A message to those poor souls ‘holding the fort’ at Maidstone – Having just returned from a week in La Plagne, staying at Chalet Topaz, I thought it appropriate to make you feel even more left out by reporting how great the snow and weather was (continues to be).

In what I expect will prove to be a futile attempt to cheer you all up, please note that all the staff over there are working their socks off to ensure that the guests you send over enjoy the highest levels of service, particularly in terms of nourishment (liquid and solids) as well as ‘joi de vivre’. The bad news is that they still appear to be enjoying themselves.

Having strayed away from Silver Ski on a number of occasions during the last 30 odd years (only so that we could widen our experience of other (non Silver Ski resorts) in Italy, Spain and N.America), it is always a real treat to return to the security of knowing that Silver Ski has NEVER dropped its standards below the level of excellence. Well done to the four lads and lasses at Topaz and also to the stirling and inspirational guiding assistance provided by Ian (Pops).

Dear Silver Ski,

We’ve been away with you virtually every year for the last 15, and I thought I’d let you know what a great week we had in Chalet Jacqueline in La Tania last week. The brilliant snow and sunshine helped a lot, but it was Sue & Mike in the chalet who really did the business. After less than perfect hosts last year, we looked around other chalet companies, but decided that, as we know Chalet Jacqueline well, we’d give it another go. Despite their advanced years – about the same as us! – they were cool, professional and utterly committed to giving their guests a great week. The food and other aspects of hospitality were super and the week raced by. We can’t thank them enough – and we thought you’d like to know.

Hope they stay on for the 2012/13 season.