tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60365357703622380252008-05-06T21:19:35.177+02:00Sarah Finlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01055278187239335795noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-41084345795795996032008-05-06T21:01:00.002+02:002008-05-06T21:19:35.336+02:00

The end of the season is nigh, tonight is the last night before the remaining staff depart tomorrow morning. Numbers have dwindled from the 21 fresh-faced newcomers we had back in December at the start of the season! Only 9 of us have remained till the very end, all our other staff have gradually gone home over the past couple of weeks as chalets have closed down. We only had a few casualties

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-69108875936656190342008-05-04T22:44:00.001+02:002008-05-05T07:59:10.177+02:00

It was a sad, sad day for seasonnaires today with the closure of the Espace Killy Ski area for another season. The snow has done us proud this year and there is still oodles of the stuff left. Richard and Deborah headed out with the camera today for the last 'Ski' shots of the season. Lots of people who aren't here at the end of the season question 'Is there really any snow at the end?', the

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-27215032511364821222008-05-02T10:00:00.001+02:002008-05-05T08:10:29.500+02:00

As Chalets close down for the season, we see ourselves slowly saying farewell to members of staff whos seasons have come to an end and are off home!! Today, Marsa Mike and Bridget departed, along with Grand Pares Michael and Gill. Mike and Bridget are off for their summer of playing on their yacht, and Michael and Gill are off to start a new life in Australia!!

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-9916557975387850412008-05-01T17:35:00.005+02:002008-05-01T17:57:50.854+02:00

It's getting to the time of year where chalets are shutting down and people are moving out of apartments. A great time for throwing unwanted products out. This is a fantastic opportunity if you're in the market for a new pair of skis or boots, if you're not too fussy about style you'll be in for a bargain as you can get pairs galore for FREE!!!! Taking an evening walk by any 'poubelle' or

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-28566461355130857242008-04-28T22:18:00.000+02:002008-04-29T12:54:01.909+02:00

Nothing to do with skiing or boarding I know, but today was the Annual 6th Val d'Isere Golf open, an event which is highly looked forward to, mainly by the male population of Val d'Isere.This event takes place in Giez which is about a 90 minute drive away, just after Albertville.The majority of players all boarded a coach for a nice, bright 6.45am departure, the Finlays team though opted to take

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-53665483755033516022008-04-27T18:41:00.006+02:002008-04-29T08:16:45.118+02:00

After an exhausting day on the slopes (Richard ran us around every piste in the Espace Killy), we were all ready to drop due to our legs failing to work anymore. A perfect excuse to stop off at the Folie Douce for the famous 'Apres skiing'. It wasn't as busy as it normally is but it was still pumping in a big way, a loud way too, we were all having to yell each other to be heard! With DJ's on

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-50202950485236349122008-04-26T18:18:00.002+02:002008-04-27T18:40:07.801+02:00

Anyone who has worked for Finlays in years gone by in Val d'Isere may be familiar with the wonderful maps which Richard produces on a regular basis. If the slightest hint is given that you're not a 100 percent certain as to your destination, then the scrap paper will come out and the drawing of maps will commence! They are always great and each one a masterpiece to be treasured, not convinced

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-72205500807982290972008-04-25T18:11:00.002+02:002008-04-27T18:18:14.266+02:00

Richards niece, Catherine, just loves skiing holidays so much that she is now here for her 5th holiday of the season (not all have been in Val though I hasten to add!) She arrived yesterday with her partner Andrew, ready for her birthday today! Much planning was done in advance, we even got the sun to shine, it was a stunning day indeed. We celebrated with Cake and Champagne just BEFORE going

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-30397029531333451292008-04-24T15:11:00.002+02:002008-04-24T15:30:35.160+02:00

I heard on Radio Val d'Isere that Donkey rides would be available here in Val for a few days, I relayed these facts to quite a few people and got scoffed at and told not to be so silly!!! Knowing what I heard, I set out on a mission to locate the donkeys I'd heard about, lo and behold, I found them too. Admittedly they don't look the happiest of Donkeys, I guess donkeys aren't used to standing

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-64796150100636637802008-04-22T09:19:00.002+02:002008-04-22T17:10:29.329+02:00

I don't think the snow is ever going to stop this season, which is fantastic for guests. This was the view approaching our car park and 'Persval' at 8 am this morning. It had snowed through the night, and was still snowing. This of course came with cold temperatures, not like Spring at all! The Piste Bashers were out in force on the nursery slopes, not that they could really be seen through the

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-76255871407767702152008-04-21T20:41:00.002+02:002008-04-22T08:36:53.241+02:00

Today I set off to Geneva airport with the 'Toffee Vodka Mob', pictured left, (they've voted the best toffee vodka in Val to be found in the 'Moris Pub', by all accounts, I believe they tried a lot of it!!!). They came out to stay with us on Thursday, taking advantage of the late season offers which are actually fantastic value for money and ideal if you do just want an end of season short

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-5382055874681377812008-04-18T19:19:00.004+02:002008-04-21T20:35:22.026+02:00

Today was a glorious sunny day, a great day to venture over to 'Les Brevieres' for a play around. Situated the other side of Tignes, lots of people are put off going to 'Brev' as they imagine the distance to be a lot further than it actually is. In reality you can get from Val to Breviere in just one cable car ride and two chair lifts. Easy. The joys of going to 'Brev' too are the nice long runs

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-8573058879249648052008-04-16T10:37:00.000+02:002008-04-16T19:02:14.285+02:00

The 'Persval' girls went rummaging down in the basement and came out with these classic Finlays uniforms. The Stylish one which Charlotte, in the middle, is wearing can also be seen frequently on Craig down at 'Drinks Evening'. The girls have been keen to get this sweatshirt off him all season, even offering to buy it from him but he will not let it go, therefore Charlotte was delighted when she

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-69371894253366135992008-04-15T10:39:00.006+02:002008-04-15T10:54:31.440+02:00

As happens on every Tuesday, we had the joyous job this morning of counting and bagging up all the laundry from the week from all the Chalets, it's quite a job!This picture doesn't quite show it, but this pile is huge! Each bag is incredibly heavy too and it takes some lugging to get them all from our basement up and outside ready for the laundry man to come take them all away! It all gets taken

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-76422731427707815292008-04-14T11:25:00.002+02:002008-04-14T11:32:13.770+02:00

After the stunning day of yesterday we are faced with rubbish again. Snow is coming down horizontally and at an amazing speed. This is the view just from our front door as venturing out any further means getting covered from head to foot, up the nose and in the ears with snow! This new snow is joined by high winds so needless to say I shall not be venturing up the mountain today!The weatherman

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-50432813262196156882008-04-13T18:50:00.002+02:002008-04-13T19:19:54.065+02:00

Today was a stunning day, much needed after the rubbish conditions we've been getting served up recently. The sun shone all day, despite this mornings weather forecast claiming it would cloud over this afternoon. It seems as if I ran into everyone I knew up the mountain today, I'd barely get from one run to the next before seeing someone else I knew, all great fun! I ventured on up the

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-22927148682680020982008-04-10T14:33:00.000+02:002008-04-13T18:49:38.921+02:00

We're not quite sure if there's a hidden meaning in these car stickers but they seem to be everywhere at the moment!!! Tartiflette is a local Savoyard dish found on every menu (more or less) in Val d'Isere. It's a potato dish, not unlike 'Dauphinoise' potatoes, but with reblochan cheese which has been soaked over-night in white wine, and the bit that ruins it for the herbivores, lardons (little

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-7775806092431002752008-04-08T17:31:00.004+02:002008-04-08T17:41:13.320+02:00

It's the time of year now when Marmots are coming out of hibernation to play. Sure they must all be very confused though with the present, erratic, weather patterns. I first saw them out on Saturday when it was glorious and sunny, then today they were looking most baffled looking at the white sky and snowflakes floating down.Marmots are usually heard before they are spotted as they give out a

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-66076674240007373592008-04-07T22:24:00.000+02:002008-04-08T19:43:44.115+02:00

Another Monday, another drinks evening! The band members were joined tonight by Maria from our office in Kelso. She jumped up on stage (stone cold sober too) to perform the Scottish National Anthem 'Flower of Scotland'. The Finlays staff who attend drinks evening on a weekly basis were delighted to have a different song thrown in to the line-up of the regular songs! Videos of Marias performance

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-17052873703839724942008-04-07T21:50:00.004+02:002008-04-08T09:08:34.247+02:00

Since the clocks have changed it's been staying lighter for longer each night (obviously!!) Tonight it was still light ( well, dusky), when I was walking back home at 8.15pm. It had been a stunning day all day long, if a bit chilly. The sky had remained cloud-free and lots of sun-burnt faces were out in force. Down at La Daile this week there are mini buses galore which have come from 29

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-51355652849668832962008-04-01T18:19:00.003+02:002008-04-03T08:35:00.878+02:00

Another stunning day follows the grotty day we had yesterday in the Espace Killy. The sunshine got me motivated enough to make plans with Richard ( aka. 'Dangerous Dickie Deathwish', so called after an off piste venture in Megeve!!), a regular guest of ours who is staying up in Chalet Grand Pares for the week. We met before 11am which is a first for me this season, and headed over to Tignes.

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-55802218173079981932008-03-30T21:58:00.001+02:002008-03-31T16:08:47.406+02:00

I braved the high winds today and ventured up the mountain for a run or two (it really wasn't many more as the wind was pretty fierce, despite this picture making it look like a lovely day!!)I caught the Solaise Express up the mountain, scooted over to the Madeline run, avoided all the learners there and managed to veer off onto the 'Arseille' for a solitary run down to the Manchet Valley.The

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-30491009930190102662008-03-29T22:56:00.003+01:002008-03-31T16:19:58.538+02:00

This scraggly creature very rarely comes to visit, but today decided to come and check out what we were all doing outside ( we were actually waiting for all the new arrivals to arrive!)The fur ball is Lady boys younger sister, known as 'Crazy dog'. She is most erratic and keeps her distance well, she can't even be bribed closer by tasty morsels of meat, unlike her older sibling who wolfs down

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-56189138792073592852008-03-28T11:21:00.005+01:002008-03-28T11:31:41.771+01:00

This is the view today, after all the snow, clouds and gloomy weather of the past week or so, it looks as if Spring could have finally arrived. It's great to see a pure blue sky, sure the guests will be loving it too as conditions this week must have been pretty tough for them all!!I've had a busy week child-minding so haven't experienced the slopes at all, shall get on out there again next week

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036535770362238025.post-16423842256788253862008-03-27T11:32:00.005+01:002008-03-28T11:41:07.724+01:00

...the boys get to play! The girls from Persval have all gone down the Valley to do the weekly grocery shop, therefore the boys get to play at being hosts and show that they too have great cleaning skills. Tim is actually looking as if he enjoys these chores....maybe I should get him doing the windows every day!

Karen Withershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179898782578455676noreply@blogger.com