chamonix accommodation

Gone are the days when a catered chalet owner like Ski Breezy ask clients to write something to go on the website as a testimonials. With the advent of Web 2.0, where the user interacts with a site and creates the content, there are far more trusted ways to build a reputation.

The risks are huge. Essentially anyone can write anything they like about your business and you have no control. You can no longer gather testimonials and just publish the ones that you want prospective clients to read. Whether you like it or not there is a load of user generated information available out there and some of it could be about the experience people have had staying at your accommodation or the service they received in your establishment.

So why not embrace it – encourage prospective clients to read it, and encourage past clients to publish more?

Having asked new enquirers and clients where they found details for Ski Breezy. We discovered that about 15% are from referrals, some are from search engines but a growing number are from sites like Trip Advisor and Google Maps. There is a developing population who are cynical of static website content and more trusting of sites of user generated content.

More recently a few clients suggested that we set up a Facebook Page . This provides yet another forum for generating reviews as well as discussion forums. The more interesting thing about the Facebook Page is that it taps into the social media psychology as well as the user generated web content. The Chamonix Page for example has a following of over 7,000 people who love the place and share photos of the valley. So anyone who becomes a fan of a page automatically promotes that page to everyone they are ?¢‚Ǩ?ìconnected?¢‚Ǩ¬ù to. Thus a Facebook Page is a kind of network marketing tool. The puzzle is how to create a page that people want to interact with? And that is indeed a puzzle.

Last week three of us set off to do Glacier du Mort ski tour, Breezy Anne and myself Alun. The tour is on the Aiguilles Rouges and it descends into the Berard Valley to Buet.
Near the top of the descent we came across a lone skier stuck on a cliff band and called in a chopper rescue.
Initially we called 112 thinking that we would get through to Chamonix Mountain Rescue but alas we were chatting to Swiss Mountain Rescue. having established that they did not know where we were they put us through to PGHM in Chamonix. Both services were fantastic and within 20 minutes a chopper arrived to pull the lone skier off the cliff and take him back to safety.
PGHM called us back a couple of times while we waited for the chopper with questions and instructions. The whole incident would have been a lot swifter if we had the number for PGHM in our phones and dialed them first. So here is the lesson – put PGHM in your mobiles now.

PGHM +33 4.50.53.16.89

Breezy and Alun run Ski Breezy offering catered chalet accommodation Chamonix. Fabulous home cooking and flowing wine in homely chalet accommodation close to the centre of Chamonix.

Since our meeting on Glacier du Mort we have seen the same lone skier twice more but never followed his tracks.

Last week an old friend sent me a mail requesting availability at Ski Breezy. He was quite excited, not having skied for some 20 years and having just ?¢‚Ǩ?ìinvested in?¢‚Ǩ¬ù skis, boots and poles. I read on with a slight premonition that there was going to be a twist. As an old friend was he after a cheap deal? No. Maybe he was going to suggest getting the old rugby team together to go skiing too? No. Then I found it, right at the bottom of the email, it read ?¢‚Ǩ?ìPS the skis are Elan and poles Scott got them from the charity shop I now work in for ?Ǭ£10 – do you think this is a bargain??¢‚Ǩ¬ù

So do you think it is a bargain?

I did not reply for 2 days. Call me a chicken if you like but I felt that I had to ponder my response and come up with a plan. After all, a simple No may cause offence. I had to find a way of saying No in a positive and constructive way.

What would you have said?

After careful consideration and research I did write a reply and it went something like this.

?Ǭ£10 Bargain!!! I assume that the boots fit and the poles are the right length. Having your own boots that are comfortable and fit well is always good. If you can use the side of the skis as an architect?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s ruler then you probably don’t want to bring them. Skis have moved on a lot in the last few years and modern ones are so much easier to use. Plus there is an economy thing too. Basically with airlines like Easyjet charging ?Ǭ£18-50 each way for a pair of skis, then a return flight is gonna be ?Ǭ£37 extra with your own skis. Unless they are brand new then servicing (wax and edging) is gonna be another ?Ǭ£25. Put that little lot together ?Ǭ£62 and you can hire a set suitable for intermediates in resort for the week including poles. Advantages are that they will already be serviced, they will be modern waisted skis, you don’t have to carry them to and from an airport, don’t need a ski bag and don’t even have to bring poles either, if you only do a week a year you get to ski on new skis without the purchase, you don’t need to store them the rest of the year and lastly if you scrape a rock you don’t have to get them repaired. Plus, if you use Chamonix Ski then they will deliver and fit skis, and boots if you want at the Chalet. That way the ski shop comes to you so you don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have to queue up for a couple of hours on your first morning and if it dumps a load of powder when you are in Chamonix then just change them for something wider.

So, do you think I will see my friend this season?

Ideally located in les Praz of Chamonix, close to the golf course and ski lifts of Flegere, comfortable facilities with friendly service to make your stay enjoyable.
Don’t look further, you just found your Eden…

Bookings are filling up quickly for Christmas and New Year. Contact us now to secure your white Christmas and New Year in the beautiful Chamonix valley.

Welcome to the Hotel Eden accommodation.
We offer a range of bedrooms, suites and apartments. Anything from a romantic getaway to a corporate weekend.

All rooms are modern, newly renovated and non smoking. Each one with stunning views of the Chamonix valley and some of Mt Blanc.

A wonderful combination of contemporary and classic French cuisine has earned The Eden acclaim from numerous gourmet restaurant guides including France’s famous ‘Guide Michelin’.

The service is impeccable yet the atmosphere remains relaxed. Don?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢t miss the breathtaking views of the sunsets over Mt Blanc from the restaurant terrace.

The restaurant also welcomes : celebrations, corporate dinners, weddings, birthdays, christenings.

Wireless internet connection available.