LA VARAPPE
: IN THE HEART OF MORZINE
One of the last wooden chalets in Morzine, built in traditionnel
style in 1950 by Jacques Baud (father)
A BIT OF HISTORY
Jacques
Baud (father) : 1937, first fully qualified mountain guide in the
Vallée d'Aulps, and a Morzine ski instructor which led him
to found his very own ski school (in Morzine).
In 1958 he was the first to organise the torch lit descents down the
slopes of the Nyon ski area on 31st December, New Years Eve, shortly
after the construction of the Nyon cable car.
The concept of a Winter Sports resort had come a long way, and Jacques
Baud was one of the early pioneers. Supported by Dr Vuarnet, father
of the famous champion, he was one of the first to propose the extension
of the existant ski area, the construction of Avoriaz, and consequently
the creation of Les Portes du Soleil domain.
(extracts from the newspaper article by Emile Marullaz: 1st Jacques
Baud Memorial)
The
new generation continues to carry the torch. Anselme, the eldet son
and brother of Jacques (son), is an instructor at ENSA ( trans. The
french national centre of study for skiing and mountaineering) in
Chamonix where he divides his time between moutaineering and extreme
skiing, following in the footsteps of his father (although like all
mountain folk he remains very humble regarding his exploits- we are
all proud of him). We wish him all the best of luck in his conquest
of the worlds highest peaks !! (you can discover more by coming and
visiting us) NEXT