This January, Chamonix has received more snow than any January since 1967. Over two metres 10cms fell in just one night in Argentière a week or so back. So, when yet another 40cms of snow fell yesterday at chalet level, and with visibility greatly reduced throughout the valley, Helen and I chose to ski our [Read more...]
Just 20 minutes drive from our chalet in Chamonix valley, there is a “via ferrata” in Passy called Curalla. For those that don’t know, a “Via ferrata” is like a footpath on a rock face… They were first developed during the First World War in the Italian Dolomites for moving troops around the alps. It literally means [Read more...]
In September 2010, I did a long-range weather forecast for the French Alps based on patterns of previous years, and predicted a cold spell early on and abundant snow based upon a strong La Nina and an NAO+ winter. Although I was correct about a cold start, my prediction for the NAO+ winter did not [Read more...]
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We are SO lucky to live here in Chamonix valley. Every now and again, we get to experience conditions that are simply PERFECT for great ski days. Take yesterday, for instance. It was one of those bluebird days with not a cloud in the sky. We headed up to Les Grands Montets, one of the [Read more...]
As we had guests from Singapore and the United States this year, we celebrated our main Christmas Dinner on the 24th – Christmas Eve – like the French do. As usual, it was a seven course gala affair and a lot of fun… Pan-fried Foie Gras on toasted brioche, with miniature Amaretto jellies [Read more...]
No longer content to be simply ski in, ski out… Maison Jaune is setting a new standard – ski through!! Yes, dear readers… The lovely skiing folk in Les Houches decided en-masse to ski our back garden. Take a look at this little video… You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube [Read more...]
A lot of people have a number of misconceptions about Chamonix as a ski resort. They perceive that it is only for expert skiers. Chamonix valley comprises of six amazing ski areas: Les Houches, Grands Montets, Brévent, Flégère, La Tour, and the Vallée Blanche. Only Brévent and Flégère are inter-linked. However, what this means is that [Read more...]
As part of our ongoing mission to continually improve the value of staying at Maison Jaune, for this Winter we are proud to launch a new service: complimentary peak performance coaching for all our guests. A HUGE part of skiing performance is your mental game. It affects how you ski on a day to day [Read more...]
One of the nicest things about running a Chamonix chalet is that in October and November, we get to try a whole load of new recipes when we design the menus for the coming Winter Ski season. We are always after delicious, reliable recipes that are tasty, visually attractive and interesting. Yesterday, we discovered a [Read more...]
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Ed. note: This was for Winter 2010/11 – However, you can read my latest long-range forecast for Winter 2011/12 for Chamonix and the French Alps here. As the long range weather forecast for Winter 2010-11 in Europe, the French Alps and Chamonix is not yet out, I’ve put together my own prediction. Ok. It’s not [Read more...]
Saturday 11th July 2009. We were so lucky! The weather was simply perfect – not too hot, not too cold… slight breeze. A few cumulus clouds floating around to keep the sun off… Helen and I were joined in matrimony at the local town hall in Les Houches at 14:00… The chalet was looking amazing.. All decked [Read more...]
In September 2010, I did a long-range weather forecast for the French Alps based on patterns of previous years, and predicted a cold spell early on and abundant snow based upon a strong La Nina and an NAO+ winter. Although I was correct about a cold start, my prediction for the NAO+ winter did not [Read more...]
Just 20 minutes drive from our chalet in Chamonix valley, there is a “via ferrata” in Passy called Curalla. For those that don’t know, a “Via ferrata” is like a footpath on a rock face… They were first developed during the First World War in the Italian Dolomites for moving troops around the alps. It literally means [Read more...]
It is not often we get to meet famous people. Ok. So Paul McCartney carried a pail of water for Helen back in 1974. And Leighton went to infant school with one of the members of Bad Boys inc. Ever heard of them? Nope? Nevermind. When we heard that Japanese cyclist, Keiichi Iwasaki, was passing [Read more...]
We are well used to the Rough-Legged Buzzards that are breeding in the valley and fly over the house frequently… however we were delighted to spot a breeding pair of what look like juvenile Peregrine Falcons that were hanging around the chalet earlier today…. A little shy, they perched on the nearby snow cannons, and [Read more...]
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A quick walk up the Col du Vosa and Prarion shows that progress is well underway with yet another new chair lift being created in Les Houches… It is fantastic that the lift companies are investing so heavily in the local infrastructure… This ski lift will greatly improve the beginners area at the top of the [Read more...]
This January, Chamonix has received more snow than any January since 1967. Over two metres 10cms fell in just one night in Argentière a week or so back. So, when yet another 40cms of snow fell yesterday at chalet level, and with visibility greatly reduced throughout the valley, Helen and I chose to ski our [Read more...]
Last Saturday, most of the ski lifts in Chamonix valley and Les Houches closed for the day due to the exceptionally strong Foehn wind. The Foehn is a wind local to Chamonix valley caused by warm air being pushed up through Italy, over the top of the Mont Blanc massif where it gets pushed down [Read more...]
With 10-15 centimetres of fresh snow arriving overnight and this morning at chalet level, the Winter weather is back and the skiing continues here in Chamonix… The snow is quite heavy as you’d expect with the spring conditions, but it means the pistes of Les Houches receive a well-deserved top-up! Apparently there is still over [Read more...]
Although there has been precious little snow for about 9 weeks now, we are still skiing in and out of the chalet without any problems! The pisteurs have done a fantastic job and we are out skiing in great conditions…. It is warm – 10°c – sunny and spectacular! Sure, it can be a little [Read more...]
Yay!!! Snow falls!! Perhaps adding confirmation to my weather prediction for an early start to Winter 2010/11, approximately 4 inches of snow fell overnight here in Chamonix — chalet level too…. The snow ploughs have been out and cleared the roads.. I expect this snow will burn off in the next few days as the ground [Read more...]
