Family-Friendly Skiing is Child’s Play with Chilly Powder

July 21, 2009 - Press Dispensary - If you’re skiing with small children, finding a resort that delivers in-chalet childcare, easy access to the slopes and plenty of on and off-piste entertainment for the parents can prove to be a challenge. But one small ski holiday operator, Chilly Powder, has families flocking back year on year, thanks to its winning combination of luxury catered chalets, on-site nannies and a spectacular ‘ski to the door’ location. Based in Morzine, in the heart of France's famous Portes du Soleil ski area, Chilly Powder is already taking bookings for winter 2009/2010.

Run by British couple Francesca and Paul Eyre, Chilly Powder was founded on the principle that a family skiing holiday shouldn’t mean sacrificing fabulous facilities and perfect powder. Morzine is regarded as one of the top ski resorts in the Alps, but not a natural choice if you’ve travelling with a tiny brood. Over the past 14 years, the Eyres have set about changing that, and now have a deserved reputation for raising the bar when it comes to in-resort childcare.

Four fully-qualified nannies run a crèche equipped with all the baby essentials - from toys, bibs and buggies to potties and bottle sterilizing equipment – so that parents don’t have to pack up the house to come on holiday. The crèche can stick to the baby’s home routine when it comes to feeding, playtime and napping, and parents are allocated a key nanny for the week for complete peace of mind.

For older children finding their ski legs but not up to staying on the slopes all day, Chilly Powder will collect them from the nursery slopes and entertain them at its afternoon kid’s club. Children can play in the sheltered snow garden, go tobogganing or retreat indoors to the playroom for a game of pool, table football or Playstation.

But it’s not all about the kids: after a day on the slopes, parents can come back to a sauna and massage before drinks in the bar or the outdoor jacuzzi. Foodies will be spoiled with the fine dining on offer - every evening the chalet chef cooks a delicious four-course dinner complete with canapés, coffee and chocolate, and not a cheese fondue in sight!

And Chilly Powder’s location is perfect: skiing starts at the cable car opposite the chalets, and finishes with blue, red or black pistes, straight into the garden. The Portes du Soleil ski area covers 13 ski resorts in France and Switzerland (including Avoriaz, Chatel, and Champery) and offers 650km of pistes catering for all levels of skier, with beautiful runs both through the trees and well above the tree line. Snow cannons ensure that the runs to the resort are open throughout the season.

Owner Francesca Eyre says: “Chilly Powder’s proximity to the slopes and professional on-site childcare sets it apart from other operators in Morzine, but it’s our friendly, hands-on approach that keeps people coming back for more – we’ve been fully booked for the past eight winter seasons with repeat business and personal referrals.”

Picturesque Morzine is only an hour's drive from Geneva airport and, with its weekly market and beautiful buildings situated by the river Dranse in the old town, has a charm found in few other ski resorts. Après ski options range from quiet bars and restaurants to nightclubs open until dawn, or Chilly Powder guests can kick back in the chalet around the open fire.

Chilly Powder operates two chalets with a total of 24 en-suite bedrooms. Prices start at 555 Euros per person, per week for half board accommodation, with discounts available for children, groups or people sharing a family room. The chalets are also available for exclusive hire for weddings and parties, and the Eyres are happy to arrange group or private lessons with British instructors for adults and children.

Francesca adds: “With three children of our own, we appreciate the importance of making families feel both welcome and well catered for.”

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Notes for editors
Chilly Powder has been operating since 1995, offering family ski holidays and summer mountain activity breaks. Based in Morzine, in the French Alps near the Swiss border, it employs 18 people including four qualified nannies.

Owners and operators Francesca and Paul Eyre have three children born and raised in the French Alps. The whole family are avid skiers, and the eldest child plays ice hockey for the Morzine under 13s, currently the best team in France. Francesca is a descendant of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, and has cooked for the royal family.

For further information, please contact:
Francesca Eyre, co-owner
Chilly Powder Private Ltd
Tel: (0033) 450747521 / (0033) 663099499
Email:
Site: www.chillypowder.com