Over The Fence
Mancunians, Sam Thomas and Jon Dredge, swapped grey skies for white slopes with a chalet business in France. Neighbour Christophe and his English wife Jody are happy to help out
The New Guys Childhood sweethearts Sam Thomas and Jon Dredge are seeing two dreams come true in their new home in France – not only are they living in one of the world’s most beautiful locations but they have also achieved the ambition of running their own business.
“We were part of the rat race in Manchester for well over 10 years, often working 60-hour weeks. So we decided to re-mortgage, take a sabbatical and snow board around the world for a year,” explains Sam, 35.
After spending 12 months in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Asia, the couple realised they couldn’t return to their old lives. So they ploughed the rest of their money into More Mountain, a luxury ski and snowboarding chalet business at Morzine in the Haute-Savoie département of France.
“It’s only 70 minutes from Geneva – full of life yet still very French. Couple that with stunning mountain vistas, lakes, amazing food and local hospitality… well, it’s perfect,” says Sam.
“There’s something about Morzine. They even have T-shirts printed to say that. We love it – not only because it’s part of the Portes du Soleil ski area but also because it retains its character as an old French town while having a cool vibe with younger British ski and snowboarders,” she says.
Jon, 37, says there’s a real sense of community, partly because people live in Morzine all year round so it never empties like some other ski resorts do during the summer.
“It was really hard at first convincing the local French that our modern approach to chalets would work. They were used to a traditional ‘Alpine’ theme with love hearts and gingham curtains,” he says. “We realised there was a gap in the market for a more contemporary chalet operation for the up-and-coming young professionals. We’ve tried to create the sort of holiday that we always strived to find – sexy chalets, nothing too flash but still modern, stylish and luxurious.”
The couple have now bought their own home to restore and neighbours have been volunteering to help out with the work – it’s the sense of community which is keeping them here, they say.
“Would we go back? No way! Running a business is really hard work and the pay is very different to what we were used to, but I love my view of the River Dranse and the mountains of the Portes Du Soleil,” says Sam.
She adds: “I do miss Marks & Spencer, cheddar cheese, Lincolnshire sausages and the cinema. But being so close to Geneva makes it easy to get back and have a shopping spree. Manchester is only three hours door-to-door so we see friends and family a lot – plus they get free holidays with us.”
The Locals
You can’t get more Morzinois than Christophe
Marullaz – his family have lived in the beautiful French town for over 600 years and he has a remarkable 150 family members still living close by, which must make buying Christmas presents very expensive!
Skiing is in his blood. His grandfather built the resort’s first ski lift in 1938 and Christophe himself is a ski instructor in winter. During the summer months he builds wooden chalets, which is how he and his English wife, Jody, first met Sam and Jon.
“I’m really proud to be Morzinois and could never imagine living anywhere else. It’s a paradise when you compare it with city life. Children are still free to run around the fields safely and because you meet people who are on their holidays, there is a certain joie de vivre,” he says.
“We try to keep traditions alive. Seventy years ago Morzine was a poor farming community but we still lead cows up to the mountain pastures to keep the grass trim and clear the land around the chalets. This is a big day out for us now, and three generations of my family come with me to help. After this, we celebrate with the Fête de la Musique where I play tuba for the local brass band.”
“As Morzinois we’re slightly apprehensive that the local traditions and communities may be diluted. But the tourism has improved our town and encouraged investment in the area.”
Food is a big part of everyday life for Jody and Christophe, who are both in their 40s. The local specialities include Abondance cheese, cured ham, saucisson and a rosé wine produced with Gamay grapes.
Jody says: “It’s easy to travel around and visit different countries from here. Switzerland and Italy are each within a one hour drive of Morzine. So, for instance, we go to Courmayeur in Italy for a pizza to celebrate Mothers’ Day. Being so close to Geneva means it’s easy to fly to other destinations.” She should know because she still works as an air hostess.
“We met Sam and Jon through my cousin. Since then we’ve become friends. We have a similar taste in style and décor, which is why we chose to work with like-minded people. Now, we’re going to help them build their own home here in Morzine so they’ll stay for good.”
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