Posts Tagged ‘skiing france’

Staying Stylish and Warm in the Snow

Friday, August 12th, 2011

valdisere ski wear 2011/12With the Ski and Snowboarding Show in Earls Court looming and the ski season ahead of us we started thinking about what trends will shine out in Val d’isere this winter. It is just so important to be warm yet stylish whilst skiing in Val d’Isere.

Hopefully we will get a glimpse of the latest ski-wear and find out how the brands have mixed the latest clothing technology with the funkiest cuts and colours whilst in Earls Court.  However, we found these style tips in the Guardian and have to say they’re pretty spot on:

The Trapper Hat, with ear flaps, in fake fur or the knitted variety, all are headwear of choice in the snow. This on-trend piece replaces the ear muff – somewhat 2009 – as a way of looking stylish and keeping warm. Topshop has reported a substantial rise in people buying the company’s knitted faux-fur trapper, which has dangling wool plaits as well as pom-poms. Gordon Richardson, Design Director at Topman states that the trapper hats have “become a unisex hit that fuse function and fashion.”

Cashmere Joggers – Gap have reported that their classy jogging pants are practically selling out. Vice President of Worldwide Public Relations and Special Projects, Anita Borzyszkowska, says “Those pants do a great job as they’re warm and comfortable but still have a sexy slouchy-ness to them that feels young and modern.”

Down Padded Coats – Uniqlo’s selection of padded coats that are vibrantly coloured and possess fake fur-trimmed hoods have supposedly “flown off the shelves” during the cold weather. The Japanese manufacturer has sold this particular variety of ski coat for many winters.

Extravagant and Fun Gloves – Among the best sellers at Asos during the cold weather are their pom-pom gloves. These are grey mittens in a simple design – but have a large red pom pom attached to each glove, which makes a style statement and will turn heads.

Please let us know what you would add to this heady mix!

Cross Country Skiing in Val d’Isere

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.

La Scara – Val d’Isere Skiing Championship for Children

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

Ski Blogs – We Round Up the Best

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

For those of you who are already counting the days until the start of next ski season, we have rounded up some of the most informative, objective, and entertaining ski or snow blogs (or snogs). These will drip-feed you with news and updates over the coming months until you can cosy up in your luxury French ski chalet.

First up is the good old Ski Club of Great Britain, which doesn’t have a blog as such, but has Latest Ski News and an Events Diary clearly shown on their home page. Interesting and varied sums it up.

Next is the simply named Skiblog, a good all-rounder with personal write-ups, tips and guides and good photos alongside.

On the Snow packs an amazing amount of info on almost every European resort and their section on Val d’Isere is kept very up-to-date.

Pure Powder specialise in heli-skiing and off-piste skiing in some amazing locations. It’s worthwhile checking out their blog just for the incredible photography.

Feel free to let us know if there are other good snogs out there!

Further Reductions on Christmas Skiing Val d’Isere

Monday, December 6th, 2010

We’ve just reduced the price of our stunning chalet Kilimanjaro, which sleeps 8, to just £10,000 for the week beginning 19 December. This discount of almost 50% gives you exceptional value on a luxury skiing holiday in one of the top ski resorts in the world.

Val d’Isere is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders alike at all levels of ability. For non-skiers or days when you’d like to try something else, there is a huge selection of activities in Val d’Isere to choose from. Ranging from the unique, ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences like ice diving or an igloo evening, to resort-based activities such as horse-riding or a massage, you’re sure to find something you like.

Christmas in Val d’Isere is a completely magical experience, complete with Christmas market, ice sculptures, street entertainments and a visit by Santa for the children. Definitely not to be missed.

Skiing and the Arts Scene – a Divine Combination!

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

It may seem an unlikely pairing, but surely I can’t be the only person who loves to mix great skiing with a little browsing around local art galleries, topped up with a hot chocolate or vin chaud now and again? Wherever I go on holiday, I like to view the local art exhibitions if I get the opportunity, to get a vibe of what’s going on and to while away a few pleasurable hours.

Our luxury ski chalets are a work of art in themselves;  beautiful reclaimed wood and local Savoyard stone, and graced with sumptuous textiles and stunning interior decor.

For a glimpse of what’s new and exciting in French art, the galerie Jane Griffiths in Val  d’Isere is well worth a visit, and there’s no place better to stop off afterwards for hot chocolate and pastries than La Maison Chevallot.

It has been said that art or wine can be a good investment during a time of recession. As in all things, you should exercise caution and seek expert advice or become very knowledgeable yourself before parting from your money. Read our article on collecting art for some useful tips. The beauty of wine is you can always drink it if it doesn’t appreciate!

Skiing Val d’Isere – Special Offers

Friday, November 12th, 2010

We’re very proud of the number of  guests who return to Le Chardon year upon year, and who enjoy a wonderful ski holiday.  However we don’t rest on our laurels, and always strive to improve. This year all the chalets have been extensively refurbished, and we can guarantee you’ll be delighted with the results.

Our special offers on several of our luxury catered ski chalets mean that you can make huge savings in the run up to Christmas. You might be interested in staying on a per head basis rather than booking a complete chalet. This is available at Chalet Mistral, priced  at £995 per person for the week beginning 12th December.

When it comes to group ski holidays, there’s lots of fun to be had catching up with family and friends. However, it’s nice to have a little bit of time out from the group now and then. There’s plenty of space in our chalets so you don’t have to get in each other’s way, but for some light-hearted advice, click on our article ‘group ski travel – top tips’.  Happy reading…

French Ski Resorts are Tops For Food-lovers

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Cuisine is taken very seriously in France - despite the rise of the fast-food phenomenon in recent years.   Meal times are generally considered to be valued occasions – a time to stop doing other things and simply savour and enjoy delicious flavours with friends and family.

You may have heard of haute-cuisine, a very elaborate preparation and presentation of food which is served over many courses in very small quantities. At the other end of the scale is regional cooking carried out in homes and local restaurants, where the emphasis is still on high quality, but much simpler altogether. High-quality, imaginatively prepared, regional French dishes are hard to beat, especially when you can enjoy them in their country of origin.

French ski resorts are renowned for the range and quality of their food establishments, from the fast-food style buffet through to the Michelin-starred restaurant, from traditional Savoyard fare to Chinese, Italian and Spanish to name just a few. In fact, the quality of cuisine is undoubtedly one of the reasons for France’s enduring popularity as a top ski holiday destination. The other reasons, of course, are the excellent pistes and lift networks, and its convenience for British skiers.

Savoyard cuisine, from the high Alps of France, is one of the best-loved regional cuisines in France. It can be described as robust, rich, varied and down-to-earth.  It makes excellent use of local cheeses such as reblochon for authentic dishes such as fondue and tartiflette. Other specialities include the local variations of saucisses (salamis) and patisseries. Val d’Isere boasts many bars and restaurants serving excellent food, from simple snacks to full-scale gourmet feasts.  Additionally it has several first-rate boulangeries and patisseries serving specialties of the region.

This type of cooking is perfect for skiers who have burned off loads of calories during the day and need to refuel before the evening’s entertainment. Combined with a stunning backdrop of alpine scenery or within the cosy ambience of a traditionally built ski chalet, the food takes on a new dimension.

At the same time many lighter options are also available, making good use of fresh local produce. In our chalets, an experienced and imaginative chef will liaise with you to prepare menus to suit your party, including many specialty dishes from around the world. So, much as you may like tartiflette, you don’t need to have it every day (unless you want to, of course!).

A French Ski Chalet… Don’t Just Dream it, Do it!

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

France stands proudly as the top destination in Europe for British skiers, offering a fabulous choice of ski resorts to suit all abilities and budgets. Skiing in France is very diverse, with resorts in the Vosges, the Jura, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. However, because of its high altitude, the French Alps offers the most reliable snow conditions.

Choose your French destination carefully to ensure the best conditions – ideally high altitude for perfect powder, with a wide variety of runs for all levels of experience.  This is especially important near the beginning or end of the ski season. All resorts have snow cannons and piste bashers, but the primary influence of temperature and location will play a key role in the quality of your skiing holiday.

In the northern Alps, you’ll find resorts such as Avoriaz (a mecca for snowboarders), and Morzine, although at an altitude of only 1000 m conditions are not always so reliable. Val d’Isere, Chamonix, and Les Trois Vallées can be a safer bet.

Val d’Isere, combined with Tignes, offer 300 km of pistes at high altitude – the highest are over 3000 m high.  The area has an extensive range of pistes for beginners and inexperienced skiers as well as challenging runs and off-piste skiing for the more adventurous. Val d’Isere is considered the best ski resort in Europe, and one of the top ski destinations in the world.

Families with children are restricted by school holiday dates, so it’s wise to plan ahead. Forward planning is also crucial if you have other specific requirements.  If you are planning a group ski holiday you should book in plenty of time to ensure the best price and accommodation choices. Repeat business is very high, especially for highly sought after large catered ski chalets, so our advice is too book up group accommodation well in advance.

Our french ski chalets offer ski in, ski out access, are fully staffed and include hot tubs, wide-screen TVs and full wi-fi access and are perfect for groups, families or corporate hospitality.

Skiing Exercises and Ski Fitness

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

If you’re planning a ski break try to build up your strength, stamina and flexibility from at least 4 weeks before you go. Here are some basic exercises you can do in your own home.

Make sure you warm up with some light cardio exercise, and cool down with stretches at the end of each session. Keep your mind on your core stability by engaging your abs when carrying out these exercises.

  • Beginners: Perform one set of each exercise for 15-30 seconds
  • Intermediate/Advanced: Do each exercise for 1 (or more) minutes and repeat 1-3 times

Ski Jumps
Stand with feet together.  Bend the knees and jump to the left as far as you can – think distance rather than height.   Land with soft knees and immediately jump laterally to the right.  Repeat. Take-off and landing should be on both feet together.

Lunges
Prop right shin on a step behind you and bend left knee, slowly lowering into a lunge.  Squeeze through the heels to raise back up, making sure knee is behind toe and torso is straight, abs in.  You may add dumbbells as you progress.

Hamstring Strengthening

This can be done with heels firmly under a large heavy object, such as a sofa or bed. Place soft cushion under knees, heels locked. Lean slightly forward to a count of 5 and return, repeat 10 times. The hamstrings are important to help stabilise the knee joint.

Back Extension
Lie facedown with a cushion under your hips and lower torso.  Your heels should be under a large heavy object such as sofa or bed. With your hands behind your head, lift chest off the floor, bringing your shoulders up until your body is in a straight line.  Lower & repeat.

Squat Jumps
Stand in front of a step or low bench.  Bend the knees and, keeping the body very low, jump onto the step with both feet, landing in a squat with soft knees.  Step down and repeat, moving as quickly as you can.

Trunk Rotation

Lie down straight, face up and with feet together. Begin with right leg bent, left leg straight and approximately 12 inches above floor at the foot. Hands loosely touching ears, reach for right knee with left elbow and be sure to exhale at the same time. Try not to pull your head and neck forward. Repeat for opposite leg and elbow. Be sure to breathe steadily, exhaling with each cross-over.

You may still get a few aches during your skiing holiday, so why not book a massage with a highly trained physiotherapist or soothe your aches away in the chalet hot tub?