chaletlaforet December 23rd, 2007
All areas opened fully on the 22nd December 2007 with fantastic snow. We decided on Brevent for the day - here’s a couple of photos….click through for bigger versions which are well worth a look!
chaletlaforet December 20th, 2007
Amazing early season snow blanketed the valley this Christmas, so we’ve taken some photos to share the magic! Click for larger versions on Flickr.
chaletlaforet December 20th, 2007
Great news that the terrain park has returned to Les Grands Montets for 2007/8, and with the fantastic early season conditions, they’ve been able to get it going much sooner this year. It’s on a similar pattern to last year with a graded runs through a good variety of jumps, nicely paced and a couple of rails, and no doubt more will be added as the season progresses. There will be another terrain park at Les Houches this year as well.
Some photos of the park on Dec 18th 2007 - click to see them larger on Flickr
chaletlaforet December 11th, 2007
From December 8th to 21st 2007, when you buy a one day Mont Blanc Unlimited pass - which includes all the lifts in the valley, and costs 47 euros - you can get the day after for one euro! A really good deal, especally as it includes the Aiguille Du Midi.
They are also offering the “Chamonix Le Pass” for a reduced rate of 27 euros, so it’s a great time to get out and take advantage of the brilliant early winter snowfall at a discount price.
Families will be pleased to see that the very popular family offer has been continued this year. Two adults pay full price, the first child pays half price, and the rest of the kids are free!
More details on the Compagnie du Mont Blanc site.
chaletlaforet December 7th, 2007
Last weekend brought thick snow to the Chamonix Valley, and it continues to fall with up to a metre expected over the next few days. Les Grands Montets will open fully for the first time this weekend. Brilliant early season snow has opened the runs to the base, and they were in super condition last weekend when we went to try them out. With the full complement of lifts running, Chamonix now has 1500 vertical metres of descent open! We’re hoping to see some work on the terrain park soon as it is very much in evidence in the Compagnie Du Mont Blanc’s brochures.
The snowfall began quite lightly at the chalet but soon began to settle on the trees:
Before long, it was coming down thick and fast - luckily it’s cosy in the mazot….
…which was well covered in the morning…
…when there was a some blue sky before it started again.
chaletlaforet December 6th, 2007
We’re really looking forward to seeing this movie, which charts the story of extreme skiing from amazing vintage film of Anselme Baud and Patrick Valencant, via the groundbreaking Chamonix footage of “The Blizzard of Ahhs” in 1987 to the full life and tragic death of Doug Coombs.
These photos from the STEEP film site look fantastic, and US release dates are on the site now so let’s hope to see it in Europe soon.
Skier descends mountain face. Photo by Chris Noble © 2007 High Ground Productions, LLC courtesy Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights Reserved.
Skier making jump. Photo by Chris Noble © 2007 High Ground Productions, LLC courtesy Sony Pictures Classics. All Rights Reserved.
Trailer for Steep (There is a larger version available on their site )
Interesting video interview with the film makers from the Tribeca film festival:
Update (27th May 2008) - Still no sign of any release here, which is a shame, I’d love to see it on the big screen. However, it’s available on DVD and we have it at the chalet now. It’s beautifully shot, but to me, it’s the old footage that is the most amazing - seeing those legendary Chamonix descents in brilliantly restored colour is eye-popping stuff. Highly recommended, and I’ll keep this updated in case of news about a cinema release.
chaletlaforet November 25th, 2007
The Chamonix leg of the Mens Alpine Ski World Cup takes place on the famous Kandahar black run over these dates. More info and full programme on their very good site, complete with video and galleries:
www.chamonixworldcup.com
The Kandahar itself is a fantastic run with every curve and corner having its own name and history. Here’s this year’s course plan (click for larger view)
chaletlaforet November 25th, 2007
This event was a big success last year so it’s good to see it becoming a regular fixture on the calendar. Though why someone didn’t advise them that the name of “Talents des Aiguilles” didn’t translate well, I have no idea…
Every woman visting Chamonix this weekend gets a free lift pass, and there are free technical clinics, ski and board tests, very good discounts or freebies in shops and restaurants, concerts, parties and other promotions. There’s also free Vin Chaud for all women in the lift stations too!
http://www.talents-aiguilles.com/
has lists of the events and of the discounts, which look well worth having with some excellent offers from hotels and restaurants, clothes and sport shops and more.
chaletlaforet November 25th, 2007
We’re very proud to announce that we now have our hot tub installed in the perfect spot. You can take in the views of Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi and the Dru whilst luxuriating with the relaxing hydromassage - it’s a great place to appreciate the unbelievable Alpine sunset.
We got the hot tub from Chamonix Hot tub and Spa who were very helpful - highly recommended! They will also be handling all the maintenance so that the water is sparkling clean for all our guests.
chaletlaforet November 25th, 2007
The Compagnie Du Mont Blanc has extended the discount ski pass offer until December 2nd. These can also be ordered online, for the first time.
If you will be going for a fortnight or more, these are well worth taking advantage of, with 10% off the ten day packs, and 15% off the 15 day packs, with the discount rising to 35% on a season or year’s Unlimited pass.
Our beautiful traditional Savoyarde chalet sleeps ten happy people. For full details, more photos and booking, visit