Archive for the ‘skiing france’ Category
Monday, January 30th, 2012
Following a spate of avalanches which have killed five people in Val d’Isere, and with plenty more fresh snow forecast over the next few days, many skiers will be asking themselves whether the fun and challenge of skiing off-piste are worth the risk.
Skilled skiers will tell you that off-piste skiing is the only way to go; the slopes are too tidy, and too full of other holidaymakers, to be any fun. But avalanches can strike at any time, and they take their toll of the unwary.
Last week’s avalanche happened on a day when the risk on the international scale was 3 out of 5. That was still within safe limits for experienced guides, and skiers were out when the avalanche hit. Four people were carried 150m, down one slope and half-way up another, by the 50m-wide slide. They were very lucky: one is still in hospital in a coma, but the others escaped with minor injuries. All were experienced skiers and wore avalanche transceivers; they were found quickly as there were several witnesses who rushed to help, and rescue helicopters were called without delay.
How can skiers and boarders best protect themselves from off-piste risks? The first advice is obvious: make sure you wear a transceiver at all times. Buy and wear an ABS backpack, which works like a car airbag to keep you above the snow, and pull the cord to open it as soon as you feel the airblast which runs ahead of an avalanche.
If that fails, or you’re not wearing a pack, use your arms to keep a breathing space around your face, and as soon as the avalanche slows down use them to “swim” to the surface as quickly as possible, before the snow sets around you like concrete. That way you’ll be easier to dig out and you’ll have a 90% chance of survival, as opposed to 34% if you’re buried.
But the most important piece of advice anyone could give you is: always go with an experienced guide who knows the mountains well, and don’t try to over-ride his or her knowledge and instincts. Sometimes there may be no obvious sign that something’s amiss, but the guide’s gut reaction will be not to go to a particular slope. Trust them, go somewhere else, and live to enjoy another season.
Tags: off-piste skiing, skiing france, val disere skiing
Posted in cross country skiing, easter skiing holiday, off-piste skiing, skiing france, skiing val disere, val d'isere ski, val disere skiing, valentine ski breaks | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
For some winter sports enthusiasts, enjoying one or two holidays every year is simply not enough. The lure of stunning ski slopes, clear blue skies and the promise of après ski fun after long days on the mountains cause many to seek to further their skiing and snowboarding by indulging in instructor courses. For those who would like to combine their love of skiing in Valdisere with a love of children, the region has some fantastic BASI courses feeding into the demand for children’s ski instructors.
The Espace Killy, and particularly Val d’Isere, is one of the most respected places in the world for skiing. With luxury chalets, a huge variety of evening activities and a diverse range of skiing, there is no better place in the world to indulge in a BASI course. Whilst many people undertaking instructor courses are enjoying a gap year, either from education or their career, Val d’Isere offers an 11 week course that can be utilised by those who may not have an entire year free. The Level 1 and 2 course offers those enjoying Val d’Isere skiing the perfect opportunity to explore the slopes like never before whilst also building their repertoire of skills for the future. With the region specifically catered towards winter sports enthusiasts, skiers will find their every requirement met.
With its vast range of accommodation options, especially with the area noting a property boom, there are plenty of places for a keen skiing instructor to work, sleep and play. Make this season the one where you take up a Val d’Isere ski instructor course – it’ll provide memories and skills that will last a lifetime.
Tags: childre, childrens ski instruction, childrens ski school, ski instructor course valdisere, val disere
Posted in Children Skiing france, French ski resorts, skiing france, skiing val disere, things to do val d'isdere, val d'isere ski, val disere, val disere skiing, winter snow activities | No Comments »
Monday, November 7th, 2011
When you want to go skiing, the time of year depends on what you want and how much you would like to pay.
Prior To Christmas
The slopes are vacant and costs are lower. Val d’Isere cannot ever completely guarantee great snowfall, however, the snow has been wonderful for the previous two years. The World Cup circuit is assured, though – here you will find men’s races on the Face in the middle of December.
Christmas
Enjoy a white Christmas with your family which the majority of British children simply dream about. You take the gifts, and a tree is provided to place them around. Enjoy the mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas puddings, turkey and log fire that goes to make up the festive atmosphere. The slopes tend to be remarkably uncrowded at Christmas, yet prices are about 25% less expensive compared to the next seven days in the run-up to New Year.
New Year
This is a fantastic period to ski, just make sure that you go somewhere with sufficient pistes and lifts to deal with the crowds as everywhere is relatively busy. Val d’Isere has a huge ski area as well as 16 lifts from the foot of the valley. Revellers enjoy the partying on New Year’s Eve; skiers adore the vacant slopes several hours later.
January
It may be a bit colder compared to other months; however, January is normally the sunniest month of the winter season. It may snow every single day, so fresh snow is not a problem. The slopes tend to be less crowded at this time of year and this is when a Val d’Isere skiing holiday can be very enjoyable.
Original news source: yseski
Tags: christmas val d'isere, family ski holidays, French ski resorts, skiing val d'Isere france, val disere skiing, When to ski in Val Disere
Posted in Best ski resorts France, Best time of year to ski, christmas skiing, christmas val disere short break, easter skiing holiday, family ski holidays, French ski resorts, group ski holidays, New Year, Package deals Val D'Isere, Resort advice, Skiing advice, skiing france, skiing val disere, special offer valdisere christmas | No Comments »
Friday, October 21st, 2011
Seeing that snowboarding has been increasing drastically in previous years, it has been revealed by Snowboard Club UK (SCUK) that there are some great deals for December 2011 trips. For individuals wanting to enjoy accommodation in chalets in Val d’Isere before the Christmas period, the SCUK Early Bash 2011 offers eight days of sunshine and snow before the season really gets underway.
Whilst many holidaymakers may not be thinking of going snowboarding until January or February, indulging in early snow before Christmas can offer a welcome and surprising break. Newly white peaks can provide a great alternative to slopes in the later season, and whether indulging in a long weekend or a week, a trip before the festive period can be a refreshing break. With a stunning atmosphere and high altitude slopes, Val d’Isere offers some of the best winter sports opportunities around. Starting on the 10th December, SCUK are offering seven nights of self catering for a great early price. Included in the package is a six day, full area lift pass to Espace Killy, offering holidaymakers’ complete access to a wide choice of snowboarding locations to really get the most from their trip.
With a range of great chalets in Val d’Isere close to the slopes, enthusiasts can ensure that they get maximum time snowboarding by indulging in SCUK’s Early Bash, possibly even in addition to another trip in early 2012. With the region offering the ideal location to indulge in early snowfall, snowboarding in December could prove popular this year.
Source: http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/news-10818.html
Tags: Early skiing deals, Package deals Val D'Isere, skiing val disere, snowboarding val disere
Posted in skiing france, skiing val disere, snowboarding val disere, special offer valdisere christmas, the best ski chalets | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Val d’Isere skiing is often regarded as some of the best in the world, with the region of the Espace Killy offering a wondrous variety of on and off pistes to explore. With a high altitude, lots of snow, and facilities for skiing and snowboarding, it is a prime location for winter sports enthusiasts. For those wanting to travel with families, Val d’Isere is also an ideal winter retreat for children.
With a wide range of luxurious and catered chalet options, families can easily find a great place to stay, with parents being provided the extra luxury of not having to cook whilst they are on holiday. For Val d’Isere skiing there are some great spots for kids, with Oxygene offering some of the best options for children with lessons being both highly entertaining and very safe. Meanwhile, there are a large number of activities away from the mountain slopes, with playgrounds and husky sledding an ideal way to give children a great time away.
In addition to a great range of options for children, the Val d’Isere region offers some excellent restaurants, stunning views and even the opportunity for a wine making course. Over 300km of pistes are also available for exploring, and if children are attending classes it is the ideal opportunity for parents to head to the variety of beginner and experienced runs. With an enormous range of luxury chalets on offer, winter sports holidays to Val d’Isere are ideal for the whole family.
Source: http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/europe/val-diserefrance/8535.html
Tags: catered ski chalets val d'isere, children skiing, skiing for children, skiing france
Posted in Children Skiing france, family ski holidays, luxury chalets val d'isere, skiing france, skiing val disere | No Comments »
Friday, September 23rd, 2011
With the winter season around the corner, Alpine Answers’ Marketing Manager, Earl Knudsen, has revealed important advice for those heading to French ski chalets in Val d’Isere. For regular guests and newcomers to this popular resort, getting the best time on the slopes is down to a few key points
Knowing the area and when the busiest times are will allow keen winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy the rush hours. Being a hugely popular and well regarded resort, Val d’Isere attracts great crowds throughout the peak season. Leaving French ski chalets early will allow skiers to get onto the slopes before the crowds, avoiding busy ski lifts. The Solaise chair and L’Olympique bubble can get particularly crowded and individuals will need to get an early start here. Alternatively, using local buses to Le Fornet will allow off-piste runs on the Glacier de Pissalias.
Mr Knudsen also highlighted safety concerns, advising those in the area to remain vigilant with both their equipment and themselves. Equipment should be labelled with names and contact details, especially for lift passes, so that holidaymakers do not become stranded. Meanwhile, bindings should be checked and common sense applied before heading onto the slopes, with those going off-piste advised to never do so alone.
With Val d’Isere remaining a top spot for winter sports enthusiasts, it is a great place to enjoy the favourite pastime of skiing or snowboarding. By setting off early, and having a late afternoon drink near cable car stops, individuals can avoid some of the heavy crowds.
Source: http://www.anatolianholidays.co.uk/2011/08/top-tips-on-a-top-time-skiing-in-val-d%E2%80%99isere/
Tags: Piste advice, skiing france, Skiing help, val disere skiing
Posted in Resort advice, Skiing advice, skiing france, val disere | No Comments »
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Val d’Isere is renowned for its skiing and Le Chardon Mountain Lodges has been an established provider of ski accommodation in the resort for the past 20 years, yet familiarity makes it easy to forget what a beautiful place this is and how Val came to find itself as one of the premier skiing resorts in France.
Originally a small farming village, Val d’Isere grew into a contemporary alpine resort whilst managing to keep its village feel and sense of tradition. Life within Val d’Isere centred around the church in the village square and this church continues to be an integral part of the town life and activity. The Old Town is without doubt the most attractive part of the resort, with quaint, aged, stone houses that line small snow-crammed roads. A particular Savoyard lifestyle is exemplified within these conventional stone and wooden homes.
This ski resort has traditionally been very popular with the French and British although the Russians and Americans have also found Val attractive in recent years due to its abundance of great boarding and skiing. There are more than 300km of marked piste runs as well as limitless off-piste skiing in the Espace Killy region, which makes it a perfect place for boarders and skiers of every ability to satisfy them. Together with its adjoining resort of Tignes, the Espace Killy region is devoted to every aspect of skiing – make sure you buy a Val / Tignes pass to make use of all the runs during your holiday.
Because of its location against the mountains of the Italian border, Val d’Isere’s record of snowfall is outstanding. It frequently acquires heavy snowfalls from the Mediterranean low pressures that deposit their snow on the Italian Alps. The snowfall coverage is amongst the best in Europe and conditions usually allow great Val d’Isere skiing right up until the end of the season aided by Val disere’s own snow canyons and piste management.
Le Chardon Mountain Lodges has specialised in 5 star catered accommodation to match this luxurious ski resort with chalets that will make your skiing holiday truly memorable. Call us on for more information on 0844 0920350 and find out what we can do for you, your family or company.
Tags: catered ski chalet, French ski resorts, val disere skiing
Posted in catered ski chalet, catered ski chalets, exclusive ski chalets, french ski chalet, French ski resorts, luxury chalets val d'isere, luxury ski holidays, skiing france, skiing val disere, val disere, val disere chalet, val disere skiing | No Comments »
Monday, September 5th, 2011
How do I Buy the Right Equipment?
It may surprise you, but if you decide to purchase your own equipment rather than hire whilst holidaying in Val d’Isere, purchasing within the resort is your best option as there is a vast range and a lot of the shops offer you with the ability to try before you buy.
• Skis/Snowboard: Purchase within the resort itself as opposed to back at home; this allows a broader selection and enables you to try out various versions. Do research and attempt to establish the equipment you prefer before you come out to Val, the majority of snow sport magazines print regular articles about buying skis/snowboards and offer an impartial specialist viewpoint.
• Testing: As soon as you are in the resort reserve an entire day to test your new equipment at the start of the holiday. Look for a shop that is trustworthy and contains a dedicated test centre instead of the typical rental versions which might be out-dated and worn. Make certain they have knowledgeable employees who speak English; speak to them regarding your possible purchase and supply details regarding your preferred design, capability and fitness, as well as your budget. Be ready to try out alternatives especially if they are recommended by the shop staff as they are usually all ski and snowboard enthusiasts. In the end, slim down your choices to three versions to test because more than this makes things too complicated.
• Boots: Again, purchase within the resort so that you can try out the ski boot and, if you have probelms, you can take it back to the shop to adjust or to replace – so much easier than suffering with sore feet for a whole week and then being left with boots to sell on.
Tags: ski schools val disere, skiing, skiing france, snowboarding 2011, val disere skiing
Posted in ski accessories, ski clothes, skiing france, skiing val disere, snowboarding accessories, snowboarding clothes, snowboarding val disere, val d'isere ski, val disere skiing, valentine ski breaks, winter snow activities | No Comments »
Monday, August 8th, 2011
The peace of cross-country (also called Nordic) skiing in Val D’isere is ideal for anybody who loves tranquility, or feels that the downhill pistes at the resort are too packed or too high. It is an excellent type of aerobic fitness exercise as you are able to be as energetic as you like, whilst the calm pace causes it to be a far more relaxing method to enjoy Val D’isere’s beautiful surroundings.
Return to nature and investigate by relaxing in the cross-country paths around Val D’isere at your own speed. There are two diverse methods – traditional and skating. Traditional is the least difficult for novices; you just put your skis into two parallel groves, drive off and float round the paths. Skating tends to be much livelier and more difficult to understand requiring more ability; you drive both feet out to each side as if you are skating on ice and use your poles at the same time to achieve momentum.
You are able to hire the comfy footwear and light-weight skis and also poles relatively cheaply from the majority of sports stores in the area as well as arrange a group or personal lesson to understand the basic principles from the majority of Val D’isere skiing schools or personal teachers. For all those accustomed to downhill skis, in the beginning you feel hazardously balanced and downhill parts are much more thrilling on slim skis without any sides! The skis tend to be lighter in weight and also thinner compared to skis used for downhill skiing, and the footwear tends to be softer and more comfy.
If you would like to try some cross country skiing whilst staying with Le Chardon Mountain Lodges this coming ski season, let us know in advance and we will organise the lessons, equipment and can even provide a gourmet picnic lunch, which you will need as this is an active if peaceful way to enjoy skiing in Val d’Isere.
Tags: French ski resorts, luxury skiing france, luxury skiing holidays, skiing france, valdisere skiing
Posted in cross country skiing, French ski resorts, luxury ski holidays, skiing france, skiing val disere, val d'isere ski, val disere | No Comments »
Monday, July 25th, 2011
In the Alps children are encouraged to ski from a young age and become proficient very quickly. Competing in races and events is commonplace amongst children in ski clubs and La Scara, established 35 years ago as an international alpine ski race for boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 years is one event many aspire to. It is held at the conclusion of the winter months.
In the past, it was a competition for the youngsters from Val d’Isere as well as other nearby ski clubs, however, more and more newcomers led to the coordinators looking at the format of the race, and enrolling the competition on the International calendar. La Scara is currently regarded in the world of skiing as a genuine “Children’s World Championship” and it is used today as a part of the selection procedure at national level.
The competition was originally opened to boys but in 1990 it allowed girls to compete, and runs over four days. French children need to qualify for the “International races” which in turn take place over the subsequent days.
In the past, the competition has drawn attention to 1,400 competitors; consisting of roughly 300 International skiers coming from 28 countries and 1,100 French skiers. The standard of skiing is extremely high and there are definitely several potential Winter Olympic candidates in the making!
For 30 years, the Val d’Isère skiing club has continued to use the name Scara, and these days it acts not only as a certification regarding racers potential selection at a countrywide as well as global level but it is additionally a part of the inner circle of the five key children’s international competitions including the Pokal Loka (Slovenia), Topolino and Pinocchio Cup (Italy), and the Whistler Cup (Canada).
Original news source: valdinet.com
Tags: family ski holidays, french children skiing, luxury ski holidays, ski championship valdisere, skiing for children, skiing france, val disere skiing
Posted in children ski championship, family ski holidays, French ski resorts, luxury ski holidays, skiing france, skiing val disere, val d'isere ski, val disere | No Comments »
Following a spate of avalanches which have killed five people in Val d’Isere, and with plenty more fresh snow forecast over the next few days, many skiers will be asking themselves whether the fun and challenge of skiing off-piste are worth the risk.
