Easter Skiing Holidays in France

March 9th, 2010

With only a few weeks to go until the end of the ski season, there is still some availability for great family ski holidays or group ski breaks. Choose your resort carefully to ensure the best skiing conditions – ideally high altitude for perfect powder, with a wide variety of runs for all levels of experience. Val d’Isere, at 1850m, is one of the best high-altitude ski resorts in Europe, if not the world.   You’ll get a decent tan and come back honed and fit, what more could you ask for? For a vibrant après-ski scene, Val d’Isere has that magical combination of powder and party that makes it one of the top ski resorts in the world.

Our fully-catered ski lodges are perfect for family Easter skiing holidays as everyone can relax and there is plenty of space  for the children to run around inside.  There is also lots of flexibility with meal times, and your chef will ensure that everyone is happy with the daily menu. Our luxury chalets offer privacy and space for individuals with large communal areas for getting together at the end of the day.

If your Easter ski holiday is going to be your first skiing trip this season, try and stick to an exercise programme over the next few weeks to build stamina and improve your flexibility. This should include some running, which is a great way to build strength in your calves and hamstrings. Cycling is also a good all-rounder for aerobic exercise. If you’re a member of a gym or have a personal trainer, they should be able to advise you of other useful exercises.

Once you’re on holiday, try and remember to do your warm up exercises each morning. Doing this will help reduce the risk of injury, encourage greater blood supply to your muscles and wake you up properly!

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Luxury Ski Chalets during Val d’Isere Gourmet Food Festival

February 23rd, 2010

For all you foodies out there, you can now plan your Val Di’sere ski trip around one of the most spectacular cookery events in Europe – Pistes Gourmandes, La Cuisine Pure. This festival of fine cuisine, taking place 15-20 March, celebrates all that is wonderful about French cooking, with workshops, demonstrations, cook-off competitions, children’s cookery classes and, of course, tastings!  We currently have a few spaces in Chalet Mistral, a ski chalet for 14 people, please contact us for details.

Several Michelin-starred chefs will be dropping into Val during the festival to give cookery classes participate in talks, and sign copies of their books. For the first time this year there will be a “Golden Spoon” competition especially for female chefs. Often in the shade of their male colleagues, women will come to the fore and create some amazing culinary delights to be sampled and judged by the formidable 34-strong panel of expert judges. Not for the faint-hearted!

Here at Le Chardon our gourmet experience will be more relaxed and, we think, equally as good!  A private chef looks after guests in each chalet – having created menus to suit each party, breakfast is ready every morning, cakes and treats made daily, canapés prepared to enjoy with champagne before dinner and indulgent gourmet meals using the freshest local ingredients are served in the evening.

Our Head Chef Oliver Clark (who has been trained by Gordon Ramsey, Gary Rhodes and Phil Howard) has created a fantastic menu for this season, with dishes including roast sea bass with celeriac truffle and ratte potatoes;  assiette of suckling pig with smoked garlic mash, pea mousse and tarragon jelly and a mouth-watering selection of freshly-prepared desserts.  We look forward to seeing you.

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Valentine Ski Val d’Isere

February 9th, 2010

Could anything be more romantic than snuggling up in front of a roaring log fire with the love of your life, chilled champagne in hand, whilst outside the snow glitters in the moonlight?

Or, you might prefer to be standing at the summit of a spectacular black run, hand in hand, pledging eternal love to each other before racing each other down the slopes like snow demons!

Or picture yourselves enjoying a sumptious dinner created specially to your tastes, a leisurely soak in the hot tub or swim spa and ready to enjoy a luxurious romantic evening in your own catered ski chalet with unparalleled views across the valley to the mountains.

Of course, everyone’s idea of romance is different, but there are few people who wouldn’t be bowled over by being treated to a luxury break in Val d’Isere, a world-class ski resort with the unspoiled charm of a traditional alpine village.

There are several Val d’Isere chalet companies to choose from, but Le Chardon Mountain Lodges sets the benchmark for quality with its exceptionally high levels of service.  This, combined with the desire to ensure that you are completely delighted with your experience, sets it apart from the others.

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Half-Term Skiing in Val d’Isere

January 15th, 2010

So, why book a ski holiday in France when the UK has seen the heaviest snowfall since records began?  The Scottish ski resorts are reporting their busiest season ever, with excellent skiing conditions for all levels.

Well, this is exactly the reason why you should still consider going further afield for your annual powder fix.  British skiing is wonderful when you can get it, but the travel time for many of us means that skiing abroad is a more convenient option.  If you then have to queue endlessly for the lifts, the restaurant, it quickly loses its appeal.

A resort such as Val d’Isere is geared up for a massive influx of visitors every year, with over 300 km of pistes and a combination of cable cars, funicular, chair lifts and tows totalling over 100 lifts which serve 135 runs.  Even at the height of the season, queues are virtually non-existent as there are over 78,000 rides per hour to whisk you up the slopes.  Add to this the bluebird days and spectacular scenery, and you’ll be in ski heaven.

If you want to be truly pampered, look at our selection of luxury catered ski chalets for a unique and memorable experience.  The winning combination of luxurious yet welcoming surroundings, fine cuisine prepared to your tastes, hot tubs and ski in, ski out access is unforgettable.  For families, we can arrange nanny services in addition to our experienced and welcoming chalet staff and concierge service.  The resort itself has excellent creche facilities and ski tuition for all levels.

For children, there are endless activities to choose from. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5pm, they can ‘airboard’ – a snow bodyboard that gives the sensation of flying above the snow; Snake Gliss -  a “snow snake” sleigh for up to 20 people (minimum age 7); or play 5-a-side snow football.  This all takes place at the foot of the Solaise area.

So, how do you get there?  Val d’Isere travel options include flights to Grenoble, Geneva, Chambery or Lyon from many UK airports.  If you prefer to let the train take the strain, the nearest station, Bourg St Maurice, is only a 20 minute taxi ride from Val d’Isere.

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Family Ski Holidays

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 FROM VAL D’ISERE

January 11th, 2010

Val d’Isere has enjoyed an action-packed start to the season, with the Criterium de la Premiere Neige tournament just before Christmas, and the Army Ski Championships last week.  Of course, one of the highlights for countless visitors at this time of year is the New Year celebrations.

Whilst the weather hadn’t been behaving in the last few days of 2009, on New Year’s Eve itself the sky was clear with a beautiful full moon.  The slopes were bathed in brilliant moonlight, whilst hundreds of sky lanterns and searchlights shining on Le Face added more magic to the scene.  Hosts of revellers gathered at the roundabout for the countdown to the bells, and at the last stroke there was of course general mayhem and good cheer with some very loud bangers to mark the occasion.

On New Year’s Day all the resort’s 150 ski instructors gathered together to put on a wonderful ‘Snow Show 2010’ which featured music and live entertainment, a  torchlit descent down Le Face, and a spectacular fireworks display, not forgetting the ready supplies of mulled wine to keep the party atmosphere going.

An extra-special addition to the resort this year is the new Sports and Leisure Centre, which only opened on 20th December.  Boasting  a huge swimming pool, spa area, climbing wall, squash courts and gym, this is one of the biggest investments Val d’Isere has every made as a resort, and a great place to go if skiing conditions are not perfect or you fancy a change of scene.
There has been lots of new snow in the past few days and we’ve had some amazingly clear blue skies, perfect skiing conditions.  Off-piste is fantastic at the moment too, but make sure you arrange to go with an experienced guide and check for avalanche warnings before you set off.

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Luxury catered ski chalets

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New Year in Val d’isere – simply unique

December 23rd, 2009

For a fairly small but perfectly formed alpine village, Val d’Isere certainly packs a lot of punches.  Frequently hailed as the world’s top ski destination, it is also in the top ten for a vibrant après-ski scene.   As one of the top nightlife hotspots over the winter season, it’s easy to party away - night after night.  However, if you prefer a more relaxed ambience, away from the throngs, Val is the place to be too!  Doesn’t make sense?  What makes Val so special is that it has so many different facets.  You can capture that unique alpine charm with your loved ones in a cosy Savoyard chalet, toasting in the New Year, or enjoy a wild New Year’s party in one of the well-frequented bars in the resort.

Val d’Isere’s end-of-year celebrations also feature a Christmas market and village, giant snow sculptures, children’s shows, horse-drawn sleigh and a visit from Father Christmas himself.  For children, there are endless activities to choose from.  Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5pm, they can ‘airboard’ – a snow bodyboard that gives the sensation of flying above the snow;  Snake Gliss -  a “snow snake” sleigh for up to 20 people (minimum age 7); or play 5-a-side snow football.  This all takes place in the Solaise area.

Every Thursday from 6pm to 7.30pm, the centre of Val d’Isère becomes a wonderland of street entertainments, including ice and snow sculpting, parades, music and fireworks. The village is lit up with beautiful multicoloured illuminations, a truly magical sight. There are always lots of things going on to keep the children entertained.

Of course, you can’t mention Val d’Isere without mentioning skiing.  The Espace Killy ski area is generally regarded as one of the best in the world. Together with Tignes, the lifts take you to some of the highest runs in Europe.   With a snow record better than most other resorts you can be sure of good conditions on and off piste for the whole season.

One great advantage for beginners when choosing where to go is that Val d’Isere’s nursery slopes,both in the resort centre and at La Daille, are completely free!

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Luxury Skiing holidays

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Christmas in Val d’Isere

December 4th, 2009

If you’d like to treat yourself and your loved ones to one of the most luxurious skiing holidays they’ll ever experience, look no further than Le Chardon.  We’ll arrange everything down to the finest detail, and you can take the credit for a stress-free, relaxing and fun time.  Our experienced chefs will cater to all your likes and preferences, a selection of ski equipment will be brought to you so you may choose in the comfort of your chalet.  Even getting to the slopes is pure enjoyment as all our chalets are in prime locations for ski in, ski out access.

Christmas ski holidays in Val d’Isere are truly magical and memorable.  The traditional Savoyard buildings clustered around the church create the perfect setting for the festivities you can enjoy when not on the slopes.  The village celebrations run from 21st December to 4th January:   magical fairy lights, a Christmas market, snowmen, children’s shows and a visit from Father Christmas all join together to make Val d’Isere at Christmas an enchanting experience.  More magical still is returning to your luxury catered Le Chardon chalet for a soak in the hot tub followed by champagne and canapés before dinner.

Getting to Val d’Isere is now even easier, with a choice of airlines flying to Grenoble, Geneva, Chambery or Lyon from many UK airports or if you prefer to let the train take the strain, the nearest station, Bourg St Maurice, is only a 20 minute taxi ride from Val d’Isere.

Festive Highlights to come:

Premieres Traces / First Lines
The jitters about the recent mild weather have been quelled by heavy snowfall in the last couple of days.  More snow is forecast, so the excitement is steadily building, with a real party atmosphere in the town.  The opening weekend on 28th-29th November, ‘Premieres Traces’ (First Lines, promises to be a big success.  Make sure you try out all the big-name brands of skis and snowboards on offer.  These include Atomic, Black Crowes, Dynstar, Elan, Fischer, Head, K2, Kastle, Movement, Nordica, Rossignol, Roxy, Salomon, Scott and Volkl for skis.  Snowboarders will also be able to take their pick from Apo,  Arbor, Burton, NDK, Nitro and Ride.  There will be music, mulled wine and a range of fun activities for everyone.

This year sees the 54th Critérium de la Premiere Neige (‘the first races of the new snow’), with the men’s events taking place on 11th-13th December and the women’s on 18th-20th December 2009.  There will be 6 Alpine World Cup Ski events and masses of entertainment for everyone.

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Luxury catered ski chalets Val d’Isere

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