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14/03/2009

14

It’s incredible even though it’s still over a month away (15th April) there is a lot of talk about the end of season ball at Chalet des Pierres. Part of that night includes the prestigious end of season awards were winners of categories like “Most popular boy” (Man whore) are rewarded for their season’s debauchery. One possible candidate for that award is Russell(Ski Higher) who has been working his way through a list of one girl from every ski company in Courchevel. Apparently the current count is somewhere near 9.
More details of the ball will be available after the 3 Valley rally on the 25th March.

Alex, the editor.

Boss des Bosses
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON WEDNESDAY 18th?
If you have a day off on Wednesday I’m going to ask what are you going to do this week? Are you going skiing in the same ski area you’ve been skiing for the past 4 months? Afterwards are you going to the same bar you’ve been going to all season?
Why don’t you make a change and come along to Chamonix instead. Come and support the Courchevel team listed above. Come and cheer on Keith and Ben from Momentum, Ben from Ski Higher, Alicia from Powder White, Sam from 1550, Ryan from Skival to name just a few.
Come and ski in the Grand Montets ski area. The weather forecast is absolutley perfect for sitting by the course, having a few drinks and listening to the local DJ playing. Because this is the 20th anniversary there are a multitude of live bands playing. When the pistes close theres the live band of Gary and the Crevassholes as well as the Chambelles plus guest appearance by Glen Plake playing at the Les Marmottons restaurant at the base of Les Grands Montets lifts. Later on in the center of town theres prize-giving at the Cafe La Terrasse with live music and (TBC) slide show of the days event on stage outside. Return tickets for the coach are only 25 euros and only available from the Ski Supreme office in 1850 (between the ISBA and TJ’s bar).
To book your place on this years coach. Goto Ski Supreme in 1850. Free team t-shirt for first 25 seats.
This year we just have to beat Meribel and here the team that we hope will do that
1. Alan “Spaz” Hutchinson (Private instructor)
2. Keith (Momentum)
3. Ben (Momentum)
4. Scott (Supreme)
5. Ben (Ski Higher)
6. Sam Harper (1550)
7. Adam Honey (Chamonix)
8. Jen (Killimanjaro)
9. Alicia (Powder White)
10. Ryan(Skival)
11. Ryan (Snowlynx)
12. Anna Morrissey(Ski Activity)
13. N/A

Debbie does....
Goggle Eyes
Judging by the weather this week it appears to be that time of year again when the sun really starts to shine, the shorts come out, the thermals go in and if you listen carefully you can hear the sweet hum of flip flops on concrete. It therefore only seems appropriate to raise the age-old question; are goggle marks cool?

I have had many a sleepless night over this significant debate and I can’t quite honestly get off the fence. On the one hand, it is what a clearly defined goggle mark represents that makes it cool, signifying long afternoons spent on the mountain, demis on terraces and chats on chairlifts. However one cannot escape the plain old fact that a stripy burnt face just does not look too good.

So in the words of Baz Luhrmann, ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it,’ and create the perfect goggle marks responsibly and you will look cool. Bring on the Summer!

To tip or not to tip that is the question?
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer outrageous fortune or alternatively to receive a little something at the end of week. The subject of tipping has reared it’s ugly head again. What is the acceptable amount to tip your chalet staff? If anything? Do you believe that you’ve already paid for your ski holiday and in this current financial climate that regardless of your demands on the chalet girl/chef they are just part of the service?

At this point Steve Buchemi’s Mr pink tipping dialog from Reservoir dogs is essential viewing. Watch the dvd or have type “Dogs Tipping” into Youtube. It’s 3.30 minutes well spent.

Basically most staff get paid shit and this year because they are paid in pounds they are receiving even less. They rely on their tips to get through the season. Realistically no one does a season purely for financial gain but they should be able to afford a few drinks to numb the pain of over demanding guests.

Personally, and this goes back to when I was a punter in the 90s, I think the absolute minimum should be 10 euros (100FF) per adult. The equivalent of a couple of beers. Not very much nowadays I think you’ll agree. Excluding chalet hotels most chalets are staffed to a ratio of 8 guests to 1 staff and taking into account kids that means an average tip of 50 euros a week. For chalet hotels the large number of staff results in less per person.

For punters who think that leaving their duty free booze instead of tip is acceptable, IT ISN’T. Realistically you wouldn’t take a half empty bottle of gin back to the UK with you so although it’s a nice gesture it’s no replacement for cash.

Finally there are a few exceptions where you have a good reason not to tip. These include if you contract food poisoning from the chalet food (twice), If the chalet girl gets off with your significant other (twice).