A first prize trip to Morzine!

Francis Barnard won our Sunday Times competition to win an Erna Low summer alpine holiday to Morzine. He took the time to tell us how it went and we just have to share it with you!

Having now returned from Morzine and having had an excellent holiday I can write and thank you most enthusiastically for offering it as a prize for the Sunday Times.

The trip went very smoothly – Eurotunnel got us across the channel with minimum fuss, including putting us on earlier trains as we arrived a little early, both ways.

We stayed a couple of nights in Troyes – fascinating, and well out of our usual travel area – and then arrived at L’Aiglon de Morzine in good time and a rainstorm!  However the latter was brief and virtually the only time we had other than hot clear weather.  Having not been there before we were not at all sure what to expect and arrived with several
books to keep us occupied in spare minutes: they remained largely unread – there is so much to do, even for those who not use a mountain bike!

The local way to travel

We used the extensive lifts almost every day to get to different places, combined of course with walking: probably the high point in more than one sense was to stand on a mountain top at about 6000 feet and look in one direction to see Mont Blanc and the other to see the Eiger while listening to the sound of cow bells drifting up from the valley beneath
- oh, and then walking a few yards to find oneself straying into Switzerland!

With a good enough imagination that is the Eiger!

We spent another day visiting Lake Léman and enjoyed a  visit to Evian ‘the water town’ while wishing we had more time to explore some more – on the deliberately ‘interesting’ route back, high up I even spotted a Golden Eagle.

Walking is always possible

The accommodation, of course was excellent – we were given Suite 5 which gave us a little extra space but clearly all the suites were very comfortable, providing plenty of space to relax and a more than adequate cooking facility should one require it: we particularly liked the proper coffee making machine!

Looking down from a ski-lift and listening to the cow bells

We returned home with a stop off at Reims – again a most interesting city – to complete an excellent, relaxing and of course quite unexpected holiday. Once again thank you and your team for organising it.

Would I Recommend Driving From England to Morzine?

Steve and Caroline Warner, treasured Erna Low clients, loaded up the car and set off to Morzine for a summer holiday in their apartment in L’Aiglon de Morzine.

We’re off on our family holiday to Morzine. We have 2 children aged 9 and 6. The main reasons for driving are that we are fed up with airport delays, airport queues, lifting a multitude of bags on and off trolleys and can take more toys for the kids in the boot of the car. This is a log of our journey, from my perspective – the mum and passenger.
Got up at 3.30am at our home in Suffolk so I could prepare food for the journey. Really did wonder if this was a good idea after all.
Car looked liked a NASA station when we set off at 5am with DVD’s, ipods, DS’s etc. Stopped at garage to fill the car and buy 2 cans of redbull for the driver. I’d made 2 travel mugs of decaf – husband not impressed.
45mins into our journey I started to feel chilled, kids were happy watching DVDs and asking for breakfast already. Going to be difficult spacing out a day’s worth of food! Thinking driving actually might just be the right decision after all as I sit here with plenty of leg room, travel mugs and other creature comforts. Just not sure about the Homer Simpson voice over the sat nav.
Arrived at the Eurotunnel Folkestone terminal at 7am – ahead of schedule – and they put us on an earlier train than booked – part of the wonderful Eurotunnel FlexiPlus experience! Managed to delay the kids breakfast until the train. Looking forward to getting to France and listening to my audio book all in one go. How often do you get the chance to do that!
Husband not quite so fortunate but he does like being in control of his travel.
The kids are REALLY excited at this novel concept of driving onto a train. It’s even inspired them to pause the DVD’s.
Arrived in France and disembarked at 9.30am (local time). Sat Nav estimates arrival at destination 5.20pm
Motorway proves to be easy and SO quiet. Husband now very happy and relaxed at the prospect of empty, straight roads with no pot holes or road works.

The end is in sight!

We are all amazed at the frequency of toilet stops – which we take full advantage of at least hourly. Since they are all picnic spots they are quite pleasant places to have a stretch. Unfortunately sight of picnic benches are making the children think of food. Only down side – NO toilet paper in any of them. Take your own!
Had a lazy picnic lunch – sat nav now predicting arrival at 6.30pm since we’ve stopped SO many times. Children sleep for a couple of hours after lunch. I doze on and off and husband drinks the red bull.
After that back to hourly stops.
Finally arrive in Morzine 6.45pm. Ended the journey feeling quite relaxed and refreshed considering how long we have been travelling. We chose to make the journey a relaxing one rather than driving straight and this was most definitely the right one. Despite the time it took to get here my vote is still to drive since it has been stress free, the kids vote to drive and the driver? Well he still votes to drive since it has been really easy.
Door-to-door, it took us around 11 hours, including time on the Eurotunnel.
And the cost? Train 63, tolls 67.70E, diesel 109E

Our end destination! The lovely Aiglon de Morzine

Tour de France is coming to Morzine…

We’re all at the edge of our saddles as we prepare for the Tour de France kicking off next month!  This high adrenalin race never fails to impress and always attracts huge international attention and Erna Low will be watching all the way round France… particularly when they hit Morzine on the 11th of July!
The ski resort will be going all out to welcome them especially as they are stopping for a couple of nights. We will have a front row seat in the beautiful Erna Low residence, L’Aiglon de Morzine, ideal located in the heart of Morzine right near all the action!

L'Aiglon de Morzine

The teams and their extensive entourages will be arriving in style on Sunday 11th of July as they conclude their 8th stage of the circuit, rest on the 12th and then set off again on Tuesday 13th of July for St Jean de Maurienne. Why not join the fun and book a week at Aiglon to watch all the action?

Tour fans lying in wait

Prices start at £183 per person for 7 nights at the Aiglon de Morzine, self catering basis in a one bedroom apartment for week commencing 10/07 for the Tour de France. Doesn’t include travel. Eurotunnel crossings can be added on request. Call the office now on 0845 863 0525 or email info@ernalow.co.uk. 

Don’t forget your yellow jersey!

The cyclists racing into Bourg St Maurice in summer 09

Our Pick of the Best Christmas and New Year Ski Deals

Thinking of heading out last minute? I was in Val d’Isere and Tignes last week and was honestly skiing in some of the best conditions I have ever experienced….but more of that later! In the meantime, take a peek of our round up of our best deals this week – including 40% off New Year in La Rosiere and Les Arcs and 60% off Christmas in Val d’Isere and a huge 70% off Christmas in La Plagne.  Why not beat the British Airways cabin crew strike action and drive to your destination? All offers below include Eurotunnel crossings for your car (or two if you’re going to La Rosiere!)

60% Off Accommodation at Val D’Isere This Christmas
Erna Low is offering a week in Val D’Isere over Christmas for £155 (reduced from £362). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Chalet Tutel on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The apartment sleeps up to 9 people and is located a short 8 minutes from the resort centre, and 10 minutes from the slopes. 

Everything You Want For Less in Val Cenis This Christmas
Erna Low is offering 8 nights in Val Cenis over Christmas for £163 (reduced from £246). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the  Les Alpages de Chantel on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 18^th December. The one bedroom apartment sleeps up to 4 people, and is a ski-in ski-out residence with many facilities including an outdoor heated swimming pool and fitness room.

Ski Paradiski for 1/3 of the Original Price
Erna Low is offering a week in Plagne Soleil over Christmas for £106 (reduced from £308). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the   Les Chalets des Alpages on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The chalet apartment is for up to 10 people, and every apartment enjoys great access to the extensive skiing being very close to either the St Esprit lift or the Melezes chair lift.

A White Christmas In Morzine
Erna Low is offering 8 nights in Morzine over Christmas for £286 (reduced from £352). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the L’Aiglon de Morzine on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The 2 bedroom and cabin apartment is for up to 7 people, and is a part of the newly-built luxurious residence in the centre of Morzine.

High altitude but not high prices a Week in Arc 2000
Erna Low is offering a week in Arc 2000 this New Year for £246 (reduced from £400). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the Chalet Altitude on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 26^h December. Just 100m from the pistes and 500m from the centre of the resort, this apartment chalet can house 10 people, and enjoys the benefits of a complex with swimming pool, sauna, pub and mini-market.

Save Money and Ski In La Rosiere This New Year
Erna Low is offering a week in La Rosiere this New Year for £243 (reduced from £396). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Chalet Altitude, Le Refuge on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade for two vehicles, departing on 26^th December. The apartment for up to 12 people is a top quality residence only 150m from the pistes, with access to indoor heated swimming pool and sauna.

Perfect Location, Prime Prices – New Year Skiing in Serre Chevalier
Erna Low is offering a week in Serre Chevalier this New Year for £213 (reduced from £260). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Best Western Premier Chantermerle on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 2 January. This apartment suite for up to 12 people is located in the centre of Chantemerle, just 5 minutes and across the road from the ski lifts and near to shops, bars and restaurants.

If you would like to discuss these or any other of our special ski offers, then just call our sales team (Rob, Andy, George, Kirsty or John) on 0845 863 0525  or email us on info@ernalow.co.uk

Happy Shopping!
Sappho

Oldest Ski Company Meets Newest Ski Company

Our very own CEO, Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, goes back to the Erna roots when pondering her latest investment…

Many a morning I sit at my desk and feel the inimitable Miss Low peering over my shoulders wondering what is in store for us today.  Tut-tutt!   After 20 plus years of working by her side, I still feel her energy permeating our offices, spurring us on to new and exciting adventures.  Never have I thought of her more, though, than over these past few weeks after a decision to personally invest in the newly launched Consensio Holidays! 

Erna Low on the slopes back in the 1930s

Erna would have loved what the founders, Ceri Tinley and Stuart Pinnell, are doing to launch this new co-operative chalet business — she prized smart, dynamic people sharing new ideas and business models.   Thanks to Ceri and Stuart’s wealth of experience in the ski and hospitality industry, they have managed to secure the most luxurious chalets in the Alps and are launching a business that will allow chalet owners to have the pick of the weeks they want AND share the benefits of increased chalet occupancy.  In the past, chalet owners would have just received a flat season rental with no uplift on successful occupancy.  With Consensio Holiday’s model, they will enjoy the rewards of ownership on a profit-sharing basis, lowering their risk in recessions like this and increasing their gains in better times.  And this can only be good for the quality of enjoyment of the consumer, where everyone benefits!

I’m struck by how this parallels another part of our business we focussed on this summer – which is working on behalf of the owners at the Residence Aiglon at Morzine by re-creating a model that empowers the owners themselves, rather than the management company.  When the owners of the Aiglon (including my husband and I!) woke up with a jilt one morning last March to find that its management company had spectacularly gone into liquidation, we were left stranded with no rental return to pay our massively spiralling mortgage.   So we quickly created a new owners-controlled company to run the building and take charge of the rentals – see www.aiglonmorzine.com   It has been a massive few months re-structuring and founding our own jointly shared owners company for Morzine but we are proud of what we have achieved – and bookings are pouring in, with all the upside set to go to the owners themselves!

So while I rummage through my buzzing inbox (with Erna peeking in), I can’t help feeling proud of the fact that we breathe her trailblazing principles in to every new adventure we take.

Have your own peek at  Consensio Holidays and let us know what you think!

Joanna

That little bit more of Morzine…

Victoria spends her one year anniversary in idyllic Morzine for a long August weekend – Congratulations Vic!

After such a great work trip to the Maurienne Valley a month earlier, I jumped at the chance to visit the Alps in the summer again.

At the crack of dawn we took an easyjet flight to Geneva and a short hop later we were picking up our hire car from Europcar.  One hour later we arrived in Morzine bathed in glorious sunshine and we settled into our spacious apartment in the L’Aiglon du Morzine offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

We stayed in the apartment with all the windows!

After visiting the supermarket conveniently located just around the corner we strolled into the resort centre.  The Morzine tourist office staff were extremely helpful giving us leaflets on things to do and planned walks in the area.  We were spoilt for choice, activities included mountain biking, horse riding, tennis, swimming, paragliding, paintball, golf, quad-biking and fishing to name a few! 

We packed a lot into our long weekend, including a drive up to Lac du Montriond for a trek up to a picturesque waterfall, a walk along the river from Morzine, a trip up the Pleney gondola to watch the mountain bikers fly down the mountain and a long walk high up in the mountain, taking in the striking scenery. 

The stunning Lac du Montriond

We had planned to attempt Via Ferrata in the neighbouring resort of Avoriaz which is neatly camouflaged in the mountain side, but sadly not enough people signed up.  Instead we gave the Indiana Parc tree top adventure a go and after a comprehensive training session we headed up into the trees.  It truly tested our stamina, strength and any fear of heights; the adrenaline rush was plenty for me, so perhaps it was best that the Via Ferrata didn’t happen after all!

Me conquering the tree top adventure - hold on!

After 4 days of fun and relaxation we headed back on the last flight home.  We’re now planning our return to the Alps next summer for a longer break to test out more of the activities on offer.  Not before heading to the Alps for some skiing this winter, now to decide where to go…  until the next blog!

Victoria Lincoln, our fabulous Administration Manager, Erna Low.

Fancy giving it a go yourself? We can help you book a summer alpine holiday OR a winter ski holiday to Morzine staying at L’Aiglon which is the FIRST Erna Low managed residence in the alps. See you there!