A QUEUE FOR SKIS... OR CALL A CONCIERGE? THAT’S EASY

THIS week we’ve had just enough fresh snow to ski powder above 1,800 metres in Avoriaz, without the disruption caused by storms in other parts of the Alps.

On the mountain, I’ve been trying my best to keep up with Jamie Barrow, the fastest snowboarder in Britain with a Guinness Book of Records entry to prove it. Jamie hit 152km an hour – incredible speed on a snowboard – to gain that title.

When I haven’t been chasing Jamie and Supreme Ski instructor Rachel Hallewell around the slopes of Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz, I’ve been busy hearing about the changing face of winter holidays here.

Morzine is a popular destination for Irish skiers and snowboarders and will become even more so when Project 2020 delivers a direct lift link between the centre of Morzine and Avoriaz, making it easier and faster for skiers to reach and explore the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. It will be a game-changer for the area with €100million of investment also planned for Avoriaz.

The other gamechanger I’ve seen this week is in the world of accommodation. Competition is strong in Morzine which means that operators have to be innovative in their offerings.

So say hello to luxury selfcatering holidays which offer you a ‘pick and mix’ list of concierge services.

This is one of the first times I’ve seen the kind of concierge system in Europe that I’d normally expect in top North American resorts, but at a fraction of the price. What do I mean by ski concierge?

I check into Chalet Kapa, a brand new contemporary chalet run by Elevation Alps (elevationalps.com). A five-minute walk from the centre of town, the chalet has a hot tub, sauna, sunken garden and mind-blowing surround sound system.

The first surprise is when my ski equipment is delivered directly to the chalet having been ordered online through All Mountain Rental (allmountainrental.com). I get exactly the skis I want without having to queue in a busy shop – what a luxury.

Next luxury on the list – the choice of going fully self-catered for the week or choosing to have a private chef as little or as often as I like. I’m no foodie fool so I choose the latter and for three evenings, have exceptional food and seamless service from Marc Sutton and Jo Watts of Chez Toi (cheztoi.biz). Their meals are excellent and at around €40 per person for three stunning courses, cheaper than eating in a restaurant of the same level.

For a really special occasion, I could bring in Dubliner Elizabeth Elliot and her half-Irish, halfEgyptian partner, chef Sharif Gergis. When he’s not creating dishes at Hideout Hostel après bar, Sharif creates 12course tasting menus for around €70 per person (guerilladining.fr). Back at Kapa, I drink reasonablypriced wines from a list personally chosen by Elevation Alps co-owner Kathryn Leake and as an extra treat, enjoy a winetasting session with Adam Breen from Le Verre Gourmand, a major wine supplier in the Alps. Next time I will definitely want to try a cocktail master class from Avalanche Cocktails (avalanchecocktailsmorzine.com) in the comfort of the chalet for €25 per person.

The final luxury? Morzine is just over an hour from Geneva and perfect for short or long breaks. Fly from Dublin to Geneva with Aer Lingus, take a resort shuttle with Skiidy Gonzales and check in with your ski concierge for a new kind of winter holiday.

Bon ski mes amis! ÷Chalet Kapa sleeps up to twelve and costs from €5,000 per week self-catered for the whole chalet. See www.elevationalps.com. portesdusoleil.com