One of the main benefits of this holiday is that, instead of having to pack up every day and move to a new hotel, you are based at the same chalet. Other main selling points – apart from the actual walking – are the owners of Chalet Savoy, Oliver and Elaine Ensor. Oliver acts as the group’s enthusiastic guide and entertainer – he has a never-ending stock of bad jokes. And his love of the mountains, wildlife, flora and fauna is infectious.
Elaine provides generous and delicious meals day-in, day-out.At the beginning of the week the portions seem overwhelming but after an all-day tramp up and down the mountain, her three-course evening meals are more than welcome.Over the five days, your group visits France, Switzerland and Italy for a variety of stunning views. The Mont Blanc Highlights is a truly exhilarating holiday.
Chamonix, a great high resort (meaning good snow all season) with access to some of the best runs in the Alps. My particular favourite Les Houches the regular venue for Chamonix's world cup downhill and slalom races. At Les Houches there are 70 kilometres of runs of all standards with Mont Blanc in the background. I've skied it with other experienced skiers and with absolute beginners and there really is something for everyone and an added bonus is you can usually ski right back to the chalet. Staying at Chalet Savoy is 'as good as having Mont Blanc in your back garden' they boast and, having stayed there I have to agree. Great views, great cooking, great company with the opportunity of visiting a different ski area every day.
Snow Safari is a single chalet operation based in Les Houches. The accent is on service with good food, transport in a minibus to different ski areas and comfortable accommodation.
"Snow Safari, based in the village of Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley, is a one-chalet company run by a friendly British couple, Oliver and Elaine. Because the Chalet Savoy is their home as well as their business, they offer a unique brand of hospitality and boast 70 per cent repeat bookings."
, American Best Selling Novelist
: We don't need “ATOL” because we don’t include flights on our holidays. Flights are not included because the airports used in our programmes are very well serviced by low cost and international airlines. When flying into Geneva, Girona and Barcelona airports it is virtually always a cheaper holiday when the flights are booked directly by the holiday participants . Also it is our repeated experience that should there be airport or weather difficulties, flight cancellations etc, guests who booked their flights themselves have greater success dealing directly with the airlines rather than having to attempt to obtain help for included flights through a third party company help line. When booking a holiday with us you have the reassurance that we are actually “based” in our travel destinations ready to provide help such as arranging free or cheap alternative airport transfers in case of flight difficulties.
Snow Safari is run by Oliver and Elaine Ensor. Both are lifetime travel professionals holding “CTM” (Certified Tour Manager) diplomas from Breda University. Elaine has also a university diploma in “Languages for Business” and has guided tour groups extensively throughout Europe. Oliver’s qualifications include: IML (International Mountain Leader) “Bergwanderfuehrer” (Austrian Mountain Leader ) “ISIA” (International Ski Instructors Association) stamps obtained in three separate countries (UK, USA and Austria) “BASI (British Ski Instructor Association) Ski Teacher BASI Level 2 Nordic Ski Instructor” and “BASI level 2 Mountain Safety. He is also an International Nordic Walking Instructor - "INWI” He has led groups extensively throughout Europe and China and also in a number of other Far Eastern destinations.
