Snow update – the season so far…

Posted on February 9, 2012 by SnowMonkey
Snow in Avoriaz

Snow in Avoriaz

Wow, what a season it has been so far. We had huge dumps of snow at the end of December and throughout January, followed by a couple of weeks of Siberian temperatures. The snow is fantastic, over 3 m at the top of the Portes du Soleil. And once again this area has benefited most from the snowfall. Pretty much all areas in France have good coverage (including areas not in the mountains) but as per usual the Portes du Soleil has more snow at 2-2500 m than Val Thorens has at 3200 m. Still goes to show – you don’t need to go high to get the best snow, you just need to come to the Portes du Soleil!

The White-Peak team have been busy not only selling ski holidays in the Portes du Soleil, but also with music festivals in Avoriaz, and Alpine interior design projects. However, this all comes to an end at the weekend and we hope to be able to get some skiing done (just in time for the kids breaking up from school)!

We hope to see you in Chatel soon…

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Chatel Snow Report – 30th December 2011

Posted on December 30, 2011 by SnowMonkey

It is very snowy, there is lots of snow on and off piste and in the village, and it is snowing heavily!

Happy New Year everyone…

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Chatel Snow Report

Posted on December 20, 2011 by SnowMonkey
Snow in Chatel

Losing my garden to the snow

If you are interested in skiing, and you have an internet connection, I am sure it won’t have escaped your notice that it has been snowing in the Alps.

Here in Chatel and the Portes du Soleil, it has been dumping it down for days. The freezing level is low and the snow depths are very impressive for this early in the season.  The top of the Portes du Soleil has over 2 m, and even at the bottom of the runs we have nearly a metre.

Snow conditions have settled since the weekend, and the avalanche danger has been reduced to 3 (which is still pretty high, but a lot better than the 4/5 we had at the end of last week). So the off piste is open for business as long as you keep your sensible head on.

Snow in Chatel

Peering into the snow storm

And it is still snowing, with up to 50 cm forecast for the next 24-36 hours.

This snow gives us a fantastic base to build on for the rest of the season. It also ensures great conditions for the Christmas and New Year guests. For now though, all the locals are just walking around with big smiles on their faces. With hardly anyone on the mountain, there is more than enough powder to go around.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be up to my waist in the white fluffy stuff…

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Snow, snow and more snow…

Posted on December 3, 2011 by SnowMonkey

Finally we have woken up to white mountains and the high pressure which we have been enjoying all Autumn has finally dispersed. The forecast for the the next week is looking great – cold temperatures and snow!

Take a look at this prediction for next weekend – over a metre of snow predicted to fall in 24 hours.

Time to wax my skis and get my snow tyres on.

Snow Forecast

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Half term self catered chalets available in Chamonix

Posted on November 28, 2011 by SnowMonkey

We have a number of large self catered chalets available in Chamonix over the half term  week (11th – 18th Feb, 2012);

Holiday House L'Piri Chamonix

Chamonix, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House L’Piri 2 star rating
12 persons / 6 Rooms / 4 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 2,752.00

Holiday House Mendiaux Saint Gervais

Saint Gervais, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House Mendiaux 3 star rating
12 persons / 5 Rooms / 4 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 2,024.00

Holiday House Evolène Chamonix

Chamonix, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House Evolène 4 star rating
12 persons / 7 Rooms / 6 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 4,273.00

Holiday House picture Les Houches

Les Houches, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House 5 star rating
10 persons / 6 Rooms / 5 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 7,198.00

Holiday House L'Epachat Saint Gervais

Saint Gervais, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House L’Epachat 4 star rating
10 persons / 7 Rooms / 5 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 2,780.00

Holiday House picture Chamonix

Chamonix – Les Praz, Savoie – Haute Savoie, France
Holiday House 4 star rating
10 persons / 6 Rooms / 4 Bedrooms
11/02/2012, 1 week GBP 4,453.00

If you are interested in any of these properties, fill out a contact form and mention that it is Chamonix you are interested in. We will then send you full details with photos etc.

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A Skillz in the Alps

Posted on November 25, 2011 by SnowMonkey

A Skillz @ The AvalancheThe Avalanche bar in Chatel is celebrating the start of the winter season with a fantastic party featuring no other than the famous Mr A Skillz – Turntable Wizard Extraordinaire.

Expect big beats, fantastic mixing and scratching, and a massive night.

 

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New Year Availability – 2011

Posted on November 7, 2011 by SnowMonkey

Le Grand Roc ChatelWe have just had a cancellation in our Grand Roc apartment for New Year. This fantastic apartment is available between the 25th December 2011 and the 7th January 2012.

Chalet Le Grand Roc is located on Le Boude, only a 5 minute walk from the resort centre, and close to the skiing. In normal snow conditions it is possible to ski back to the Chatel from Super Chatel via some fun off piste.

The apartment is spacious for a ski property (nearly a 100 m2) and has 3 bedrooms and a large open plan living dining area.

The price for one week is £1650 including all bedding, towels and an end of stay clean. However, we will also throw in some extra nights at no extra cost, so if you want to come for 8 or even 9 nights, the price will remain the same.

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Amazing racing

Posted on September 7, 2011 by SnowMonkey

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Goodbye to the Rochassons chairlift…

Posted on September 7, 2011 by SnowMonkey

Au revoir Rochassons… from Service Com Mairie de Châtel on Vimeo.

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Danny Hart wins 2011 MTB World Championship in Champery

Posted on September 4, 2011 by SnowMonkey

Danny Hart World Champion 2011I’ve just got back from the 2011 MTB World Championship Downhill race in Champery, where Danny Hart rode a legendary race to become the 2011 champion.

The conditions today were difficult to say the least. The rain has been constant all day, varying between heavy & torrential. The Champery downhill course is testing at the best of times. Add in heavy mud, small rivers pouring down the course and low visibility, and most riders were fighting just to stay on their bikes.

The fastest times were set by the riders mid way through the race, and as the rain got harder, and visibility got worse, it looked like all the following riders would fall by the wayside.

Then Danny Hart took to the gate. He nailed the route from the outset, taking new lines and carrying speed through even the hardest & steepest sections. As he came into the final section he even managed to through in a couple of whips so big he was almost horizontal. Then he crossed the line over 11 seconds faster than the previous leader.

The Champery course made a legend of Sam Hill after his amazing run in 2009. In 2011, Danny Hart ecplised that and proved he is truly king of the mountain.

Following Danny, Gee Atherton crashed a couple of times coming in covered in mud. Even Arron Gwin who looked very dangerous at the start managed to crash and came in twelfth.

All of which meant that the 19 year old from Redcar was crowned 2011 World Champion. Good work Danny.

2011 MTB World Championship Men's Results

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