Mark Pirie retired from the Royal Artillery Regiment with the rank of Major. Since when he has worked in some of the worlds most dangerous countries. Notably Mark managed the first UN and Embassy approved guesthouse in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was also given the responsibility to set up overflow accommodation for Embassy and UN staff in Sudan.

Mark studied Thai cookery at the Bangkok Oriental Hotel in Thailand and holds a certificate in Health and Food Hygene.

In addition to being the owner and host at Chalet Marco Polo Mark is also responsible for transportation for our guests and Ski guiding. He has a Canadian Level 1 ski instructor certificate.

Haydn Eason is the chalets manager and chef. He also has a military background serving in the Royal Marines. In the intervening years Haydn has had what many would call a 'colourful' career. He has worked in 23 countries in jobs as varied as a masseur at the Zermatterhof Hotel in Suisse and a warehouseman in a hide and fur factory in Denmark!

The skills Haydn brings to the chalet stem from having served an apprenticeship at the Britannia Hotel, Grosvenor Sq. London Later working at the Strathspey Hotel, Aviemore and the Grand, Brighton. He also ran his own specialist seafood restaurant in Kingsbridge, Devon.

Haydn also teaches Archery, traditional knife making and wood turning and maintains a fleet of all terrain bikes at the chalet.