Posts Tagged ‘val disere skiing’
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
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Friday, November 11th, 2011
Whilst the economy has remained turbulent, particularly in the property sector, it has been revealed that ski chalets in Val d’Isere are providing the perfect investment accommodation. Val d’Isere is one of the greatest places in the world to ski, and with property investment on the up, holidaymakers to this region can expect to see new chalets on offer in the months and years to come.
Whilst ski chalets around the world have noted a rise in sales, Val d’Isere in particular has seen a surge of interest for properties. Prices on average have increased by 6%, and for any property investor, now could be the ideal time to buy accommodation. Val d’Isere guests, on the other hand, can look forward to a range of new French ski chalets becoming available as ski operators take advantage of making an investment and expanding their property portfolio. This is likely to offer more choice and luxury for holidaymakers in both the upcoming winter season and for 2012/13.
With Val d’Isere being very attractive for both novice and professional skiers, it is the ideal place for those that want beautiful slopes and some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. A huge variety of après ski opportunities also exist, offering visitors to the region the ideal way to unwind after long days on the mountains. With the latest boom in property, both newcomers and regular visitors to the Espace Killy can expect some exciting new chalet prospects to enjoy on their winter retreat.
Tags: chalet valdisere, french ski chalet, luxury chalets, skiing valdisere, val disere skiing
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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 »
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Val D’isere and the surrounding area is about to receive a small makeover, offering new facilities to visitors. For luxury catered ski chalets, France is ideal, especially the area of Val D’isere. For those who have been to this area before, new services and attractions are to be welcomed.
It has emerged that the ski lift company STVI met with councillors last week to discuss an investment of approximately €51 million to redevelop certain aspects of the area. Offering great new facilities for winter seasons, the project includes plans to replace the current Solaise Express with new cable car operations.
Val D’isere village is also to get a small makeover, including both local improvements and better traffic networks. For enjoying luxury catered ski chalets, France offers a great variety of options, with Val D’isere being highly popular. As such, guest numbers to the region are high, with councillors wanting to offer the best possible holiday for visitors. Le Fornet’s central square is to get a new water fountain to add to the area’s attractions, whilst there are also plans to pedestrianise Laisinant during the winter months. Meanwhile, with the region very popular with families, there is also the possibility that a dedicated small children’s village area will be added to both Le Joseray and Rond Point des Pistes.
With a field meeting planned for the 2nd September, developments are yet to be set in stone. However, with the winter season looming, those travelling to this popular French ski area can expect a number of beneficial changes.
Source: http://www.valdinet.com/news-and-weather/val-d%27isere-to-get-a-mini-makeover.html
Tags: catered ski chalet, family ski holidays, French ski resorts, Val D'Isere ski lifts, Val Disere make over, val disere skiing
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Anyone wanting the perfect chalet accommodation, Val d’Isere is the only place that should be in mind. With a variety of high end and luxurious options, families, couples and friends can find the perfect chalets in Val d’Isere for their needs. However, being one of France’s top skiing locations, Val d’Isere offers far more than luxury chalets.
Being one of the high altitude resorts, the skiing is fantastic and is the number one attraction for visitors. For those with a short schedule it is not unusual to see guests dumping their bags and running to the slopes because, with a range of fantastic pistes and off-piste routes, there is a huge variety to keep winter sports enthusiasts happy. Meanwhile, with a great number of pros in the area, taking a few lessons is a great way to spend a morning or so.
In addition to skiing and top accommodation, Val d’Isere offers great sightseeing and social attractions. The Alps are stunning and even those on the thrilling ride downhill should take time to look across the panoramic views. There are also great dining opportunities and trying fondue and raclette is a must. For those who want to party whilst they are in the Savoie region, Petit Danois, Dick’s Tea Bar, Pacific and Face are ideal locations to drink, dance and have a good night out.
With skiing in Val d’Isere the number one attraction it can be easy to forget that there is so much more to do. For travellers wanting a little bit of everything on top of great accommodation, Val d’Isere is the place to go.
Source: http://www.travelcontentonline.co.uk/5-reasons-to-leave-your-chalets-%E2%80%93-val-d%E2%80%99isere-awaits/
Tags: catered ski chalets val d'isere, family ski holidays, French ski chalets, French ski resorts, luxury catered chalets, luxury skiing france, skiing val d'Isere france, val disere skiing
Posted in best ski chalet val disere, catered ski chalets, family ski holidays, French ski resorts, group ski holidays, luxury chalets val d'isere, Restaurants in Val D'Isere, val disere chalet, val disere skiing | No Comments »
Friday, October 7th, 2011
Bonding weekends and corporate events are ideal ways to not only reward staff but increase company loyalty. Skiing events are a fantastic way of enjoying a thrilling few days away with team members, and Freshly Squeezed Events have revealed that they offer top retreats for corporate ski Val d’Isere getaways.
One of the leading enterprises behind corporate skiing events, Freshly Squeezed Events offers a one stop service for companies to get the best trip away possible. Dedicated events managers are provided for each trip, allowing individuals to have key contact throughout the planning process. Having been in the business for almost a decade, the firm utilises experienced mountain professionals to provide the best advice and support for corporate groups.
Corporate skiing in Val d’Isere is ideal for company retreats due to the area being one of the best French Alps resorts in the world. Situated in the vastness of the Espace Killy it has a range of skiing for all levels, in addition to both on and off-piste routes. In addition, its après ski offerings include ice driving, paragliding, heliskiing, climbing and dog sledding, making the location ideal even for teams where not all members want to hit the slopes every day.
With the winter 2011/12 season looming, many winter enthusiasts may be looking ahead to getting the chance to indulge in their favourite pastime. For corporate events, Val d’Isere offers the ideal location.
Source: http://www.freshlysqueezedevents.com/why-freshly-squeezed-ski-events/
Tags: catered ski chalet, corporate ski, Corporate ski groups, Luxury corporate chalets, val disere skiing
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Friday, September 30th, 2011
Val d’Isere is commonly regarded as one of the best places in the entire world to ski. With Espace Killy at its feet there is an enormous variety of both on and off-piste ski runs to handle. In addition to this, with a large number of luxury catered ski chalets, France’s premium winter sports spot is a must visit for the snow season.
Whilst Val d’Isere in its entirety is a great place to ski, snowboard and indulge in après ski activities, one run in particular is considered the cream of the crop. The Face de Bellevarde, often shortened simply to “The Face,” is a run that many consider a must, even if previously indulging in Val d’Isere’s extensive variety of downward slopes. It is by no means the region’s steepest slope, but it is technically very challenging and a run that experienced skiers love navigating and amateurs look forward to trying. Featuring a 972m drop, The Face consists of nearly three kilometres of continuous slope; a demanding piste for many. However, being a wide slope, in addition to having stunning panoramic views of the valley almost halfway through, it is a challenge that skiers come back to time and time again.
With The Face adding to Val d’Isere’s attractions, many people continue to flock to this region, which is dedicated to skiing and offers a variety of challenges for beginners through to experienced professionals. With the additional lure of luxury catered ski chalets, France’s famous winter sports resort remains as renowned as ever.
Source: http://www.tctour.com/the-5-best-ski-runs-in-france/
Tags: Best runs in Val D'isere, luxury ski chalets France, skiing france, val disere skiing
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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
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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
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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 »
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.
