The movie’s stars are: Bill Nighy (Harry Potter, The Boat That Rocked, Love Actually, Doctor Who…), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl, Son of Rambow and the upcoming Wuthering Heights), Christine Baranski (The Good Wife, Ugly Betty, Mamma Mia!), Tamsin Egerton (Chelsea in St Trinians 1 & 2). There’s also the small matter of Tara Dakides and Torah Bright in the cast, to give the whole thing some snow-based authenticity.

‘The Chalet Girl’ is looking for extras in St Anton, Austria, between the 15th and 26th of March. Such a shame as we’re hoping to be in St Anton the week after and I always fancied being in a film! SOURCE

Morzine is at 1,000m, thus in 1960 Avoriaz was born to allow higher skiing and lifts above Morzine. This then was the start of the now famous Portes du Soleil ski area which now includes 12 resorts, 8 on the French side and 4 on the Swiss side.

Skiing in and around Morzine is best suited to beginners and early intermediates. This area is also tree lined, making it a good option in bad weather. This and the brilliant resort facilities makes Morzine a firm favourite with families. There are three areas main areas to ski in and around Morzine, Pleney, Nyon Chamosserie and Super Mozine.

Pleney is the main area and where you will likely spend time if you are having lessons. Nyon Chamosserie is for the more intermediate skier, with plenty of blues and reds back to Morzine or Les Gets. Super Morzine offers the route into Avoriaz for more intermediate skiing, but the runs in this area are also well worth a go. It offers some wide inviting blue runs for beginners/intermediates to practice on.

You have two lift pass options, choose a Morzine / Les Gets pass for 150 euros for 6 days, alternatively if you want a larger area to ski opt for the Portes du Soleil area pass at 205 euros. If you choose the Portes du Soleil lift pass then you can venture into the intermediate area of Avoriaz. It’s a little bit of a hike up the Prodains lifts, but well worth it for powder hounds.

If you’re looking for a good ski school then we recommend Sally at the Snow Institute in Morzine. Choose from group lessons or private lessons from a well respected, English speaking company. Alternatively opt for BASS .

There are some really good options for mountain restaurants in the area, including Le Vaffieu which is at the top of Pleney, if you’re on foot then you can walk there from Morzine in about 40 minutes. Alternatively try Chez Nannon on they Nyon Plateau, it offers excellent food, and therefore is likely to be busy in good or bad weather, you must book!

In the evenings there are plenty of choices in Morzine, try Dixies, the Irish pub, the Buddha Bar is better for those looking for a quieter drink. For our top restaurant venture slightly out of resort to The Auberge at Ardent, whose tag is that “Food is an art and art take time, so please be patient. Believe us it’s worth the hike and the wait”. Though sometimes we think they keep us waiting so we drink more! It’s pretty small so do book. Alternatively for something in town and at good value try Le Café Chaud, which offers great traditional Savoyard menus.

For other activities in Morzine then try dog sledding, if you practice in January or February you can take part in the yearly International competition. There’s also an ice skating rink with an ice hockey team so you can try and catch a game. Morzine is a proper town and therefore the shopping is very good, so try and make time around the skiing.

Travelling to Morzine is easy by plane, car or train. If flying then Geneva airport is only 50 miles from Morzine, about 1 hour 30 minutes by bus or taxi. Flights are available from most UK airports to Geneva including the usual low cost carriers. Morzine is one of the nearest major resorts to Calais, and will take around 8 hours to travel, without breaks. Tolls cost will be around 70 euros each way. Alternatively, and a lesser known option is to travel to Morzine by train. Take the Eurostar to Paris and then change for the direct train to Thonon, it takes around 4 and a half hours and if you book early the seats can be as cheap as 80 euros return. The transfer up the mountain will take around 40 minutes.

All in all, Morzine is a fantastic resort with great skiing, and access to a massive ski area. The town itself is a traditional mountain town with an unspoilt feel. It’s a must visit for families, beginners, intermediates and mile eaters looking to explore the wider Portes du Soleil area.

Here’s a selection of their best deals:

12 March- 7 nights – St Gervais
Club Hotel Terminus – 3/4 Board – Travel by coach
Only £498 save £40
+ FREE Bronze Skis & Boot Hire
Request a booking or phone 01727 866177

12 March - 7 nights – Mayrhofen
Chalet Tirol – Full Board – Travel by coach
Only £458 save £40
+ 1/2 Price Bronze Skis & Boot Hire
Request a booking or phone 01727 866177

Or if you’re low on holiday but tempted by a bargain then what about this for a good deal:

15 March - 4 nights – St Gervais
Club Hotel Terminus – 3/4 Board – Travel by coach
Only £299 save £60
Request a booking or phone 01727 866177

Plus… they have a Buy One get One Free Ski Pass Offer on the following departures:

St Gervais – 19th, 26th March and 9th April

Val Cenis – 19 March

Valmeinier – 26th March and 9th April

For details of all deals and for further information on all of the above just visit the Snowcoach website.

Bluebird ski day in Les Menuires

Skiing in March and April is a great choice, the snow is often very good late on in the season and the weather is far friendlier. There’s no shivering on the chair lifts and no putting on 5 layers. It’s a great time to learn to ski too as you spend far longer standing around it’s much nicer doing that in warmer weather. Also because it’s lighter later you can spend longer soaking up the sun in the bars!!

The 3 Valleys is a great ski area to choose late on in the season as it’s high and snow is always guaranteed. St Martin de Belleville gives direct access into Meribel, Les Menuires and then up to Val Thorens ski area. It’s definitely worth getting a Valley de Belleville ski pass at this time of year ensuring that you can get up to Val Thorens and take advantage of the high snow.

You can find out more about Green Mountain Chalets on our review blog post.

The best way to find out these good deals is to look on the official tourist office website for the ski resort you’re interesting in visiting. Early and late season you will often find a package deal on the tourist website. This usually will include accommodation, self catering, B&B or half board and a lift pass.

I’ve been looking at the Skiwelt ski area offers and there’s some really great bargain end of season offers on their website. They have a range of package deals they call “Super Ski Weeks” and super they are!! Prices start from around 200 euros a person for a week in accommodation only, B&B or half board in one of the Skiwelt villages and include a Skiwelt lift pass for 6 days. I found one deal in the heart of Ellmau,150m from the nearest ski lift, half board and with a ski pass for only 430euros!

You can search for the exact dates you need on the Ski welt website http://www.superskiwochen.at/en/ and find the best deal for you.

Hotel le Totem – Flaine – Crystal Ski

Hotel Totem - functional styled but ultra well located

Hotel Le Totem enjoys a perfect position in Flaine Forum with skiing virtually to and from the doorstep. Under new management for 2009/10 the hotel will be run by Langley with their friendly service, good food and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel itself is modern with spacious communal areas and a lovely sun terrace. The bedrooms are minimalist in style, and families will appreciate the huge range of bedroom types on offer, with interconnecting rooms and family suites.

@foxychops says “Stayed at the Totem last year via Crystal Holidays, good location, good food”

Les Fermes du Soleil – Les Carroz – Ski Independence

A beautifully appointed residence in the centre of Les Carroz, ‘Les Fermes du Soleil’ offers an exceptional standard of self catering accommodation with hotel style facilities.

@skiindependence  says “Great location & excellent facilities – top seller every year”

Ski Massif – Samoens

Ski Massif - Chalet Ralley

The Chalet was built in 2002/3 and was built in traditional alpine style, in keeping with the natural beauty of the area surrounding the chalet. We want you to be as comfortable as possible in the chalet, where you can relax and start enjoying your holiday the moment you walk through the door. The rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated in an authentic style, which is why the chalet has been awarded five stars by the local authority. All rooms have ensuite facilities and are equipped with hair dryers, fluffy towels, dressing gowns, The White Company Toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, hand and body lotion,digital safes along with tea and coffee making facilities. (blurb taken from their website)

@Bazzarutto says “ I have stayed in Samoens a few times with Ski Massif who are great. I would recommend them highly”

Le Refuge de l’Alpage – Morillon – Peak Retreats

Located in a prime position at the foot of the ski slopes in Les Esserts (Morillon 1100m, pedestrianised resort), Le Refuge de l’Alpage offers some ski-in/ski-out apartments. It is located just a stone’s throw from the resort centre and 50m from the nearest ski lift. The Green run Marvel (a family favourite) leads back to some of the apartments. Le Refuge de l’Alpage is close to the nursery slopes, it is perfect for families looking for convenient, professional childcare, as well as for those without children looking for nearby skiing. The mini-market, ski school meeting point, ski hire shop and lift passes are all within short walking distance.

@skifamille says “Sheila from the office rates Morillon (bit like Reberty in some ways) this accommodation is good”

Of course there are lots more accommodation options in the Grand Massif ski area if none of these suit. The best place to see what’s available where is the Grand Massif tourist website.

7 nights Accommodation, Room Only

Return flights from either Gatwick or Manchester to Calgary Airport

Transfers

For more information or to book this bargain break go here

If only we had more holiday left!!

In the Eurostar Bar

As Lastminute.com put it it’s “One day, one train, one hell of a good time with Eurostar straight to the Alps”.  Basically you head to St Pancras after work on Friday evening (assuming you work near London) to get on the overnight Eurostar to Bourg St Maurice (leaves at 20:31).Remember that the seats on the Eurostar are the normal upright seats, there’s a bar on the train to ease you to sleep though! You’ll arrive in Bourg St Maurice at 06:30 on Saturday morning.

On our trip we then took the funicular straight from Bourg St Maurice station to Arc 1600, this is perhaps the easiest resort to get to, but you could also try Val d’Isere or Tignes or alight earlier at Moutiers and pay a visit to the Three Valleys. The funicular is included in your Les Arcs day lift pass which you can buy online in advance here for 41.50euros, they’ll post it to you so you don’t need to worry about sorting it out when you arrive.

When you get to Arc 1600, turn right out of the funicular station, there is a pub that opens for breakfast and can store your bags for a day for a small fee. There is also a ski hire shop next door to there, Sport 2000 I think, so you can sort everything you’ll need easily when you get up to Arc 1600.

Then you’re just left to ski the whole day. Les Arcs is a great ski area, you can find out more about Les Arcs on our resort review. The day we were there was the most glorious January day with clear blue skies. We had lunch back down at Arc 1600 and then skiied until last lifts in the afternoon. Obviously skiing only one day the you’re at the mercy of the weather even more than usual, and all you can do is hope you get lucky!

Restaurant La Tartiflette, Bourg St Maurice

You then have time for a few drinks back at Arc 1600 to relive your day and then head back down on the funicular to Bourg St Maurice. The train leaves at 22:15 giving you time for dinner in Bourg. Don’t go anywhere other than restaurant La Tartiflette on Avenue de la Gare opposite the station, it’s really the best restaurant in Bourg and is usually rammed which is a good sign.

After another night on the Eurostar you’ll arrive into St Pancras at 07:12 on Sunday morning, giving you a bit of time for some R&R before going back to work on Monday with that sense of elation after having really maximised your weekend!

Lastminute.com are running this trip and they currently have availability on Friday 5th March and Friday 19th March. And best of all it only costs £129 per person! Go on give it a go, you only live once!

Limited spaces are available, so book now by e-mailing info@alpineethos.co.uk to avoid disappointment!

Chile Powder

Each tour takes in multiple ski hills off the tourist trail and includes a variety of unique off-snow cultural activities. Travelling in small intimate groups, guests have learnt to expect an unparalleled level of personal service on a tour that takes them into the heart of a country and culture. It’s more than just a ski holiday. DreamSki Adventures delivers what clients continually describe as their “Best holiday ever!”

Now in its seventh year, DreamSki Adventures draws a wide range of clients from the UK, Canada and the United States, many of whom return year after year, seeking the same intimate and personalized experience. Built on the principle that ski holidays should be adventurous, fun, rejuvenating and hassle-free, this successful adventure formula developed by Canadian founder Gerry Winchester remains the only one of its kind in the world.

He explained: “The whole idea of a guided tour to an exotic destination is new and we’re the only company which offers both guiding and instruction adding huge value to our guests. We’re there every day helping our guests to get into the powder and improve their skiing. Our tours are very guest centred, designed to develop and strengthen their skills taking them to the next level whatever their ability.”

The success of DreamSki Adventures is built partly on the fact that its founder and guides live, work and play in South America, giving them in-depth local knowledge and expertise both on and off the snow. They take clients to local ski haunts and their Canadian certified instructors guarantee to improve the performance of each and every guest. Between skiing adventures, guests are immersed in local cultures with a diverse range of activities such as wine tasting, relaxing in natural thermal hot pools, visiting local markets, experiencing Latin American dancing and sampling the best of local cuisines.

The DreamSki adventure can best be summed up by client John Goddard (UK) on a recent tour in Chile: “This trip has been one of the best experiences of my life. Not just the skiing, but the whole package.”

Due to its high altitude and arid climate Chile boasts the best snow conditions in the world. It offers unparalleled powder matched with long, rolling groomed terrain, making it ideal for all ability levels. Mild temperatures, 80 percent sunny days and vast uncrowded slopes on terrain ranging from the high Andes to active volcanoes are combined with the unique and friendly culture of the Chilean people providing the ingredients for a ski holiday beyond compare.

In addition to its own incredible powder conditions, Argentina is renowned for its stunning lake vistas, the spectacular geography of the world famous Patagonia region, and beautiful European influenced mountain towns. Its incredible wines and succulent beef add to the unique cultural experience of a holiday in this country.

“The beauty of these destinations is that there’s fresh snow for days after a snow fall unlike Europe. These countries are starting to take off in terms of skiing holidays with good reason – the snow is fantastic, providing for the best possible skiing. It’s a whole different skiing experience,” said Gerry.