Feature Archives - Page 6 of 133

It’s just gone half nine and the Portes du Soleil is bathed in powder-blue light. At the base of the Pleney lift in Morzine, a small group of us gather, skis slung over our shoulders, chatting with Chris, our Ski Club rep for the day. It’s the kind of crisp Alpine morning that makes you feel very lucky to be in the mountains, and even luckier to have someone show you around them. For the first time in ten years, the Ski Club of Great Britain has brought its reps back to Morzine. It’s part of a wider return to the French Alps after a long hiatus, caused partly by post-Brexit legal grey areas, and the result is something that feels quietly momentous. Not just because the reps are back, but because the club itself is having something of a revival. And in Morzine, where easy-going charm meets vast, cross-border skiing, the return feels particularly well-suited. Chris has been skiing these slopes for decades and he’s happy to be repping - not racing around the slopes. “I’ve been in that lift since before they had music,” he laughs, nodding to the Pleney gondola. “Now there’s a bloke on bongos playing outside—bit different from the old days!” What hasn’t changed is the appeal of skiing with someone who really knows the ski area. Our group is a mix—some seasoned club members, others curious newcomers—but Chris adapts the pace to suit us all. “We go at the speed of the slowest now,” he says. “It’s about safety, of course, but also about making sure everyone enjoys the day.” And we do. From the sweeping runs above Les Crosets to the long cruise past the Swiss Wall, the route is well thought out and peppered with little details you’d miss on your own: the slope markers counting down every 100 metres; the shortcut that lands us to a well selected coffee spot; and, believe it or not, as Chris pointed out, a distant glimpse of the Matterhorn from our spot on the Swiss side. Lunch is at Chez Gaby, a cosy, family-run spot located just on the Swiss side. It’s the kind of place you only find with someone in the know. Over plates of rösti and a croque monsieur, we chat about the club, the changes, and why people still sign up. Philip Brown, a long-time member of the Ski Club, puts it simply. “I don’t just join to ski with the reps,” he says. “I’m in the club because I want to support British skiing. It’s about being part of something that’s been going for over a hundred years.” He’s right, of course. Founded in 1903 at London’s Café Royal, the Ski Club of Great Britain is the oldest organisation of its kind, and over the decades, it’s built up more than just ski holidays and discounts—it’s built a community. But that’s not to say there aren’t perks. Members get access to Freshtracks trips—tailored ski holidays that include off-piste weeks and social group skiing—as well as discounts at places like Snow + Rock and Cotswold Outdoor. There’s also a glossy quarterly magazine filled with resort tips, gear reviews and interviews. The editor, Nicola Iseard, just happens to live nearby in Saint-Jean and co-owns the local Bec Jaune Brewery—something that adds a local angle to the club’s alpine footprint. Then there’s the insurance. It’s often overlooked, but Rob Stewart, who works in PR for the Ski Club, says it’s one of their strongest assets. “It’s very clear,” he tells me. “You’re covered for skiing off-piste without a guide, ski touring, even heli-skiing. A lot of policies won’t touch that.” For seasoned skiers who value freedom as much as safety, that clarity is reassuring. Our base for the trip is one of the luxury properties run by Hunter Chalets, who’ve partnered with the Ski Club this season. It’s easy to see why. The chalets are slick but welcoming, with private rooms and concierge-style service. More importantly, they take all the faff out of getting to the slopes. “They just pick you up and drop you off whenever you want,” says Rob. “No standing around in ski boots waiting for a bus—bliss.” The partnership also means Ski Club members get a discount when booking with Hunter, a good way to combine the independence of a chalet stay with the social, guided aspect of the Club. There’s even talk of new international membership options and more resorts coming on board next winter. But today, the only thing on our minds is how good it feels to be back—back skiing with people you’ve only just met but already trust to hold your phone while you faff with your gloves, back gliding through snow softened by spring sun, back with a Club that somehow still feels like yours, even if it’s your first day. By the time we cruise back into Morzine, legs aching, the group has the easy camaraderie that only comes from the shared experience. The reps programme isn’t flashy or fast-paced anymore—it’s thoughtful, fun, and human. As Philip said earlier, “It’s about keeping the spirit of skiing alive.”

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