We had been selected to feature in an article about cool and funky chalets in the Alps. Nice to see us up there with the £17,000 a week places where the likes of Robbie Williams have stayed – we are obviously doing something right and our prices are definitely a LOT more affordable!

This is what travel writer Tom Chesshyre had to say…

This season’s coolest places to stay have private pools, high-tech entertainment and seriously stylish interiors

France

No 1. The Loft, Morzine

“The look here is that of a slick Manhattan loft with exposed beams and lots of leather sofas. Covering two floors of a farmhouse, The Loft is a short walk from popular après-ski bars. There’s an open-plan kitchen as well as wireless internet, Sky television and iPod docking stations. A free shuttle bus to the main high-speed gondolas stops outside the property every 20 minutes. It sleeps eight and the price includes transfers from the airport.
Details The Loft (0033 686 02 1 805, www.moremountain.com) is from £4,792 a week (£599pp); dinner and B&B with afternoon tea included, flights excluded.”

If you subscribe to The Times, you can read more here.

"The Baron"

The time has come to replace our trusty Mazda Bongo and our not so t’rusty Mitsubishi Shogun!

We had been looking at various 4X4 vehicles that could comfortably transport 8 guests around Morzine, and to and from the ski lifts.

The decision was made. A classless yet quality vehicle, The Landrover Defender is an iconic and Uber Cool vehicle to ferry our guests about town and as their slogan says they are…

” The Best 4 X 4 by Far “

For those guests staying at The Loft “The Baron” – an ex RAF Landrover Defender 110, will play a big part in your winter holiday with us, transporting you to and from the lifts each day.

"Junior"

“Junior” – an ex “Cheshire Set” Landrover Defender 90, will be used as an additional vehicle to the 2 minibuses that we have at our larger chalets, Chalet Robin and La Cabine

Here’s hoping for plenty of snow this year, to put the 2 newbies to the test!

If you fancy your own Defender, contact Marple Road Garage in Stockport for some great advice and help. Ask for Pam!

Christmas Eve saw blue skies and busy pistes so Chris and Linz ( the guys from The Loft ) and I decided to avoid the crowds and head off to the Valley de la Manche for the first time this season.

The cold weather had kept the snow in pretty good condition, although the amount of early snow meant there were slips and slides all over the valley.

A run down the middle brought us to a windlip and resulted in us throwing ourselves off it. Here are a couple of pics…

At the top!

Chris doing his flying Santa impression.

Linz mid spin.

Finally, the parting shot on the way home…

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

Jon