Welcome to the December Newsletter from Alpine Tracks. Winter has arrived in true force with all our resorts experiencing heavy snow-falls in mid November. Champery opened lifts to glorious conditions on 17 November, Avoriaz opened 24 November, Geilo uo in Norway opened the full area on 23 November, while over in Lech they are busy clearing the 1.5metres of snow at village level in preparation to opening the full area on 1 December.

In this News Letter
• Chalet News
• Ski Guiding with Red Carpet
• Our New Chalet Hotel
• Skiing in Norway
• Short Breaks
• Up to date Availability

Chalet News

All our chalets have undergone a general refurbishment programme over the summer. In Champery we have added an additional room in the stunning Chalet Guybin—Guybin now has 4 full en-suite rooms. Up in Rose des Alpes, we have redecorated, adding a flat screen TV up in the bar, our ski hire facility has been increased and now boasts a whole new stock of Rossignol skis and boots. Champery really is a gem—a beautiful Swiss Alpine resort, close to Geneva Airport, the central cable car takes you right up to 2000m and all the resorts throughout the Portes du Soleil are easily reached in 2 or 3 lifts.

Mike and Sam are returning to look after Chalet Chantelle in Morzine. Chantelle is our most popular chalet and already the chalet is virtually full for next winter—a mix of the service Mike and Sam provide along with the great location and facilities including a sauna and outdoor hot tub. Will and Sami are eager to take over the resort management and are looking forward to providing all our guests in Morzine with a truly memorable holiday

Ski Guiding with Red Carpet

Our Ski guiding programme has always been very popular both in Champery and Morzine. The rules in Switzerland regarding Ski Guides or Ski Hosts have changed for this year which effectively bans tour operators from offering their guiding service. Rather than withdraw the service we have joined forces with Marco and his team of instructors from The Red Carpet Ski School in Champery to offer a full guiding service. We will have up to 3 guides available, 5 days a week Sunday through to Friday . As the guides will be working for a Swiss Ski School they will have priority at all the ski lifts—perfect for Avoriaz. The guides will be able to give some hints and tips, they can only guide on piste and numbers per guide will be limited to no more than 10. Petra and Brian head up our Champery service. Guiding is also available in Morzine where we will have upto 4 guides available.

Our New Chalet Hotel

The Mountain lodge is our exciting new Chalet Hotel scheduled to open in October 2008. The Mountain Lodge is a totally unique chalet hotel—there is nothing else like it in the Portes du Soleil. Situated at 1600m in a new Alpine development, the Mountain Lodge is fully ski in and ski out 4 star chalet style hotel.

The chalet will be equipped with a Spa Wellness area featuring a 7m swim spa, 8 person indoor hot tub, steam room, sauna as well as an 8 person outdoor hot tub—which has glorious views over the Dents du Midi. There will be a cinema room childrens play area, separate bar, lounge area with open log fires, dining room. All the bedrooms feature full en-suite facilities with large walk in showers, space and balconies.

The chalet is built in a vehicle free area and is linked underground to our heated ski and boot room which is attached to our own new ski hire shop. The nursery slopes are just opposite the chalet while 1 drag tow will link in to the Mossette Chairlift.

The chalet opens for guests on 7 December, 2008—we look forward to showing you around!

Skiing in Norway

Geilo in Norway is one of the most perfect resorts to introduce children and beginners to skiing and snowboarding. While the area only has 26 lifts, the ski slopes are quiet, very well maintained, snow guaranteed and the beginners areas perfect for establishing confidence. All the ski instructors speak fluent English and the standard of accommodation is very high.

Myths about Norway

Expensive—Norway is actually better value than many of it’s Alpine counterparts. Ski passes are cheaper, children under 7 ski for free. Flights much cheaper than those to Geneva. Beers and soft drinks about the same but Wine and spirits are more expensive.

Dark—December has similar day light to the UK, once you get in to the New Year the number of day light hours becomes more than the UK. They also offer floodlite skiing every night and from mid February breakfast skiing!

Cold—very similar temperatures to the Alps.

Use Ryan Air flights and a hire car to make the most of your holiday to Norway. Hemsedal Norways largest ski area is around a 40 minute easy drive away.

Short Breaks

Short breaks and weekend skiing have become the norm for many of our clients.
Weekends fill up quickly, but we have some great mid week offers:

Chalet Atelier in Morzine 4 days arriving Monday or Tuesday from £195 inc airport transfers, half board chalet accommodation

Chalet Rose des Alpes in Champery 4 days mid week from £245 inc airport transfers, half board chalet accommodation and ski guiding

Hotel Ustedalen in Norway £395 inc car hire and half board hotel accommodation

Availability and Special Offers

Champery - Rose des Alpes

5—12 January £295     £100 reduction from our brochure price
12—19 January £345

9—16 February £495
16—23 February £495

29 March £395

Morzine - Chalet Atelier

15—22 December £225
22—29 December £395

January 3 day mid week breaks £145
January 4 day mid week breaks £195
January 4 day weekend breaks £395
February half term, 4 day mid week break £350

Morzine - Chalet Chantelle

15—22 December £295
5—12 January £395
2—9 February £445
30 March—6 April £395