Glenda's Blog - What it's really like to work a winter season!

The winter of 2008/2009 will definitely be one to remember for me thanks to all the guests Ryan and I had stay with us in Le Prele. Each week we would eagerly await the transfer bus arriving and try to picture what ‘this week’s’ guests would be like. Lucky for us we had the most diverse, entertaining, relaxed, friendly mix of people we could have hoped for- it’s a cliche but no two week’s were the same.

This winter for me was a great escape- getting away from working in a bank during the good old economic crisis. I couldn’t have picked a better time or place to escape to. I had stayed with the MM team before and therefore knew what to expect from Olly and Emma, which for those of us who have been guests know to be a warm and enthusiastic welcome. What I wasn’t quite prepared for was just how much I would feel part of each group’s holiday. I realised that in my role as host it can be the tiniest touches which can make someone’s day or week whether it’s the comfort of a well made bed or a cup of tea in the morning. I found my favourite part of the day would be chatting with guests in the evenings when everyone was relaxed. It was lovely hearing about what they had been up to that day and getting updates from the kids on how their skiing had improved.

I also realised pretty quickly that I would learn to love and get excited about cleaning products- I never thought it will happen to me, suffice to say that my mother is very proud. The cleaning aspect of the job, whilst not my favourite past-time was outweighed by the time spent on the mountain. I hope Olly would agree that my snowboarding improved during the season after i sufficiently “manned up”.

A special mention has to go to the Just snowboard camp weeks - the guys and girls who joined us were ‘awesome’ - thanks for letting me join in. I can quite honesty say that being there to welcome people to Morzine and make the chalet their home during their stay is one of the most rewarding ‘jobs’ I’ve undertaken in a long time. It also helped having someone like Ryan to work with and cook for me every night for 5 months- I’ve had to relearn to cook since coming home!

Having had time to reflect after the season it’s so nice to look back at the positive comments that our guests took time to leave on Trip Advisor and other forums. It’s good to know that I in some way contributed you having a great holiday with Mountain Mavericks. Lucky for me Olly and Emma have asked me back for next year so I’m sure I’ll see a lot of our returning guests. I’ve started my countdown already- bring on the winter!!

New chalet for next winter

Forever wanting to improve our offering to you, we have taken on another chalet for next winter. Chalet Atelier is a little out of Morzine towards the Prodains lifts. Being walkable to the lifts and bars there, it is ideally suited for those that believe the on hill activities and apres are the most important ingredients to a holiday.

Recognising the combination of Mountain Mavericks service and mountain accessability Atelier is the new home of JustSnowboard Camps and has sponsorship from Quiksilver and LibTech.

This will mean amoung other things an in house LibTech demo fleet of boards.

The chalet, also has a large kitchen dinning area and open plan lounge, seperate games room, hottub, board store and 5 en-suite rooms.

Getting Itchy already

Just Having moment to sort some pictures from the last few days of the season. Fond memories, the pipe in Avoriaz was kept super well considering the 20+ temperatures and they built a big 'ol backcountry hip in Crozet, Happy days, bring on Winter10.

The seasons over.

As April ends the lifts have come to a stop, but it hasn't yet stopped snowing.
We have had a great season with plenty of powder days, meeting some fantastic people, but have to say looking forward to bit of a break.
Emma and myself would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that came to visit us this winter as well to Glenda, Hannah, Dean & Ryan for thier efforts in keeping up the Mountain Maverick standard.
As we are now busy planning for summer and start looking towards next winter we hope you are all well and that we get to catch up next year.
watch this space over the summer and we will keep you upto date on what we are planning, to make winter 2010 even better.

'Luc' the baby of Mountain Mavericks

We were not sure if anyone reads our blog.....but the more and more often we hear that you are! So thank you (big cheesy grin). But a topic of conversation that you all would like to see posted on a regular basis is that of our son Luc!

So.......


He received his first snowboard set up this week........

Last week of the season 2009 in Morzine/Avoriaz

Imagine spending the morning cruising the terrain of Avoriaz or playing in the parks in the gorgeous spring snow conditions then chilling in the sunshine with a cold beer or two, with other like minded snow lovers!

We are offering the last week of the season for only £200 for the week, half board. It will be a really relaxed week to enjoy the last few slides of what has been an amazing winter.

If you are interested to find out more and join us, then do email

iwanttoshreduntiltheveryend@mountainmavericks.com

Snowboard camp in fulll swing

This week Just Snowboard camps have one o thier Just4Girls camps running at Chalet Le Prele. Number of girls of all abilities are taking advantage of the great snow (yes we have more) and proffesional tuition, to take their riding to new heights. As well as a loads of fun off the hill.