tourists to the airport, can usually be found driving off the tee at her local course in Les Gets. Alison knows a lot about the local golf scene, and the Les Gets club, and she’s willing to share her knowledge with Source readers!

Hello Alison, could tell us about your club?

My local club is Les Gets Club du Golf, situated at an altitude of almost 2000m between the picturesque ski villages of Morzine and Les Gets in the French Alps, approximately 75 minutes by car from Geneva.

Les Gets Golf Club was founded in 1994 as a nine-hole course and was then extended to a full 18 hole, par 70 course in 2001.

How do we find the club and what’s there?

We usually associate the mountains with skiing or snowboarding during the winter months and cycling or hiking in the summer. But there are of course many more activities to be found up here in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz; Parapenting, canyoning, white water rafting, climbing, pony trekking and triathlon training, to name just a few.

But what about golf?

The clubhouse lies at the top of the Route des Chavannes and the course extends as far as the top of Pleney. Les Gets Golf Club is a fully equipped, professionally run club housing a driving range with video analysis facilities, a practice putting area, two chipping areas and a practice bunker, all open to club members and the general public alike. Golf clubs can be hired from the pro shop, which also sells balls, golf clothing and equipment. the course lies underneath the Pleney pistes in winter?

How does it survive with all that snow and the very low temperatures ski resorts experience throughout the winter?

Well, beneath six inches or more of snow the ambient temperature never drops below zero degrees, so the greens and fairways are protected, even when outside temperatures plummet to -25 degrees. For added protection during the ski season, the greens at Les Gets are roped off to keep skiers and piste bashers clear. In fact, courses in the UK suffer more damage from frost in the winter than we do in the Alps, so the course is always in very good condition.

Sounds ideal! Could you give us a rundown of the course specifics so potential holiday golfers can get a feel for the course?

The course length is 5790 yards with some of the most dramatic views you will ever see whilst playing golf. Most players regard the stunning view of Mont Blanc from the tee at hole seven (par five, right to left downhill dog leg) as being the jewel in the crown in Les Gets. My favourite view is from the ladies tee on hole 17 (par five, elevated tee, 436 yards) overlooking the village of Les Gets, down the Les Gets Gorge with the peaks of Le Grand Bornand in the distance. It’s stunning, especially at sunset.

We also have a number of very tricky holes, which need thought and planning to achieve the best results. For example, hole five (285 yards, par four) requires an accurate tee shot to land between two lakes and then a confident second shot over the second lake and onto the green. Hit it too far right away from the water and you’re in the bunker, so maximum nerve is needed on this hole. Hole six (117 yards, par three), which, despite being the shortest hole on the course, is extremely difficult. You’re hitting from an elevated tee and you need to be dead straight between two rows of trees, and exactly the right distance, or you will see your ball disappear over the back of the green and down onto the 15th green, which is about 15 vertical metres below.

Is there much competitive golf going on in the Alps?

Les Gets Club du Golf plays competitively in the French Mountain Golf League. This league is only open to Golf Clubs that are also ski resorts, such as Megeve, Tignes, Avoriaz and Meribel, to name just a few. All these mountain golf clubs are only open for four to five months a year when they are free from snow. Les Gets has won this prestigious competition for the past three years and I have been fortunate enough to play for the team for the past two years.

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Morzine-massage-CORRECT.pdf

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The resident club pro Cedric Loustaunau is always available for lessons and he can teach in both French and English. He is a ski instructor for the ESF in Avoriaz in the winter, so has an amazing lifestyle in the Alps! what about the social side of things?

Morzine

Massage

The clubhouse includes an excellent restaurant run by local French chef Stephan and his team. It is open every day during the golf season, as well as during the ski season, where you can find it on the right-hand side of Bruyere piste.

The club has a membership of over 400 players. French, British, Dutch and many other nationalities all play together in a welcoming atmosphere. There are competitions every Sunday, which are open to all members and often visitors, too. The most popular competition of the season is the Masters Golf and Poker event, where you play a round of golf during the day and your score is then converted into poker chips to play in a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament in the evening. This is a great sporting and social event!

Prices

60 minute massage 75€ pp 45 minute massage 60€ pp 30 minute massage 45€ pp 2 or more consecutive 45 minute massages - 55€ each 2 or more consecutive 60 minute massages - 70€ each An entire evening of indulgence for just 199€ (3.5 Hours) Let us massage away those aches and pains in the comfort of your accommodation.

Les Gets Golf Club has something for everyone and all competitions and teams are mixed. From its junior section, which meets for coaching on a Saturday morning, to its senior section, which plays competitions all over the Rhone Alps, and of course the Les Gets Golf Club Team who are the French Mountain League Champions.

Deep Tissue Massage

*Hot Stone *An additional 15€ per treatment

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Essert Ro

Thanks for filling us in Alison! If someone were to come out to Morzine or Les Gets to play a round of golf, what would be your preferred method to get here from the airport?

Coincidently I run a transfer company, Morzine and Back Transfers. We run transfers all year round for golf, skiing, mountain biking and all of your other alpine holiday needs.

That’s a coincidence isn’t it! Where might we be able to book that service?

morzineandback.co.uk!

Wonderful, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us Alison.

info@alptitude.com | 0033 (0)7867 11412

If you want to have the mountain golf experience you can visit lesgets.com/golf for more information.

/MorzineSourceMagazine

@MorzineSource

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18

Bike Morzine - Mossettes Avalanche 19th August

4 Elements Festival 1 - 7 August

Pass’Portes du Soleil

Bike Morzine - Rip Off Worlds

26 - 28 June

22 July

The summer season starts with a bang across the Portes du Soleil.

The Pass’Portes MTB challenge takes in 80km of lift-assisted terrain.

A rip off of the Whip Off Worlds contest at Crankworx in Whistler.

Hosted on the big tabletop on Super Morzine, the aim of the game is to get as sideways as you can! Big prizes for best tricks and whips.

Bike Morzine - Pleney Chainless

A celebration of sustainable tourism and the natural environment in Les Gets includes lots of fun activities for adults and children.

1 Day, 1 Col 2 August

You’ll find the famous Tour de France route closed to traffic between Morzine and Samoens for just one day. Do you have what it takes?

1 July

Alpine Battle - Les Gets

The first of Bike Morzine’s ‘Mates Race’ series. A fun and friendly race on the world famous Pleney ‘Mainline’ track. Free entry and cheep beer afterwards but there is one catch; no chains allowed!

23 - 24 August

Morzine Harley Days

Avoriaz Mountain Festival

Morzine - Avoriaz Bike Climb

The event of the summer. 80’s rockers Toto, accompanied by Beth Hart, perform on a huge stage in the centre of the resort.

Leathers are optional.

Discover what life at high altitude is really like. Visit the wolves, sheep dogs and cows of Avoriaz, meet local workers and taste local produce.

Can you complete another famous Tour de France route? Cover 14.6km with 860m of ascent in 33 minutes or less to beat the record.

11 - 14 July

A fun mass start, downhill race on the Mossettes track, also know as Puncture Ally, it’s about as fast and loose as it's possible to get in the PDS.

23 July - 13 August

9 August

An all-mountain bicycle GPS orienteering challenge. Teams have two days to search out as many hidden checkpoints around the vast Les Gets bike area. Lift use is highly recommended.

Bike Morzine - Grass Dual 2 September

A season ender with a real party vibe. Dual slalom racetracks are marked on the grass of the lower Pleney slopes. Race your mates and enjoy a beer on one of the last days of the season.

Evergreen Endurance 12 & 13 September

Lounge Music Festival 10 - 15 August

Les Gets celebrates lounge music - a mixture of jazz, funk and blues - on the terraces of bars and restaurants across the resort.

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Set to become the toughest triathlon in the world, and one of the most ecologically sustainable, we cant wait for this to pass through Morzine and Avoriaz this summer.

for more events keep an eye on morzinesourcemagazine.com #loveavoriaz

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19

LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD WITH CREVASSE CLOTHING Has your ski kit seen better days?

Do you promise yourself an upgrade each and every winter, and then forget? Is the prospect of shelling out a few hundred quid on a new jacket (and that’s before the pants and goggles) just too much? Allow us to introduce you to Crevasse Clothing, a unique ski and snowboard clothing rental service.

For just £69 Crevasse Clothing will deliver a Westbeach outerwear set, plus a pair of Barts gloves and Bolle goggles to your ski chalet. Imagine the space saving in your luggage too!

Crevasse Clothing is the brainchild of Michael Winterton, who’s been providing clothing rental services to music festivals and student events across the Alps since 2010. Michael saw that the cost of kit was putting off many new skiers and snowboarders, preventing them from even giving the sport a go. The Crevasse service is now available in all European resorts.

For more information on Crevasse Clothing rentals, or if you’d like to offer the service to your chalet guests next winter, contact Michael on +44 (0) 20 328 74740 or +33 (0) 6 95 48 65 68, or visit crevasseclothing.com

A NEW RESTAURANT LAUNCHES IN LES LINDARETS An entirely new restaurant concept launches in Les Lindarets this summer and we can’t wait to try it out. Bringing a welcome change to the area’s traditional (cheese based!) menu, BlueSmoke is a modern barbecue restaurant based at Mamo’s Cafe in the Lindarets bowl.

Duncan Green has already established a great reputation in Les Gets, cooking at Chalet Bluebell. Now teaming up with his brother Nick, the pair are expanding their passion for outdoor cooking: ‘There’ll be an outdoor kitchen in full view of our diners and fresh, vibrant,

seasonal ingredients, all prepared over the wood stove or the woodfired oven’ they told Source.

On the menu you’ll find whole joints of slow smoked meat, homemade beef burgers, salt baked and barbecued fish, wood roasted side dishes, barbecued fruit and homemade ice cream.

Main courses start at a very reasonable €7!

BlueSmoke is open daily between 11am and 5pm and you’ll find the restaurant on the Col du Joux Vert with plenty of parking for bikes, cars and motorbikes. For more details visit bluesmoke-barbecue.com

AN ECO REVOLUTION IN MONTRIOND This summer work gets under way on the area’s first fully ecological and sustainable chalet build.

Designed by architectural firm ECSUS Design and using state of the art Kingspan Structurally Insulated Panels, the building will be thermally efficient, reducing its carbon footprint significantly.

An air source heat pump, full mechanical exchange system, solar collectors for hot water and rain harvesting will also feature in the new chalet, which the owners /MorzineSourceMagazine

hope will reduce their utility bills by up to 40% each year.

Considering that the construction costs are also less than traditional building methods, building this way in the future seems like a no brainer.

Construction begins in September for completion next year. If you’d like to take a look at the project, contact Steven Downs of ECSUS Design on +33 (0) 6 85 20 48 09. @MorzineSource

/MorzineSourceMagazine

image credit - © Nicolas Brizin 26.in

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

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By rob purver

If you look back a couple of years, the electric bicycle was a laughable concept. In general, any kind of electric vehicle was a bit rubbish.

That’s all changed of late, with every large car manufacturer throwing investment money into the electric sector. The need for a greener car industry and the probable death of fossil fuels over the next century has led to great improvements in technology. This means electric cars are not only a practical and reliable means of transport, but they’re pretty fast, too. Perhaps inevitably, this surge of development and innovation has now shifted into the bicycle world.

If you’re not familiar with the new breed of e-bike, here’s a quick catch-up. E-bikes come in many varieties but for the purpose of this feature, we’ll be mainly referring to the enduro style of bicycle.

Currently the largest growing sector of the bike industry, enduro bikes are the exact mid-point between a traditional cross country mountain bike and a big, burley downhill bike: long travel suspension and knobbly tyres, but relatively lightweight and easy to pedal. Enduro bikes are designed to go up, across and down the mountain. In other words, perfect for riding off-road around these parts.

‘power on demand’. Instead, an e-bike has a pedal assist motor, meaning that the motor boosts every pedal stroke you make. In an alpine environment, if you were to ride up a relatively steep hill, you’d only need to put in the same amount of energy as if you were riding along a flat or gradual incline. If you’ve ever tried to pedal up one of the relatively steep hills around here, this might seem like a mighty fine idea indeed.

The ‘e’ part of it comes with the addition of an electric motor, battery pack and a little bundle of control electronics. It doesn’t quite work in the same way that an electric car would - you don’t press the accelerator and off it goes, for example. That’s classed as

The ‘electronic assist’ part makes all the difference in its classification. Currently, if an e-bike is limited to 200watts and the pedal-assist cuts out over 25km/h, it falls into the ‘pedelec’ class. So rather than being a motorised vehicle (i.e. a motorbike), it’s a mechanised vehicle, thus falling into the same category as a bicycle. This is where all of the benefits, most of the complications and a nice big wedge of controversy originate from.

There are two different arguments concerning electric bikes right now; one to do with its onroad legality and safety, the other to do with access rights and trail damage, but they both essentially come down to one thing…

Is it a motorbike?

There’s a lot of weight on either side of the fence. To complicate matters further, the e-bike has taken a couple of crippling blows in the US. They are now banned in New York City center due to a steep rise in accidents.

The decision is widely heralded as being a short sighted kneejerk reaction by cycling groups all over America. Better education, improved cycle lanes and traffic management would have been a more sensible way to deal with the problem. But with people disappearing under busses on an almost daily basis, it’s easy to see why the blanket ban was enforced. A similar ban has also been introduced in the Moab desert in Utah, as misuse by some users and a trend of modified #lovemorzine

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Let’s take a look at the for and against arguments…

FOR It’s still human powered. Without pedaling, no forward momentum is achievable. It’s a bicycle.

They are great fun, providing all the joys of cycling with a heavily reduced workload. You won’t finish your day as fresh as a daisy either; instead of doing your usual 15km ride you might do double the distance. Smiling the entire way, of course.

They allow access to people who wouldn’t usually be able to cycle in a mountainous environment. As soon as you leave town you’re pretty much destined to go uphill and that’s not possible for everyone. Especially if you’re new to cycling, older or younger, or in some way physically less-able. It’s bringing cycling to the masses like never before.

It’s an ecologically friendly way to travel, especially when recharged via a renewable energy source.

They encourage physical activity, adventure and experience. If a little bit of battery-powered technology is capable of getting someone out and about and being active, then it’s never a bad thing.

It seems unfair to complain about a small electric motor, when the entire sport of downhill mountain biking is based on using large electric motors to transport people uphill (the lifts!). bikes with high top speeds forced the local authorities to class them as a motorbike. Is this another example of a select few ruining it for the majority? Maybe, but it’s a clear demonstration of how this rapidly growing technology is falling outside the current legal framework for two wheeled vehicles.

For the moment, electric bikes are here to stay. A city e-bike is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and your travel bills for commuting. People who would usually never get to experience riding a Tour de France climb can now nip up and down two in a single day. But then there’s the restriction for us mountain dwellers of France, where motorised vehicles are banned off-road at over 1000m altitude. The fines are hefty if you get caught riding a motorbike at /MorzineSourceMagazine

AGAINST It’s a motorbike.

Motor + bike = motorbike.

They are fast: electric bikes are easily capable of out-accelerating some smaller engine motorbikes and no license, insurance or helmet is required. A disqualified driver can jump on one with no legal issues at all.

Mountain bike & Road bike holidays Catered, B&B, Self Catered Centrally located in premium chalets

It’s claimed that the extra torque and speed will cause damage to tracks and trails. An e-bike is easily capable of doing 25km/h uphill off-road. That’s a difficult speed to maintain on a traditional mountain bike.

In mountain bike areas across the globe there’s been a decade long struggle for access to trails. Mountain bikers have fended off walkers, horse riders and motorcycles to try and gain exclusivity or even legality for cyclists to use certain areas. Only to then have that undermined by electronic, motored cycles.

Accidents and collisions are more likely to occur and will, most likely, be more serious when they do happen due to the higher speeds involved.

Inexperienced cyclists are able to travel further and faster, creating a risk that never existed before.

Riding in Morzine for over 10 years - we share our riding experience so you can get the most from your Alpine holiday.

www.ridemorzine.com info@ridemorzine.com

It’s cheating. It takes years of training to be able to ride some of the tougher routes in the Alps. With much lower fitness levels required, people who’ve not earned it are able to get anywhere and everywhere.

E-bikes are expensive to buy and the batteries are not particularity ecologically friendly to produce or dispose of. Once the price comes down in a few years time they will, no doubt, become more popular, leading to more trail damage, more accidents and general overcrowding on trails that already suffer enough under normal bike use. altitude without the correct paperwork. However, a downhill bike - essentially a motorcross bike without an engine - with an electric motor strapped to it, is currently legal everywhere.

Confusing.

Would I buy one? Yes, most definitely. And I’d happily ride it up and down the mountain all day long. Not that can afford one. @MorzineSource

/MorzineSourceMagazine

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It’s cheating.

It takes years of training to be able to ride some of the tougher routes in the Alps. With much lower fitness levels required, people who’ve not earned it are able to get anywhere and everywhere.

The Overvolt 900 FS

can be rented from Morzna Sports in Morzine or Nevada Sports in Les Gets.

image credit - © Nicolas Brizin 26.in

Do I think the legal situation will remain the same? No way. With the next generation of motors and batteries boasting an 80km+ range and derestricted top speeds of over 50km/h, it’s unlikely that the level of motorised fun will stay unregulated in the mountains.

So if you’re going to do it, do it now... while it’s still legal.

So where do the big brands stand on the future of the e-bike? We asked Sara Burdon, Marketing and PR Manager at Lapierre Bikes for her views…

“E-bikes are the biggest growth market within the bike industry, and we see this trend continuing for a while. At first, many riders were skeptical about e-bikes,

#lovemorzine

particularly e-MTBs. People were worried that they weren’t ‘real’ bikes and that they’d see damage to trails. In reality this hasn’t been the case. What we’ve seen has been a rapidly increasing adoption of the new technology. People who don’t ride regularly are now getting into biking, and realising they can ride with fitter friends and family. Older guys are able to carry on with their group rides, and perhaps most importantly in our time-strapped lives, we can go further faster! The lunchtime or after work ride suddenly got easier to achieve.

In terms of commuter e-bikes, they are a vast improvement over using a car to get to work, making them an environmentally

sound investment.

France and the UK are a long way behind countries such as Germany in terms of e-bike sales, but we are slowly moving upwards. As the technology is improving, more and more people are turning to e-bikes to get around town or to get out into the hills. If it gets more people out and about and exercising, then that’s a good thing.”

Now you’ve heard the arguments for and against the e-bike, we’re sure you’ll want to take a look at one for yourself. Luckily, the technology is now mainstream enough to be included in several shops’ rental fleets around Morzine and Les Gets.

#lovelesgets

There are several types of motor systems available for the off road e-bike, but the most critically acclaimed is the new Bosche Performance System, which is heralded as being among the best. One such bike that features the system is the new Lapierre Overvolt FS 900.

The full suspension Overvolt would be a formidable mountain slayer without the addition of electrical assistance. Add the extra boost gained from a Bosche motor system and you really have got a ‘go anywhere’ bike. With Shimano hydraulic disk brakes, Rockshox suspension and the new standard 27.5 inch wheels, the components and build quality easily match the motor’s performance.

#loveavoriaz

Ski ProPerty For Sale Ski ChaletS StudioS apartmentS renovationS BuSineSSeS 100s of ski resort properties to suit all budgets and tastes in the major French alpine resorts. our team of property agents are based locally, giving access to the best properties, providing inside knowledge, expertise and an unprecedented service.

For morzine, les Gets, St Jean d’aulps and le Biot, please contact our local agent, nicky Wye: nwye@leggett.fr +33 (0)6 27 86 27 04

WWW.leGGettSki.Com

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24

Chicken and Veggie Skewers with Captain’s Marinade Captain’s Marinade

By the chalet host co.

With the sun shining and the summer upon us, we’ve put together a tasty barbecue selection that you can prepare and enjoy anywhere. It can be cooked in the comfort of your own home, grilled on a barbecue in your garden or carried up a mountain and baked in a fire pit on the summit.

A small lump of fresh ginger, peeled and grated The juice and zest of 3 limes 100ml spiced rum 2 tbsp freshly chopped coriander 2 tbsp brown sugar ½ tsp nutmeg 2 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp coconut milk ½ red chili pepper (spice depending), finely chopped Salt and pepper Mix all the ingredients together in a large sealable container ready for the meat and vegetables.

For the skewers:

Large wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least an hour 1 courgette 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 tin of pineapple chunks 8 button mushrooms, stalks removed 2 chicken breasts for meat skewers Chop the veg and chicken into bite size pieces and cover in the Captain’s Marinade, then store in the fridge for at least four hours or overnight. Load up your skewers ready for the barbecue and save the remaining marinade to pour over the skewers as they are cooking.

Parmesan and Garlic Corn: 50g butter 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese 4 cobs of corn

Soften the butter and mix with the garlic and Parmesan.

Spread evenly over the cobs and season with salt and pepper.

Grill until crispy.

The Chalet Host Co has a team of talented and experienced hosts in resort that will come to your accommodation and become your private chef for the week or host the odd dinner party. They will arrive with all their ingredients and equipment needed to produce delicious meals, cook, serve, clear, clean and leave to you to enjoy the rest of your evening. Visit thechalethostco.com for more information.

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your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz

Tangy Red Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw:

¼ red cabbage, core removed and finely chopped 1 large apple, grated 2 carrots, grated 1 small onion, finely diced

25

R E A L E S TAT E

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Dressing:

100g Greek yoghurt 2 tbsp maple syrup ¾ tsp Dijon mustard 1 ½ tbsp cider vinegar 1tbsp lemon juice Mix together all the ingredients for the dressing, then pour over the red cabbage, carrot, apple and onion mix.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cinnamon Rice:

200g long grain rice 1 cinnamon stick 2 spring onions 100g frozen peas 500ml vegetable or chicken stock

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Roughly chop the spring onions and fry in a pan with the cinnamon stick and a little olive oil on a medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add in the stock, rice and peas then bring to the boil, put a lid on and simmer over a low heat until the rice has absorbed all the liquid and is cooked through, stirring regularly.

LEGGETT

Coriander and Lime Yoghurt :

1 lime 250g natural yogurt A bunch of fresh coriander leaves, chopped.

Mix the juice and zest of your lime and coriander into the yogurt and season with a little salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

WEEKLY DELIVERY SERVICE UK - FRANCE - UK FULLY INSURED, DOOR TO DOOR COLLECTION & DELIVERY Bikes, Skis, Snowboards & Luggage Parcels & Freight Removals Full load / Part Load / Single Item Motorbikes +44 (0)1908 821210 +33(0)4 13 68 02 46

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by chloe hardy We all know that it’s important to protect ourselves against the elements in the winter, but it’s just as important in the summer, especially if you like getting outdoors and away from civilisation. Summer can be a tricky season to dress appropriately for.

While it’s usually warm and sunny, you never know when bad weather might strike.

Mountain weather can be temperamental so it’s always good to be prepared for a surprise thunderstorm or two.

You'll want to be prepared for every eventuality, but packing light is still key; after all, who wants to be hunkered down with a coat and umbrella when it’s 30 degrees outside?

Versatility is another important element - in the winter most of us have just one set of ski pants and one jacket to keep us warm. There are many more activity options in the summer, so it’s great to have a good few multi-use items to hand.

It’s not as important to pay so much attention to which fabrics you’re buying in the summer, but the same moisture wicking materials used in winter base layers can be just as handy.

Whether you’re sweating in the heat, jumping in lakes or getting caught in a thunder storm, fast drying fabrics will get water away from your skin so you don’t get cold and dry in record time.

Make sure you have everything you need with our pick of the best practical summer essentials!

ESSENTIAL

NO.1 The Packable Raincoat

Adidas - £110/€150 women’s Terrex Agravic Windreaker

Perfect if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere when it starts to rain. Rain coats are no longer boring or bulky, yet both of these jackets are non-insulated so you won’t overheat. Both jackets pack into the chest pockets so they can be easily stored. Rain coats are great multi-use items, and can be useful in every sport from running to golf, or even just for popping to the shop in the rain.

They’re a summer wardrobe staple if there ever was one!

Patagonia - £90/€120 Men’s Torrentshell Pullover

ESSENTIAL

NO.2

Trail Running Shoe

Nike - £100/€135 women’s Zoom Wildhorse

#lovemorzine

Trail running shoes are a great alternative to hiking boots, especially during hot weather.

They make use of fast drying and breathable materials to combat rain, mud or extreme heat - the Nikes even have a Gore-Tex upper for protection from the rain. They have super grippy soles for running when it’s muddy and they’re also super light which will help keep your feet cool when it’s really hot.

#lovelesgets

Adidas - £95/€128 Supernova Riot 6

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ESSENTIAL

NO.3 The daypack

Originally designed for biking, the Dakine Nomad Backpack is a go anywhere, do anything bag with a breathable back panel and straps to minimise backpackshaped sweat marks. It also has removable waist straps which are perfect for use on a bike, and a removable hydration system, holding up to three litres of water.

The Herchel Little America Backpack, while not being as technical, has a lot more space at 23L and is great for chucking all your stuff in for a day out walking or going to the pool or lake.

dakine - £70/€95 Dakine Nomad 18L Backpack

ESSENTIAL

NO.4 Outdoor Accessories

27

hershal - £85/€115 Lit tle America Backpack

Reusable water bottles are awesome, especially when they look as good as these! Save on recycling by refilling this one whenever you get a chance. Just chuck it in your backpack and stay hydrated all day! Keep this super handy Opinel fold-up pocket knife in your backpack it’ll be great for picnics and any other sharp implement necessitating problems you might run into.

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Restaurant St Jean d’Aulps mizu - £15.95/€21.50 Stainless steel water Bot tle

ESSENTIAL

NO.5 tech tee

Cozy restaurant in the heart of St Jean d'Aulps offering home cooked signature dishes such as Thai Curry, Satay, Fillet Steak and Tapas

opinel - £8/€10 no. 8 Stainless Steel Pocket knife

Look cool and feel cool in this lightweight, moisture wicking vest which will make you look great partaking in any activity from hiking to yoga. The same goes for this lightweight merino t-shirt from Icebreaker – it will keep you cool, dry and looking good all day. And don’t forget that merino doesn’t stink so you won’t have to wash it as often!

Takeaway €10

Cafe Le Petit Coq

Also serving delicious lunchtime treats in our friendly cafe, including big breakfasts and homemade cakes

OPEN TUESDAY TO SATURDAY

10AM - 4PM FOR BRUNCH AND LUNCH FROM 6.30PM FOR DINNER (LAST (LAST TABLE TABLE RESERVATIONS RESERVATIONS ARE ARE AT AT 8.30PM) 8.30PM)

ADVANCE ADVANCE TABLE TABLE RESERVATIONS RESERVATIONS ARE ARE RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED FOR FOR DINNER DINNER

sweat y bet t y - £35/€47 Athlete Tank

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ice breaker - £60/€81

CALL +33 (0) 4 50 79 66 79

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Our aim was to find the area’s favourite accommodation, bar, food and customer service and when we launched the Source Awards for Excellence in December 2014 and we asked winter holiday makers and locals to help us.

Fifty-six local businesses were nominated across four different award categories and almost 4000 votes were cast before our team of independent, local judges sat down to choose their winners. The volume and variety of nominations shows that many local businesses really are ‘getting it right’ and we were delighted to announce our winners during the Source Suppliers Show on Lake Montriond in April.

Favourite Accommodation – Skizeen, La Ferme du Lac Vert

Favourite food – AliKats Mountain Holidays

Owners Lucy and Rob told us...

owner Al Judge told us...

‘We are absolutely delighted to win this award and would like to thank those who voted for us and our amazing team who have won this for us!'

‘the best thing about running alikats is, Working with an amazing team of talented people and get ting positive feedback from happy guests each week.’

Nominated because of its stunning décor, luxurious bedrooms, wonderful hosts, helpful staff, attention to detail and delicious food, the team at La Ferme du Lac Vert were delighted to collect their award.

Kat and Al Judge at AliKats received a staggering number of nominations for the quality and originality of their chalet dining experience. Comments praised their style, flair and grace, the use of wholesome, local, sustainable ingredients, attention to detail, variability and well thought out wine pairings.

Also shortlisted: More Mountain & Mountain Mavericks

Also shortlisted: Bec Jaune Brewery and Dotty’s Coffee House

Favourite bar – La Marmotte d’Or, Montriond

Favourite customer service – Mountain Mavericks

Owners Alicia and Andrew told us…

Owners Oli and Emma told us…

‘We’re extremely proud to have won the award for favourite bar in our first winter, particularly as it was based on nominations from our amazing customers. The recognition makes all the hard work worthwhile!’

‘Service is something we’ve taken great pride in over the past 12 years and we can’t thank our staff enough for making our guests feel so at home, year in year out!’

The variety of watering holes across the local area gets better and better each year and to prove this fact, La Marmotte d’Or won our award during their very first season. Nomination comments praised the friendly service, the ‘pub’ atmosphere and the fantastic selection of beers.

Often one of the most memorable parts of any holiday, the team at Mountain Mavericks were praised for their faultless service, going one step further to create truly memorable holidays, their local area knowledge and efficient service.

Also shortlisted: The Cavern & Bec Jaune Brewery

Also shortlisted: More Mountain & Snow-Drops.com Airport Transfers

You’ll find information on the 2016 Source Awards, along with two brand new awards categories in our Winter ’16 issue. #lovemorzine

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SPECIALISTS IN ‘SKI TO THE DOOR’ LUXURY CHALETS AND PROPERTIES

Central Morzine Office lacoutete-morzine.com

4 Chemin de la Coutettaz, Morzine +33 (0) 4 50 75 97 10

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

30

By chalet shop

Most of us can only dream of staying in Sir Richard Branson’s exclusive ski lodge in Verbier.

With its opulent interiors and indulgent furnishings, the whole space is a thing of pure luxury. But guess what… it’s now perfectly possible to create your own luxury lodge feel without the billionaire budget.

Indigo Drop Crockery Collection – From £13.50 “At The Lodge it was important to differentiate between the more casual meals and formal dining. This lovely range of handmade ceramics creates a homely feel, it’s perfect for the breakfast table or afternoon tea”

Hannah Allen spent 8 years renovating, setting up and managing The Lodge on behalf of Sir Richard, sourcing unique, high quality furnishings. Along with business partner Sally Ingham, their company Chalet Shop now makes beautiful interiors and chalet supplies available to everyone.

Here, Hannah and Sally have selected 8 beautiful products to bring a touch of lodge life to your own home or business.

All are available on the Chalet Shop website at sensible prices with international delivery available too.

Here’s some of our favourites…

You’ll find more information on all these items and many more at chalet-shop.com

Fireside Set - £110 “The image of a roaring wood fire springs to mind when you picture any ski chalet. Stoke your fire in style with our designer fireside accessories range”

Contemporary Table Tennis / Dining Table - £2459 “We love this modern ping-pong table, it’s the perfect addition to any chalet games room or terrace! It’s perfect for chalets that are short on space as it can be transformed into a contemporary dining table!”

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Silver Sculpture Wall Lights – From £250.50 “The Silver Sculpture range is both beautiful and unique. It’s been a popular finishing touch in several of our client’s ski chalets across the Alps”

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31

Interior Architecture & Design Bespoke Furniture & Joinery

Interior Design Visualisations Floor plans Product Sourcing Handmade Furniture Bespoke Joinery Kitchens La Rochelle Lanterns – From £36 “The atmospheric, gentle lighting created by candle light is a strong feature in luxury chalets across the Alps. The unique rope detail adds a rustic charm to either an indoor or outdoor space”

www.snohomes.eu - info@snohomes.eu 00 33 (0)6 11 14 12 37 - 00 33 (0)6 68 13 58 88

Cowhide Footstool – From £500 “We simply love this elegant cowhide footstool. It can also be used as a coffee table and Chalet Shop customers can choose their exact cowhide to create the exact look they’re looking for”

Champery Ceramic Hook - £13 “These characterful ceramic hooks are perfect for adding some colour to your boot room - and they’re practical too!”

Mont Blanc Collection – Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bedding – From £30.50 “Exclusive to Chalet Shop, this linen is designed and made in Italy and chalet guests always comment on how luxurious and special it feels to sleep in.”

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www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

raising world champions since...

...never /counterfeitclothes

/CounterfeitCo

www.counterfeit-clothing.com #lovemorzine

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your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz French Property Links Source.pdf 1 06/05/2015 13:29

Snow and Trek 1-4 page source.pdf

1

05/05/2015

11:28 33

FOR BUYING AND SELLING PROPERTY IN FRANCE

14,000 properties for sale from €6k to €15m Our dedicated ski property pages include over 1400 chalets, apartments and ski-in, ski-out properties Simple and effective advertising for agents and private sellers Free trial for agents. Money back guarantee for private sellers, we do not charge commission WWW.FRENCHPROPERTYLINKS.COM

Facebook.com/snowandtrek

EMAIL: INFO@FRENCHPROPERTYLINKS.COM

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34

As far as extreme sports go, downhill mountain biking is possibly one of the hardest to get into, even though it’s exactly like riding a bike. Bikes and equipment are expensive; when you crash, it hurts and when your bike breaks, it’s expensive to fix.

Despite these issues, downhill becomes more accessible every year. With hire shops now renting top-of-the-range bikes, chalets and hotels offering secure lock ups and bike wash facilities, plus airport transfer companies and airlines gearing up for the biking crowds, it’s never been easier to come on a downhill holiday.

By rob purver

So you’re keen, who wouldn’t be? You’ve either rented or purchased your new whip and you’ve dressed up like a cross between Robocop and an ice hockey player. You are ready, but setting off from the top of the lift on your first day might still seem like a daunting task. Fear not! We’ve compiled a brief list of top tips that should help to keep you rolling straight and true in your downhill infancy.

Start small

Listen

Runs are marked exactly the same way as in winter: green, blue, red, black. On your first few rides you should stick to greens and blues. Other riders will be expecting slower traffic (that’s you) and the wider track, coupled with a milder decline, should make overtaking much easier.

Bikes make a lot of noise. If you’re on a track and you hear that rumbling noise behind, you then it’s a good idea to move out of the way. Don’t feel pressured to speed up and always make sure you find a safe place to let others pass.

Start in Les Gets With its mellower tracks, softer sandy soil and grass run-outs, it’s the perfect place to get stuck in during your first few days.

Check your bike Check your bike for loose or damaged components.

A wheel falling off at high speed will not end well.

Always stop somewhere safe

Carry a spare inner tube

Ensure you stop off track and never around a blind corner.

You will need it. A basic toolkit, a pump and a first aid kit are useful items too, plus knowledge of how to use them.

Let faster traffic pass

Stay off the walking tracks

Move over and slow down, but there’s no need to stop completely. Running wide on a corner to free up the inside line works well. If someone wants to overtake you, they should have the skills for a sneaky pass.

If you get caught on a walker’s path, you’re in trouble. If you hit a walker on a walking track, you’re in big trouble.

This principle works both ways: if you are having a nice mountain walk, never walk on a bike track. Ever.

Protective equipment

Read the trail

#lovemorzine

Look ahead and if the next corner looks tight then slow down accordingly.

As a beginner you should be wearing as much protective equipment as possible. After a big fall it will make all the difference between simple dented pride and a dented body.

Look before you leap

use common sense

Always scope out jumps before hitting them.

You wouldn’t want to end up like the viral ‘Chatel Fail’ guys by catastrophically misjudging a track’s layout.

Most importantly: Look, listen and know your limits.

It’s a dangerous sport but a little bit of brainwork can make it significantly safer.

#lovelesgets

#loveavoriaz

your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz

35

SIMPLY MORZINE

SNOW & TREK

THE TAST Y SKI COMPANY

The original & best Morzine family summer activity holiday specialists - est. 1996. Activity programme exclusive to Simply Morzine. A range of catered & self-catered luxury chalets & apartments plus French chalet-hotel. Properties have hot-tub, pool or sauna. Fantastic locations with gardens &/ or large sun terraces. Superb cuisine, inclusive Geneva transfers & renowned personal service.

Snow and Trek Ltd have been operating in Morzine since 2002 and specialise in quality self-catered chalets and apartments for stays from short breaks of 3 - 4 days to a whole season. We also own and operate our B&B in the centre of Morzine – Chalet Poppy.

The Tasty Ski Company has 2 luxury chalets in Morzine available catered in winter and selfcatered in summer. The Grange has 5 bedrooms (sleeping 10+3) and Amandine has 4 bedrooms (sleeping 8). The Grange is located in Morzine town centre and Amandine is located at the bottom of the Nyon cable car. Prices from £850 for a selfcatered week this summer!

WEB: simply-morzine.co.uk

WEB: snowandtrek-morzine.com

WEB: thetast yskicompany.co.uk

TEL: +44 (0) 1664 568902

TEL: +44 (0) 1243 379970

TEL: +44 (0) 7538 761767

EMAIL: info@simply-morzine.co.uk

EMAIL: info@snowandtrek-morzine.com

EMAIL: info@thetastyskicompany.co.uk

CHALET MORZINE

THE FARMHOUSE,

Ski-in, ski-out luxury catered chalet in fabulous central Morzine location. Privately run by French ski instructor and his English wife since 2002.

Family friendly, separate cinema/games room, huge sledging field in front. Stunning views, quiet location, only 2 minutes walk from central Morzine and just 5 minutes from all lifts. Hot tub, WIFI, flat screen UK TV, PS3.

Built in 1771, The Farmhouse is the oldest building in Morzine, known to the locals as ‘Le Château’.

One of the most desirable hideaways in the Alps sits in the heart of this beautiful alpine village, just two minutes walk from the centre. Once you have discovered this gem you will return year after year...

MAS DE LA COUTETTAZ

MORE MOUNTAIN CHALETS We offer a selection of modern and contemporary chalets in central Morzine. Fully catered chalet holidays with gastro pub style home cooked food, great wine, Nespresso coffee served in relaxed yet luxurious surroundings. We are a friendly bunch, have loads of mod cons like free WIFI and Sonos, and pick you up from the slopes. Call us!

WEB: chaletmorzine.com

WEB: thefarmhouse.co.uk

WEB: moremountain.com

TEL: +33 (0) 6 71 92 33 77

TEL: +33 (0) 4 50 79 08 26

TEL: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05

EMAIL: info@chaletmorzine.com

EMAIL: info@thefarmhouse.co.uk

EMAIL: info@moremountain.com

MORE MOUNTAIN APARTMENTS

THE H.O.F.N.A.R EXPERIENCE

ALPITUDE

More Mountain have some of the best modern and contemporary self catered apartments in central Morzine. Fully equipped with a professional meet and greet service. All properties feature Nespresso machines, Yorkshire Tea, free WIFI, Nintendo Wii, UK TV and BOSE iPhone docks. We also offer meals on wheels and shopping packs! Call us!

We run things a little bit differently to everyone else. Most of our guests are in their 20’s and 30’s, many come on their own for a whole host of reasons. Our trips in Morzine are perfect for all levels of biker during the summer or skier / snowboarder in the winter. “It’s like going on holiday with a group of friends you just haven’t met yet”

Quality self-catering properties of various sizes in the heart of Morzine with service that is second to none. Whether in the enquiry stages, pre-booking, or even in resort at your chosen accommodation, we are always available to ensure a fantastic stay. We pride ourselves on providing good value, high quality accommodation for all our past and future guests.

WEB: moremountain.com

WEB: hofnar.com

WEB: alptitude.com

TEL: +33 (0) 6 86 02 18 05

TEL: +44 (0) 203 2864 469

TEL: +33 (0) 7 86 71 14 12

EMAIL: info@moremountain.com

EMAIL: info@hofnar.com

EMAIL: info@alptitude.com

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36

SKP SKI

RUSHADVENTURES

CHALET CHAMBERTIN

We offer unique catered chalet holidays for 8 to 10 guests, delivering the best in service, comfort, food, simplicity and fun – 5 star reviews. Choose from a Premium, Luxury or VIP package for a perfect winter ‘escape to the mountains’. Enquire now for SKP Summer Wellness Spa Retreats coming to Morzine in Summer 2016. Bon été - Sarah & Steve

We offer road cycling, downhill mountain bike and cross country mountain biking holidays from our accommodation in Les Gets. We can provide half board accommodation, B&B only accommodation or self-catering chalets and apartments. We also offer short breaks, weekend stays and discounted extended holidays, as well as our usual 7 night catered holidays from just £299 per person.

Boasting the best views in Morzine and sleeping up to 16 people in en-suite spacious bedrooms, Chambertin provides you with a completely bespoke luxury holiday to remember. Run for 12 years by a Morzine-based family, Chambertin offers couples, families and big groups customised golf & activity weeks in summer and transforms into the ultimate ski chalet in the winter.

WEB: skpskimorzine.com

WEB: mybikeholiday.co.uk

WEB: mountainmavericks.com

TEL: +44 (0) 7813 191 717

TEL: +33 (0) 6 86 43 69 56

TEL: +33 (0) 6 24 94 81 14

EMAIL: info@skpskimorzine.com

EMAIL: info@rushadventures.co.uk

EMAIL: thechalet@mountainmavericks.com

HOTEL L’AUBERGADE

SNOW MOTION CHALETS

CHALET FOURMILIERE

Bike to the door in summer, ski to the door in winter! L’Aubergade is the perfect family run tailored accommodation, restaurant & bar. Our cocktail and food menu is to die for, and for entertainment we have a very busy music/events schedule, a huge sun terrace, hot-tub and mini-golf course. Come and see what all the fuss is about for yourself!

Comfortably sleeping 10 with a huge open plan living, dining and kitchen area, Chalet Le Coeur de Lion is conveniently situated in the centre of Montriond village, just 50 metres from local shops, bars and the free ski bus stop. Wifi, UK FreeSat TV, Wii, airport transfers, ski hire, lift passes and ski lessons also available.

Chalet Fourmiliere offers exceptionally high standards of food, accommodation and service. The huge farmhouse comfortably sleeps 12-14 people in 6 stunning en-suite bedrooms. Spectacular double height dining room, huge lounge, games room and spa. If you choose to stay in this gem of a chalet, you will certainly not regret it and like so many others, return year after year.

WEB: mountainmavericks.com

WEB: snowmotionchalets.com

WEB: chaletfourmiliere.com

TEL: +33 (0) 6 24 94 81 14

TEL: +33 (0) 6 43 80 65 82

TEL: +33 (0) 4 50 75 46 25

EMAIL: thechalet@mountainmavericks.com

EMAIL: info@snowmotionchalets.com

EMAIL: info@chaletfourmiliere.com

THE ALPINE GENERATION

CHILLED CHALETS

RUDE CHALETS / RUDE LODGE

With five catered properties in Morzine, we pride ourselves on offering a new and refreshing approach to catered chalet holidays. We combine strong local relationships with the high standards of service and accommodation that our guests have come to expect. And all at affordable prices.

Chilled Chalets is new for winter 2015/16. We are an owner run chalet and we’ve been running award winning chalets and hotels in the area for the last six years. The chalet has 5 en-suite bedrooms to sleep a total of 14. We have all the chalet essentials including luxury toiletries, heated boot racks and of course the outdoor hot tub.

An eclectic combination of accommodation, café, bar & club all under one neatly tiled roof. The Rude Lodge is a unique, innovative and forward thinking concept in alpine accommodation. Every choice has been made with uncompromised focus on the needs of alpine and MTB enthusiasts.

WEB: thealpinegeneration.com

WEB: chilledchalets.com

WEB: rudechalets.com

TEL: +44 (0) 207 191 1120

TEL: +44 (0) 7487 693 905

TEL: +44 (0) 870 068 7030

EMAIL: us@thealpinegeneration.com

EMAIL: bethan@chilledchalets.com

EMAIL: info@rudechalets.com

#lovemorzine

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37

MOUNTAIN MOMENTS MORZINE

HOST SAVOIE LTD

RIDE & SLIDE

Individuals, groups, families, events, weddings, celebrations, corporate. Unbeatable location, outstanding space/facilities and exceptional value.

At the wonderful, atmospheric converted convent Chalet Ste. Marie, we are truly committed to delivering the highest levels of personal service.

You can ski wherever there is snow, what matters is where you stay and how well you are looked after.

For the last decade we have offered catered chalets aimed at people seeking convenience, flexibility and the personal touch without breaking the bank. Our 4 properties for Winter 15/16 sleep 8 - 24 people and can be booked by the room or at a reduced group rate for sole occupancy. Short breaks are welcome and we offer big discounts for children.

No. 1 Specialty Lodging in Morzine on TripAdvisor. com (as at 30/04/15). Award winning chalets in Morzine, hot-tubs, saunas, professional chefs, and little touches that earned the accolade of Best UK Specialist Tour Operator 2013 & Best UK Chalet Company finalists 2014 from World Snow Awards.

You can be sure of receiving the very best attention to detail for your winter or summer holiday.

WEB: mountainmoments.co.uk

WEB: hostsavoie.co.uk

WEB: rideslide.co.uk

TEL: +44 (0) 1444 220 048

TEL: +44 (0) 1654 634 124

TEL: +33 (0) 6 83 73 41 37

EMAIL: info@mountainmoments.co.uk

EMAIL: info@hostsavoie.co.uk

EMAIL: info@rideslide.co.uk

CHALET DE L’ANGE

L A FERME A JULES

CHILLOUT MOUNTAIN

Chalet De L’Ange is a stunningly stylish chalet with epic mountain views that can be enjoyed from every beautifully furnished room. The AliKats package includes flawless customer service, a private on-call driver, hot-tub, and unlimited carefully selected wines which are matched to the exceptional food from the winners of the Source award for “Favourite food in Morzine”.

La Ferme a Jules is a beautiful farmhouse which sleeps up to 26 in 10 spacious en-suite rooms. It has all you need for an amazing ski holiday: hot tub, sauna, log fires and stunning mountain views.

Enjoy truly exceptional food from the winners of the Source award for “Favourite food in Morzine” served with carefully matched wines.

Chillout Mountain is an independent, owner operated chalet provider with a range of luxurious, contemporary chalets offering stylish accommodation. All the chalets are situated in beautiful locations, with stunning mountain views with quick access to the ski slopes. Our extensive knowledge and experience enables us to tailor your perfect holiday whether catered or self-catered.

WEB: alikats.eu

WEB: alikats.eu

WEB: chilloutmountain.com

TEL: +33 (0) 6 78 10 30 92

TEL: +33 (0) 6 78 10 30 92

TEL: +33 (0) 6 42 79 76 97

EMAIL: info@alikats.eu

EMAIL: info@alikats.eu

EMAIL: info@chilloutmountain.com

THE WHITE VALLEY COMPANY

CHALET GENTIANE

LE CHALET CHANTERELLE

An exquisite luxury ski lodge in the stunning Vallee de la Manche area of Morzine, White Valley Lodge is owner-run, sleeping 12 adults. You’ll find luxury REN toiletries, fine bed linens, a roaring, contemporary wood fire and cinematic TV as well as underfloor heating, interior designed décor, incredible food and specially selected wines.

A luxurious and spacious 8 bedroom, 7 bathroom chalet, ideally located in a prime position close to the slopes and the village centre. Ideal for groups of all sizes, Chalet Gentiane has a beautiful large living/dining area with a roaring open log fire surrounded by plenty of comfortable chairs to sink into after a days skiing and delicious evening meal.

A genuine ski-in & ski-out chalet directly located on the ski slope of “Chery Nord”. Be picked up by our snow mobile on your arrival. Le Chalet Chanterelle is a spacious & luxury 320m2 chalet over 3 floors that includes 6 en-suite bedrooms, fitness/play room with gym equipment, table tennis, baby foot, outdoor hot tub and outdoor wood burning sauna.

WEB: thewhitevalleycompany.com

WEB: chaletgentiane.com

WEB: lechaletchanterelle.com

TEL: +44 (0) 7 7 78 326 708

TEL: +44 (0) 7931 934 312

TEL: +41 79 7586 234

EMAIL: enquiries@thewhitevalleycompany.com

EMAIL: summitspecial@chaletgentiane.com

EMAIL: info@lechaletchanterelle.com

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38

By rachael stallwood

The French Alps are a mecca for extreme sports of all kinds, from ice diving to wing-suit flying and downhill mountain biking to grass skiing. If it’s extreme, someone has no doubt tried it in the Alps. Alpine favourites such as running, road cycling and lake swimming aren’t that hardcore by comparison. That was of course until they were introduced to a pioneering new event - The Evergreen Endurance 228, set to have its first outing this September.

12 & 13

September

image credits - © David Powell

Created by accomplished athletes Carlton Rowlands and Bruno Lebeda, the Evergreen 228 will not only be the toughest iron distance triathlon on the planet, it will also cover some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps, while working to be the most environmentally responsible event of its kind.

The idea came about in September 2014 when Carlton, an elite trail runner, and Bruno, a lifelong endurance athlete, had an idea. Too many iron distance events were centering around large cities with a huge lack of scenic routes and stunning views for both the athletes and the spectators. From this point, the ideas began to snowball and the pair soon found themselves creating an event to rival all others.

The carefully selected route starts with a four-kilometer swim in the beautiful surroundings and pristine waters of Morzine’s Lac Montriond.

The competitors then jump on their bikes for a brutal 180 kilometer cycle, working their way through the winding Tour de France territory of Avoriaz, Les Gets, Morrilon, Cluses, La Clusaz, Megéve and finally finishing on the long climb to Chamonix.

Once arriving at the transition point in the Chamonix Valley, the athletes will undertake a grueling 42 kilometer trail run before crossing the finish line at the foot of L’église Saint-Michel in the centre of Chamonix. Whilst being the same length as any other iron distance triathlon, this route includes more altitude gain than any other triathlon around the world, making it a test of mental ability, as well as physical stamina.

The course is not only the toughest in the world, it’s also the first to address the environmental issues that concern the Alps at the moment.

Incorporating the local council, race organisers and a professional environmental audit, a comprehensive plan has been established to reduce the environmental impact of the event on the surrounding area. This proactive approach offsets the event’s carbon emissions and promotes a much-needed responsible take on event management.

The Evergreen 228’s green credentials include: • Being a completely paperless event • Using alternative energy from renewable sources • Using organic, locally sourced produce for fuelling stations • Actively encouraging fundraising for environmental charities.

Using the mot to ‘Hammer the race… Leave no trace’, Evergreen Endurance are educating competitors and spectators in a proactive fashion, which is quite literally a breath of fresh air!

#lovemorzine

for more information on the evergreen endurance visit: evergreen-endurance.com

#lovelesgets

#loveavoriaz

your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz

39

Where to watch

With a race that travels such a huge distance, there are almost too many places to watch from, but here is our pick of the best spots to catch the action…

The Swim - Lac Montriond

For the best spot here you will have to arrive early. The swim includes two laps of the lake with an Australian exit, which means the best spot to catch all of the action is at the entry and exit point at the western end of the lake. From here you won’t miss any of the action, especially the important transitions where races can be won or lost.

The Cycle

The initial stages of the cycle will pass through Avoriaz and down to Morzine. A great place to watch the bikes pick up speed will be the switchbacks of Route d’Avoriaz. From here Morillon, Cluses, La Clusaz, and Megéve will all catch glimpses of the athletes through the middle stages of the ride.

Passy and Vaudagne see the final few climbs in the Chamonix Valley and make excellent viewing spots as the athletes push on through to the final stages. In the centre of Chamonix you can find the transition point on the parapente landing field below the Brevent cable car.

The Run - Chamonix

The run works its way through the woody trails beneath the cables of the Aiguille Du Midi cable car. Continuing up, the route becomes a true test of determination as the athletes reach the Montenvers Railway, which also makes an excellent viewing point. From here, they begin the descent back down into the town via the Planards beginner ski slope. And as if this wasn’t grueling enough, they must complete this loop twice before finally finishing by the church, right in the heart of Chamonix. This is where you can cheer these extraordinary and, no doubt, knackered Advert.pdf 1 14/05/2015 18:43 competitorsAgence acrossBaud the Source finish line.

Agence Immobilier Baud

143 Rue du Bourg, Morzine +33 (0) 4 50 79 07 13 69 Route de la Plagne, Morzine + 33 (0) 4 50 49 42 07 www.immobilierbaud-morzine.com

ng Consideri your t renting ou perty? holiday pro

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U TALK TO

Morzine Rental Specialists Over 250 properties to rent by the week, season or year acrossthe area Several centrally located, high quality properties available A trusted, reliable service with expert local knowledge

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Property Sales Expert local knowledge to help you buy your dream chalet or apartment A large range of different property types and budgets to choose from Whether buying or selling, our team can guide you through the process

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40

By Chloe Hardy Whether you’re visiting the mountains, or you call them home, we all like to think of ourselves as amateur connoisseurs of local food. We imagine ourselves bringing home a feast of artisan cheeses and chocolates for our loved ones and enjoy the smug glow of satisfaction when they revel in how cultured and sophisticated we are.

But all too often we sleep through the local markets, get put off by the smell of the local fromagerie and end up returning home with a bottle of wine from Marks & Spencer at the airport.

Luckily for us there’s a massive variety of local produce available under one roof in Morzine, and it’s free for leisurely perusal at any hour of the day (except at lunch time, of course). Saveurs de Fermes is a local and organic food shop based in the centre of Morzine, specialising in traditional Savoyard produce from the many surrounding farms and fromageries. Owner Sabine Suire opened the shop in July 2014 after noticing an increasing demand for locally produced foods and organic products.

Sabine’s aim, first and foremost, is to stock products from local farms. Anything she can’t find locally, she makes sure is organic, with the vast majority of her products originating in France. Alongside locally grown seasonal fruits and veg, she stocks cheeses, a wide range of pates, cured and fresh meat products and wines, beers, juices and jams.

Sabine is also working to forge relationships with local businesses such as restaurants and chalet companies who want to ‘go organic’, helping to support local farms and allowing visitors to sample the culinary delights of the Haute Savoie region. There really is nothing to lose in going local - it may be a little more expensive than the supermarket, but it’s guaranteed to be better for your body and better for the environment.

The best way to enjoy all this local goodness is to be surrounded by the local scenery. So not only have we come up with the best locally sourced foods for the perfect Savoyard picnic, we’ve also compiled a list of the best places in the surrounding area to enjoy them. Your loved ones back home can have the left-overs!

#lovemorzine

Cheeses The most popular Savoyard cheeses are Abondance, Relbochon, Tomme, Beaufort and some varieties of goat’s cheese. Saveurs de Fermes stocks cheeses from many of the neighbouring valleys to the shores of Lake Geneva but our personal favourites are Reblochon and Abondance. Both cheeses are from farms along the Vallee Verte (about halfway between Morzine and Lake Geneva) and are guaranteed to taste amazing with some fresh baguette!

Chutneys & Tapenades You can’t have cheese without a bit of chutney, and hailing from an organic olive farm in the south of France, Saveurs de Fermes’ peach or onion chutney is the perfect accompaniment to any picnic. Look out for other flavours, as well as olive oils and tapenades.

Charcuterie & Pates Sabine stocks a wide range of terrines and pates, ranging from €6-€10 and they’re great for picnics.

Just pick your meat of choice and sling in your backpack for later. Or if pate isn’t your thing, she also stocks a range of locally produced saussison and cured meats, which are easily transportable and will keep well in the heat.

Organic Fruit Juices Stay hydrated with these fruit juices from organic fruit farmer Alfred Lacroix in the Haute Savoie.

The bottle is glass so you can reuse it once it’s finished!

Wines Picnic in style with a glass of organic vin or two!

Saveurs de Fermes has everything from a local Cotes du Rhone to organic wines hailing from all over France. Prices range from €7 to €50. Please enjoy responsibly, especially in the wilderness!

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There’s nothing quite like enjoying a picnic after a good long walk through the mountains. Here are our three favourite local, picnic destinations.

Lac Vert (Montiond) 2 hour round trip

It’s super easy to drive to Lac Vert, but it only takes an hour to walk there from Morzine.

Simply walk along the Dereche until you get to the last bridge, then follow the track into Montriond past the football pitch and Gendarmerie. Continue up the hill when you reach the main road and cross at the pedestrian crossing to take Route de la Dranse along the river. When the road veers to the left, carry on up the footpath along the river. The path will cut back into the road for a brief period before continuing along the river, at this point keep heading uphill until you see the path again; it’s just next to a large dark wood chalet on the right. Keep following the track along the river until you come out on the road opposite the lake.

Lac Mines D’or (Vallee de la Manche) 4.5 hour round trip

Lac Mines D’or (or gold mine) is a great place to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the mountains. There’s not a ski lift in sight, and not many buildings either! In the summer it’s possible to drive all the way up to the lake but it also makes a great bike ride or walk. To get there, start at the graveyard by the fire station in Morzine, there is a walking track signposted ‘Cascade de Nyon’. Follow the path along the river and carry on going through the Nyon car park. The path runs parallel to the Route de la Manche, and eventually you’ll meet up with it again at the end where the road is much quieter. Once you get to the road, follow Route de la Manche up the hill, continuing around the hairpin bends until you arrive at the lake.

LA FERME DU LAC VERT WWW.SKIZEEN.COM

A stunning 19th century Savoyard Farmhouse, lovingly restored in 2010 it retains the charm and history of the original building whilst providing all the comforts of a contemporary luxury chalet.

Catered accommodation is offered during winter and summer seasons in 11 large en-suite rooms, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Point de Nyon (Morzine) 6 hour round trip

Of all our picnic locations, this is the only one that’s impossible to drive to! The best place to start is the Nyon car park (you can either drive there or take the path by the fire station) and either walk straight up the piste, or take the walking track next to the ‘Cascade de Nyon’ track. After that it’s a case of following the piste up past the metal bridge to the Nyon plateau and then to the top Nyon chairlift. Once you get to the top of the chair you can carry on heading up for another 20m and you will be at the summit, the perfect place to have a rest and enjoy a picnic.

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Our unique chalet holidays are delivered by a talented team of Chefs and dedicated hosts ensuring you have an unforgettable experience that will exceed all expectations. La Ferme du Lac Vert is Ideal for large groups, corporate events, special occasions, retreats and weddings. Get in touch!

WWW.SKIZEEN.COM

@MorzineSource

ski@skizeen.com

+33(0)610605040

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42

interview By rob purver

If you’ve never watched a downhill mountain bike World Cup race then you are missing out. It’s a fast, action packed emotional roller coaster with enough jumps and crashes to have a firm grip on your attention, even if you’re not into racing or you know nothing about bikes.

ri’s One of my favor ite parts in any World Cup or World Cham pions hip race is Claud io Caluo io gives cours e previe w. With style, enthu siasm and a whole load of comed y, Swiss -born Claud rs to be his a runni ng comm entar y of the racetr ack whils t ridin g it. Most of the time it appea first run down that partic ular track and it’s genui nely hilar ious viewi ng.

Bu t wh o is Cl au dio Ca lu or i?

While research ing for this interview I stumbled on a race result listing from the 1999 UCI Mountai n Bike World Champio nship.

It reads like a ‘who’s who’ of ‘90s mountai n biking: Shaun Palmer, Rob Warner, Brian Lopes, Will Longden … they all featured in posters on my wall in the mid ‘90s. And there alongsid e them on the results list is Claudio.

He’s been on the mountai n bike scene for a while, and has worked his way up to a rather Hello Claudi o, how are you doing?

RUNNING ! And loving it.

You seem to be the busiest man in mounta in biking. We count four jobs! are there any more?

Pizzaiolo (pizza maker) for my friends and my kids! And I am also now co-comm entator with Rob Warner for the UCI Downhill World Cup series this year. Oh, it is going to be fun!

#lovemorzine

comforta ble position as team manager of the newly formed Gstaad-S cott Downhil l Team.

Claudio is responsi ble for keeping British rider Brendan Faircloug h and American Neko Mulally pointing downhil l and going for podiums during this year’s World Cup. He’s also the founder of Velosolu tions, the Swiss company responsi ble for our beloved Champér y World Cup track, the epic uberpump track in Zurich and many other mindHow did you get into the DH course preview s?

I was asked if I wanted to do them for Crashed Ice first. After a couple of years, when Red Bull took over the World Cup coverage , I asked them if they wanted me to do the same for DH as well.

And they did!

What’s been your favorit e track to preview so far?

Mont Sainte Anne in 2014. I sang a full section

#lovelesgets

bending ly progress ive tracks, trails and pump tracks around the world.

So that’s two full time jobs for Claudio, plus the downhil l course previews , AND the course previews for Red Bull Crashed Ice - another sport which is well worth your attention if you’ve not seen it.

He’s busy and multi-tal ented. We should probably find out what he’s got to say. of Monkey Wrench by the Foo Fighters, but they wouldn’t put it online because they were scared of legal trouble due to music rights.

What do your respon sibilitie s for the Gstaad -Scot t team includ e?

It’s my team, so I guess everythin g is my responsi bility. But I do have really good people making my life easier: Cyril Lagneau from France taking care of the sportive aspects, and Ben Vergnaud as the head mechanic taking care of the bikes and the Black Pearl (our team bus).

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Luckily, the riders are responsible for the results!

Would you rather do a dh track on

Neko and Brendan both have very

With long enough spikes, it would definitely be easier to do an ice-cross track on a bike. It’s been done several times, too. But maybe we should invent suspension for ice skates?

different riding styles, it seems. How do you think they’ll do this season?

The different styles were one of the reasons I wanted to get Neko on the team, I believe that both of them can learn from each other. A fast teammate is what Brendan needed, and I think he’s got one now.

No girls on the team this year?

We had to focus on the two guys for this year, and we’ll think again after one or two seasons about getting a junior or a woman back on the team. We wanted to start fresh and small, to raise the performance level on the team, and then add a new rider once the training environment is perfect. who’s your money on for the series this year?

You mean, apart from myself?! I think Neko will smoke them all.

Could you explain to our readers briefly what Crashed Ice is all about?

You guys actually have two of the fastest guys in the sport living in your area: Tristan Dugerdil and Pacôme Schmitt. The sport is a mix of ice hockey and boardercross. Four guys racing head to head on a downhill ice track, with jumps and berms. Take a closer look at redbullcrashedice. com where you can watch some of the races.

ice skates or an ice track on a bike?

I’m sure most of our keen readers

43

We’ve improved pump tracks by paving them and coming up with unique designs. The pavement opens up the track to more than just bikes. Skateboards, inline skates and scooters can all be used on a paved track, rain or shine, and you won’t even need to reshape it after the rain. The Crashed Ice racers have started using our tracks for their training too. You could even ice them up and ride them on ice skates!

have at least heard of the Champéry downhill track, seen Danny Hart’s

after many months of campaigning

famous World Championship winning

and a lot of fundraising, Morzine

run in the wet in 2011, or even had a

should have started on its new

go themselves. It’s a monster of a

skate park by the time this issue goes

track, super tight and so steep we

to print. As we have a huge cycling

could barely walk down it. How was

population, a pump track seems like

it to build?

an obvious addition. Any ideas on

You know, when the organiser asked me to build a track on that mountain, at the first site inspection my dog wouldn’t walk down the hill because it was so steep! I asked the organiser if there was another mountain that we could use instead. His answer was ‘it’s this one or no one, and if you don’t feel capable of doing it, I’ll find somebody else’. So, in fact, I didn’t want to make it as hard as possible, I just tried to find a possible line down the hill, and add some fun to it. We built it first for the World Cup in 2007 but it wasn’t quite perfect back then. We learnt from it and rebuilt it for the World Cup in 2009, and I think we got it pretty good for that one. We also built a hiking trail along the race track, so that spectators could actually walk up and down.

During the first construction in 2006, the digger driver actually got so scared that he got angry at me, jumped out of the machine and left. Luckily, he was back the next morning!

how we could convince the town to build one of your tracks here?

Show the town how many different people use pump tracks. Show them how professionals, amateurs, kids and grandpas all use the same pump track and how they love it. Show them it’s a place for people from all sorts of backgrounds to meet and have fun together. Show them how a pump track is used way more intensely than any tennis court or soccer field. If they’re interested, you know, Morzine is not that far away, I’ll come over and we’ll get it started!

And finally Claudio, what are your top tips for any young racers in Morzine looking to up their game in downhill (or ice skating!)?

Live your passion, do what you love to do!

Everything else will follow.

Pump tracks seem to be your main business these days. And what pump

No offense, but you don’t seem as

tracks they are! Some of our readers

Thank you for your time, it’s been a

stable on skates as you do on a bike.

might not be aware of what a pump

pleasure. Next time you’re in Morzine,

How did you find yourself on those,

track is. Could you explain the basic

please can you do a course preview

quite frankly, terrifying courses?

principles of them and how yours

of the Pleney Mainline for us?!

And are they as brutal as they seem

have improved on the traditional

on TV?

models?

YES they are! And that’s why I don’t seem as stable as I do on a bike! I played hockey as a kid for nine years before I started racing bikes, so when Red Bull showed me a video of Crashed Ice, I told them: get me in there! I went back on the ice after 16 years and trained for three months to get ready for the first race. That was one of the scariest things ever!

Pump tracks are modern playgrounds for everybody. They consists of one or several combinable loops with rollers and berms. The riders pump their bike through those rollers and berms to accelerate, faster and faster. Experts can jump and clear several of the rollers without having to pedal even once.

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Maybe a secret one!

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44

W in a sk at eb o a wi th ou r su m m er ph ot o co m pe ti ti on

on Pa ge 70

By Chloe Hardy

Light the Spark In this modern day and age, a skatepark is a common sight in a good many towns.

The conditions of said skateparks can vary however, depending on when they were built, building techniques, maintenance and how much vandalism they’ve been subjected to. Not so long ago, many parks were built by town councils who knew nothing about skating. Parks emerged throughout Europe that were unsustainable, didn’t cater to all the user groups and were, in some cases, pretty unsafe. In a disturbing number of cases, they were completely unusable. The Morzine skatepark was one such example; bikes and BMXs were inexplicably banned and the features were made of wood and metal, making them susceptible to weather damage and wear. After dealing with vandalism and unsafe features for years, a group of local skaters decided enough was enough – the town needed a proper skatepark.

Together, local skaters Stewart Monk, Damien Trethau, Paul Vines and Hedi Hamdi, created the Concrete Community Association, their goal being a Morzine skatepark that would be well designed and beneficial to the whole community. “The park has been in a bad condition for a long time. The straw that broke the camel’s back came when the half pipe was vandalised during the Harley Festival” Stew told us; a well-built, concrete park would be impossible to vandalise and would last the town a lifetime.

Convince the Town Hall The guys put together a proposal “to show the town hall how dangerous the skatepark is in its present state and how a well-built facility can benefit the whole community”. The #lovemorzine

rd

community benefits of a decent skatepark are often overlooked. They sometimes have a reputation for housing underage cider drinkers on summer evenings, but the positive impacts of community skateparks are actually huge. Not only do they give local kids (and adults) somewhere to go and something to focus their energy on, they also promote respect, companionship and friendship.

“The skating and BMX culture is based on mutual respect, social networking, artistic expression and an appreciation of the environment. It’s proven to positively affect those who take part. This is particularly evident at skateparks, which are nurturing the potential for a more caring community”.

Backing up these claims are the spree of charities that have popped up around the world, including the Tony Hawk Foundation, Bridge To Skate and Skateistan. They aim to build skateparks and organise events in low income, high prejudice or war-torn areas of the world, with the aim of getting young people off the streets, having fun and relating to each other through skateboarding, regardless of their gender or skin colour.

Coupled with the low cost of buying a skateboard, skating is a perfect outlet for young people, no matter what country they live in.

Raise Some Money The cost of building a new skatepark was always going to be an issue. The town hall welcomed the idea, agreeing to cover most of the costs and leaving the remaining funds to be raised by the Concrete Community. Notable donations came from the Cavern 24/7, an annual local film competition, which in 2014 raised over €15,000 to split between the park and the Lavender Trust, a local cancer charity. #lovelesgets

Also during this time, the Concrete Community Association was reaching out to a number of specialist community organisations within the French government, resulting in the doubling of the original skatepark budget.

Go to a lot of Meetings “It's taken around 4/5 years of meetings and fundraising to get to where we are now” Stew told us, which is, at the time of writing, the pre building stage. The money has been raised, everything is in place, the design is finished and now it just needs to be built. At every stage of the project it was important to make sure all parties involved were happy with the direction of the skatepark.

Design the Park Hedi told us “the idea for the design of the skatepark was influenced by everyone in the Association. Some riders like bowl and others like street, so we had to come to a compromise that would suit skaters of all levels”. Designing a park to house all these ideas was no easy feat! It was also important to consider other sports and non-skaters. “The plan has always been to integrate as many sports as possible into the park.”

Wait with Baited Breath Kids and grown-ups alike are going to have somewhere amazing to practice their sports and hone their skills. “This means the whole community will feel a sense of ownership of the space. This will result in more respect from local users, whilst positively contributing to the cultural heritage of our village”.

#loveavoriaz

your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz Bluesmoke source bbq.pdf 1 30/04/2015 16:48

Cavern Full Page.pdf

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r fo 015 2 w ne mer m su

Modern BBQ Restaurant

JUNE - SE PT 11am 5pm OPEN D AILY

MORZINE’S

LIVELIEST BAR

Casual Outdoor Dining Open Kitchen of Wood Ovens & Grills Menu to include whole joints of slow smoked meats Delicious wood roasted vegetables Salt baked fish Homemade burgers Baked breads Located on the Col du Joux Vert, Linderets

Contact Duncan or Nick on Tel: +33 (0)7 71 03 16 01 info@bluesmoke-barbecue.com | www.bluesmoke-barbecue.com

LIVE SPORTS ON MORZINE'S BIGGEST SCREEN

Luxuriate in a professional massage tailored to suit your needs in the comfort of your holiday accommodation.*

0033 (0)60 44 94 232 www.mobilemountainmassage.com facebook.com/mobilemountainmassage Call or visit the website for prices and bookings quoting 'SourceEte15 ' for a discounted massage. *available in Morzine, Les Gets, St Jean d'Aulps and Avoriaz

CHEAP PINTS WHEN YOU POUR YOUR OWN WITH OUR TABLE TOP BEER TAPS

OPEN 9PM – 2AM EVERY NIGHT

FIND US IN THE CENTRE OF MORZINE

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46

The most inspiring place to sit, relax and practice your French skills is…

Once again our bunch of well informed locals are here to help you make the most of your time in the area!

Chris – RushAdventures

Helen – Alpine French School

The best spot for a traditional Alpine lunch…

the best place to head for some peace and quiet is…

It would have to be K2 in Les Gets. They manage to take traditional Savoyard specialties and present them in a burger or panini that tastes amazing. It doesn’t cost a fortune and it’s quick, so you can be back on your bike and riding in no time at all!

A walk up the Col de Cou and then end up at the little farm at Freterolles above Lac de Mines d'Or for some true home produce a cheese and ham lunch washed down with a beer whilst listening to the cow bells chiming on the breeze.

Jude & Tracey – Chillout Mountain

Rainy days in the mountains can still be fun if you…

A fun local activity for families with small children is…

Dom – MountainXtra

The Parc des Dérêches next to the Palais de Sport in Morzine. In summer there is the Olympic size outdoor pool, which has two additional smaller pools. There are life guards on duty at all times and there is also a grass area to sunbathe and play, with a hut that sells ice creams.

Carrie – The Little Mountain Spa

A mojito! It’s the perfect blend of fresh ingredients and the strong alcohol you might need if you’ve been out adventuring! Only have a couple though… you don’t want to spoil tomorrow’s adventure!

Bev – Morzine Massage

What’s the best way to keep families entertained on a rainy day?

Al & Kat– AliKats Mountain Holidays

Joss – Mountain Mavericks

#lovemorzine

The mountains look particularly green and inviting on a rainy day so we love to go hiking.

As Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: 'there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' so we just make sure we have good kit and we’re ready for an adventure!

Come from Manchester! The rain's what makes our mountains so lush and green so don't grumble about it. Get good waterproofs and carry on regardless! Of course the beautiful blue sky days are the ones we all want, but don't let it rain on your parade you can still have an ace holiday if you're well prepared.

For a day trip AWAY we’d recommend…

The most refreshing cocktail after a day spent adventuring in the mountains…

Tony – Tibetan Cafe

A true local French bar, Le Ratelli in La Cote d’Arbroz. It’s in a sunny spot off the beaten track and has an authentic, French atmosphere that’s sure to help you soak up those new language skills!

A short trip down the valley to Evian, catch the commuter ferry across Lac Leman to Lausanne, then a short walk to the Olympic Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the Olympic games. A late lunch in Lausanne is a must and the views across the Lake with the mountains behind are my favourite.

The most popular time of year to search for an Alpine property is…

Andrew – French Property Links

January, as the ski season has just started and Christmas is over. However, for those looking to buy seasonal lets, the best time to search is now. This allows time for searching and for the purchase process to go through in time for December.

The most fun you can have in the mountains, without a bike is…

For a romantic spot from which to watch the sun set, we’d recommend…

‘Geocashing’ with some mates. Check it out online, a great idea with some great Morzine routes.

For me it would have to be Exclusif restaurant at the Col de Encrenaz. This restaurant is the perfect spot to hide away and share a bottle of AIX over some tapas whilst the sun is setting over Mont Blanc…

Tim - Prestige Mountain Chalets

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Amature photographer Tom Bennett won our Winter 15 Picture of the Season competition with this incredible image.

He hiked to the top of Fornet at 4am to capture the night sky and we can only image the run down was equally spectacular! Tom walked away with a Jones Snowboard, courtesy of The Woods snowboard shop in Morzine for his efforts.

Rush Source quarter page summer 2015.pdf

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For your chance to win this summer, head to page 70.

15:14

Bike Holidays in the home of Alpine riding Self catering, B&B and half board Short stays & weekend breaks Local knowledge & recommendations

STAY FOR FREE! Stay for free! Enter our competition for the chance to win seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation for two people, staying at Chalet Aventure in Les Gets.

Head to our website and answer the following question:

What do the letters VTT stand for, when talking about Mountain Biking in France?

www.rushadventures.co.uk/mtbcomp Call: +44 (0) 121 2886131

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48

When thinking about the sustainability of your trip to the mountains (or your lifestyle, for those of us who live here more permanently), the first thing that springs to mind is our travel choices to and from our alpine playgrounds, followed perhaps by the type of accommodation we choose to stay in. Despite some great recent advances in train travel and small improvements to the local bus service, it’s often very difficult to reduce the carbon footprint of our holiday due to the limitations of practicality and cost. But fear not, there is another thing to think about, which also happens to be one of the most exciting… food.

By dan bromley It’s difficult to find any exact figures on the environmental impact of the food industry as a whole. A quick bit of web research tells us that around 13% of global emissions come from agriculture alone. But when you start factoring in the processing, packaging, transport, cooking and waste associated with our food, it becomes clear that what we eat really does have a huge impact on the environment.

There's no doubt about it - travel is good for us but bad for our food; some of our staple ingredients have travelled across continents just to reach our dinner plates. However, the best food you'll ever taste is that which has been plucked from the garden just minutes before, and whether you’re travelling to a mountain town or a tropical paradise, part of the adventure is the local cuisine that’s been grown, raised and cooked there for centuries.

That’s why it’s so important to give it a try!

Across the Alps, the cuisine is heavily focused around cheese, meat, potatoes, salad and hearty vegetables – produce which is compatible with the climate and mountain layout. Due to the past isolation of mountain towns, preserves and honey also make up a big part of the traditional mountain food group – along with wine, of course!

did you know?

In the summer, the fertile valleys and high altitude mountain pastures known as alpages are graced by the iconic bell-brandishing cow - a sight so quintessentially part of everyone's romantic vision of summer in the mountains.

And if you've ever seen a typical French veggie patch, it’s invariably a thing of pure natural beauty, masterfully combined with perfect aesthetic order, and packed with familiar

Global greenhouse gas emissions Animal agriculture is responsible for The meat & dairy industry use #lovemorzine

fromageries helps to cut out travel, packaging and other negative impacts of industrial food production.

vegetables as well as the more unusual, local, climate-specific varieties. Add to this a mountain backdrop and it’s easy to see how any mountain town in the summer is nothing short of stunning.

Traditionally, Savoyard dishes such as tartiflette, raclette, fondue or pierrade were mostly eaten in the winter months. Before the conveniences of modern transportation, winter diets were limited to only meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit that could be sourced locally. Luckily, winter happens to be the time when our bodies need dense, rich and comforting foods like this.

Sadly, the cheesy, meaty delights that are synonymous with mountain cuisine are now the highest carbon foods we can eat, due to the nature of their production and ever the increasing demand for them. But thankfully, the negative environmental impact of industrial food production has become mainstream knowledge thanks to a number of articles on the downsides of meat based diets, numerous ‘Meat Free Monday’ initiatives and the eye-opening documentary Cowspiracy, which has become quite popular in the mountains. As a result, many people across the Alps have been eating less meat, and looking for alternative, environmentally friendly ways to enjoy mountain food. And while holidays can be times for indulging in treats and extravagant feasts, increasingly many of us are taking trips to naturally beautiful places to improve our health and well-being and immersing ourselves in the local culture without harming the environment. This doesn’t always mean cutting out meat and cheese altogether; buying meat from local farms and cheeses from local

by-products 51% dueandtotheirlivestock Amazon 91% ofdeforestation 1/3 offreshearthswater Livestock covers

1 of w

#lovelesgets

Every Wednesday, rain, snow or shine, Morzine's market offers an array of local produce. The highlight is a stall from Veigy which sells organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables grown down the valley, just a stone's throw from Lake Leman, where the warmer climate clearly helps to grow a wonderful variety of great quality organic delights. Other stalls offer local cheeses and artisan bread, as well as olives and fruit from the south of France.

Many locals, however, have turned their attention to L'Epicerie, Morzine's community run, non-profit organisation, which in the summer sells homegrown produce to its members. The volunteers at the initiative have also developed relationships with local producers, bringing their dairy, meat, honey and preserves into more household kitchens.

3000 litres

Hamburger

of the Earth’s land 45% total

It just so happens that the food that’s best for our bodies is also best for the planet; health advocates the world over tell us that fruit, nuts and leafy greens are the most important part of a healthy diet, and these can all be found on trees, shrubs or wild plants. Trees absorb carbon and carry out countless other beneficial environmental functions whilst providing us with the perfect foods. At the same time, vegetables, if grown organically and as part of a polyculture rather than in a huge single field of monocrops, offer similar benefits. Additionally, growing legumes (beans, pulses etc.), fixes nitrogen into the soil, improving its health and assisting the growth of surrounding plants.

Equivalent to showering for 2 months

at e r t o p r o d u c e

Land needed to feed 1 person for a year

Vegan = 674 m2 Meat eater =18 x Vegan #loveavoriaz

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49

Based in Morzine, Jody Kay writes a wonderful vegetarian blog, www. happyheartedkitchen.com, packed with recipes that bring a whole world of endless meat-free flavours to our attention. She also works in Dotty's Coffee House in Morzine, where daily vegetarian specials let you sample some of her creations.

At the opposite end of town you'll find the Bec Jaune micro-brewery which, as well as their ever-changing tasty selection of house-brewed beers, also offers a number of creative veggie and vegan dishes at sensible prices. Everything there is homemade and locally sourced.

Saveurs de Fermes is a shop specialising in local and organic produce in the centre of Morzine. Check it out in more detail on page 40.

What to grow...

In a Window Box

Herbs, such as basil, coriander, dill, parsley, chive and mint. Rocket and 'cut and come again' salad lettuce.

On the Balcony in Pots

Spring onion, carrot, beetroot, cherry tomato, courgette (you’ll need big pots and lots of compost for the last two)

In an Outdoor Space in Soil

All of the above plus onion, leek, French bean, broad bean, outdoor cucumber, potato, pumpkin/squash.

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And finally...

you can add some beauty and function to any growing space by including fennel, marigold, nasturtium and lavender, all which are edible and have the added bonus of attracting beneficial insects and deterring pests.

Chances are, if you live in the area, at some point you're going to bow to the temptation of growing your own veggies. Freshly picked produce is undoubtedly the best and you need next to no money, time, space or resources to grow a few basics. Here is a list of those which need the least space, time and skill. Everything is cheaper and more satisfying if grown from seed but be aware that it will involve more time and commitment.

Hire a private chef to make your holiday a holiday for everyone Menu 1 - €230 per week

home cooked, filling dishes such as tartiflette, chilli and lasagne

Although summer in the mountains can bring some very warm days, the growing season is relatively short and temperatures can get low at night. Each spring it’s tempting to start planting as soon as the snow has thawed, but frosts can appear until the very end of May and these will mercilessly kill much of what you've optimistically planted.

However, if you just can't wait, you can normally get away with planting the following outdoors up to a month earlier: onion, leek, cabbage, broad bean, spinach, rocket, carrot, beetroot and potato.

MENU 2 - €270 per week

classic, chalet style food such as beef bourgignon and slow roast belly pork

MENU 3 - €350 per week

our fine dining option including beef wellington and rack of lamb

If you are planning a balcony garden, as long as it is well sheltered and sees a reasonable amount of sunshine, you should be able to start at the beginning of May, as long as the seeds are germinated indoors.

Whether you are visiting or living in this naturally stunning area, your time spent here needn't contribute to nature's demise. Who'd have thought that it would be through the pleasure of eating that we can have one of the greatest positive impacts on both people and the planet whilst helping to preserve the health and vibrancy of local culture and nature? /MorzineSourceMagazine

www.chaletchefs.net | +33 (0) 6 47 82 98 89

@MorzineSource

/MorzineSourceMagazine

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50

“I’m Amy Wild. And I’m in trouble. Again.”

Begins TV presenter Helen Skelton’s first adventure-packed book aimed at kids aged 8 – 16. Feisty young heroine Amy finds herself in South America when her parents decide enough is enough. She’s sent to stay with batty Auntie Marg, a world-travelling photographer. They’re in Iquitos, Peru when Auntie Marg has an accident and Amy escapes into the Amazon rainforest with no clothes, no food, no money and no map.

Poisonous plants, scary spiders and the legends of evil spirits stand between Amy and safety, and all she has is Juan, a local boy

Not to be confused with the 1968 fantasy novel of the same name, The Last Unicorn documents the quest of conservationist and author deBuys and field biologist Bill Robichaud to observe one of the rarest land mammals on earth in its natural habitat, the saola. Only discovered by western science in 1992, the saola is a grazing mammal that’s not only incredibly rare, but genetically unique. deBuys and Robichaud set out on a physically punishing journey through the southeast Asian jungle to find the soala in the wild and work out how it can be saved from extinction in a time of heavy poaching and industrial development.

hydroelectric dam, deBuys questions the long term impact consumer culture and profitable development will have on this remote area and its indigenous people and wildlife.

DeBuys writes an account that is deeply personal but inherently factual, as he and Robichaud travel deep into the mountainous jungle between Laos and Vietnam on their journey towards soala habitat. Travelling through a protected area that’s been ravaged by poaching and flooded to create a

And as to whether deBuys and Robichaud find the elusive saola? You’ll have to read it and find out!

Available on Amazon Paperback €20.80 - Kindle €8.99

with a mysterious scar, for company.

Amy Wild: Amazon Summer is the first in Helen Skelton’s planned series of children’s adventure books, which she hopes will help inspire kids to get out there and give adventure a go. ‘When I was younger I always said to my parents “I want to do something exciting when I grow up” and that’s what I’m trying to do, keep life exciting!’ explained Helen.

Available on Amazon Paperback €9.99 - Kindle €6.99

On the boarder between Argentina and Chile lies the Cerro Torre (3128m), standing alone on the Patagonian skyline, 1200m above its neighbours. The peak is famous for its brutal weather systems, and is regularly battered by storms of biblical proportions, brought on by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Antarctica.

The peak has been shrouded in controversy ever since the first disputed ascent by Cesare Maestri, who in 1956 claimed to have achieved the summit via the north face/ ridge, a route far ahead of its time in terms of technique and equipment. With the loss of the camera with the death of his fellow climber Toni Egger on the decent, an air of suspicion surrounded the whole expedition.

#lovemorzine

As a conservationist, deBuys accurately offers a first-hand, unbiased and well-researched account of the effects of consumerism and human growth on a remote and supposedly protected corner of the world. The end result is an unsettling picture of human greed and development running alongside some of the most remote and unique animal habitats on earth, and asks the big question of how long it can be sustained for.

#lovelesgets

Cesare later re-climbed the face and installed over 400 bolts in an attempt to prove his earlier claims and perhaps to demonstrate that no mountain is un-climbable.

The mystery and controversy didn’t end with Ceasars climbs as the mountain seems to attract extreme behavior in the same way it attracts extreme weather.

Kelly Cordes epic re-telling of the Maestri mystery will hold your interest from cover to cover and finally reveal what really happened in 1956.

Available from Patagonia.com Hardcover €25 - Amazon.com - Kindle €10

#loveavoriaz

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51

Insurance Advice for

By MPI Brokers

Are you going somewhere new or trying something different this summer? If the adventure bug is biting, always remember to check that your travel insurance will cover all your plans, says Michael Pettifer, Managing Director of MPI Brokers.

Olaf Adamec Le Corbier - 74430 Le Biot info@alpine-services.com

With millions of British people venturing overseas each year – many of them heading for France – travel insurance is as important as a passport and a new tube of sunscreen.With the spirit of adventure touching a widening age range and ‘active’ holidays becoming increasingly popular, demand for a suitable travel insurance policy is growing steadily.

Michael warns that some travel insurance policies – typically those bought from ‘high street’ insurers – have exclusions that could put a damper on your plans. These exclusions may refer to age, activities, health or even alcohol consumption.

He says: “Policy conditions are part of any insurance contract, but insurers should not be too prescriptive about their customers’ behaviour.

“At MPI, we recognise that there are people of all ages participating in sports such as sailing or mountain biking – or snow sports in winter.

“We have translated these market fundamentals into what we believe is some of the most inclusive travel insurance available in the UK, catering especially for those who are more adventurous in their travels.

Travel and Wintersports Insurance

TRAVEL INSURANCE Specialist Insurance

“We are able to insure travellers up to 100 years old, people with medical conditions and those participating in a wide range of unplanned sports and activities.”

Michael says there are two main reasons for travel insurance:

• 24 hour emergency assistance and repatriation

“The first is to cover possible losses arising from cancellation or curtailment of the trip. The second is to provide medical, repatriation and liability cover for peace of mind on your trip.

• Mountain biking, option including cover for bicycle up to £1,000

“Peace of mind comes from knowing that travel insurance will be there to help after an accident or misfortune, and that it will complement the state provisions alongside your EHIC. At MPI Brokers, we can provide you with this peace of mind.

“Our website contains numerous articles containing helpful advice for any number of problems that might arise while you’re away. View our news page at b2c.mpibrokers.com/mpinews to get informed. A good traveller is a well-informed traveller.” /MorzineSourceMagazine

• Road cycling cover as standard • Personal Liability cover

t: 01428 778000 e: info@mpibrokers.com w: mpibrokers.com

@MorzineSource

/MorzineSourceMagazine

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

Beautifully designed custom furniture made using locally sourced wood by skilled local craftsman.

52

Visit our 4 floor showroom in Montriond for furniture, gifts, kitchenware, fabrics and much more.

Montriond le Lac, 74110, France www.sculpteursdulac.com /LesSculpteursduLac +33 (0) 4 50 75 99 66

founded in 1976 #lovemorzine

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53

words & images By Phil Smith – RideMorzine maps - IGN 3630 & IGN 3531

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most popular long distance walking routes in Europe.

But at around 170km in length with ten kilometres of ascent / decent and travels through France, Italy and Switzerland, the tour is no easy endeavour.

We’re adventurous mountain bikers based in the Portes du Soleil and on occasion we like to get away from resort-based riding on local trails to take on something more challenging.

Walking the TMB route will usually take in excess of 50 hours, not including rest or overnight stops. We decided to tackle this multi-day backcountry adventure on bikes in just four days.

Starting in Chamonix and following an anticlockwise route through Les Contamines (France), Courmayeur (Italy), Champex (Switzerland) and returning to Chamonix via Trient and the Col du Rosettes above Le Tour, it promised to be an epic experience.

/MorzineSourceMagazine

Each day offers between 1300m - 2000m of vertical ascents; we knew in advance that some of this would be ride-able, but much of it would not. The gradients and terrain are just too steep and technical to ride a bike up and on occasion it’s bordering on scrambling territory. This means not only carrying a significant amount of weight in a backpack to accommodate the four days away, but also shouldering and carrying a bike weighing in the region of 14kgs for hours - literally.

To put it in context: the two highest surrounding peaks of Morzine, Ressachaux and Nantaux are just over 1000m above Morzine. Imagine hiking both of those each day (even without a bike) for four consecutive days and you get a good indication of the mental and physical requirements for this trip.

The flip side of the climbing coin is the amount of descent on offer after each ascent.

I love the sense of achievement to be gained from climbing as much as the next rider, but when push comes to shove, we wouldn't have been so keen if it weren’t for the descents…

Day 1

Chamonix - Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme Starting in the centre of Chamonix, we loaded up on caffeine and pastries ready for the grand depart. High levels of excitement and nerves bubbled around our tried and tested group of four (Goldilocks principle, not to big, not too small). Lots of talk centred around the weight of everyone's packs - heavy (very) and suspension was adjusted accordingly.

We headed out along the river trail in the

@MorzineSource

direction of Les Houches and the Telepherique Les Houches-Bellevue, purchasing a one way ticket to the top. The initial descent to Bionnassay had us adjusting our stopping distances as a consequence of the unaccustomed backpack weight. Here we picked up the TMB route on the map, following it for the whole tour with only occasional variations.

We stopped for an early lunch at Les Contamines. The afternoon would be taken up with a long haul to the Col with only the briefest of descents to the refuge as reward.

Initially we pedalled easily along the valley with only intermittent sections requiring ‘effort’ to ride. It was interesting to see how everyone approached these normally ride-able sections; some guns blazing, some cautiously conserving energy. Eventually everyone seemed to settle somewhere in the middle, reserving some power for later in the trip at the expense of a little dented pride, pushing our bikes up normally ride-able terrain.

The distant end of the valley was a curtain of mountains with no visible Col. We all knew what that meant. Indeed before too long the choice of riding or pushing had been taken away from us. The long, non-ride-able grind had started. The best technique was to push the bike where possible, before the sections

The distant end of the valley was a curtain of mountains with no visible Col. We all knew what that meant. /MorzineSourceMagazine

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

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the contrast to the previous night made it all the better.

Day 3

Courmeyeur - Champex A climb of 1200m right from the get go didn't stop anyone giving the extensive buffet breakfast a good hammering. Fortunately, the climb started out steady on tarmac, giving way to a ride-able gravel track. The final hike-abike to the Grand Col Ferret was preceded by a late morning snack / coffee stop at the Refuge Elena.

of obligatory carrying with bike across shoulders - this was essentially the last 600m.

As a bike does not lend itself to being carried, it was uncomfortable to say the least. Already thoughts of ‘can I do this for another three days?’ entered our minds.

The refuge was a welcome sight, as were the beers to be consumed by us weary travellers; a few celebratory drinks were consumed but everyone was restrained for obvious reasons.

The food was basic but tasty and consisted of a healthy dose of polenta with meat. Breakfast was bread, jam and lukewarm coffee, but a good offering considering we were 2400m up a mountain with no road access.

We raided the Refuge de la Nova for omelettes and coffee, fuel for the long grind to the Col de la Seigne (a +1000m climb). Fortunately this ascent was mostly ride-able with agreeable views.

The 500m descent into the Vallon de la Lee Blanche was full of more rocky, single-track goodness. It was here we suffered from our only mechanical failure of the trip - a puncture. It’s worth considering what you would do with a more significant mechanical issue, or worse, an injury. We all restrained

The cloud had come in a little on this day and cloaked the high peaks and dramatic views; sheltering at the Col, the wind was wild and rain threatened. Everyone progressed at their own climbing pace and the group split. For those waiting at the top, the extra layers and rain jackets that had so far been contributing precious grams to backpack weight were gratefully put to use.

Another 900m of epic descent to l'A Neuve was everyone's favourite part of the trip. Every kind of alpine terrain was on offer, topped off by forest, flower meadows and a bubbling river. Yes, it really was that idyllic. Everyone admitted to getting a little carried away and pushing slightly beyond what was wise on some of the more demanding sections. But

Sleeping arrangements were big multibed, mixed-sex dorm rooms, meaning your (probably) unknown neighbour is sleeping only inches away. The cacophony of snoring was impressive, earplugs are a must.

Day 2

Col de la Croix du Bonhomme - Courmeyeur The pick of the days (for me anyway) started with a superb descent to Les Chapieux.

A long 1000m drop; sinuous singletrack, multiple lines, switchbacks, steep, technical rocky outcrops with enough flowing mellow in between to replenish the adrenaline stores. No trees and no roots, but I shouldn't grumble.

It’s worth considering what you would do with a more significant mechanical issue, or worse, an injury. We all restrained ourselves on the descents as much as possible to avoid either scenario. #lovemorzine

ourselves on the descents as much as possible to avoid either scenario.

An excellent lunch at Refuge Elisabetta Soldine was spent admiring the stunning glacial environment, a real highlight. Feeling upbeat, we then tackled a detour to the south side of the valley. More character building hike-abike (300m worth) was suitably rewarded with a full 1300m of gravity-assisted fun all the way to Courmeyeur. This descent had the lot, finishing with tree lined lower elevations, roots and dirt added to the rocky mix.

That evening’s accommodation was a family run hotel in La Palud above Courmeyeur. With a very welcome shower and great Italian food, #lovelesgets

we lived to tell a lunchtime tale under the sun, having outrun the rain at the top of the descent.

The terrace trail to Praz de Fort had plenty of exciting exposure to the valley floor and was another highlight in a trip full of highs. It was different from the obvious buzz of gravity assisted descending, although a few technical ups, downs and alongs were a welcome addition to the mix.

We descended the tarmac road knowing lost meters would have to be re-gained on the 800m tarmac climb to Champex. It was a tough slog propelling mountain bikes up tarmac and #loveavoriaz

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Torico Source half page vertical.pdf

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20/04/2015 5517:57

Every kind of alpine terrain was on offer, topped off by forest, flower meadows and a bubbling river Yes, it really was that idyllic. our slow progress was painfully apparent. Aches, pains, fatigue and general seating area discomfort were all grinding down our previously high spirits.

Our inability to find our digs that night resulted in a wholly unwanted lap of a very scenic lake. The pressure was on that day’s organiser (we took it in turns to make daily arrangements) but he showed admirable cool and eventually led us to our B&B / refuge combination, narrowly averting mutiny.

Day 4

NEW THIS SUMMER CARBON DH & AM BIKES

Champex - Chamonix By now, mentally and physically tempered, the climb to Bovine seemed a mere trifle at 650m. Rumoured to be all hike-a-bike, it turned out work had been done on the trail, and although a significant proportion was un-ride-able, it was possible to push rather than carry the bikes for the most part.

More cracking single track descending to la Forclaz was followed by possibly the most expensive and smallest plate of pasta that it is possible to buy.

The ride-able climb to Col des Rossettes was the gravity defying finale, leaving us with the well known and loved descent to Le Tour. At this point our weather window began to close and big, fat, cold drops of rain began to fall. By the time we reached the tarmac at Le Tour it had turned to torrents of floodwater flowing down the road. Biblical

weather to end an epic trip.

The trip tested everyone. Physically, but more so mentally. It was very demanding but equally rewarding. The descents were all truly fantastic and well worth the climbing effort - although it made us appreciate how lucky we are to have an extensive lift infrastructure in Morzine to do the hard work most of the time. The views were stunning. The highs and the lows, the sense of adventure and achievement made this a real once-in-a-lifetime bike expedition.

Our group had previously undertaken many extensive, full day adventure rides, supplemented by various fitness regimes to get into peak shape. We all had experience of overnight stays in basic mountain refuges. We knew what to expect of a trip of this nature and of each other. We prepared for the worst and had emergency bailout back up options. If you’re considering the TMB, I’d recommend you do the same. /MorzineSourceMagazine

@MorzineSource

/MorzineSourceMagazine

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

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MORE MUSIC IN MORZINE – LAUNCHING THE MOUNTAIN MAVERICKS SESSIONS During winter 2015 the local area became a hotbed of musical talent. New live bands and DJs arrived to compliment the resort’s already bustling après music scene and Mountain Mavericks have been working to capture Morzine’s musical vibe on video.

The Mountain Mavericks Sessions give you the chance to watch your favourite resort on video with a lovely musical accompaniment. The videos were shot on location

at Lac Montriond, inside the Prodains Express, La Chapelle snowpark and in some truly stunning chalets.

The artists include the likes of Zuri Aura, Katey Brooks, Nathan Ball and Will and the People will be sure to have you counting down the days until your next trip to the snow.

Check out the Mountain Mavericks YouTube channel to view the videos.

COSMO JAZZ IN CHAMONIX Chamonix’s Cosmo Jazz Festival celebrates its 6th birthday this summer. Running between 25 July and 2 August, this is a free, seven-day music spectacular not to be missed!

Jazz is a broad term, and the festival always promises a wide range of music by acts from across the world.

Visit cosmojazzfestival.com for the Even the biggest jazz skeptics will be line-up and set times. able to find something they enjoy!

Last year saw Chicago’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Swiss duo Grand Pianoramax and Israeli Ester Rada grace stages throughout Chamonix, For more information on events and and even though you may not have activities over in Chamonix this summer visit heard of them, we can promise you chamonixsourcemagazine.com.

Majestic Morzine Source.pdf 1 07/05/2015 09:21 they’re very good!

tel: +33 (0)4 50 04 33 26 | fax: +33 (0)4 50 37 95 56

FIND YOUR PERFECT PROPERTY WITH US

No.1 ranked chalet in Morzine Tripadvisor.com - Speciality Lodging

Personal service before, during and after sale Specialising in Morzine and the surrounding area Multilingual team Agency established 10 years in Morzine Majestic Morzine

(as at 01/05/2015)

info@majestic-morzine.com | www.majestic-morzine.com #lovemorzine

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Patrick Curtet Source.pdf

#LOVEMORZINE #LOVELESGETS #LOVEAVORIAZ

11/05/2015

09:21

57

CURTET Patrick

We’re huge fans of all things digital here at Source Magazine. Since we launched our #LoveMorzine social media campaign last winter, more than 18,000 of you have used the tag to share your local images with us.

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, it’s really simple.

Add #LoveMorzine, #LoveLesGets or #LoveAvoriaz to your tweets or Instagram posts and they’ll automatically appear in a gallery on the Source Magazine website homepage. We’ll also share them on Facebook and retweet them too. It’s a great way of showing others how beautiful our area is throughout the year!

1

LE BÂTIMENT De A à Z

GROS OEUVRE - SECOND OEUVRE AMENAGEMENTS INTERIEURS ET EXTERIEURS

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+33 (0)6 08 63 98 21 www.curtet-patrick.com

THE SOURCE JOBS BOARD Over 70 local businesses use our free Jobs Board each year to recruit their winter team. If you’re planning a ski season in the Alps, it’s the perfect place to start. Choose from a long list of vacancies including chalet host roles, chefs, transfer drivers, administration assistants and many more, or sign up for our job notifications to make sure you never miss out on that dream season role.

You’ll find the Source Jobs Board starts to fill up with new winter season roles from June each year, which is when many local companies begin their recruitment. Visit morzinesourcemagazine.com/jobs to view and apply for roles across Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. You can also upload vacancies for free too! /MorzineSourceMagazine

@MorzineSource

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58

Imagine getting hitched with the stunning Lake Montriond as your backdrop. Imagine toasting your Alpine union on a sunny terrace overlooking the entire village. Imagine partying the night away under the clearest skies. More couples than ever before are making their alpine wedding dream a reality.

Damian McArthur is best known for his action sports photography – his pictures have graced the covers of respected mountain bike magazines the world over. It’s perhaps because of his background that Damian has developed a special eye for wedding photography too.

“I get to photograph athletes at the top of their game, chalets at the top end of the property ladder, and brides and grooms on the happiest day of their lives. So when I was asked to photograph a snowboard wedding, the answer was easy!” Damian told us.

Charlie and Luke were not only head-overheels in love with each other; they also love snowboarding in Morzine and the surrounding area. Their big day started at The Farmhouse, arguably Morzine’s most popular wedding venue. The bridal party then snowboarded to the Pointe de Nyon, where bride Charlie discovered that her Father had secretly learned to snowboard in order to accompany her to the ceremony.

The area’s busiest wedding celebrant Kay Evans of Always Number One looked after the formal part of proceedings on a quiet corner of the Nyon Pleateau as the sun shone down on a beautifully dressed collection of special guests. After that, it was fun time. Damian accompanied the entire wedding party as they rode the local runs before descending into Morzine, an amazing sunset lighting their way.

charlie & luke told us...

For more information on Damian McArthur visit damianmcarthur.com

For our wedding there was only one option - to snowboard. Morzine has beautiful mountains and an endearing town community that would leave anyone wishing they never had to leave. Trying to plan a wedding abroad is difficult, but after seeing Damian’s website we knew he could capture our antics of snowboarding to and from our ceremony, which was beautifully conducted by Kay from Always Number One. The photos really are incredible! Our wedding was our seventh time to Morzine, having only been snowboarding for 3 years and I’m sure it won’t be our last!

#lovemorzine

#lovelesgets

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Our family run business provides peace of mind for property owners, and hassle-free holidays for your guests.

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A NEW PROPERTY RENOVATION SERVICE IN MORZINE AND LES GETS Homeowners agree: it can be hard to find a good tradesman. The truth is, you don't always know what you're getting. With PREMIUM HOME SERVICES, you do.

PREMIUM HOME SERVICES provides top quality tradesmen, accurate advice, and a wellmanaged budget adhering to your deadlines.

4 Good reasons to opt for PREMIUM HOME SERVICES: 1. Free Service: Putting you in touch with reliable tradesmen at no extra cost.

2. Simplicity: PHS is your one stop shop in your search for quality tradesmen.

3. Reliability: our expertise and knowledge of the market ensures that you obtain the best deal and value for money.

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/MorzineSourceMagazine

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

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Who’s mountain biking in Morzine?

87%

of the mountain bikers in morzine are male

By Rob Purver

Last summer was one of the worst on record for rain here in the mountains. If you weren’t here, consider yourself lucky. During June there were only four days on which it didn’t rain and a significant part of the summer season was a complete washout.

Newly built mountain bike (MTB) tracks never had a chance to harden up and even tracks that had been setting for years simply melted into an impassable quagmire.

Luckily for the hardened mountain biker, a little bit of rain wasn’t going to stop the fun train. But it certainly dampened spirits among many holidaymakers while bike hire shops reported that drivetrain and suspension damage was up significantly because of all that claggy mud getting in places it shouldn’t.

There’s no denying that it was a shocking summer for all. Figures released by the Portes du Soleil (PDS) show that just over 50,000 MTB passes were sold across the entire area during the summer of 2013. Last summer just 37,634 PDS passes were sold – that’s a 24% fall in business directly attributable to the weather.

However, when you put aside the figures from the disastrous #summerofmud, it looks like there’s solid growth in the area’s MTB market.

There’s been a steady increase in the number of PDS passes sold every year since 2001, during which just 17,614 PDS passes were purchased. It’s these figures that the local decision makers consult when they’re deciding whether investment in the area’s MTB infrastructure is necessary or not.

So everything’s rosy in the MTB garden, right? More passes sold = more investment, surely? No. Not by a long shot.

With the growth of rival resorts and an overall increase in the size of the European MTB market, the steady rise we’ve seen in PDS lift pass sales isn’t #lovemorzine

53%

are between the ages of 25 and 39 years old

that impressive. Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz and the rest of the PDS is falling behind in terms of market share, it seems. Maybe a huge problem lies in the sales figures themselves. As long as they continue to show a constant and steady rise, it must be difficult for resort management to see the need for greater spending or increased effort, especially as it’s unlikely that those in charge are out there putting tyres on the dirt themselves.

53% - British 31% - French 4% - German 2% - Russian 10% - other

It used to be easy to remain ignorant to the differences between the growth in the overall cycling market and the number of lift passes sold in the Portes du Soleil each summer. But last year something changed.

85%

After many summers of muttered complaints and whispered criticism about the lack of progression and investment in Morzine’s mountain bike offering (whilst we quietly watched Chatel and Avoriaz set the bar higher each year), a collective of local businesses went to the Office de Tourisme with a dossier of constructive criticism. Experienced and knowledgeable locals developed some simple solutions to bring Morzine up to standard and into line with some of the more progressive resorts.

Much to everyone’s surprise, notice was taken. One of the simplest and easiest suggestions was to keep the Pleney lift open for another week at the end of the summer. During September 2014 our usual beautiful weather returned and everyone was keen to claw back a little bit of lost summer revenue.

Unfortunately it was a double-edged sword. The extended lift opening dates were never formerly announced, many local businesses had no idea about them and very few holidaymakers had #lovelesgets

of respondents listed dh as their primary cycling sport

What are they spending?

€406.86 on transport to and from resort (flights, bike carriage, transfers)

64.71%

€73.87

on accommodation per night

€131.28

in town on bike parts or repairs

€217.45

on non-biking activities

of participants listed ‘bars & restaurants' as their preferred non-biking activity

#loveavoriaz

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A7 Source.pdf

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10/04/2015

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time to organise an end of season trip to Morzine. Consequently, during that final week of the season – the week that so many local businesses had campaigned for – the lifts were almost empty, signalling to the lift operators and resort management that extending the season was a complete waste of time and money.

It’s been easy to blame one resort body or another for the lack of local progress when it comes to MTB. In reality, a number of organisations work together to plan the resort’s resources, but the Mairie (local town council) hold the real power. This year, Source Magazine was invited to join the Mairie’s consultation committee for resort development, and we made sure the subject of summer was firmly on the agenda.

The first step taken by the Mairie was to take stock of the current situation. A survey was undertaken, asking real mountain bikers for their opinions. Here’s our significantly abridged analysis of the results, which can be viewed in more detail online.

The results seem to show that the average cyclists in Morzine each summer is a British bloke in his late 20s to early 30s, predominantly downhilling with reasonable amounts of disposable income. Stop and take a look around the bottom of Pleney on any given summers day and you’ll be forced to agree with that.

77%

are satisfied or very satisfied with lift pass prices

89%

are satisfied or very satisfied with lift waiting times

87%

are satisfied or very satisfied with the number of tracks

82%

are satisfied or very satisfied with the variety of tracks “Luxury catered chalet with breath-taking mountain views during summer and winter, moments from the ski lift”

It’s only when we get to the section on trail condition, maintenance and grooming that we see any real diversion from the generally positive opinion.

16%

are satisfied or very satisfied with track conditions

How can MTB in Morzine improve?

The percentage shown indicates the amount of people who selected that as the main area in need of improvement.

30%

Improve maintenance and drainage slopes

20%

Create more tracks of different styles and levels

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Create more XC / Enduro and natural trails

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9%

The Verbier Comparison

Create easier downhilll tracks

7%

Improve the design of the tracks, using professional services

7%

Improve signage & secure intersections with other users

6%

Extending the opening period

6%

Lower prices (packages, bike hire and catering in particular)

Verbier is just one of a hundred smaller, newer resorts, hungry for a share of the summer MTB market. They’re developing their tracks, building infrastructure to support MTB and (crucially) spending money on advertising. They’re slowly chipping away at Morzine’s summer market, and that’s not good for anyone - unless something changes, we’ll be left behind and no one wants that.

But there’s still plenty for resort businesses and visitors to feel positive about. When asked why they choose Morzine as an MTB destination, the survey said…

The quantity and variety of tracks

17%

The atmosphere, beauty, services and shops, after cycling

15%

The quality of the tracks, structure and maintenance

7%

The network of lifts, access, opening hours and services

The location, ease of access and proximity

From the results in last summer’s MTB survey, it seems people are generally happy with the resort and its facilities. The most obvious area for improvement is the quality of the tracks, maintenance and the initial design.

The survey results do highlight one more problem however. When the majority of visitors to Morzine are here to ride downhill tracks, the scale of the problem becomes apparent. There are too many riders on too few, badly maintained downhill trails. There’s a whole science dedicated to track building, and if you ignore it then you get all kinds of problems. The primary two are waterlogging and breaking bumps. There’s absolutely no excuse for either, not in the levels we’ve seen in Morzine over the last few years.

Luckily, the solution is a simple one. Do more research into track building (or hire someone who knows what they’re doing) and have a well-trained track maintenance team who run constant repairs, as you’ll find in every other bike resort the world over. #lovemorzine

What the locals say…

Tim Jackson - Torico bike shop Morzine must be doing something right judging by the number of people who visit every year!

The new Pleney lift has helped with the queuing problem and can accommodate far more people per hour.

29%

7%

Verbier is just one European resort that’s upped its game significantly in recent years, and we’ve managed to get our hands on ticket sale numbers for Verbier Bikepark. The summers of 2012/13 were a period of huge growth in the overall bike industry and the British cycle market, thanks in part to our multiple successes at the London 2012 Olympics.

Lift pass sales increased by 40.6% in Verbier during this period, compared to an increase of just 1.4% in the PDS.

#lovelesgets

Trails need to be maintained to a higher standard and the season needs to be longer if they are to compete with the likes of Verbier. We also need more enduro style routes to embrace the increase in that style of riding, and more bike washes.

Rich Wilford - MTB Morzine beds They’ve extended the season slightly and they have tried to develop some more family friendly trails.

The new trails were built in May and June, leaving no time for them to bed in. They should be built in October or November. The sharing of information is poor and season opening dates need to be released earlier. Trail signs need to be much clearer so that walkers and mountain bikers can maintain a harmonious relationship!

Russ Paver - Bike Morzine The sheer size of the area and the number of lifts / trails open for mountain biking is Morzine’s biggest strength, as it offers a massive variety in terrain.

Over the past few years, Morzine has sat on its title of being Europe’s number one MTB destination while development has slowed down massively. Other resorts such as Verbier, Pila and Les Deux Alpes are rapidly improving and for Morzine to keep up, there needs to be some serious investment in the trail network by the local council and lift companies. #loveavoriaz

your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz France Property angels.pdf 1 09/03/2015 10:49

Tremplin Summer Source Advert.pdf

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Do you find beautiful lakeside vistas, epic silent ridgelines in the mist and the purest nature in abundance just a little bit too ‘natural’ for you?

Do you long to hear the sound of a distant turbo whining through the forest or smell the sweet aroma of a burning clutch? Here’s the good news: you can get your fix of internal combustion engine based sporting events around Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz this summer.

Here’s Source Magazine’s definitive list of local high-horsepower highlights.

Harley Days - Morzine 11 – 14 June

4x4 Trials - Ardent 18 – 19 June

Every other year Morzine plays host to the Harley Days festival and luckily for us, 2015 is one of those years. During its fourth visit to the town, the festival promises to be as loud as ever. With over 20,000 avid Harley Davidson fans and over 5,000 bikes descending on Morzine, there will be good percentage of Europe’s aging biker population present.

Have you ever looked into the an alpine forest and wondered ‘what would it be like to drive a 4x4 through there?’ The answer is muddy.

Unfortunately, taking any motorised vehicle off road above 1000 meters without a special license is illegal in France. It is, however, possible to vicariously enjoy the thrills of a mud splattered, rock dented, tree scraping, all-out wheel-spinning off-road odyssey by visiting Ardent for the 29th annual Trial 4x4 d’Ardent.

You’ll find a large stage erected in the centre of Morzine town, which hosts a usually impressive musical line-up. In 2011 rock giants Status Quo graced our humble town. This year we will be treated to the sounds of Toto, most famous for their 1982 hit ‘Africa’. In preparation for Toto’s arrival we’ve been reminding ourselves of their other classic hits. Whilst we originally thought it a slightly obscure choice of headline act, after a quick refresher through their back catalogue, we’ve decided it promises to be a rather good night.

With the entirety of the town center and the Rue du Bourg lined with stalls selling everything from exhausts, tyres, helmets, flick knives, a good range of sew on patches and leather items beyond counting, it gives the whole town a very special and unique vibe.

Harley Days is well worth a visit but don’t expect to find a spare hotel room or parking space for the duration of the event!

With a fun and ‘redneck’ feel, several classes of truck to suit anyone’s taste and a whole host of beer and BBQ options, this event is a mud lovers dream. Trucks range from the large one-off ‘prototype’ class, with hydraulically actuated suspension, four wheel steering and a full body roll-cage, down through several classes of heavily modified off-roaders in different sizes and levels of modification, until you get to standard trucks which may have a basic roll cage, a set of mud tyres and are otherwise are completely standard. These are normally driven by younger competitors and are usually more entertaining than the bigger boys with their bigger toys.

Last year a rather portly gent entered in a battered old Fiat Panda 4x4, and although relatively useless on many segments, he managed to complete the course, finish the day and draw some of the larger crowds of the event.

If you can’t make the event or, if one is not enough, the next round is held next to the Perrieres lift in Les Gets on the 8th and 9th of August. Remember your wellies.

Les Cognées 27 – 28 June Also held next to the Perrieres lift in Les Gets is Les Cognées Concours De Débardage Méchanise, which roughly translates to ‘The Hatchets – Mechanised Skidding Contest’ and sounds rather fun.

Now in its eighth year, this biennial contest is the only one of its type in Europe.

The format is simple, it’s essentially a series of timed events for forestry tractors. If you’ve not seen an alpine forestry tractor before, you’re sure to be impressed. These hulking beasts are as big as

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65

a lorry and as rugged as any 4x4 off-roader, with more hydraulic appendages than a JCB. The aim of the game is simple. Drag several tonnes of felled tree a few hundred meters uphill through a technical and muddy off-road course. What’s not absolutely brilliant about that?

Visit escognees.fr and watch their most excellent video coverage of the 2013 event.

Rallye de Mont-Blanc 3 – 5 September Now in its impressive 67th year, the Mont Blanc tarmac rally is not to be missed. The 406km rally is broken down into ten stages, with at least half of those either starting or finishing in and around Morzine town. Each stage is run twice per day in both directions, so there’s always at least one stage you can catch no matter how busy you are.

One of our favorite places to watch is underneath the Fys chairlift on the Pleney. It’s a relatively short walk, you can see five or six fast corners from a safe viewing position and, most importantly of all, there’s a beer and barbeque tent. Gain access by walking up the winter piste from the bottom of the Pleney lift.

Although it’s a fun weekend of entertainment for all the family, there are a few downsides to having a rally in our usually calm mountain town, the most obvious being the noise. Rally cars are not exactly quiet and the drivers and mechanics are not shy of revving the balls out of their heavily modified Peugeot 205s right outside your apartment at 6.30am. The other downside is of course road safety. The rally cars use the roads to get between stages and they tend not to dawdle. During the rally it’s highly recommended to stay off the roads where possible, limit your driving to necessary trips only, keep children on a lead and hold your small dog’s hand whist on routes between the stages.

For stage start times, start locations and details of road closures keep and eye on the Source Magazine website.

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It may well be summertime here in the mountains, but that doesn’t mean we’ve put skiing and snowboarding out of our minds. The best way to avoid the rusty feeling we get from such a long summer break is to sneak in a cheeky bit of slope time somewhere in the middle.

Glaciers are usually limited in size, so you’re unlikely to want to spend a whole week skiing, as you would in winter. Instead it’s best to tie summer skiing or snowboarding into a multi-activity holiday. You can enjoy the other treats the mountains have to offer and make it a summer holiday you won’t forget.

Unfortunately the Portes du Soleil doesn’t have any glaciers suitable for a few summer turns, but there’s a plethora of resorts within reasonable driving distance, which are perfect for a day trip. You’re le rocher.pdf

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10/05/2013

unlikely to find any powder on a midsummer ski trip, but you can expect firm, fast pistes in the morning, turning into glorious slush by mid afternoon, plus a large and well-maintained terrain park.

With a limited choice of runs usually available on glaciers, lift passes are usually cheaper, but be aware that some resorts do close by mid afternoon to help preserve the snow once it gets its melt on.

Ski and snowboard lessons run as normal on a glacier and it’s a perfect environment to hone your skills ready for winter.

If we’ve whet your appetite for a bit of glorious summer skiing, here’s our definitive list of the best glaciers around, complete with driving distances from Morzine and day pass costs.

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your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz

Tignes, Fr

Open 21/06 - 03/08 7.30am to 1.15pm One day lift pass: €34 Drive time: 3h distance: 175km

Saas-Fee, CH

Open 19/07 - 31/10 7.00 / 8.00am to 12.00 noon One day lift pass: 70CHF Drive time: 2h 50min distance: 174km

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Les Deux Alpes, Fr

Open 21/06 - 30/08 7.15am to 12.30pm One day lift pass: €37.50 Drive time: 3h 16min distance: 250km

Zermatt, ch

21/06 - 19/10 8.00am to 3.00pm One day lift pass: 82CHF Drive time: 2h 48min distance: 175km

Les Diablerets Tignes Les Deux Alpes

Cervinia, ita

28/06 - 07/09 8.00am to 3.00pm One day lift pass: €44 Drive time: 2h 48 min distance: 175km

Saas-Fee Zermatt Cervinia

Les Diablerettes, ch

Open 04/04 - 11/11 9.00am to 4.40pm One day lift pass: 62CHF Drive time: 1h 45min distance: 88km

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If you’re here in summer then it’s unlikely that you’ll need much persuasion to return to our beautiful town this winter. However, if the welcoming atmosphere, epic views and clean mountain air aren’t enough to tempt you back, maybe this quick list of highlights will be?

It Snows! lots!

Thanks to its location, almost exactly halfway between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, the Portes du Soleil receives the glorious weather-y benefits of both high and low altitude climates. A microclimate of huge weather systems from old Monty, mixed with humid air coming off the lake, results in some great snowfalls for Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets. During the winter of 2013/14, Avoriaz received over 15 meters of snow and just last year, it snowed over 1.5 meters on the lower slopes of the Pleney. Avoriaz regularly tops the charts for the snowiest resort in Europe.

So Many Winter Sport Options

Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets all sit bang in the center of the world’s largest ski area.

With over 250 lifts, 650km of piste and ten snow parks, there’s always somewhere new to explore or hone your skills in the Portes du Soleil. It’s quite possible to ski all week long and never hit the same run twice.

Short Travel Time

If you’ve arrived here in summer then, no doubt, you’ll be aware of how easy our resorts are to get to. That same joyously short transfer time from Geneva still applies during winter.

Unless it’s snowing, of course, in which case it might take a bit longer – but it will be snowing so all will be well! Another added bonus is the drive from the UK. It’s incredibly do-able at under eight hours from Calais.

Huge Range of Accommodation

From the cheapest hostel-like affair, offering a bed in a shared room and a burger and chips for dinner, all the way up to luxury bedrooms and gourmet fine dining, our area has somewhere for every taste and budget.

Family Friendly to the Extreme

With piste-side crèches, call out nanny services, endless green and blue runs, multiple kids areas, youth snowparks and a constant stream of events aimed at the younger of the species, the area is a dream come true for families of all ages looking to get involved in winter sports.

Lots of New Bars and Après Spots

Each of our resorts is ever-changing. With a constant flow of new ideas and interesting venues popping up, you never know what’s going to be new when you get here. Another brewery? A sports bar? An indoor tennis underwater gastro-pub? Ok, not that one.

Maybe next year?

Short Break Options for the Weekend Warriors

With a super short travel time, easy transfer and multiple tour operators and hoteliers geared up for short stay custom, there’s no need to commit a whole week to the snow. A long weekend or midweek break is a great way to ski on a budget, be it financial or temporal limitations that are restricting you.

The Best Value Lift Pass Price Worldwide Fact! A six-day adult PDS pass works out at less than 40 cents per skiable kilometer. That might seem like a lot until you consider our beloved neighbor Chamonix, where you’ll pay €1.90 per kilometer for considerably fewer lifts, with only a quarter of the pisted runs and less than a fifth of the available off-piste area.

Local Passion

You’ll notice that Morzine and Les Gets are packed full of British workers; folk who’ve moved here for the winter or for a longer term. That means you’ve got a great reference for how good it is here. If so many people (around 3000 at the last count) have chosen to make this their home, then it’s safe to say there must be something special about the place. Happy locals mean great service from enthusiastic and vibrant people who know their area and are proud to share their knowledge with you.

And Finally, Because Morzine has Source Magazine!

It’s your one stop shop for all the resort information, news and events you need, all year round, to make sure you have the best possible time in our resort.

image credit - © avoriaz oddice de tourisme

#lovemorzine

#lovelesgets

#loveavoriaz

your source of information for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz

the

source website The aim of Source Magazine is to inspire you to return. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed your time in our valleys and we’ve left you hungry for more.

Check out the Morzine Source website, where you’ll find even more local news, information and events in an easy to use format that suits any mobile device. There’s also a handy business directory to help you plan your next trip, including stacks of great accommodation, ski schools, airport transfer companies and much more. Planning your next mountain holiday has never been easier…

Beds n Board Source advert.pdf

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SUMMER AND WINTER SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION IN MORZINE

Beds n Board are a specialist provider of seasonal and longer term accommodation in Morzine, Les Gets and Chamonix. We have a number of high quality private chalets and apartments along with numerous shared properties that are available on a per bed or room basis.

All our properties can be viewed on our website www.bedsnboard.com.

For more information please contact: info@bedsnboard.com Tel Fr +33 (0) 485 800 356 or UK +44 (0) 203 1375 204 Crevasse Advert.pdf

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Do you or your family require quality, affordable clothing?

Then why not try our in resort snowsports' clothing rental service

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Here at Crevasse Clothing, we work with quality brands such as Westbeach, Bolle and Barts to provide clothing rental for everybody. Skiers and snowboarders, adults and children, large or skinny, if you rent clothes you not only save on purchasing kit but you can also save on airline luggage costs. It’s a no brainer!

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To win it, simply show us your best summer adventure photo. It doesn’t have to be the most extreme snapshot, but it must feature some sort of adventure!

As you may have seen from our feature on page 44, Morzine is getting a new skate park!

And what better way to celebrate this joyous community occasion than by helping one lucky reader to begin their skate career?

This summer, win yourself a complete skateboard set up, courtesy of ATTACK ATTACK Morzine.

summer goodie bag from counterfeit clothing To enter, email your photo to competition@morzinesourcemagazine.com before 07/08/2015 Or if you simply want to show off your summer of adventure, tag your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram photos with #summerofadventure and we’ll share, regram or retweet our favorites.

(Colours & styles may vary from those illustrated)

#lovemorzine

#lovelesgets

#loveavoriaz

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MODERN KITCHEN MEETS TRADITIONAL SKI HOME, THE PERFECT COMBINATION

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Family run UK company with a base in St Jean d’Aulps offers you everything from a free no obligation kitchen design consultation through to a fully project managed installation.

Part of the Burnhill Kitchens Group

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