2009
Another fantastic year for snow! We had our first taste of ski touring in January, a day trip over the Col de Cicle - first ones there, virgin powder and stunning weather. We followed this in April with an exciting (more than we bargained for!) 5 day ski tour - you can read all about it in our book Ski Tour in the Parco del Gran Paradiso.

In July we trekked on the GR5 from Nice to Lake Geneva (with our two dogs), great weather and a highly recommended trip. We finished with a celebratory supper in Yvoire on Lake Geneva, well worth a trip and a taste of the seaside only an hour from les Contamines. The summer was fantastically hot and dry right through to the beginning of October. The swimming lake was much frequented as was the swimming pool, with its first class poolside restaurant, in St.Gervais. September saw us playing golf in Chamonix in the local Ryder Cup and rock climbing both in Les Contamines, on its famous ecole d'escalade, and in Chamonix, together with the usual diet of walking. Great time to be out here with everything open this year until the end of September.

22 August 2009
We are at the end of our two weeks here. What a great time we have had. Apart from a day trip to Annecy we have not left the valley as les Contamines and St. Gervais have so much to offer. The children have enjoyed days at the lake, making new friends in the process. This allowed us to attempt some slightly longer walks. Together we have swum, zip wired, parapented, cycled, walked, played mini golf, and ridden in cable cars and mountain trains. We have been so active we have been happy to spend most evenings in the comfort of the chalet. The chalet is well situated offering easy access to the village centre and it only takes a few minutes longer to walk up compared to cycling or being in the car. We had plenty of space and the kids appreciated having their own bedrooms. The weather has been nudging 30o or more almost the entire two weeks but as other people have noted, the chalet has stayed cool throughout. We were also pleasantly surprised by the lack of mosquitos! So thanks Alex and Hugh, we have had a lovely break and whilst we have ached a bit in the mornings we have never had a holiday where there was so much to do! The children have both said they would like to come back. That must be recommendation indeed.

2 August 2009
What a wonderful little stroll that was! And in such great company! And to put on weight with all that walking says volumes to the fantastic food we had along the way. The chalet at either end has been a most welcome haven and base to explore the local area (and enjoy even more food). Thanks for organising everything and waiting for us to catch up.

30 May 2009
First time here and I must say what a fantastic place. Mont Blanc is a must see! The weather has been phenomenal - lovely clear blue skies. Whilst here you must eat at l'O a la Bouche - the food was to die for, the flavours were amazing. The wine wasn't too bad either! Lovely chalet, cool and relaxed. It has been lovely sitting out on the balcony with a beer in the sun - very relaxing and tranquil. Cannot wait to come back in the future. Merci beaucoup.

18 April 2009
Les Contamines used as a base camp for ski touring adventure. Effects of altitude, fantastic views, weary limbs, top bunk acrobatics, avalanche(!), precipitous descents and finally 2 days alone to enjoy Jolyvue. Thanks for organising. Tour de Gran Paradiso - done that! A great adventure never to be forgotten. A truly epic tour. Excitement of all kings and truly a challenge. Thank you.

28 March 2009
We have had a highly enjoyable week - we love your chalet and les Contamines - everyone so friendly. Excellent buns, butcher and the 8 à 8 superbly well stocked. Sarah was very welcoming. All extremely satisfactory. Many thanks.

20 March 2009
Sejour très agreeable dans ce beau chalet avec une très belle vue. Tout le confort est present, on est comme chez soi. Merci pour la bouteille de vin.

14 March 2009
Just perfect sums it up in all but one respect. Perfect weather, perfect snow, perfect hospitality. The only thing not perfect was my skiing and also perhaps the length of my stay - only just warming up after 3 days. Fortunately Hugh and Alex not 100% healthy which allowed my inadequate skiing not to be too much of a hindrance. Can't wait to be invited back. Please!

7 March 2009
Nous connassions déjà les Contamines ayant passé in été à St. Nicolas de Véroce en 2005. Ambience toujours aussi familiale, promenades superbes vers Notre Dame de la Gorge. Votre chalet est agréable, dommage que la vue vers les Loyers soit caché par les arbres. Merci pour la bouteille de Bourdeaux (délicieuse) trouvée sur la table à notre arrivée.

14 February 2009
First time to the French Alps - but probably not the last! The skiing is perfect for our family - ski school for the girls and a mix of challenges for us. The chalet is so precious - right out of a European dream. It was very nice to come back here after skiing for a glass of wine and a nap before dinner. We felt very comfortable here and can see why someone would purchase in Les Contamines. We ate good meals and le Glacier and l'Op Traken. Fireplace was fabulous, views were breathtaking. Completely met our expectations. Amazing how you keep a "homey" feel here, despite it being a rental property - and that's makes a big difference. Snow, snow, snow! Luckily the telecabins are a short drive and most of the slopes were groomed. We went to La Trabla on our last night - best food and service - highly recommended! We had a great time here! My favourite restaurant was la Trabla. I got good pasta there. I also like le Galeta. We skied every day and I had lots of fun! My favourite run was the red run down to the car (Gorge is the name). We liked it here!

11 January 2009
Cycling to work was no easier than a week ago so I guess cycling is good for skiing but not vice versa! It was a great 3 days skiing and we really enjoyed the company and excellent organisation and hospitality. Thank you very much! Many thanks for another excellent weekend which, if Monsieur Gilbert's lift queue antics get our locally, may be the last! We discovered how fast Siobhan can ski when there is a chocolate orange at stake as well as the delights of St. Gervais. LC lived up to its normal billing.

2 January 2009
Have had a really fab time (first time skiing). Nice to have snow at Christmas time. We had a lovely new year in town and at l'Op Traken restaurant (very good). Also enjoyed 'Air du Temps (the Totem not so good). The chalet has everything apart from TV - I know you are on holiday - and maybe a toaster. [Now we have both toaster and satellite TV - Ed.] Apart from that can't fault it at all and would definitely come back. Sarah was very helpful. One very happy family. Thank you for letting us stay in this lovely chalet. I have really enjoyed skiing for the first time. Thanks for leaving the 2 sledges. We have gone sledging nearly every day. Thanks also for leaving scrabble. We played in every night after skiing. Thank you again.

2008
Les Contamines had the best snow for 20 years - January was like April with snow and April was like January! Heavy snow in December and regular doses of excellent powder. Summer was pretty good this year; we were out for the first couple of weeks of June when it was cold and wet - then suddenly on the 15th of June it transformed miraculously into wonderful hot summer. September was sunny and warm and great for walking, with a couple of rainy days.

26 December 2008
We had a beautiful Christmas break. Thanks for letting us use your lovely chalet. It was our first time at skiing and it was wonderful to come back to your warm chalet after a day in the snow. We had excellent weather and a great time skiing. Hope to be back soon. Thank you for letting us stay in your chalet, we had a lovely Christmas and we are waiting to come back next year. Thank you for leaving a pack of cards. We loved playing cards after dinner.

31 August 2008
We had a great time here - beautiful views. We all enjoyed the time and the beautiful weather. Many thanks to Sarah.

27 August 2008
Lovely, well-equipped chalet. Beautiful views including the trees! We have enjoyed walks to Truc and Miage refuges - steep for some! Meals in le Husky and L'Op Traken. Welcome additions could be: more towel hooks upstairs and a small balcony umbrella. Many thanks and to Sarah.

16 August 2008
A very nice hiking area with a lot of beautiful promenades. We were able to hike all the red routes of the walking map. Only a little disappointed about the name "jolyvue" which is not the case due to the trees. [See notes above! Ed.]

9 August 2008
What a lovely location this is. So much to do and so little time - I haven't managed all the walks I wanted to do yet and the boys haven't exhausted all of the Parc des Loisirs activities. A very well furnished apartment, everything you need is here - thanks. The games were very welcome and boosted our cards, dice etc. Also, I echo an earlier comment - the cleaning things are a huge bonus and much appreciated. Sarah's walk advice was great. This region is definitely on our wish to return list. Thanks.

18 May 2008
Lovely stay, although the weather was awful! Watched DVDs and relaxed, a nice break from Geneva! Thanks ever so much.

29 March 2008
Très joli appartement, impeccable. Service et gentillesse au rendez-vous. Vacances parfaits.

1 March 2008
A great week with the boys from home, plenty of laughs, good food, wine, beer and snow. Always a pity when a great holiday comes to an end.

23 February 2008
Les Contamines still as beautiful as ever - the children always want to come back. Another fantastic holiday, and a great chalet to come back to after a day on the mountains. Thank you!

8 Febuary 2008
Ce retour aux Contamines, 10 ans après notre dernier séjour avec nos enfants, restera un très doux souvenir. La station est toujours aussi charmante et votre chalet adorable. Accueil parfait, nous avons appricié la vue, le feu ouvert et les DVDs...Nous espérons y revenir!

30 January 2008
A wonderful visit. You are truly fab hosts and thank you for sharing your cosy nest with us.

27 January 2008
Une semaine vraiment superbe! Can't say that I beat Hugh at cards but truly loved the skiing and the relaxing après-ski with the dogs! Many thanks for a great few days.

25 January 2008
Many, many thanks for the excellent winter break. We were supremely lucky with the weather, the snow, the food and everything. But for me the icing on the cake was beating Hugh at cards.

21 January 2008
WOW! Fantastic weather - sunshine all the way - great snow, a heavy dousing prior to our arrival. But where is everybody? Skied everywhere and hardly found anybody save the army racers and the local saga group! After ten days in various parts of the alps and the last 41/2 here with my wife, it's time to give my legs a rest and face reality. I hope my sister's next guests get as much fun, snow and skiing as we all had and I think and dream of next time.

13 January 2008
First stay in that "traditional" resort "LC". Great fun - good sledging. Many thanks.

13 January 2008
Fantastiques trios jours à Jolyvue! Je ne connaissais pas les Contamines et j'ai adore. Très pittoresque et très sympa! Le ski était super et on s'est regale aussi bien sur les pistes qu'en dehors. Merci à tous les deux!

13 January 2008
First winter stay at Chalet Jolyvue. Fabulous January weather - great snow, sun adn great hospitality as ever. Thanks.

4 January 2008
Campbells and Russells from Scotland! Fantastic time at les Contamines ad at the chalet. 4 adults and 3 children all very comfortable! Snow great, weather mixed but 3 beautiful sunny days! Would love to return some day. Thanks.

2007
The winter season was marked by a lack of snow in all the neighbouring resorts, but Les Contamines stayed true to its enviable snow record providing excellent skiing all the way through to April. The only downside was that it attracted crowds of people unable to find the snow elsewhere - even had to queue at the odd lift and the service la Grange became impossible unless you got there at noon. April was baking hot but great skiing in the morning and tennis in the afternoon. The summer was quite damp and chilly like the rest of France and England - but September was glorious. We backpacked the GR4 for 12 weeks from May to July, with the dogs, from Royan to Grasse - perfect walking weather and an unforgetable experience.

28 December 2007
Must be good!.. We have returned for our second Christmas here. Fab time had by all. (Bruno gave the 3 boys lessons). I tried Nordic skiing. Considering I dislike skiing, enjoyed this alternative but not easy. The weather was amazing, endless blue skies, a real Xmas card. Considering returning in the summer. Seems there is loads for the boys to enjoy.

15 September 2007
Had a great time despite the physical exertions I was forced to endure. Beautiful place, fantastic weather and even got some work done. And happy to be a guinea pig for Alex's less than 3 pan dinner - very nice it was too!

24 August 2007
Have had a fantastic packed holiday. We have really enjoyed les Contamines and could happily live here with all it has to offer. We can see why you chose it. We have walked, cycled and generally enjoyed the huge array of activities too numerous to mention here. We love coffee at the bar opposite the church where the view is glorious. We have also enjoyed many aperitifs there with numerous games of happy families! The butcher's food is great! The restaurants all good and the children have loved the food. We have had fantastic weather! The children don't want to leave. Thank you so much.

11 August 2007
We have had a really enjoyable week despite a few days of monumental rain and orage! Particularly enjoyed the acrobatic island, Annecy (via La Clusaz - great scenery), l'ô a la Bouche - wonderful food but you need to book - and Kill Bill 1&2. We found your chalet very homey and Ms only got concussion once from the beams above her bed. A week was far too short as we had just settled into les Contamines relaxed living but we are certain we will return. Thank you again for a really relaxing holiday.

4 August 2007
We've had a great week here - lovely weather most of the time and plenty to do whatever the weather. It's a brilliant area for an active family holiday. The chalet is super too, a real home from home: comfy beds, excellent kitchen facilities (we appreciated finding some clingfilm and foil and things like that), lovely hot showers, fluffy towels.. lots of nice things. We hope to return next year.

22 July 2007
We have had a fantastic holiday in your apartment. It has suited our needs perfectly and we appreciated the details like herbs and oils which were left here. We were very lucky with the weather and so have had a very hot week. Les Contamines is a lovely village with stunning scenery. My favourite thing was crazy golf at the adventure park (age 7) My favourite thing was the den we made in the garden (age 7) My favourite thing was the the view of Mont Blanc and going up in the cable car to Mon Joly (age 7) Stayed here in March on a boys' skiing trip and wanted to bring the family (see above) to les Contamines to experience the magic. Wonderful place, back again in March 2008.

1 June 2007
Thank you so much for letting us stay in your apartment. I have had a wonderful week. Although everything was closed we had a great time exploring the mountains. The weather here is very funny, on Monday it snowed, on Tuesday it poured with rain and on Wednesday it was glorious sunshine.

14 April 2007
Had a great time skiing but waiting in the queues was a little boring. Very good size chalet, great size bedrooms. Nice and tidy when we got here, sofas very relaxing. Skiing was was really fun, the house is great.

31 March 2007
We've had a fab time. Utterly and Butterly have skied brilliantly. We will return!!

24 March 2007
We have had a wonderful week in the chalet. Thanks for the lovely setting, we had a relaxing time here. We got 6 snowy days out of the week staying here! It is surprisingly snowy in the late March! Thanks.

15 March 2007
Lovely chalet - perfect for the five of us. Perfect cloudless and windless weather - too bad about the slush on the slopes but a fantastic time anyway! Always love this area and certainly will keep Jolyvue on the short list for all future holidays - summer or winter.

3 February 2007
We have had a great time staying in this lovely place. The chalet is perfect (even the hill walking back up!) The weather was glorious, sunshine and loads of snow - we have been very lucky. Hope to come back again.

26th January 2007
Thanks so much we loved it! Timed it perfectly - fabulous snow, glorious sunshine, great company!

25th January 2007
I think I shall be changing jobs more often - this is a great way to wind down. Thanks!

20th January 2007
Thanks for a wonderful week - we love the chalet, open fire, home cooking and down duvets - fabulously relaxing times.

12th January 2007
I've been coming to Les Contamines for 20 years, so I know all its charms. This area is so diverse they don't fade. "Spring" snow conditions this past week came as a surpise but don't panic June 2006 was the coldest here for 50 years. We can recomend the new restaurant L'O a la Bouche, but still feel L'Op Traken comes out tops for value and consistency. In the summer St.Gervais has some great mountain views. You may also care to enjoy the Passy lakes at Domancy or a day trip to Aosta in Italy. Thanks for the use of your very nice chalet.

6th January 2007
We've had a lovely time here for a family of 5 and have enjoyed our second time seeing France.

2006
The year we bought Chalet Jolyvue. We walked the Tour de Mont Blanc in June with the dogs - fantastic scenery and weather and met some great people. The weather was fabulous in June and July and but got very chilly in August.

30th December 2006
The perfect family holiday resort catering for all needs skier and non-skier. The chalet is a delight. Warm, cosy and pretty and lovely views. We hope you will consider letting us come back same time next year!! For more winter magic.
PS If you are a non-skier like me, highly recommend walk from Signal to Cafe Joly. Go to tourist office and join walkers group for a morning - fantastic but make sure you join the right group related to your fitness, they are tough!! Michael our instructor for boys was a delight and by the end of the week all 3 are on black runs (this is their third skiing holiday).

27th September 2006
The first of many visits I hope! Walked up a lot of hills & ate & drank well & great company as ever.

15th September 2006
Thank you so much for a beautiful stay at your heavenly chalet. Amazing area. It was lovely spending time with family in such a lovely area. Thank you to Patsy for the connection.

15th September 2006
Thank you for your beautiful apartment and wonderful setting. We had a great three days exploring the area. We are excited to come back in the winter.

1st September 2006
Apart from the unseasonal weather, which at times was more like claggy winters day in Cumbria, we had a very enjoyable time. We especially enjoyed catching the telecabin to Signal and walking along the ridge to Mount Joly (views accross to Mt.Blanc were fantastic) and catching the tram to Nid d'Aigle and walking back home via Bionnassay Glacier, Col de de Tricot & Miage. Good mountain biking on a number of different routes from Signal.

20th August 2006
We've had a fantastic 2 weeks - excellent apartment & facilities! We loved the views, walking mountain biking... very tempting to come back again one day! Thanks for everything.

4th August 2006
Our family of 5's first visit to Les Contamines, beautiful accomodation in a peaceful area of Les Contamines. Parc du Pontet we found excellent for all the family. We've tried the full range of activities - starting with the swimming lake - thanks to Sunday's 30 degree C fine weather. Acrobatic island was well worth a try as well as archery, boats and rock climbing. Les Contamines is a beautiful area wonderfully complimented by the sympathetic as well as the most friendly and helpful locals we've encountered "en France".