Founder Director

I formed Ski Talini after 6 busy but inspirational years of living and working in the French Alps, having graduated from Oxford University in 2006 (sorry Dad!).  Life as a chalet host was the perfect tonic for the post-finals frazzle and the return to UK seemed rather less attractive, so life became centred on all things snowy.  I took a sabbatical from skiing and migrated to a superyacht in the Med and later joining the crew of a colossal motor yacht for a 6-month tour of the Indian Ocean.

However, the call of the mountains was too strong and I returned to the Alps all the more determined to start my own ski business.  Thus Ski Talini was born and is now going from strength to strength into its fifth winter season.

My ethos for Ski Talini is simple – creating a chalet holiday that I would like to go on, where there is serious food and fantastic but unpretentious service, all in a beautiful chalet where you feel that you can really unwind.  And all in one of the best ski resorts in the world!

Director

With over a decade of experience working in and around chalets, I know that at Ski Talini we offer something really special to our guests.

One of my earliest memories is sitting under a café table in Dieppe, chatting to a poodle while my parents sipped espresso. This quintessentially French moment instilled in me a desire to live and work in France, although it wasn’t until I was a gauche teenager that I made my first tentative turns here on skis.

After eleven Three Valley winters skiing and undertaking all manner of behind-the-scenes chalet tasks with an (almost) unflappable sense of calm, I make slightly more confident turns these days, but more often than not I’m being overtaken by my two lovely sons who are growing up in the Alps and are rolling their ‘r’s like natives!

With a background in PR, marketing, recruitment, transport logistics and multifarious AOBs, I’m fully equipped to make sure you have a wonderful holiday.

Resort Manager

I’m very excited to be Ski Talini’s Resort Manager and to welcome you to beautiful St Martin de Belleville. It’s my job to make sure that everything in your chalet runs super-smoothly and that you have all you need to make the most of your Three Valleys ski holiday. I’ll be popping into your chalet to ensure all is well, so you’ll no doubt see me during your stay.

I’ve only recently caught the skiing bug (having previously been more of a tennis and rounders girl) but I have a well-developed love of the outdoors from my Duke of Edinburgh awards, so I can’t wait to spend my first whole winter in the mountains.

Aside from being chained to a desk for the last 4 years working in corporate marketing & PR, I am hoping to bring my other talents into play in my new position, for example my ‘Sparkly Owl’ role in the Brownies, or indeed my vote as ‘Most Likely to Become a Blue Peter Presenter’ at Uni. Well-prepared and always willing to get stuck in, my snow-man building skills are second to none!

Chef

I began my career as chef not long after leaving school and have been running restaurants and hotel kitchens across Somerset and Bath ever since. I really enjoy using ingredients at their seasonal best and using modern techniques to showcase their character. I also have specialised in vegetarian cuisine and enjoy the challenge of creating an exciting dish centred around the humble vegetable.

My culinary journey has inspired me to travel to regions famous for their culture, food and drink (where some adventure sport is also available) where I have fallen in love with the adventure and unknown. Kelly and I have recently been surfing and eating in Morocco, snowboarding, deciphering menus and drinking schnapps with the locals in Montenegro and most recently a touring Italy visiting Barolo, Chianti and hiking the Bergamo Alps.

Alongside my chef work, I am also qualified as a cosmetic chemist working with sustainable ingredients and natural fragrances, and am going through my Mountain Leader Training with the BMC.

Chalet Host

From stepping into my first commercial kitchen at 14 as a naive KP and then on through whirlwinds of busy days and nights in restaurants in beautiful rural Somerset, managing countless wedding receptions (yet still treating all as if they were my own) and many late nights waiting for tired guests to arrive to check in, I have an enormous passion for bringing happiness, exceptional service and a genuine smile to my guests.

It is also this passion I feel for putting it all out there in a race, on the bike, in the water and on the mountain – especially if I can do this whilst getting to explore the world!

Challenging myself to the extreme is my absolute dream as I’ve competed in sport from a young age (mostly riding, running, athletics and dance and more so now in endurance, triathlon and general fitness).

I’m always brimming with energy, so if you fancy a pre-ski challenge in the morning…I’m in….(even if it is just to make snow angels)!

Chef

Having been working with food for nearly 10 years, it’s safe to say I am obsessed by it. I am always on the hunt to expand my recipe bible with innovative techniques and unusual ingredients.

I am lucky in my line of work that I can travel and feed my wanderlust at the same time as improving and expanding my culinary knowledge and skill. I have developed an eye for detail and passion for exquisite taste from my time working in London at Claridge’s, Noma, and Rhubarb, as well as abroad in Italy and Australia.

I can’t wait to cook my own creations in the Alps with the delicious, fresh local ingredients. I love a challenge and can make anything and everything so will be happy to write a menu to suit your party’s needs!

Chalet Host

I’m over the moon to be back in St Martin for a second winter with Ski Talini, after having a fantastic first season in 2015-16.

I’m looking forward to meeting both new and returning guests this winter, as well as entertaining the children, topping up your glasses and generally making sure you have a fantastic time. I’m also very pleased that my carpentry background will be used again this winter – carrying logs and lighting the fire!

I’ve been skiing since I was little so I’m really happy to be having another opportunity to perfect my upside-down skiing in the snowpark!

Chef

I completed my training as a Chef in the spectacular city of Cape Town, where my desire to travel and experience new culture took hold. I travelled up the Eastern Coast on a foodie pilgrimage and discovered the wonderful produce that South Africa has to offer, as well as gaining my Ostrich drivers’ licence among other exciting adventures.

On returning to the UK I found myself a job at Llangoed Hall, a gorgeous Jacobean Country House Hotel not far from where I grew up. Having an extensive kitchen garden where I could handpick fruit, vegetables, herbs and even eggs was a serious luxury as a chef, and I learned how to treat them delicately to preserve their freshness and flavour.

It was a lifelong ambition to learn to snowboard, which I did on a Christmas trip to Innsbruck. I was absolutely staggered by the experience and have been aching to return to the slopes ever since. Last year Megan and I made it to Chamonix and I instantly fell in love with the snow again.

It will be my absolute pleasure to combine my two passions this winter season and look forward to using some of the superb local ingredients to conjure up some culinary delights with a backdrop of the stunning 3 Valleys.

Chalet Host

Last season, Owain and I went to Chamonix to visit my brother who was living there. I fell madly in love with the slopes, the views, the incredible food and the wonderful culture that came along with it.

I have a background in hospitality so I’m very excited to be looking after a beautiful Ski Talini chalet. My first taste of customer service was in a luxury hotel in Windsor and more recently I have had hands-on experience helping to run a 6-bedroom hotel in Herefordshire. It’s really important to me to provide guests with the best experience possible and to leave with a huge smile on their face after a memorable holiday.

I can’t wait to get back to the slopes to improve and explore the amazing skiing in the Three valleys. I’m hoping my experience of hard work and physical activity that I have built up through my passion for riding and studies in Equine Management will mean that I have bags of energy for all the skiing!

Mascot

Balloo is the youngest member of Team Talini! She is a Labrador x Bauceron x Golden Retriever and is a serious powder pup!

Born on New Year’s Eve 2012, Balloo has now fully grown into her role as the Talini mascot. She loves pouncing on snowballs in fresh snow, teatime and Daisy’s slippers, along with lots of lap-time!

Balloo is only around as much as guests would like her to be (if at all) so please don’t worry about her being in the chalet if you – or anyone in the chalet – is not happy with her.