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Skiline Blog

Warning... Don’t Thomas Cook It

Who would have thought that a business such as Thomas Cook would go in to liquidation? We were delighted to hear that John Hayes from Hayes Travel, a highly successful Sunderland based travel agency has acquired the shops and retained the Thomas Cook staff. I skied with John Hayes a few years ago in Andorra, he is a remarkable and hugely respected travel professional and a good skier too. How safe is your ski holiday booking? Sadly, it’s not just Thomas Cook that ran out of money, there are...

Looking For A Chalet In A Mountain Village? Not A Purpose-Built Ski Resort

Think Villaroger, has all the charm of a typical alpine village, with the added advantage of 425km of skiing. The slopes mainly are north-facing; why the village is known locally as the dark side. North slopes are good for skiers, they hold the snow longer in the season in the shade from the sun, but if you are in doubt about snow quality, in the past 2 years 89 new snow cannons have been installed. In additions investments in new lifts and a new blue piste cut to the village. Villaroger is...

10 French Ski Runs You Won't Want To Miss

The Longest Who wants to ski a bit, and then sit in a lift for a bit when you can ski down 16 km of groomed piste? The Sarenne starts from the summit of Mont Blanc in the Alpe d’Huez ski area at 3,300m above sea level and descends 16km to 1,510m. It’s the longest single “black run” in the world. But don’t let that put you off, you don’t need to be a champion to tackle it – only the first section near the Sarenne glacier is steep. The rest of the run, is not especially steep but is lovely...

The Cool Way To Arrive In The French Alps This Winter

Cool Runnings are a dynamic airport transfer company based in the French alps ski resort of Val Thorens. Over the past 10 years, they have grown and thrived due to their passion for quality, reliable, friendly airport transfers. They cover all areas of The Three Valleys linking Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble, Lyon, Moutiers and surrounding areas to the Alpine resorts of the Belleville Valley. New for the 2020 ski season Cool Runnings have added a new route to cover the whole of the 3 Valleys and...

Mont Blanc: Glacier In Danger Of Collapse, Roads Closed And Evacuations Underway

Mont Blanc: Glacier in danger of collapse, roads closed and evacuations underway Italian authorities from Courmayeur have closed roads and started evacuating mountain huts after experts warned that part of a glacier on Mont Blanc was about to collapse. Its possible that up to 250,000 cubic metres of Glacial ice are in real danger of breaking away from the Planpincieux glacier. The mayor of the nearby town of Courmayeur said global warming was changing the mountain. The area most at danger...

Driving To The Alps This Winter. Don’t Forget Your IDP

Drivers to the Alps this winter will, we are assured by our Government, will be the only travellers affected by Brexit, unless they have thought to apply in advance for an International Driving Permit (IDP). Most main post offices will be able to issue the IDP, you will need a passport photo and a copy of your valid UK driving licence. However there are three types of IDP 1926, 1949 and 1968 some skiers may need all three, depending on where you are going….. Brexit was never going to be...

Naughtily named Ski runs, Resort names and Ski Signage

We have all seen the odd ‘naughty’ name or a resort or hotel whilst on holiday and had a little chuckle to ourselves but Ski Holidays do seem to surpass all others when it comes to naughty or silly names and have had us chuckling in the office many a time so we thought we’d share them with you! Beware, if you are easily offended stop reading this now! Resort and Mountain Names We have to start with this gem of a resort in Germany which is located close to the southern Austrian border in...

FREE Rock the pistes festival 15th to 21st March 2020

Get ready for the FREE Rock the Pistes Festival! This year is the 10th annual edition of this unique, high-altitude music festival and takes place from March 15th to 21st 2020.  Step into your bindings and join us on the spectacular ski slopes of the PORTES DU SOLEIL, namely Avoriaz Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel, Champery, Les Crosets, Champoussin, Morgins and Torgon. Rock the Pistes packs an amazing 35 concerts into just one week, with open-air concerts right on the slopes that are only...

Major fire rips through the centre of Morzine damaging holiday chalets

A fire in Morzine started yesterday (6/8/20) in a restaurant chimney and quickly spread to roof. Thankfully nobody was injured as the diners all managed to escape to safety before the whole building was engulfed in flames.  One of the buildings that were completely gutted housed two of our ski chalets.  Chalet Colibri Uno and Chalet Colibri Penthouse, both had proved popular for a skiing trip in 2020 It's not known if the building will be rebuilt in time for the 2021 ski season at...

Margaret Thatchers Secret Ski hideout, we wonder where Boris will go!

Imagine having €1million to refurbish your luxury chalet in the alps. Well, Chalet Namaste in Courchevel 1850 has just spent that much in refurbishments, bringing it bang up-to-date. We’re told that back in the day this chalet used to be the summer hideout of Margaret Thatcher no less! We’re wondering if Boris might make an appearance there soon! The chalet sits on the green Bellecote piste in the heart of Courchevel 1850 and has direct ski-in/out access that takes you down to the centre of...