Rob and Jan Hubbard's visitor's report for 29th January 2006

Low Season week kindly offered by HMC! So a lot of owners were there taking advantage.

Unfortunately there had been no snow since 18th and the promised snowfall did not arrive due to the areas No 1 enemy "The Fohn". It allows huge dumps in Italy and the surrounding low areas but leaves us with mild winds and Sunshine. However the piste wasn’t as bad as the hype and we could ski anywhere on piste. It was a tad hard under ski edge which after a few days put strain on my knees. Skiing was lame after that.
To get better grip I foolishly asked Ogier to sharpen the edges, "not a full service?" No, when I paid the bill it was 43 euros for each pair! What? I only wanted a sharpen, ok, ok 35 euros then. What? 10% off, what?15%? ok, ok. But next time its arc 2000 and Equilibre, 6-15 euros as pointed out by the Gramlicks! Hassle but money and principle involved here.

Anyway I am grumpy these days. So headed down to our RDM spa area. No steam room, turned off for no reason. Sauna full of Naked Dutch and Russians. Hot tub, come on, guess what...cold or rather tepid, not what you need when its -5 outside. Back to the Sauna, move over.
Lets eat, pizza? Yes please its 8.30 I am hungry, sorry full up till 10.00! Chalet Luigis then, nice table, great starter, shared dok ham, melon , bruschietta, Buff mozzarella. Wonderful, reasonably priced, good wine, good service.
New bakers same good baguettes.
New wine shop.
New creperie,
Wow this village is looking good.
New tuck shop, had double hot dog for lunch excellent.
Skied to Peisey, still in good shape.

Tuesday owners ski. Advanced in the morning 17 of us in 2 groups. Guided to red and blacks all morning and ended up in Le Ferme in Villaroger. For 29 euros we had a feast of local cuisines and as much wine as we wanted plus this plus that. Full and happy made it as far a s a deckchair in arc 2000.

We had brought with us a DVD player. I paid £20 for a little maxim. from Dixons, works fine. with a complete set of "24" we loafed the night away. Apparently all DVD players are in the same region i.e. Europe, so no worries about compatibility.
We didn’t notice the service during the week, which meant all was well, but we weren’t after too much.
Owners night meeting was mobbed with happy owners with small grievances well we are all getting to the grumpy stage, but overall all were having a good time.

Went to Montalbert on the la plagne pass on Wednesday, quite a trek and had  picnic overlooking the lake a and mountain near there. Lovely.
La Casa that night at 7.00, excellent pizza calzone and wine of the day.
They are really happy with business now, as are all the business people I spoke to. Even Dennis Chassaud!
Missed the Belliou Fumee this time but with Dan's recom we went to L'arcelles over at 1600.
Pleasant terrace and good food if a little overpriced perhaps, but nice to go.
(We shared lunch with Michael and Sally Gramlick who still have some problems with Hmc/Itw but are pleased with the village as it progresses. I guess we are all the same in that respect!)
Skied forgotten runs in 1800 all arvers and enjoyed them a lot.
Eurostar back, a tired yet happy owner.
Looking forward to getting back already

Rob and Jan