Slopes If you thought skiing was too expensive for you to consider, think again. CLARE O'REILLY investigated the slopes of Morzine, France and ...
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slopes
HEAD TO THE
If you thought skiing was too
expensive for you to consider,
think again. CLARE O’REILLY
investigated the slopes of
Morzine, France and found
a surprisingly affordable
family holiday…
86 NOVEMBER 2017 | CANDIS.CO.UK
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
R
ising round bends that French Alpine resorts. It with more than 380km
seem endless, the drive makes up one of the 13 Portes of marked trails.
up into Morzine from du Soleil resorts, which Jack & Jill’s catered chalets,
Geneva showcases its straddle the Swiss-French The Ranch, Chalet Aix and
crisp beauty and elegance border and incorporate Stag Lodge, are run by Jamie
perfectly. With the tinkling 650km of skiing in 283 and Mary Hustwayte, Brits
of cowbells, the azure skies, groomed slopes – 27 black who have turned their love
white snowy peaks and runs, 104 red, 119 blue and 33 of the slopes into a full-time
time-warp wooden chalets, green. Not to mention the ten thriving business with an
it’s easy to picture Heidi and snow parks for stunt skiers excellent reputation. The pair
her grandfather waving and 90 slopeside restaurants. offer a more bespoke chalet
joyously at Peter as all three The area has a thriving visit with carefully designed
traipse off to feed their cows après-ski culture but unlike and selected three-course
in traditional dress. lots of other Alpine resorts, meals every evening, daily
Morzine is one of the oldest Morzine enjoys a summer post-skiing cake and
ski resorts in the world, season, too, where skis make breakfasts that give enough
dating back to the 20s. It’s way for wheels and mountain energy for a long day on the
1,000m above sea level and bikers turn the snowy pistes slopes. Kids are welcome –
the northernmost of the into their grassed playground and no effort is spared
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
when catering for fussy
eaters. Rooms have Wi-Fi,
films, books and board or on a budget,” he says. “The
games, and the pièce de snow is still plentiful but it’s
résistance was an outdoor much warmer, you can ski in
hot tub that became shirt sleeves, which is perfect
the highlight of our holiday. for beginners who aren’t
Mary and Jamie really do going fast enough to keep
think of everything and can warm. Plus there’s plenty
recommend excellent vetted of hiking and walking as
childcare and arrange for the snow retreats a little,
massages and ski fittings to if someone in the family
take place in your own chalet. decides skiing is not for
While Morzine has 3,000 them. More importantly it’s
residents, during ski season half the price it would be in
the number swells, and last the February half-term.”
year it was voted the No 1 ski Having never skied before,
resort in the world by Trivago. our family of five, including
The resort was also voted the Eddie, 13, Sam, 8, and Annie,
15th-most affordable, at 6, survived, thrived and ate
£146 a night, compared with our body weight in cake.
Courchevel, its oligarch- Having learnt to ski in just
frequented neighbour a week with none of the
to the south, which came usual holiday bickering,
in at £298 a night. but plenty of fantastic
Jamie says families can take memories, photographs and
to the slopes at even cheaper funny stories, I find myself
prices than that if they pick converted to the benefits –
the right time of year to go. and joys – of a winter holiday
“Easter is the perfect time to en famille. Especially when it
learn to ski if you’re new to it, doesn’t break the bank!
88 NOVEMBER 2017 | CANDIS.CO.UK
MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR BUDGET
When planning a skiing
holiday, make sure you
do your research first.
✓ Book an April break to
make substantial savings
over Christmas or February
half-term holidays
✓ Book budget flights
as early as possible
✓ Work out ski-hire and
lift-pass costs for everyone
before you go – pre-booking
online may give you
a substantial discount
✓ Catered chalets do
work out cheaper over
the week when there
are extra mouths to feed
Wednesday is a night off for all the
Eating and chalet workers in the resort, so guests
drinking are encouraged to eat out. The town
centre has everything from
takeaways to fine dining and most people will find
something to tempt them around the tourist office.
However, the better prices are often found a few
minutes’ walk away. Local fare centres on cheese
and potatoes, and the TARTIFLETTE, a potato dish
with cream, cheese and bacon, is on most menus.
L’Etale is popular with its basement tables, relaxed vibe
and great wine list. Try the RACLETTE, a semi-hard
cow’s milk cheese melted and served with local meats,
potatoes and pickles. If you’re on a budget, try Mamma’s,
with its pizzas, chips, burgers and Thai dishes.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Factfile
CURRENCY: Euro
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT +1
VISA: Not needed
INSURANCE: Strongly
advised, and you
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO... will need winter
Morzine and neighbouring Les Gets have more British ski schools sports cover
than most resorts, making it great for beginners. The area is CLIMATE: January is
wonderful intermediate territory, ideal for families and those with the coldest month,
experience who want to see how many kilometres they can clock with an average
up in a day rather than adrenalin junkies wanting black runs. temperature of 2°C
(36°F), while April
NURSERY SLOPES: The turns, blue runs are hovers around 10°C
perfect place to get your longer than green ones (50°F). Summer
ski legs and learn RED: Intermediate. Longer runs temperatures in
GREEN: Easy slopes, not too and steeper turns for fast skiers June for mountain
steep, and not too long BLACK: Not to be attempted biking can exceed
BLUE: Moderate, with unless you’re a proficient skier 21°C (70°F) and being
some more challenging with nerves of steel! 1,000m up, the sun
feels hotter
GETTING AROUND:
The Jack & Jill bus
dropped us off and
picked us up from the
slopes every day and
the walk into Morzine
ALAMY ROBERT HARDING ISTOCK
is about half an hour
along the river
MORE INFO: Flights
to Geneva from the
Jack & Jill’s chalets can be booked on jackandjillholidays.com UK start at £19.99
Transfers by powdercab.com Ski hire by doorstepskis.com
Massage by Kerri McAuley facebook.com/kerrimcauleymassageandbeauty
and can be booked
on easyjet.co.uk
90 NOVEMBER 2017 | CANDIS.CO.UK
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