The deck out side the chalet...
Fun in the snow....
The Beautiful Gryon Sunset…….
Here are our adventures over the summer at good old chalet martin
Since I’m not very good with words I will be keeping my thoughts to a minimum and let the pictures do the talking …
Not a bad place to be working (the view from the office)
Via Ferrata fun!
We also had some great days out on the vfs in the area.
Solalex love!
Solalex is a beautiful national park just 15mins from the hostel, we spent allot of time up there walking, climbing and slack lining.
The Solalex Fox it comes to eat your lunch!! or at least trys to
Climbing The Mirror 13 pitches of fun and hard work.
The descent down!!
Then there were the climbing trips…..
Our latvian friends at the crag…. making climbing look cool.
Holly climbing hard…
Our Friend Luke who came out with the Kentucky school group, can’t work out if he’s having fun or not.
Then there was the music..
We had a jazz band stay for the Monteux jazz festival and they put on an amazing show….
History of hip hop at the Monteux jazz festival
Sun set at the Monteux jazz festival.
so thats it so far from Chalet Martin.
Oh Chalet Martin, how we miss thee. Beyond the wonderful people, friends, and travelers we met there, it is the holiday season that really makes us miss magnificent Gryon. The winter sports alone are legendary. The skiing and boarding kick ass and the snowshoeing was my surprise favourite for certain. It is absolutely stunning up there and it is difficult to keep your eyes on where you are headed down the slopes as the views are so beautiful. You can see all the way to France from the resort. Fabulous.
The holiday season in the Alpes also brings the wonderful Montreux Christmas market. They have what seems like hundreds of little huts lining the streets and waterfront offering Christmas goods and specialty treats, including Meg’s fave: vin chaud! They even have little cabins with big open fires in them that provide sustenance for a little warm up time. Some even have the biggest frying pans we have seen full of delicious looking Swiss delicacies. It is definitely a full day to explore a wonderful market in a gorgeous town.
One of our fondest memories was without question, Christmas dinner. Group dinners are a regular occurrence around Chalet Martin where everyone comes together to create a feast that would be the envy of many. The Christmas dinner, however, is one for the ages. Not only is there enough food to feed a small army, sharing this experience with so many friends from all over the world makes it particularly special.
Just writing this leaves me wanting to search for the next flight… sigh…
We went to Chalet Martin for a few months and stayed a year. Megan and I traveled for two years all together, staying in countless hostels all over Europe. Many of them were incredible places run by lovely people, but living at Chalet Martin was simply amazing. Not only is it the best hostel we have been to, the incredibly amazing staff and owners have become wonderful friends. We have already had a couple of reunions with the lifelong friends we made in Gryon – a couple of them even made it to our wedding this past summer in Canada! Living in a place with such a perfect atmosphere is truly special. While bonding with travelers of diverse origins and enjoying Switzerland’s natural beauty, our experience at Chalet Martin was unforgettable. We have made tons of friends from all over the world. Without trying to sound clichéd, our time in Gryon was certainly life changing and we cherish those memories more than anyone can know…
That’s it… where is my passport…
Am I correct to assume that skiing the Swiss Alps is on most peoples bucket list? Some of you are probably thinking to yourselves “yeah that would be great but there is NO way I can afford that and the Alps terrain will be WAY to hard for me”. wrong and wrong. Now you can afford this luxury with our great ski packages priced for adults or students, dormitory beds or private rooms, long or short stays. Whatever your preference may be, we have a package for you! On top of that there are ski runs here to fit everyone, yes even you beginners!
Chalet Martin is a quick 5 min train ride to the Villars Gryon ski resort. With over 120km groomed runs and 38 installations our ski resort offers something for everyone. The Villars-Gryon ski resorts official opening this year is December 18th with a special opening ski weekend on December 11th & 12th. Also, the resort is open all the way until April 25th so you can get in that last spring ski.
Check out the weather and book yourself in before the winter passes you by. We look forward to having you stay in our authentic Swiss Chalet where you will find a home away from home in Gryon.
Marie – Claire & KelleAnn
Two different girls with two similar stories. Maire-Claire & KelleAnn were both here (seperately) over 10 years ago and both found themselves back in Gryon mid September with their husbands to revisit the place they fell in love with so long ago.
Marie – Claire’s Story
In November 2000, Marie-Claire was travelling around Europe with some friends when she decided she needed a little bit of adventure and some fresh swiss air. Having previously found a brochure for a little hostel in the mountains she headed straight for Gryon. ”I always thought of Gryon as paradise since the moment I stepped off that little train,” Marie-Claire remembers. During her 5 night stay she kept busy skiing, paragliding, eating fondue, & ice skating. She still is in touch with a couple of friends she made during that visit 10 years ago.
Marie-Claire & Pat hiking, 2010
Last year, when she found out her huband’s job would be bring them to Europe her first thought was “I have to go back to Gryon.” Her husband, Pat, had no qualms with visiting the paradise she had spoken of since they met. So, nearly ten years later Marie-Claire made it back to her “paradise” (upgrading from backpacker dormitory life to a private room this time!) “Last time I had come for adventure, this time I came for peace,” Marie-Claire said. And boy, did Gryon deliver again! During their week long stay, they cooked gourmet meals in the communal kitchen, hiked, had living room jam sessions and made more lasting friendships. Marie-Claire isn’t waiting another 10 years for her next visit. She will be back with her brother in January 2011 for a ski holiday!
KelleAnn’s Story
In August 1999, KelleAnn and her friends met some people on a train who could not stop talking about Gryon and how beautiful it was. The people passed on a brochure and as KelleAnn put it, “four girls set out in search of this beautiful place a random stranger told us about! ” While at Chalet Martin they had a great time skiing, rock climbing & being getting a birthday serenade by a group of canadian boys.
KelleAnn 1999
KelleAnn 2010
Over 10 years later, KelleAnn and her husband, Jeremy, were planning their “5 year late” honeymoon. Jeremy had broken his foot right before their original honeymoon, so in Sepember 2010 they finally had the time to take the trip. Although they didn’t have to many set plans, one thing was for sure, KelleAnn was going to return to Gryon and take her husband! (Again upgrading from backpackers dormitory beds to a private room!) They spent a few days here and headed off, but ended up coming back to relax and enjoy the senery. When they returned Marie-Claire and Pat were here and they were all able to sit down and share their stories. When they finally left, KelleAnn bemoaned, “every time I leave Gryon it rains!”
KelleAnn is planning a trip back with her original travel partner, her best friend Tracy, with in the next 2 or 3 years. See you then ladies!
KelleAnn & Jeremy, hiking 2010
Between Marie-Claire and KelleAnn, something stands out. Somewhere between the fondue and the nostalgia, came a realization that Gryon is not simply a place to enjoy a reckless weekend (or week, or month) in your twenties. Marie-Claire said it best, sometimes we head to the mountains looking for adventure and sometimes we go for peace. And not matter the intention, Gryon enables us to find what we are seeking. So whether you are planning your 5 year late honeymoon, a winter ski holiday, a girls’ retreat, or a stag party we invite you all back to the Chalet Martin. Not only so you can enjoy paradise, but to introduce your new friends and loved ones to that place you always talk about! Although, book soon…the private rooms seem to be in high demand!